Review: Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz

September 17, 2014

Title: Love's Fortune
Author: Laura Frantz
Publisher: Revell
Pages: 400
ISBN: 978-0-8007-4043-8
Publication Date: September 16th, 2014

Synopsis: 
With two very different horizons stretched out before her, one young woman stands on the cusp of an unknown future.

Sheltered since birth at her Kentucky home, Rowena "Wren" Ballantyne has heard only whispered rumors of her grandfather Silas's vast fortune and grand manor in Pennsylvania. When her father receives a rare letter summoning him to New Hope, Wren makes the journey with him and quickly finds herself in a whole new world--family members she's never met, dances she's never learned, and a new side to the father she thought she knew.

As she struggles to fit in during their extended stay, she finds a friend in James Sackett, the most valued steamship pilot of the Ballantynes' shipping line. Even with his help, Wren feels she may never be comfortable in high society. Will she go her own way . . . to her peril?

With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, Laura Frantz brings 1850s Pennsylvania alive with a tender story of loss, love, and loyalty.
Review:
It's time to wrap up another series. The last book is always exciting and sad to look forward to. Love's Fortune closed out this wonderful series perfectly. It brought a conclusion all of the story arcs of all the characters from each book.

Rowena, or Wren, is a girl who has enjoyed her life in the her small community in Kentucky. It's a quiet life and she has her family's memories there. However, without warning, it all changes and she is shoved into Pittsburgh society. Her whole life, she has been content to run around and help her dad Ansel in his fiddle making. Now, in the north, she has to abide by her aunt's admonishments and tight fitting close that don't allow for an extra breath. I felt suffocated for her. Not only is she pushed into this new life by her aunt, she had to battle it alone. Her father has been forced to travel to help the family business, as Silas has gotten older and can't handle the travel.

I felt so bad for Wren in this book. Everything she ever loved is taken from her and she is told as a Ballantyne, she needs to do her duty and secure a proper match in this season. What a way to say, the only thing you're good for, is for connections. And that was said to her by her aunt and cousin...feel the love! Thankfully though, Ellie and her family are there to protect Wren when they can...and what a family it is! Ellie's house with Jack is full of love. With the lack of support of her dad nearby and the push from certain family members, it was easy to see why Wren made the decisions she did.

James is such a dedicated character. He has a deep respect for Silas and Ansel. His loyalty to the family and his dedication is wonderful. He also has a great passion for helping people. I thought James was quiet character, but he led with his actions.

The romance of this story was a slow build I thought, which wasn't a bad thing and added another depth to the story. Things could have been worked out sooner, if Wren or her cousin Izannah had spoken a little more openly, but considering everything that was going on between the two households, getting a word in edgewise was hard.

I enjoyed how this series grew with each book. It showed how things change and morph over time with family and how some people never change in all of that time. This was a fitting ending to the Ballantyne family.

Too Read
4.5 out of 5

About the Author:
Laura Frantz is a Christy Award finalist and the author of several books, including The Frontiersman's Daughter, Love's Reckoning, and Love's Awakening. She currently lives in the misty woods of Washington with her husband and two sons.

Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.






Thank you to the Revell Reads Blog Tour, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.


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