Book Review: Redeeming Love

Recently someone recommended this book by Francine Rivers to me. I was lucky enough to be able to get it from the library and set out reading it. I tend to be pretty picky about the fiction I read so it was an act of faith reading this. But I am very glad I did.

n this splendid retelling of the biblical story of Hosea, bestselling author Francine Rivers pens a heartbreaking romance between a prostitute and the upright and kind farmer who marries her; the story also functions as a reminder of God's unconditional love for his people. Redeeming Love opens with the Gold Rush of 1850 and its rough-and-tumble atmosphere of greed and desire. Angel, who was sold into prostitution as a child, has learned to distrust all men, who see her only as a way to satisfy their lust. When the virtuous and spiritual-minded Michael Hosea is told by God to marry this "soiled dove," he obeys, despite his misgivings. As Angel learns to love him, she begins to hope again but is soon overwhelmed by fear and returns to her old life. Rivers shines in her ability to weave together spiritual themes and sexual tension in a well-told story, a talent that has propelled her into the spotlight as one of the most popular novelists in the genre of Christian fiction. This is one of her best. --Cindy Crosby

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I identified with Angel especially her stubbornness, the pride, and the walls she developed to safeguard her heart - which didn't actually protect it but suffocated it. She desperately needed God and to be truly loved, yet had become so accustomed to the sin and hatefulness and cruelty that she was afraid to let go of it. The entire thing, quite moving. Michael is a stunning picture of Christ at work in a man. The book is an amazing depiction show us how much God truly loves us, and when He makes up His mind to love someone He does so unrelentingly. We may run from His love, but eventually we will run out of places to try and hide and will have to face Him and either embrace His healing touch or reject Him completely.

Truly I was touched by this book, it is without a doubt one of the best books I've read in my life. And I'm happy to recommend this book.