Coming from opposite worlds, what could possibly unite them?
Rejected, frustrated, and no longer confident about God's plan for his life, John Sweet takes a year-long assignment in Atlanta, Georgia. The city is bustling with preparations for the Cotton States and International Exposition to be held in the autumn of 1895. Sarah Fuller is also new to the city but trying desperately to make a home for her lonely father and motherless little sister. When a special assignment for the Exposition puts John and Sarah in close contact, they discover that while their pasts are completely different, their future dreams are much the same. As their families create obstacles and opposition, will they be able to find a way forward together?
At Christmas 1945, with her family still reeling from the changes brought by the Second World War, "Grandma Sarah" tells her teenage granddaughter about the year that changed her life. Can her simple story bring the healing and perspective they both need to embrace a different future than they had planned?
This standalone Christmas prequel to the Sorrow and Song Trilogy will transport you back to a Victorian Christmas, when the world was very different, yet the same longing for peace and purpose resounded in every heart.
Born and raised in the Atlanta area, Jennifer's debut historical fiction work, Some Through the Fire, is set in that very city during the tumultuous events of 1917-1920. Jennifer has worked professionally as a tutor, ghostwriter, editor, and administrative assistant, including 10 years in vocational ministry. She and her husband Christopher live in the Atlanta area with their four young children. Jennifer stays busy writing, editing, homeschooling, and homemaking.
Did I read my own Christmas book again in May for no reason? Yes, I don’t know why, except I was missing these characters, and it was a comfort read. I was too close to writing it to fully enjoy it this past Christmas, so this felt like a visit with dear old friends.
The Unbroken Song is my favorite type of Christmas book: it has some meat to it, is set during the Victorian era, teaches me a little about history I never knew before, shows some of the realities of life without being too heavy, and has a message threaded through that points us to our Savior. I found the historic here fascinating and not at all overwhelming or didactic, and appreciated the acknowledgement that not all families or Christmases are picture perfect. The main characters are likeable in this Romeo and Juliet type romance. They have the character needed to face all the obstacles in their way while having room to grow.
If you're looking for an excellent Christmas book that's not heavy with the sugary sprinkles, this is a good one.
Having read books 1-3 of the Sorrow and Song series, I was so excited to read the prequel and see Sarah and John's story.
This sweet novella didn't disappoint and I adored the characters. I loved how the author dealt with the idea if missions and how it isn't necessarily where we go to serve God, but our hearts in doing so. While some find their callings in foreign lands, others find that God has called them to serve right where they are.
It was beautiful to see how John and Sarah's legacy began and how it was woven into the rest of the series, through children and grandchildren.
**I received a complimentary copy for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Imagine you sat down with your grandmother to watch TV, and as always Gram likes to watch classic movies where the heroine is beautiful, authentic, and likes to bake a lot. Gram picks a Victorian movie - the fashion is beautiful, the scenes are alive with worship, family, and of course love. It’s the kind of movie that you know Gram loves but maybe you haven’t watched this type of film before - but as soon as the heroine begins to speak her lines you’re immediately pulled in and rooting for her. (And that's before the hero even makes it on scene!)
That’s what reading this book felt like to me. I don’t read a lot historical romance, but authors like Jennifer truly make me want to just delve into Victorian era books and to learn more about the history and the fashion and the courting rules. I love when a book can teach me about a sliver of history while also connecting me to a person. The Unbroken Song is a perfect read for historical fiction and Christmas lovers!
The character development was perfect. Getting to know Sarah and watch her become a woman was perfect. Watching John's faith unfold and his relationship with Sarah was challenging, as some times I feel like John. Wanting to be used more by God to reach people, but then not knowing where I belong for sure. Reading and watching their relationship as a couple unfold was fun.
The relationship between John and Sarah was sweet and not to over the top. Jennifer Hunt portrayed the relationship in a great way and kept things perfect, not being too spicy.
