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Job's Niece
When Doris Dunbar's loving father dies, her family is torn apart. Suddenly Doris is faced with financial ruin, a hateful stepmother, a disgruntled fiancé, a dying brother, and the care of younger siblings.
Just as Doris's world is crumbling around her she meets Scottish businessman Angus Macdonald, whose unusual business proposition seems to lead her closer to the peace and answers that have eluded her.
What surprises await the Dunbar family―a family that so desperately wants to be together―in the midst of an impossible situation?
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.
Just as Doris's world is crumbling around her she meets Scottish businessman Angus Macdonald, whose unusual business proposition seems to lead her closer to the peace and answers that have eluded her.
What surprises await the Dunbar family―a family that so desperately wants to be together―in the midst of an impossible situation?
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.
363 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1927
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About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
600 books572 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 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 17, 2023
First Rating: 3.4 / 5
Ordinarily, I really don’t like to criticize anything from Grace Livingston Hill, however I feel I must be honest. This book… was hard to get through. I wouldn’t necessarily say that there was anything particularly bad about it or anything that made it even boring or unlikable, but it just felt like there were too many difficulties and things just kept getting worse and worse for the heroine, with hardly a break in between the bad things happening. I understand that from a title like Job’s Niece the reader should expect bad things to happen and for a lot of difficulties to take place, but it still felt like too much. Doris had a lot to put up with, she had hardly any good things happen to her and even then they only happened in brief intervals, and also her patience and being able to put up with everything is more than I think a person could literally stand as well as she did. I as the reader could hardly stand most of them and I kept reading mostly at a slow pace throughout this week in order to see if something good would eventually happen in the next chapter. When good things did happen I did appreciate them, but I would have liked more good things to happen and for this to be a more balanced story. The ending in itself was also very rushed and very short. You have maybe about 340 pages of bad and difficult things happening to poor Doris and her family, and then only about 20 pages in which things get put right and even then it’s not done in any detail or lets you really savor the moment. Now, it’s not like I’m expecting to read a story that is all fluff and romance and Christianity, but I do expect for Hill’s works to be a bit more lighthearted and a bit more uplifting. What is the point of the story of Job if you don’t get to the part where he gets all the rewards? Then it would just be a story about a righteous person being punished for no reason. That’s hardly a good message any which way you look at it. Therefore I really felt that the story should have given Doris more of a happy ending, more substance to what she was getting, and also to give a more full account of what happens to her family. A lot of questions are essentially left unanswered. Such as, what happens to Ned and his wife? What about Florence and Mr. Hamilton? What about Rose and her spontaneous romance? What about John and his new job? What about Jean and how she grows up? These all feel like they could be their own stories and even though this story is centered around Doris, it feels incomplete unless all of her siblings are addressed as well. Maybe I would be more understanding of it if I knew it was the first book in a series of the Dunbar family and that would be perfectly acceptable; however, since this seems to be only a story about Doris and her family are sort of background characters, I really feel that either the author should have given the siblings less of a focus or really elaborated on their own endings considering they’re important roles in what happens. In either case, I am adding it to my shelves; however, it will not be one of the books that I would look forward to rereading necessarily. It felt like I was putting myself through quite a bit to get through this, and unfortunately the payoff was not worth it.
Ordinarily, I really don’t like to criticize anything from Grace Livingston Hill, however I feel I must be honest. This book… was hard to get through. I wouldn’t necessarily say that there was anything particularly bad about it or anything that made it even boring or unlikable, but it just felt like there were too many difficulties and things just kept getting worse and worse for the heroine, with hardly a break in between the bad things happening. I understand that from a title like Job’s Niece the reader should expect bad things to happen and for a lot of difficulties to take place, but it still felt like too much. Doris had a lot to put up with, she had hardly any good things happen to her and even then they only happened in brief intervals, and also her patience and being able to put up with everything is more than I think a person could literally stand as well as she did. I as the reader could hardly stand most of them and I kept reading mostly at a slow pace throughout this week in order to see if something good would eventually happen in the next chapter. When good things did happen I did appreciate them, but I would have liked more good things to happen and for this to be a more balanced story. The ending in itself was also very rushed and very short. You have maybe about 340 pages of bad and difficult things happening to poor Doris and her family, and then only about 20 pages in which things get put right and even then it’s not done in any detail or lets you really savor the moment. Now, it’s not like I’m expecting to read a story that is all fluff and romance and Christianity, but I do expect for Hill’s works to be a bit more lighthearted and a bit more uplifting. What is the point of the story of Job if you don’t get to the part where he gets all the rewards? Then it would just be a story about a righteous person being punished for no reason. That’s hardly a good message any which way you look at it. Therefore I really felt that the story should have given Doris more of a happy ending, more substance to what she was getting, and also to give a more full account of what happens to her family. A lot of questions are essentially left unanswered. Such as, what happens to Ned and his wife? What about Florence and Mr. Hamilton? What about Rose and her spontaneous romance? What about John and his new job? What about Jean and how she grows up? These all feel like they could be their own stories and even though this story is centered around Doris, it feels incomplete unless all of her siblings are addressed as well. Maybe I would be more understanding of it if I knew it was the first book in a series of the Dunbar family and that would be perfectly acceptable; however, since this seems to be only a story about Doris and her family are sort of background characters, I really feel that either the author should have given the siblings less of a focus or really elaborated on their own endings considering they’re important roles in what happens. In either case, I am adding it to my shelves; however, it will not be one of the books that I would look forward to rereading necessarily. It felt like I was putting myself through quite a bit to get through this, and unfortunately the payoff was not worth it.
March 22, 2016
This is my first GLH, though I tried and didn't finish another one that had a very spoiled rich girl for heroine. This heroine grew up rich, but when the book opens her father has died, leaving the family with crushing debt that will change their lives drastically.
At first it read like a George MacDonald romance - which made me quite happy as I love his old romance novels. Then it became more French farce, the doorbell ringing to admit another outrageous person bringing more problems to the beleaguered family, and I giggled through that part. Finally it settled into a more typical old-fashioned romance, with the hero and heroine falling in love through letters and postcards, since they were on different continents.
