Absolutely touching story
930052
A beautifully written book for anyone, especially horse lover's . Sweet and sensitive story from the horses perspective, a story of relationships good and bad, a story of faith and restoration. I will definitely look for more of Shanes books.
4363099
I absolutely loved this book. I sat down yesterday morning at 8am and finished it at 6pm last night, I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! It has such a moving story and I have never had a book that made me emotional when I was reading it. I actually cried, the story was so beautiful. These two characters and their love story just pulls you in and keeps you hooked. The character Julie's work with adult women who can't read and Judith's endorsement of the literacy program is a great bonus. Based on the number of books sold, money is donated to that cause. I couldn't imaging trying to go through life not being able to read. The story is touching, both in the character's situations, their beliefs and passions, and all the love, which effects so many areas of their lives. Read it, and you will understand exactly what I mean. I almost never write a review of a book, but I just had to on this one. It is amazing, you will laugh, cry and be so filled with mushy feelings inside you can't stand it. Buy this book!!!
3055695
Oh my goodness this story was so darn amazing. So touching and emotional and so well done.
It is real and a bit raw and everything I look for and love in a good story.

Honest to a fault and so darn endearing and sweet. It just about broke my heart in it's simplicity that wasn't simplicity at all.

A story about a girl's journey to love the boy she couldn't help love and the boy who would change her view on life and love forever. A fairy that that wasn't a fairy tale at all.

So much packed into a short little read that will not feel short at all. Instead the words, the story, will steal into your heart and very soul. It will make you feel and think and even love.

I loved this story and that is all you really need to know.
2342600
What a touching and beautiful story that captured my interest and my heart throughout.  I absolutely loved Damon and his struggles and treatment by his own father because of his affliction,  which at the time was an unknown condition called Tourette's, just broke my heart.  Damon was so deserving of finding his happily ever after and Grace was the perfect heroine for him.  The struggles that someone with Tourette's deals with are difficult enough to deal with in our day and age but for someone living with this condition in the 1800's when people lived on superstition and thought such person's were demon possessed was and is totally heartbreaking.  Grace saw beyond Damon's affliction to the wonderful man he truly was.  To the author Margaret Locke who wrote this wonderful and most touching story and who has experienced first hand Tourette's through her son,  I give you my biggest thanks for this most awesome story and to your son who feels he will never marry because of his condition, I say that he couldn't be more wrong.  His condition doesn't define who he truly is and someone special, just like Damon's Grace will see beyond his Tourette's to the wonderful person he is inside. God bless him and you.
2891525
I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. While there were a few times I wanted to skip, and did skim, a page or so, it was very well written. There were also a few times when I was exasperated with one of the main characters, but somehow, in the end, it didn't matter. I ended up profoundly touched by this story. The author draws you into the heart and soul of the story and the characters with her beautiful descriptions and words that are just enough, and never too much or too many. I cannot recommend it highly enough, and I know I will read this book again.
4100545
This was a wonderfully touching story, that struck home on many fronts of my personal life.  It gives the father of children lost through a divorce, hope and insight.  It will bring a tear or two to your eyes, and will make you smile and laugh as well.  You will identify with the main character quite easily, and will feel uplifted by this story.
2179199
Beautiful and touching story that spoke to my heart in so many ways. I wish the movie could have included more of what happened in the future. This is a book that everyone should read. Love touches us all!
4462957
From the first sentance, you know the outcome. But what keeps you reading is the author's wonderful ability to write about such a hard subject. The  writer writes with such passion that you wonder if this story has been  based on true experience.
We just read this story for Honors English,  and when I was finished I found myself crying. The symbolism in this book  is a bit heavy for children, but it's a deeply moving story. The story is  about a little boy who has been wishing for a younger brother. But when he  comes, he's not what he expected. The unnamed author's younger brother is  nicknamed Doodle and he is physically handicapped.
The incredible life  force this story carries is just amazing. This is the sort of story that  makes you feel everything ten times more. When I set down the story, I  thought about it for another hour, seriously. It is such an amazing story  and you cannot go through life without reading this book!
I propose they  make it into a movie, a good one hopefully, because I kept invisioning  cutie pie Frankie Muniz as Doodle. Anyways, read this story because it will  change your view on everything, definately!
2055422
the is an amazing and touching story!!! i reccomend it to everyone!!!!
2984475
I enjoyed every word of this story that was so touching.  What a amazing story of her life and how she touched so many people from her heart and soul.
1172749
I don't dish out 5 star reviews easily, but this book really touched me. Such a beautiful story, and to know that it's a true story makes it even better. I highly recommend this book!
3608332
When I started this book, I wondered what in the world I was reading. This is unlike any Twelve Days of Christmas version I've ever read. The book begins with the narrator giving his enemy trash-- a briar from a tanglewood tree, rusty nails, rotten eggs, etc. I wondered if this was meant to be a Halloween story or a joke, but then it all made sense. What this enemy chooses to do with this garbage is touching and heartwarming. This person truly exhibits a positive attitude and sees the world in a "glass half full" way. I was teary-eyed at the lesson learned and the outcome. What a great and touching story. There are many discussions that can be had with family (especially children) because of this book.

