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For Every Love #1

Love Unfeigned

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For Every Love, Book One

There’s homesickness in his kiss…


Lorraine: plucky and competitive.
Isaiah: impish, with a smile that gleams in more ways than one.
From the time the two first square off for a wall ball battle as children, Lorraine and Isaiah can’t help knowing each other. But neither can they avoid passions and misfortunes lining their path to young adulthood. After Isaiah’s family breakup disrupts the haven he’s shared with Lorraine, their relationship is threatened by jealousy, abandonment, and a life-altering trauma too grave to…forget.

As one year follows another, what might it take to reunite this divided man and woman in love: a love unbounded by time?
______________

Alternate Cover, ASIN B00F0SDCGG

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2013

2 people are currently reading
52 people want to read

About the author

Nadine C. Keels

46 books244 followers
Nadine. A French name, meaning, "hope."
Her lifelong passion for the power of story makes reading and writing an adventure for Nadine C. Keels. She’s driven to write the kinds of stories she’s always wanted to read but couldn’t always find, featuring diverse and uncommon lead characters in a medley of genres.

Through her books and her blogs (Prismatic Prospects, Gentle Reads Fiction, and Selectively Gritty Fiction), Nadine aims to spark hope and inspiration in as many people as she can reach.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer.
750 reviews15 followers
November 2, 2016
“Love Unfeigned” is a quick-read novella that shocked me by being so full of emotion. This is the story of Lorraine who meets her brother’s friend Isaiah – a year older than her – when she’s in elementary school. Isaiah quickly becomes like one of the family, hanging out with Lorraine and her brother Earl, attending church with their family, and developing a special bond and feelings for Lorraine. After Isaiah’s parents separate, Isaiah is forced to move with his Dad. Although Isaiah has told Lorraine that she is “his girl,” they drift apart as time goes on. When they are finally attending the same high school, Isaiah makes a few attempts to spend time with Lorraine and even gives her bracelet that he made for her, but she can’t ignore rumors about Isaiah and another girl. She goes on to date other guys, none of which can match what she’s always felt for Isaiah, until finally many years later, he’s returned home for Christmas and pulls her out of the street right before she is hit by a car. As they reconnect and try to rebuild their friendship, Lorraine learns the truth about how Isaiah felt in high school, learns the reason that he is back, and remembers things that she buried deep within her mind.

I admit that I got pulled into “Love Unfeigned” very quickly and then the last 30 or so pages had me on the edge of my seat. There was some middle ground that went more slowly and was frustrating because of Isaiah and Lorraine both being stubborn or scared or whatever… However, this was a fantastic novella and as I said at the beginning, there is so much emotion and discovery in this quick read. I did find several moments throughout this story that I was really frustrated with Isaiah. Some of it was cleared up towards the ending and some could just be chalked up as him being a high school boy but regardless, some of his actions and words made it hard to believe that he had always loved Lorraine as he said. Then again, the same went with Lorraine and her stubbornness and/or assumptions because there were moments that I was thinking, “if you would just tell him you love him then everything will be fine!”

Overall I just loved this book and feel as if it holds many gifts, especially for young female readers. Nadine Keels created unique and special characters that were surprisingly complex considering the length of the book and shared their amazing story that will make you laugh and cry. I absolutely recommend this beautiful novella to any fans of Coming of Age or New Adult Romance, promising that Keels does not disappoint.

*Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2015
You can read this review and more on my blog:

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Honestly I was not expecting to love this story as much as I did. I rarely read shorter novels because I like to read complete stories, and I assumed that could not be done in under 300 pages. My mother constantly tells me how wrong I am about this, and, as usual, she was right. Lol

When the story begins, Loraine is about 8 or 9 years old and she meets her brothers best friend Isaiah who is a year older than her; but by the time the story ends, they are old enough to start having children of their own. And not once did I feel like this book jumped around too much. Somehow the author managed to pack the entire first portion of Loraine's life into less than 200 pages so now I know short novels can tell a complete story when well written.