Ultimately it was a delightful story of a spunky young girl who made the best of her life and ended up with her HEA. I will read another by Hill some times.
At first it read like a George MacDonald romance - which made me quite happy as I love his old romance novels. Then it became more French farce, the doorbell ringing to admit another outrageous person bringing more problems to the beleaguered family, and I giggled through that part. Finally it settled into a more typical old-fashioned romance, with the hero and heroine falling in love through letters and postcards, since they were on different continents.
Ultimately it was a delightful story of a spunky young girl who made the best of her life and ended up with her HEA. I will read another by Hill some times.
November 26, 2015
A Quickie Review
Though it was good, it was a bit hard to get into, which is not what I've come to expect from Grace Livingston Hill. This is the second GLH book in a row I've read that wasn't up to her standard; hopefully, the next one I read will be better.
Score: 3/5
Though it was good, it was a bit hard to get into, which is not what I've come to expect from Grace Livingston Hill. This is the second GLH book in a row I've read that wasn't up to her standard; hopefully, the next one I read will be better.
Score: 3/5
July 29, 2021
How many things can go wrong in one person's life?? And why must they all happen at once? And how do you respond?
Doris Dunbar's life is falling apart. Her father has just died, and the family discovered that his recent investments have failed. Not only do they have no money, but they must give up the house and all get some sort of jobs to support themselves. Their father has left on their hands a selfish, petted stepmother who despises the children and does whatever she can to make life easy for herself and difficult for them. Doris's brother, at 19 with no education and no job prospects, has secretly married a dancer from the local theater, who thinks he has lots of money. And her fiance, a classic narcissist, wants to disown her family and whisk her away to the West, where he can mold her into the perfect wife. With two younger sisters and a little brother, Doris must take charge of her family and sends the fiance packing.
While looking for a job, Doris applies for a position for companion to an older lady whose only family is a son who is headed overseas for an indefinite period of time for his job. The son doesn't want his mother to know he is hiring her a companion, so he just introduces Doris as a friend, and his mother assumes that she is her son's "special friend." Doris and the mother become close and begin to study the Bible together, which opens Doris's eyes to God's plan for her life. In true GLH fashion, Doris and the son begin falling in love over the letters which speed back and forth across the ocean.
The only complaint I had about this book was that it ended way too abruptly. I felt that some of the story lines were left unresolved.
Doris Dunbar's life is falling apart. Her father has just died, and the family discovered that his recent investments have failed. Not only do they have no money, but they must give up the house and all get some sort of jobs to support themselves. Their father has left on their hands a selfish, petted stepmother who despises the children and does whatever she can to make life easy for herself and difficult for them. Doris's brother, at 19 with no education and no job prospects, has secretly married a dancer from the local theater, who thinks he has lots of money. And her fiance, a classic narcissist, wants to disown her family and whisk her away to the West, where he can mold her into the perfect wife. With two younger sisters and a little brother, Doris must take charge of her family and sends the fiance packing.
While looking for a job, Doris applies for a position for companion to an older lady whose only family is a son who is headed overseas for an indefinite period of time for his job. The son doesn't want his mother to know he is hiring her a companion, so he just introduces Doris as a friend, and his mother assumes that she is her son's "special friend." Doris and the mother become close and begin to study the Bible together, which opens Doris's eyes to God's plan for her life. In true GLH fashion, Doris and the son begin falling in love over the letters which speed back and forth across the ocean.
The only complaint I had about this book was that it ended way too abruptly. I felt that some of the story lines were left unresolved.
June 9, 2021
Gentle romance, following the trials of Doris Dunbar when her father dies and she's left to deal with a lot of problems that have befallen her family. Her stepmother is of the fairy tale variety, as terrible as they come, making me almost shake with rage as I read of her exploits. The others try hard, have their selfish moments, and eventually pick themselves up and sometimes do what's right.
What I loved about this book is how 'real' it is. This is how families are, messy and screwed up and doing their best generally to survive.
The final resolution might be a little too convenient, the Christian storyline a little preachy, but where Grace's books are concerned I never mind it. This is part of what I'm looking for when I pick up these volumes to enjoy all over again.
Highly recommended!
What I loved about this book is how 'real' it is. This is how families are, messy and screwed up and doing their best generally to survive.
The final resolution might be a little too convenient, the Christian storyline a little preachy, but where Grace's books are concerned I never mind it. This is part of what I'm looking for when I pick up these volumes to enjoy all over again.
Highly recommended!
July 11, 2012
I'm enjoying reading Grace Livingston Hill novels again. I read them when I was in middle school, and I found a bunch on sale at a used book store and I had to buy them. They are romantic and sweet, a little predictable and sappy, and very old fashioned, but happy and "feel-good" reads
Job's Niece has a slighlty disappointing climax I think. There is a lot of build up with the family troubles and etc, and then ...poof....evrything is wonderful. I also want to know what happens to some of the characters and their situations, overall not my favorite Hill novel.
Job's Niece has a slighlty disappointing climax I think. There is a lot of build up with the family troubles and etc, and then ...poof....evrything is wonderful. I also want to know what happens to some of the characters and their situations, overall not my favorite Hill novel.
March 29, 2025
I enjoyed this book, I just wish the ending hadn't been so rushed. It almost felt like she got bored with the story and just wanted it done.
Also, the spiritual turths didn't reach their full potential. Like it was a good start, but not finished.
Also, the spiritual turths didn't reach their full potential. Like it was a good start, but not finished.
February 1, 2026
Grace Livingston Hill’s “Job’s Niece” is a wonderful story with a Job like theme in a sense though Job’s suffering was immense, compared to Doris Dunbar. The majority of the story barely mentions God’s words, The Bible but it becomes the center for the religious segment. I loved how the Bible teachers were selected. I loved that when the Bible was first read it was not something that was taken to the heart but God’s words become a shining light in the soul which the Light brings understanding and truth to the reader. I understand this sentiment because when I had this revelation it changed me. I love Doris and Rose Dunbar, as well as John and Jean Dunbar. This is a story about tragedy and troubles of the Dunbar family and how they cope and what human frailties can have an effect. When Doris realized that she cannot overcome without Christ’s help and grace.
