The Boundless Bookshelf

  About the Book: ✦ Title: A Searching Heart ✦ Author: Janette Oke ✦ Genre: Christian historical fiction ✦ Series: Book #2 in A Prairie Legacy ✦ Recommend for: 14+ My Personal Rating ⭐⭐⭐ 📖 Synopsis Virginia Simpson's faith is tested when troubles come her way at the end of her time in college, including the medical problems that complicate her sister's first delivery and the Dear Jane letter she receives from her boyfriend.  💭 My thoughts This was just alright. Similar to the previous book in this series, I thought it was a little melodramatic and preachy for my taste. Not bad, and had some good lessons within, but I don't think this series is going to be a favorite of mine. ⚠️ Broad content notes Infant death, grief, faith struggles, relationship drama 🌹 Was this review helpful? Please  consider  following The Boundless Bookshelf! Bookishly yours,  Lottie M

  About the Book: ✦ Title: The Tender Years ✦ Author: Janette Oke ✦ Genre: Christian historical fiction ✦ Series: Book #1 in the Prairie Legacy series ✦ Recommend for: a ges 14+ My Personal Rating ⭐⭐.5/⭐⭐⭐ 📖 Synopsis Twenty years have passed since youngest daughter Belinda's story in "Love Finds A Home." Marty and Clark Davis's spiritual heritage has been lovingly passed on to their later generations. And now granddaughter Virginia faces the test of her young life. Caught in the difficult period between childhood and adulthood, feeling that she doesn't fit in, Virginia struggles against what she considers to be unreasonable restrictions and expectations. A new girl at school represents the daring and freedom that Virginia thinks she wants -- until one fateful day . . . 💭 My thoughts It has been a while since I read this book, and all I really remember is that I found Virginia incredibly obnoxious towards the first half of the book. Also, the last few chapters we...

  About the Book: ✦ Title: Once Upon a Summer ✦ Author: Janette Oke ✦ Genre: Christian historical fiction ✦ Series: Book #1 in the Seasons of the Heart series ✦ Recommend for: ages 14+ My Personal Rating ⭐⭐⭐.5 📖 Synopsis Sure, his family isn't typical-Josh knows that. He's a twelve-year-old orphan being raised by his eighteen-year-old aunt. When Grandpa and Uncle Charlie start making plans to find Auntie Lou a husband-and take away the only mother Josh has ever known-he knows something has to be done. His family has shaped the young man he has become. Now, as he grows into manhood, he begins to face important questions about life, love, and faith. How can he find his way when his whole world threatens to come apart? Trying desperately to cling to the life he's always had, Josh does what he can to keep his aunt single. But when a preacher comes along, Josh sees that things are going to get complicated. 💭 My thoughts This story was overall sweet and enjoyable! I thought it...

About the Book: ✦ Title: Love Finds a Home ✦ Author: Janette Oke ✦ Genre: Christian Historical Romance ✦ Series: Book #8 of the Love Comes Softly series ✦ Recommend for: ages 14+ My Personal Rating ⭐⭐⭐.5 /⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖 Synopsis Leaving her little prairie town, Belinda Davis never dreamed that the excitement of living in Boston would leave her restless and empty inside. Wealth, literature, travel, and romance touched her life with choices and decisions that brought dissatisfaction rather than joy. She discovered that only when God had first place in her life was her peace restored. Belinda once again faces decisions about her life that are no less difficult than before. A very unexpected responsibility makes the choice even harder. 💭 My thoughts This was a sweet ending to the series! As with the previous book, I didn't really care all that much about Boston and Belinda's elderly charge, but there were plenty of other good moments and the ending was nice. Overall, this series was lov...

  About the Book: ✦ Title: Love Takes Wing ✦ Author: Janette Oke ✦ Genre: Christian Historical Romance ✦ Series: Book #7 of the Love Comes Softly series ✦ Recommend for: ages 14+ My Personal Rating ⭐⭐⭐ 📖 Synopsis Belinda Davis had trained as a nurse to assist her older brother, Doctor Luke. But as time goes by and she sees those she's grown up with getting married and settling into their own lives, Belinda becomes restless. What had seemed exciting and fresh becomes dull and routine. When she meets an elderly woman who needs nursing care, Belinda jumps at the invitation to go to Boston--a large, "civilized" city with cultural opportunities she's never even dreamed of in her little prairie town. But in spite of financial security and countless new experiences, Belinda finds herself restless, lonely, and empty inside. 💭 My thoughts This wasn't a bad book, and I enjoyed the first half quite a bit. However, once Belinda went to Boston, I found myself bored and it s...

