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Maris
On the eve of her brilliant society wedding, beautiful Maris must face the true meaning of love.
Beautiful young Maris Mayberry is ecstatic over her upcoming marriage to wealthy Tilford Thorpe. Then disaster strikes - Maris's precious mother collapses and becomes dangerously ill. Maris turns to Tilford for comfort and understanding only to encounter a haughty decree: The wedding must go on as planned, whether her mother lives or dies! Indignant, Maris begins to doubt Tilford's love and character - especially when a handsome friend from her past shows her real love and support.
But the final blow comes when Maris finds herself enmeshed in a dangerous plot - formulated and executed by none other than Tilford himself! Now Maris sees the agonizing choices she must make... but is it too late?
Grace Livingston Hill is the beloved author of more than 100 books. Read and enjoyed by millions, her wholesome stories contain adventure, romance, and the heartwarming triumphs of people faced with the problems of life and love.
Beautiful young Maris Mayberry is ecstatic over her upcoming marriage to wealthy Tilford Thorpe. Then disaster strikes - Maris's precious mother collapses and becomes dangerously ill. Maris turns to Tilford for comfort and understanding only to encounter a haughty decree: The wedding must go on as planned, whether her mother lives or dies! Indignant, Maris begins to doubt Tilford's love and character - especially when a handsome friend from her past shows her real love and support.
But the final blow comes when Maris finds herself enmeshed in a dangerous plot - formulated and executed by none other than Tilford himself! Now Maris sees the agonizing choices she must make... but is it too late?
Grace Livingston Hill is the beloved author of more than 100 books. Read and enjoyed by millions, her wholesome stories contain adventure, romance, and the heartwarming triumphs of people faced with the problems of life and love.
292 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1938
54 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
572 books565 followersalso wrote under the pseudonym Marcia MacDonald
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 10, 2024
I would have liked to know more--well, ANYTHING--about where and how they met and fell in love. I just couldn't figure out how such a sweet girl could have made it to engagement to this creep. 🤬 And then there's his mother....SERIOUSLY?!
March 17, 2017
Ah the wedding dress on the cover - how much of what followed in the story was YOUR fault?
Maris has a few doubts about her upcoming wedding. The problem is she's brushing them off. So it seems God is going to do His personal best to get her attention - in the most horrific chain of events guaranteed to disrupt a wedding!
Seriously this thing ought to be made into a movie.
Things go wrong, starting with her mother falling seriously ill and go downhill from there, leaving our young heroine with a choice to determine what truly matters. As things around her escalate, her character is tested, as is her faith.
This is one of those stories that I go to when things are difficult in my own personal life. That reassurance that we're not alone, and that things can truly work out for the best is perhaps a little old-fashioned of an idea, but I'm finding that I'm becoming a more and more old-fashioned girl as I read these books. I love Maris and her family, and I love the spirit with which she answers some rather impossible people in the book. This is NO fainting heroine, but one made of sterner stuff!
Maris has a few doubts about her upcoming wedding. The problem is she's brushing them off. So it seems God is going to do His personal best to get her attention - in the most horrific chain of events guaranteed to disrupt a wedding!
Seriously this thing ought to be made into a movie.
Things go wrong, starting with her mother falling seriously ill and go downhill from there, leaving our young heroine with a choice to determine what truly matters. As things around her escalate, her character is tested, as is her faith.
This is one of those stories that I go to when things are difficult in my own personal life. That reassurance that we're not alone, and that things can truly work out for the best is perhaps a little old-fashioned of an idea, but I'm finding that I'm becoming a more and more old-fashioned girl as I read these books. I love Maris and her family, and I love the spirit with which she answers some rather impossible people in the book. This is NO fainting heroine, but one made of sterner stuff!
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April 1, 2018On the Grace Livingston Hill scale of nonsense and melodrama, this novel was only middling.
The story follows the eponymous Maris, who's engaged to rich, secular gadabout Tilford Thorpe. Maris is so focused on the upcoming wedding that she hasn't noticed how it's stressing out her parents and bleeding their coffers dry, at least not until her mother collapses in the kitchen after staying up all night sewing Maris' wedding dress, resulting in a grave illness. This causes stress between Maris and Tilford while Maris has to help with her younger siblings. Meanwhile, an old school chum, Lane Maitland, pops up next door, ready to help. Things proceed precisely as you expect they would in a GLH novel.
