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A review by saarahnina
Love Again by T.K. Chapin
3.0
Uhh...
In so many ways, this book reminded me of a bunch of hallmark movies. including- but not limited to- Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly series. I, myself, am not a Christian yet I've always felt that Christian romances enhance such genuinely beautiful morals and values. I was pleased to find that this novel was to be no different: the messages came in the form of Jill's father-Adam, the pastor. He was my favourite character.
Which brings me to my least favourite character: Jill, the widow. Jill meets Jake (sorry not Jack-,the names were a bit of an issue), and instantly she feels a connection. But, then she is reminded of Bradley (the man she lost) so she cuts things short. At this point, they haven't yet had a true, meaningful conversation. They run into one another some times after, he asks her out- she says yes. The date never really happens because she becomes too upset by someone from her past. Therefore, they still have not yet had a true, meaningful conversation. Which makes no sense because the next time they come into contact, he (Jake: declares his love for her (Jill). A woman who has obvious trust issues and internally, later outwardly, accuses him of adultery.
You may think that this will tell her that she knows little about Jake- but it doesn't, instead she tries to just stop thinking about him. She turns to another man- Tim- again a stranger, which is a little surprising for a small town. This man is wealthy, seemingly happy, and has very minimal care for her. This becomes evident during their first date. Yet she insists on seeing him again, believing he is a charming man who will look after her. She doesn't question his intentions at all. Nor does she ever think about Bradley, when she is with this guy. Needless to say, she is very naive.
Her innocence also comes to light when she speaks to her mother, after the death of her grandmother. Her mother deals brilliantly with the death, she grieves internally. Yet her daughter, who has had her fair share of an experience with death, can't seem to accept it. This bit made be laugh, I'm sure that was not what the author wanted. A grown woman asks her mother "are you not sad anymore?" It was such a stupid question, you'd expect it from a child.
When I saw this book, I thought: it's written by a guy, it'll be different. I tend to enjoy reading books by men. I was quite mistaken, this novel relied too heavily on cliché: the selfish rich man, the kind-hearted poor guy (well, not that poor). I think the author was too focused on the message that he paid little attention to the bits which go around the central message.
In so many ways, this book reminded me of a bunch of hallmark movies. including- but not limited to- Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly series. I, myself, am not a Christian yet I've always felt that Christian romances enhance such genuinely beautiful morals and values. I was pleased to find that this novel was to be no different: the messages came in the form of Jill's father-Adam, the pastor. He was my favourite character.
Which brings me to my least favourite character: Jill, the widow. Jill meets Jake (sorry not Jack-,the names were a bit of an issue), and instantly she feels a connection. But, then she is reminded of Bradley (the man she lost) so she cuts things short. At this point, they haven't yet had a true, meaningful conversation. They run into one another some times after, he asks her out- she says yes. The date never really happens because she becomes too upset by someone from her past. Therefore, they still have not yet had a true, meaningful conversation. Which makes no sense because the next time they come into contact, he (Jake: declares his love for her (Jill). A woman who has obvious trust issues and internally, later outwardly, accuses him of adultery.
You may think that this will tell her that she knows little about Jake- but it doesn't, instead she tries to just stop thinking about him. She turns to another man- Tim- again a stranger, which is a little surprising for a small town. This man is wealthy, seemingly happy, and has very minimal care for her. This becomes evident during their first date. Yet she insists on seeing him again, believing he is a charming man who will look after her. She doesn't question his intentions at all. Nor does she ever think about Bradley, when she is with this guy. Needless to say, she is very naive.
Her innocence also comes to light when she speaks to her mother, after the death of her grandmother. Her mother deals brilliantly with the death, she grieves internally. Yet her daughter, who has had her fair share of an experience with death, can't seem to accept it. This bit made be laugh, I'm sure that was not what the author wanted. A grown woman asks her mother "are you not sad anymore?" It was such a stupid question, you'd expect it from a child.
When I saw this book, I thought: it's written by a guy, it'll be different. I tend to enjoy reading books by men. I was quite mistaken, this novel relied too heavily on cliché: the selfish rich man, the kind-hearted poor guy (well, not that poor). I think the author was too focused on the message that he paid little attention to the bits which go around the central message.