Love Comes Softly (Love Comes Softly Book #1)

By Janette Oke

She ventured west with the man she loved, but in one day her whole world crumbled around her . . .

Nineteen-year-old Marty Claridge starts west with her adventurous, boyish husband, Clem, seeking to claim land and hoping for good fortune. But when the venture turns suddenly to tragedy, Marty is left alone with her great loss. And coupled with her grief and heartache is the grim reality that there is no way to return home.

Clark Davis and his little girl, Missie, are also in great need. Clark's wife has died, leaving him to care to Missie and the farm at the same time. His offer to Marty comes with good intention, but will courage and faith be enough to bring them to true love?

Join the generations of readers who have fallen in love with this landmark story from beloved author Janette Oke.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Release date: Apr 1, 2003
• ISBN: 9781441202314

Janette Oke

Bestselling author Janette Oke is celebrated for her significant contribution to the Christian book industry. Her novels have sold more than 30 million copies, and she is the recipient of the ECPA President's Award, the CBA Life Impact Award, the Gold Medallion, and the Christy Award. Janette and her husband, Edward, live in Alberta, Canada.

Book preview

ONE

The Grim Reaper

The morning sun shone brightly on the canvas of the covered wagon, promising an unseasonably warm day for mid-October. Marty fought for wakefulness, coming slowly out of a troubled and fitful sleep. Why did she feel so heavy and ill at ease—she who usually woke with enthusiasm and readiness for each new day’s adventure? Then it all came flooding back, and she fell in a heap on the quilt from which she had just emerged. Sobs shook her body, and she pressed the covering to her face to muffle the sound.

Clem is gone. The truth of it was nearly unthinkable. Less than two short years ago, strong, adventurous, boyish Clem had quickly and easily made her love him. Self-assured and confident, he had captured her heart and her hand. Fourteen months later, she was a married woman out west, beginning a new and challenging adventure with the man she loved—until yesterday.

Oh, Clem, she wept. Her whole world had fallen around her when the men came to tell her that Clem was dead. Killed outright. His horse had fallen. They’d had to destroy the horse. Did she want to come with them?

No, she’d stay.

Would she like the missus to come over?

No, she’d manage.

She wondered how she had even gotten the words past her lips.

They’d care for the body, one of them had told her. His missus was right good at that. The neighbors would arrange for the burying. Lucky the parson was paying his visit through the area. Was to have moved on today, but they were certain that he’d stay over. Sure she didn’t want to come with them?

No, she’d be all right.

Hated to leave her alone.

She needed to be alone.

They’d see her on the morrow. Not to worry. They’d care for everything.

Thank ya—

And they had gone, taking her Clem with them, wrapped in one of her few blankets and fastened on the back of a horse. The kindly neighbor should have been riding it, but he was now leading the animal slowly, careful of its burden.

And now it was the morrow and the sun was shining. Why was the sun shining? Didn’t nature know that today should be as lifeless as she felt, with a cold wind blowing like the chill that gripped her heart?

The fact that she was way out west in the fall of the year with no way back home, no one around that she knew—and she was expecting Clem’s baby besides—should have filled her with panic. But for the moment the only thing her mind could settle on and her heart grasp was the overwhelming pain of her great loss.

Oh, Clem! Clem! she cried aloud. What am I gonna do without you? She buried her face again in the quilt.

Clem had come out west with such wild excitement.

We’ll find everything we want there in thet new country. The land’s there fer the takin’, he had exulted.

What ’bout the wild animals—an’ the Injuns? she had stammered.

He had laughed at her silliness, picked her up in his strong arms, and whirled her around in the air.

What ’bout a house? It’ll be ’most winter when we git there, she worried.

The neighbors will help us build one. I’ve heered all ’bout it. They’ll help one another do whatever needs to be done out there.

And it was true. Those hardy frontiersmen scattered across the wilderness would leave their highly valued crops standing in the fields, if need be, while they gave of their time to put a roof over a needy if somewhat cocky and reckless newcomer, because they would know far better than he the fierceness of the winter winds.

