The Endearment

This is one of LaVyrle's best books. She truly is the master of tender love stories. The characters were real, funny and warm. I just loved it.

If you are only looking for a "lust and thrust" bodice ripper type book this is not the book for you. This is a sweet love story with realistic characters in believeable situations. I was fascinated by the details of pioneer life, and the subtle details of what it was like to make a home in the wilderness. I found the book hard to put down and I was sorry when it ended.

I love this book, one of my favorite Spencer novels!! She takes the concept of the "mail order bride" and crafts a beautiful, engaging love story around it. Karl and Anna are wonderful characters that readers will be able to relate to; Karl is strong, traditional, and of the quiet persuasion while Anna, typically, is his opposite, possessing an out-spoken, fiery personality. However, the central part of the story and the issues in their lives are often surprising and keep the story flowing, as do their reactions to it. "The Endearment" is a wonderful novel about how love can grow in unlikely places and that the heart can survive, build upon, and ultimately become stronger through many trials.

LaVyrle Spencer is one of my favorite authors. True to form this novel is unique and stands on its own. She writes in such a way that you can't help but picture the characters and relate to what they're feeling. Her historical research also throws you back into a time you can now live right along with the characters. LaVyrle also knows how to write a love story that anyone can relate to. She knows how to begin with ordinary people who aren't attracted to each other in any way. Then she weaves a web that pulls you in as a participant who emotionally cheers for this couple to finally get together. The best part is that she knows how to use the entire story to carry you to that end. In this story a very young and naive mailorder bride arrives in Minnesota to meet the lonely Scandinavian man who has left his homeland to work a farm he hopes will be his family's future. She answers the ad hoping that it will be her answer to a better life. He picks her up at the station expecting a woman who can cook, clean and physically help with the many chores that are necessary to building their life together. Neither one is very happy after the initial meeting and their future unfolds with you caught up in the middle of it. I could NOT put this book down and I will be surprised if you can.