Just in case you are afraid that the romance is either non-existent or too cheesy because this is an inspirational novel, I can ease your worries there. This book was just as romantic as any other sweet romance that I have read. These two people have loved each other since they were children, and there was just something so endearing about the way they loved one another. Isaiah made some pretty dumb moves when they were in highschool, but that just felt real. Who doesn't remember that awkward feeling when the boy you could have sworn liked you the last time you two were alone together ignored you the next day? That is so frustrating and so teenage. I loved it! They were not these perfect kids who never did anything wrong, but they also weren't the rebellious teens who did everything they could to tick their parents off. They felt like who I was at their age, and I really liked seeing myself reflected back at me in the pages of a book for once. They were playful and sarcastic too, and I always enjoy that.

I also love the way Loraine handled her relationship with Isiah. Whenever he started behaving strangely she called him out on it, but not in a harsh way. She was such a lady in the way she handled her self. She waited until he was no longer around to allow her insecurities and doubt to creep out, but around him she was always confident in her self-worth.

I am kind of making it sound like Isiah is a jerk in this review, but he was far from it. He made some very teenage boy mistakes, and he didn't treat Loraine the way that she wanted, but he also didn't mistreat her. He had some personal issues that he was not going to allow to touch her so he did the only thing he knew how and stayed away from her. I think that is the kindest and most mature thing that he could do under the circumstances. I mean he can't exactly fix himself when he doesn't understand enough about the world to even know what is wrong with him, but at least he knew something was wrong and decided not to drag her down with him.

Neither of them were perfect, and they both made some really dumb decisions when they were in highschool, but they were still really good kids. Highschool is where we're supposed to make our dumb decisions anyway. By the time they became adults, they had gotten all of that stuff out-of-the-way,

Isiah was also very realistically romantic. He didn't do the over the top gestures, he did the little things that made her day brighter, and the incredibly thoughtful things that made it clear that his intentions were to have a relationship with her not just have a little fun. Loraine was understandably apprehensive when he showed back up in her life, and watching him try to convince her of his good intentions provided plenty of romance. Because this book was so short, I was able to maintain my smile the entire time I was reading. This is one of those stories that leaves you with a warm and homey sort of feeling, and I can't recommend it enough to fans of clean romance.

This book was very clean and appropriate for ages 12 and up, but this is a book for adults.

Profile Image for Bhriv.
604 reviews27 followers
October 13, 2017
Love Unfeigned, written by Nadine Keels, is book 1 of When it's Time Series.
I have to say, at first I wasn't sure if I was going to like the storyline mainly because the story starts out with the characters so young. BUT...I kept reading and then I couldn't put it down. ;) I was pleasantly surprised how well it all worked!
Keels took me on a trip through Lorraine's life from when she was rather young through her adult years. As I got into the story I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen! The storyline was easy to believe and yet heartbreaking at points as life isn't always fair. Brought to mind that God doesn't say life will be easy but rather He'll walk with us all the way.
I think my favorite character was Isaiah. He could be most any person. Loved how he was portrayed.
I would definitely recommend this book! I received this book from the author. All thoughts and comments are my own.
Profile Image for Linda J.B..
156 reviews19 followers
September 24, 2017
Love Unfeigned by Nadine C. Keels quickly shot me back to my middle school days, the excitement of first crushes and the pressure of fitting in. Keels quickly moves her characters ahead, keeping the flow of the story even and building up our interest to see just how far along in life she takes them.

A contemporary young adult story enhanced by the realistic feelings of today's society. Lorraine's personality is bold and strong, but her feelings are kept in check by the teachings of her family and church. The meeting and renewing of friends during the course of this story brings some surprises, as Keel reveals events that happened to Lorraine that adds to why her feelings and trust in men are the way they are.

A wonderful romantic read.
Profile Image for Janice Ross.
Author 18 books241 followers
August 27, 2013
What of an author that can take mere words, play with them and transform a simple tale of love into an experience to be revered and treasured. “Love Unfeigned” by Nadine C. Keels is such a novel. I savored each expression and word choice in Ms. Keels loving novel. She is a skilled word-tress – please forgive me for creating another word, but it’s befitting considering the talents of this wonderful author.

