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kiwichill's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Abortion, Bullying, and Sexual content
icygrl7's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
frompemberleytomiltonblog's review
5.0
Son of a Preacher Man is a beautiful romance with an introspective tone that along with its characters take us into a journey of self discovery and acceptance from their teenage years into adulthood.
It was one of my favourite books this year and I have to start this review by saying I highly recommend it to readers who are looking for a character driven novel with an unforgettable love story.
I don’t usually like modernizations but I have recently started reading different era romances and I’m glad I did because I would have been missing incredible books such as this one.
The story starts in the end of 1950’s in a small town called Orchard Hill where we are introduced to Billy Ray, a young man like no other with a great sense of duty, righteousness, respect and kindness, but a little naive with the ways of the world. He is the son of the preacher and that is evident in his upbringing and personality, making him the perfect catch if you ask me. The story is entirely told from his point of view so we get to know him a little better than Lizzie, the girl who is struggling to cope with the treatment she receives from the townspeople due to her reputation. Her character is hard to define, particularly because Karen Cox did an excellent job with the character developments in this novel. Both Billy Ray and Lizzie’s personality evolve throughout the story as would be expected of young people who are still learning who they are and who they want to be, and that is part of the charm with Son of a Preacher, it takes us into this beautiful path of self discovery and the characters we knew in the beginning of the book are not the ones we will find in the end, in essential they are still the same, but they have matured into sensible loving people.
As you can see the character development was one of my favourite aspects in this book, but the love story doesn’t stay behind in my preference. I loved the fact that it also evolves, it also goes from something sweet into a solid love that will not abate. As the characters grow and change so does their love for one another, and what could have been just a sweet memory from the past, becomes a life changing romance which needs to fight very different battles from what we are used to. Another aspect of the book I loved were the antagonists to this love story, there were a few characters that made it harder, but the true antagonists were the couple’s fears, insecurities and misconceptions. It was so endearing to see how they were both able to be understanding and protective of each other at different times of their lives. These characters were truly hard to resist 🙂
The secondary characters were also well-developed and interesting to read about and it’s even hard to say which one I loved the most because they were all essential to make this story so good, they were all developed in a way that made them perfectly integrated in the storyline. I loved the Quinlan family and all their members, Lilly reminded me a little of Lydia but in a charming way and Mrs Quinlan remains a mystery to me, but it was their family’s circumstances, their life, and how they responded to their difficulties that made me love them so much.
We can’t call this story a P&P variation, but there are many similarities in the characters we find throughout the story and readers will be happy to see Mrs Gardiner and Richard’s interference in it or even smile at the similarity with which the male character saves the female character’s younger sister.
Son of a Preacher Man is like no other book I have ever read, the character development was impressive and had a magnetic pull to it, the romance was believable, true, inspiring, life changing and passionate, the writing was addictive and the message of hope, forgiveness and love that is transmitted throughout the novel made it one of the best books I’ve read this year. It will most definitely be on my favourite list from 2018 and I am sure I will not forget this story in the next few years
It was one of my favourite books this year and I have to start this review by saying I highly recommend it to readers who are looking for a character driven novel with an unforgettable love story.
I don’t usually like modernizations but I have recently started reading different era romances and I’m glad I did because I would have been missing incredible books such as this one.
The story starts in the end of 1950’s in a small town called Orchard Hill where we are introduced to Billy Ray, a young man like no other with a great sense of duty, righteousness, respect and kindness, but a little naive with the ways of the world. He is the son of the preacher and that is evident in his upbringing and personality, making him the perfect catch if you ask me. The story is entirely told from his point of view so we get to know him a little better than Lizzie, the girl who is struggling to cope with the treatment she receives from the townspeople due to her reputation. Her character is hard to define, particularly because Karen Cox did an excellent job with the character developments in this novel. Both Billy Ray and Lizzie’s personality evolve throughout the story as would be expected of young people who are still learning who they are and who they want to be, and that is part of the charm with Son of a Preacher, it takes us into this beautiful path of self discovery and the characters we knew in the beginning of the book are not the ones we will find in the end, in essential they are still the same, but they have matured into sensible loving people.
