Redeeming Love Reviews

• This book grabbed me by the collar and would not let me go!

  
  By A2IP7N99N3S9T0 on 1999-10-29
  The first day I bought this book, I sat on my desk and told myself I'd just read a chapter before I go to bed. That was 9pm. No matter how hard I tried, I could not put the book down. I found myself teary eyed, reading the ending, at 5am the next morning. Intending to read just the first few pages, I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting (with one bathroom break!).

  Everytime Angel would run away from Michael's love, I would say, "you stupid, ungrateful woman!" But as I was reading, God reminded me of all the times when I myself would backslide from my faith, thinking that I could make it on my own without Him - and of how unconditional His love is (like Michael's) when I come to my senses and ask for His forgiveness. After I finished the novel, I couldn't help but thank God for His forgiving, faithful, redeeming love.

  I definitely recommend this book. But don't read it like I did - Don't read it in one sitting until 5am when you need to be at work at 7am.!!
  
  

• At least 10 starts and should be required reading in schools

  
  By A4P7HYSOIVBLL on 1999-08-13
  I have read very widely, and rarely if ever, has a fiction book held my attention and deep emotions as this book did. Francine Rivers shows the life of children sold into prostitution and the traps they seem to stay in forever. She shows what real married love looks like and the contrasts between good and bad, sweet and bitter, happiness and sadness, truth and lies, all are a major part of this very, very excellent Christian fiction book! It should be required reading in all high schools, private or public and I will recommend this books to all the homeschooling groups I can find. Congratulations Francine, you have done to my heart, mind and emotions what few if any authors have managed to do!
  
  

• A Dissenting View

  
  By A3362RLI2FOIQJ on 2005-09-03
  I cannot begin to imagine a Christian publisher printing this book 50 years ago. Our culture is changing rapidly, and much of it in very distressing ways. This book was chosen by one of our book club members; after all, it was being read by a reading group at her church, and look at all of the positive reviews on Amazon.com! Although I rarely read romance novels (too formulaic and predictable) I thought it was worth a try. I was shocked and disappointed. Not only was it formulaic and predictable, it was distressingly and explicitly brutal. I believe in redeeming love, knew what the book was about and how it would end by reading the cover, but I didn't realize how much sickening detail I would have to read to get to the huge relief of the ending of the book. Yet I learned very little; my faith in redeeming love was not strengthened by this book, it was already total. All I gained was images of nightmarish brutality. In the book, the victim of abuse, Angel, decides to refrain from "polluting" the innocent character of Miriam; Angel decides it is better not to describe her abusive past in detail to protect Miriam. I wish Mrs. Rivers had had the same concern for her readers. I would never want these images in my daughter's head; I don't like having them in mine. It is very sad to me if Christians need a book like this to understand redeeming love. Quotations from the Bible, and the claim that this is the retelling of the story of Hosea, don't redeem this book. I disagree with the vast majority of the reviews here.
  
  

• Powerful, spiritual Message

  
  By AOTMP0OKJOUWI on 2000-06-06
  I seriously can't believe I just read a romance novel. I should have known. This book was recommended to me by a devote Christian/romance novel addict friend. I really don't like romance novels. But, oh, this is a wonderful book. Rivers, while delving into some romantic stuff, provides description, but not so much that you want to puke. Over all, this is a beautiful book about forgiveness, finding oneself, and the wrongs of judging others. I think Rivers was so scared of being corny that she didn't dare try to put in a lot of emotion, but there is still a fair amount of emotion. The story revolves around Angel, a prostitute who has taught herself not to feel, having been used by men all her life. Then she meets Michael Hosea, who insists she marries him. She soon finds herself warming up and falling in love with Michael, but the low opinion she has for herself keeps getting in the way. The message happens to be more powerful than the actual story, though at times the plot is very absorbing, especially at a particular climax near the end. This is an amazing retelling of the Book of Hosea, and I've learned to never judge anyone. Tacky and unpolished at parts, poetic at others, "Redeeming Love" is worth a read, even if you don't like romances.
  
