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rskey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
salutemviv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
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.
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Violence and Abortion
charitywitt's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Death, Infertility, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Trafficking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
beklovesbooks's review against another edition
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Chronic illness, Gore, Rape, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
sarah_zaffiro's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
Graphic: Trafficking, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Infertility, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Incest, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
mr_d8a's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
Well worth the read, if you can stand the first two-thirds of tense life story.mrs_faith_owens's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Slavery, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infertility, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Abortion, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Abortion, and Fire/Fire injury
Also contains: Prostitution: minor and moderate Childbirth: minor and moderaterhythmofryn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infertility, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicide and Antisemitism
harmshoney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book is about a woman named Sarah, sold into prostitution at 8 years old. she grew up embracing this life, becoming the most sought after in the industry & called Angel. until Michael.. Michael Hosea saw her & heard God tell him that Angel was going to be his wife. he didn't understand, but he obeyed.
the rest of the story is full of heartbreak & so, so much love. Michael is slowly breaking down Angel's walls with his relentless pursuit & his mighty love. being an example of Christ & his compassion, patience, forgiveness, kindness, gentleness, & more. Angel discovers her healing can only come from one place.. the Father Michael worships.
this story just wrecked me. I really don't even know how else to describe it. it inspired me to pursue the Lord & to pray for my husband. it inspired me to love people & that God's opinion is the only one that matters. it pierced me down to my very core in such an aggressive, beautiful way. I'll never be the same. dramatic? yeah. true? also yeah.
when I finished, I watched several interviews with the author, Francine Rivers 🖤 basically, she's become my biggest inspiration. her testimony is beautiful & she seems to just radiate the Holy Spirit & peace that surpasses all understanding. I wish I could sit with her & let her pour into me. Redeeming Love has also become a tool to help women out of human trafficking. she's spoken at events & donates to this cause with the proceeds.
she's had many women come to her & say, "I want a man like Michael Hosea!!" & she says, "Jesus is the man!!" 🥹 this changed my perspective of the book & I am just so incredibly inspired & grateful. Michael is meant to be an allegory for Christ, & Angel is a reflection of all of us in our own ways.
I'm not exactly sure why - but it seems many people have some misconceptions about this book. Michael is nothing but gentle & loving towards Angel. some seem to think there are moments when he is being abusive, but I didn't see that at all!!
One of my favorite parts of this story, was how Francine covered intimacy so delicately. she was able to explain the intimate scenes in the most beautiful, appropriate way. there was nothing raunchy about it! Truly, it opened my eyes more to how much of a gift sex is within marriage. I'm so grateful she included it in this story!!
I want to reread this book over & over & yet never see it again 😆 it's just so much & I'm feeling so deeply. Redeeming Love is the most powerful work of fiction I have ever read. I am beyond grateful that Francine wrote it. I finished with a hunger to dive into the Word & know my Savior. thank you, Lord, for your redeeming love!! 🙌🏼✨
"𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓?"
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, and Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol
kierasreadingjournal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“Michael.”
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Incest, Trafficking, Abortion, and Fire/Fire injury
While most of it isn’t in-detail, I will admit I was SHOCKED at some of the content that was in it — especially for a Christian novel.