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Coming Through the Rye
Rugged, incorruptible Evan Sherwood had to bring Romayne's brother and father to justice―even if it meant losing her love.
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.
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.
319 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1926
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About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
572 books564 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 9, 2022
Rating: 3.3 / 5
There's no way to say this nicely, so I may as well say it honestly: Romayne Ramson is by far the most insufferable out of all Grace Livingston Hill's heroines.
I mean, maybe that's being a little harsh since there have been other books and stories where Hill's heroines either make mistakes or behave badly until they find their faith, but...I don't know, somehow having Romayne act the way she does when she supposedly does have faith and is even a Sunday school teacher...gah, the whole think just rang of hypocrisy to me, and that's the one thing that I can't stand, either in fiction or in reality.
*sighs* So, what's the story? Well, the Ransom family seems to be well off or at least starting to be well off, and have recently moved into a new house, are making plans for the future, etc. Romayne feels this change keenly, as she's at the border between two worlds--i.e. the poor and respectable and old-fashioned world of faith, and the evil, modern-day world of the rich and material. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to think of Romayne's position in this middle ground, as usually it's either-or in Hill's novels. Accepting it for what it was though, I read on, and the story wastes no time in getting right at the heart of the action. Namely:
That Romayne's father and brother are involved in bootlegging, and it's up to Evan Sherwood and his gang to turn them in.
This comes as a shock to Romayne, but even more so to her father who suffers a stroke upon realizing that he's about to be arrested--because, convenient plot illness, you know? This causes Romayne to outright hate Sherwood from the get-go, even though he's just doing his job (cause this was initially published in 1926, when prohibition was a thing and all) and in fact wanted to spare her the hurt but she insisted on seeing the facts anyway, so...yeah, that's on her. Except that she acts like Sherwood has a personal vendetta against her family or something, leading up to the whole enemies-to-lovers trope for this novel.
In all honestly, I can't recall from any of the other Hill books that I've ever read if this has ever been quite the case for any of the heroines or couples. Sure, maybe there's a book or two when they have a misunderstanding, like in The Best Man; but even so, the heroines don't hate, and especially not when they profess to have faith in God otherwise. Truly Christian faith and hate just don't go together ideally (though, unfortunately, history has shown us how this is not the case in practice), and since these books are written from an ideal and faith-inspiring point of view, I think that Hill should've adhered to that. Make Romayne be upset with Sherwood, fine, but have the misunderstanding cleared up before anything can escalate to hate.
Having Romayne go in that direction from the beginning was a huge turn-off for me in terms of this book, and so far has made her my least-liked heroine by Hill. It kind of colours the plot and sets the tone for the remainder of the novel, you know, and from then on I felt like everything that was being played out followed that enemies-to-lovers trope--and while I won't say that I hate that trope or anything, I don't think it has its place in Christian romance. All in all, I can't say that I really liked it, though it was well-written enough that I think it deserves partial credit.
I was expecting something much lighter than what I got. Unfortunately, for my first Hill novel this year, it wasn't the case. Ah well!
There's no way to say this nicely, so I may as well say it honestly: Romayne Ramson is by far the most insufferable out of all Grace Livingston Hill's heroines.
I mean, maybe that's being a little harsh since there have been other books and stories where Hill's heroines either make mistakes or behave badly until they find their faith, but...I don't know, somehow having Romayne act the way she does when she supposedly does have faith and is even a Sunday school teacher...gah, the whole think just rang of hypocrisy to me, and that's the one thing that I can't stand, either in fiction or in reality.
*sighs* So, what's the story? Well, the Ransom family seems to be well off or at least starting to be well off, and have recently moved into a new house, are making plans for the future, etc. Romayne feels this change keenly, as she's at the border between two worlds--i.e. the poor and respectable and old-fashioned world of faith, and the evil, modern-day world of the rich and material. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to think of Romayne's position in this middle ground, as usually it's either-or in Hill's novels. Accepting it for what it was though, I read on, and the story wastes no time in getting right at the heart of the action. Namely:
That Romayne's father and brother are involved in bootlegging, and it's up to Evan Sherwood and his gang to turn them in.
