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Love Comes Softly #6
Love's Unfolding Dream
Book 6 of the bestselling Love Comes Softly series. Belinda, Marty and Clark Davis's "surprise child," has always had a tender and compassionate heart toward anything hurt and broken. Her parents watch with both misgivings and genuine pride as Belinda's older brother, Doctor Luke, influences her toward nursing. Will she have the inward strength to face the "hurt and broken" people whose bodies, minds, and emotions need mending? Belinda's niece, who is also a teenager, comes to live with the Davis family to finish her schooling. How will Melissa's arrival affect Belinda's lifelong friendship with Amy Jo? And what happens when all three fall for the same nice fellow?
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
188 people are currently reading
3831 people want to read
About the author
Janette Oke
347 books3,429 followersJanette Oke is a Canadian author known for her inspirational fiction, often set in a pioneer era and focused on female protagonists. Her debut novel, Love Comes Softly (1979), became the foundation for a successful series, followed by over 75 other novels. The first book in her Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart (1983), inspired the popular television series of the same name.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
September 28, 2008
I am very into this series. Let me just forewarn you thet iffen you decide to give these here books a look-see, it be likely thet ya start talkin' (or at least thinkin') extry fancy like.
August 16, 2024
3.85🌟
This was so close to a four star but I knew if I gave it a four I wouldn’t be honest. The beginning of the book dragged out SO MUCH then the ending felt really rushed. I don’t know why they wasted so much time in the beginning and I liked the ending a lot more than the start too. I liked our characters but Marty made some of them seem way younger than they were and it was a bit annoying. I liked the writing and the story although it was predictable. The romance was really cute and sweet but felt rushed. Other than those things, I really did enjoy the book. I’m glad I read it and I might continue the series, who knows? Recommended for ages 12 and up.
This was so close to a four star but I knew if I gave it a four I wouldn’t be honest. The beginning of the book dragged out SO MUCH then the ending felt really rushed. I don’t know why they wasted so much time in the beginning and I liked the ending a lot more than the start too. I liked our characters but Marty made some of them seem way younger than they were and it was a bit annoying. I liked the writing and the story although it was predictable. The romance was really cute and sweet but felt rushed. Other than those things, I really did enjoy the book. I’m glad I read it and I might continue the series, who knows? Recommended for ages 12 and up.
May 31, 2019
I enjoyed this one! Just thought the ending was a little rushed...
June 22, 2020
I have loved reading this series and will miss the characters when I finish it. I have enjoyed every book I've read that this Author has written. She has the gift of drawing readers into her heart warming stories. I enjoy reading about this historical family and their strong faith and family ties.
In book five of this series, Love's Unending Legacy, Belinda had just been born when the book ended. In this book it starts when she is in her eleventh year. She has a tendency of rescuing hurt critters, like mice or birds and bringing them home to help them get better. Her brother Dr Luke, thinks she would be a good nurse. He lets her assist him with some of his in home visits. She is a natural when it comes to helping sick people and assisting Luke.
Missy and her husband send their daughter, Melissa to the east, to stay with
her grandparents Marty and Clark. She wants to attend college to become a teacher and complete her formal education. Things work out great until a new boy moves to the school and Belinda, Melissa and Amy Jo each fall for him. This causes tension in their household when the boy decides he likes one of the girls over the others.
This book is clean read and Christian Fiction. Suitable for family reading. If you haven't read this classic series you would really enjoy it.
I bought an original complete set of the Love Comes Softly series at a community garage sale. I have always wanted to read it and this gave me the perfect opportunity to do so. A review was not requested but since I'm enjoying this historical read I'm more than happy to share my opinions. I have been honest and truthful in this review.
In book five of this series, Love's Unending Legacy, Belinda had just been born when the book ended. In this book it starts when she is in her eleventh year. She has a tendency of rescuing hurt critters, like mice or birds and bringing them home to help them get better. Her brother Dr Luke, thinks she would be a good nurse. He lets her assist him with some of his in home visits. She is a natural when it comes to helping sick people and assisting Luke.