As you can see the character development was one of my favourite aspects in this book, but the love story doesn’t stay behind in my preference. I loved the fact that it also evolves, it also goes from something sweet into a solid love that will not abate. As the characters grow and change so does their love for one another, and what could have been just a sweet memory from the past, becomes a life changing romance which needs to fight very different battles from what we are used to. Another aspect of the book I loved were the antagonists to this love story, there were a few characters that made it harder, but the true antagonists were the couple’s fears, insecurities and misconceptions. It was so endearing to see how they were both able to be understanding and protective of each other at different times of their lives. These characters were truly hard to resist 🙂
The secondary characters were also well-developed and interesting to read about and it’s even hard to say which one I loved the most because they were all essential to make this story so good, they were all developed in a way that made them perfectly integrated in the storyline. I loved the Quinlan family and all their members, Lilly reminded me a little of Lydia but in a charming way and Mrs Quinlan remains a mystery to me, but it was their family’s circumstances, their life, and how they responded to their difficulties that made me love them so much.
We can’t call this story a P&P variation, but there are many similarities in the characters we find throughout the story and readers will be happy to see Mrs Gardiner and Richard’s interference in it or even smile at the similarity with which the male character saves the female character’s younger sister.
Son of a Preacher Man is like no other book I have ever read, the character development was impressive and had a magnetic pull to it, the romance was believable, true, inspiring, life changing and passionate, the writing was addictive and the message of hope, forgiveness and love that is transmitted throughout the novel made it one of the best books I’ve read this year. It will most definitely be on my favourite list from 2018 and I am sure I will not forget this story in the next few years
sophiarose1816's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"He was the only son of a Preacher Man... the only one who could ever move me..."
Yep, it is connected to the old song written by John Hurley and Ronnie Walkins and sung by Dusty Springfield among others. And, its also equally influenced by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I love that the author set this one in the late fifties in a rural community area and then moved things to the city as a pair of young star-crossed lovers head out into the big wide world.
Billy Ray Davenport was indeed the son of a traveling preacher who ministered to the churches who had no permanent pastor in their small, rural communities. At the start of Son of a Preacher Man, Billy Ray has just finished his last year of regular college and will start medical school in the fall. In the meantime, he's going to work for a country doctor friend of their family living along his dad's preaching route. It is there in that small town that this relatively innocent young guy encounters two different types of girls- the upstanding doctor's over-revved and under-sexed spoiled daughter who has already made claims on him and the daughter of a dirt poor farmer who has a really bad reputation and struts around like she owns it. One guess who he gravitates to.
Billy Ray's not fooled by the gossip after his first blunder that gets him in Lizzy's crosshairs. She tries to throw him off at first when she thinks he believes the town gossip, but he sees beyond the attitude to a hurting, lonely young woman who doesn't deserve the rep as the town tramp. It's a summer of discoveries for both of them, but things get complicated as the summer comes to a close. Billy Ray is coming into his own and making decisions on his own, but will the wounded bird that is Lizzy be able to get past her pain and give him a chance?
So, yes, this was a tender story of first love, but so much more. There is a coming of age story all told through Billy Ray's eyes. He's had to grow up quickly and be responsible because of his mom's death and knocking about with his dad, but because he's preacher's son, he's also somewhat sheltered and innocent. Lizzy has been limited in her education and knowledge of the world outside her town, but she is wise to worldliness and hard-living with her family on the grub farm. My heart went out for this girl and I teared up at one point as her past was fully revealed. I got quite angry at a few people just like Billy Ray.
This story has one of my favorite settings- small town. But, instead of the romantic nostalgia that can paint a picture of the best side, this shows the uglier side, too. We have a small community set on believing the worst in one of their own even without evidence, what trouble a malice-filled girl can stir up, and Lizzy's pain and strength needed to make it even years under a bad reputation before getting out to make good on her dreams.
The historical era was there and gave a nice layer of verisimilitude without taking over the engaging, gently-paced story.
The book has a strong faith element because of Billy Ray's Christian outlook and he leans on his faith to try to help Lizzy through her pain and as his own guidepost, but it isn't an inspirational fiction and there are no attempts to push his faith on others or on the reader, for that matter. Not that he needs to because it was still an era when the average person in rural America made nominal claims to Christianity. I respect that he lived out what he believed and that part of his struggle was how to reconcile his attraction for Lizzy with his dad's concerns about falling for 'that kind of girl', respecting her need to pursue her own career when he'd been taught that women were to be the homemakers, and his acceptance that Lizzy is his equal not lesser because she is female.
All in all, this was a heartwarming story that had a strong flavor of nostalgia that was tempered with bittersweet reality. The pains and joys of coming of age and first love along with figuring out life while pursuing education. It was a well-written, well-developed story with engaging characters and elements. It had me smiling, laughing, crying, and swooning. Those who enjoy slightly sweet with a little spice, modern historical, and influences from an old song and an even older story should give it a look-see.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Yep, it is connected to the old song written by John Hurley and Ronnie Walkins and sung by Dusty Springfield among others. And, its also equally influenced by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I love that the author set this one in the late fifties in a rural community area and then moved things to the city as a pair of young star-crossed lovers head out into the big wide world.
