Carmen’s Reviews > Johanna's Bridegroom > Status Update

This woman is driving me NUTS. NUTS. I wouldn't blame the hero if he didn't end up married to her! She's driving me UP A WALL.

"I want to be with you, Johanna. Whatever it takes to get you to trust me again, I'll do."

142-143
Ugh, the patriarchy in here is so fucking disgusting.

This is actually a good scene, with some tension.

The hero and heroine just constantly beat themselves up for not being good enough Christians. Because she thinks she makes good fried fish PRIDE and he wants a wife whom he loves and who loves him back IDOLATRY

Maybe Roland wasn't really the problem. Maybe the problem was her. Maybe it was the thought of giving herself and her children over to any man that frightened her. Was that why she told him she could never love him?

How could I think of leaving this happy house? Of risking my children's happiness to marry Roland, or any man for that matter?

"Miriam was the sun and moon for me. It's not right for a Christian man to say such things, but sinner that I am, it's how I feel about her."

"Answer me one question, Johanna. Do you love me?"

She averted her eyes. "I'm too old and too sensible for that. I respect you, and I think you respect me. Isn't that enough?"

"No." He shook his head. "No, it isn't." Where had this gone so wrong?

"If you're looking for me to speak of romance, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. We're past that, Roland. We're too old, and we've seen too much of life. Don't you remember what the visiting preacher said at Barbara and Tobias's wedding? Marriage is to establish a family a strengthen the bonds of community and church."

Pain knifed through him.