Story in short- The Dunbar family must deal with changes after their father’s death.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert
-Doris Dunbar- 21 year old, eldest daughter who has seen her father’s debts and investments troubles after his death, her stepmother is not supportive but acts like the child. Doris tells Ned that he should not have married but since they have limited income after their father’s death, he needs to get a job and she went to talk to Zoe, whose mother and herself money centered telling Doris she had money hidden. Doris is engaged to Milton but starts to see his faults that are not in harmony with her ideas. After Ned gets sick the doctor is called and tells Doris that she must rest and a nurse will come that she will not have to pay for. Doris hears her brother in his delirious state talk about his love for Zoe. Doris wonder if she should tell Zoe about nursing him. Doris answers the advertisement and meets Angus and is looking hopeful but not sure that she is hired to care for his mother. Doris tells Rose about Ned getting married. Milton is worried about the missing engagement ring. Doris and Rose try to tell Zoe that Ned is ill but only the doctor’s and lawyer’s straight talk makes her see that Ned is really sick and leaves to go to work. Ned needs oxygen and is getting worse. After Ned starts to improve Doris thinks how inconsiderate Milton was and how she is starting to see him for the first time. She thinks of the HELPER and looks for HIS guidance. The engagement ring was pawned by Florence but Rose figured out what her step mother did. Doris goes with Agnus to see his mother but he is worried that his mother still would not like a paid helper, so he told Doris she is to play the part of a friend. They both get along and his mother looks forward to having Doris visit. Doris finds Ned condition not improving and that John has quit school and has a job. Hamilton tells Doris of an old house in the country that her aunt gave her long ago and she looks at it before her visit to Mrs. Macdonald. Milton calls about the ring being different and is coming over. Zoe tells the family that she is going to stay bringing her trunks. Doris tells Milton it is over and gave him his ring that Florence had pawned, yet Doris had no idea about any of this. Doris is invited to the Macdonalds for their last dinner before Agnus travelled. Doris sees Rose coming home late with a man, which Rose evaded questions. Doris is at the hospital visiting Florence when the nurse calls frantic about Zoe’s party with alcohol and Doris decides to have Thomas, a friendly family cop to bring order to her home. Doris sees Mrs. Macdonald and they decided to study the Bible together. Doris is seeing the Bible truly for the first time. The family moved to their little country home, Silver Ledge and Zoe comes but as soon as she sees the cottage, she decided to go back to town and tells Ned, who is upset still but he listens to Doris trying to rally her brother to go back to work and win her if he really wants her, though this idea is bitter to Doris. Tamar tries to see Mrs. Macdonald but Doris stops her and finds out that Tamar is Agnus’ fiancé but dare not tell the mother. Doris reprimands her being too friendly with Agnus and his friendship with Tamar, makes it clear that he is not her kind. She sees that Tamar and Zoe are one in the same. Florence comes back and is pleasant but very repentive of taking her ring and told her all about it. Doris wishes her well for Florence is going to marry Mr. Hamilton. Doris sees Zoe has tried to get money from Mrs. Macdonald for Doris’ salary. Doris and Mrs. Macdonald comes to understand each other and stay friends. Agnus comes back with his cousin and hear screams. Agnus worries about Doris and finds her and tells her his love for her.
-Rose Dunbar- Doris’ sister, 16 years old, spoiled, looks for a job, Rose says she is glad that Doris is not going to marry Milton, she didn���t care for him. She has been offered a movie job which upsets Doris. Rose had found out that Florence had pawned Doris’ engagement ring and brings the pawn ticket and money back. She decided not to take the movie job because the temptation that her father would not approve. Doris starts to confide in her about Ned’s marriage after their father’s funeral. Doris and Rose see the house in the country and think about moving there. Rose sees Florence’s behavior and tells her that she has not told Doris about the pawn ring yet which causes Florence to act more kindly. Milton called about the ring being different and Rose leaves the house right away. She pawns the ring back with the Colonel’s money but feels guilty. Rose tells Doris that she is like Job’s niece. Rose feels she is not strong like Doris but her sister refuses to agree with that. Rose has been baking to make money to pay back the colonel but unknown to her Zoe stole the money. She has to go with the colonel for dinner. Rose is almost attacked by the colonel but Duncan saved her and proposed to her.
-Florence Dunbar- married Dunbar, step mother, she thinks others should take care of her not the other way around, not controlling her own loud grief. When the will is read she wants it contested and even after the family was told that there will be enough to pay the bills and the house has to be sold right away. Very selfish and looking for things in Doris’ room takes the letter from Milton with the diamond ring and keeps it. She thinks a lawyer will find out the money that is hidden from her that she thinks her dead husband had but finally finds out they are broke. She pawns the diamond ring. Florence looks for her purse and is finally told by Rose she knows everything. Florence is worried about the ring and ends up being hit by a truck and going to the hospital. Very demanding in the hospital. She apologizes to Doris about the ring. She is to marry Mr. Hamilton.
-Ned Dunbar- came home drunk, had married last night to a girl he knew only 3 weeks, he wants the $300 from his sister otherwise his mother in law will tell everyone. 19 years old. (Edward). Ned comes home ill and needs a nurse. Ned’s wife did not believe he was sick but since it was clear she had not come back and Ned is sinking. Ned is still very sick but wants his wife with him. Hamilton and the doctor are his guardians until he is 21. He longs for Zoe. Doris encourages her brother so he will get well. Doris helps Ned buy a house for his wife and himself, he has a steady job. His wife steals Rose’s money left in the cottage. Troubles ahead for him.
-John Dunbar- brother, when he hears the girls getting jobs, he tries to get one himself. He sees the store owner, Lyman who likes his spunk and offers for him to be a messenger boy. His family finally finds out and are proud of him. John finds that Florence had been hurt in an accident and they take her to the hospital.
-Jean Dunbar-10 year old sister, is left alone and her whereabouts unknown. She comes back home, she was babysitting and could not call or leave the baby.
