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Book Reviews of November of the Heart

November of the Heart
November of the Heart
Author: LaVyrle Spencer
ISBN-13: 9780399138010
ISBN-10: 0399138013
Publication Date: 2/24/1993
Pages: 381
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 51

3.9 stars, based on 51 ratings
Publisher: Putnam Pub Group (T)
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

27 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed November of the Heart on + 588 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Set at the turn of the century, NOVEMBER OF THE HEART tells of Lorna Barnett--a young woman from a wealthy St. Paul family..and Jens Harken--the ambitious dreamer who works in the kitchen of her family's summer estate. Trapped in a rigid social caste system yet drawn inexorably together, Lorna and Jens begin a clandestine affair as fresh and innocent as the summer itself. But the repercussions of that passionate idyll soon separate them against their wills, forcing them through buried scandal and shame to endure a loneliness where it is always the "November of the heart." Does love have the power to reunite themn--when the world wills them apart?
reviewed November of the Heart on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
1895 in Minnesota a rich girl falls for a mere laborer. The girls parents do anything and everything to keep them apart.
reviewed November of the Heart on + 552 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Annotation
The splendid New York Times bestseller by the author of Bygones, Separate Beds and Hummingbird. Includes a special preview of Spencer's newest hardcover, Family Blessings. LG Alternate.

From the Publisher
Set at the turn of the century, November of the Heart tells of Lorna Barnett, from a wealthy St. Paul family, and Jens Harken, the ambitious dreamer who works in the kitchen of her family's summer estate. Trapped in a rigid social caste system, yet drawn irresistibly together, Lorna and Jens begin a clandestine affair as fresh and innocent as the summer itself. But the repercussions of that passionate idyll soon separate them against their wills, forcing them through buried scandal and shame to endure a loneliness where it is always the "November of the heart." Does love have the power to reunite them - when the world tears them apart?

From The Critics
BookList
Much to Gideon Barnett's dismay, his daughter, Lorna, has inherited his forceful personality and his passion for sailing. The overbearing millionaire who is captain of the local yacht club would prefer that his beautiful daughter spend her time in more ladylike pursuits, such as snaring a husband. When an impetuous member of the kitchen staff tells Gideon, after a disastrous race, that he can build a revolutionary sailboat that will restore the fame of the White Bear Yacht Club, Lorna is intrigued. And it is not only the boat designs that capture her interest. The love affair between the immigrant Norse boat builder and the society girl trades upon an old story, but one that's ably told by this author with a sharp sense of period detail and the vagaries of human nature.
reviewed November of the Heart on + 26 more book reviews
This is a book that is hard to put down. It is a story about a man and a woman born into radically different stations in life who challenge the unwritten rules of Victorian society.
reviewed November of the Heart on + 49 more book reviews
Lorna Barnett was from a wealthy St. Paul family; summers were spent at their second home, where her father was absorbed in his yacht racing, her sisters taken by the latest hairstyles. But at eighteen, Lorna wanted more..Jens Harken was an odd-jobs man, hired to serve and be silent. but he dared to offer his services as a shipbuilder and be commissioned by Lorna's father to build a racing yacht. And as he entered the Barnett's privileged world, his heart fell for Lorna's sweet innocent beauty. but as summer turned to fall, they weathered the tumult of a scandal that would change their lives forever. And shake the boundaries of a world of rigid expectations and unspoken desires.
reviewed November of the Heart on + 36 more book reviews
Another wonderful book from LaVyrle Spencer--I loved it so much I read it twice!
reviewed November of the Heart on + 331 more book reviews
Spell-binding story of true love and devotion.
reviewed November of the Heart on + 6 more book reviews
I couldn't put this book down!! I loved it!!
reviewed November of the Heart on + 145 more book reviews
This is one of the best books I've ever read! Wonderfully written! LOVED IT!
reviewed November of the Heart on + 52 more book reviews
A young woman from a wealthy family falls for a servant who dreams of having his own boat building business. Good character development. Interesting background involving the American Victorian yachting scene.
reviewed November of the Heart on + 9 more book reviews
Can't go wrong with Spencer.
reviewed November of the Heart on + 6 more book reviews
Nice fluffy romance with enjoyable characters.
Bonnie avatar reviewed November of the Heart on + 422 more book reviews
I must have liked it, I hung on to it for many years. But I did like most of this author's historical fiction...she was a jewel among writers. "...a lakeside resort in the breezy summer of 1895, where love bloomed for two hearts from different worlds..."
mellyjoy avatar reviewed November of the Heart on + 3 more book reviews
i love this book. i think this might be the first romance novel i ever read about 15 years ago, and i still can pick up this book and just be transported.
reviewed November of the Heart on + 247 more book reviews
Good reading. Shows what women had to go thru in the old days romantically. What a difference between then and now! My daughter is now finding out how difficult life can be when you marry someone you don't truely love.
reviewed November of the Heart on + 32 more book reviews
This is a story of struggle to overcome class boundaries and trouble that is a stone in the hearts of two people in love. A wonderful read. Could hardly put it down.
reviewed November of the Heart on + 7 more book reviews
Takes me back to my youth!
toni avatar reviewed November of the Heart on + 351 more book reviews
When handsome kitchen hand and boat builder Jens Harken audaciously offers to build his employer a regatta-winning yacht, he draws the attention of the master's daughter. Budding beauty Lorna Barnett, disturbingly attracted to Jens despite the restrictions of 19th-century Minnesota's high society, helps him get his chance by breaking down her father's arrogant resistance to new ideas. As the boat takes shape, Jens and Lorna give in to an ill-advised, impossible love that nearly results in a scandal and ultimately requires Lorna to risk the only life she has ever known for the life she really wants.
priscillamylove avatar reviewed November of the Heart on + 83 more book reviews
Lorna Barnett was from a wealthy St. Paul family; summers were spent at their 2nd home, where her father was absorbed in his yacht racing, her sisters taken by the latest hairstyles. But at 18, Lorna wanted more...Jens Harken was an odd-jobs man, hired to serve and be silent. But he dared to offer his services as a shipbuilder and be commissioned by Lorna's father to build a racing yacht. And as he entered the Barnett's privileged world, his heart fell for Lorna's sweet innocent beauty. But as summer turned to fall, they weathered the tumult of a scandal that would change their lives forever - and shake the boundaries of a world of rigid expectations and unspoken desires.
emmaliss avatar reviewed November of the Heart on + 55 more book reviews
Never read a LaVryle Spencer book I didn't like. I wasn't disappointed in this one either.
reviewed November of the Heart on + 69 more book reviews
Love her books!
FabN46 avatar reviewed November of the Heart on + 103 more book reviews
Spencer never disappoints, and this book was another one that I hated for it to end! Lovely story!
reviewed November of the Heart on + 115 more book reviews
Set in Minnesota in 1895.
karenzav avatar reviewed November of the Heart on + 216 more book reviews
Another wonderful book.
chihuahua avatar reviewed November of the Heart on + 92 more book reviews
great read and reread
passed on from one friend to another, mothers to daughters etc. help people develop healthier ways to live
reviewed November of the Heart on + 143 more book reviews
Love her storys
LaurieS avatar reviewed November of the Heart on + 504 more book reviews
Abridged on 2 cassettes