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Book Review of The Endearment

The Endearment
The Endearment
Author: LaVyrle Spencer
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
robinmy avatar reviewed on + 2106 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


Desperate to start a new life for herself and her brother, Anna Reardon responds to an ad for a mail-order bride. After months of exchanging letters where Anna twists the truth, she agrees to travel to Minnesota and marry Karl Lindstrom. Karl is a 25-year-old Swede who has been farming his own land for two years. He wants nothing more than a wife to share his farm with. What he gets is a 17-year-old girl who can't cook, can't read, and has a little brother in tow. Karl is not happy that he was lied to, but forgives Anna in hopes of building a life with her. But when another revelation comes to light, Karl doesn't know if he can continue their relationship.

This is a sweet historical romance with well-developed characters. Karl has spent two years alone in the wilderness and is desperate for a family. Anna wants to escape her past and refuses to leave her brother behind. Their relationship pulls the reader in and gives us something to root for. Some may think the story is slow with too many details about logging, cooking, and any of the many tasks they perform day in and day out. I felt the descriptions of their home life added to the atmosphere of the book and made an enjoyable read. My rating: 4 Stars.