  

• A moving picture of the unshakeable love of God

  
  By on 1999-07-26
  What a joy to be able to share my thoughts about this book with whomever may read this. This is the first book Francine Rivers wrote after coming into her relationship with Christ. Because of that, it has a rawness and a fresh fascination with the incredible love of God. The characters are real and believable, especially Angel, whose life experiences have left her bitter and angry, certain that there is no hope for redemption or love. The story that unfolds is so much more than the "sappy" romance-novel cover depicts (I wish the publisher would redesign it). Even for me, a Christian for 15 years, it was deeply moving and humbling to read of how unshakeable God's love is, and also His discipline. I have reccomended this book to so many people, all of whom have had similar responses to mine, and I would suggest it as a way to show God's amazing love to anyone you may know who doesn't know Him. Praise God for servants who are gifted in such unique ways as Mrs. Rivers - may she continue to glorify Him with her stories!
  
  
• Crosses the Line
  By A1SK6YQCVL4QD7 on 2002-05-25
  This book came across to me as a Christian's excuse to read smut. One could write a similar story full of sexual details about David and Bathsheba, but I don't think it would honor God. I realize the author was trying to portray the theme of amazing forgiveness, but it got lost for me somewhere in all the sex.
  
  
• Truly....The BEST novel I have ever read in my life.
  By on 1999-10-02
  I just want to echo all the other reviews about this incredible book. I was totally captivated by this story and couldn't put it down. Sleep didn't seem near as important as finding out what was going on with Michael and Angel. I can get choked up when reading, but never before have I sobbed. Congratulations, Francine for being the first author to bring me to some serious tears. Even though I was emotionally exhausted at times....I didn't want the book to end. This book truly touched DEEP parts of my heart. I haven't been able to shake this lifechanging book. In fact, like many others, I went out to a local Christian Book Store and bought copies and started giving them away. I was loaned the book to read and immediately after finishing the book I went and bought it (for myself and others). I strongly suggest this book to any/everyone. Don't let this feminine looking cover fool you guys...it'll touch you too. If you want to read another one of her books that is also wonderful, try "The Atonement Child." [By the way, did anyone else notice the subtle Corinthians scriptures in the purple bands on the cover?] If you haven't read it yet.....What are you waiting for?
  
  
• Powerful retelling of God's love and grace
  By A3OT53C3UAXUJ0 on 2000-01-21
  I've read every book for Francine Rivers that I could get my hands on and this one is by far her best. A gripping story demonstrating God's love, I couldn't put down Redeeming Love once I started. I read until three in the morning. I laughed, I cried, I rediscovered precious truths that I had forgotten about God's love. I would recommend this book to any one. I was sorry when I read the last page. I wish I could have read more about Michael and Sarah's life.
  
  
• Redeeming Love
  By A1NM14QP3EELGU on 2005-03-29
  How many times can you say the same thing! This book repeats itself so many times, I found myself saying, "here we go again."
  
  
• The best book I have ever read!
  By AKLF13MPM16UD on 2000-04-13
  Ok, I know you read the reviews, and it's always " oh this is a great book," or " you just have to read it," " its the best book in the whole wide world" and you think, "yep, heard that line said before..." well, I don't want you to think that I'm just writing this review and coming up with those lines. BUT I'm serious, this is the best book I have ever read. I have a read a ton of books in my day, and Francine Rivers is by far the best author I have come across. I also recommend the Mark of the Lion series by her. Those were excellent also. Francine Rivers has wonderfuly portrayed the book of Hosea through this story. It shows God's unconditional love for us, no matter what we've done in the past. He loves for who we are. Its wonderful, isn't it? I highly recommend these books and I hope all of you who read them enjoy them as much as I did.
  
