Love in the Balance

I'm going to be completely honest here—for the first 10 chapters, I loathed Molly. She was snobbish, manipulative, and eager to blame her problems on others. Had I not agreed to review this book, I would not have finished it. After all, who wants to read about a heroine they can't stand?

But then something changed. Actually, Molly changed. Her story is a redemption story, showing how Christ can completely change someone's life. No, she didn't become perfect, but she certainly became relatable. I went from hoping Bailey would wash his hands of Molly and fall for someone sweet (like her friend Prue) to longing to shake some sense into the two of them as they clearly belonged together!

Jennings' first book, Sixty Acres and a Bride, was show more loosely based on the story of Ruth and Boaz. As I read Love in the Balance, I tried to come up with a story it might be based on, and I think it's The Scarlet Letter. It's not a direct retelling, though; it's more that some of the themes are similar (though you could definitely find versions of Hester, Rev. Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth in the pages of this novel). Love in the Balance deals with unconfessed sin, judging others, and forgiveness ... and it does so in a very entertaining way! 4 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. show less

I read this series out of order, starting with the third and then the first and now the second. So I got an interesting first and second impression of Molly- starting with her being married, then her making a spectacle of herself going after another man and then reading her love story! She wasn't all that likeable in the first book, but I still couldn't wait to get my hands on this book.

Ms. Jennings did not disappoint. She writes such unique characters and storylines. She is one of the rare few authors who allow their characters to make "wrong" choices and live out the consequences. It was so beautifully done in this book.

I hate calling a female lead "fiesty" or "firey" because it is so overdone (and often done badly!) in this genre, show more but those are just the best words for Molly. She's a little irrational and emotionally driven, and it's so funny at times. And then it can be heartbreaking. You fall in love with Molly, flaws and all. And you fall in love with Bailey too, for his love for her, for his conviction, his own struggles, and ultimately, his strength.

It's a small thing, but I noticed it; I never knew how old the characters were, and I think it may have added to the story. Their ages MAY have been mentioned once in the first book, but I don't think so. I just knew that Bailey was Weston's younger cousin. Molly and Baily could have been 19. They could have been 30. Molly could have been older than Bailey. Sometimes I wondered. I think I settled on about 23-24. But I never knew for certain and that was alright with me.

I loved the ways that Molly changed, who she grew into. I love the way she -learned- compassion and humility. I loved the biblical themes. I even loved her mistakes because I could relate to her. I understood her choices and her failures and I felt there were lessons to be learned from them- praying over our opportunities and being willing to wait on God.

This was a beautifully written story. I already want to reread it. Ms. Jennings is now one of my favorite authors- I can't wait for her next book (december!)!! show less

As the title, Love in the Balance, might indicate, this is a study of balance. And my emotions were all over the place starting with frustration at the heroine, Molly who was not balanced. The story is well written, showing the scene from Molly's point of view, as well as the hero's point of view. I definitely got involved, from the first page on. The novel flows at a fast enough pace, with lots of action and intrique that the reader keeps turning pages until the last one sort of surprises. I was sad to see it end, though the conflicts and questions were resolved.
As I was thinking about writing this review, I stopped and wondered, how different am I from the characters, even though I was upset at them (or maybe because of the show more similarities?). Do I act a certain way because of what I think those around me expect me to? Following the story line, I saw that I do. Which is perhaps why I reacted so strongly in my feelings. And that is what a good or superb story or novel means to me, that I take something away with me. Will I focus on what God wants of me instead of what others require of me?

A great novel, one that I am honored to review on my blog, and one I am thrilled to talk and blog about.

Thank you to Bethany House and Litfuse Publicity for this book, which I received free for the purpose of writing an honest review. A postive critique was not required. The opinions stated are my own. show less

In "Love in the Balance," Regina Jennings draws you through a tale of two young lovers struggling with temptation while trying to overcome obstacles that keep them from marrying. What will it take for the pompous and impetuous Molly Lovelace to give up impractical expectations? And will Bailey Garner ever find his calling--or at least an occupation that will support a wife?

This story reminds me of Cathy Marie Hake's "Bittersweet" in that it takes you on a journey, and sometimes along the way you ask yourself if anything will ever be right again. The Happily Ever After could've lasted a little longer at the end, in my opinion, but I'm one who loves long, drawn out HEAs.

Overall a satisfying read. And I especially loved that the author show more cast Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert as inspiration for her characters' physical appearance. I'm excited to read Regina Jennings' next work, "Caught In the Middle" which releases April 2014! show less

I read this book in 2 days because I couldn't put it down. I loved the author and I saw so much of myself in the main character that I had to know how it ended. This is the first book in a long time that I couldn't figure out how it was going to end and I love that about the book. The author does a great job of describing the places and also talking about what the characters are feeling when they are feeling it. Everything about this book was amazing!

This is the second book I've read by Ms. Jennings, the first being Sixty Acres and a Bride (you can read my review). Ms. Jennings' heroines are women that are ahead of their time, I feel and don't feel comfortable with the constraints that society places upon them. In this tale Molly dreams of marrying Bailey but he is a down on his luck wrangler and her parents want her to marry a man of money. She keeps waiting for Bailey to make something of himself but so far - he is still poor. And that will not do.

Her parents direct her into courting men of means but she doesn't like them until she encounters a Mr. Pierrepont who seems to understand her. He squires her about and buys her many expensive and truth be told, highly inappropriate show more presents. She is seduced by the treatment but he doesn't make her heart flutter like Bailey does.

A crisis occurs that makes Molly rethink her feelings and sends her thoughts in a dangerous direction. Is money as important as love? Is money MORE important than love? As Molly tries to sort all of this out she struggles with her feelings for both men and she makes some bad decisions.

I must admit I didn't come to care for Molly. She was not a very likable character. I don't feel she was written very true to her time period and she just didn't appeal to me. Now Bailey I did like and felt he deserved better than Molly. I suppose she was a product of her parents but she was always going on about thinking for herself - but then she didn't. Drove me crazy.

Ms. Jennings does have a way of writing to keep a person reading even when not engaged with all of the characters. The twists and turns kept coming and the ending WAS satisfying despite my feelings for the heroine. show less

Although fiction, this book packs a punch, and teaches some very valuable lessons for everyone. From parents that have their own selfish desires rather than the good of their children at heart, church people who are quick to judge without knowing the entire story ~ or without enough sense to realize that all are sinners who must be saved by grace, to people who learn that owning up to their mistakes is always the best course of action, this book is a winner.