Hollaaaaaa,

Nope I didn’t forget December book review.

This month, I asked my fellow book lover Tuawa to review Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love and she obliged. I decided I wanted it for this month just because I think that christmas and the end of the year is a good time to reflect on the undying love that God has for us.

Thank you Tuawa for agreeing to do this. It means the world to me. You all should follow her on instagram @inspirit_pages where she posts the most beautiful photos of her collection f books. She seems to have the most gorgeous editions of books. I cannot even say I am not jealous.

Enjoy, and have a happy new year folks.

Also, don’t forget to read today’s short story here

 

“I want to be free Michael, just for once in my whole life I want to be free”

“You are free, you just don’t know it yet” –  Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers

When Tope asked me to write a review of the book Redeeming Love, I was thrilled because I was being given the opportunity to talk about one of my all-time favourite books. It wasn’t until I started writing this review that I realized how much of a challenge this was going to be. Will I be able to do this book justice? Will I be able to put into words the way this book touches you and the feeling it leaves you with? I doubt that one can exhaustively review this book, you just have to read it for yourself but that being said, I will do my best.

I first came across Redeeming Love while in university; my obsession with books had only just begun and after reading a few small novels I felt it was time I moved on to ‘bigger’ books. Redeeming love was my first mid-sized book and my first encounter with Francine Rivers. The book is Christian fiction and is also categorized as Romance. I am not a fan of romance, I am put off when things get too mushy, lol.
This book however is a different kind of romance. It isn’t just a romance between a man and a woman but it is symbolic of a romance between God and us his children and is a beautiful portrayal of God’s unconditional love. This is why I love this book, it carries a message that is much deeper than the story.
It is a retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea in the Bible. The book’s main characters, Angel and Michael take on the role of these two. At the tender age of 8, Angel is sold into prostitution and continues in this horrible life style until she’s 18. This leaves her emotionally damaged and unable to trust people and then comes Michael. Michael approaches Angel and insists that she is his wife.

 

After many attempts at convincing her that he truly loves her, she still cannot wrap her head around the love that he’s offering – a love that forgives all her past mistakes, a love that doesn’t judge, a love that is unwavering and she keeps running away, going back to what she’s used to. Michael is unrelenting, his patience and trust in God is highly admirable. As the story unfolds, we are taken on an emotional, heart wrenching but fulfilling journey of redemption and transformation.
I cannot say how many times I cried or how angry I was at Angel everytime she ran away. I am happy with the way the book ended and glad that I went on that journey with them. I learnt so much and was deeply affected by it. The themes of prostitution, abuse, redemption and God’s love are beautifully captured.
The writing style is easy to follow, the story is captivating and the message is a timeless truth – God loves us with an unconditional love. There is a Bible quote that I think best describes this book, it is Jeremiah 31:3  “God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love and more love”” (MSG translation)

I recommend this book to everyone, Christian and Non-Christian. Read this book, it is an amazing, inspirational and powerful experience, one you will never forget.

Thanks Tope for giving me the privilege  of reviewing this book.