  
• Beautiful retelling of the Biblical story of Hosea
  By A39PXR2LEOJGI7 on 2001-06-14
  W-O-W!!! This book is just amazing. A retelling of the story of Hosea in an 1850s California setting. I felt so deeply for Michael all throughout, and I had such a hard time even putting the book down! (I even got scared by the waiter at a drive-in restaurant today, because I got so engrossed!) I just hope that I can have that much faith in God, and follow His will no matter what, even when it hurts or seems wrong to the worldly point of view.
  
  
• Disapointed
  By ANRJ00VPM050X on 2005-09-27
  Friends highly recommended that I read this book. I never realized what a difference in taste we have in literature. This story reminds me of those romance novels that have the beautiful women and handsome men on the cover. The story was repetitive. Ms Rivers used more detail describing her characters' looks than developing them into real people. The storekeeper and the restaurant owner were more interesting than anybody else was. But at least she kept it clean. She told us what was going on without lurid detail.
  
  
• Disappointed and shocked
  By A2I4A4WGWII18Z on 2007-06-11
  Though I read this book once years ago, I still regret reading it. It shocked me to read so many discomfiting graphic scenes in a Christian book. This book is one explicit scene after the other, connected together through a weak storyline where you know what's going to happen in the end.
  
  The author was recommended to me, so I expected something great. Oddly, it seemed like a non-Christian book with Christianity randomly thrown in and sometimes out of place. My suspicions were correct--the book originally was written by an author who was not a Christian at the time, and published for the mainstream romance reader market.
  
  Throwing in some biblical references doesn't necessarily make this a "redeemed" book, nor one that the Christian fiction market's readers should be scrambling to read. It's not that the theme is bad--it could have been done in another way. Unfortunately, there were plenty of unecessary details which make this book one worth passing over.
  
  
• Very good story-line but a little offensive.
  By A392CWMCWOC0GR on 1999-10-11
  Francine Rivers proves to be an excellent writer. Characterizaton is wonderful as well as story line. I found the sexual content a little offensive. The words are not bad, but the insinuations are. I have read secular fiction books in the past with less sexual content than this christian book. The story was wonderful except for the insinuations that christians should run from.
  
  
• Francine Rivers at her best!
  By AWACDK3U5LPKC on 2002-03-13
  I am an avid fan of Francine Rivers; have been for a long time. I had read the Mark of the Lion series, as well as Atonement Child and Sin Eater prior to reading this- Redeeming Love. I saved it till last, I believe, because it was her first, and I wanted to read her later works to be able to compare the first book to.

  I was proven wrong.

  This book is a masterful expression of the Christian mind- and of the mind polluted by sins kept as baggage...by the mind that believes that no one loves them...by the mind that is resistent to any love and affection in their lives!

  What a powerful book, and powerful stories. You will love Angel- a hurt, lost former prostitute- and her husband, Michael, a devout Christian farmer willing to go to hell and back (pardon the pun) for his wife.

  Read this book- you won't be disappointed.

  WARNING: YOUR LIFE MAY BE CHANGED.
  
  

• Best Christian Fiction Book I've Ever Read
  By A2PTXLQYCJQPC0 on 2000-01-08
  I absolutely loved this book. Angel can't believe that Michael Hosea really loves her. Even though he knows she was a prostitute, he still loves her. It's inconceivable to her that anyone could love her without having ulterior motives.

  Michael lovingly and tenderly persists in showing Angel that his love is unconditional and that there are no strings attached.

  This isn't just a wonderful love story. It shows each of us how much our Heavenly Father loves us. Yes, we are sinful. We're not perfect. Yet He persists in loving us.

  My favorite authors are Francine Rivers, Lorie Wick, and Robin Jones Gunn. They have worked hard to take Christian fiction to new heights.
  