This comes as a shock to Romayne, but even more so to her father who suffers a stroke upon realizing that he's about to be arrested--because, convenient plot illness, you know? This causes Romayne to outright hate Sherwood from the get-go, even though he's just doing his job (cause this was initially published in 1926, when prohibition was a thing and all) and in fact wanted to spare her the hurt but she insisted on seeing the facts anyway, so...yeah, that's on her. Except that she acts like Sherwood has a personal vendetta against her family or something, leading up to the whole enemies-to-lovers trope for this novel.
In all honestly, I can't recall from any of the other Hill books that I've ever read if this has ever been quite the case for any of the heroines or couples. Sure, maybe there's a book or two when they have a misunderstanding, like in The Best Man; but even so, the heroines don't hate, and especially not when they profess to have faith in God otherwise. Truly Christian faith and hate just don't go together ideally (though, unfortunately, history has shown us how this is not the case in practice), and since these books are written from an ideal and faith-inspiring point of view, I think that Hill should've adhered to that. Make Romayne be upset with Sherwood, fine, but have the misunderstanding cleared up before anything can escalate to hate.
Having Romayne go in that direction from the beginning was a huge turn-off for me in terms of this book, and so far has made her my least-liked heroine by Hill. It kind of colours the plot and sets the tone for the remainder of the novel, you know, and from then on I felt like everything that was being played out followed that enemies-to-lovers trope--and while I won't say that I hate that trope or anything, I don't think it has its place in Christian romance. All in all, I can't say that I really liked it, though it was well-written enough that I think it deserves partial credit.
I was expecting something much lighter than what I got. Unfortunately, for my first Hill novel this year, it wasn't the case. Ah well!
April 20, 2012
I have read a lot of Hill's novels, most of them given to me by my Mom and Grandmother when I was a young girl. They are old fashioned in their views of women and society, but they are still romantic. I still reread them all the time because I love believing in the happy endings,
Like most of Hill's novels it is about a beautiful young woman (Romayne) who needs the help of a man (Evan) to get through a tough situation. Through the story they discover themselves, their faith, and they fall n love. This story starts with Romayne hating Evan for seemingling destroying her family. She has to deal with her conflicting troubles and emotions, while Evan deals with guilt over hurting the woman he's falling in love with. Even though it's a predictable outcome, I always feel drawn in by the story, and I always smile at the end.
Like most of Hill's novels it is about a beautiful young woman (Romayne) who needs the help of a man (Evan) to get through a tough situation. Through the story they discover themselves, their faith, and they fall n love. This story starts with Romayne hating Evan for seemingling destroying her family. She has to deal with her conflicting troubles and emotions, while Evan deals with guilt over hurting the woman he's falling in love with. Even though it's a predictable outcome, I always feel drawn in by the story, and I always smile at the end.
February 17, 2024
Romanye is too naive. On the day her father and brother are both arrested for bootlegging, she meets Evan, the man who is responsible in part for their apprehension. What follows is the story of a girl in fierce denial, trying to nurse her father through the stroke which resulted from his arrest. As her eyes are opened to what's been going on, she also comes to appreciate the man she had initially loathed with all her being.
A sweet love story among enemies. At times the girl was too frustrating for words, but I still enjoyed reading this book. Very much a solid story overall.
A sweet love story among enemies. At times the girl was too frustrating for words, but I still enjoyed reading this book. Very much a solid story overall.
August 11, 2011
OK, Hill's books are corny, old-fashioned, very class-conscious, and a little too repetitive (poor, persecuted girl; great danger; many difficulties; rescue by someone rich and handsome). However, if saved, the main characters are very upright and earnest in living for God. I like that desire for personal holiness they exemplify. It's also fun to read books that were written many decades ago: you get interesting insights into the culture that people living today and writing about that time just don't know. For example, the heroes NEVER like their girls wearing make-up! One girl had to make sure she had a hat while escaping her kidnappers because people would have remembered seeing a girl without a hat! (Not this book.) Also the slang some characters use is so interesting to read; so much of it sounds ridiculous but is obviously authentic to that time. (I'm reminded how my English teachers always said to never use slang when you write, because people will read it in the future and won't understand it.) Minor beef: I HATE the covers chosen; the publishers didn't care a bit about portraying what the story was actually about. When these books were reprinted in the '60s, they had tacky-looking contemporary characters depicted, and as you can see above, when they're reprinted in the '90s, the publisher paid NO attention to the fact that this story takes place during Prohibition. Do those look like clothes or hairstyles from the early 1900s?
