Book Review: Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund

A couple weeks ago I sat down to read Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund.

Thought I'd read a chapter of #LoveUnexpected last night by @JodyHedlund when I suddenly was 110 pages in. Opened it this am too. Amazing!
— Heather (@TheSunsetWont) December 6, 2014

It's 1859 in Presque Isle, Michigan and all Emma Chambers ever wanted was a home and when her steamboat sinks, she's left destitute and with no place to stay.  An answer arrives when the lightkeeper comes to town.  He just lost his wife and struggles to care for his young son and tend to his duties.  The traveling preacher gets a bright idea... but soon Emma suspects that Patrick is hiding something.  Rumors begin to circulate about the circumstances behind Patrick's wife's death.  It seems like Emma's wish for a home and a family to call her own could be hitting troubling waters, that only one can calm.

#LoveUnexpected is a fabulous story. I had to slow down. But I want to know what happens! Must not skip to end... Must not skip to end...
— Heather (@TheSunsetWont) December 10, 2014

My Thoughts:
Many readers of Christian fiction are very particular about the romantic elements in a story.  I would consider this a light romance novel.  I was not offended or put off by anything in the book, however for those who prefer squeaky squeaky clean novels, this might not be for you.

What I like about Jody's stories are the attention to detail and history that she obviously puts into each novel.  This story is based on Mary Chambers Garraty and her husband Patrick.  While liberties are taken with the story I love that the first novel in the Beacons of Hope series is based on real lightkeepers and a real lighthouse that played an important role in Michigan's history.

Jody Hedlund takes the marriage of convenience plot, believable and relatable characters, beautiful settings, and amazing details to weave together a story that brings you in and keeps you there.

Would I Recommend This?  Yes!  Pick up this book from your local bookstore or library today.  Take a step back into history and into a lovely story of Love Unexpected.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.