Reviews

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

lostinthepaigeofabook's review against another edition

5.0

Just as good as the first time I read it in 2012. Amazing story. I did the audiobook this time and it was great!

elysahenegar's review against another edition

5.0

This is a wonderful book---a must-read for anyone who wants to understand "love God's way" on a whole new level. Typically novels that are based on a scriptural narrative are not my favorite ones because, although I love the scripture, the plot line is spoiled for me from the beginning. And typically, human authors just can't do the scripture justice in the retelling of it. Redeeming Love is inspired by and an allegory to the book of Hosea, but since Hosea is largely prophecy and poetry, I found this novel to be a refreshing exploration of the text. Most of the characters are well-written, the landscape is extremely visual and compelling, and the plot even offers a few unexpected twists toward the end. Although this is a romance novel, a few friends in my book club said that their husbands had read it in an effort to model their love in marriage after God's love for us and found it extremely compelling as well. But the most compelling thing in this book by far is the way that God's love for us takes center stage as the number one protagonist and the power behind every step in the plot. I finished this book more in love than ever with the God who is the passion of my life.

tadow's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

dnyameke's review against another edition

5.0

This was my very first time reading this book and I felt like I had to read it to see what the hype was about mainly and also because it was also coming out in theaters. I must say I was definitely not disappointed. Mind you, I never read romance books. Its definitely not the genre I typically reach for at all. That being said, this story was BEAUTIFULLY written. It definitely helped me understand how God feels when we ignore his love and go back to our old ways. I became so attached to the characters! When their hearts broke, mine broke. I had to put the book down a few times because it was so heavy and their burdens made me so sad! It ended so wonderfully and now my sister is reading it! I absolutely loved it and am so happy I read it. I can't wait to see it in theaters and I will definitely be rereading it in the future!

mrspenningalovesbooks's review against another edition

5.0

“Love with strength and purpose and passion and no matter what comes against you. Don’t weaken. Stand against darkness and love. That’s the way back into Eden. That’s the way back to life.” This was a great read! A tale based on Hosea & God’s divine plan for all of us, loving us as we are & seeing what we can become. A true testament to the unconditional love we should have in our marriage and that love that comes down to us from our God. Terrific plot, characterization, themes, and Biblical quotes along the way.

macymcbeth's review against another edition

5.0

This book can't decide if it wants to rip you apart or stitch you back together, so it does both. I mean this is in the best way possible.

It is a story is about faith, love, growth, acceptance, trust, friendship, peace, and rebirth (plus so much more). The writing is phenomenal and the author uses Christian allusions to help tell Angel's story and show us how we can find peace and love when we put our trust in God. The pages are filled with depth and hidden meanings that make you rethink your own life and how you treat those around you.

Names are so important in this book and I really enjoyed the way that Rivers used each name—and the identity associated with each name— to help show each step towards peace and acceptance that our heroine was making. It showed the value of someone's name that I think we often overlook. Also, Michael Hosea is a King among men. That's all I'm going to say about that.

Redeeming Love is a book that I anticipate re-reading many times and discovering something new in each read. It's one of those books that you itch to take a pen to and mark favorite passages or pieces of foreshadowing. I found myself re-reading passages or even pages because the writing wouldn’t let me go.

"Oh, God, it's not the way I had things planned. But then, what of real, lasting value ever is?"


P.S. If you really want a sucker punch to the feels, listen to the entire Mumford & Sons discography while reading/thinking about this book. It's like the songs were written for this book and these characters.

oceans_ofbooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.5

jk_esch's review against another edition

4.0

"Nein, da hast du recht. Und ich will auch garnicht der Mittelpunkt deines Lebens sein, sondern nur ein Teil davon. Ich will dein Mann sein und nicht dein Gott. Menschen können nicht immer für uns da sein, selbst wenn sie es von ganzem Herzen wollen. Das ist bei mir nicht anders." "Und Gott ist also immer für uns da? Für mich war er nie da!"

"Meinst du das wirklich? Und was, wenn es ein Fremder wäre, der für dich bezahlt hat, und du musst alles tun, was er von dir verlangt, egal, wie erniedrigend oder ekelhaft es ist? Oder wenn er hässlich wäre oder seit einem Monat nicht mehr gebadet hätte? Oder wenn er grob zu dir wäre und dir wehtäte? Würdest du das auch romantisch finden?" Sie hatte nicht so heftig werden wollen, doch nun zitterte sie am ganzen Leib. Miriams Gesicht war aschfahl geworden.
"War es wirklich so?" "Nein schlimmer!" sagte Angel.

"Weißt du was, Angel? Du wirst viel zu teuer gehandelt. Du bist keine fünfzig Cent wert." In ihr brach ein Damm. "Und was bist du wert?" Seine Augen wurden schmal. "Was willst du damit sagen?" "Ich weiß was ich bin. Ich habe nie so getan als ob ich etwas anderes wäre!" Sie legte ihre Hand auf die Lehne des Kutschbocks. "Und du? Du nimmst dir Michaels Wagen und seine Pferde und sein Gold. Und seine Frau." Sie sah ihn direkt an. "Und wie nennst du dich? Seinen Bruder!"

"Obwohl sie tief gefallen war hob Gott sie auf als Engel."

toripanda77's review against another edition

5.0

Great novel about redemption, beautifuly written.

she_reads_truth_365's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0