Book Review: Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund

Unending Devotion

By Jody Hedlund

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance

_____________________________________

Set in an 1883 Michigan lumber town, Unending Devotion paints a picture of what the era was like when lumber was a booming industry fraught with danger and immorality. Peril was inherently part of the profession, but danger also existed in the surrounding towns, where a plethora of saloons and brothels encouraged immorality.

These vices provide the backdrop to the love story between headstrong Lily Young and complacent Connell McCormick. As the two discover each other, they also discover that they have some growing to do as individuals before their love can bloom. What makes the tale even more compelling is knowing that true events inspired some characters.

The opening scene of Unending Devotion thrusts the reader into the action when Lily rescues an unwilling participant from a brothel. After the rescue, Oren whisks the women off to certain safety. They have only been acquainted for a year, but Oren is the only father figure Lily has ever known.

Lily was hired to be the caretaker of his dying wife while he was working his photography business. They grew close while she was living in their home, so it seemed natural after his wife died for Oren to take Lily with him to the lumber camps as his assistant. Lily uses the opportunity to look for her missing sister, whom she is certain also needs to be rescued from a life of prostitution.

It is clear how much Oren thinks of her like family when he steps in to protect Lily from Connell. Additionally, it is during this comedic meet-cute scene that Lily’s impulsive courage is on full display as she stomps on the foot of the man who had held her captive in his grip. When Connell comes to assist the inn owner, who has her spoon ready to hit someone on behalf of Lily, Lily and Connell somehow end up tripping. They tumble over one another, landing in a clothesline where the men hang their wet socks. All tangled in the line, the two fall onto a chair with Lily landing in his lap. Oren bursts in just in time to see the compromising situation his “daughter” appears to be in. He threatens Connell by holding the rifle to his head. Though, Lily actually needed protection from the other lusty shanty boys filling the room. Nonetheless, Oren watches over their impending courtship the way a father would protect his daughter’s honor.

As the story unfolds, both Lily and Connell learn how to control their weaknesses and use them to their benefit. They both also grow spiritually. Lily, who always tied her identity to her sister’s, must also find out who she is independently. And Connell discovers that although he likes the identity he found within his family business, he can also leave his own mark on his business itself and the industry as a whole.

With the help of friends from town, Lily and Connell face their toughest adversary. He is the owner of the stockade up on Deadman’s Hill, aptly named for the violence used to control both his patriots and the women who worked for him. Lily dares to fight him any way she can after she discovers he is luring women to work for him by promising them jobs as respectable hotel maidens and instead subjecting them to a life of prostitution. They quickly learn that he is an enemy they want. Nonetheless, at the end of this battle of good versus evil, good prevails.

My Rating:

Unending Devotion is very well-written. In fact, I consider it one of the best books I’ve read. Stylistically, it is easy to follow. The only issue I have is that it offers opposing character points of view within the same chapter without a break to warn of the change. I personally found that it detracted from the overall experience in a couple of places because it slowed down the reading process.

Despite the confusing point of view changes, the characters are exceptional. I love the strong female characters in Lily’s life. Hedlund does an excellent job with character growth. They subtly teach one another how to become who they are destined to be.

One more thing Hedlund did well was to include notes from her pre-writing research. She shares the little-known history of what life was like during the lumber boom era. Evil and sex trafficking existed, but Hedlund still portrays the hopeful side of life. Ultimately, she leaves the reader with an ending that is not only satisfying but inspiring.

To purchase a copy of this book, click here.

I receive a small commission on items purchased from this link. Thank you for your support!