Helpful Score: 5
I thought this book was poorly written, which is unfortunate because the story line was very good and does grab your attention. This is the 2nd book I read by Kristin Hannah. I loved the book, On Mystic Lake, but this book does not even compare. If You Believe is a hystorical romance, but many details do not fit with the time period, which is post Civil War era. I found this fact irritating. Also, I felt the descriptions became more and more repeptitive, such as "she felt a headache pulse behind her eyes." This phrase was used at least a dozen times. It felt like Kristin Hannah was rushed when she wrote this book.
Helpful Score: 2
This book is my biggest disappointment yet from Paperbackswap. Total and complete drivel. If I had wanted to read a Harlequin Romance, I would have done so. After enjoying Firefly Lane from the author, I thought I would try If You Believe. MISTAKE. Every saccharine, contrived plot device possible. And I gave it a good try, but at page 166, I am throwing in the towel. Don't waste your time.
Helpful Score: 1
Old Rass Throckmorton hires Matt "Mad Dog" Stone to help with the harvest of 1894, hoping that he is an honest, steady man who will remain on the Washington State farm and take care of Rass's 34-year-old daughter, Mariah, after Rass is gone. But Mad Dog is a fighter, a womanizer and a would-be writer who constantly drifts--not someone who can help fiesty Mariah overcome loneliness and the trauma of an abusive relationship that still haunts her--until they fall in love. Mariah, Mad Dog, Rass and an adolescent runaway, Jake, stitch together a patchwork family from the scraps of their damaged lives as they make peace with their pasts and prepare for a cold winter. But when Rass dies, the remaining three must make difficult decisions that test the strength of their values as well as that of their relationships.
I really loved this book. It's a great love story.
GREAT BOOK
This is the first book I've read by this author. I really enjoyed the story. I actually broke a personal record & read close to 200 pages in one day. I know that might not seem like much to many. I enjoyed the characters.
It is okay!
If you like a good cry, this is the book for you.
Interesting tale of love meant to be in two life spans. Different, enjoyable.
This book was great. With Kristen Hannah, there are many twists and turns and you think you know the outcome but it's hardly ever what you think. I have read practically all her books and would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good story line.
Very good read, funny and difficult to put down.
Delightful book. The characters are so different outwardly but both have needs they are unaware of and are too stubborn to admit it. There is the tug of war, neither wants to like the other, and her father is there gently trying to help out. The story is well developed, the plot moves at a pace that without dragging, there is enough fun to make for a wonderful way to spend a cold or rainy afternoon.
From the back...Mariah was hiding form a past filled with scandal. Mad Dog Stone was a drifter looking for a few days work. He walked into her life and threatened Mariah's peace of mind, stirring emotions she tried to hide. Their love was born against all odds. difficult to count on. Impossible to hold. Together they would learn the bittersweet truth-that love exists only if you believe.
Well read and a good read! First edition so looks a little different than the above picture. It is such a good book. Reminds me of the first L.Spencer book I ever read. The characters are all hurting so badly, and somehow it all comes together. It makes you want to take each and every one of them and hold them to you tightly. You will not regret reading this book. Yellowed with age and you can feel the great emotions just coming from it. :-)
Mariah Throckmorton was hiding from a past filled with scandal. Mad Dog Stone was a drifter looking for a few days work. He walked into her life, threatening her peace of mind and stirring emotions she had tried to hide. Their love was born against all odds, difficult to count on and impossiblie to hold.
A timeless tale of two lonely people who witness the miracle of second chances.
Mariah Throckmorton was hiding from a past filled with scandal. Mad Dog Stone was adrifter looking for a few days' work. He walked into her life, threatening Mariah's peace of mind and stirring emotions she tried to hide. Their love was born against all odds, difficult to count on, impossible to hold. together they would learn the bittersweet truth-that love only exists if you believe...
Mariah Throckmorton was hiding from a past filled with scandal. Mad Dog Stone was adrifter looking for a few days' work. He walked into her life, threatening Mariah's peace of mind and stirring emotions she tried to hide. Their love was born against all odds, difficult to count on, impossible to hold. together they would learn the bittersweet truth-that love only exists if you believe...