“Love Unfeigned” chronicles the love of Lorraine and Isaiah, even before they knew or truly understood what love was. The word choice was very sophisticated, even for the younger versions of these lovers; nevertheless, there is something passionate and enticing of taking a slew of intellectual terms and filling up such a story. I found myself pausing to breathe in and allow Ms. Keels love of words to fill my soul.

If you are in need to a perfectly enticing love affair, one that draws on your senses, heart, emotions and mind, then I implore you to journey into the mind of Nadine C. Keels.
Profile Image for Cynthia Marcano.
Author 22 books53 followers
September 15, 2016
I enjoyed the progression of this romantic novella. I felt like I was there walking the school halls or sitting in the rec room.

I felt a little cheated at the end and wished it could have been longer.

Profile Image for Carrie Schmidt.
Author 1 book513 followers
July 30, 2023
Love Unfeigned by Nadine Keels has been on my TBR list for an embarrassing length of time, but I’m determined to get caught up – or at least make a dent in my TBR galaxy – this year. I’ve long been eager to read one of Keels' books, and I am delighted to report that her writing voice is just as delightful and compelling as I expected.

I was captivated with the characters and plot of Love Unfeigned from word one, and I couldn’t put it down until I finished. Even as a novella-sized read, it had the depth and character development of a full-length novel, and I quickly got caught up in the different layers. The story is told in different POVs, indicated by the headings ‘Me’ (first person) and ‘She’ (third person), which take us from the beginning of Lorraine & Isaiah’s childhood affection for one another to their re-connection in the present day. I adored Lorraine immediately – her sass and her inner strength even as a child drew me and young Isaiah to her, and those same qualities in an older, wiser, and more world-weary Lorraine kept me invested in her present day life, too. And for all his bravado and charming swagger, there is an ache – an emptiness – in young Isaiah that captured my heart, too. Granted, I wanted to purse whomp him several times through their middle school & high school years, but as Keels lets the reader in on more of his story, I developed a new respect for where he came from, how he behaved, and who he became.

Bottom Line: Love Unfeigned by Nadine Keels is a sweet romance with layered characters and a compelling plot full of second chances and a few surprises, too. I was most impressed by the way Keels brought these characters fully to life with developed layers and vibrant personalities despite the shorter page count. I could have easily kept reading, though, and I’d love a follow-up story on where Lorraine and Isaiah go from here. Their instant connection, even as children, warmed my heart, and their chemistry in the present day was tangible. In summary, I don’t have to feign my love for this sweet story and would be happy to spend more time with these characters in the future!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Profile Image for Julia.
3,085 reviews94 followers
September 28, 2017
Love Unfeigned by Nadine C Keels is a delightful Christian contemporary coming of age novel.
Written in the first person from the point of view of Lorraine, the reader gets to know her really well as she grows up. I loved her, her bond with her brother, her best friend and her soul mate. Everything she experienced, I 'experienced' too.
The novel shows the importance of God and family. A family fractured will affect all members and take years to heal the heartache.
First love is a major theme. It hurts. The feelings remain, sometimes spoiling all other relationships.
School years may be difficult. As the reader witnesses the experiences, we can empathise.
Not everyone we meet is nice. There are some difficult to read scenes that explore the nature of domestic abuse which has lasting trauma.
Ultimately the novel is about hope. A hope that begins in childhood and holds on into adulthood.
A wonderful story of a friendship that buds and blossoms.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Dana Kamstra.
399 reviews8 followers
October 2, 2014
When I finished this novella, there were a couple of things that surprised me. First of all, since the book covers ground between elementary school through just after college graduation, I was astounded at the easy pacing the author sets. The book never felt rushed for its 128 pages. The second surprise was the depth of emotion in the story. Love Unfeigned is a story about love. The relationship between Lorraine and Isaiah is at first pure, but as they get older, problems, misunderstandings, and jealousy all exist between them.

