‘BELOVED,’ BY ROBIN LEE HATCHER
Coming across an unusual premise is rare. When you’ve read as many books in one genre as it feels like I have, so many of the plots seem to resemble each other. This last novel in Robin Lee Hatcher’s most recent trilogy is actually a different concept and that makes it special.
BOOK REVIEW | ‘THE INVENTION OF SARAH CUMMINGS,’ BY OLIVIA NEWPORT
‘BELOVED,’ BY ROBIN LEE HATCHER #FWarchives #BookReviews #HistoricalFiction Share on XSTORY: Diana has had a tough childhood. Orphaned at only six, she along with her two siblings were put on the orphan train west. Unlike her siblings, Diana was adopted by a loving couple who gave her a world of love; she grew up spoiled, fell in love with the 20-something Tyson Applegate when she was only seventeen… and married him. It isn’t long into their young marriage Diana learns that Tyson married her for an inheritance and then… he walks out on Diana and his family. Now, seven years later, Tyson has returned on the eve of her planned engagement. Only trouble is, he isn’t willing to let Diana go and she isn’t so sure that Tyson has really changed.
Beloved Book Review, by Robin Lee Hatcher
It’s been forever since I read a novel by Hatcher and I have to admit, I’ve did miss her easy, breezy style. I can vaguely remember reading Speak to me of Love and from then on, I wanted to read every book she wrote. Beloved is a sweeter, much more lighthearted story full of characters that are easy to like albeit flawed human beings. Instead of being full of historical details, here we are enjoy a heartwarming picture of redemption. The style of the book pauses from the present nearly every chapter to visit the past through either Diana or Tyson’s perspective at some point in their courting or married life. It’s an interesting way to share the backstory and each instance remains short, something I appreciate.
Tying up all the “loose ends” goes down too “neatly” however I know there are some books in which I’ve overlooked this solution; in particular, the convenience card is played by way of a “secondary” relationship going romantic that is unnecessary. It’s nice that the siblings don’t play any larger part in Diana’s story than they do, especially since I’ve yet to read the prior two novels (Belonging, Betrayal). Balancing against some of the flaws, I did enjoy this as a more mature love story in fiction. As a 17- and 25-year-old, Diana and Tyson were foolish but as adults, seven years later, there’s no sweeping gesture of love, just a “real” story. If you like historical fiction without too much detail, Beloved is your kind of read. It’s a tender narrative that reminds of the importance of forgiveness.
About the Book:
Author: Robin Lee Hatcher
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: 2013
Find the Review elsewhere: Goodreads | WordPress
Add the Book: Goodreads
Series: Where the Heart Lives – Book 3
Genre: Fiction; Historical, Christian
Rating: 4 out of 5
With thanks to Litfuse and the publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this book for reviewing purposes
Great honest review. I should try her work.
It's really sweet, Juju. I've read historical and contemporary by Robin and have enjoyed both. Though I cannot remember what it's called, I know there was one contemporary that I really, really liked from her.
Great review! Working on mine for next week :)
…I'm going to keep an eye out for that review, Jamie. Cannot wait. :)
Thanks for reading!