Books in Review: Redeeming Love

​This is an amazing book. I knew that even before I read it. I’d heard and read many glowing recommendations of this book from people I trusted, so I decided to check it out, even though I had hardly ever gotten into the realm of Christian fiction. In the end, I was not disappointed. And when I was first reading it, I couldn’t put it down. I love the setting, the biblical parallels, the storyline, the twists and turns in the plot, and where the story ended. I would even say that this is the best work of Christian fiction I have ever read. It’s incredible to think that this was Francine Rivers’ first book she wrote as a Christian, because it contains such a powerful portrayal of the heart of the gospel. It’s no wonder this book has sold over a million copies, and has remained a classic of Christian fiction for over 20 years. It makes me excited to get into other books by Francine Rivers in the future. I hope that maybe you will consider doing the same ~ Bethel

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​When we look at many of the love stories that are unfolding in our culture today, it is very easy to become discouraged. Because so many people have given into the deception that love is based on feelings, too many people let go of love too soon, often for extremely selfish reasons. The popularity of movies and books that glamorize these type of relationships has only made matters worse. It’s even to the point that those that believe true love endures are presented as foolish and out of date. It leaves us to ask the question: can we actually find a good example of a love that won’t give up, no matter what?

In the first Christian fiction novel by Francine Rivers, Redeeming Love, we are given a powerful example of a love that doesn’t give up, an example of Christ’s enduring for us. Based on the biblical story of the prophet Hosea being asked by God to marry the prostitute Gomer, this book takes familiar elements from that narrative and puts them into the setting of the gold rush in California in the 1850s. In Redeeming Love, mountain man Michael Hosea is compelled by God to marry Angel, the most popular and hard-hearted prostitute in that area. Despite her resistance and bitterness, Michael never gives up on gently loving and pursuing her, and it makes no sense to her. Angel resists for the longest time, refusing to break the walls from her past and open her heart towards Michael, and but over time, her heart does slowly begin to change. When her hardened heart finally begins to soften, she can’t help but feel unworthy and afraid of his affections, so she runs away. Then she is finally forced to confront the darkness of her past. Since she is apart from her husband’s love, her full healing is finally able to come from the One whose love and pursuit of Angel’s heart is even greater than her husband Michael’s, a love that proves that it will never let go, no matter what.
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This is a powerful work of fiction, one that can change your perspective of the powerful, all-consuming love of the heavenly Father. The fictional setting makes it even more accessible and engaging to the reader. It’s a book that draws you into its world, but also presents powerful truth in a compelling way. If you only ever read one Christian fiction book in your lifetime, this should be the one. I would recommend this book to anyone about 16 or older, male or female, teen or adult. It’s available pretty much everywhere, so get your copy today!

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Teen Rating. Probably the only downfalls of this book are the sexual/violent content and the length. I would only recommend this to a teen if they were spiritual mature and an avid reader. I recommend waiting until you are at least 16

Male Friendly Rating. I know a few men that have read this book and have gotten a lot out of it

Personal Rating. Aside from the sexual content, this is a wonderful book, and I personally feel that the content is well played and necessary to tell the story.