About the Book:
After a whiskey still explosion destroys her home and nearly her life, Rebecca Packwood and her father must leave Missouri and her dear friends behind. After crossing The Oregon Trail, she sets out to discover her family’s secret history and to forge a home and community out of the raw farm land of Eagle Creek, Oregon Country, never suspecting a ruthless enemy is seeking to thwart her plans.
Hard-working banker’s son, Clark Sutherland, thought the toughest test he would face was getting out from underneath his father’s thumb. The last thing he expected was to be penniless, homeless, and smitten with a shy, dark-eyed stranger. With nothing to offer her, will he find a way to support himself and still pursue his dreams before they’re pulled apart?
When a man in shadows sets his eyes on their coveted prize, danger descends. Rebecca and Clark must act to protect the desires of their hearts before harm befalls them all. Will they learn to trust their future to the God who heals and sets the lonely in families?
My Thoughts:
The Rock by Cara Grandle had a slow start and the characters had to grow on me. Clark’s privilege and entitlement annoyed me. I sympathized with Rebecca’s situation and desire for a home, but nothing about the beginning hooked my attention. Then, Joe (the villain) received page space for his mental instability and wicked plans. In the first 100 pages, Clark and Rebecca met briefly once. Shortly after page 100, the two main characters start interacting regularly, but it was a long wait.
All that being said, once Rebecca and Clark began spending
time together, I started truly enjoying the story. The descriptions of farm
life with fresh veggies and homemade meals made me want to start my own garden.
Clark’s time at the farm increased his maturity. Rebecca’s search for belonging
and stability continued to drive the plot throughout the novel and made for
some excellent character development.
The Rock held some beautiful themes amidst the ugly moments of Rebecca’s life. I have to give a trigger warning that there was an on-page depiction of attempted rape and the glimpses into Joe’s mentality were disturbing.
The Rock by Cara Grandle is probably best for Christian fiction readers in the mood for a gritty story with a delayed slow-burn romance. The novel starts the Sisters of the Porcelain Doll series and works as a standalone. The Ribbon (book two) is currently available, and enjoying it made reading The Rock worth the challenge as I highly enjoyed The Ribbon.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of
this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
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