Keel is an expert storyteller, using language to evoke strong images with the story that she is telling. For most of the book, the timeline moves sequentially. But in a few key places, there are a couple of jumps. These transitions move smoothly and offer a bit of mystery. Since the first chapter of the novel starts in the present, then jumps into the past, dozens of questions were on my mind reading the book. I couldn't wait for the answers, and by the end I had received them, and I was satisfied with the answers.

Love Unfeigned was a beautiful novella. I enjoyed it quite a bit and will probably be watching for more titles from Nadine C. Keels like this one in the future.


**I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review**
Profile Image for Raelee Carpenter.
Author 11 books77 followers
December 19, 2018
Oh, my

I'm not even sure how to describe Ms. Keels's work. There's a certain music to it. While thoroughly modern, the vibe of this story brings to mind just a touch of Dickens. A unique and beautiful experience.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
305 reviews12 followers
October 13, 2017
Lorraine and Isaiah were friends from elementary school, but as they grow older, their friendship starts to become something more. However, just as their relationship starts to bud, Isaiah’s family starts to fall apart and causes him to pull back. Years pass, but can their love be rekindled, even after all they’ve been through? Or will it be lost forever?
 
This series was amazing. It’s perfect for teens and young adults. Loved the storyline, and felt like I could relate to the characters. I felt like a lot of young people can relate to Lorraine and Isaiah as they navigate the dating world. So many books for young people today show the your typical knight in shining armor, and depicts love as all hearts and flowers with no flaws. I love how in this book, the characters have flaws and you can see the real life struggles and how each character deals with their struggles. Because we all know that falling in love, while it is amazing, is hard work, and there are real struggles that we all have to deal with, whether it’s an unexpected family issue, an illness, a trauma, etc. It’s something we have to work through in our relationships. I definitely recommend this whole series!

**I received a copy of this book free from the author for review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Courtney.
4,298 reviews
November 7, 2017
Nadine C. Keels has never let me down! I have read multiple stories by her and they have all been phenomenal! Jesus always shines through each of the words that are written, and the stories are full of His goodness and mercies! I thank God for Ms. Keels and I enjoy every single one of her pieces.

"Love Unfeigned" is part one in this short-series. This is an amazing love story that has taken place between a young Isaiah and Lorraine. Growing up close to one another has provided an opportunity that is unique and special, creating a lasting bond that can stand the test of time.

Isaiah is a troubled teen that lives within a home that is less than stable. Isaiah's one get away is going to his best friends house to obtain the love and nurturing that he has desperately longed for. On the other side, Lorraine has grown up knowing that she can achieve everything that she sets her mind to- as long as it is in the Will of Christ. Can these two young children come together to make a relationship, or will the hands of time and flesh pull them apart before they begin?

You will not want to put this story down, from beginning until the very end you will be hooked onto the characters to where you will feel in your heart what they feel. It is an amazing thing when an author can draw you so deeply into their works that you do not want to return to reality, and Ms. Keels can do this in spades with plenty left over to share. I highly recommend this novel!
Profile Image for Kat.
746 reviews10 followers
June 17, 2018

Love Unfeigned was a light-hearted novella that I flew through in one night!

It still baffles me how so much story can be contained in a smaller amount of pages (as I am so used to the lengthier books). Don't be fooled, you will be getting a well-composed story from this book.

I gave this book 3 out of 5 Stars. I did find the writing to be a little lengthy at times, but overall, it contains long-lost romance that kindles an inspirational tale for young readers.

And the romance in this novella is on the clean-side which I feel is a nice change of pace compared to the other heavier "romance" novels I've read in YA. This is definitely a read for any age.

There are a few frustrating moments as the characters are set in their younger years and experience that mystery behind their bonding. You just want to tell them to speak up! But of course, kids wouldn't quite understand that and would defeat the purpose of the story.

I am curious to see what is in store in the next novella, so stay tuned for more of those thoughts coming soon!
Profile Image for Maureen Koeppel.
110 reviews3 followers
November 14, 2017
I received Love Unfeigned and it's companion from the author for free to review and I am glad I did.

