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An Unwilling Guest
Young Evelyn Rutherford, a New York society beauty, is sent to spend the summer with her aunt. When her aunt falls ill, Evelyn resigns herself to spending a boring summer with a neighboring family.
But the Greys are a family of faith, goodness, and quiet happiness--things Evelyn has never known. Suddenly the social life she longed for no longer holds interest. Instead, a new and powerful dream begins to stir within her--a dream that thrills the Greys' handsome son, Maurice.
But will Evelyn discover an all-important truth about herself--and about God--before Maurice is gone from her life forever?
But the Greys are a family of faith, goodness, and quiet happiness--things Evelyn has never known. Suddenly the social life she longed for no longer holds interest. Instead, a new and powerful dream begins to stir within her--a dream that thrills the Greys' handsome son, Maurice.
But will Evelyn discover an all-important truth about herself--and about God--before Maurice is gone from her life forever?
296 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1902
81 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
579 books568 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 33 reviews
September 28, 2023
Second Rating: 3.4 / 5
Still the same rating, but just an additional note to myself that this is not an unpleasant read--not at all.
Just that because the second part of the novel focuses a lot on missionary work and converting Boxers in China, it loses the beauty of its focus on Evelyn's coming to Christ from the first half, and therefore is an element that I wish hadn't been put in. Still, this is an earlier book of Hill's that sets the tone for a lot of what she tones down in later works, so as an earlier work, it really is okay.
A re-read someday, though maybe only halfway and then skipping until the end? *pauses* Just a thought.
Rating: 3.4 / 5
It’s always refreshing to read a Grace Livingston Hill novel, regardless of what the story is. Especially after a while of not reading any romances, it’s a nice and gentle change that I took my time to enjoy.
Among Hill’s works, this is a more preachy sort of story, but I liked Evelyn’s progression towards her faith. Granted, I enjoyed the first half of the story much more than the second half because of its countryside simplicity, but it also felt more real from both a story AND faith’s perspective. Because, after all, adopting Evelyn’s non-belief view in such detail and yet showing how that doesn’t necessarily make her a bad person is something that I wouldn’t have expected from Hill, but she pulled it off. My only objection is the extremes to which she takes us in the end, what with missionary work and conversions. If it had been kept just as a story about Evelyn’s faith and focused only on that, I think I would have liked it more.
Still though, all in all, I did like it, even though I don’t consider it one of Hill’s best.
Still the same rating, but just an additional note to myself that this is not an unpleasant read--not at all.
Just that because the second part of the novel focuses a lot on missionary work and converting Boxers in China, it loses the beauty of its focus on Evelyn's coming to Christ from the first half, and therefore is an element that I wish hadn't been put in. Still, this is an earlier book of Hill's that sets the tone for a lot of what she tones down in later works, so as an earlier work, it really is okay.
A re-read someday, though maybe only halfway and then skipping until the end? *pauses* Just a thought.
Rating: 3.4 / 5
It’s always refreshing to read a Grace Livingston Hill novel, regardless of what the story is. Especially after a while of not reading any romances, it’s a nice and gentle change that I took my time to enjoy.
Among Hill’s works, this is a more preachy sort of story, but I liked Evelyn’s progression towards her faith. Granted, I enjoyed the first half of the story much more than the second half because of its countryside simplicity, but it also felt more real from both a story AND faith’s perspective. Because, after all, adopting Evelyn’s non-belief view in such detail and yet showing how that doesn’t necessarily make her a bad person is something that I wouldn’t have expected from Hill, but she pulled it off. My only objection is the extremes to which she takes us in the end, what with missionary work and conversions. If it had been kept just as a story about Evelyn’s faith and focused only on that, I think I would have liked it more.
Still though, all in all, I did like it, even though I don’t consider it one of Hill’s best.
