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bethgiven's review against another edition
4.0
Leah Sorenson, a gritty, reclusive widow, is called to be Relief Society president in a (fictional) rural Utah town during the onset of the Great Depression. She’s filled with uncertainty about whether she will be able to accomplish the daunting task — besides there being so many in need (and a farm and two children who need her) she is plenty rough-around-the-edges and sure that the women of the Relief Society won’t accept her — and she’s not sure she could ever love them, anyway, when she’d been offended by the uppity women in town so many times. But though she is doubting, she is also determined — and in time, as she serves and loves, she comes to see the women of her ward as her sisters — and those who seemed so arrogant before turn out to be not so different after all. Her calling blesses her life — and her children’s lives — in countless ways.
Though a heartwarming story, it wasn’t at all syrupy sweet (Leah never would have stood for that!) — and that’s what made it so effective. Some paragraphs had me laughing out loud; others caused me to reflect inwardly. After closing the book, I’d begin thinking about my own social awkwardness — and how so many friendships and blessings I’ve missed out on because I avoid real contact with others (partially because I don’t get out much, but moreso that I tend to clam up in social situations, afraid I’ll say the wrong thing). I realized while reading this book that I need to stop doubting whether I’m interesting enough or cute enough or kind enough … and just reach out — as myself.
I always love Dean Hughes' books. The characters he writes — they’re always real, always likable, quite flawed but absolutely wonderful. I love the way the characters grow. I love that he writes historical fiction (always well-researched). I love that laugh-out-loud humor is a part of his stories. And though I don’t think this was my favorite Dean Hughes story (it wasn’t even 300 pages, and with so many characters and storylines, I wanted more!), its message is one that I hope stays with me for quite some time.
Though a heartwarming story, it wasn’t at all syrupy sweet (Leah never would have stood for that!) — and that’s what made it so effective. Some paragraphs had me laughing out loud; others caused me to reflect inwardly. After closing the book, I’d begin thinking about my own social awkwardness — and how so many friendships and blessings I’ve missed out on because I avoid real contact with others (partially because I don’t get out much, but moreso that I tend to clam up in social situations, afraid I’ll say the wrong thing). I realized while reading this book that I need to stop doubting whether I’m interesting enough or cute enough or kind enough … and just reach out — as myself.
I always love Dean Hughes' books. The characters he writes — they’re always real, always likable, quite flawed but absolutely wonderful. I love the way the characters grow. I love that he writes historical fiction (always well-researched). I love that laugh-out-loud humor is a part of his stories. And though I don’t think this was my favorite Dean Hughes story (it wasn’t even 300 pages, and with so many characters and storylines, I wanted more!), its message is one that I hope stays with me for quite some time.
rachel_abby_reads's review
2.0
I kept comparing this book to These is my words, and it did not come off well in comparison. First of all, I think the male hero is Harrison Ford (light brown hair, hazel eyes, lop-sided grin)with a British accent. Second, there was WAY too much time spent in "his eyes said this and mine said that." Third, I just couldn't be excited about the heroine. Again, I kept comparing it to a similar book, and this one just didn't measure up.
k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this fictional story of a Relief Society president in Depression Era Utah.
jillreads77's review against another edition
3.0
Three and a half stars. I enjoyed the themes in this book. The ideas of unity and overcoming pride are always relevant. It was good to read a story about the depression and the things people had to do to pull together. It also reminded me that is still possible today. Some of the story seemed a bit predictable, but that was okay, it was a nice read.
tanyarobinson's review against another edition
3.0
If I had read "Before the Dawn" two years ago I don't think it would have made much of an impression on me, but because of the current economic crisis Hughes' story of a struggling group of Relief Society sisters during the Great Depression felt oddly relatable (is that a word?). I couldn't help but place myself in the story, and also draw parallels between its characters and women in my own ward.
dwager's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book; it's a nice story about people learning to care for each other in the early days of the Depression.
bookwitch92's review
5.0
this is a really good book. I read it over and over again i just couln't put it down... it kept me up till the middle of the night plus it only took me 2 days to finish it!!!
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