Love Unfeigned is the story of Lorraine and Isaac and a novella so it's a quick read with a touch of mystery. I enjoyed seeing the two come together over time and that certain things didn't just happen without working for it. I also enjoyed the touch of foreshadowing mixed into the novella.

I would definitely recommend this book to others who enjoy a good romance. It would be a good read for a short road trip in the car and more importantly, I would let my daughters read it because while this is a romance, the sexual tension is just that and the characters value God above their hormones. This is very important in a world that often expects sex.
81 reviews4 followers
May 19, 2022
This book is amazing really well written I enjoyed it a lot this book was sent to as a pdf for an honest review from the Author her self and she also sent me another one as well that short novella like this one to read and review I really thing the author Nadine C Keels did an amazing job with this story line and I really enjoyed reading it and would purchase a copy of this book from Amazon. This first book in series their second two other one of which I have to read and other of which I read and reviewed and enjoyed just as much as this one.
16.7k reviews155 followers
November 21, 2018
They were friends as children and this follows them as they grow up each having problems but will a love for between them? See how they get on as you follow them through their lives to see if there is going to be a happy ending

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
219 reviews9 followers
September 18, 2023
Part friends to lovers, part childhood sweethearts, part second chance. Also, there were a lot of fun things done with the narrative, a lot of really great foreshadowing in a story structured non-chronologically.
10 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2018
Loved this book. The voice is amazing. It reads clearly and quickly. It brings emotions to the forefront and keeps you in the experience. Thanks Nadine Keels.
329 reviews3 followers
February 14, 2023
This is a story of Lorraine and Isaiah as they grew from childhood to adulthood. At one point I got lost in the story until I realized Lorraine had amnesia from an incident that hadn't been introduced earlier. When it was finally revealed the story became clear. I liked the ending of the story.
Profile Image for Skyye Breeze.
371 reviews
September 10, 2013
Given a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review

***Review From Amy Conley For The Nerd Girl Page***
Love to the chords of a classic jazz band…
From the first time Lorraine, a plucky and competitive girl, contends on the playground against Isaiah, an impish boy whose smile gleams in more ways than one, the two of them can’t help knowing each other. Neither can they avoid passions and misfortunes lining the path to young adulthood, and when the breakup of Isaiah’s family disrupts the haven he’s shared with Lorraine, their natural relationship is eventually threatened by jealousy, grave trauma, and abandonment. As one year follows another, and another, what might it take to reunite these two companions in love: love undeniably real and unbounded by time?

My Review:
A beautiful story that will bring you to tears. The character's take you on such an amazing journey with every new page you get to witness the discovery of friendships, first love, separation, trauma and finding their way back to each other again.
I love the feeling I got while reading this book I felt so connected and compelled like nothing was more important than reading about the character's and them telling me their story and the feeling of perpetual bliss when they find their way back to each other I couldn't hold my emotions in any longer! I was overcome with joy and was crying happy tears knowing that everything they been through they could find their way back! It really leaves you with a feeling of hope.. that if surely these people can find their true love then it's possible for everyone!
I love the fact that even though this is just a short read it never really felt small or short there's so much about this book that it really felt like I was reading a full length book! The author took her time and delivered an incredible story and it shows. She has a beautiful writing style, knows how to capture her readers from the start and keep them connected until the ending. I love the way she eased her way into every new scene. It has the right amount of balance and perfect flow. Everything came together the way it should to make this one incredible book and I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have!



***Review has been written in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official***
Profile Image for Sherrey.
Author 7 books41 followers
January 13, 2014
Love Unfeigned, a novella, seizes the reader’s attention immediately with the use of words like those shared in the quote above. Nadine Keels, a first-time author for me, writes with poetic vibrancy using words and language in such a way as to entice her reader to come along and keep turning the pages.

The story of Lorraine Tyson and Isaiah James, whom she calls “Braces Boy,” begins in grade school. Isaiah spends quite a bit of time with his friend, Lorraine’s brother, Earl. And the three become a tight little group.

These three childhood friends captured my heart immediately, but more so Lorraine and then Isaiah as they began to show signs of caring for one another.

Lorraine’s character is spunky, not to be challenged by a male of any size or age and willing to challenge anyone that she can do something she believes she can. Yet, there is a hint of a loving and compassionate young woman developing as the story grows. I loved that she called Isaiah Braces Boy when his braces glinted with sunlight the first time she met him on the playground.

And Isaiah was at no loss for loving characteristics. Keels developed her characters richly, and I was drawn into Isaiah’s character as he subtly attempted to let Lorraine know how he felt about her, even before they were old enough to know what romance was all about. Not to be outdone, Isaiah adopted a nickname for Lorraine: “Itty-Bit,” reflecting her small stature.

At points along the way, I had to pause to inhale Keels’ exquisite choice of words, her descriptive scenes and language, and the play she created among the various other players in her story. Keels has definitely been gifted in the craft of fiction writing.

* * *

My Recommendation:

If you enjoy reading a good love story, one built around a love that cannot be denied, you must read Love Unfeigned. Nadine Keels is a writer to be followed. If this book is any evidence at all of her ability to compete with other writers, Nadine Keels will be on our TBR piles for some time. Don’t miss this book!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
191 reviews8 followers
April 6, 2014
The Heart Wants What the Heart Wants!
Lorraine Tyson met the love of her life when she was in the third grade. Isaiah James was in the fourth grade and her brother Earl’s best friend. He was so handsome. He had dark brown hair and a mouthful of shinny braces, what’s not to love.
Isaiah became a constant fixture in the Tyson household. Lorraine, Earl and Isaiah spent a great deal of time together over the next few years. They would ride bikes, go to church every Sunday and often studied together.
Lorraine and Isaiah shared many firsts together. He gave her, her first Valentine’s present, first kiss on her forehead, and taught her how to dance. When she was twelve he gave her the ultimate…a kiss on the lips. At that moment she knew she would never love another.
Soon their lives would change forever. Isaiah’s parents divorced and he went to live with his Dad. He did stay in the same school system but over time he withdrew from the entire Tyson family.
By the time Lorraine reached high school she found out that Isaiah had a girlfriend. She felt devastated, abandoned and heartbroken. Every time she would see him, he would give her just enough attention to renew her hope. When Isaiah graduated and left for college, she knew she would never see him again. Knowing that, she still knew she would never love another.
Many years later, while she was shopping their paths crossed again. Was he married? Was she? Did he still love her? Could they at least be friends again?
This enchanting love story is a must read! Having only ever loved one person in my life, I know how she must have felt seeing him again.
Author Nadine Keels, you played my heart strings like a fiddle! GREAT STORY.
Stephanie Lasley, from The Kindle Book Review
The Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book for an independent, fair, and honest review. We are not associated with the author or Amazon.



Profile Image for Akeisha -Til' The Last Page BB.
272 reviews35 followers
June 11, 2014
Reviewed by:Sharon_M745
Rating:3.5 stars
I received an ARC in exchanged for an honest review.

This is the story of love young.
Lorraine and Isaiah meet in elementary school and have their first kiss in middle school but everything changes in high school. The two go their separate ways only to meet again after Isaiah graduates from college.

Isaiah and Earl, Lorraine’s brother are good friends. It is because of this friendship that the young Lorraine gets to spend so much time with Isaiah. However when they are all in Middle school Isaiah’s parents split and Isaiah moves far enough away that the daily visits stop.

Lorraine is very hurt when she gets to high school and finds Isaiah involved with another girl and hanging with a different crowd. To protect herself and her heart she gets involved with two other boys one a nice guy and one a bad boy type.

Usually I prefer more adult romances. That said this is a very sweet story, however, there are times when I had to put it aside because it didn’t hold my interest. I couldn’t decide if the story was a romance or an inspirational.

Lorraine’s family is a spiritual family who attend church regularly but I wasn’t sure if the intent was to show how important God is to his followers or if the church going was just a way to explain the family’s solid foundation. I like the way Lorraine’s family stood with her and how her brother has her best interests at heart and makes some decisions with her at the center.

In summary, if you are looking for a light, fast read for yourself or your teenage daughter this is a good book to try. The book is well written. It will appeal to many readers, especially young ones, who don’t care for strong, explicit love scenes. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the book to teens or young adults looking for a romance and a happily-ever-after.







3.5 stars rating
Profile Image for Melissa (thereaderandthechef).
536 reviews189 followers
July 8, 2014
It's been a while since I'd last read a novella and even more one as good as Love Unfeigned. It's a wonderful short love story between Lorraine and Isaiah, two lifelong friends who, despite time and personal matters, are destined to be with each other.

This book is narrated by Lorraine and she takes us into her memories of when she and Isaiah met, grew up together, went separate ways and would usually come back to one another (but with a big wall between them). Her childhood memories were so sweet and innocent, they made me long to have had something as good as hers and for them to never end. I hated to read about how she and Isaiah distanced themselves as they grew older because I could only feel for Lorraine, yet knew nothing from Isaiah's true feelings.

Both characters are very well written, yet if I had to give out a trophy to one of them, I would be thrilled to hand it out to Lorraine. She is an incredible person with so much self-respect, even when she was a teen or a child, she was mature and thought things through without getting carried away with her feelings like most people do. However, Isaiah is also a great guy, but you have to see him all the way through to love him fully.

All in all, Love Unfeigned is a pure and innocent bliss that warmed my heart and made me wish for it to be longer. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a quick read and I so hope you love it as much as I did (and maybe even more). ;)

*Thanks to the author for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. You can also read this at The Reader and the Chef.*
Profile Image for Tracey Murphy .
280 reviews30 followers
August 28, 2013
Love Unfeigned is a novella about a love affair that wasn't between two childhood friends. Lorraine Tyson meets Isaiah James, "braces boy" as she first called him, on the playground after she challenges him in a game at recess in the third grade. He was struck by her tenacity and bravery, although he wouldn't admit it at the time.

The first friends you make as a child define who you are, and when that friendship turns to love, its all the more powerful. It was nice to see Lorraine and Isaiah's friendship mature as they did, and watch as they became more and more attached. We also felt Lorraine's heartbreak as he pulled away from her for reasons she didn't know and couldn't understand.

Lorraine was a great character. She was so likable - spunky, but very vulnerable. She did her best to move on from Isaiah, but never forgot him. Her loneliness lead her into a very dangerous situation that almost broke her.

I loved Isaiah and the subtle but very romantic gestures he made towards Lorraine to let her know how he felt, even when they were just kids (I'm a big sucker for pet names). Even though Lorraine felt that he abandoned her as teenagers, Isaiah always cared about her. Every interaction they had, even in their younger years, the pull that you felt between them was palpable.

The book alternates between the first and third person POVs, which may seem confusing at first but end up making perfect sense as they convey the point of time Lorraine was at in her life.

Love Unfeigned is about not being able to deny true love, and finally finding your way home.
Profile Image for Don Sloan.
114 reviews5 followers
January 9, 2016
Lorraine and Isaiah might have been at loose ends a bit in elementary and junior high, but there was never a doubt in Lorraine's mind: she had met the love of her life.

This is a Hallmark movie waiting to happen. Author Nadine C. Keels does a wonderful job of conveying oh-so-accurately the ache that comes along with young love. And, she does an even better job of portraying unrequited love.

For such is the case for Lorraine when Isaiah begins sending mixed signals in junior high and high school, leaving Lorraine puzzled and dejected. Finally, she resigns herself to the fate she's been dealt, and moves on with her life.

Fast-forward a decade or so. One day Lorraine steps inadvertently in front of a fast-moving car, and a strong hand pulls her back.

". . . she was stilled with her back up against a department store window, one of her shopping bags on the ground and both her arms tightly gripped as she looked into the close, alarmed gape of sepia eyes facing her. Sepia eyes that she knew."

This story moves unexpectedly -- and delightfully -- through a number of twists and turns as the author involves the reader deeply in the characters she has crafted so well. It's a story of love kept waiting almost too long, and every girl who's had a schoolyard crush can easily relate to Lorraine's travails.

I won't reveal how it all turns out, but suffice to say you won't be disappointed. Five stars to this well-written paen to young love, grown into complete, lifelong love. Download a copy of this short novella and enjoy this movie that's just waiting to be made.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Kari Trumbo.
Author 127 books425 followers
March 20, 2016
I was a little perplexed after the first chapter when the story delved from the present to the past…the very distant past of a young Lorraine, a competitive third-grade girl. This is one of those books that you would have trouble labeling beyond “Christian Romance” as it is all at once a romance, a coming of age story and a mystery (though slight) all at once in a little over 100 pages.

Most novellas leave me wishing I knew more about the story, got to know the characters more, not so with this one. Keels writes in such a way that you get to know Lorraine and Isiah over the course of their lives in little bits at a time that show you their character beyond a shadow of a doubt. And interestingly, you never question as a reader that love couldn’t start that young, though not as developed as adult love. This story was written as a high-school sweetheart story, with a twist.

My only reason for taking a star was the shifting point of view. I’d be reading along and getting all of Lorraine’s feelings and thoughts, then all of a sudden, for a few sentences, I’d get his thoughts and feelings. I was somewhat jarred by the strangely omniscient narrative. This did not happen in the first person “Me” portions but in the third person “She” portions. It was, for the most part from the perspective of Lorraine, but for a few random sentences seemed to jump into his head. That is the only negative I can find. This was a sweet story that kept my interest throughout and I would not hesitate to recommend it.

I was given a copy of this novel free from the author for my honest review, which I have given.
Profile Image for Rabid Readers Reviews.
546 reviews25 followers
September 10, 2013
Within the first few pages of “Love Unfeigned,” readers will confirm with Keel’s biography that she is a poet. There is an attention to language and its visual impact rarely seen with authors of any genre. There is a musicality and emotion inherent in the words chosen that will pick a reader up and carry them through the story lending intensity to the movements of the characters though the timeline of the story. There is a hint of Toni Morrison who famously agonized for weeks over the house number in “Beloved” to come up with exactly the right number that would add to the story and lend credibility to the characters. Keel’s work has a similar sense of great thought and specific choices made. The nicknames “Braces” and “Itty Bitty” at the start are as much descriptors as names.

We watch the characters grow up together and while we only get little snippets of their lives they are snippets that feel as though they have meaning. Moments branded in memory. The POV shifts between “Me” and “She” very organically. Keels balances the objective and subjective shifts perfectly. I have called literature art before but I think this story qualifies as a visual masterpiece. Readers will look askance at me and wonder if I’m overstating. Perhaps but Lorraine and Isaiah’s story is an immersive experience.

If you like classic literature, stories of the human experience and romance novels, “Love Unfeigned” is the novella for you.
Profile Image for Kelly Smith Reviews.
256 reviews51 followers
March 11, 2014

Some of you might remember when, last year, I said in a review that the world needed more feel-good love stories and that that particular genre was often underrated.
If you cried reading The Notebook and Jane Eyre or bemoaned that Romeo & Juliet should've ended happier, you will gobble up Love Unfeigned by Nadine C. Keels.

Telling the story of Lorraine and Isaiah, schoolmates a year apart who met in elementary school, Keels's novella about true love is a treat for the heart.
Told partly from a third person perspective and partly in Lorraine's own words, the reader learns about how she fell in love with Isaiah playing wall ball at recess and how their relationship progressed and declined through high school and their reunion after they have graduated college, but there's something holding Lorraine back, a mixture of things that were and weren't done in the past that make the reader's heart ache for her.

Some authors write from the head and that's great: I love imaginative stories. But few write from the heart and convey emotions so pure to the reader that it makes them feel as though they are one with the characters.
Keels' story doesn't need sex to make it a romance novel: all it needs is her expert pen guiding the words on the pageto our hearts. She writes with emotion and care, creating a story that week be treasured for years to come.

I loved this book. It brought tears to my eyes.

5/5--wonderfully heartfelt!
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