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More Than Conqueror
When Charlie Montgomery, a handsome soldier, declares his love for Blythe Bonniwell, she realizes she should be offended. But she isn't--in fact, she's honored! Blythe returns Charlie's love, and promises to remain faithful to him while he is at war.
Though thrilled at Blythe's response, Charlie knows all too well that the special mission he has been assigned to means that he is facing almost-certain death. He can offer Blythe little hope for his return or for their future happiness.
Yet, in the midst of fear and peril, Charlie and Blythe find a source of strength and peace that will keep them united forever.
Though thrilled at Blythe's response, Charlie knows all too well that the special mission he has been assigned to means that he is facing almost-certain death. He can offer Blythe little hope for his return or for their future happiness.
Yet, in the midst of fear and peril, Charlie and Blythe find a source of strength and peace that will keep them united forever.
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1944
31 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
574 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 21, 2016
Another enjoyable story from one of the founders of Christian fiction.
January 21, 2023
Rating: 3.8 / 5
Truth be told, I both love and hate wartime romances. On the one hand, I love them because they show a real depth of character and emotion in bringing together two people who are literally worlds apart and showing how their love can help them conquer all challenges; but on the other hand, I hate them because they're apart for so much of their love and there's never the certainty that one of them will survive.
I mean, since this is a Grace Livingston Hill novel, of course we know to expect a happy ending; but, even so, I didn't like how much Charlie and Blythe were apart.
The plot of this story is pretty much an insta-romance--but not really, as it just has a lot of background information that we never really examine that led to Charlie falling in love with Blythe in the first place, as well as vice-versa--as Charlie Montgomery confesses his love to Blythe Bonniwell literally before he goes off to war. He tells her that he expects to die on the mission, and this fact alone is what gave him the courage to confess his feelings. Blythe ends up returning his feelings however, and so from there their romance blossoms.
But, again, that's all very well and fine, and each of them has their own touching story that their progress through, except that I was heartbroken that they weren't together for most of the story until the end. In something like The Red Signal for example, which also had war-related roots, or Crimson Mountain, even though the war was very much also a present theme, the couple was at least together for a good portion of the story, interacting and working together and discovering their faith together as well. It's just...a touch of sweetness that I missed, and something that I felt the cover hinted at, but that the story never really delved into all that much.
Despite that though, overall I still felt an abundance of love, faith, and duty all shine clear through this story, and so I'll end off with a solid 4 star rating for this wonderful first read of Grace Livingston Hill's for this year. It goes without saying, I'm looking forward to many more, as well as re-reads!
Truth be told, I both love and hate wartime romances. On the one hand, I love them because they show a real depth of character and emotion in bringing together two people who are literally worlds apart and showing how their love can help them conquer all challenges; but on the other hand, I hate them because they're apart for so much of their love and there's never the certainty that one of them will survive.
I mean, since this is a Grace Livingston Hill novel, of course we know to expect a happy ending; but, even so, I didn't like how much Charlie and Blythe were apart.
The plot of this story is pretty much an insta-romance--but not really, as it just has a lot of background information that we never really examine that led to Charlie falling in love with Blythe in the first place, as well as vice-versa--as Charlie Montgomery confesses his love to Blythe Bonniwell literally before he goes off to war. He tells her that he expects to die on the mission, and this fact alone is what gave him the courage to confess his feelings. Blythe ends up returning his feelings however, and so from there their romance blossoms.
But, again, that's all very well and fine, and each of them has their own touching story that their progress through, except that I was heartbroken that they weren't together for most of the story until the end. In something like The Red Signal for example, which also had war-related roots, or Crimson Mountain, even though the war was very much also a present theme, the couple was at least together for a good portion of the story, interacting and working together and discovering their faith together as well. It's just...a touch of sweetness that I missed, and something that I felt the cover hinted at, but that the story never really delved into all that much.
Despite that though, overall I still felt an abundance of love, faith, and duty all shine clear through this story, and so I'll end off with a solid 4 star rating for this wonderful first read of Grace Livingston Hill's for this year. It goes without saying, I'm looking forward to many more, as well as re-reads!
January 10, 2022
Ok, I'm rating this book a 3 star - my heart tells me to rate it 4 stars and my brain tells me to rate it 2 stars, so to compromise, I'm going straight down the middle and giving it a cowardly 3 stars.
Logically speaking, I should not have liked this book. The insta-love subplot should have been nauseating the to extreme. It was incredibly far fetched and unbelievable. The entire novel was absolutely dripping with melodrama. The parents were only partially likable (the dad was hilariously amazing and the mom was so-so). And yet, I completely ate this up. I loved the main characters and their letters to each other, and I enjoyed seeing them during their times apart with their various adventures. In fact, once I finished the book, I started scrolling back to re-read some of the best letters and parts of the book. So yeah, I pretty much loved it. (Also, Walter! Don't get me started on best supporting actor awards here!)
HOWEVER, I just can't bring myself to give this a higher rating than a 3! Objectively speaking, it really wasn't that great of a book. I probably would be too embarrassed to recommend it to my friends. But of course, I'll probably re-read it myself from time to time. Honestly, I'm not sure how well it will translate into a re-read - it could have just been the mood I was in at the time casting it in a positive light. I may read it again in the future and absolutely hate it. And honestly, that wouldn't surprise me! (I mean, nothing could surprise me more than the fact that I really liked it this time around...so yeah...) So overall, I don't think I could recommend this one without blushing, but it will definitely be a re-read
Logically speaking, I should not have liked this book. The insta-love subplot should have been nauseating the to extreme. It was incredibly far fetched and unbelievable. The entire novel was absolutely dripping with melodrama. The parents were only partially likable (the dad was hilariously amazing and the mom was so-so). And yet, I completely ate this up. I loved the main characters and their letters to each other, and I enjoyed seeing them during their times apart with their various adventures. In fact, once I finished the book, I started scrolling back to re-read some of the best letters and parts of the book. So yeah, I pretty much loved it. (Also, Walter! Don't get me started on best supporting actor awards here!)