September 25, 2017
Any historical fiction romance that includes prayer as the main connection automatically is great. Add that to two couples comprised of the sweetest people you could ever imagine, and it deserves five stars! That doesn't mean they were perfect- far from it. Allison almost bugged me in the beginning, and I certainly didn't like Evelyn's attitude. But, that all changed, and very sweetly at that. Maurice's consistent prayers for Evelyn were awesome, quite frankly. From the way G. L. Hill wrote about his thoughts, it was clear that he prayed for her because he cared about her soul, not particularly that he wanted to marry her. <3
Conversely, I loved the way Allison didn't really want to pray for Evelyn or Dick, but she did anyway, because her brother asked her too. That sibling relationship was amazing. <3 (Almost as good as the romance! I just wished there was more of it)
This book has to be the cleanest romance I've ever read. There were probably two or three mentions of kisses throughout the entire book, not detailed at all. That was partly because the main couple were separated for most of the book. Cue prayers and worry, but no inappropriate thoughts at all. The most inappropriate thing that occurred was a man holding the girl's hand for about an hour. Allison was so mortified, and it made the scene hilarious.
This is the best G. L. Hill book I've read so far, and along with the five stars I shall give it five hearts: <3<3<3<3<3
Conversely, I loved the way Allison didn't really want to pray for Evelyn or Dick, but she did anyway, because her brother asked her too. That sibling relationship was amazing. <3 (Almost as good as the romance! I just wished there was more of it)
This book has to be the cleanest romance I've ever read. There were probably two or three mentions of kisses throughout the entire book, not detailed at all. That was partly because the main couple were separated for most of the book. Cue prayers and worry, but no inappropriate thoughts at all. The most inappropriate thing that occurred was a man holding the girl's hand for about an hour. Allison was so mortified, and it made the scene hilarious.
This is the best G. L. Hill book I've read so far, and along with the five stars I shall give it five hearts: <3<3<3<3<3
February 2, 2013
This wonderful Christian romance takes place in the years surrounding the Boxer Rebellion in China. It starts out with a wealthy young socialite being made to stay at her aunt's house in a small quaint village while her father is away on business. She absolutely does not want to be there, and makes every effort to go soewhere else, but nothing works. Finally the elder brother comes home, and things look up for Evelyn Rutherford. It's an absolutely great story, gaining an interest in the missions of downtown New York, the Bowery, and in watching the change in the development of Miss Rutherford's character, as well as gaining a knowledge of how the upper crust lives and acts. I also loved the encouragement and inspiration it gave me for my own walk with Christ.
August 6, 2017
Heartbreaking
You will witness a young, hard heart break and re-mend. A lovely story of loss and repair within 2 families.
You will witness a young, hard heart break and re-mend. A lovely story of loss and repair within 2 families.
August 16, 2022
I loved some parts early on in this book, but this was poorly written in parts and the romance was so dumb. Really, I love GLH, but I'm finding that many of her early works are not that great.
December 18, 2024
“You do not know what you can do with God’s help, or rather what God can do with your help.”
January 5, 2020
I think this was the sweetest and most unexpected of GLHs books. I am a serious fan of GLH. I am a serious reader; I enjoy everything from Christian devotional readings to the Bible (have read it through 25 times); and am not offended by what I call, "tawdry but satisfying period romance novels" . I accept that GLH's books are the product of a specific time and place. There is no point in outrage that her characters were not feminists, independent of their society's expectations, or politically correct. Women were judged by their feminine behavior and their social connections. The one shortcoming Grace Livingston Hill's books often had is that the reader could guess the match-ups, romances, consequences of the unbelievers, and final romantic conclusion fairly easily and quickly.
This book had me hanging, cheerfully, to the end.
All in all a great book.
This book had me hanging, cheerfully, to the end.
All in all a great book.
February 28, 2022
Another religious romantic novel by Grace Livingston Hill, "An Unwilling Guest" is wonderful hopeful read about love and serving Christ. Two different families in so many ways, can they find love?
Story in short- Evelyn is a rich, spoiled young lady who cares only for her own happiness, this all changes when she meets the Greys.