We’ll make out jest fine. Don’t ya worry yourself none, Marty, Clem had assured her. With some reluctance, Marty had begun preparations for the long trek by wagon train to follow her beloved husband’s dream.

After many weeks of travel, they had come upon a farmhouse in an area of rolling hills and pastureland, and Clem had made inquiries. Over a friendly cup of coffee, the farmer had informed them that he owned the land down to the creek, but the land beyond that, reaching up into the hills, had not yet been claimed. With an effort, Clem had restrained himself from whooping on the spot. Marty could tell that the very thought of being so near his dream filled Clem with wild anticipation. Thanking their soon-to-be neighbor, they hurried on, traveling a bit too fast for the much-mended wagon. They were within sight of their destination when another wheel gave way, and this time it was beyond repair.

They had camped for the night, still on the neighbor’s land, and Clem had piled rocks and timbers under the broken wagon in an effort to make it somewhat level. In the morning they had discovered more bad luck. One of the horses had deserted them during the night, and his broken rope still dangled from the tree. Clem had ridden out on the remaining horse to look for it. And then the accident, and now he wouldn’t be coming back. There would be no land claimed in his name, nor a house built that would stand proud and strong to shelter his wife and baby.

Marty sobbed again, but then she heard a noise outside the wagon and peeped timidly through the canvas. Neighbors were there—four men with grim faces, silently and soberly digging beneath the largest spruce tree. As she realized what their digging meant, a fresh torment tore at her soul. Clem’s grave. It was really true. This horrible nightmare was actually happening. Clem was gone. She was without him. He would be buried on borrowed land.

Oh, Clem. What’ll I do?

She wept until she had no more tears. The digging continued. She could hear the scraping of the shovels, and each thrust seemed to stab deeper into her heart.

More sounds reached her, and she realized that other neighbors were arriving. She must take herself in hand. Clem would not want her hiding away inside the wagon.

She climbed from the quilt and tried to tidy her unruly hair. Quickly dressing in her dark blue cotton frock, which seemed to be the most suitable for the occasion, she snatched a towel and her comb and slipped out of the wagon and down to the spring to wash away her tears and straighten her tangled hair. This done, she squared her shoulders, lifted her chin, and went back to meet the somber little group gathered under the spruce.

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There was a kindness, a caring, in all of them. She could feel it. It was not pity, but an understanding. This was the West. Things were hard out here. Most likely every person there had faced a similar time, but one didn’t go under. There was no time or energy for pity here—not for self, not for one another. It took your whole being to accept the reality that death was part of life, that the sorrow was inevitable, but that you picked up and carried on.

The visiting pastor spoke the words of interment, committing Clem’s body to the dust of the earth, his soul into the hands of God. He also spoke to the sorrowing, who in this case was one lone, small person, the widow of the deceased; for one could hardly count the baby that she was carrying as one of the mourners, even if it was Clem’s.

Pastor Magnuson spoke words that were fitting for the occasion—words of comfort and words of encouragement. The neighbors listened in silent sympathy to the familiar Scriptures they had heard on similar occasions. When the brief ceremony was over, Marty, her head bowed, turned from the grave toward the wagon, and the four men with the shovels went back to the task of covering the stout wooden box they had brought with them. As Marty walked away, a woman stepped forward and placed her hand on the slim shoulder.

I’m Wanda Marshall, she said, her voice low. I’m sorry we don’t have any more than the one room, but you’d be welcome to share it for a few days until you sort things out.

Much obliged. Marty spoke in almost a whisper. But I wouldn’t wanta impose upon ya. ’Sides, I think I’ll jest stay on here fer a while. I need me time to think.

I understand, the woman answered with a small pat, and she moved away.

Marty continued toward the wagon and was stopped again, this time by an older woman’s gentle hand.

This ain’t an easy time fer ya, I know. I buried my first husband many years ago, and I know how you’re feelin’. She paused a minute and then went on. I don’t s’pose you’ve had ya time to plan. At the slight shake of Marty’s head, she continued, I can’t offer ya a place to stay; we’re full up at our place. But I can offer ya somethin’ to eat, and iffen you’d like to move yer wagon to our yard, we’d be happy to help ya pack yer things, and my Ben, Ben Graham, will be more’n glad to help ya git to town whenever yer ready to go.