  About the Book: ✦ Title: Roses for Mama ✦ Author: Janette Oke ✦ Genre: Christian historical romance ✦ Series: Part of the Women of the West series (see review for book #7 here ) ✦ Recommend for: ages 14+ My Personal Rating ⭐⭐⭐.5  📖 Synopsis A teenager herself, Angela has been raising her three younger siblings with the help of her older brother since their parents died three years ago. Their material needs are met, but preparing the children for life requires something more. Can Angela handle the challenges as well as Mama would have? 💭 My thoughts I don't really have many thoughts on this one, but I thought it was sweet, although it did start slow for me. Older siblings raising their younger siblings was an interesting dynamic, but I kept thinking Thomas and Angela were a couple rather than siblings. I was worried for a bit that Angela would end up with someone I disliked, but thankfully she didn't, and I really liked how things went for her. There were moments that I enj...

About the Book: ✦ Title: A Bride for Donnigan ✦ Author: Janette Oke ✦ Genre: Christian historical/western romance ✦ Series: Book #7 of the standalone series Women of the West ✦ Recommend for: Ages 15+ My Personal Rating 2.5 ⭐ 📖 Synopsis She didn't even know his name...but she was about to become his bride. Standing on the ship's deck, Kathleen O'Malley watches the land she has called home slip from her view. She had thought she would be glad to see it go, but regardless of the unpleasant situation she was leaving, it was at least safe and familiar. America seems so very far away... At his prairie farm, Donnigan Harrison anxiously awaits his bride's arrival. He has known the wonder of a dreams fulfilled--a snug cabin, a sturdy log barn, a fine herd of livestock, and crops in the field. But even with all that, he is lonely. A notion that once seemed unthinkable had come to make sense, and so he wrote a letter. But Donnigan's anticipation is overshadowed by terrifyin...

About the Book: ✦ Title: Love's Unfolding Dream ✦ Author: Janette Oke ✦ Genre: Christian historical fiction ✦ Series: Book #6 of the Love Comes Softly series (See reviews for the other books in the series here! ) ✦ Recommend for: ages 15+ My Personal Rating 3.5/4 ⭐ 📖 Synopsis Belinda, Marty and Clark Davis's "surprise child," has always had a tender and compassionate heart toward anything hurt or broken. Her brother, Doctor Luke, influences her toward nursing and a job as his assistant. But will she have the inner strength to face hurt and broken people whose bodies, minds, and emotions need mending? And what will happen when Belinda, Amy Jo, and Melissa all fall for the same nice fellow? A timeless story of friendship and compassion. 💭 My thoughts While not my favorite of the series, "Love's Unfolding Dream" is still wholesome and entertaining, and I enjoyed a lot of parts of it. The time skip from the prior book, as well keeping track of so many cha...

About the Book: ✦ Title: Love's Unending Legacy ✦ Author: Janette Oke ✦ Genre: Christian historical fiction ✦ Series: Book #5 of the Love Comes Softly series (See reviews for the other books in the series here! ) ✦ Recommend for: ages 14/15+ My Personal Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖 Synopsis Marty and Clark Davis arrive home from a visit out west with daughter Missie knowing there are changes ahead for them. But are they prepared for the changes that already have taken place while they were gone? Clare and Kate are eagerly anticipating their new baby, but what lies ahead will test their faith in ways they never expected. Luke wants to become a doctor, but his studies will take him far from home. Ellie has blossomed into a lovely young woman, but is there a young man around worthy of her hand? And then there's Nandry, who seems to be blaming God for Clark's accident. 💭 My thoughts Very sweet, though it had its sad moments as well. Some people might consider this one a bit "preachy...

  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 famil...

  About the Book: ✦ Title: Love's Long Journey ✦ Author: Janette Oke ✦ Genre: Christian historical fiction ✦ Series: Book #3 in the Love Comes Softly series {see review for book #1 here and review for book #2 here! } ✦ Recommend for: ages 14+ My Personal Rating ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 📖 Synopsis Newlyweds Missie and Willie share a dream. However, it means that Missie must leave her parents, family and friends behind to join a wagon train and claim land in the West with her new husband. Overcoming incredible hardships on the journey, she grows into a mature wife and mother. Her faith in God and love for her husband give Missie the strength to make a new life and home in an unknown territory. 💭 My thoughts This is one of my favorite books in this series! I really enjoy the Little House on the Prairie feel, the lovely, strong faith content, Missie's growth and maturing, and just the overall sweetness of the story. I randomly noticed that in the previous book , Missie is said to have refined he...