Billy Ray Davenport was indeed the son of a traveling preacher who ministered to the churches who had no permanent pastor in their small, rural communities. At the start of Son of a Preacher Man, Billy Ray has just finished his last year of regular college and will start medical school in the fall. In the meantime, he's going to work for a country doctor friend of their family living along his dad's preaching route. It is there in that small town that this relatively innocent young guy encounters two different types of girls- the upstanding doctor's over-revved and under-sexed spoiled daughter who has already made claims on him and the daughter of a dirt poor farmer who has a really bad reputation and struts around like she owns it. One guess who he gravitates to.
Billy Ray's not fooled by the gossip after his first blunder that gets him in Lizzy's crosshairs. She tries to throw him off at first when she thinks he believes the town gossip, but he sees beyond the attitude to a hurting, lonely young woman who doesn't deserve the rep as the town tramp. It's a summer of discoveries for both of them, but things get complicated as the summer comes to a close. Billy Ray is coming into his own and making decisions on his own, but will the wounded bird that is Lizzy be able to get past her pain and give him a chance?
So, yes, this was a tender story of first love, but so much more. There is a coming of age story all told through Billy Ray's eyes. He's had to grow up quickly and be responsible because of his mom's death and knocking about with his dad, but because he's preacher's son, he's also somewhat sheltered and innocent. Lizzy has been limited in her education and knowledge of the world outside her town, but she is wise to worldliness and hard-living with her family on the grub farm. My heart went out for this girl and I teared up at one point as her past was fully revealed. I got quite angry at a few people just like Billy Ray.
This story has one of my favorite settings- small town. But, instead of the romantic nostalgia that can paint a picture of the best side, this shows the uglier side, too. We have a small community set on believing the worst in one of their own even without evidence, what trouble a malice-filled girl can stir up, and Lizzy's pain and strength needed to make it even years under a bad reputation before getting out to make good on her dreams.
The historical era was there and gave a nice layer of verisimilitude without taking over the engaging, gently-paced story.
The book has a strong faith element because of Billy Ray's Christian outlook and he leans on his faith to try to help Lizzy through her pain and as his own guidepost, but it isn't an inspirational fiction and there are no attempts to push his faith on others or on the reader, for that matter. Not that he needs to because it was still an era when the average person in rural America made nominal claims to Christianity. I respect that he lived out what he believed and that part of his struggle was how to reconcile his attraction for Lizzy with his dad's concerns about falling for 'that kind of girl', respecting her need to pursue her own career when he'd been taught that women were to be the homemakers, and his acceptance that Lizzy is his equal not lesser because she is female.
All in all, this was a heartwarming story that had a strong flavor of nostalgia that was tempered with bittersweet reality. The pains and joys of coming of age and first love along with figuring out life while pursuing education. It was a well-written, well-developed story with engaging characters and elements. It had me smiling, laughing, crying, and swooning. Those who enjoy slightly sweet with a little spice, modern historical, and influences from an old song and an even older story should give it a look-see.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
canary20's review
2.0
Received this book as an ARC for my honest review.
I wanted so badly to enjoy this book fully but I just couldn't. It was so slow getting into the story and then there didn't seem to be much connection to any of the characters. There was more connection between the 2 secondary characters than there was with the main ones. You have Elizabeth(Lizzie) Quinlan who has a horrible reputation because she upset an ex-girlfriend and you have Billy Ray Davenport who is a preachers kid. Billy Ray lost his mom so it has just been him and his dad for a few years. Usually he gets dropped off at his aunts but this year he is getting dropped off in a little town to shadow a doctor to make sure this is what he wants to do in life.
This book really revolves around Elizabeth and her taking a chance at life and the women's movement and women's lib but it doesn't come out to say it until the end. Billy Ray is spineless and whiny where Elizabeth is hard and over the top.
I wanted so badly to enjoy this book fully but I just couldn't. It was so slow getting into the story and then there didn't seem to be much connection to any of the characters. There was more connection between the 2 secondary characters than there was with the main ones. You have Elizabeth(Lizzie) Quinlan who has a horrible reputation because she upset an ex-girlfriend and you have Billy Ray Davenport who is a preachers kid. Billy Ray lost his mom so it has just been him and his dad for a few years. Usually he gets dropped off at his aunts but this year he is getting dropped off in a little town to shadow a doctor to make sure this is what he wants to do in life.
This book really revolves around Elizabeth and her taking a chance at life and the women's movement and women's lib but it doesn't come out to say it until the end. Billy Ray is spineless and whiny where Elizabeth is hard and over the top.
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