Bittersweet

Cathy Marie Hake

Bittersweet, Sacramento Series #2 By Cathy Marie Hake / Bethany House Laney McCain believes that all of her years of pining after Galen O'Sullivan might finally pay off as he starts to notice the woman that she's become. Squatters on Galen's land divert his attention from Laney's wooing, however. Galen shows mercy to siblings Ishmael and Ivy Grubb, allowing them to stay on the land in return for help around the farm, despite their crass language and behavior and uneducated ways. The arrival of the Grubbs disrupts more than Laney's plans, throwing life as she knows it into turmoil, but allowing for Christian grace and forgiveness to enter into lives that need it the most. Cathy Marie Hake, softcover, 399 pages.

CRM RATING: T


SPIRITUAL RATING: 4
EXPLAIN: Laney and Galen have a hard time understanding God’s will. The McCain family and O’Sullivan family try to witness to the Grubbs.

CRM REVIEW:

Laney McCain has been pining over Galen O’Sullivan ever since she has gotten back from her ladies school. She’s educated, proper, and has the biggest heart of anyone in the town of Folsom.

Pesky little Laney McCain might be his best friend’s kid sister, but that’s all she’ll ever be. Until Galen realizes what a beautiful young woman she has grown into. He’s just about to give her his heart and his name on Christmas day when everything changes because of one lie.

Hope was tossed out the window of having a happily ever after with Galen. Laney learns a deeper knowledge of what Christian love is while Galen fights with the hypocrites in the church.

Hake shows how one surprise can change a future. Her characters will capture your heart while the story will have you peaking ahead to see what’s around the corner.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND INSIDE:

Romance between a man and woman - Yes

Sex between characters – No

Felt this book properly represented a Biblical world view – Yes

I would recommend this book to a Christian audience – Yes

Sexual tension – No

Felt arousal when reading certain scenes – No

Other things of special note:

It’s understood that Ivy was raped, but there is barely mention of it.