-Mr. Hamilton-the lawyer for Dunbars, that told Doris about the debts. He wants to help the family especially since Mr. Dunbar saved him from disaster, by telling him to sell his stocks whereas Dunbar could not. Hamilton is their for support and advice. The doctor and him talk straight to Zoe and being guardians it is not clear about the marriage but if Zoe behaves she might stay. He proposes to Florence.
-Angus Macdonald- rich but moral bound gentleman, needs to go on a business trip and advertised in the paper for a companion for his mother, he knows his mother would not like Tamar. He sees Tamar’s faults but thinks he can change her because she is young. He sees Doris and knew her father but didn’t know about his death. He wants Doris to meet his mother after she applied. Agnus is impressed with Doris and sees his mother likes her. He starts to want to see Tamar after her note but also thinks of Doris. Is happy about the Bible studies that Doris is having with his mother. Agnus comes home early and he worries for Doris hearing screams, he finds Doris and professes his love. They will be married.
-Mrs. Macdonald- She is worried about her son and his choice in girlfriends until he meets Doris, yet she doesn’t know she is hired to be a friend with his mother. Tamar wants to see him and he almost did unknowingly to his mother. She wants to study the Bible with Doris and enjoys her visits. She has Doris go for three days the Bible school to pick out some teachers to teach at her home. She is worried about this Tamar which she has never seen. Zoe talks to her about giving Doris’ salary early and Mrs. Macdonald denies that Doris works for her. She hears Doris’ story and loves her like a daughter.
-Tamar Engadine- a free loving girl that Angus looks to make her more moral in her behavior. Tamar breaks down and writes Agnus a note wanting to see him. Tamar tries to see Mrs. Macdonald. She sees that she should have married Agnus and later dealt with his prudish ways. She cannot find out where Agnus is in Europe and decides to go herself.
-Zoe Bullard- the girl Ned married and wanted a diamond ring, she dances and goes by the name Zephyr. She brings her trunks amd still thinks the family have money. She has a party with some friends. Zoe only wanted to marry Ned because of his position and doesn’t love him, she barely sees him. She comes to the country house but decides it is not for her and leaves Ned. In their new place but Zoe tries to get money from Mrs. Macdonald but when that doesn’t work, she steals Rose’s money.
-Milton Page- chief accountant for the city, engaged to Doris but very strict in order. He thinks Doris should marry him right away and leave her family, Doris sees him for the first time and told him the engagement is off but he refuses to think she would refuse him. He becomes more insolent as he sees Doris ignoring him. Doris finally gives him the ring and he thinks she will be coming back to him but he has no use for her family. Milton finds the ring different. Rose gives him the ring but doesn’t say much then she just found it.
-Colonel Carruthers- A few years older than Rose and leant her money, she knew her father didn’t like him. He looks to take advantage of Rose but is saved by Duncan.
-Duncan Macdonald- Agnus’ cousin from Scotland who falls in love with Rose when he rescued her from the colonel.
Lesson learned- when searching for a spouse, compatiblity with beliefs and behavior over attraction, especially just looking at the surface and not the internal character. Life’s troubles can be send from God to teach and change ways but the importantance of God’s goodness and grace and loving the savior is all that.
Story in short- The Dunbar family must deal with changes after their father’s death.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert
-Doris Dunbar- 21 year old, eldest daughter who has seen her father’s debts and investments troubles after his death, her stepmother is not supportive but acts like the child. Doris tells Ned that he should not have married but since they have limited income after their father’s death, he needs to get a job and she went to talk to Zoe, whose mother and herself money centered telling Doris she had money hidden. Doris is engaged to Milton but starts to see his faults that are not in harmony with her ideas. After Ned gets sick the doctor is called and tells Doris that she must rest and a nurse will come that she will not have to pay for. Doris hears her brother in his delirious state talk about his love for Zoe. Doris wonder if she should tell Zoe about nursing him. Doris answers the advertisement and meets Angus and is looking hopeful but not sure that she is hired to care for his mother. Doris tells Rose about Ned getting married. Milton is worried about the missing engagement ring. Doris and Rose try to tell Zoe that Ned is ill but only the doctor’s and lawyer’s straight talk makes her see that Ned is really sick and leaves to go to work. Ned needs oxygen and is getting worse. After Ned starts to improve Doris thinks how inconsiderate Milton was and how she is starting to see him for the first time. She thinks of the HELPER and looks for HIS guidance. The engagement ring was pawned by Florence but Rose figured out what her step mother did. Doris goes with Agnus to see his mother but he is worried that his mother still would not like a paid helper, so he told Doris she is to play the part of a friend. They both get along and his mother looks forward to having Doris visit. Doris finds Ned condition not improving and that John has quit school and has a job. Hamilton tells Doris of an old house in the country that her aunt gave her long ago and she looks at it before her visit to Mrs. Macdonald. Milton calls about the ring being different and is coming over. Zoe tells the family that she is going to stay bringing her trunks. Doris tells Milton it is over and gave him his ring that Florence had pawned, yet Doris had no idea about any of this. Doris is invited to the Macdonalds for their last dinner before Agnus travelled. Doris sees Rose coming home late with a man, which Rose evaded questions. Doris is at the hospital visiting Florence when the nurse calls frantic about Zoe’s party with alcohol and Doris decides to have Thomas, a friendly family cop to bring order to her home. Doris sees Mrs. Macdonald and they decided to study the Bible together. Doris is seeing the Bible truly for the first time. The family moved to their little country home, Silver Ledge and Zoe comes but as soon as she sees the cottage, she decided to go back to town and tells Ned, who is upset still but he listens to Doris trying to rally her brother to go back to work and win her if he really wants her, though this idea is bitter to Doris. Tamar tries to see Mrs. Macdonald but Doris stops her and finds out that Tamar is Agnus’ fiancé but dare not tell the mother. Doris reprimands her being too friendly with Agnus and his friendship with Tamar, makes it clear that he is not her kind. She sees that Tamar and Zoe are one in the same. Florence comes back and is pleasant but very repentive of taking her ring and told her all about it. Doris wishes her well for Florence is going to marry Mr. Hamilton. Doris sees Zoe has tried to get money from Mrs. Macdonald for Doris’ salary. Doris and Mrs. Macdonald comes to understand each other and stay friends. Agnus comes back with his cousin and hear screams. Agnus worries about Doris and finds her and tells her his love for her.