Unfortunately, Maris is one of GLH's weaker characters, in both senses of the word; she's pretty wish-washy and, during the big climax of the novel, just sort of flops around helplessly and breaks down into tears. Also, the part where GLH tries to show how secular and thoughtless the heroine was starting to become at the start of the novel due to Bad Influences, as she usually does, was a little grosser than usual, because literally all the blame about the family's troubles is put on Maris' shoulders. Her parents could have told her they didn't have the money, or they could have asked her to help out more with some of the wedding tasks instead of literally stressing out to the point of a heart attack, but, no, they were gormless noodles, and everything that happens is Maris' fault. Also, the kid characters were like sevens on the 1-10 scale of irritating kid characters in GLH novels.
The story follows the eponymous Maris, who's engaged to rich, secular gadabout Tilford Thorpe. Maris is so focused on the upcoming wedding that she hasn't noticed how it's stressing out her parents and bleeding their coffers dry, at least not until her mother collapses in the kitchen after staying up all night sewing Maris' wedding dress, resulting in a grave illness. This causes stress between Maris and Tilford while Maris has to help with her younger siblings. Meanwhile, an old school chum, Lane Maitland, pops up next door, ready to help. Things proceed precisely as you expect they would in a GLH novel.
Unfortunately, Maris is one of GLH's weaker characters, in both senses of the word; she's pretty wish-washy and, during the big climax of the novel, just sort of flops around helplessly and breaks down into tears. Also, the part where GLH tries to show how secular and thoughtless the heroine was starting to become at the start of the novel due to Bad Influences, as she usually does, was a little grosser than usual, because literally all the blame about the family's troubles is put on Maris' shoulders. Her parents could have told her they didn't have the money, or they could have asked her to help out more with some of the wedding tasks instead of literally stressing out to the point of a heart attack, but, no, they were gormless noodles, and everything that happens is Maris' fault. Also, the kid characters were like sevens on the 1-10 scale of irritating kid characters in GLH novels.
July 19, 2020
This was the first GLH book I ever read, back in my early young adult days. Many years later it was still enjoyable, even though I've read it numerous times over the years. A fairy tale, yes, and very unrealistic, but a delightful and easy love story.
July 2020 ... re-read and once again enjoyed the fairy tale love story.
July 2020 ... re-read and once again enjoyed the fairy tale love story.
September 4, 2017
I wish there were more authors like Livingston.
She writes about problems that were relevant a century ago and are still problems we have today. The answers to so many of our serious family problems, depression, lack of direction in life could be solved by getting back to basic godly love for our fellow man. I always feel great after reading one of her books.
She writes about problems that were relevant a century ago and are still problems we have today. The answers to so many of our serious family problems, depression, lack of direction in life could be solved by getting back to basic godly love for our fellow man. I always feel great after reading one of her books.
October 12, 2024
One of my favorites ... and the very first GLH I ever read, years ago. I enjoyed the read again this time as a reminder that even when we make not so great decisions, God is always there helping to make things work out for His glory! Love this book, love the author!
January 2, 2021
Written in 1939 and published by Lippincott. Set in a small town in America. I like reading about olden days by authors who actually lived at the time. In this book, we have various historical references. Medical mentions include whooping cough, scarlet fever, measles, etc. Education was different. Children came home from school daily at 2:00, rather than currently at 3:15. Families are still feeling the effects of the stock market crash and the depression.
This is the time period when only the wealthy had preformed ice cubes:
I thought it odd that Tilford was planning a honeymoon in Europe. This is 1938. Nazi Germany is on the rise in Europe.
This is a Christian historical romance, but it’s fairly low on the GLH scale of preachiness. In other words, the evangelical discussion doesn’t completely supersede the story, as it does in some of her books. But it is definitely a part of the story.
Tilford Thorpe, the villainous fiancé, was a bit over-the-top spoiled rotten, but the heroine Maris was realistic enough. She allowed herself to be blinded by visions of glamour and wealth — for rather too long — but eventually she came to her senses and realized her upcoming wedding would lead to a miserable marriage. When trouble struck, she stepped up to the plate for her family. She also escaped all by herself when she was in danger.
