 |
The Proposal, The English Garden Series #1
By Lori Wick / Harvest House Publishers Lifelong bachelor William Jennings is a fierce-tempered, agnostic 19th-century Englishman—and an unlikely candidate for fatherhood. But when a distant relative dies, he finds himself guardian of three children, and in over his head! Taking refuge at his sister’s home, he befriends her kindhearted neighbor, Marianne. Can she change his mind about faith . . . and family? 300 pages, softcover from Harvest. |
********************
Kelly’s Review:
This is the first book I have read by Lori Wick and I can say with certainty that I will be reading more of her works. in fact, The Proposal is the first novel in The English Garden series and I will be reading the rest of the books in the series at some point in the future.
This is a novel involving three children (two boys and a girl) who have been orphaned when their father is killed in a tragic accident. They are taken in by a bachelor uncle who is certain he has no want of a wife, but has a fondness for children nonetheless. Initially the uncle finds himself more drawn to the boys as he feels that he doesn’t quite understand little girls. It is discovered that the nanny he hired for the little girl is mistreating the child, so he fires the nanny and sets about to make things right with the girl as well as her brothers. Through the course of the story, the uncle and the children go to visit the uncle’s sister and her family so that he may reconcile with them and learn the ways of parenting in their home. It is at the sister’s home that he meets an intriguing lady neighbor whom the children come to adore immediately. The uncle has also had long-harbored disdain for religion and the church. The novel reveals his growing curiosity about faith and acceptance of Christ along the way. The novel also details the emotional growth of a man who comes to terms not only with being a family and having faith, but also learning to trust in love.
This book is beautifully written. It had such a classic feel to it. I felt myself drawn to the children immediately. I enjoyed the development of the uncle’s character tremendously. In all, I feel that this is a very nice read. As I mentioned before, I am very interested in reading the rest of the novels in this series.
************
| English Garden Series, Volumes 1-4 By Lori Wick / Harvest House Publishers
|