  

• Blessed and Anointed Book
  By on 1999-12-22
  I've read about 4 or 5 books by this author. She is so anointed in her writing. In this book, Redeeming Love, I was reminded over and over again how God's love for us is completely unconditional. The love that she portrays through Michael Hosea is so awesome and one that I truly wish to have some day in a marriage of my own - to a man who puts God first in his life. This book is DEFINITELY worth spending a couple of days reading. You might struggle with the beginning, but KEEP READING .... it will be well worth it!
  
  
• A Powerful Witness
  By A1PIKBWJKAE16T on 2002-06-11
  When Redeeming Love was first released, as an admirer of Francine's story telling skills I rushed out to buy a copy. After reading it I returned to clear out the shelves of three different book stores, buying 4-5 copies at a shot. When it was released in hardback through a book club, I bought another 5 copies. Why so many books? Because it is the BEST witness of the Father's love that I can give to someone who will not listen to "God talk" or read traditional Christian fiction. What is a well written romance on the surface, is so much more at its core.

  This story gets inside of the readers heart and mind, it creates a hunger to be loved unconditionally. To be loved in a manner the world via Hollywood tells us is possible, but life experince tells us is not.

  This is God's love at work in Michael's life and Angel's, and for those readers who allow it, in our lives as well. We all sin and fall short of the mark, Angel did so in a very public manner. We all need to be redeemed, to know that we are loved beyond measure. Francine's retelling of the book of Hosea allows a glimpse of the depth and breadth of the Father's love for each of us.
  
  

• SORRY, BUT DISAPPOINTED
  By APTQNU3MS5NEZ on 2006-01-28
  When our church group chose this book, I thought, wow, it must be really great, everyone says its the best book they ever read. I was tremendously disappointed. First you feel guilty ever criticizing a Christian book, anything that leads one to God I applaud and appreciate. Problems: character development, very little on Angel. We need to feel with her what she is going through, we did not. I think Rivers did not want to alienate any readers by further descriptions of abuse. I went through that abuse. You are never going to understand it without further elaborations, but we want to keep it a Christian book, so here stands the dilemma. Her character needs to be developed, her emotions need to be understood, her relationship with God needs to be explored. Maybe some readers want a simpler book and this is it. Further problems were the development of character in Michael and especially Paul. Paul's character is unrealistic, I see it as incorrect. If his personality is as described by Rivers, he truely is not the man of God displayed in the relationship with Miriam or Michael. How wonderful were the children!!!!!!!!!!!! So sweet, so obedient, so respectful, so unbelievable!!!!!!!!!! The end a tearjerker. Why can't we develop a Christian novel with much more intricate subdued reasoning, complex yet realistic characters, deep plot issues, subplots, etc. I see what I am looking for more along the line of Lawana Blackwell's novels, especially the Gresham Chronicles. This was a wonderful story, just not what I am searching for.
  
  
• A powerful allegory
  By on 1999-04-21
  Redeeming Love was recommended to me by a lover of Romance Novels..... a genre I NEVER read. However, I thought I'd give it a chance. I'm so glad I did. Ms Rivers makes the book of Hosea come alive in terms we cannot miss. God's love, as shown through the character of Michael, is so beyond our comprehension, that it's only through allegory that we can understand it. This book has touched my heart and my soul. Quite a few of my friends had recommended The Scarlet Thread, but I hadn't read it. Now I'll have to read that one too! Thank you Francine Rivers.
  
  
• I give it 5 stars because I can't give it more!
  By A6GSJAG9ZQ1K1 on 2001-03-05
  I LOVED this book! Ordinarily, I do not recommend religious books to anyone, because what works for me will not usually work for other people. In times past, I would simply say that I enjoyed the book, but would be very noncommittal when asked if I would recommend it. This time, however, I highly recommend this book!

  It was an excellent retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea. It moved me from anger to love, from tears of sorrow to tears of joy. It was a great example of how God's love, expressed through man, can heal another person's heart. It showed how no matter how far we try to run, God is always there for us and with us, and He will take as much time as we need to teach us of Him and His love.