"Five miles away, speeding toward the same station, another girl of about the same
age sat in a chair car, impatiently watching the houses, trees, and telegraph poles as they flew by. She had gathered her possessions about her preparatory to leaving the train, had been duly brushed by the obsequious colored porter who seemed to have her in charge, and she now wore an air of impatient submission to the inevitable. She was unmistakably city bred and wealthy, from the crown of her elaborate black chiffon hat to the tip of her elegant boot. She looked with scorn on the rich farming country, with
its plain, useful buildings and occasional pretty homes, through which she was being carried. It was evident, even to the casual onlooker, that this journey she was taking was hardly to her taste. She felt a wave of rebellion toward her father, now well on his way to another continent, for having insisted upon immuring her in a small back-country village with his maiden sister during his enforced absence. She drew her pretty forehead into a frown as she thought the vexed question over again and contemplated with dread the six stupid weeks before she could hope for his return and her release from exile. She pouted her lips in annoyance as she thought of a certain young man who was to be in New York during the winter. She was to have met him at a dinner this very night. She wondered for the hundredth time if it could possibly be that papa had heard of her friendship with this fun-loving young fellow and because of it had hustled her off to Hillcroft so unceremoniously. Her cheeks burned at the thought and she bit her lips angrily."
🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻 spoiler alert🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻
I was hoping that Richard would fall in love with Allison. It would be interesting to know what his profession is and how she will adjust to her new life. I think she will succeed with the Rutherford's help but not lose herself. I was glad that Evelyn and Maurice finally found out that the other loved the other.
"Your aunt, Miss Rutherford, was unable to meet you and I have come in her place. If you will give me your check I will see that your baggage is attended to at once.” “Indeed!” said the bewildered traveler, and she followed the other girl with an air of injured dignity. Was this some kind of a superior servant her aunt had sent to take her place? Her maid, perhaps? She certainly did not speak nor act like a servant, and yet Then her indignation waxed great. To think that her father's sister should treat her in this way, not even come to the station to meet her when she was an entire stranger, and had never even seen her since she was three years old! In New York, of course, she would not have expected it. Things were different. But she had always understood that country people made a great deal of meeting their friends at the station."
“I am very sorry, Miss Rutherford, that you should suffer any inconvenience,” she said. “It certainly is not so pleasant for you as if your aunt had been able to meet you as she planned. No, this is not her carriage. It belongs to us, and we are her neighbors and dear friends.”
“Yes, your aunt was expecting you, ‘looking forward with great pleasure to your coming, she bade me say,” went on Allison, reciting her lesson a trifle stiffly, “and only two hours ago she discovered serious illness among her household which they are afraid may be contagious. They cannot tell for some hours yet. She does not wish you to come to the house until they are sure. She hopes that it will be all right for you to come home by tomorrow, or the next day at most, and in the meantime we will try to make you as comfortable as possible. Allison was almost in her usual spirits as she finished speaking. It would not be so bad after the stranger understood, surely. She did not add what Miss Rutherford had said about having her niece with herself, Allison, as she hoped another girl’s company would make her feel less lonely and strange, for Allison saw at once that this was not a girl who cared for other girls' company a straw, at least not such as she."
“Do your people keep a boarding house?” she asked, turning curious eyes on Allison, who flushed again under the tone, which sounded to her insolent, but waited until she had disentangled the reins from the pony's tail before she replied gently: ‘‘No.” “Well—but—I don’t understand,” said the guest. “Did you not say that my aunt had arranged for me to board with you?” A bright spot came in each of Allison's cheeks ere she replied with gentle dignity: “No, you are to visit us, if you will. Your aunt is a dear friend of my mother, Miss Rutherford.” She resolved in her heart that she would never, never, call this girl Evelyn. She did not want the intimate friendship that her old friend had hinted at in telling her first of the coming of this city niece."
Allison Grey is waiting for her mother's friend niece, Miss Evelyn Rutherford at the station. Miss Rutherford, Evelyn's aunt is not able to come because a possible case of small poxs in the household. Evelyn is not happy to hear this and after hearing she is to stay with this country girl's family, she asks about a hotel and soon finds out they are not too inviting. Evelyn's father had to go away on a trip, after he found out that his motherless daughter has been seeing a young gay man, Mr. Worthington, he looks to send her to the country. Her brother Dick is far away, does he end up faling in love with Allison?