The story line was great. I loved the intertwining of real life people, like Amy Carmichael. It kept things relative and was able to relate things to events. It drew in the historical aspect with out being over powering. It touched on a few different subjects that were a little touchy of the times.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series. As this was a prequel. I now need to hunt down the other books and see what happens.
*I was given a copy of the audiobook for personal review from the author. This is my person thoughts and reflections.
I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of this book and it is my first by Jennifer Hunt, but it won’t be my last!
The story is engaging and keeps the reader guessing, as it explores the sweet relationship of John and Sarah. While this book involves Christmas, it’s not a Christmas story for merely Christmas sake as it covers some complex and challenging themes surrounding Christian calling and identity. I found myself relating to John on several occasions as I struggled through many of the same questions he did, specifically the calling to “go” for Christ versus the reality of “staying” for Him. I appreciate the perspectives in this book as well as the fun and engaging story.
Jennifer’s ability to build characters who are likable and relatable is a pleasure to read!
What a precious book! I received a copy of this audiobook from the author and finished it in record time. 🫣😅 I have never read this author but look forward to reading so much more of her books now! Sometimes when an author writes in a particular genre I feel like every book, every author, every story can be fit into a particular template if you will and they become a bit predictable. While I still enjoy reading them, they are a bit cookie cutter. This book did NOT get squeezed into that mold! The storyline of walking in God’s will and timing ministered to my heart and the legacy we can leave in the ordinary and mundane nearly brought me to tears. Definitely a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 from me!
As is the opening scene in this story, I too have a Japanese family member. My Aunt married my Uncle and came to America after WWII. I always thought my grandmother was an incredible woman to have welcomed her (my Aunt) with open arms! So this story pulled me in right away! I loved their courtship and romance and thought this was a brilliant story! I thought the narration needed some work though. Especially their Scottish friend. His voice is ridiculous. She seemed to get the Irish ladies fairly accurate though.
December is for Christmas-y books, in my opinion. The Unbroken Song, a historical romance novella by new-to-me author Jennifer Q. Hunt, was the perfect accompaniment to walks on the treadmill and chores I just couldn’t avoid. 😉 This sweet story made the time fly by in a very agreeable way. Set primarily in Atlanta in the 1890s (there is a beginning and ending in the 1940s that introduces and concludes the story), this novella which is part of Hunt’s Sorrow And Song series, brought to life the burgeoning city still rebuilding following the Civil War. Sara Fuller struggles with keeping her family together, taking on all the responsibilities of a homemaker at a very early age. Her Native American and impoverished roots with a lack of formal education, make Sara believe she could not be worthy of a man like Boston-born John Sweet. John has struggles of his own, believing that he is a failure in his calling from God and never good enough for his family. Both grow to believe God truly does direct their steps regardless of their own abilities or lack thereof. I found The Unbroken Song to be a sweet love story with a strong spiritual message. While the story takes place over several months, it finishes with a very Christmas-y ending. As to the audiobook version, I enjoyed the pace and voice of the narrator — her reading of the book fit the style perfectly.
The Unbroken Song is for those who love a Christmas-y historical romance.
Recommended.
Audience: Adults.
(Thanks to the author for a copy of the audiobook. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
My Thoughts: The Unbroken Song was tender and penned with purpose. The writing style was smooth, and there’s attention to historical accuracy. I loved seeing this unknown-to-me moment in history come to life. But where Hunt really shines is in naturally incorporating the spiritual messages. There were a few threads woven in, but the most impactful for me was the lesson one character learns about serving God.
Rating and Recommendations: I’m giving The Unbroken Song 5 stars. I recommend it to those looking for solid Christian Historical Fiction.
~ I received a copy from the author. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.
What a sweet prequel to the Sorrow and Song series! I loved listening to this book. It was wonderful to get a peak inside John and Sarah Sweet’s story, as the love and faith that they shared proved such an anchor to their children and grandchildren (as we see in the other books in the series.) If I could read all of the books for the first time again, I can’t decide whether or not I’d go ahead and start out the series with this one or leave it at the end — just musings from a really big fan! I’m sure it would be good if read at the start or end of the series! Another 5 star read from Jennifer Q. Hunt!