  Redeeming Love is, at its heart, a story of restoration and forgiveness -- the kind that has to take place not only on a spiritual level, but also on an intrapersonal level and within one's self. It's also a lesson on judgement. So many people had so quickly passed judgement on Angel that she internalized their negativity, and they missed out on the opportunity to heal her wounded spirit. Even Micheal almost missed his chance, until he allowed the Lord completely bend his will to the divine purpose the Lord had intended.

  This book will make you fully appreciate the goodness of the Lord. I will awaken in your spirit a renewed desire to be drawn into His fold. If you are not moved by this story, check your pulse, you may be dead.
  
  

• A masterpiece...
  By A3FPZUWPJ3J8B8 on 2005-11-01
  Before reading this book, I had no clue what it was. I just found it on a bookshelf and began reading it. This is the best, most moving novel I have ever read. Based on the book of the Bible, Hosea, Francine Rivers clearly portrays the meaning of TRUE love and how we should live by love and forgive others as God has done for us. This book is not only outstanding and addicting, but it teaches lessons about life and TRUE Christianity that can change you forever.
  
  
• Highest Praise!
  By A32J48LYJ2BNNY on 2006-07-02
  Being a reader who has only recently discovered Francine Rivers, I do not have the benefit of having read very many of her books. I immediately got hooked on this author with the Mark of the Lion series, which other readers of this author will know, sets a very high standard to follow. Though I would have to say that I did like the Mark of the Lion series better, REDEEMING LOVE, was in no way, a disappointment.
  
  The characters in this book did not seem to be quite as well developed and therefore it took a little longer for the story to `emerge', if you will, but nonetheless, once it got going, this story will captivate your heart and soul. Rivers has an uncanny ability to stretch the readers' emotions to their limit, like a rubber band on the verge of breaking, and just when you think your emotions are at their very breaking point, she gives them just one more tug.
  
  Above all else, I took away from this a lesson of endurance. Though Michael's faith weakened from time to time, he never failed to place his happiness ultimately, in the Lords' hands. This is a reminder to us all that God works on His schedule, not ours. This book will also make the reader question his or her own character, asking, "How would I have reacted to this?" The truth is, there are very few Michael's in the world, but Francine Rivers has once again presented us fortunate readers with models of integrity and virtue to pattern ourselves.
  
  Pastor Monty Rainey
  
  
  
• One of the best books I've ever read!
  By A2FQWN6Q2ZOSXI on 2007-09-12
  This book really surprised me. This book is fantastic on every level. It is so good that I don't think I can list why without writing a book of my own.
  
  I will tell you this. I expected a light, fluffy romance novel. Maybe even a little corny. I only read it because I thought it might be mildly entertaining and my daughter was reading it.
  
  I couldn't have been more wrong on all counts. This book far exceeded all of my expectations. This book is deep, well written, has an incredible theme, does not hide the realities of human nature or underestimate human potential for both good and evil.
  
  BTW, my daughter (mid-teens) loved it too. But, I would not recommend this book for pre-teens, or even emotionally immature teens. This book deals with some very harsh topics...something else I didn't expect.
  
  I hope they make a movie some day. So, I can tell everyone the book was better. :-)
  
  Great book!
  
  
• Ghastly!
  By AGG58HUOFXUYL on 2007-09-30
  After reading all the reviews, I just had to get this book. After all, everyone just has the most glowing things to say about it. I am agog. This is just a terrible book. The characters aren't interesting and there is nothing challenging about it. Obviously, I am just not getting why everyone loves this book so much, but the writing is average, the characters forgettable and completely boring. I simply do not understand why this book had garnered so much praise! Ugh!
  