This was one of the earliest Hill books I read, and it remains one of my favorites.
This was one of the earliest Hill books I read, and it remains one of my favorites.
July 9, 2024
Definitely not my favourite GLH novel. Just so farfetched, every last bit of it, from the bad guys, through the slightly shell shocked heroine, down to the dying child who doesn't die and the nameless faceless woman making food and cups of tea in the kitchen. (What did she think about all this? We will never know.) And not even any waffle-making or other GLH homeyness, outside of a brought-in breakfast that another unnamed maid will clean up. Right.
January 27, 2025
Okay, this wasn't one of my favorite GLH the main girl is hard to like (way too proud) and the romance was... super dumb. Some of the side characters were endearing and I enjoyed the 20s atmosphere enough that I will give it three stars. I won't be in a rush to reread.
August 16, 2016
Romayne Ransom has a huge shock discovering that her beloved father has been involved in shady dealings. She's unwilling to accept it, even to the point of being harsh with the officers she discovers waiting to arrest him at their home. Leading them is Evan Sherwood, who feels awful about having to push Romayne into such an upsetting discovery and basically killing her innocence and childhood. It stinks being a dream-wrecker.
It gets worse though, because her prideful father is so upset knowing he's caught that he collapses, and the prognosis is very bad indeed. Her brother, also involved, is arrested, but cares not for anyone's plight but his own, and is shamelessly willing to use Romayne, uncaring how that makes everything harder on her. Romayne now has no one to lean on, and is stubbornly insistent on not receiving help from Sherwood. She never wants to see him again.
Sherwood, however, feels for this girl, in spite of her unfairly blaming him, and helps her from behind the scenes. She has to deal with:
holding vigil over her unresponsive father,
finding a way to stay afloat financially,
figuring out how/whether to help her selfish brother,
an unscrupulous guy who tries to extort money out of her at every opportunity,
and the question of whether her father can be forgiven.
Negatives/potential negatives:
-The relationship
-This is the first GLH novel I've read where I had a little bit of Second Lead Syndrome. Aw, Chris . . .
-Um, there were some things that were left open that I would have preferred resolved.
-Her anger and resultant treatment toward the good guys just because they did what they had to do was really upsetting me, especially as long as it lasted. I know you're hurting, girl, but it's not their fault things came to this.
Overall, I'll say it was an engrossing read, with GLH-characteristic sweetness, but it won't go on my list of favorites of hers, and I'm not sure if I would re-read it or not.
It gets worse though, because her prideful father is so upset knowing he's caught that he collapses, and the prognosis is very bad indeed. Her brother, also involved, is arrested, but cares not for anyone's plight but his own, and is shamelessly willing to use Romayne, uncaring how that makes everything harder on her. Romayne now has no one to lean on, and is stubbornly insistent on not receiving help from Sherwood. She never wants to see him again.
Sherwood, however, feels for this girl, in spite of her unfairly blaming him, and helps her from behind the scenes. She has to deal with:
holding vigil over her unresponsive father,
finding a way to stay afloat financially,
figuring out how/whether to help her selfish brother,
an unscrupulous guy who tries to extort money out of her at every opportunity,
and the question of whether her father can be forgiven.
Negatives/potential negatives:
-The relationship
-This is the first GLH novel I've read where I had a little bit of Second Lead Syndrome. Aw, Chris . . .
-Um, there were some things that were left open that I would have preferred resolved.
-Her anger and resultant treatment toward the good guys just because they did what they had to do was really upsetting me, especially as long as it lasted. I know you're hurting, girl, but it's not their fault things came to this.
Overall, I'll say it was an engrossing read, with GLH-characteristic sweetness, but it won't go on my list of favorites of hers, and I'm not sure if I would re-read it or not.
October 5, 2017
I love Grace Livingston Hill's books, mainly because she writes from a different era. Though the publishers tried to update her books by putting a 70's picture on the front, her stories are still set in the classic Grace Livingston Hill time period, the 30's and 40's. This was a time in our history where life had rules, there was a distinct right and wrong, and classes of people were defined differently than today. Not that it was better, it was just different; unlike our world today where everything is relative to our feelings. The Bible played a major part in people's lives, but the sins of today were going on then too.