-Rose Dunbar- Doris’ sister, 16 years old, spoiled, looks for a job, Rose says she is glad that Doris is not going to marry Milton, she didn���t care for him. She has been offered a movie job which upsets Doris. Rose had found out that Florence had pawned Doris’ engagement ring and brings the pawn ticket and money back. She decided not to take the movie job because the temptation that her father would not approve. Doris starts to confide in her about Ned’s marriage after their father’s funeral. Doris and Rose see the house in the country and think about moving there. Rose sees Florence’s behavior and tells her that she has not told Doris about the pawn ring yet which causes Florence to act more kindly. Milton called about the ring being different and Rose leaves the house right away. She pawns the ring back with the Colonel’s money but feels guilty. Rose tells Doris that she is like Job’s niece. Rose feels she is not strong like Doris but her sister refuses to agree with that. Rose has been baking to make money to pay back the colonel but unknown to her Zoe stole the money. She has to go with the colonel for dinner. Rose is almost attacked by the colonel but Duncan saved her and proposed to her.
-Florence Dunbar- married Dunbar, step mother, she thinks others should take care of her not the other way around, not controlling her own loud grief. When the will is read she wants it contested and even after the family was told that there will be enough to pay the bills and the house has to be sold right away. Very selfish and looking for things in Doris’ room takes the letter from Milton with the diamond ring and keeps it. She thinks a lawyer will find out the money that is hidden from her that she thinks her dead husband had but finally finds out they are broke. She pawns the diamond ring. Florence looks for her purse and is finally told by Rose she knows everything. Florence is worried about the ring and ends up being hit by a truck and going to the hospital. Very demanding in the hospital. She apologizes to Doris about the ring. She is to marry Mr. Hamilton.
-Ned Dunbar- came home drunk, had married last night to a girl he knew only 3 weeks, he wants the $300 from his sister otherwise his mother in law will tell everyone. 19 years old. (Edward). Ned comes home ill and needs a nurse. Ned’s wife did not believe he was sick but since it was clear she had not come back and Ned is sinking. Ned is still very sick but wants his wife with him. Hamilton and the doctor are his guardians until he is 21. He longs for Zoe. Doris encourages her brother so he will get well. Doris helps Ned buy a house for his wife and himself, he has a steady job. His wife steals Rose’s money left in the cottage. Troubles ahead for him.
-John Dunbar- brother, when he hears the girls getting jobs, he tries to get one himself. He sees the store owner, Lyman who likes his spunk and offers for him to be a messenger boy. His family finally finds out and are proud of him. John finds that Florence had been hurt in an accident and they take her to the hospital.
-Jean Dunbar-10 year old sister, is left alone and her whereabouts unknown. She comes back home, she was babysitting and could not call or leave the baby.
-Mr. Hamilton-the lawyer for Dunbars, that told Doris about the debts. He wants to help the family especially since Mr. Dunbar saved him from disaster, by telling him to sell his stocks whereas Dunbar could not. Hamilton is their for support and advice. The doctor and him talk straight to Zoe and being guardians it is not clear about the marriage but if Zoe behaves she might stay. He proposes to Florence.
-Angus Macdonald- rich but moral bound gentleman, needs to go on a business trip and advertised in the paper for a companion for his mother, he knows his mother would not like Tamar. He sees Tamar’s faults but thinks he can change her because she is young. He sees Doris and knew her father but didn’t know about his death. He wants Doris to meet his mother after she applied. Agnus is impressed with Doris and sees his mother likes her. He starts to want to see Tamar after her note but also thinks of Doris. Is happy about the Bible studies that Doris is having with his mother. Agnus comes home early and he worries for Doris hearing screams, he finds Doris and professes his love. They will be married.
-Mrs. Macdonald- She is worried about her son and his choice in girlfriends until he meets Doris, yet she doesn’t know she is hired to be a friend with his mother. Tamar wants to see him and he almost did unknowingly to his mother. She wants to study the Bible with Doris and enjoys her visits. She has Doris go for three days the Bible school to pick out some teachers to teach at her home. She is worried about this Tamar which she has never seen. Zoe talks to her about giving Doris’ salary early and Mrs. Macdonald denies that Doris works for her. She hears Doris’ story and loves her like a daughter.
-Tamar Engadine- a free loving girl that Angus looks to make her more moral in her behavior. Tamar breaks down and writes Agnus a note wanting to see him. Tamar tries to see Mrs. Macdonald. She sees that she should have married Agnus and later dealt with his prudish ways. She cannot find out where Agnus is in Europe and decides to go herself.
-Zoe Bullard- the girl Ned married and wanted a diamond ring, she dances and goes by the name Zephyr. She brings her trunks amd still thinks the family have money. She has a party with some friends. Zoe only wanted to marry Ned because of his position and doesn’t love him, she barely sees him. She comes to the country house but decides it is not for her and leaves Ned. In their new place but Zoe tries to get money from Mrs. Macdonald but when that doesn’t work, she steals Rose’s money.
-Milton Page- chief accountant for the city, engaged to Doris but very strict in order. He thinks Doris should marry him right away and leave her family, Doris sees him for the first time and told him the engagement is off but he refuses to think she would refuse him. He becomes more insolent as he sees Doris ignoring him. Doris finally gives him the ring and he thinks she will be coming back to him but he has no use for her family. Milton finds the ring different. Rose gives him the ring but doesn’t say much then she just found it.
-Colonel Carruthers- A few years older than Rose and leant her money, she knew her father didn’t like him. He looks to take advantage of Rose but is saved by Duncan.
-Duncan Macdonald- Agnus’ cousin from Scotland who falls in love with Rose when he rescued her from the colonel.
Lesson learned- when searching for a spouse, compatiblity with beliefs and behavior over attraction, especially just looking at the surface and not the internal character. Life’s troubles can be send from God to teach and change ways but the importantance of God’s goodness and grace and loving the savior is all that.