Story in short- Evelyn is a rich, spoiled young lady who cares only for her own happiness, this all changes when she meets the Greys.
"Five miles away, speeding toward the same station, another girl of about the same
age sat in a chair car, impatiently watching the houses, trees, and telegraph poles as they flew by. She had gathered her possessions about her preparatory to leaving the train, had been duly brushed by the obsequious colored porter who seemed to have her in charge, and she now wore an air of impatient submission to the inevitable. She was unmistakably city bred and wealthy, from the crown of her elaborate black chiffon hat to the tip of her elegant boot. She looked with scorn on the rich farming country, with
its plain, useful buildings and occasional pretty homes, through which she was being carried. It was evident, even to the casual onlooker, that this journey she was taking was hardly to her taste. She felt a wave of rebellion toward her father, now well on his way to another continent, for having insisted upon immuring her in a small back-country village with his maiden sister during his enforced absence. She drew her pretty forehead into a frown as she thought the vexed question over again and contemplated with dread the six stupid weeks before she could hope for his return and her release from exile. She pouted her lips in annoyance as she thought of a certain young man who was to be in New York during the winter. She was to have met him at a dinner this very night. She wondered for the hundredth time if it could possibly be that papa had heard of her friendship with this fun-loving young fellow and because of it had hustled her off to Hillcroft so unceremoniously. Her cheeks burned at the thought and she bit her lips angrily."
🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻 spoiler alert🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻
I was hoping that Richard would fall in love with Allison. It would be interesting to know what his profession is and how she will adjust to her new life. I think she will succeed with the Rutherford's help but not lose herself. I was glad that Evelyn and Maurice finally found out that the other loved the other.
"Your aunt, Miss Rutherford, was unable to meet you and I have come in her place. If you will give me your check I will see that your baggage is attended to at once.” “Indeed!” said the bewildered traveler, and she followed the other girl with an air of injured dignity. Was this some kind of a superior servant her aunt had sent to take her place? Her maid, perhaps? She certainly did not speak nor act like a servant, and yet Then her indignation waxed great. To think that her father's sister should treat her in this way, not even come to the station to meet her when she was an entire stranger, and had never even seen her since she was three years old! In New York, of course, she would not have expected it. Things were different. But she had always understood that country people made a great deal of meeting their friends at the station."
“I am very sorry, Miss Rutherford, that you should suffer any inconvenience,” she said. “It certainly is not so pleasant for you as if your aunt had been able to meet you as she planned. No, this is not her carriage. It belongs to us, and we are her neighbors and dear friends.”
“Yes, your aunt was expecting you, ‘looking forward with great pleasure to your coming, she bade me say,” went on Allison, reciting her lesson a trifle stiffly, “and only two hours ago she discovered serious illness among her household which they are afraid may be contagious. They cannot tell for some hours yet. She does not wish you to come to the house until they are sure. She hopes that it will be all right for you to come home by tomorrow, or the next day at most, and in the meantime we will try to make you as comfortable as possible. Allison was almost in her usual spirits as she finished speaking. It would not be so bad after the stranger understood, surely. She did not add what Miss Rutherford had said about having her niece with herself, Allison, as she hoped another girl’s company would make her feel less lonely and strange, for Allison saw at once that this was not a girl who cared for other girls' company a straw, at least not such as she."
“Do your people keep a boarding house?” she asked, turning curious eyes on Allison, who flushed again under the tone, which sounded to her insolent, but waited until she had disentangled the reins from the pony's tail before she replied gently: ‘‘No.” “Well—but—I don’t understand,” said the guest. “Did you not say that my aunt had arranged for me to board with you?” A bright spot came in each of Allison's cheeks ere she replied with gentle dignity: “No, you are to visit us, if you will. Your aunt is a dear friend of my mother, Miss Rutherford.” She resolved in her heart that she would never, never, call this girl Evelyn. She did not want the intimate friendship that her old friend had hinted at in telling her first of the coming of this city niece."