Grace Livingston Hill's books always have a beautiful and exciting love story, one where Christians and non-Christians lives collide. I read her books to my 97 year old mother-in-law, Anna, and she relates in a different way than me. I am awed by the way people lived in that time period, and she actually lived in the 30's. When Grace describes clothing of the day, Anna remembers having a dress made out of that material. If I don't understand an idiom of that day, Anna explains it to me. These are wonderful books to share with an older friend or relative. You can read them aloud and not worry that people listening will be shocked by any passages. Instead they will be encouraged.
Grace Livingston Hill's books always have a beautiful and exciting love story, one where Christians and non-Christians lives collide. I read her books to my 97 year old mother-in-law, Anna, and she relates in a different way than me. I am awed by the way people lived in that time period, and she actually lived in the 30's. When Grace describes clothing of the day, Anna remembers having a dress made out of that material. If I don't understand an idiom of that day, Anna explains it to me. These are wonderful books to share with an older friend or relative. You can read them aloud and not worry that people listening will be shocked by any passages. Instead they will be encouraged.
February 6, 2012
I picked this book up from "friends of the library", because the book had the inscription of: Jean Warfield Davis from "Grandma B" Christmas, 1926. I wanted to see what Grandma's were giving to their granddaughters in 1926.
Story: Young Christian girl, Romayne Ranson has been brought up to respect elders, and care for others. It is the time of prohibition. Unbeknown to her, due to lack of monies in her household, her father and brother have become members of a bootleggers business. During a raid on her household her father has a stroke and later dies. Her brother escapes and is of no help to his sister. Many adventures ensue for this young Christian lady, who has no clue of the ways of the world. This book describes the Class System at the time of Prohibition, and the lack of concern for the poor by the upper class. Romance blossoms and Romayne is saved by nice young man. Cute. Different time, different way of thinking.
This is not the paper book version, it is printed in 1926 by J.B. Lippincott Co. and is in excellent condition. Was probably kept by the granddaughter until she passed.
Story: Young Christian girl, Romayne Ranson has been brought up to respect elders, and care for others. It is the time of prohibition. Unbeknown to her, due to lack of monies in her household, her father and brother have become members of a bootleggers business. During a raid on her household her father has a stroke and later dies. Her brother escapes and is of no help to his sister. Many adventures ensue for this young Christian lady, who has no clue of the ways of the world. This book describes the Class System at the time of Prohibition, and the lack of concern for the poor by the upper class. Romance blossoms and Romayne is saved by nice young man. Cute. Different time, different way of thinking.
This is not the paper book version, it is printed in 1926 by J.B. Lippincott Co. and is in excellent condition. Was probably kept by the granddaughter until she passed.
August 19, 2012
Grace Livingston Hill in her new book, “Coming Through the Rye” Book Eight in the Love Endures series published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. takes us into the life of Romayne Ransom.
From the back cover: “Another lightning glance went around the circle. She could not tell what it was about, that quick motionless look…but it gave her a chill of foreboding.”
Happy times become the worst of times in a matter of moments for Romayne Ransom. After returning home from a canceled weekend party, Romayne finds a houseful of officers lying in wait for her father and brother. When the chief officer claims her family is part of a bootlegging operation, Romayne denies the accusations…until she glimpses a hidden underworld and the horrid truth is too plain to deny. Now Romayne must rely on her instincts as she desperately tries to clear her beloved father’s name–and survive on her own.
Evan Sherwood hoped to bring down the illegal bootlegging rings that threatened his city, never expecting to drag an innocent young woman into harm’s way. But now Romayne’s life is in jeopardy. And the willful woman refuses to let him offer a helping hand.
But as danger lurks close, Romayne’s only option is to trust love.
When Grace Livingston Hill’s first husband died he left her with two young daughters to raise. In an effort to support her family she turned to writing. However, Ms. Hill just didn’t want to write anything she wanted to write stories of faith. Originally written in 1928 “Coming Through the Rye” is a wonderful story of how God can take our circumstances and change them to the better. Bootleggers, Prohibition and gangsters, this story has them all. Romayne didn’t know that due to the collapse of family funds her father and brother had taken to bootlegging. Now with both of them gone Romayne is on her own trying to survive all the adventures that face her. Evan is there to try to help her but she isn’t accepting his help as he caused this trouble for her in the first place. Well, so she thinks. I think “Coming Through the Rye” is an exciting story and a wonderful romance that will keep you reading as to what happens next. Ms. Hill knows how to tell a great story and while it may be old it still is a powerful story.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Barbour Publishing, Inc. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: “Another lightning glance went around the circle. She could not tell what it was about, that quick motionless look…but it gave her a chill of foreboding.”