Missy and her husband send their daughter, Melissa to the east, to stay with
her grandparents Marty and Clark. She wants to attend college to become a teacher and complete her formal education. Things work out great until a new boy moves to the school and Belinda, Melissa and Amy Jo each fall for him. This causes tension in their household when the boy decides he likes one of the girls over the others.
This book is clean read and Christian Fiction. Suitable for family reading. If you haven't read this classic series you would really enjoy it.
I bought an original complete set of the Love Comes Softly series at a community garage sale. I have always wanted to read it and this gave me the perfect opportunity to do so. A review was not requested but since I'm enjoying this historical read I'm more than happy to share my opinions. I have been honest and truthful in this review.
March 11, 2015
Oh. My. Goodness.
That was so utterly cute! And I can't believe how it ended! How can Janette Oke be so mean! (LOL) ;)
I am absolutely dying to read the next book so this review probably won't be very long.
The book is wonderful. The characters are great, along with the setting, plot, drama, and everything else. It was all really really good.
I laughed and I cried.
Everything about this book is super great. I think it might be my favorite so far. Either that or I'm just psyched about this one because I just barely finished reading it. Whatever the reason, this was a really good book. And there's a really good book that follows this one and that book is currently sitting next to me, waiting not-so-patiently for me to pick it up. Which I am (as I said earlier) dying to do.
Goodbye!
(*SPOILER ALERT!!!*)
So, with excited energy coursing through my veins (I know, I'm dramatic), I'll tell you, who have already read this novel, about my opinion of the characters. Marty's great, Clark's a sweetheart, Belinda's amazing, Amy Jo's “vibrant”, Melissa's endearing, Jackson's cute, Luke's wonderful, and Drew is absolutely positively perfect!
Now goodbye, I'm off to the next book!!! :D
...Yes. I know. I'm not allowed to get away with so short an explanation. I know. I know.
(*sigh*)
Marty was great as usual. She was sweet, kind, motherly, attentive, compassionate, and I can not believe how old she is! If I've calculated correctly (and Math's not my strong point so I could be wrong) she has to be (by the end of this book) about 58 years old!!! They grow up way to fast! I can't believe it! Time goes by much too quickly! I can't believe it! She was just 19 yesterday!
Clark – And that sweetheart has to be even older than Marty! I just can't see them that old! My traveling buddies (traveling through their lives) are old enough to be my grandparents! And I can't even keep track of all their grandchildren! So sad that they have to keep getting older! :(
Belinda was really a sweetie. She was so helpful, and sensitive, and thoughtful, and mature. She seemed awfully wise for her age. I really liked her and her quiet, gentle spirit. At first I thought, as Marty did, that she was much to tender to be a nurse. She'd never be able to live through all the tragedies. But I can see that she really is a great nurse.
Amy Jo is so “vibrant”! Her manner and attitude is really sweet. She is just so bright, and energetic, and tomboyish! She reminded me a lot of my little sister. I'm glad she found something that she can concentrate her energy and creativity into – painting. And she really is great at it too!
Melissa is also extremely endearing. So sweet, and chattery, and passionate, and intriguing. Some guy is going to completely fall head-over-heels in love with that girl someday. Speaking of... that was kind of cute how they all fell for the same guy. And I don't think he even knew the extent of it.
Jackson. He was a sweet boy. I can see why they liked him so much. And how he paid special attention to Belinda, that would've got me feeling jittery. He was either clueless or just determined about Belinda. For some reason, I think he's gonna be back in there somewhere.
And speaking of guys, I know a really sweet and wonderful one that better be in the next book.
Drew, Aah, what a sweetie! He is so gentlemanly and romantic and endearing. Oh, I love him! That was so sad and touching when he let go of his grief and bitterness! He and Belinda better get married. I mean, I know they did in the movie but those are so stinkin' different from the books I can't depend on them. Goodness, in there Drew's a fancy lawyer that's from the East, he's well-to-do, he and Belinda barely meet, he has all his limbs, and is totally different!