Her parents were sweet but a bit absurd, spending so much money on the wedding. Money they didn’t have. Working themselves to death preparing for it. Have some sense, people!
I liked the kids, her young siblings, and the neighbor, Lane. Also liked older brother Merrick.
This is the time period when only the wealthy had preformed ice cubes:
Maris began to work away at the ice with an ice pick and mallet. She was suddenly very angry. She had hoped for a little sympathy from Tilford, and he had only sharp words. "Mercy! Don't you have a modern refrigerator?" he said as he followed her annoyedly and stood watching her knocking off the chunks of ice. "I thought everybody had ice cubes now."
I thought it odd that Tilford was planning a honeymoon in Europe. This is 1938. Nazi Germany is on the rise in Europe.
This is a Christian historical romance, but it’s fairly low on the GLH scale of preachiness. In other words, the evangelical discussion doesn’t completely supersede the story, as it does in some of her books. But it is definitely a part of the story.
Tilford Thorpe, the villainous fiancé, was a bit over-the-top spoiled rotten, but the heroine Maris was realistic enough. She allowed herself to be blinded by visions of glamour and wealth — for rather too long — but eventually she came to her senses and realized her upcoming wedding would lead to a miserable marriage. When trouble struck, she stepped up to the plate for her family. She also escaped all by herself when she was in danger.
Her parents were sweet but a bit absurd, spending so much money on the wedding. Money they didn’t have. Working themselves to death preparing for it. Have some sense, people!
I liked the kids, her young siblings, and the neighbor, Lane. Also liked older brother Merrick.
May 30, 2024
Rating: 4.5 / 5
This was definitely one of Hill's sweeter romances, with an emphasis on faith uniting the lovers and bringing about an "all's right with the world" at the end.
The heroine, Maris, is set to be married to Tilford Thorpe, except that a few weeks before the wedding her mother falls sick and her younger sister becomes sick with measles. Maris drops everything to take care of them, but Tilford, being a rich brat who's used to getting his way, sees no reason why either of those things should interfere with his plans for Maris--up to and including their wedding day. But Maris is having none of it though, and Tilford's attitude has her rethinking the entire thing, and rightly so. Add into this mix their faith-driven neighbour, Lane Maitland, and you can more or less guess where the story will go.
In terms of plot, most of the book focused on Maris breaking away from Tilford as a result of his attitude towards her family. In her time of need she seeks out faith, which Lane helps out with, and it all adds up to a thrilling climax during which Maris is kidnapped and must escape or risk being married against her will! It's something that I've seen in Hill's works before of course, only this time the reunion and all the happy events that follow are just so heartwarming and satisfying that I couldn't help but love it! I really liked this one of Hill's works, to be sure, and it'll be a definite re-read! (Also, I love the stunning cover, it's absolutely beautiful!)
This was definitely one of Hill's sweeter romances, with an emphasis on faith uniting the lovers and bringing about an "all's right with the world" at the end.
The heroine, Maris, is set to be married to Tilford Thorpe, except that a few weeks before the wedding her mother falls sick and her younger sister becomes sick with measles. Maris drops everything to take care of them, but Tilford, being a rich brat who's used to getting his way, sees no reason why either of those things should interfere with his plans for Maris--up to and including their wedding day. But Maris is having none of it though, and Tilford's attitude has her rethinking the entire thing, and rightly so. Add into this mix their faith-driven neighbour, Lane Maitland, and you can more or less guess where the story will go.
In terms of plot, most of the book focused on Maris breaking away from Tilford as a result of his attitude towards her family. In her time of need she seeks out faith, which Lane helps out with, and it all adds up to a thrilling climax during which Maris is kidnapped and must escape or risk being married against her will! It's something that I've seen in Hill's works before of course, only this time the reunion and all the happy events that follow are just so heartwarming and satisfying that I couldn't help but love it! I really liked this one of Hill's works, to be sure, and it'll be a definite re-read! (Also, I love the stunning cover, it's absolutely beautiful!)