Thank ya, Marty murmured, but I think I’ll stay on here fer a while.

How could she explain that she had no money to stay, not even for one night, and no hope of getting any? What kind of work could a young, untrained woman in her condition hope to get? What kind of a future was there for her, anyway?

Her feet somehow moved her on to the wagon and she lifted a heavy hand to the canvas flap. She just wanted to crawl away, out of sight, and let the world cave in upon her.

It was hot in there at midday, and the rush of torrid air sent her already dizzy head to spinning. She crawled back out and down on the grass on the shady side of the wagon, propping herself up against the broken wheel. Her senses seemed to be playing tricks on her. Round and round in her head swept the whirlwind of grief, making her wonder what truly was real and what imagined. She was mentally groping to make some sense of it all when a male voice suddenly made her jump with its closeness.

Ma’am.

She lifted her head and looked up. A man stood before her, cap in hand, fingering it determinedly as he cleared his throat. She vaguely recognized him as one of the shovel bearers. His height and build evidenced strength, and there was an oldness about his eyes that belied his youthful features. Her eyes looked into his face, but her lips refused to respond.

He seemed to draw courage from somewhere deep inside himself and spoke again.

Ma’am, I know thet this be untimely—ya jest havin’ buried yer husband an’ all. But I’m afraid the matter can’t wait none fer a proper-like time an’ place.

He cleared his throat again and glanced up from the hat in his hands.

My name be Clark Davis, he hurried on, an’ it ’pears to me thet you an’ me be in need of one another.

A sharp intake of breath from Marty made him pause, then raise a hand.

Now, hold a minute, he told her, almost a command. It jest be a matter of common sense. Ya lost yer man an’ are here alone. He cast a glance at the broken wagon wheel, then crouched down to speak directly to her.

I reckon ya got no money to go to yer folks, iffen ya have folks to go back to. An’ even if thet could be, ain’t no wagon train fer the East will go through here ’til next spring. Me, now, I got me a need, too.

He stopped there and his eyes dropped. It was a minute before he raised them and looked into her face. I have a little ’un, not much more’n a mite—an’ she be needin’ a mama. Now, as I see it, if we marries, you an’ me—he looked away a moment, then faced her again—we could solve both of those problems. I would’ve waited, but the preacher is only here fer today an’ won’t be back through agin ’til next April or May, so’s it has to be today.

He must have recognized in her face the sheer horror Marty was feeling.

I know. I know, he stammered. It don’t seem likely, but what else be there?

What else indeed? raged through Marty’s brain. I’d die first, that’s all. I’d rather die than marry you—or any man. Get out. Go away.

But he didn’t read any more of her rampaging thoughts and went on. I’ve been strugglin’ along, tryin’ to be pa an’ ma both fer Missie, an’ not doin’ much of a job of it, either, with tryin’ to work the land an’ all. I’ve got me a good piece of land an’ a cabin thet’s right comfortable like, even if it be small, an’ I could offer ya all the things thet a woman be a needin’ in exchange fer ya takin’ on my Missie. I be sure thet ya could learn to love her. She be a right pert little thing. He paused. But she do be needin’ a woman’s hand, my Missie. That’s all I be askin’ ya, ma’am. Jest to be Missie’s mama. Nothin’ more. You an’ Missie can share the bedroom. I’ll take me the lean-to. An’. . . He hesitated a bit. I’ll promise ya this, too. When the next wagon train goes through headin’ east to where ya can catch yerself a stagecoach, iffen ya ain’t happy here, I’ll see to yer fare back home—on one condition—thet ya take my Missie along with ya. He paused to swallow, then said, It jest don’t be fair to the little mite not to have a mama.

He rose suddenly. I’ll leave ya to be a thinkin’ on it, ma’am. We don’t have much time.

