Reviews with content warning for Infertility - Redeeming Love

Francine Rivers has crafted such a beautiful and inspiring work of art. I really can't wrap my head around how this romance is unlike anything I've ever read. In redeeming love we follow Angel and Michael. Angel is sold into prostitution at 8 years old and it's all she knows. She despises it but is stuck there and can't do anything about it but she also puts on a mask of feeling when in reality her work has erased every part and emotion of her. Then we meet Michael, a Christian farmer who asks God for a wife. Not coincidentally he spots Angel and God tells him that he must rescue her from this life and teach her how to love.

This book is really deep and has a lot of trigger warnings but it's really powerful. It's a perfect example of how God's unending love can redeem anyone no matter how dire their sins are. Love can overwhelm any evil or darkness and always results in pure happiness.

Angel does run back to her life a few times because of her demons and she's confused on why someone like Michael is rescuing her. She had deep feelings of unworthiness and shame. Michael goes back for her twice similar to how God always comes back for us and forgives us no matter how bad the situation is. It also shows that you really need someone that knows how to forgive multiple times because I don't think she would have changed if he hadn't gone back for her.

My favorite scene is when Angel leaves him for the third time, not because she's confused but because Michael wants children and unfortunately, she can't have them. She runs away in the best interest of him which really shows how she's grown to love his good natured demeanor. I also love her interactions with the Altman family especially the children. Once Angel realizes no one's going to hurt her anymore and all Michael wants to do is love her, her personality really comes out and she's so sweet and silly. I love her and Michael so much.

I think some people gave this one star because of all the heavy topics but keep in mind this is based off a book in the bible and, unfortunately, there was a lot of prostitution during that time so I think the book is just trying to be as realistic as possible to portray the true message and I think she really wanted to show the dirtiness of sin. I didn't mind the sex scenes between Michael and Angel. I'm not sure why people had a problem with it because usually when you get married you copulate your marriage and married couples in general have sex. It's not bad and it's a gift from God.

The movie was soo good. It portrayed the intensity of the book very well as this is very intense for a christian book. The casting was amazing for Angel and Michael. Even though the movie is heavier there was still some moments of laughter. I still recommend it even if you're not Christian. If you're going to read any book from my reviews, please read this one. It's so impactful and really worth the read.

Content Warnings

folded_between_pages_of_books's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

cait's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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

4.0

Content Warnings

maisyb's review against another edition

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dark hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Content Warnings

theliteraryapothecary's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

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

5.0

This book grew on me the further I read in it. For a good quarter to half way through, it sat at a 3.5 stars, then it moved to 4 stars, then 4.5, and then 5 stars.

In Redeeming Love, we have Angel - who had the worst childhood, adolescence and early adult life. She is a high scale prostitute who believes she deserves all the bad that has happened to her and none of the good. In this novel, we follow Angel through her struggles and successes. Her heartbreaks and her friendships. This is a Christian Fiction novel, but don’t let that deter you from this beautiful book. While there are Christian themes and many references to the Bible, even some quotes - it is not the main part of the story - that is still Angel’s love story.

SPOILERS START HERE

Content/Trigger Warnings: Prostitution, Depression, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, depression, alcoholism, abortion

Angel and Michael’s love story is so real. To understand it completely, you have to first know Angel and where she came from.

Angel was born out of wedlock to a mother so devoted to the father that he became the most important thing in her life. The father was already married with a family of his own; he wanted nothing to do with Angel - even told her mother to abort her. The mother went into depression and alcoholism every time he wasn’t around. When she died, Angel was left with her uncle who was a drunk and not the best caretaker - he really had no idea how to take care of her. So at the age of 8, she was sold into prostitution with Duke, who owned the brothel and shot the Uncle right in front of Angel.. She was stuck in that world until Michael came.

Michael came and rescued Angel from the Brothel and loved her, but she didn’t believe she deserved that love. She ran away from him several times - the last time she was able to get help and created a home for “fallen women” and taught them how to read, write, do math, and take care of themselves. But no matter how many times Angel ran away, Michael always accepted her back and loved her the same. And that was the beauty in their love story.

For various personal reasons, this story resonated with me on many levels, and the reason why I had to rate it 5 stars.

For my Booktube Video Review, go here: https://youtu.be/l7QVmYhlDl4

Content Warnings

morganperks's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

i am not okay

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