Book Review: To Love and Cherish

About the Book:

Escape to a Beautiful, Historic Island Resort

Melinda Colson has been waiting months for Evan, the assistant gamekeeper at the Bridal Veil Island resort, to propose. Without an offer of marriage, she must return to Cleveland with the family she works for as a lady's maid.

Evan isn't afraid of hard work, and he hopes to be promoted soon. He wants to marry Melinda--but not until he's sure he can support her and a family.

Letters strengthen their romance until a devastating storm strikes the island. With no word from Evan, Melinda knows she must journey back to Bridal Veil in search of her beloved.

But the hurricane isn't the last calamity to shake up Bridal Veil. Melinda finds a new job on the island, but still no offer of marriage comes her way. Has she given her heart to the wrong person? Will she ever find a man to love and cherish?

My Review:

To Love and Cherish is a historical fiction novel who's plot drew me in, especially by the last two sentences of the the blurb, "Has she given her heart to the wrong person? Will she ever find a man to love and cherish?" What could be more interesting than finding out the answer to those last questions and read how the story unfolds?

As I look at my little library, I count how many books are of historical fiction genre and realize that more than half of them pertain to that category. That is probably why I choose this book. I appreciated the fictional aspects of this novel but my favorites parts were the historical elements such as the accusations that President's McKinley was an imperialist. The plot was average but the last few chapters that detailed the President's visit and plans of an assassination piqued my interest.

Melinda's and Evan's character was a bit confusing at first. Melinda came across as desperate, impatient and a bit straightforward. She practically begged Evan to propose. Evan on the other hand was oblivious of Melinda's emotions and though being a logical thinker, couldn't seem to make a quick decision. Their internal struggles were both relatable, but the execution was poor. I thought that both character's were a bit strange. Another reader's thoughts on the situation:  I know I was supposed to be rooting for Melinda and Evan, but I kept waiting for the REAL hero of the story to arrive.

The descriptive narration allowed me to mentally imagine the opulence of Bridal Veil Island.

I have read Tracie Peterson's work before and I really enjoyed it. Since I've read her books, I am familiar with her writing style. I'm not sure if the book's awkward flow can be blamed on the fact that it was a joint collaboration between two authors, but I know that she is so very capable to write thrilling and intriguing novels.

Other than a few misses in the plot, this novel is emotionally intact with romance, uncertainty, fear, longing, deception, happiness, anger, and a lot of curves the reader will not expect. I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review