The Orchard by Krista Lynne Jensen

The Orchard

Author: Krista Lynne Jensen

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: April 2013

Paperback/Kindle/ebook: 245 pages

Genre: LDS Contemporary Romance

ISBN# 978-1608611454

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: purchased my own copy with my own money at LDStorymakers 2013

Summary (Goodreads)

On the idyllic shores of Flathead Lake, Montana, Alisen Embry finds purpose and comfort tending her late mother’s cherry orchard adjacent to the family’s beloved lake house. Though pained by the loss of her mother and her father’s estrangement, it is Derick Whitney—the man she fell in love with four years earlier—who truly influences Alisen’s view of her future . . .

Derick and Alisen wanted nothing more than to spend eternity together; however, intolerance and secrets forced Alisen to make a shattering choice between her family and the man she loved.

But destiny always has a way of setting things right . . .

Now the Embry family has found themselves hopelessly in debt, and they realize renting the lake house is the only hope of saving the cherished orchard and family home. When Alisen discovers the new tenants have a connection to her past, her life takes an unexpected turn. Will fate find a way to reconnect what was broken so many years before?

Review

I might as well start out by saying that Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen novel. It’s not perfect (especially not the movies — that’s for another post), but…that letter. I mean, wow. It sets my heart aflutter, though not as much as The Orchard did. My, oh my.

Honestly, I had forgotten that The Orchard was based on the basic story of Persuasion but recognized it soon after I started reading. That made me doubly excited. Not only was I finally getting to read the long-awaited book that had been staring at me from my bookshelf, but it was based on PERSUASION!

The Orchard starts off with the budding romance of Alisen and Derrick, something we don’t get to witness with Anne and Captain Wentworth. There are some lovely romantic moments between them and everything is moving along exceptionally well. That is until certain events, as well as her widowed father and a family friend, complicate matters and Alisen is forced into a heartbreaking decision.

When her family’s financial situation becomes desperate a few years later, Alisen and Derrick come face to face once more. The tension and chemistry is running high between Derrick and Alisen, easing only a little as circumstances continue to throw them together. They discover they have both changed–grown–since that summer years earlier. The question is whether these changes will bring them close once again or drive them further apart.

Even if Persuasion isn’t your cup of herbal tea, you’ll want to read The Orchard. Great romance, thoughtful writing and a touch of humor have earned The Orchard a place on my Favorite Romances bookshelf. Next up — Falling for You, which is signed and waiting as motivation for me to finish another category of Whitney reading.

Visit Krista:

WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Find The Orchard:

AMAZON | KINDLE | NOOK | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK  ($5.99 as of the day of this posting!)| GOODREADS