Goodness, this review was supposed to be shorter because I want to read and instead it's longer than usual. Oh well!
That was so utterly cute! And I can't believe how it ended! How can Janette Oke be so mean! (LOL) ;)
I am absolutely dying to read the next book so this review probably won't be very long.
The book is wonderful. The characters are great, along with the setting, plot, drama, and everything else. It was all really really good.
I laughed and I cried.
Everything about this book is super great. I think it might be my favorite so far. Either that or I'm just psyched about this one because I just barely finished reading it. Whatever the reason, this was a really good book. And there's a really good book that follows this one and that book is currently sitting next to me, waiting not-so-patiently for me to pick it up. Which I am (as I said earlier) dying to do.
Goodbye!
(*SPOILER ALERT!!!*)
So, with excited energy coursing through my veins (I know, I'm dramatic), I'll tell you, who have already read this novel, about my opinion of the characters. Marty's great, Clark's a sweetheart, Belinda's amazing, Amy Jo's “vibrant”, Melissa's endearing, Jackson's cute, Luke's wonderful, and Drew is absolutely positively perfect!
Now goodbye, I'm off to the next book!!! :D
...Yes. I know. I'm not allowed to get away with so short an explanation. I know. I know.
(*sigh*)
Marty was great as usual. She was sweet, kind, motherly, attentive, compassionate, and I can not believe how old she is! If I've calculated correctly (and Math's not my strong point so I could be wrong) she has to be (by the end of this book) about 58 years old!!! They grow up way to fast! I can't believe it! Time goes by much too quickly! I can't believe it! She was just 19 yesterday!
Clark – And that sweetheart has to be even older than Marty! I just can't see them that old! My traveling buddies (traveling through their lives) are old enough to be my grandparents! And I can't even keep track of all their grandchildren! So sad that they have to keep getting older! :(
Belinda was really a sweetie. She was so helpful, and sensitive, and thoughtful, and mature. She seemed awfully wise for her age. I really liked her and her quiet, gentle spirit. At first I thought, as Marty did, that she was much to tender to be a nurse. She'd never be able to live through all the tragedies. But I can see that she really is a great nurse.
Amy Jo is so “vibrant”! Her manner and attitude is really sweet. She is just so bright, and energetic, and tomboyish! She reminded me a lot of my little sister. I'm glad she found something that she can concentrate her energy and creativity into – painting. And she really is great at it too!
Melissa is also extremely endearing. So sweet, and chattery, and passionate, and intriguing. Some guy is going to completely fall head-over-heels in love with that girl someday. Speaking of... that was kind of cute how they all fell for the same guy. And I don't think he even knew the extent of it.
Jackson. He was a sweet boy. I can see why they liked him so much. And how he paid special attention to Belinda, that would've got me feeling jittery. He was either clueless or just determined about Belinda. For some reason, I think he's gonna be back in there somewhere.
And speaking of guys, I know a really sweet and wonderful one that better be in the next book.
Drew, Aah, what a sweetie! He is so gentlemanly and romantic and endearing. Oh, I love him! That was so sad and touching when he let go of his grief and bitterness! He and Belinda better get married. I mean, I know they did in the movie but those are so stinkin' different from the books I can't depend on them. Goodness, in there Drew's a fancy lawyer that's from the East, he's well-to-do, he and Belinda barely meet, he has all his limbs, and is totally different!
Goodness, this review was supposed to be shorter because I want to read and instead it's longer than usual. Oh well!
October 23, 2019
I loved this. <3 Janette Oke books are comforting. Her style is one of my favorites. In a world that says you should never tell, just show, Oke tells a lot. That may not be your style, and that's fine, but I find it deliciously refreshing. I love the break from constantly extrapolating information from screens.
