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Book Review of The Endearment

The Endearment
The Endearment
Author: LaVyrle Spencer
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Paperback
jjares avatar reviewed on + 3273 more book reviews


What an incredible story! Before the first chapter ended, I was hooked. I finished this story in a matter of hours because I could not put it aside. At times, I rushed ahead because I couldnt stand the tension!

Of the face of it, this seems to be a simple story about Anna Reardon and her brother James. They live in Boston and are destitute. When James sees Karl Lindstroms ad for a wife, he helps Anna write the letters to Karl that will eventually convince him to send passage for Anna to come to Minnesota.

Karl has lived in Minnesota for 2 years and is desperate for someone to share his life. He has no neighbors; he talks to his goat and 2 horses because he is so lonely. Karl is a wonderful man who has a sense of humor and a stronger sense of honor. His word is his bond.

Anna and her brother test that bond mightily; Karl marries Anna in spite of his misgivings. He even accepts the extra mouth to feed (James) with good grace. However, there is trouble on the horizon. The previous life of Anna and James in Boston is going to impact Karl in many ways.

The author did a masterful job of creating tension. The reader comes to understand why Anna did some of the things she did to get to Minnesota, but will Karl? This man is not complicated (however, he is in no way stupid); thus he has a hard time understanding his very complicated wife.

This story is beautifully told; things move at a pace that is believable. The story of Karl and James is just as beautiful as the one between Anna and Karl. Ill remember this book for a very long time.