I loved how this story went along with Longfellow's poem. I also liked how the story didn't stop after they were married. God doesn't need to send a person into a foreign country in order for him to do God's work. Also, love does not always consist of two' people of the same station in life. It is best when God puts a family, an unbroken song, together. Well done!
This was a perfect Christmas story for me right now! A bit of Christian romance, but not over the top and not cheesy! It's a great historical fiction from a year in Victorian era America! I will definitely need to read the full series now! I was gifted, by the author, a copy of the audiobook and all opinions are whole-heartedly my own! I highly recommend this one!
Such a lovely prequel of how the Sweet family began. The characters are lifelike facing hardships and happy times. John and Sarah mean so much more to me and now I want to reread Jennifer’s Sorrow and Song series!
This story was absolutely wonderful!! If you've ever wanted a book cover to give off Christmas vibes, this one will do it for you! I can't stop looking at it. That being said, the story is much more than just at Christmas. It actually covers almost an entire year.
It was simply wonderful getting to know Sarah as a young girl and how she ended up meeting John Sweet. Sarah had such a hard life with her mama passing away while she was still a girl and having to become the "woman" of the home. Her little sister, Helen, drove me crazy! Her father, while he clearly loved her, seemed to barely function. Needless to say, their move to Atlanta was fortuitous.
And poor John. Here's a guy who only wants to serve the Lord and keeps getting knocked down at every turn. I felt terrible for him until he met Sarah. Then I couldn't wait to see how their story unfolded.
There are a couple of wretched characters in this story, so if you like authors who write characters you like to dislike, Jennifer does it well!! To say there were a few times my blood boiled would be putting it mildly. In both instances I appreciated John's responses.
The thread of faith poured into this story is absolutely wonderful. Both of the main characters struggle in different ways with their faith and trust in the Lord. Through those struggles we're able to see them grow as well as make an impact on those around them because of their faith! What could be better?!
While I have a couple of the books in this series on my shelves, they're ALL going to be must-haves for my shelves!
*I received this book for review. This is my personal opinion.
One of the major themes of this story reminded me of this scripture-
A man’s heart plans his way but the Lord directs his steps Prov 16:9
What we see as failure can be the Lord redirecting where we are suppose to be and what we are suppose to do. It only requires our trust in Him.
The H and h come from northern wealth and southern poverty, yet are brought together in their moves to Atlanta. Their backgrounds are so different yet their beliefs and faith become the common thread that draw them to each other. Hunt effortlessly incorporates historical details and spiritual lessons throughout this story and does it well within the framework of a novella.
I am fortunate that I was able to read this prequel prior to reading the series. I look forward to the next three books since I have already purchased them.
The audiobook began as more of a reading than narration but got better as the book went along. The characters were distinct and the narration was clear.
This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received the audiobook format of this book from the author free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review.
This sweet story of love and faith caught me by surprise. I was so caught up in the struggles of John and Sarah as they tried to balance their different upbringings in the midst of their growing feelings, and I cheered for them from start to finish. As always, Jennifer deals with hard topics in an unflinching and yet sensitive manner. I’m so thankful to have been able to journey with these characters in their quest to build a family and a life together.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review and feedback.
I have read and thoroughly enjoyed this author’s entire Sorrow and Song trilogy, so when I learned of a prequel featuring Sarah Fuller and John Sweet I couldn’t wait to read it and see from their early days how the couple met and married. It was a joining of two worlds, a rich Boston gentleman meeting the daughter of a Georgia sharecropper and the potential difficulties that could arise from such a match. It was heartwarming to read how Sarah and John’s relationship grew with God at the center of it, despite the disparities in their backgrounds. I love the backdrop it provides as it sets the scene for the series to follow. While the book concludes at Christmas, it occurs over many months and can be enjoyed any time of year. Great story!