Allison Grey is waiting for her mother's friend niece, Miss Evelyn Rutherford at the station. Miss Rutherford, Evelyn's aunt is not able to come because a possible case of small poxs in the household. Evelyn is not happy to hear this and after hearing she is to stay with this country girl's family, she asks about a hotel and soon finds out they are not too inviting. Evelyn's father had to go away on a trip, after he found out that his motherless daughter has been seeing a young gay man, Mr. Worthington, he looks to send her to the country. Her brother Dick is far away, does he end up faling in love with Allison?
February 20, 2014
Grace Livingston Hill's name and her books are probably unknown to most young readers today. She was a prolific writer of over 100 novels in the early 20th century, most with a Christian theme, most involving young women with their struggles and loves through life. Some of her books are more "preachy" than others, this being one of them, but they are all positive and always provide a lesson worth learning. Very much along the lines of Lucy Maud Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott, just not as well known. Many of her novels are free on Amazon Kindle and are worth discovering.
April 15, 2015
"Fluffy" as her books are, I must admit that I like G.L.H.'s books. They're all simply written, fairly wholesome, just kind of "light" reading.
I don't like that in many, many of her books the couple is composed of one believer and one non-believer with the non-believer being led to Christ by their lover at the end of the book. Of course this happens sometimes in real life, but I don't think it's a good idea for a young woman to be reading book after book in which this is presented as normal and expected.
I don't like that in many, many of her books the couple is composed of one believer and one non-believer with the non-believer being led to Christ by their lover at the end of the book. Of course this happens sometimes in real life, but I don't think it's a good idea for a young woman to be reading book after book in which this is presented as normal and expected.
May 14, 2008
I can't say how many times I have read this book. I often pull out a Grace Livingston Hill book for a quick read when I don't have a lot of time. This isn't my favorite of her books, but I like it better than some of her others. I am always reminded to control my temper and my tongue, and to try to love others like Jesus does while I'm reading this book!
February 4, 2017
A very old book (1902)with noticeable "non-politically correct" aspersions cast on Asians, and other "heathens" not yet civilized by becoming Christians. A bit sappy, but I think that comes with the age of the book.
December 16, 2022
Great book.
I always love Grace Livingston Hill books, and this was no exception. It was inspiring and it actually contains two sweet love stories.
I always love Grace Livingston Hill books, and this was no exception. It was inspiring and it actually contains two sweet love stories.
May 6, 2023
Number of pages: 228
Genre: Fiction/Romance
Series: N/A
Age recommendation: High school (15+)
Summary: Evelyn Rutherford has been sent from the city to visit her aunt for the summer. Upon her arrival, she discovers that her aunt is ill and she is to stay with the Greys. The Greys are so different from her though: quieter, better, happier. Will Evelyn ever learn the secret of the Grey’s contentment and joy?
My thoughts: This was a pretty interesting book. I love Mr. Morris and Evelyn, Allison and Richard. They all have their moments of being annoying, but there’s just something about them that’s so real and fun; they’re just great. I love the part when Evelyn thinks Mr. Morris is going to propose and then he just asks her if she’s a Christian. It was totally unexpected for her and it was just funny because it’s written so the reader can see both characters thoughts. You see Mr. Morris thinking “I’m such a bad Christian I’m so scared and weak and don’t know how to be a witness,” while Evelyn is thinking, “oh no, what do I say if he likes me and wants to court or marry me?” It just really goes to show how a different upbringing shapes your personality.
Not to brag or anything but I totally called who was going to marry whom.
There were quite a few elements of the story that were predictable, but if you’re just looking for a clean, Christian romance that’s easy to read, this is perfect.
There was a lot of Christian content, which was amazing. I loved how much prayer was emphasized, and also letting people know where you stand. The people you interact with should know that you’re a Christian. Whether you tell them outright, or simply portray it through your actions you should have a testimony. Loving one’s enemies was also a big theme in this book (because sometimes your ‘enemy’ can become your friend). I didn’t find that the gospel message was super clear, but I still think the book is good for people who want encouragement in their faith.
All in all, I think that it was a great book with some funny parts, some serious parts and some very predictable parts.
