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Book Review of Years

Years
Years
Author: LaVyrle Spencer
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
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Helpful Score: 1


This is an unusual story about two people attracted to each other but 16 years apart in ages. Linnea Bradenborg, 18 and fresh from teacher training, arrives at Alamo, North Dakota.

Wheat farmer Theodore Westgaard arrives at the depot to take the new teacher to live in his home. Everyone is shocked that L.I. Bradenborg is female. Teddy pitches a fit and refuses to keep her, even though he has kept all previous teachers (who were male). Teddy soon finds that he has no choice and Linnea moves into the home.

Eventually, we learn that Teddys wife left him and their young son many years before. Theodore is fairly hostile towards women. At the opening of the story, Teddy is 34 and his son is only a year younger than the new teacher.

In no time, Linnea starts to change the Westgaard household in various ways often unintentionally. She receives an education of another kind she learns just how hard life is for farmers and their families.

The relationship between Theodore and his brother is beautifully written. The whole book is a step back in time and the reader feels the emotions the characters are expressing.

Teddy and Linnea fight against their growing attraction for each other. On the side of logic, the reader agrees with Teddys feeling that he is too old for Linnea. On the emotional side, this reader feels that they cannot stay apart.

This is an emotionally satisfying tale that will stay with the reader a long time. They grapple with issues that are still important today.