Happy times become the worst of times in a matter of moments for Romayne Ransom. After returning home from a canceled weekend party, Romayne finds a houseful of officers lying in wait for her father and brother. When the chief officer claims her family is part of a bootlegging operation, Romayne denies the accusations…until she glimpses a hidden underworld and the horrid truth is too plain to deny. Now Romayne must rely on her instincts as she desperately tries to clear her beloved father’s name–and survive on her own.
Evan Sherwood hoped to bring down the illegal bootlegging rings that threatened his city, never expecting to drag an innocent young woman into harm’s way. But now Romayne’s life is in jeopardy. And the willful woman refuses to let him offer a helping hand.
But as danger lurks close, Romayne’s only option is to trust love.
When Grace Livingston Hill’s first husband died he left her with two young daughters to raise. In an effort to support her family she turned to writing. However, Ms. Hill just didn’t want to write anything she wanted to write stories of faith. Originally written in 1928 “Coming Through the Rye” is a wonderful story of how God can take our circumstances and change them to the better. Bootleggers, Prohibition and gangsters, this story has them all. Romayne didn’t know that due to the collapse of family funds her father and brother had taken to bootlegging. Now with both of them gone Romayne is on her own trying to survive all the adventures that face her. Evan is there to try to help her but she isn’t accepting his help as he caused this trouble for her in the first place. Well, so she thinks. I think “Coming Through the Rye” is an exciting story and a wonderful romance that will keep you reading as to what happens next. Ms. Hill knows how to tell a great story and while it may be old it still is a powerful story.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Barbour Publishing, Inc. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
July 19, 2021
This is getting a 2 star review from me solely on the fact that GLH wrote about such a (probably) taboo subject for the time period. I do like that GLH seemed to push boundaries in some of her writings (although it certainly wouldn't seem so by today's standards! I still appreciate it for what it meant at the time) and the bootlegging aspect of this novel was intriguing... even if none of the characters were.
I really loved the social aspect of this novel - the descriptions of the covert bootlegging operation Romayne's father ran, the "league" that Evan was captain of (totally a foreign concept in today's world!), the parties and social life of different financial classes of people. All very interesting!
However, the main characters were just not great. Romayne (whose name I could never ever read without thinking of lettuce and drooling over a salad...) was too proud (made me think of Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice) and not at all smart or self sufficient. Evan was actually not bad, but a workaholic as a main love interest just seems like a set up for a horrible life off-page. And honestly, the romance was one of the worst I've seen in a GLH book to date! (And that's saying a lot! Let's not forget some of my most memorable loathsome *favorites* - the insta-love from The Beloved Stranger, or how about the narcissistic and emotionally abusive relationship (I won't even all it a romance) from Crimson Roses? Yes, this might top them all!) Basically, Romayne hated Evan after meeting him like once or twice because he was the one who found out about her father's bootlegging and arrested him. Then after he tried to help her, told him she never wanted to see him again. So he abided by her wishes but tried to help her behind the scenes (rather romantic, actually). The clicker, though, was when they finally met up again when he came to rescue her from an evil man (accidentally - he didn't know she needed rescuing when he followed the evil man) - you know after having been told that she never wanted to lay eyes on him ever, he asked her to marry him so that he could take care of her for the rest of her life...and she said yes! Maybe that doesn't sound bad to you (I mean, just like in Pride and Prejudice, Romayne had learned that Evan wasn't a bad guy and was growing to respect him, but still! They had never had a normal conversation where she didn't yell at him!) but she accepted because she found out that she couldn't earn a living with no skills, so she needed someone to take care of her...that is a low blow to anyone with any sort of feminist leanings (which, surprisingly, I have). And I can't help but hate a main character like this.
Anyway, rant over. I won't be re-reading this one. But that's one more on my list that I can cross off! Still plugging away at my over 100 book reading list of GLH!
