by Eva Marie Everson
Christian Fiction / Historical / Romance
Revell Publishing
Copyright 2010
Pages: 343
ISBN: 9780800732745
(from Amazon):
It is the summer of 1959 and Mariette Puttnam has just graduated from boarding school. When she returns to her privileged life at home, she isn't sure where life will take her. More schooling? A job? Marriage? Nothing feels right. How could she know that the answer is waiting for her within the narrow stairwell of her father's apparel factory, exactly between the third and fourth floors?
In this unique and tender story of an unlikely romance, popular author Eva Marie Everson takes readers on a journey through the heart of a young woman bound for the unknown. Readers will experience the joys of new love, the perseverance of true friendship, and the gift of forgiveness that comes from a truly fine life.
What I thought:
This Fine Life is different from most romance books I read, and I almost decided not to finish it. Let me try to explain. The first 100, or so pages read like a YA romance (which I so do not read!) and it was really hard for me to make myself keep reading. However, I was determined to give it a try because some of you had already posted reviews, raving over what a good book it was (thanks for that!). Once the story picked up, it definitely got better and better.
Another thing about this book that was different for me is, I didn't really like most of the characters, which is really odd. Mariette Puttman acted like a spoiled brat throughout most of the book, and her mother got on my last nerve what with trying to "run" Mariette's life. Thayne Scott came across as pretty selfish at times -- I couldn't stand the fact that he made BIG decisions without even trying to discuss them with his wife first -- she was usually the last person to find out! In his defense, maybe things were done differently back then. Don't even get me started on the hateful biddies of Logan's Creek. UGH! However, there were a couple of folks I really liked, such as, Mariette's best friend, Missy, who isn't afraid to tell her exactly what she thinks, and Rowena is just such a sweet person, that you can't help falling in love with her.
I didn't start to really enjoy this book until over halfway thru, which by then, you're so invested in what's going on that you can't help but root for everything to turn out okay in the end. Don't get me wrong, I did end up really liking it, but it took me reading it in it's entirety to understand why the beginning was so important.
If you haven't read any of Eva Marie Everson's books, This Fine Life, would be a great place to start. To find out more about her and/or her books, be sure to visit her website.
One last thing, I have to mention how awesome it was to see my hometown of LaGrange, GA briefly mentioned in passing, as well as a neighboring city, Columbus, GA! This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me! Thanks Eva! =D
*** My review copy was provided by Donna Hausler @ Revell Publishing -- thank you! ***
It is the summer of 1959 and Mariette Puttnam has just graduated from boarding school. When she returns to her privileged life at home, she isn't sure where life will take her. More schooling? A job? Marriage? Nothing feels right. How could she know that the answer is waiting for her within the narrow stairwell of her father's apparel factory, exactly between the third and fourth floors?
In this unique and tender story of an unlikely romance, popular author Eva Marie Everson takes readers on a journey through the heart of a young woman bound for the unknown. Readers will experience the joys of new love, the perseverance of true friendship, and the gift of forgiveness that comes from a truly fine life.
What I thought:
This Fine Life is different from most romance books I read, and I almost decided not to finish it. Let me try to explain. The first 100, or so pages read like a YA romance (which I so do not read!) and it was really hard for me to make myself keep reading. However, I was determined to give it a try because some of you had already posted reviews, raving over what a good book it was (thanks for that!). Once the story picked up, it definitely got better and better.
Another thing about this book that was different for me is, I didn't really like most of the characters, which is really odd. Mariette Puttman acted like a spoiled brat throughout most of the book, and her mother got on my last nerve what with trying to "run" Mariette's life. Thayne Scott came across as pretty selfish at times -- I couldn't stand the fact that he made BIG decisions without even trying to discuss them with his wife first -- she was usually the last person to find out! In his defense, maybe things were done differently back then. Don't even get me started on the hateful biddies of Logan's Creek. UGH! However, there were a couple of folks I really liked, such as, Mariette's best friend, Missy, who isn't afraid to tell her exactly what she thinks, and Rowena is just such a sweet person, that you can't help falling in love with her.
I didn't start to really enjoy this book until over halfway thru, which by then, you're so invested in what's going on that you can't help but root for everything to turn out okay in the end. Don't get me wrong, I did end up really liking it, but it took me reading it in it's entirety to understand why the beginning was so important.
If you haven't read any of Eva Marie Everson's books, This Fine Life, would be a great place to start. To find out more about her and/or her books, be sure to visit her website.
One last thing, I have to mention how awesome it was to see my hometown of LaGrange, GA briefly mentioned in passing, as well as a neighboring city, Columbus, GA! This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me! Thanks Eva! =D
Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
*** My review copy was provided by Donna Hausler @ Revell Publishing -- thank you! ***
4 comments:
I'm so glad that you did enjoy it and I totally caught that mention of LaGrange and thought of you LOL!
XOXO~ Renee
I can completely understand how you felt. It was harder for me to get into, and it was not a light read. But once in there were some thinking qualities for me. But yet, Enginerd definitely does not make big or even medium sized decisions without me. That's just not how our marriage works.
Here's my review: http://www.creativemadnessmama.com/2010/05/this-fine-life/
thanks for the review, it was really helpfull.
Great review. :) Sounds pretty interesting. Love the cover.
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