My personal rating: 3.5/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
Genre: Fiction/Romance
Series: N/A
Age recommendation: High school (15+)
Summary: Evelyn Rutherford has been sent from the city to visit her aunt for the summer. Upon her arrival, she discovers that her aunt is ill and she is to stay with the Greys. The Greys are so different from her though: quieter, better, happier. Will Evelyn ever learn the secret of the Grey’s contentment and joy?
My thoughts: This was a pretty interesting book. I love Mr. Morris and Evelyn, Allison and Richard. They all have their moments of being annoying, but there’s just something about them that’s so real and fun; they’re just great. I love the part when Evelyn thinks Mr. Morris is going to propose and then he just asks her if she’s a Christian. It was totally unexpected for her and it was just funny because it’s written so the reader can see both characters thoughts. You see Mr. Morris thinking “I’m such a bad Christian I’m so scared and weak and don’t know how to be a witness,” while Evelyn is thinking, “oh no, what do I say if he likes me and wants to court or marry me?” It just really goes to show how a different upbringing shapes your personality.
Not to brag or anything but I totally called who was going to marry whom.
There were quite a few elements of the story that were predictable, but if you’re just looking for a clean, Christian romance that’s easy to read, this is perfect.
There was a lot of Christian content, which was amazing. I loved how much prayer was emphasized, and also letting people know where you stand. The people you interact with should know that you’re a Christian. Whether you tell them outright, or simply portray it through your actions you should have a testimony. Loving one’s enemies was also a big theme in this book (because sometimes your ‘enemy’ can become your friend). I didn’t find that the gospel message was super clear, but I still think the book is good for people who want encouragement in their faith.
All in all, I think that it was a great book with some funny parts, some serious parts and some very predictable parts.
My personal rating: 3.5/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
April 15, 2024
This isn't my favorite of GLH's, by far, but... it still had wonderful things in it.
It started out being a bit like Disney's "Summer Magic" - the rich, spoiled city girl having to stay against her will in the country... her mistreating the people (the Greys) who are caring for her, looking down on them, and then coming around to the realization of the value of family, faith, love, honor, goodness, and consideration.
But then it went in a totally different direction. The city girl (Evelyn) returns to the East Coast to nurse her injured brother, and she realizes that her family has NONE of the qualities of the one she'd come to admire/value. So she decides to emulate them and create a family atmosphere, drawing her brother and father closer and opening up hearts.
More, she very much realizes the value of faith in a person's life, and it changes her in ways that are unimaginable to the average 'spiritually catatonic' person.
The reason I took a star is because of the ridiculous drama surrounding the Boxer incident in China. Yes, Evelyn loves Maurice Grey. Yes, she wishes he were safe. Yes, she has a weird premonition that he's shot halfway 'round the world. But then she wills herself to die because of it? SERIOUSLY!? How about no?
And it irritates me that none of these 'gunshot wounds' ever have lasting ramifications. She can waste away from lost love, but he's hale and hearty and on a ship three days later?! ARGH, Grace!!!
Still. The journey from spoilt socialite to loving lady is a wonderful one, and in spite of the whole thing with Bert (?!!) and the 'growth' in Allison (?!!)... it was a really, truly inspirational book.
PS: I *despise* the cover. Musaicum Books has a far better one. This one is very 1980s, which doesn't at ALL fit a story written in 1904, hello...
It started out being a bit like Disney's "Summer Magic" - the rich, spoiled city girl having to stay against her will in the country... her mistreating the people (the Greys) who are caring for her, looking down on them, and then coming around to the realization of the value of family, faith, love, honor, goodness, and consideration.
But then it went in a totally different direction. The city girl (Evelyn) returns to the East Coast to nurse her injured brother, and she realizes that her family has NONE of the qualities of the one she'd come to admire/value. So she decides to emulate them and create a family atmosphere, drawing her brother and father closer and opening up hearts.
More, she very much realizes the value of faith in a person's life, and it changes her in ways that are unimaginable to the average 'spiritually catatonic' person.