HOWEVER, I just can't bring myself to give this a higher rating than a 3! Objectively speaking, it really wasn't that great of a book. I probably would be too embarrassed to recommend it to my friends. But of course, I'll probably re-read it myself from time to time. Honestly, I'm not sure how well it will translate into a re-read - it could have just been the mood I was in at the time casting it in a positive light. I may read it again in the future and absolutely hate it. And honestly, that wouldn't surprise me! (I mean, nothing could surprise me more than the fact that I really liked it this time around...so yeah...) So overall, I don't think I could recommend this one without blushing, but it will definitely be a re-read
August 7, 2016
Charlie, a soldier in WWII, has volunteered for a mission that will result in almost-certain-death. He's ready to face this, but realizes that, there is one special person he would like to say goodbye to. He's been long admiring lovely Blythe from afar, always thinking she was too far above him, but just delighting to know of her and being inspired by her to better himself.
Just before he's to set off on this perilous mission, he decides to tell her of his love, never dreaming that she would return it!
With death looming, can the characters find peace in trusting God? Can Blythe make anyone understand why this love that has come to her is so special? Will her mother get off her back and stop trying to push that other guy on her? What can those left behind do to serve the war efforts? Is there any chance that Charlie will make it home to Blythe?
notes:
Full disclosure, I did skip just a little here and there(I get impatient sometimes, but that's just a bad habit I've picked up)
Also, this doesn't really fit neatly into my review, but I really love that Walter kid, and I have to honor him with a mention.
This book is unabashedly idealistic, unreservedly sentimental, and achingly romantic. Not recommended for the pragmatic, critical reader, but rather for the reader who can bring to it a tender heart. <3
Just before he's to set off on this perilous mission, he decides to tell her of his love, never dreaming that she would return it!
With death looming, can the characters find peace in trusting God? Can Blythe make anyone understand why this love that has come to her is so special? Will her mother get off her back and stop trying to push that other guy on her? What can those left behind do to serve the war efforts? Is there any chance that Charlie will make it home to Blythe?
notes:
Full disclosure, I did skip just a little here and there(I get impatient sometimes, but that's just a bad habit I've picked up)
Also, this doesn't really fit neatly into my review, but I really love that Walter kid, and I have to honor him with a mention.
This book is unabashedly idealistic, unreservedly sentimental, and achingly romantic. Not recommended for the pragmatic, critical reader, but rather for the reader who can bring to it a tender heart. <3
January 9, 2022
While I do not enjoy war stories (I have an aversion to the soldier trope), this was an amazing story. Blythe receives a surprise visit from a boy she admired in school but never spoke to. He's going to WWII on a secret one-way mission, and it has given him the courage to confess his lifelong love of her. Blythe finds she is ready for a long-distance relationship.
Then they each come to the Lord, by ways and means, and bring everyone in their path to a saving knowledge of Messiah, as well, as they find their way back to each other. It's very much told in the style of GLH, which makes it even better.
Then only complaint I have is the lack of description in this one. But I have imagination, so that helps. And it was definitely one I would want to read again, or pass on to my own to read.
Then they each come to the Lord, by ways and means, and bring everyone in their path to a saving knowledge of Messiah, as well, as they find their way back to each other. It's very much told in the style of GLH, which makes it even better.
Then only complaint I have is the lack of description in this one. But I have imagination, so that helps. And it was definitely one I would want to read again, or pass on to my own to read.
July 18, 2020
Wonderful storyline
Wonderful Christian story set in World War 2. The reality of what families faced, and the war work that was done rings true from the stories I heard in my own family.
Wonderful Christian story set in World War 2. The reality of what families faced, and the war work that was done rings true from the stories I heard in my own family.
December 27, 2019
Love all of Grace Livingston Hill's books
Set during WW2, Blythe & Charlie declare their love for each other after not being in touch for years nor ever being more than classmates. Each one has held the other in high regard, but never imagined that they could be more than friends. Although a very unlikely situation, this story is precious as love grows & the main characters are drawn to Jesus & rejoice in their newfound faith.
Set during WW2, Blythe & Charlie declare their love for each other after not being in touch for years nor ever being more than classmates. Each one has held the other in high regard, but never imagined that they could be more than friends. Although a very unlikely situation, this story is precious as love grows & the main characters are drawn to Jesus & rejoice in their newfound faith.
November 11, 2020
An Old Favorite
It's been years since I have had the chance to read this one. Good, wholesome story from another time. If you love World War II stories with a spiritual perspective , you will love this one.
It's been years since I have had the chance to read this one. Good, wholesome story from another time. If you love World War II stories with a spiritual perspective , you will love this one.
September 15, 2024
4.5 stars
July 26, 2022
Three and a half stars.
Pretty good story, but felt like it needed a bit of editing, which is unusual for a GLH book.
I really liked that both main characters were working towards a deeper faith, instead of Hill's usual rascally-man-saved-by-righteous-woman scenario.
Pretty good story, but felt like it needed a bit of editing, which is unusual for a GLH book.
I really liked that both main characters were working towards a deeper faith, instead of Hill's usual rascally-man-saved-by-righteous-woman scenario.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews