Goodreads link for the book:
Author's website:
Genres:
Historical Fiction, Christian, Romance,
Rating:
5 stars
Mature Content:
2 (mild violent action and emotional triggers)
Age Range:
15+
Interest level:
15 and up
Background Knowledge:
From goodreads: With pert opinions and a less-than-perfect figure, Ruth Ann Sutton doesn’t measure up to Society’s vision of a perfect lady. When she accepts a position teaching in a Freedman’s School, it threatens the only marriage offer Ruth Ann is likely to receive. She's forced to choose between life as a lonely spinster or reinventing herself to secure a respectable proposal. Determined to rise above his meager beginnings, Benjamin Coulter’s reputation as a fast learner and hard worker earns him the opportunity to apprentice with a surveyor for the railroad—a position that will garner the respect he craves. After a chance encounter with Ruth Ann Sutton, Benjamin is smitten with her pretty face, quick wit, and feisty personality. When others ridicule his choice, will Benjamin listen to his heart or put ambition first?
Review:
Kelly Goshorn delivers a realistic character in Ruth Ann Sutton: She perspires; She sings off-key; She battles with her weight. Her somewhat abrasive mother is pushing her to make an advantageous marriage. Perhaps many in her position of “almost an old-maid” would have been happy to marry into a wealthy and political family. But not only isn’t it a love match, but her prospective groom is adamant that Ruth Ann give up her job teaching black children for the Freedman’s Bureau when they marry.
Ruth Ann becomes even more conflicted when she meets the handsome, humorous, and hard-working Benjamin Coulter, a land surveyor. Ben claims to be a Christ-follower; he is compassionate, protective, and seems to have feelings for Ruth Ann. But, the reader soon discovers that Ben has his own internal conflict, and his feelings for Ruth Ann become confused by his past and comments from other men regarding Ruth Ann’s figure.
This is the story about the cost of his convictions, getting past betrayal, and what love can accomplish.
What I love about it:
Ruth Ann become a living character as you read. You identify with her, feel some of her pain, and wish you could come alongside her as a friend and say, “You are going to be okay.” I also love that this novel contains a great mixture of humor, history, action, and romance. This book contains great messages such as ‘our identity is more than our appearance’ and that ‘forgiveness and restoration is possible – especially when one comes to rely on God.’
What I dislike about it:
These are not necessarily negatives, but be prepared to feel some angst, and even shed some bitter tears. Ruth Ann’s emotional crisis may be a trigger to those who have experienced deep depression.
In Conclusion:
Be ready for a deep connection with the main character as you feel her being betrayed and then find healing.
Recommended?
I highly recommend the book to all readers - but especially for any teen or young adult who is fighting insecurity or feeling unsettled about her future.