July 21, 2014
Not one of Hill's best. As others have noted, she throws everything she can think of at the heroine, while giving only a few hints of possible solutions, before abruptly tying up a bunch of threads into a pretty unbelievable happy ending that requires a pure deus ex machina for one of the problems and nearly that for two more. I don't mind Hill's Happily Ever After trope, and I'll shrug off any number of unlikely happenings to get there, but this one is just ridiculous.
I was also more irritated by Hill's obsession with social status in this one; sometimes she gets past that whole thing and presents people of a "lower social class" as having unexpected quality and proving themselves human beings worthy of respect, but in this one social class trumps any possibility of change or growth.
I still found things to enjoy in it. At one point the heroine is being pressured by her fiance, and he's using the whole "the husband gets to dictate to the wife" line of thinking, which she rejects by saying, "Milton, you have no authority over me. I must do what I think is right. It is my own conscience that I must follow, and if you really love me you will not hurt me by" insisting she ignore it.
I suspect Hill always believed that the best marriage is one where the husband and wife are of like minds, and she'd probably never bought into the argument that Christian women should abandon their beliefs in order to "submit" to their husband. But I also believe that her own experience with her second marriage convinced her that enough people believe in such foolishness that she needed to directly challenge that idea, and IMHO she does a good job of challenging it.
Another lesson that Hill had to learn in her own life, and tries to pass on, is that "she knew herself to be not really bound by what anyone else, even of her own family, did. She was herself, and accountable for her own character." There's some good stuff here, and with some rewriting it could have been a good book, but Hill did not give it the attention it needed and her editor let it slide.
I was also more irritated by Hill's obsession with social status in this one; sometimes she gets past that whole thing and presents people of a "lower social class" as having unexpected quality and proving themselves human beings worthy of respect, but in this one social class trumps any possibility of change or growth.
I still found things to enjoy in it. At one point the heroine is being pressured by her fiance, and he's using the whole "the husband gets to dictate to the wife" line of thinking, which she rejects by saying, "Milton, you have no authority over me. I must do what I think is right. It is my own conscience that I must follow, and if you really love me you will not hurt me by" insisting she ignore it.
I suspect Hill always believed that the best marriage is one where the husband and wife are of like minds, and she'd probably never bought into the argument that Christian women should abandon their beliefs in order to "submit" to their husband. But I also believe that her own experience with her second marriage convinced her that enough people believe in such foolishness that she needed to directly challenge that idea, and IMHO she does a good job of challenging it.
Another lesson that Hill had to learn in her own life, and tries to pass on, is that "she knew herself to be not really bound by what anyone else, even of her own family, did. She was herself, and accountable for her own character." There's some good stuff here, and with some rewriting it could have been a good book, but Hill did not give it the attention it needed and her editor let it slide.
February 20, 2013
JOB'S NIECE by Grace Livingston Hill is an interesting inspirational historical romance set in 1920's United States. Ms. Livingston Hill is considered the pioneer of Christian Romance and her legacy continues. "Job's Niece" is book 11 in the "Love Endures" series,but can be read as a stand alone. This is the story of Doris Dunbar,her siblings,her very demanding stepmother and the mounting bills her father left at his death. And Angus Macdonald,a Scottish businessman,his widowed,aging mother,and his hope of a future in Europe. Fast paced story of hope,family,healing,faith,forgiveness and love.Can love bring salvation,hope and peace or more pain and hurt? I enjoy this author's stories.It just goes to show you Love does Endure. If you enjoy historical romance and family you will enjoy "Job's Niece". Another wonderful classic! Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews
October 7, 2025
The perfect, easy read while recovering from an illness. I needed something light and something I could put down without forgetting what I'd read. Grace Livingston Hill is the pioneer of Christian romance. It's interesting how Christian Fiction has changed. Yet one thing stands. The One Christian Fiction writers are writing for has stayed the same. His truths still remain solid. Forgiveness, kindness, willingness to learn are just a few character traits you'll find in Job's Niece.
Favorite passage in Job's Niece "...even the godly are afflicted and that not for anything that they have done wrongly, but that they may learn to know and judge themselves. As she looked at herself in the light of this revelation, she could utter sincerely the words of Job: “I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
Favorite passage in Job's Niece "...even the godly are afflicted and that not for anything that they have done wrongly, but that they may learn to know and judge themselves. As she looked at herself in the light of this revelation, she could utter sincerely the words of Job: “I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
February 9, 2018
I've never read anything by Grace Livingston Hill until this book so I really didn't know what to expect. I was so pleasantly surprised. It was a very sweet story consisting of challenge after challenge for the Dunbar family as one might expect - given the title. I admired Doris, detested Milton, and Zephyr - good grief! I wanted more of a conclusion; an epilogue would have been nice. It was old-fashioned, yet refreshing.
May 21, 2017
My favorite GLH book
I have always loved her books about families pulling together in hardship. This one takes the cake with well developed characterizations. Although following a tried and true theme, there are differences in outcome that are unique in this one. Highly recommend.
I have always loved her books about families pulling together in hardship. This one takes the cake with well developed characterizations. Although following a tried and true theme, there are differences in outcome that are unique in this one. Highly recommend.
February 13, 2013
I like these clean Christian romances by Grace Livingston Hill; however, I will say that her good characters are almost too perfect and her bad ones horribly evil, which can make them amusing although that's not the intent. They are well written though.
September 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this story. The name caught me off guard as I have done a serious study of Job years ago, but it was a great story. I really enjoyed it. It had some plot twists I didn't expect. Doris and Angus belong together.
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March 12, 2009JF-YAHil
June 12, 2011
Everything that can go wrong does, and then it all magically wraps up in about three pages, with a few major plot holes still gaping.
August 9, 2016
So bad, it's funny.
March 12, 2015
This was a great book with a happy ending that had a surprising twist to it. Definitely five out of five stars for a page-turning story.
January 16, 2017
I love this author. Even with the time period she wrote you still live the story.
October 13, 2024
Another not-quite from GLH.
