Helpful Score: 2
This is a very nice story leaving you feeling good. I loved the underlying message of how everything you do affects others.
Helpful Score: 1
In 1890 Massachusetts, Fiona Downey is excited that Bennett College, where her father teaches history, has accepted her as a student. When she goes to tell her dad the good news, she finds her greatest moment has become her greatest nightmare as her father has died. Displaced by the college, family friend Professor Norton arranges for Fiona to teach school in rural paradise Falls, Michigan.
Fiona finds her host family quite bewildering. The older son Grayson seems quite considerate of others especially his stroke victim father while the younger son Fleming acts like a prima donna wastrel yet the mother showers her "baby" with all her love while displaying contempt towards her first born. As Fiona gets to know Gray betters, she falls in love with him and he reciprocates, but the townsfolk especially his mother warns her to stay away from him. Several years ago he allegedly ruined a girl who died aborting their child. Knowing him Fiona rejects the notion that he would not marry a lass that he ruined because though he is taciturn he is honorable; still he has never explained the incident from his perspective.
Though Flem is so odious that not even a mother could love him, somehow he incredulously pulls the wool over her eyes. Still, in spite of this, the story line is an enjoyable historical romance that brings to life the plight of single women in 1890 Michigan and to a lesser degree Massachusetts. The players except for Flem are a delightful cast as they enable the audience to see a bygone era inside a warm romance based on Fiona's faith in her man.
Harriet Klausner
Fiona finds her host family quite bewildering. The older son Grayson seems quite considerate of others especially his stroke victim father while the younger son Fleming acts like a prima donna wastrel yet the mother showers her "baby" with all her love while displaying contempt towards her first born. As Fiona gets to know Gray betters, she falls in love with him and he reciprocates, but the townsfolk especially his mother warns her to stay away from him. Several years ago he allegedly ruined a girl who died aborting their child. Knowing him Fiona rejects the notion that he would not marry a lass that he ruined because though he is taciturn he is honorable; still he has never explained the incident from his perspective.
Though Flem is so odious that not even a mother could love him, somehow he incredulously pulls the wool over her eyes. Still, in spite of this, the story line is an enjoyable historical romance that brings to life the plight of single women in 1890 Michigan and to a lesser degree Massachusetts. The players except for Flem are a delightful cast as they enable the audience to see a bygone era inside a warm romance based on Fiona's faith in her man.
Harriet Klausner
Helpful Score: 1
This was purchased from the NY Public Library. It was actually a sweet little story...kind of reminded me of "little house on the prairie" but with just a little sex at the end.
Helpful Score: 1
I did'nt think this book was as good as the previous books in the series. It took me quite awhile to get into the book.
Helpful Score: 1
By the time I was just a few pages into this story, I couldn't put it aside. This is much more than a romance; there are deep emotions that bubble up to the surface in this difficult family situation. Fiona comes to Michigan to teach and is told that she will live with a host family of Haydn (who are paid for her lodging and meals). She is assured that they are some of the finest folks around.
That is NOT what Fiona finds. Rose, the mother is rageful and only tolerates the second son, Flem, a ne'er-do-well who avoids all farm work. Broderick, her husband, has had a stroke and Gray, the elder son, tends to his needs. The two sons are antagonistic towards each other. Gray does the farm work and Flem courts the ladies and gambles at night.
Fiona worries about her mother (who went to live with her sister in Chicago) and being a good teacher. There were a couple of conflicts that seemed resolved a bit too easily, but the dialogue and the pacing were excellent. This is a great story, with a romance stirred into the pot. The more of Ruth Ryan Langan I read, the more I enjoy her work. Overall score = 4.5 stars.
That is NOT what Fiona finds. Rose, the mother is rageful and only tolerates the second son, Flem, a ne'er-do-well who avoids all farm work. Broderick, her husband, has had a stroke and Gray, the elder son, tends to his needs. The two sons are antagonistic towards each other. Gray does the farm work and Flem courts the ladies and gambles at night.
Fiona worries about her mother (who went to live with her sister in Chicago) and being a good teacher. There were a couple of conflicts that seemed resolved a bit too easily, but the dialogue and the pacing were excellent. This is a great story, with a romance stirred into the pot. The more of Ruth Ryan Langan I read, the more I enjoy her work. Overall score = 4.5 stars.
