Author: Ann Shorey
Publisher: Revell
ISBN: 978-0-8007-2072-8

“For the first time in her life, she’d be accepted as a competent, productive person. She hugged her arms around her middle. Best of all, she’d earned Mr. West’s admiration,” Ann Shorey writes of Cassie in her novel, Love’s Sweet Beginning.

Part three of the “Sisters at Hearts” series, this three hundred and fifty-three page paperback targets mature teenagers and young adults who enjoy Christian historical romance in America after the Civil War. With no profanity or overtly sexual scenes, the minor violence would make it acceptable for most readers. This reader wishes all pronouns of God were capitalized for reverence.

In this tome set in Missouri, twenty-five year old Cassie Haddon is unmarried and has no skills, professionally or domestically. Raised by well-to-do parents, she is accustomed to having maids and the hired help attend to her every need.

When Cassie’s father dies in the war, her mother refuses to lower herself to be employed or be considered one of the working class. When Cassie’s uncle insists the two women leave his care, they have no other choice than to travel to Noble Springs, hopefully to live with her mother’s brother.

After arriving in the small town, not only does it take time to find the brother, they have no money so have to live with one of Cassie’s friend and her husband. Determined, the young newcomer decides to get a job and move her and her mother to a little cabin.

Procuring a position at the local restaurant and grocery, the young woman’s cooking and cleaning skills are obviously lacking, immediately making Jacob West question his decision to hire the beautiful woman.

As the young woman sheds her insecurities about both job and boss, she determines to learn how bake, set tables, and tend to guests. However, her arrogant, negative mother refuses to accept her daughter’s accomplishments and value.

With Jacob and Cassie having pasts they want to remain hidden and forgotten, they try to find their true feelings toward one another. They question God’s role in their lives as they work together, misconstruing intentions and learning from mistakes.

Bringing up Biblical references in regard to honoring parents and marrying, Shorey creates believable characters challenged to trust in the Almighty while blending historical attitudes, living, and problems of the late nineteenth century.

This book was furnished by The Book Club Network, Inc. in exchange for a review based on the reader’s honest opinion.

Follow Here To Purchase Love's Sweet Beginning: A Novel (Sisters at Heart)