I was in third grade. His name was Steve Whitaker. He had slightly longish dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. I think he was a surfer and/or skateboarder. My friend and I both had crushes on him but, alas, he didn’t return the sentiment. We did all kinds of very mature things to get his attention. The one thing that stands out is that we would run up to him at recess and kick him in the leg. I’m not proud of that. I will never forget the day he came to school on crutches with his leg in a cast. My friend and I both thought it was because of us. I can’t even tell you how he broke his leg because we probably never asked; being so certain we were the culprits. Steve, if you ever see this, know that I am deeply sorry for being such a third grade girl!
One day at recess, I was playing on the monkey bars with a number of other kids, my younger sister included. There was another Steve in my class but we didn’t like him. Imagine my utter humiliation when my sister loudly announced, “Hey Steve, my sister likes you!” How does one respond correctly to that without saying “No, I don’t – it’s the other Steve I like!”?
Though I had a number of crushes before then, I don’t really remember them well. But I do remember what it feels like to “love” someone and have him not care about me in the same way. Unrequited love is a common theme in literature, especially in marriages of convenience stories. In our book for today, Henry and Vivian entered into a covenant with each other without the foundation of love. . .
Resurrection of Hope
by Tamera Lynn Kraft
Publication Date July 10, 2016
Genres: Historical Fiction, Clean Romance
Setting: Ohio Progressive Era – US – 1890s – 1920s
Written for: Adults
Pages: 93
Synopsis:
She thought he was her knight in shining armor, but will a marriage of convenience prove her wrong?
After Vivian’s fiancé dies in the Great War, she thinks her life is over. But Henry, her fiancé’s best friend, comes to the rescue offering a marriage of convenience. He claims he promised his friend he would take care of her. She grows to love him, but she knows it will never work because he never shows any love for her.
Henry adores Vivian and has pledged to take care of her, but he won’t risk their friendship by letting her know. She’s still in love with the man who died in the Great War. He won’t risk heartache by revealing his true emotions.
I would like to thank Celebrate Lit for giving me a copy of this book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
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The plot of Resurrection of Hope was quite good. A marriage of convenience between friends who fall in love, but each of them is too afraid to let the other know. It has wonderful moments with beautiful descriptions in it and started out well.
Other than at the beginning, I didn’t like Henry much. He started out as a hero, rescuing Vivian from her terrible life. However, he harbored unforgiveness for actions that occurred when he and Vivian were children. Then, when the perpetrator repented and changed, he still refused to forgive. The way he treated Vivian was not good and he was broody and just not very nice.
Intriguing plot! But if the main hero is not likable, then I may not like it. It’s very important to me that I be rooting for the woman to get the man she deserves.