I’ve been hearing a LOT of good things about Jody Hedlund’s books. After reading Love Unexpected, I can easily see why. It has the perfect blend of historical adventure and intrigue with the right amount of romance thrown in. The first chapter easily grabbed my attention. I couldn’t pull myself away from the pages until hours later. I read the entire thing in the space of a couple days, which is faster for me than usual. Blame it on the book. 😉
The setting was fresh and fun. The characters were likeable and grew naturally as the story developed. (Even the villains – yes, there are actual pirates in this story – were dangerously intriguing.) The plot twisted and surprised in all the right places. And the romantic tension sparked and sizzled just right.
It’s one of those books that plays out much like a movie in my mind. It’s full of that entertaining drama to keep you glued to your seat. Like any movie worth its salt – or book for that matter – it leaves you with satisfying closure.
A few parts were slightly predictable to me, but overall I was left guessing up to the end how these two would make it to their happy ending. I will say I grew impatient a few times waiting for them to step past their painful secrets. I longed for the truth to set them both free. But the wait was worth it. 😉
This book certainly started off with a bang, a spark, and a splash. That will make much more sense to you after you’ve read the first chapter, believe me. 😉 I look forward to more adventures, more lovable characters, and more lighthouses in the rest of this series.
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
1859
Presque Isle, MichiganWhat Is the Secret That Could Shipwreck Both of Their Lives?
All Emma Chambers ever wanted was a home, but when her steamboat sinks just outside Presque Isle, she’s left destitute and with no place to stay.An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper arrives in town. He’s just lost his wife and is having a difficult time caring for his child. So a traveling preacher gets the idea that the keeper and Emma might be the answer to each other’s dilemma. After a hasty marriage, she finds herself heading to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger. Nothing in her aimless life, though, has prepared her for parenting a rambunctious toddler, as well as managing a household.
Emma soon suspects Patrick may be hiding something from her, and then she hears a disturbing rumor about the circumstances surrounding his late wife’s death. It seems as if her wish for a home and family of her own could end up leading her once more into turbulent waters.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jody Hedlund is an award-winning and bestselling author of inspirational historical romances for both adults and teens.
As a busy mama-writer, she has the wonderful privilege of teaching her crew of 5 children at home. In between grading math papers and giving spelling tests, she occasionally does a load of laundry and washes dishes. When she’s not busy being a mama, you can find her in front of her laptop working on another of her page-turning stories.
She loves reading almost as much as she loves writing, especially when it also involves chocolate and coffee.
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This sounds great! I enjoyed the novella, so I’m sure I’ll like this one, too! Great review. 🙂
Hi Rachelle! Thanks for visiting. I hope you’ll get a chance to read this one soon. It definitely makes me want to read more of Jody’s. 🙂 Have a great week!