  
• A mediocre romance novel
  By A28HB1CS21SRDU on 2008-01-21
  What engrosses a reader into a story is the author's writing ability to present the story in the most compelling and readable way. A true author should be able make you want to read about a man sitting on a bench and still make the reader actually ache for the character. The content always comes secondary to the actual creative writing. This is where this book fails. I expected to be swept away by the deliverance of this beautiful story but was disappointed at the superficiality of the book. The way the story was told was just not convincing. The characters themselves were very inconsistent, uninteresting and confusing, and the narrative was very messy and had no credibility. The Christian aspect of the novel was also disappointing. If the phrases with 'God' were taken out of the book, the book would stand to be just another mediocre romance novel. I admit, I had to force myself to not put the book down but in the end, I was not able to finish the book. Lesson learned?: One should never rely solely on book reviews when buying a book.
  
  
• Mallowcups for Franny.
  By A10KHC3SJ6EBSR on 2000-06-10
  Once in ten years I'll read a romance novel. This time I chose Redeeming Love, on recommendation from a friend, and because I read the Mark of the Lion series and figured I'd be on safe ground--( For me, "The Mark" series has more of a Thoene/historical feel than romance.) Redeeming Love went so far beyond a romance read that I include it in my list of recommends even to guys. The cover, I admit, terrified me; I read it on faith in my friend's word alone...and I'm ever glad I did. Before I read it, and I advise this to anyone before reading Redeeming Love, I read the book of Hosea. It gave me a clear idea of what Franny was trying to do. I also advise reading the fascinating publisher's note at the front of the book--I understood why he wrote it when I finished the book. Redeeming Love is the story of a woman afraid to love, afraid of love, and the man who, against logic and right, wouldn't give up on her. Many times I'd have to set the book down and think on God's love, how impossible it is, and how relentless. What a picture you given, Fran, what an idea of a person's worth. The greatest compliment I can give you is this...what you set out to do, you did.
  
  
• Should not be called Christian Fiction
  By on 1999-12-14
  I was really upset by the use of God's name in vain in the first of the book. Rivers was trying to show how upset one of her characters was and used the word GD. She could have just said he cursed God, would that not have been sufficient. I always expect not to see such language when I am reading Christian Fiction. But I did go on to read the book and it was very good. The book should also make mention that this book would not be good for a young audience since it does have very mature material, which also is another reason I am not sure if it should be Christian Fiction.
  
  
• One of the best I've ever read!
  By on 1998-06-22
  Redeeming Love inspires me to attempt to love my husband as Michael Hosea loved Sarah. A beautiful example of what God intended for the love between a husband and wife to be. This story is thought provoking, inspiring and kept me wanting to read on for hours. Rarely have a read a book and gone looking for another by the same author. I'm almost to the end of my second Francine Rivers novel and will by buying another before leaving this web site. I just can't seem to put the book down. Amazon has beat the lowest prices I've seen by almost 25%. I paid $7.00 more for one of Ms. River's books than Amazon's pricing. This is my first trip to Amazon.com and I'll be back regularly!
  
  
• Super-charged, Emotional Read
  By A1TTKJIKU5WS on 2000-11-12
  REDEEMING LOVE is an historical romance that doubles as an allegory for the Biblical story of Hosea. It was actually the first book that Rivers attempted to write as a new Christian, even though it was published in this market sixth.

  If you're not familiar with Hosea then I suggest you sit and read that book first. In it, God commands Hosea to take a prostitute as his wife. The prostitute is unfaithful and leaves but God commands Hosea to find her and forgive her and take her again, as an example of how much He loves Israel. It is a powerful story of passionate love and extreme forgiveness.

  That same story is re-told here, in the setting of the old west. It is just as extreme and just as powerful. Rivers is the queen of character development and that strength is played upon even more than usual here. In the end, REDEEMING LOVE is one of the best examples of the love that God has for His people and the extent of the grace that He holds out towards us. A super-charged and emotional read. Rivers again scores FIVE STARS.
  
  

• Mark of the Lion : A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure As the Dawn (Vol 1-3)
• The Scarlet Thread
• The Shack
• The Atonement Child
• The Last Sin Eater