(Book cover image screenshotted.)
First of all, an overall review of this anthology, and then we’ll get the mini individual reviews. ( I recommend only reading the overall review if you haven't read the anthology, as a lot of the mini reviews have spoilers.)
It should be known that I don’t read romance unless it’s Christian romance. (And even that I only do in limited amounts.) Otherwise I find it too cheesy, or too unrealistic, or just not deep enough. True love between individuals will come from a deeper love of God, and that is what this anthology helps show beautifully.
There’s quite a variety of stories in here. Of course, they center on romantic love, but I think they also demonstrate different types of love as well. They demonstrate what true love is, Christ-like love. Romance is so much more than attraction between two people.
In fact, perhaps the word for this book, for me anyway, is ‘refreshing’, because it is so nice to read about faithful love in this day and age.
This anthology of romance is not only something that I tolerated reading, but enjoyed reading. And that’s pretty good for me to be able to say about romance.
My only complaint is that there is no table of contents, at least at the time I was reading it. I really think that needs to be fixed. And I think the font, while cute, could be different as it took me a bit to get used to it.
(All spoilers are in bold.)
Always by Michaela Bush
At first, I assumed this story was set some time in ancient Israel, because of some of the names. But, I can't think of any time period in ancient Israel that also had some other types of names and places. Plus, SPOILER: the couple was married by a church-ordained priest and the wedding ceremony was not like a traditional Jewish ceremony.
Therefore I concluded that it must be Christian fantasy of a sort, which I'm totally down for. It was a unique world. This story also mirrors Christ’s sacrificial love for us, which is beautiful.
Until You Call Me Yours by Mackenzie Hendricks
Honestly probably one of the cutest, if not the cutest, story in this anthology. The two main characters were so cute ❤ If I’m honest, I wasn’t sure I understood some of the drama that ensued, but I still enjoyed the story. I related to Saige, how she was afraid to say anything because what if things turned out not the way she wanted? Sometimes it seems better to not know than to know for sure. But, on the other hand, maybe it will turn out better than hoped for.
His Freedom Over Mine by Amelia Cabot
I don’t think I’ve ever before read a book set in Berlin during the cold war. I had never thought about what it must have been like to be on the ‘other’ side of the wall.
Minor Spoilers?: The interactions between the two main characters when they were children were so adorable and realistic. I do think that’s how two children could’ve met and become friends. But I also enjoyed seeing them grown up, as a couple together, and how realistic that was as well. It wasn’t fluffy love, but true love, love that sticks together in the hard times, and forms a sheltering place for children.
That twist at the end I didn’t see coming. And it beautifully conveys that freedom comes from sacrifice. That the sacrifice of our Savior is what frees us, and the sacrifice of ourselves can also free others.
Forever Loved by Lydia M. Jupp
This story is not only about romantic love, but also about the deeper love of God. It shows that until we know we are loved by God, we can’t love others as fully as we ought to. SPOILER: Because Charity thought God had abandoned her, she also thought Michael had, and in turn abandoned him! But then, when she realized that God was the one Who would and how had always loved her, and that she didn't have to fear not being loved, then she could let Michael go without feeling abandoned.
The writing style could be improved though. The Gospel is also presented beautifully. Overall, a story with a beautiful message.
Love is the Little Things by Brooklyn O’Brennan
This story was so stinking sweet-! Not to mention it was placed out in farming country, which is definitely a favorite setting of mine.
The emphasis is how showing love is more than just extravagant acts, like buying an expensive 12 rose bouquet. Maybe it’s just as simple as paying attention to someone, and noting the fact that they like this certain kind of ice cream, so you get them that flavor of ice cream. Paying attention to others is something so lacking in our society today, but I think that’s what love’s about in many ways.
Also, the characters were so adorable and realistic <3
The Day That Tragedy Strikes by Margaret Copland
I think the word that could best describe this story is ‘faithfulness’. It’s about two types of faithfulness, God’s faithfulness to us, and faithfully loving another, and holding faith in God even in the hard times. It is a beautiful truth that love (and God) is faithful during the hard times.
The writing style could use some work, as it seemed a little too stiff in some places. But I think that will come in time for the author as she writes more.
As Beautiful As the Stars by Karynn Heckler
Definitely one of the more unique stories in this collection. The title might sound cliche, but the story (and how the title ties in) certainly isn’t!
As far as I could tell, this was set in some type of future earth. I didn’t get the impression that it was dystopian, but rather that it was just different from what we know now.
SPOILER: I’d never heard of the skin condition that Haseena had. One could easily see how she would be shunned in the society she lived in. Amro was unique in his own way, being a prince from Saudi Arabia and a fervent Christian.
Amro chose to see beauty where others saw ugliness. That is in itself beautiful. They were perfect together <3
The wedding scene was beautiful, and the cherry on top to the story.
He Wanted My Heart by Katherine Perry
Now, I’ve never read the tale of Cinderella. Don’t particularly care to. But I was able to get along with this story just fine, and wasn’t lost in it.
I felt that it moved a bit too quickly, and was a bit choppy, but that can happen with short stories.
It reminds me a little of Pride and Prejudice, this story does, except all the prejudice is on the part of the female character, and for good reason. But Greyson was patient and winsome with her, and that was refreshing to see. Also, the name Clarissa is so pretty!
Old Time Devotion by Lucia Molano
Another story with a twist you don’t see often. I have to say, it was both amusing and sweet to see these two old people fall in love. There was some good humor thrown in, but also a valid point is made, that it is never too late for love. Not just romantic love, I think, but love of any kind. And that also, in terms of romantic love, it is worth waiting for. It is worth letting God have His Way, even if that way is not in your timing.
Til Death Do Us Part by Sarah Lawton
This story brings to light the fact that love can be painful too. It’s not all fluff and good feelings. True love is not built on that. It is built on, first, a love for God and then for others.
One of the emphasis in this story was that God will give strength for whatever comes, and that our hope is not here on earth, but in heaven. A good reminder for this time we live in.
Oh, and Allie was way too cute <3 <3
For Better or For Worse by H. S. Kylian
Another story about faithfulness, which I am all here for.
SPOILER: I liked how it shows that Will is changed by what he went through in Vietnam, but he still wants to care for his family. Still knows how to show love to them. Susie’s willingness to stick by him, through it all, is beautiful. Despite the fact that he has changed and is perhaps not the man she once knew, she still chooses unselfishly to love him, to help him, to endure with him. If more marriages had that devotion, less of them would fail.
<b>To Be Loved by Saraina Whitney</b>
I have to be honest, I was a little more curious about this story than the others. See, I’ve read this author’s blog some, and liked it, and so I was curious to read some of her fiction work.
It was the perfect story to round off this anthology!
I enjoyed reading both the main characters' perspectives. They both saw the goodness in the other, even if they didn’t see the goodness in themselves. That puts the emphasis on grace, and that is both needed and beautiful to see.
Also, it’s Christian fantasy, my favorite genre, so I might be a smidge biased.
Overall, this anthology had quite a variety of stories. I’m probably never reviewing an anthology again, because man, writing all those reviews was a lot. But I’m glad to have read this one.
Until the next review,
Abby