This book was a great continuation of the story. I loved the childish problems, and how much the answers led back to God and prayer. <3
This book was a great continuation of the story. I loved the childish problems, and how much the answers led back to God and prayer. <3
June 10, 2018
possibly one of the BEST Love Comes Softly books
I love Belinda! Melissa and Amy Jo are just wonderful as well. The next book after this I thought was even better (next book spoiler, major) I only included that spoiler because I won't be reviewing that book on Goodreads. (long and complicated story, but I did read the book)
Anyways Love's Unfolding Dream is a great book!
Content: one kiss, between an unmarried couple. mentions of blood/amputations (Belinda goes with her uncle, who is a doctor, to several house visits)
I love Belinda! Melissa and Amy Jo are just wonderful as well. The next book after this I thought was even better (next book spoiler, major) I only included that spoiler because I won't be reviewing that book on Goodreads. (long and complicated story, but I did read the book)
Anyways Love's Unfolding Dream is a great book!
Content: one kiss, between an unmarried couple. mentions of blood/amputations (Belinda goes with her uncle, who is a doctor, to several house visits)
October 23, 2025
2025 reread, Kindle edition.
I know I read this once many years ago but I remembered very few details. This was another enjoyable installment in the life of the Davis family, with the focus switching to the youngest daughter for the last few books in the series. Really enjoyed the sweet romance thread at the end, and of course, all the faith talk.
I really appreciate Janette Oke’s straightforward faith content in her books! The more I read of her the more she is cemented as a favorite author of mine.
I know I read this once many years ago but I remembered very few details. This was another enjoyable installment in the life of the Davis family, with the focus switching to the youngest daughter for the last few books in the series. Really enjoyed the sweet romance thread at the end, and of course, all the faith talk.
I really appreciate Janette Oke’s straightforward faith content in her books! The more I read of her the more she is cemented as a favorite author of mine.
March 3, 2016
Yet another great volume in this Christian historical romance/drama series; this one has a fun ending that I won't give away here.
March 12, 2023
I found several books in this series at Goodwill and just had to pick them up. I think I first read this book when I was middle school and it was very fun to have all the nostalgia and my love for these characters come back.
I don’t want to be too harsh because I just love this series but I will say, the “country English” style of writing really threw me off this time around. And I’m not even sure if they’re that well written, but it was a quick read and felt like a hug.
I don’t want to be too harsh because I just love this series but I will say, the “country English” style of writing really threw me off this time around. And I’m not even sure if they’re that well written, but it was a quick read and felt like a hug.
January 13, 2022
Major events I want to remember: Belinda becomes Luke's nurse. Melissa comes to stay.
April 13, 2023
Ah, I love these books. I relate to Belinda so much...
June 15, 2021
The sweetest ending of all. 🧡
November 23, 2024
Jumps about 10 years give or take since Marty had her last child, Belinda. This one is mostly about Belinda & the other girls in the family her age, Amy Jo, who is Clare’s daughter, & Melissa, who is Missie’s daughter. The three girls share a beautiful bond together! Belinda is so gentle hearted & caring. She starts joining her brother, Doctor Luke, on house calls & finds out how much she wants to become a nurse when she’s a bit older. I feel like the ending was a bit rushed, but it was a very cute ending to say the least!
February 20, 2024
Once again, the book is sooo different from the Hallmark movie. Once again, I find myself preferring the book over the movie.
The main characters are examples of how I should desire to live (pointing others to Christ through their words and actions, turning to God first instead of last).
The main characters are examples of how I should desire to live (pointing others to Christ through their words and actions, turning to God first instead of last).
September 9, 2021
Ahh… the endings of these books are just so good! This one has to be third place for me, it was a great book!
January 30, 2025
My fav in the series so far!
January 4, 2024
Read these as a 12 YO and re-reading the series now, many years later. These books are simple and sweet and I remember Belinda's storyline being my favorite.