I really loved the social aspect of this novel - the descriptions of the covert bootlegging operation Romayne's father ran, the "league" that Evan was captain of (totally a foreign concept in today's world!), the parties and social life of different financial classes of people. All very interesting!
However, the main characters were just not great. Romayne (whose name I could never ever read without thinking of lettuce and drooling over a salad...) was too proud (made me think of Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice) and not at all smart or self sufficient. Evan was actually not bad, but a workaholic as a main love interest just seems like a set up for a horrible life off-page. And honestly, the romance was one of the worst I've seen in a GLH book to date! (And that's saying a lot! Let's not forget some of my most memorable loathsome *favorites* - the insta-love from The Beloved Stranger, or how about the narcissistic and emotionally abusive relationship (I won't even all it a romance) from Crimson Roses? Yes, this might top them all!) Basically, Romayne hated Evan after meeting him like once or twice because he was the one who found out about her father's bootlegging and arrested him. Then after he tried to help her, told him she never wanted to see him again. So he abided by her wishes but tried to help her behind the scenes (rather romantic, actually). The clicker, though, was when they finally met up again when he came to rescue her from an evil man (accidentally - he didn't know she needed rescuing when he followed the evil man) - you know after having been told that she never wanted to lay eyes on him ever, he asked her to marry him so that he could take care of her for the rest of her life...and she said yes! Maybe that doesn't sound bad to you (I mean, just like in Pride and Prejudice, Romayne had learned that Evan wasn't a bad guy and was growing to respect him, but still! They had never had a normal conversation where she didn't yell at him!) but she accepted because she found out that she couldn't earn a living with no skills, so she needed someone to take care of her...that is a low blow to anyone with any sort of feminist leanings (which, surprisingly, I have). And I can't help but hate a main character like this.
Anyway, rant over. I won't be re-reading this one. But that's one more on my list that I can cross off! Still plugging away at my over 100 book reading list of GLH!
July 24, 2009
i've been interested in reading some books by Hill. I knew she was a well known christian writer but I didn't know what her books were like. I like that her books take place in the past and have strong female's as the leading role. This novel was very short, which i think most of her books are that way. But, she wrote so many! I feel her writing is a bit predicatable and she doesn't develop the characters much, but i will probably read some more of them.
Read
August 16, 2007Frankly I don't remember anything about this book except that I picked it up because it made me think of Catcher in the Rye, which I loved and that I wanted it to be better than it was.
Read
November 29, 2014I love books by Grace Livingston Hill.
October 8, 2024
Three and a half stars. Enough to keep it, but I'm not about to rave.
But I *HAVE. HAD. IT* with the gawd-awful covers, as of this book. I'm going to AI to get 1930s pictures to cover these up with. Have packaging tape, will FIX. Because GAHHHHHHH they're so ugly they should never have been printed!!!!!!
As for the book:
What's the same: Circumstances leave the girl basically penniless, her friends snub her, she clings to her faith and helps others.
What's different: This girl comes home to find her house raided and for good reason: her father and brother have been operating covertly as bootleggers during the prohibition. She's absolutely shocked... and lashes out at the good guys.
In fact, because of family loyalty, she aids and abets her brother so that he can get away (and continue to be the reprobate he is), and destroys evidence to try to protect what's left of her family's reputation. She also bad-mouths the man who's trying to help her the most.
The book had issues. For example, her church-going and charity work goes out the window for WEEKS during this trouble. No selfless person would do that to the Lord, or to others. Second, the secondary characters pop in and out. There's Chris... wait, no he's gone... wait, no there he is... and there's Aunt Patty... no wait, she's gone. Like, FOR GOOD. That was fast...!
And I wanted more between Sherwood and Romayne. They declared love after weeks of hatred/blame, with only grudging understanding to bring them together. That's NOWHERE near enough for a relationship.
On the other hand, this was a departure for GLH. A heroine *NOT* doing the right things? *NOT* being little Miss Perfect? I really liked it for that, because it *wasn't* prim and polite. It was a little different.
But I *HAVE. HAD. IT* with the gawd-awful covers, as of this book. I'm going to AI to get 1930s pictures to cover these up with. Have packaging tape, will FIX. Because GAHHHHHHH they're so ugly they should never have been printed!!!!!!