He turned and strode away. The sag of his shoulders told her how much the words had cost him. Still, she thought angrily, what kind of a man could propose marriage—even this kind of a marriage—to a woman who had just turned from her husband’s grave? She felt despair well up within her. I’d rather die, she told herself. I’d rather die. But what of Clem’s baby? She didn’t want death for their little one, neither for her sake nor for Clem’s. Frustration and anger and grief whirled through her. What a situation to be in. No one, nothing, out in this Godforsaken country. Family and friends were out of reach, and she was completely alone. She knew he was right. She needed him, and she hated him for it.

I hate this country! I hate it! I hate him, the cold, miserable man! I hate him! I hate him! But even as she stormed against him, she knew she had no way around it.

She wiped her tears and got up from the shady grass. She wouldn’t wait for him to come back in his lordly fashion for her decision, she thought stubbornly, and she went into the wagon and began to pack the few things she called hers.

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TWO

A Mama for Missie

They rode in silence in his wagon. The preacher was at the Grahams’, where he had gone for dinner. Missie was there, too, having been left with the Graham family for the older girls to look after while her pa was at the funeral. They’d have the preacher speak the words, pick up Missie, and then go on to the homestead. Marty sat stiff and mute beside him as the wagon jostled on. She struggled to lift a hand and push breeze-tossed hair back from her hot face. He looked at her with concern in his eyes.

Won’t be too long now. It’s powerful hot in the sun. Ya be needin’ a bonnet to shade yer head.

She sat silent, looking straight ahead. What did he care about the hot sun on her head? What did she care? Nothing worse could possibly happen to her. She turned her face away so he couldn’t see the tears forming against her will. She wanted no sympathy from this stubborn man beside her.

The horses trudged on. Her body ached from the bouncing of the wagon over the track of ruts that had to make do as the road.

She was relieved to see the homestead of the Grahams appear at the base of a cluster of small hills. They drove into the yard, and he leaped lightly down and turned to help her. She was too numb to refuse, fearing that if she tried it on her own, she’d fall flat into the dust. He lifted her down easily and steadied her on her feet before he let her go. He flipped a rein around the hitching post and motioned her to precede him into the house.

She noticed nothing of her surroundings. In her befuddled state, her mind refused to record anything. She remembered only that the door was opened by a surprised Mrs. Graham, who looked from the one to the other. Marty was vaguely aware that others were there, apparently waiting for the call to the midday meal. In the corner she saw the preacher in conversation with a man, who, she supposed, was Ben. Children seemed to be all around. She didn’t even try to ascertain how many. The man—Clark Davis, he’d said his name was—moved toward the two men in the corner while he talked to Mrs. Graham.

Including the preacher and Ben in his explanation, he was saying, We’ve decided—

We! she stormed within herself. Ya mean you.

. . . to marry up while the preacher be still here to do the honors. It will mean a home fer Mrs. Claridge here an’ a mama fer my Missie.

She heard Mrs. Graham’s It’s the only sensible thing to be a doin’ and the preacher’s Yes, yes, of course.

There was a general stir about her as a spot was cleared, and in what seemed almost an immorally brief span of time she was hearing the familiar words. She must have uttered

Reviews for Love Comes Softly (Love Comes Softly Book #1)

[praisemusictlp · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Janette Oke did an amazing job on this book. This is probably my favorite book. I read it about once a year. It is heart-felt and hard to put down. I love it! It's funny, moving and shares the gospel.

[beanyncecil_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book is excellent with only one flaw that I see: the dialect. Makes reading more difficult.

[rampeygirl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Janette Oke does a splendid job portraying the life of a frontier family, and the role that women had during this time period. Marty's stubborness and anger fade away to determination and love. Marti succumbs to what God has placed before her and to God himself.

[Cassie Ripley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome story. You get so drawn in that you won’t be able to put it down. You feel like you’re apart of the story.

[Leena Aluru · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loved it beautiful story and great characters. Marty and Clark make a great pair.

[james ross · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

love!!!

[magda · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

otimo

[briandrewz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a really sweet love story. Marty Claridge is a recent pioneer widow. On the day of her husband's funeral she is offered a home. The catch? She's got to marry Clark Davis and raise his child. With nowhere to go, Marty decides to accept the offer. What Marty doesn't count on....is falling in love.

A quick read, but still poignant.

