Reviews with content warning for Rape - Redeeming Love

okay i’m gonna be so honest, i definitely put off reading this for a good while. even with all the amazing things i’ve heard about it, i’m afraid ive always held a low view of most “christian romance” thinking it would be cheesy or too simple or something silly like that? but this book far exceeded whatever expectations i had.

i’ve seen the movie before so i already knew the plot and how things unfold, but that absolutely did not take away from the reading experience. the things this book made me feel, i could go on and on about, but i’ll try to keep it short.

to summarize: the way this story reimagines the story of hosea, and as a whole the story of God’s love for us, is incredible and moving. i felt the Lord’s love for me radiating through these characters. the characters are written so beautifully, with realness and depth and so many layers. the way francine rivers writes is simple, yet descriptive, and touches on exactly the right emotions and the right thoughts. not to mention: the setting?? the descriptions of places?? so immersive and lowkey made me wanna live on a homestead and learn how to farm and garden.
i related deeply to angel much more than i expected to, honestly. but it was that relatability, and the love that was portrayed in the most broken situations to the most broken people, that gave this story almost a comforting angst. the feeling of being seen and being guided towards the One Who sees us all.

so yeah, 5 stars. if i had to describe it in just one sentence, i would say that it’s like the feeling of baring your soul to someone, broken and in tears, and in return receiving the warmest, safest hug you could ever imagine.

Content Warnings

iamnottrisha's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Rating and reviewing this was much more difficult than I expected. I both loved and hated this story. I cried harder than I think I’ve ever cried in a book. The topics are HEAVY and heartbreaking. But the writing was so incredibly beautiful.

It’s been some time since I’ve read anything in the Christian genre. And I find myself struggling to find ways to recommend it to any nonbeliever reader friends. Because there were so many times throughout this book I found myself kicking and screaming “it’s not fair. This is too much!”

The trauma and heartbreak this book brings feels never ending a lot throughout this book. But the all consuming, unrelenting and redeeming love shown throughout this book was so well written 🥺

If I were rating this book based on the emotional rollercoaster it put me through and some of the horrific topics it covered I don’t think I could have given it 5 stars. But it’s just so well written and beautiful I had to set my mended heart aside for the review lol

Content Warnings

wadel's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Oh this is a 10 out of freaking 10!!!
Loved this story so much. As a Christian, the message in this book was so powerful but even if you’re not Christian I think this is such a good read.
Wow that girl has been through some heavy stuff so this story of redemption was amazing.
The breaks in between were painful to read but added so much to the final conclusion.
Loved every moment of this (aside from Paul, sorry I really don’t like him and can’t get past it) and will be thinking about these words for forever probably.

Content Warnings

jongtaesymtpoms's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This was an emotional read ngl... Like I cried a couple times ugh it was heavy, but also I love the romance, only thing was towards the end things got a bit confusing and random and unrealistic, but the ending turned out alright despite that so I guess that's fine.

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charitywitt's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book was very repetitive I didn't feel it needed to be so long. All in all tho it was a pretty good book.

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beklovesbooks's review against another edition

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Terrible book. Hard to like characters. Soft porn for people deceiving themselves that they’re reading something Biblical.

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