Oh Sarah Fuller and John Sweet, I just love y'all. A part of me wanted to read this slowly because it's the last Jennifer Q Hunt book for me to read until her new release this fall. But alas, I couldn't because I always end up binging her books. This novella (about half the length of the other Sorrow & Song books) added so much depth to the story and characters I already love. Now I want to read everything all over again.
The Unbroken Song by Jennifer Q. Hunt checks all the boxes for a 5 star from me! First, this novel introduced me to a time period I knew very little about, and I finished the book not only more informed, but deeply grateful for the life I have today. The author also masterfully weaves real historical events and figures into the story, including the Cotton Exposition and the life of Amy Carmichael, which gave the novel a rich sense of authenticity. I loved her author’s note at the end where she gave more information about the events and characters.
The characters are beautifully developed. Their struggles, growth, and relationships felt real, and I found myself genuinely invested in their lives. The story evoked deep empathy. I cried more than once, sad and happy tears.
What stood out most to me was how the book challenged me in my faith. Rather than being preachy, it gently and powerfully pointed my heart to Christ, asking hard questions about surrender, suffering, and obedience. It left me reflecting long after I turned the final page.
This was such a sweet, heart-warming, yet gripping read. This is a Christmas novella with heart warming moments, yet a great amount of substance and depth. While I occasionally like Hallmark Christmas movies, I don't like to read them often. This one was still filled with romance and love but had an engaging plot and plenty of conflict in it. It was so fun to read about the prequel to the Sorrow and Song series and where everyone came from. These characters are so dear to my heart! I loved it and have gifted it to others for Christmas and will continue to do so!
Sarah moves to Atlanta with her father and her little sister. Sarah's father is going to work for the Cotton States and International Exposition of 1895. John arrives in Atlanta after a mission trip in Japan that did not go as planned and he is trying to figure out what God has in store for him.
His encounter with Sarah help him to realize that maybe he is right where God wants him to be and shows him what is the most important in life: love and obedience to God matter more than all the riches of the world.
It's a lovely story, I really like Sarah and John's character especially their love, their kindness and devotion to God and people.
A complex novella with a sweet love story at its center! I enjoyed learning about the Cotton Exposition held in post-war Atlanta, and the story reminded me a lot of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen at times -- especially the antagonist, who was really more like John Thorpe than I found comfortable. The hero and heroine were believable and sweet, and I enjoyed that we got to see their love story unfold from both their perspectives.
It's been a while since a book has kept me up past my bedtime, unable to put it down but this one definitely did. You can't help but fall in love with Sarah and John and cheer them on through their hardships! An easy, heartwarming read that put a smile on my face.
This book drew me in and was hard to put down. I enjoyed the sweet genuineness of the characters and learning about the historical setting. The story is substantive without being heavy. It's romantic without being sappy. And it points to Christ without being inauthentic or awkward.
I couldn't stay away from it once I got into the story, and finished it in just two days. Highly recommend.
Sweetest Christmas story! I loved the acceptance of family in here and the growth the characters went though. The story pointed you to the Savior through out the whole thing! Sarah was so sweet and I loved her heart so much!
What fun to return to the Sorrow & Song world! It was a treat to get to read the beginning of Sarah and John's love story after seeing them in previous books. I enjoyed the couple's commitment despite hardships, and the way the author can bring you from laughter to tears in just a few sentences.
”Love is a hard and holy calling; it takes much courage and endurance.”
As my first book by the author, it didn’t disappoint. There were some slow parts but overall, the writing was good. I enjoyed the life and character growth of both Sarah and John. Despite growing up rich, John tried to be respectful and looked at the good side of things. I liked how he supported and cared for Sarah. I would love to see Sarah’s quilt. I appreciated Jim’s sensible counsel to John. I have read many books during the gilded age so it was nice to read Sarah’s point of view as a Southerner in Boston. I loved how her big heart shined through wherever she was. I also enjoyed the faith elements and showed that God is bigger than our plans. I look forward to reading other books by the author.