REVIEW: "Love's Abiding Joy" by Janette Oke

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About the Book:

✦ Title: Love's Abiding Joy

✦ Author: Janette Oke


✦ Genre: Christian historical fiction


✦ Series: Book #4 of the Love Comes Softly series (See reviews for the other books in the series here!)


✦ Recommend for: ages 15/16+

My Personal Rating

4.5 ⭐

📖 Synopsis

Marty and Clark Davis's daughter Missie and her husband had homesteaded land in the far West, many weeks' journey away by covered wagon. But with the coming of the frontier railroad, the miles are suddenly bridged, making possible their long-awaited reunion.

Grandparents Marty and Clark are thrilled to meet their two little grandsons for the first time. Missie, anxious to hear news from home, plies her mother with questions about her brothers and sisters. And as Willie proudly shows the two visitors around his successful ranch, Missie, just as proudly, shows them the little soddy that was their original home.

But the joyful reunion is shattered by a tragic accident . . . Will they ever be a happy family again?

💭 My thoughts

I love this book so much-- it's so touching and has always stood out to me (this was my third or fourth time reading it) for the faith content and beautiful message of learning to accept that that God's plan is better than ours. That message and certain moments in the book resonated so deeply with me.

There are some heavier elements in this one, so it's probably best for older teens, but it's definitely one of my top favorites by Janette Oke. So excited to finish this lovely series!!

My favorite quote (spoiler alert): "Iffen the Lord hadn'ta figured I could do without my leg, He wouldn't've 'llowed this, now would He?"

⚠️ Very broad content notes

Gruesome injuries, death of a child, suicide, cursing said but unwritten.

🌹 Was this review helpful? Please consider following The Boundless Bookshelf!

Bookishly yours, 


Lottie M

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