As for the book:
What's the same: Circumstances leave the girl basically penniless, her friends snub her, she clings to her faith and helps others.
What's different: This girl comes home to find her house raided and for good reason: her father and brother have been operating covertly as bootleggers during the prohibition. She's absolutely shocked... and lashes out at the good guys.
In fact, because of family loyalty, she aids and abets her brother so that he can get away (and continue to be the reprobate he is), and destroys evidence to try to protect what's left of her family's reputation. She also bad-mouths the man who's trying to help her the most.
The book had issues. For example, her church-going and charity work goes out the window for WEEKS during this trouble. No selfless person would do that to the Lord, or to others. Second, the secondary characters pop in and out. There's Chris... wait, no he's gone... wait, no there he is... and there's Aunt Patty... no wait, she's gone. Like, FOR GOOD. That was fast...!
And I wanted more between Sherwood and Romayne. They declared love after weeks of hatred/blame, with only grudging understanding to bring them together. That's NOWHERE near enough for a relationship.
On the other hand, this was a departure for GLH. A heroine *NOT* doing the right things? *NOT* being little Miss Perfect? I really liked it for that, because it *wasn't* prim and polite. It was a little different.
October 23, 2018
A friend gave me my first Grace Livingston Hill (GLH) books when I was in graduate school. Somewhere along the way, I set out to own all the titles that had been published. This book was one I found at a rare book store. It does have a signature (purportedly the author's) on the flyleaf, though I haven't had it verified. The inscription is dated 1926.
The tale is about justice and mercy. Evan is determined to see Rowena's relatives brought to justice even if it means losing her love. Justice is important, but so are fairness, grace, and mercy.
The stories are written in a different style than contemporary romances. (GLH was one of the first Christian romance writers if what I have read is true.) It's a good story, but today's audiences may find it different than what they are used to.
The tale is about justice and mercy. Evan is determined to see Rowena's relatives brought to justice even if it means losing her love. Justice is important, but so are fairness, grace, and mercy.
The stories are written in a different style than contemporary romances. (GLH was one of the first Christian romance writers if what I have read is true.) It's a good story, but today's audiences may find it different than what they are used to.
May 10, 2018
So wholesome… So endearing… A joy!!
This is another great human drama, and romance for those of us who value the wholesomeness of the early 1900s… yes Grace Livingston Hill was a creative genius. If you enjoy reading stories that lift your heart, and put soft joyous tears in your eyes— then you will enjoy this book.
This is another great human drama, and romance for those of us who value the wholesomeness of the early 1900s… yes Grace Livingston Hill was a creative genius. If you enjoy reading stories that lift your heart, and put soft joyous tears in your eyes— then you will enjoy this book.
May 15, 2019
Maybe I've read too many GLH books, but this one was another one that I did not like as much. She definitely has a formula that she repeats in most of her stories. This one did not develop the romance very well to me. It was even more contrived that most romances and non existent till the end.
September 26, 2021
I am a big fan of GLH. Even so, I recognize this story just isn’t done. It’s like the draft of a story rather than the finished version. There are so many loose ends hanging at the end of the book, and the relationship between the two main characters is a step away from being believable by the end.
June 15, 2018
Mystery and mayhem
What a change! It was a wonderful story, full of action and adventure and romance done right. Forgiveness at the heart.
What a change! It was a wonderful story, full of action and adventure and romance done right. Forgiveness at the heart.
September 11, 2018
a truly enjoyable book by Grace Livingston Hill. Though to be quite honest I'd like to hear more about some of the secondary Characters, Like Chris, Nurse Bronson and Aunt Patty.
November 19, 2018
Excellent story and well written. For a very old book, it is still very current to today. Highly recommend!
Read
January 7, 2021DNF
January 16, 2021
Not GLH’s best but still sweet in its own way.
January 31, 2014
This book was chosen for my book club and I thought it was a cute story. The author died in 1947 and she is known for being a Christian writer. The story is about prohibition and the family's it affects and a love story entertwined.
July 10, 2024
Such a wonderful story of God's forgiveness. Just as true today as it was in 1926.
October 11, 2021
Finally figured out why it is named what it is. Smile.
Good read. Love Sherwood and his aunt.
Good read. Love Sherwood and his aunt.
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