The reason I took a star is because of the ridiculous drama surrounding the Boxer incident in China. Yes, Evelyn loves Maurice Grey. Yes, she wishes he were safe. Yes, she has a weird premonition that he's shot halfway 'round the world. But then she wills herself to die because of it? SERIOUSLY!? How about no?
And it irritates me that none of these 'gunshot wounds' ever have lasting ramifications. She can waste away from lost love, but he's hale and hearty and on a ship three days later?! ARGH, Grace!!!
Still. The journey from spoilt socialite to loving lady is a wonderful one, and in spite of the whole thing with Bert (?!!) and the 'growth' in Allison (?!!)... it was a really, truly inspirational book.
PS: I *despise* the cover. Musaicum Books has a far better one. This one is very 1980s, which doesn't at ALL fit a story written in 1904, hello...
April 5, 2024
An Unwilling Guest is one of Grace Livingston Hill's early novels, so there's room for the improvement in her writing skills that will come later. That being said, this story still has all the elements I enjoy in her writing and I loved it.
It's been a long time since I've read one of Hill's novels and I'm reminded of what makes them special - gentle romance, love of family, prayer, and sharing of faith. These words of Maurice really spoke to me: "Last night I read that Moody made it a rule never to be alone with a person five minutes without having, by some little word or action, left his testimony for Christ." It's good to see faith lived out in many of the characters and best of all is Evelyn's slowly unfolding faith journey. I also loved these thoughts expressed by Allison...
Does our heavenly Father sometimes smile at our fierce assertion of what we will and will not do, seeing in his loving kindness that this is the very thing we need most, and forthwith brings it to us, that we may bear and learn and then give him glory when we understand?
It's been a long time since I've read one of Hill's novels and I'm reminded of what makes them special - gentle romance, love of family, prayer, and sharing of faith. These words of Maurice really spoke to me: "Last night I read that Moody made it a rule never to be alone with a person five minutes without having, by some little word or action, left his testimony for Christ." It's good to see faith lived out in many of the characters and best of all is Evelyn's slowly unfolding faith journey. I also loved these thoughts expressed by Allison...
Does our heavenly Father sometimes smile at our fierce assertion of what we will and will not do, seeing in his loving kindness that this is the very thing we need most, and forthwith brings it to us, that we may bear and learn and then give him glory when we understand?
March 18, 2022
Sooo boring! This has to be the slowest-moving book ever written by Grace Livingston Hill. I’ve enjoyed most of her novels, but I had to skim through a lot of this. It’s a simple plot: A brother and sister each fall in love with another sister and brother, and everyone lives happily ever after. There’s lots of talk about religion, which is important to the story, but it goes on and on. Bypass this one!
March 25, 2019
Compelling story that follows the romances of brother and sister pairs from two very different families, and the evolutions that take place in their character and attitudes as they face personal life struggles.
October 15, 2018
I really like Grace's books. She adds salvation into it. This one shows a girl who was far from being interested in God until she meets a man who believes and wants her to even pray for herself.
March 10, 2019
Good reader. Interesting book of how God directs in our life even when we don't realize it.
December 28, 2019
A Christian romance. For the most part it is a delightfully engaging story.
September 18, 2020
A nice story but it just went on and on. I thought it should have ended way before.
June 8, 2021
Fun book!
September 18, 2021
Lovely new read.
November 16, 2022
Gotta admit...this one choked me up a bit!
October 24, 2023
i enjoyed the second half better.
December 22, 2023
A wealthy New York girl has her life changed when she is compelled to stay with a simple Christian family in a small Ohio town.
February 21, 2025
This was one of the first romances that I ever read. I absolutely love this story. There is depth and warmth in it. It has complex characters and two love stories.
November 12, 2025
Wonderful book! This Author was my Mom and my Grandmother’s favorite so I decided to give her a try! I understand why she was their favorite!
November 1, 2020
This is a sweet turn-of-the-century romance, with average prose, a strong Christian message, and a gentle story. It gives a good glimpse into the mores of that time, and touches on contemporary events. While it's not exceptional, it is still a pleasant fluff novel.
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