Being "Job's Niece", you go in expecting her to lose her money, home, family, job, be covered in boils and pestilence, etc. It's kind of in the title. So to anticipate anything less is stupid on the reader's part.
HOWEVER, this one has too many issues. You have a stepmother who is unbearable and goes into screaming fits in front of everyone from the doctors to the lawyers... and the family lawyer MARRIES her?! Really. ((How about no.))
You have the 19- year old brother who gets married to a floozy THE DAY OF HIS FATHER'S FUNERAL whilst drunk, and three days later collapses of double pneumonia. (((sigh.))) I'm sighing over here. Did you hear it?
You have the 17-year old sister who's able to finagle things around by super-speed, super-luck, and super-sleaze, but we're mostly *NOT* told what's going on with her. Other than that she makes 'things right' by shady means that someday we'll maybe hear about. :/
The 13- year old brother ditches school and *NEVER* goes back. What?!
And then there's the romance. It basically consists of Roddy MacDowell a la 1950s rom-com snoot going on and on about propriety, and a 'hero' who isn't even in the story. I would've liked more letters/confessions between Doris and Angus. He doesn't even *KNOW* her - her troubles, her misfortune, her heart, but he's all "I LoVe YoooooU!!" from SCOTLAND, for the love of Mike! What is that?!
This... I could re-write it better.
And I just might.
Being "Job's Niece", you go in expecting her to lose her money, home, family, job, be covered in boils and pestilence, etc. It's kind of in the title. So to anticipate anything less is stupid on the reader's part.
HOWEVER, this one has too many issues. You have a stepmother who is unbearable and goes into screaming fits in front of everyone from the doctors to the lawyers... and the family lawyer MARRIES her?! Really. ((How about no.))
You have the 19- year old brother who gets married to a floozy THE DAY OF HIS FATHER'S FUNERAL whilst drunk, and three days later collapses of double pneumonia. (((sigh.))) I'm sighing over here. Did you hear it?
You have the 17-year old sister who's able to finagle things around by super-speed, super-luck, and super-sleaze, but we're mostly *NOT* told what's going on with her. Other than that she makes 'things right' by shady means that someday we'll maybe hear about. :/
The 13- year old brother ditches school and *NEVER* goes back. What?!
And then there's the romance. It basically consists of Roddy MacDowell a la 1950s rom-com snoot going on and on about propriety, and a 'hero' who isn't even in the story. I would've liked more letters/confessions between Doris and Angus. He doesn't even *KNOW* her - her troubles, her misfortune, her heart, but he's all "I LoVe YoooooU!!" from SCOTLAND, for the love of Mike! What is that?!
This... I could re-write it better.
And I just might.
January 22, 2025
Great book, but the transcription to digital could be better
The story is as good as I remembered, but there are several typos, a few places where the words have been changed from the original, and a couple of places where part of the text is missing. There were a few times the text didn't make ant sense, and I found myself having to pull out an old paperback copy, just to figure out what it was supposed to say.
The story is as good as I remembered, but there are several typos, a few places where the words have been changed from the original, and a couple of places where part of the text is missing. There were a few times the text didn't make ant sense, and I found myself having to pull out an old paperback copy, just to figure out what it was supposed to say.
November 5, 2025
A read from yesteryear but problems seem the same as today: financial difficulties, difficult family members, learning of love and human nature. Things that every generation experience. Worse sin in this book was stealing and vice of selfishness. So different from today's violenct society. Perhaps the clue is that God is in the picture to tender their emotions and their faith that He would help carry their problems. Faith in God lightens the load.
January 4, 2025
4* I found this book thoroughly entertaining and uplifting.
October 31, 2025
There is only one word to describe this book. BREATHTAKING!
November 27, 2025
very good book as always.
October 11, 2021
A great part of my enjoyment of this book was the very old copy I held in my hands while reading the words, but that doesn't really say anything about the book itself. So I'll leave that as an aside.
Setting: A somewhat urban area, if not within an unnamed city itself, in the 1920s (likely contemporaneous to the publish date, 1926). The characters live as upper-class, even wealthy people, so they have easy access to certain amenities that rural folk may or may not have in the same time period. The traveling overseas also takes a significant part of the plot.
Characters: To be honest most of these characters are annoying. That is the book's intent, however--how insufferable are Florence and Zephyr and Milton and Ned! Their respective personalities and selfish behavior, however, serve to bring out the contrast between godly character and a person's natural human instinct to respond in kind. Neither Doris nor Rose respond unrealistically (Rose being the one with whom we all can relate), but Doris is quite an admirable character, and at the same time not perfect. She struggles, she is defeated, she learns, and generally has a very good character arc. She has a lovely heart, but her need for a personal relationship with Jesus is not ignored, and I like how that part is subtly put in, without huge fanfare.
I can't write this character section without mentioning John, because he is perhaps the most precious, distinctive character in the book. No, he doesn't have the most Christian attitude toward the annoyances of Florence and Zephyr, but his work ethic is just adorable. Angus, of course, is also a good character, but as far as individuality he doesn't have much character development. His role is mainly that of one to supplement Doris' character.
Plot: The title itself intrigued me as to the plot, and I wasn't disappointed in this regard. The plot, in a nutshell is basically a story of a "female Job." The spiritual threads throughout the book are done quite well, and while Doris' life doesn't exactly parallel with the story of Job (thankfully, honestly--I was worried that it would), that is the blueprint, so to speak, of Doris' struggles. And the ending, likewise, doesn't parallel Job's, but it demonstrates the reality of God's grace and love. Another note about the ending that dropped my star rating: it is extremely abrupt, including introducing a wholly new character in the last chapter who ended up significantly affecting another major character. It didn't bother me as much as some abrupt endings do (because G.L. Hill is so charming I must forgive her of all faults), but there are some major jumps in the plot, and a few aspects of the plot are sort of left hanging.
Faith Content: I've already mentioned this a bit, but I'll add that I like Hill's perspective of Job. The spiritual content has a nice balance of the simple, faith-centered Truth of God, combined with a little bit of biblical specificities that a casual reader of the New Testament won't pick up on. I don't usually write my favorite quotes, but I think this review merits it:
"'Well, you'll have to get up after all,' she said glumly. 'Bildad the Shuhite is down there!'"
Setting: A somewhat urban area, if not within an unnamed city itself, in the 1920s (likely contemporaneous to the publish date, 1926). The characters live as upper-class, even wealthy people, so they have easy access to certain amenities that rural folk may or may not have in the same time period. The traveling overseas also takes a significant part of the plot.
Characters: To be honest most of these characters are annoying. That is the book's intent, however--how insufferable are Florence and Zephyr and Milton and Ned! Their respective personalities and selfish behavior, however, serve to bring out the contrast between godly character and a person's natural human instinct to respond in kind. Neither Doris nor Rose respond unrealistically (Rose being the one with whom we all can relate), but Doris is quite an admirable character, and at the same time not perfect. She struggles, she is defeated, she learns, and generally has a very good character arc. She has a lovely heart, but her need for a personal relationship with Jesus is not ignored, and I like how that part is subtly put in, without huge fanfare.
I can't write this character section without mentioning John, because he is perhaps the most precious, distinctive character in the book. No, he doesn't have the most Christian attitude toward the annoyances of Florence and Zephyr, but his work ethic is just adorable. Angus, of course, is also a good character, but as far as individuality he doesn't have much character development. His role is mainly that of one to supplement Doris' character.
Plot: The title itself intrigued me as to the plot, and I wasn't disappointed in this regard. The plot, in a nutshell is basically a story of a "female Job." The spiritual threads throughout the book are done quite well, and while Doris' life doesn't exactly parallel with the story of Job (thankfully, honestly--I was worried that it would), that is the blueprint, so to speak, of Doris' struggles. And the ending, likewise, doesn't parallel Job's, but it demonstrates the reality of God's grace and love. Another note about the ending that dropped my star rating: it is extremely abrupt, including introducing a wholly new character in the last chapter who ended up significantly affecting another major character. It didn't bother me as much as some abrupt endings do (because G.L. Hill is so charming I must forgive her of all faults), but there are some major jumps in the plot, and a few aspects of the plot are sort of left hanging.
Faith Content: I've already mentioned this a bit, but I'll add that I like Hill's perspective of Job. The spiritual content has a nice balance of the simple, faith-centered Truth of God, combined with a little bit of biblical specificities that a casual reader of the New Testament won't pick up on. I don't usually write my favorite quotes, but I think this review merits it:
"'Well, you'll have to get up after all,' she said glumly. 'Bildad the Shuhite is down there!'"
April 30, 2021
4.75 stars
If the ending had been a little longer, I would have given this a full five. But aside from that, I really loved this!
So many misfortunes befall the Dunbar family right from the beginning and don't let up till the end. (Job's Niece indeed!) Even so, I enjoyed following Doris and her family as they try to make the best of and work through their situation. I liked John and Rose especially. While Doris was sweet and so admirable, and responsible and loving, and strong, and determinated (really, I want to be like her!), Rose had a bunch a sass that was so fun. John I'd say is in the middle of them. His determination to get a job and how he goes about it is one of my favorite things about this book.
I liked the sort of bird's eye view we got in here. We get see how the things happened instead of just sticking to one point of view and being told.
Many of the characters were so infuriating! The only one I ended up liking of the infuriating ones was the stepmother, Florence. She turned out alright in the end. But as for the others!! They were so bad, worst of all Zephyr. Ugh, she is so bad! And Milton!!! I'm glad Doris's eyes were opened to his character!
I wish the ending were a tad longer. Overall, it was a very fun read!
If the ending had been a little longer, I would have given this a full five. But aside from that, I really loved this!
So many misfortunes befall the Dunbar family right from the beginning and don't let up till the end. (Job's Niece indeed!) Even so, I enjoyed following Doris and her family as they try to make the best of and work through their situation. I liked John and Rose especially. While Doris was sweet and so admirable, and responsible and loving, and strong, and determinated (really, I want to be like her!), Rose had a bunch a sass that was so fun. John I'd say is in the middle of them. His determination to get a job and how he goes about it is one of my favorite things about this book.
I liked the sort of bird's eye view we got in here. We get see how the things happened instead of just sticking to one point of view and being told.
Many of the characters were so infuriating! The only one I ended up liking of the infuriating ones was the stepmother, Florence. She turned out alright in the end. But as for the others!! They were so bad, worst of all Zephyr. Ugh, she is so bad! And Milton!!! I'm glad Doris's eyes were opened to his character!
I wish the ending were a tad longer. Overall, it was a very fun read!
July 5, 2021
This book wasn't terrible, but it definitely felt a bit like a soap opera, so many terrible things happened! (And yes, I realize that the title should have warned me about this. ) The characters, except for Doris, Rose, the Macdonald's, John and Jean were abhorrent. I'm a terrible person, but I honestly wish Ned would have died. My husband was talking with me as I read, and I mentioned that I wanted to finish a chapter to see if Ned died. My husband said he hoped my book character would live (hardy har har), and I told him, I hoped he didn't! That was a shock! I don't think I've ever said that before in my life! Still true though. So yeah, if you want to read a book where you hope most of the characters will catch double pneumonia and die, be my guest!
November 26, 2021
Wow!
This book I'm going to have to read several more times. Reasons are several.
1. This story in a number of ways reminds me of many hears in my home, although my losing my parents was the same in sickness but quicker for my father than my mother.
2. My ex - brother married the most HATED girl on campus, she was also hated at the home of my parents.
3. Adventures galore
4. I've GOT to do another more deeper study on the book of Job, I think Rose was right about it with Doris. Maybe that's what God is doing with me now.
This book I'm going to have to read several more times. Reasons are several.
1. This story in a number of ways reminds me of many hears in my home, although my losing my parents was the same in sickness but quicker for my father than my mother.
2. My ex - brother married the most HATED girl on campus, she was also hated at the home of my parents.
3. Adventures galore
4. I've GOT to do another more deeper study on the book of Job, I think Rose was right about it with Doris. Maybe that's what God is doing with me now.
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