July 9, 2018
Maris, a simply lovely young woman and devoted to her family, has her eyes turned for awhile by the glitz and glamor that is her high society fiancé. She is unaware of the stress and strain that the impending marriage is putting upon her beloved family. An old high school chum returns home to live next door in his family home. As Maris observes the differences in the character of these two men during her family crisis, where one pitches in to do all that he can to help, whilst the other is continually ‘put out’ at Maris’ apparent disregard for his feelings, she is to forced to come to terms with what she really believes is important in life. Her faith is put even further to the test when a sinister plot is put into action to remove her from all that she holds dear. Will she trust in the only One Who can truly deliver her? Or will she succumb to what she believes is inevitable? A must read! One of Grace’s finest works.
December 28, 2022
When Maris's dear mother fell desperately ill from overwork and worry; Maris told her wealthy; self-centered fiance that they would have to postpone the wedding until her mother was wel, Ti.ford Thorpe wouldn't hear of a delay and had no sympathy for Maris or her family.
May 18, 2019
Good story.
May 29, 2024
Her stories still resonate with me today.
I was introduced to this author’s works at the age of ten, and they impressed me so much that decades later I decided to revisit them. I am very happy to say that my first impressions as a child were validated. She was a wonderful storyteller!
I was introduced to this author’s works at the age of ten, and they impressed me so much that decades later I decided to revisit them. I am very happy to say that my first impressions as a child were validated. She was a wonderful storyteller!
July 3, 2019
Slow start, but a really sweet story. It gets suspenseful toward the end and has a beautiful ending. One of Hill’s books I would revisit someday.
August 4, 2020
This was my first book by Grace Livingston Hill and I really enjoyed it.
May 22, 2022
Heritage
Isaiah 54:17
I have read this book and as a young girl and again in my old age. The promise of The Lord rings true again!
Isaiah 54:17
I have read this book and as a young girl and again in my old age. The promise of The Lord rings true again!
December 29, 2024
Mates is a romance with a touch of adventure
Even with its improbable plot it was a pleasant read. I enjoyed the happy ending and a romance where there wasn't any sexual content
Even with its improbable plot it was a pleasant read. I enjoyed the happy ending and a romance where there wasn't any sexual content
December 15, 2021
This may have been the fastest romance of any GLH book I've read yet (with the possible exception of The Beloved Stranger...that one was the worst. *see my review about the elephant in the room). But it STILL wasn't the worst GLH book I've ever read (*see Dawn of the Morning - I will forever HATE that one with a passion).
In this gripping novel, we see the title character, Maris, excited to be married in 3 weeks to a rich young man her family doesn't like (ok, "doesn't like" is being too kind - they HATE him. But she is too blinded by romance to see it). Then, the day the wedding invitations are to go out in the mail, her mother collapses with a heart condition and her younger sister is quarantined at home with the measles. When Maris tries to postpone the wedding, her groom basically tells her that he will pay for a nurse, but by no means will he postpone the wedding, even if her mother dies!
This wakes Maris up to the fact that her fiancee is a complete and utter *%#@!! so she gives him his ring back and breaks the engagement. (Although she has guilty feelings for days afterwards thinking that maybe it was her duty to God to marry him anyway to try to convert him - which is totally bologna, but is a dangerous thing for any Christian author to even suggest, in my opinion.)
In the meantime, her old next door neighbor moves back in, helps with the sickness in the household and generally makes himself useful being kind, caring, and sweet. Basically everything her fiancee is not.
Aaaaannnndddd there's a wedding between the two of them 3 months later! Yes, 3 months after Maris was supposed to marry the rich, spoiled, love of her life, she instead marries the not rich, but very kind next door neighbor, who was apparently the love of her life first...?
Now I personally have never been engaged to a spoiled, obnoxious criminal, but I have been in love, and it seems that even if my love was unfounded or misplaced, it would certainly take me a LOT longer to get over it than 3 months. (Or at least it would take me longer than 3 months to nurse my mother and sister back to health, get engaged to a new man, and plan another wedding...I mean, at the very least here!) Oh well, GLH writes insta-love at its finest, so why expect anything else?
Overall, if you can ignore the insta-love, this was a pretty enjoyable read. I liked seeing Maris change and understand the importance of her family. I also kind of enjoyed the dramatic kidnapping scene at the end, even though it was completely unbelievable! So would I read again? Actually yes I would. Not high on my re-read list, but I would pick it up again on a rainy day with nothing better to do.
In this gripping novel, we see the title character, Maris, excited to be married in 3 weeks to a rich young man her family doesn't like (ok, "doesn't like" is being too kind - they HATE him. But she is too blinded by romance to see it). Then, the day the wedding invitations are to go out in the mail, her mother collapses with a heart condition and her younger sister is quarantined at home with the measles. When Maris tries to postpone the wedding, her groom basically tells her that he will pay for a nurse, but by no means will he postpone the wedding, even if her mother dies!
This wakes Maris up to the fact that her fiancee is a complete and utter *%#@!! so she gives him his ring back and breaks the engagement. (Although she has guilty feelings for days afterwards thinking that maybe it was her duty to God to marry him anyway to try to convert him - which is totally bologna, but is a dangerous thing for any Christian author to even suggest, in my opinion.)
In the meantime, her old next door neighbor moves back in, helps with the sickness in the household and generally makes himself useful being kind, caring, and sweet. Basically everything her fiancee is not.
Aaaaannnndddd there's a wedding between the two of them 3 months later! Yes, 3 months after Maris was supposed to marry the rich, spoiled, love of her life, she instead marries the not rich, but very kind next door neighbor, who was apparently the love of her life first...?
Now I personally have never been engaged to a spoiled, obnoxious criminal, but I have been in love, and it seems that even if my love was unfounded or misplaced, it would certainly take me a LOT longer to get over it than 3 months. (Or at least it would take me longer than 3 months to nurse my mother and sister back to health, get engaged to a new man, and plan another wedding...I mean, at the very least here!) Oh well, GLH writes insta-love at its finest, so why expect anything else?
Overall, if you can ignore the insta-love, this was a pretty enjoyable read. I liked seeing Maris change and understand the importance of her family. I also kind of enjoyed the dramatic kidnapping scene at the end, even though it was completely unbelievable! So would I read again? Actually yes I would. Not high on my re-read list, but I would pick it up again on a rainy day with nothing better to do.
March 27, 2021
A really decent GLH novel.
But- to be frank, I was a bit annoyed at how stuck Maris was on the idea of soul mates (although that term wasn't used), and the notion that intense infatuation is what indicates that a couple will have a good marriage. Thankfully GLH doesn't actually write her married couples that way- they may be lovey-dovey, but they do actually work at loving their spouses, the women actually respect & submit to their husbands & follow their lead, and the men actually love their wives with tenderness & wisdom.
But- to be frank, I was a bit annoyed at how stuck Maris was on the idea of soul mates (although that term wasn't used), and the notion that intense infatuation is what indicates that a couple will have a good marriage. Thankfully GLH doesn't actually write her married couples that way- they may be lovey-dovey, but they do actually work at loving their spouses, the women actually respect & submit to their husbands & follow their lead, and the men actually love their wives with tenderness & wisdom.
February 22, 2014
Grace is a great writer. she brings live to what writes. i am so happy that my mom gave one of books when was a young lady she has helped me to live closer to god in my life. i will be happy to give my young niece and my younger great niece them both some of her books to them. if you have young lady in your life a good book to start to get put your mind to rest and know that she is readomg great book.
May 16, 2016
A young poor girls' eyes are opened to the true cost of marrying a selfish rich boy. She turns to a dependable loving boy who is like a brother.
A quick enjoyable read for adults and a recommended reading for youth on the verge of girlfriend/boyfriend relationships to ponder character, flattery, dreams, relationships, etc.
A quick enjoyable read for adults and a recommended reading for youth on the verge of girlfriend/boyfriend relationships to ponder character, flattery, dreams, relationships, etc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2009
I love the Grace Livingston Hill books. Written in the 1930's, they are Christian romance books of the day, where the good guys are really good, the bad guys are really bad, and good always wins over evil.
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January 22, 2008Hill, Grace Livingston
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May 5, 2016great read
February 2, 2007
I have read this book hundreds of time in the past thrity years
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews