Author: Julie Lessman
Goodreads Blurb:
The 1920s are drawing to a close, and feisty Katie O'Connor is the epitome of the new woman--smart and sassy with goals for her future that include the perfect husband and a challenging career in law. Her boyfriend Jake fits all of her criteria for a husband--good-looking, well-connected, wealthy, and head-over-heels in love with her. But when she is forced to spend the summer of 1929 with Luke McGee, the bane of her childhood existence, Katie comes face to face with a choice. Will she follow her well-laid plans to marry Jake? Or will she fall for the man she swore to despise forever? A Hope Undaunted is the engrossing first book in the WINDS OF CHANGE series from popular author Julie Lessman. Readers will thrill at the highly charged romance in this passionate story.
My take:
Katie has a lot of admirable qualities. She might even be described as a woman slightly ahead of her time. Many woman of her era are embracing new ideas about what it means to be feminine and what kind of role they should play in society. One of the big differences in Katie's life is that she has grown up in a family that treasures faith and values morality.
Still, she chafes at the restrictions placed on her and believes she should be in control of her destiny. She doesn't need or want a man to do that. In fact, she has a master plan to get everything she wants. That plan includes a husband, but it's one on her terms - one she knows won't be controlling her every move the way she views her father doing.
Someone once told me that if you want to hear God laugh then show Him your plans. :o) It's a joke, but not only are our plans simple in comparison to His, but often they aren't really in our best interest. Katie has a lot to learn, but she has to decide whether or not she's willing to surrender control over to God. It's a question we all have to face.
She's a fabulous character. Julie always delivers with people you care about and can connect with. She also keeps you riveted to the page with a romance that is breathless and totally real. There were moments when I wasn't sure which choice Katie was going to make. Julie's writing is top-notch. I can't wait to read the next book and all her books are on my "re-read" list. If you haven't read this yet, you have to add it to your pile.
This book sounds really good! I will definitely add the title to my list for a book club I'm in. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, TK. :o)
ReplyDeleteHi Lee!! This one sounds great! I've had my eye on it for awhile. I love reading about a woman ahead of her time :)
ReplyDeleteCarrie ~ I like reading about strong women too. The 20s were an interesting time for women anyway - but Katie was a great mix of brilliant and really strong-willed. A lot of women who were part of the "movement" fell into the trap that all that equality meant was being able to go bra-free and drinking and easy sensuality. She wanted more than that. She may have not always been the nicest or easiest daughter to raise, but I did admire her spirit. :o)
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