"The Rose of Winslow Street" Review

"The Rose of Winslow Street"
by Elizabeth Camden
 
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: Jan 1, 2012

Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:  

The last thing Libby Sawyer and her father expected upon their return from their summer home was to find strangers inhabiting a house that had been in their family for decades. Widower Michael Dobrescu brought his family from Romania to the town of Colden, Massachusetts with a singular purpose: to claim the house willed to him long ago. Since neither party has any intention of giving up their claim, a fierce legal battle ensues between the two families.When important documents go missing from the house, Libby suspects Michael is the culprit. Determined to discover the truth behind the stolen papers, Libby investigates, only to find more layers of mystery surrounding Michael and his family. Despite their rivalry, Libby finds herself developing feelings for this man with the mysterious past. As a decision about the house looms in the courts, Libby must weigh the risks of choosing to remain loyal to her family or give her heart to a man whose intentions and affections are less than certain.

My Review:

I loved this book! It was really different from a lot of the inspirational fiction I've read lately, and I think that's why I enjoyed it so much. The storyline was unique from anything I've read and so were the characters. All of the characters drew me in, both the leads and the supporting cast. I really cared about both Libby's and Michael's families.

I loved that Libby loved and cared for Michael's family regardless of their nationality, even when everyone else in the community shunned them. It really showed that she lived out her faith and beliefs instead of just saying she believes something and not backing it up with anything.

The romance between Libby and Michael was really special. They truly had a bond that overcame all of their legal obstacles. Their cultures and personalities made for some clashes, but that just made their romance all the more realistic. They truly had a lot to overcome to be together, but they were both equally up for the challenge, and both willing to compromise.

The mysteries surrounding the house and Michael's half-sister were quite intriguing. I liked that they were family secrets slowly coming to light, not a murder mystery to be solved.


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 5/5


Bottom Line: I loved this tale of family bonds and new love overcoming obstacles. It's a new and different read and really stands out from the crowd.