Christian Fiction Review: Love's First Bloom by Delia Parr

Love's First Bloom
by Delia Parr
Copyright 2010
Bethany House Publishers
320 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0671-9
Historical Fiction

From the publisher:
She must conceal her past, her identity. What hope can there be for love?

Life changes drastically for Ruth Livingstone the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her under an assumed name to a small village in New Jersey. There she dutifully awaits his acquittal, certain that her father, Reverend Livingstone, soon will be cleared of the outrageous accusations against him.

When tragic events transpire, Ruth finds solace tending a garden along the banks of the Toms River—a place where she can find a measure of peace amid her growing heartache. It is also here that she meets Jake Spencer, a man who both frustrates and intrigues her. Fearful of the newspapermen intent on tracking her down and unsure of whom to trust, Ruth knows she must carefully maintain her identity as Widow Malloy. But as love begins to slowly bloom, can the tenuous affection growing between Ruth and Jake withstand the secrets that separate them?


My Review:
Having loved Hearts Awakening I was so excited to read Delia's next book. I'm sorry to say that, for me, it didn't live up to my expectations despite it's beautiful cover. I really enjoy a good love story but it just wasn't there for me in this book. Sure, the characters were nice but I just did not feel the connection between Ruth and Jake. For one thing their entire relationship was based on secrets, both constantly had to hide their pasts. I did like that the characters learned to forgive one another and take it to the next level so to speak but it did all seem to come together too quickly. I almost felt like this book needed 100 more pages just to make Jake and Ruth's love more authentic. I can't say much more about that part of the story so I'll go on to the other characters in the book!

The secondary characters in Love's First Bloom were terrific! I loved little Lily, she was so precocious, always wanting to bath and in pursuit of that "bath" getting into a few scrapes. I do like stories where kids have a part in bringing couple's together and we get a little bit of that with this book. Phanaby and Elias were terrific too, they were so caring and helpful to Lily and Ruth despite what they thought they knew about Ruth's past.

I do enjoy Ms. Parr's writing style and I look forward to her next book. If you give this book a chance hopefully you will like it. With it's beautiful pink and purple themed cover it definitely reminds one of a spring day in the garden and fits very well with the setting of the book!

3 of 5 stars!

My review of Hearts Awakening (5 of 5 stars)

To learn more about the author visit:
Her WEBSITE

*I received my complimentary review copy through Bethany House's Book Review Program in exchange for posting my honest review.*