[medwards429 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thank you to JustRead Publicity and Baker Books for providing me with a print copy to review. A positive review was not required nor am I being compensated for this review. This is my first introduction to the series and to this book.

“Love Comes Softly” covers the tragic pairing of 19 year old Martha “Marty” Lucinda Dandridge with Clark Davis. After Clem Dandridge’s tragic death and the death of Clark’s wife, Clark suggests that they both get married if only for convenience. Clark needs a mama for his baby Missie while Marty needs a place to stay until she can get home to her family.

That’s all he asks – nothing more.

Marty hates Clark’s suggestion. However, he’ll give her the money to head home if she isn’t happy, but she has to agree to take Missie with her. Marty, being pregnant with Clem’s child, reluctantly agrees to the arrangement.

The first few days aren’t easy for Marty, who is angry and hurting. Still Clark doesn’t complain at all. Missie is confused as to what is going on. Marty doesn’t know the God that Clark believes in, and isn’t sure she wants to.

Marty then slowly starts making Clark’s home her home and caring for Missie. After making friends with Ma Graham, Marty learns the circumstances around Ellen’s death, this softening her own pain.

Marty and Missie start bonding and Clark learns about Marty’s secret – that she is pregnant. Clark makes sure that Marty is comfortable and taken care of, never straying from his promise from “nothin’ more”.

After Marty’s baby is born, things start changing for the Davis family. Ma Graham tells Marty about her own loss similar to that of Marty’s. But, tragedy will strike the Graham family.

Despite catastrophe and sorrow, Marty realizes through God how softly love can come and deepen the affection between two strangers in joy and sorrow.

Oke carefully crafts the story in an endearing manner. For those used to “proper” English – you won’t find it here. Many of the plains people, and those from the South (back East) talked differently (yer, thet, iffen). Some still use “iffen” today along with other words. While that might bother some readers, it is important to remember the time it is set in – education was sometimes an option and not required – children talked like their parents before them as well.

I found the “dialogue” very real and authentic, almost as if I could hear the characters talking as I read along. It brought them to life and you could feel for them and their situation. It was appropriate to the time and circumstances. If you aren’t used to this type of people, it can seem phony or fake. While it took place in the West, we don’t know the origin of the characters, only Marty mentions “back East”.

One reviewer noted the premise of the divorce idea was absurd given the time. Indeed it is. However, it is important to note, that not once in the book was the word divorce mentioned. All Clark said was that he’d give Marty the fare to get back home if she wasn’t happy.

This is book one (1) of the eight (8) “Love Comes Softly” series by Janette Oke that originated in 1979. Over 40 years, this classic has sold 1.6 million copies, and has a new look for the anniversary for a new generation of readers to enjoy. It launched a new wave of Inspirational Fiction as well as Christian Fiction.

It was also adapted by the Hallmark Channel in 2003, becoming one of their most watched films.

It is at times heart-breaking, endearing, frustrating (especially because of Marty’s attitude), beautiful, and inspiring. It is realistic of the times and gives the reader a look at a life that wasn’t always so easy.

There are biblical passages throughout, there are religious references, and there is talk about God.

If you enjoy pioneer, settler, and Christian themed stories – I’d definitely recommend this book. I’m definitely interested in the rest of the series.

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this book (and the series) years ago when a friend introduced me to Janette Oke. The book recently came up as a free offering for Kindle so I decided to read it again. I enjoyed it both times.

The title seems to refer to the fact that most of us think that love is some frisson of energy or fireworks whenever we're together or something like that, but in reality, sometimes, love sneaks up on you. It might be that after a time of being together as friends etc. that the relationship deepens into love without ever having that initial spark.

In this case, Marty and Clark end up getting married for convenience: Marty's just lost her husband to a sudden illness and is pregnant with his child. Clark lost his wife within the past year and has a young daughter whom he feels needs a mother. The area preacher is a traveling one who is due to leave the next day, so for propriety's sake, they get married, even though they don't live together as husband and wife. Over time though, Marty grows to realize that she loves Clark.