June 11, 2024
I suppose I should write a review of this before I get too far into the next one and get them mixed up. XD
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I wasn't sure how I would enjoy having Belinda as the MC, but I found myself really liking her. She's kind and compassionate, sensitive, yet driven by her compassion, not her discomfort and sensitivity. She is the perfect nurse and I continually marveled at her. I used to dream about being a nurse. My aunt is, and I really admire her. But I'm not cut out for that. I'm not sure I could stay level-headed in the heartbreaking circumstances that Belinda went through. It takes special people to be nurses, like Belinda and Heather from The Green Ember , and I greatly admire them.
Okay... I did not like Amy Jo. I don't know how Kate puts up with her! She really annoyed me, her brashness and selfishness and childishness. It amazes me that she and Belinda are such close friends.
I have mixed feelings about Melissa. In the beginning, I liked her. She was sweet, outgoing, and understanding. But all that went away when Jackson appeared on the scene! She suddenly became foolish and fell over herself in attempts to catch his attention. Meanwhile, Jackson showed no interest. When Jackson showed interest in Belinda, Melissa decided that Belinda was stealing Jackson away from her and became angry at Belinda, even though Belinda wasn't interested in Jackson! That really agitated me. I'm glad that's over between them now, though. I missed Melissa.
But I have no qualms with Jackson. He is the perfect gentleman and I found myself swooning along with Melissa, Amy Jo, and Belinda. XD He is so sweet and kind. I hope he returns to their town -- I need more drama with him! XDXD
I'm... pretty sure I shed a few tears over Drew Simpson. The way the surgery was described was vivid and... wow. And his parents' and brother's heart brokenness... And Drew saved Belinda... oh, it was just the sweetest. I really hope Drew is in #7. It will not be as good if he's not. 💜
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I wasn't sure how I would enjoy having Belinda as the MC, but I found myself really liking her. She's kind and compassionate, sensitive, yet driven by her compassion, not her discomfort and sensitivity. She is the perfect nurse and I continually marveled at her. I used to dream about being a nurse. My aunt is, and I really admire her. But I'm not cut out for that. I'm not sure I could stay level-headed in the heartbreaking circumstances that Belinda went through. It takes special people to be nurses, like Belinda and Heather from The Green Ember , and I greatly admire them.
Okay... I did not like Amy Jo. I don't know how Kate puts up with her! She really annoyed me, her brashness and selfishness and childishness. It amazes me that she and Belinda are such close friends.
I have mixed feelings about Melissa. In the beginning, I liked her. She was sweet, outgoing, and understanding. But all that went away when Jackson appeared on the scene! She suddenly became foolish and fell over herself in attempts to catch his attention. Meanwhile, Jackson showed no interest. When Jackson showed interest in Belinda, Melissa decided that Belinda was stealing Jackson away from her and became angry at Belinda, even though Belinda wasn't interested in Jackson! That really agitated me. I'm glad that's over between them now, though. I missed Melissa.
But I have no qualms with Jackson. He is the perfect gentleman and I found myself swooning along with Melissa, Amy Jo, and Belinda. XD He is so sweet and kind. I hope he returns to their town -- I need more drama with him! XDXD
I'm... pretty sure I shed a few tears over Drew Simpson. The way the surgery was described was vivid and... wow. And his parents' and brother's heart brokenness... And Drew saved Belinda... oh, it was just the sweetest. I really hope Drew is in #7. It will not be as good if he's not. 💜
September 8, 2015
Is anyone else confused about Melissa and Belinda's ages? At the beginning of the book it says that Belinda is 11 and that Melissa is 9 months older than her, but on the way to pick up Melissa, Belinda and Amy Jo were talking and Belinda said Melissa was 14. Were several years snuck in the first chapters?
EDIT: The top paragraph was from Oct 2012, and it's now Sept 2015. If you look in the comments, I explained this continuity error. It really bothers me that it was never picked up, as it's very obvious.
I really enjoyed reading about Belinda's venture into medicine. I wish Janette Oke included more precise locations and dates in her books. By my estimate, this book must take place in the very late 1800s or early 1900s, considering Doctor Luke know about bacteria causing disease and the fact that he used chloroform as an anesthesia (by my googling, it looks like it was used in the mid 1850's until the Depression).
As I read more about the pioneer era, one thing that is starting to bug me about Janette Oke's books are her inaccuracies. For example, the Davis family has never gone hungry in the 6 books I have read, despite living in small farming communities (I am counting Missie's family in this as well- in book 3 she apparently managed not to go hungry at all and survived off of canned foods even though she moved to a sparsely populated area!). In the books, the Davis family members are always eating cakes, cookies, pies, etc. which is amazing considering on occasion their neighbors are going hungry. The Davis' have enough flour, not only for their daily bread, but for sweets! In reality, if you read real accounts of farming families out west during that time even the best farmers went hungry some winters. It was controlled by the weather. This is just one of the things I wish Janette would discuss in her books.
EDIT: The top paragraph was from Oct 2012, and it's now Sept 2015. If you look in the comments, I explained this continuity error. It really bothers me that it was never picked up, as it's very obvious.
I really enjoyed reading about Belinda's venture into medicine. I wish Janette Oke included more precise locations and dates in her books. By my estimate, this book must take place in the very late 1800s or early 1900s, considering Doctor Luke know about bacteria causing disease and the fact that he used chloroform as an anesthesia (by my googling, it looks like it was used in the mid 1850's until the Depression).
As I read more about the pioneer era, one thing that is starting to bug me about Janette Oke's books are her inaccuracies. For example, the Davis family has never gone hungry in the 6 books I have read, despite living in small farming communities (I am counting Missie's family in this as well- in book 3 she apparently managed not to go hungry at all and survived off of canned foods even though she moved to a sparsely populated area!). In the books, the Davis family members are always eating cakes, cookies, pies, etc. which is amazing considering on occasion their neighbors are going hungry. The Davis' have enough flour, not only for their daily bread, but for sweets! In reality, if you read real accounts of farming families out west during that time even the best farmers went hungry some winters. It was controlled by the weather. This is just one of the things I wish Janette would discuss in her books.
January 7, 2019
Loves Unfolding Dream focuses on Clark and Marty’s youngest daughter Belinda.At the beginning of this book Belinda is eleven so there is a time jump between this one and the last. She’s good friends with her niece Amy Jo. Who isn’t that much younger then her. They both welcome Melissa, Missie and Willies eldest daughter, when she comes to stay with Clark and Marty to continue her schooling. Belinda wants to be a nurse so after discussing it her parents agree to let her help her older brother Luke (a doctor) with some of his house calls. While on one of those house calls she meets and helps take care of Andrew “Drew” Simpson. Although she technically doesn’t learn his name till later on.
This was a good read. Definitely a little disappointed that there was a big time jump. As I stated in my review for the book before this one I would have like to have read about Ellie and Lanes life out west. But I can’t complain to much because this turned out pretty good. There’s not much of a difference in the writing from the others but I do give the author credit for keeping track of all of the Davis family. At a point in the book Clark and Marty come to the realization that they have thirty-eight offspring within there family. The fact that Janette Oke not only named them but was able to remember all of there’s names and keep adding to them for whatever reason amazes me. I won’t give anything away but from the ending of this book I’m definitely looking forward to the next.
Definitely worth the read if you’re looking for a good book. I highly recommend starting at the beginning of the series though.
This was a good read. Definitely a little disappointed that there was a big time jump. As I stated in my review for the book before this one I would have like to have read about Ellie and Lanes life out west. But I can’t complain to much because this turned out pretty good. There’s not much of a difference in the writing from the others but I do give the author credit for keeping track of all of the Davis family. At a point in the book Clark and Marty come to the realization that they have thirty-eight offspring within there family. The fact that Janette Oke not only named them but was able to remember all of there’s names and keep adding to them for whatever reason amazes me. I won’t give anything away but from the ending of this book I’m definitely looking forward to the next.