*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
2764182
This is the first time reading anything by Author Lindsay Detwiler and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this touching story. The author has given us a touching love story of relationships and marriage ,and how a marriage should be without the fighting and the misunderstanding. This story had my emotions going from laughing out loud to crying ,while I was reading this story. This story is told from the point of view of two women who are seemly unconnected ,they are trying to figure out what's not working in their marriages. Jenna has been married for 5 years but the spark seems to be gone and she's feeling like her marriage is coming to an end ,she's going on a business trip to New York ,so she decides it's the prefect time to think about her marriage and what has gone wrong with it. Then there's Violet who has just opened up a coffee shop with the help of her boyfriend Liam , but when everything is done Liam decides he wants his own career and leaves her , heartbroken and dedicating all her time to her business. Then one day a handsome man walks in and instantly she's attraction to this man who seems to be lonely . Their seem to hit it off and began a friendship ,but the more time they spent together the more he begins waking up feels she though she had lost. But there's a problem he's married and she's no home wrecker. The characters were amazing in this story very strong and they make the story flow so easy . I could go on and tell you more about this story but that would spoil the story you. I highly recommend that you read this touching story , you won't be disappointed I wasn't.
2269207
This story is so unbelievably touching that, despite its problems, I could not give it fewer than 4 stars.  During their youth, Noelle and Thad were madly in love and planning to get married.  Then, one day he disappeared without warning, breaking Noelle's heart.  She determined love was not what she thought it was, or perhaps he never truly loved her the way she loved him.  Tragedy struck her life again when she and her parents were involved in an accident.  She lost both her parents and her sight.  When Homespun Bride begins, Noelle is a grown woman who lives with her aunt and family.  Riding home one day, their horse gets spooked, and they are saved from another accident from a passing stranger.  Unfortunately for Noelle, even though she cannot see this man, his voice is oddly familiar.  She soon learns he is none other than Thad, her childhood love, who has now returned to his family's land.

Throughout the novel, Thad and Noelle reconnect.  She does not trust him, but she tries to forgive him for the sake of peace, hoping their paths will rarely cross.  Thad has other intentions, however.  He's determined to prove to her that he is an honest man and that his love was true (and still is). Meanwhile, Noelle knows she cannot be his.  She has lost her sight, and therefore, she believes, her value as a wife to him.  Thad is a true hero, a man of integrity who cherishes the woman he loves and treats her with unfailing gentleness.

Yes, the story does become repetitive as mentioned in previous reviews.  There is a lot of internal dialogue, and Noelle and Thad are constantly talking themselves out of falling in love with each other again (although it's obvious they never stopped loving each other).  Their reasons are the same throughout, and at some point you're ready for one of them to just say something and go for it.  However, Thad and Noelle are characters you will not soon forget, and watching them fall in love is truly a delight.  Fans of historical Christian romance will likely enjoy this read.
4678063
Loved this book.  Absolutely loved it.  I thought it was so very well written, so many of the sentences were so beautiful I would read them more than once just to really take them in.  I was able to relate to all the main characters in the book, but found Soli's story most touching.  I would highly highly recommend this book.  Soli's story was so very eye opening, as a young girl trying desperately to cross the border and live in the US undocumented and undetected.  I found myself talking about this book a lot with people, and thinking about it when I wasn't reading it.  Always a sign of a great read.  I know the stories of these characters will stick with me for a long time.
779129
I just started this wonderful touching story and I cannot put it down. Highly recommend this book to absolutely everyone!
616944
The story begins with Maria, who is leaving her daughter, Sonja, and husband, Bojan. Forever. The images and sounds of the snow falling as she leaves her daughter are absolutely one of the finest passages I have read in a long time. I went back to it after I finished the book and it meant so much more. I could feel the snow and the despair of this family acutely the second time. Richard Flanagan takes us through present and past to tell this story, using prose that speaks like poetry. There were sentences I just read repeatedly because they were written so well. It is a sad book, beyond heartbreaking at times when we see how much hurt each member of this family has borne.  There were times when I hated Bojan as much as his daughter did, but when his full story is revealed, he must be understood and forgiven.
The book ends with hope and redemption, and it is believeable and welcome. This book, its characters, images, and symbolism in the writing, are unforgettable.
This is another example of a superior novel that begs to be read by a larger audience.