[inkstained · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a quick read, not precisely a page-turner, but a nice way to end the day. The first book is largely about the main character's process of overcoming grief and coping with the consequences of the loss of her husband. Such a topic naturally runs the risk of becoming a sob story, and while you should certainly keep the tissue nearby, the author is not heavy-handed with the grief. I thought she captured the experience quite accurately, and also has provided a well-thought-out character from whom we might find inspiration for our own difficult experiences. I would recommend this for anyone looking for something inspirational and easy to read, or anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. I think it might be especially interesting to someone looking for an unusual love story that's different from your typical romance.

[seoulful · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A lovely frontier story with an interesting plot. A young woman heading west in a wagon train becomes a widow after her husband accidentally dies. A widower with a small child proposes a marriage of convenience--she cares for his child and he provides her with the protection and home she needs until the next wagon train going east comes in the spring. We then follow their first difficult year of marriage as Love Comes Softly. Woven into the story is Clark's faith as he shares it with Marty and she slowly accepts it.

[LilianaPizzuti · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I haven't bought it yet. (Translated from Spanish)

[sarahgracegrzy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Well, that ended up being better than I thought.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story. It was very sweet and well-paced. I can't say I'm a huge fan of Oke's writing style. (Please nobody hit me.) It's very stripped down, and doesn't really delve much into the characters emotions. Very prosey. I prefer something with a little more "life" to it. And the dialogue . . . I wanted to hit myself over the head with the book a few times because of it. Each character has a very thick backwoods accent, and whether that was realistic or not, it really drew me out of the story. I had to reread a bit of dialogue two or three times just to know what the character was saying. While I often times like the authentic feel accented dialogue gives a character, I think it was too much in this case. I couldn't focus on the story because of it. That was probably my main beef with this book.

The characters were very lovable and sweet, and the story was intriguing and interesting.

All in all, this was kind of a "meh" book for me. I may or may not read more in the series.

[harleyqgrayson02 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this book. It is set in the Little House era. It tells of a young woman hardship and how she lives through it.

[beckygandee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“Love Comes Softly has a special place in my heart, growing up, I was very limited on what I was allowed to read. The Love Comes Softly series was always a favorite, it has been awhile since I've read them.

I just love Marty and Clark's story, they both suffered so much heartache and were able to continue on with the help of each other and God. It's so refreshing to read a book with Bible verses and praying on a daily basis to God. The circumstances they're under are pretty unusual, but I guess back in the day that is what they did to care for themselves and their children.

The books aren't very long so they're pretty easy to ge through .I got the whole series on ebay for pretty cheap, I was pretty excited about it, especially knowing that I can pass them on to my daughter one day. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series.”

[clare.davitt · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I had to read this for a class called Librarians and Popular Culture. It was all I feared it might be. Insipid comes to mind first... It's a Christian romance set in the Wild West. As one who grew up idolizing Laura Engles Wilder I did find some affection for the plucky young woman striking out on the homestead. The paternalistic nature of the story can be assumed although the author is, of course, a woman. Suited for 77-year-old maiden aunts who attend noon Mass on Fridays.

[kathleen586 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I wasn't sure how I'd like this book, but I pretty much loved it! I thought it was better than the movie, which is only about 50% the same. The only thing I didn't like was the awful hick dialect almost everyone speaks. It made everyone sound extremely uneducated. (Was that intentional?)

Any other faults this book has may be due to its being the author's first novel. One example is Marty making a jumper for little Missie, which is very historically inaccurate.

[mom2lnb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I first read Love Comes Softly when I was only about 15 or 16 years old, and if memory serves, it was my very first romance novel. It seems I must have picked well, because not only is it an appropriate story for younger readers content-wise, but it has stood up to the test of time. I still enjoyed it every bit as much today as I did 25 years ago, perhaps even more because I'm seeing it through more mature eyes. Love Comes Softly is something of a Little House on the Prairie story aimed at a slightly older audience. Janette Oke captures that same spirit of the pioneers, depicting their day-to-day lives in a way that made me feel like I was there with them. It amazes me how hard-working and courageous these people were. Ms. Oke paints a picture of joys and sorrow, hardships and laughter against the backdrop of the frontier where close-knit communities of people existed who were willing to help each other in any way they could. She also really brings home the harsh reality for people in that time period, especially women, and how few choices they had. Marty would have been in unbelievably dire straits, and could possibly have even died, if Clark, a stranger to her, hadn't proposed a marriage of convenience. Under the circumstances, it couldn't have been an easy thing for him to do either, but he needed her almost as much as she needed him, even though she didn't want to admit it.