Definitely worth the read if you’re looking for a good book. I highly recommend starting at the beginning of the series though.
August 15, 2014
Thoughts on the entire series.
Yes, I’ve switched to put the editions from the 80s on my Read shelf, since those are the ones I read and own, and I’m partial to the stories in all of their old-fashionedness, before the updated covers and later book edits that have gone into newer editions. (I didn’t read all of these in large print, but the cover art is the same.)
The first book, Love Comes Softly, was the first I ever read by Oke, my introduction into her sweet, warm, and simplistic style of storytelling that would make her one of my all-time favorite authors, up there with Henry James and L.M. Montgomery. Yes, I love my classic authors with their legendary works, but there’s something to be said for an author who just tells a plain story that gets at readers’ hearts.
The first three books of the series are my favorites, but the series is well worth reading in its entirety. A pity the film versions from Hallmark gradually strayed so incredibly far from the original stories. The films are enjoyable in and of themselves, but if you’ve only seen the films, you’d do well to see what Oke actually wrote about Clark, Marty, and the rest of these folks.
Yes, I’ve switched to put the editions from the 80s on my Read shelf, since those are the ones I read and own, and I’m partial to the stories in all of their old-fashionedness, before the updated covers and later book edits that have gone into newer editions. (I didn’t read all of these in large print, but the cover art is the same.)
The first book, Love Comes Softly, was the first I ever read by Oke, my introduction into her sweet, warm, and simplistic style of storytelling that would make her one of my all-time favorite authors, up there with Henry James and L.M. Montgomery. Yes, I love my classic authors with their legendary works, but there’s something to be said for an author who just tells a plain story that gets at readers’ hearts.
The first three books of the series are my favorites, but the series is well worth reading in its entirety. A pity the film versions from Hallmark gradually strayed so incredibly far from the original stories. The films are enjoyable in and of themselves, but if you’ve only seen the films, you’d do well to see what Oke actually wrote about Clark, Marty, and the rest of these folks.
January 28, 2009
Of the six different Janette Oke books I have read, this is probably my least favorite. The majority of the book was from Marty Davis (the mother / grandmother) viewpoint. So the storyline at times was based on her & her husband's "slowing down at their age". If the intended audience is young adult genre, I wonder how much the book would hold this audience's interest. I did think Ms. Oke did a wonderful portrayal of the power of prayer within the novel.
June 1, 2016
This was probably the best book of the Love Comes Softly series yet! It was heartwarming and sweet - the story of Belinda and Drew, and Drew's Salvation, was wonderful and will make you smile. It's a lovely book! Five stars out of five!
March 6, 2022
Can't stop
I have read over a dozen Janette Oke's books in the last month. They have kept awake at night, not wanting to put them down. I've never read this many books so quickly. On to the next one.
I have read over a dozen Janette Oke's books in the last month. They have kept awake at night, not wanting to put them down. I've never read this many books so quickly. On to the next one.
September 20, 2022
Idyllic and gracious
Jeanette Oke's books and people do feel a little bit too lovely to be true, but they are very lovely. Heart warming, gracious, genuine and hopeful. This book was all of those things. I enjoyed it very much.
Jeanette Oke's books and people do feel a little bit too lovely to be true, but they are very lovely. Heart warming, gracious, genuine and hopeful. This book was all of those things. I enjoyed it very much.
May 20, 2015
Another good one
A great continuation of the Love comes softly series. The story continues with the characters still growing but still same as in the other books.
A great continuation of the Love comes softly series. The story continues with the characters still growing but still same as in the other books.
October 16, 2015
I loved it!
October 27, 2015
Spiritual books. I loved it!
January 18, 2016
"Would you mind if we talked a bit?"
Belinda shook her head.
Drew looked up at her and laughed, "Would you mind comin' down off yer horse before I get a crink in my neck?" (217)
Belinda shook her head.
Drew looked up at her and laughed, "Would you mind comin' down off yer horse before I get a crink in my neck?" (217)
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