The vast majority (probably more than 95%) of the story is told from Marty's third-person point of view. Marty was a great female lead, but she was also a character who had to slowly grow on me. The author did a wonderful job of palpably expressing Marty's grief over the loss of her first husband. Then Clark came along immediately after her husband's funeral with his proposal. After some thought, Marty, being a practical woman, realized that she really had no other choice, but it didn't stop her from stubbornly resenting Clark for it. Although Marty never gave voice to her angry thoughts in Clark's presence, the reader is certainly privy to them. There were times when I felt like she was being ungrateful for this man taking her in and treating her with kindness and respect, and that she was rather selfish in not even considering the fact that he too might still be grieving the loss of his wife. In her defense though, I carefully considered what it would be like to be in her shoes, and decided that she was for the most part simply having a fairly normal human reaction to being placed in such an untenable position. During these times, I wish that a little more background information had been given about Marty so that I could better understand her reluctance to be beholden to a man, her being suspicious about Clark's kindness, and her inability to perform some of the simplest household tasks. I did admire her determination to uphold her end of the bargain (one way in which her stubbornness served her well), her willingness to learn, and that she always tried her best even when it didn't turn out right. Marty's initial ineptness at cooking and doing household chores could be pretty funny at times. As I continued to read, I realized that the story was really all about Marty's journey back to wholeness and being able to open her heart to love again, and I really enjoyed watching her learn, and change, and most of all grow as a person.

There is a part of me that wishes we could have had a little more insight from Clark's point of view. There were only a handful of times in the entire book where we get to see things from his perspective, and they only last for a couple of paragraphs. However, I think that the author meant for the reader to experience Clark through his actions, and the message that actions speak louder than words came across very clearly through his character. Clark was an incredibly kind and gentle man. He only asked for a mutually beneficial marriage in name only, and even offered Marty an out if she chose to take it. He gave her the space she needed to grieve the loss of her husband. He was never mean or demanding like she expected, but instead treated her with respect and patience when she burned dinner or made a mess of her attempts at cleaning. He even ate pancakes every meal for several days without complaint, and helped with some of the cooking and other chores until Marty got her feet under her. Clark was always caring, thoughtful and understanding, especially after he found out that Marty was expecting. He was an amazing father to Missie, and later, to Marty's child as well. Even Marty realized that Clark always did what was right and best for others, even if it hurt him to do it. I think that the best thing about Clark though was how he quietly “lived” his faith in God through example. He never, ever used it to beat Marty over the head. He just accepted her as she was. It would have been impossible not to love a romantic hero like Clark, and slowly but surely his love (as well as God's love) stole into Marty's heart softly and unexpectedly.

There were a couple of other elements in Love Comes Softly that really drew me in. First was the marriage of convenience which I haven't really read much of in romance before, and I guess had never really thought much about either. After reading this book, I am quite curious to try more romances with this theme. The other was simply the underlying Christian message of the story which I found to be utterly inspiring. I've been very reluctant to read inspirational romances lately because of the preachiness I often find in them, but Love Comes Softly was a truly uplifting novel that brought me back to some simple spiritual truths that had somehow gotten lost in the busy hustle and bustle of everyday life. For that reason alone, I am so grateful that I decided to re-read this book. In fact, the one and only small problem I had with the story was the author's use of backwoodsy vernacular that seemed a little extreme even for the frontier. In my opinion, it made the characters seem somewhat unintelligent which they clearly weren't. Overall though, it was a minor issue, and otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the book. Love Comes Softly is the first volume in the series of the same name. I can't recall how many of the books I read as a teen, but since the latter three were published several years later, I know that I never made it past #5. This all makes me very eager to revisit/discover the rest of the series soon.