B+
Genre: Novella, Historical: American, Inspirational, Romance
This RITA® Reader Challenge 2016 review was written by Kate KF. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Romance Novella category.
The summary:
Julia Broeder is only six months shy of graduating from the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania when one small decision spirals out of control and results in her expulsion. Hoping to travel the world as a missionary doctor, her only choice is to return back home…or throw herself upon the mercy of Ashton Carlyle.
Formal and straight-laced, Ashton Carlyle is not pleased to see an expelled Julia arrive at his Manhattan office. His position as a junior attorney for the Vandermark family’s world-famous shipping empire entails taking care of the Broeders, longtime employees of the Vandermark family. But Ashton has no intention now of using his employer’s resources in defense of Julia’s impulsive and reckless actions.
What Ashton did not expect was a scathing reprimand from none other than the Vandermark family patriarch or the bewildering resistance from Julia herself when he’s forced to change his tune. At an impasse, Ashton and Julia never anticipated the revelations that arise or the adventure that awaits them.
Here is Kate K.F.'s review:
“Toward the Sunrise” is a novella that I wished was a novel as then it would have had the space to show everything that was told. Ashton and Julia felt like a couple that would work due to a previous correspondence and shared dreams to travel. These letters were one of the many aspects of the story that was mentioned but not truly shown, as was the incident that prompted Julia’s being expelled.
When Camden did write out Ashton and Julia’s interactions and how they experience each other, the novella was a treat, but I kept being pulled out of it by moments of, Oh, wait, I want to read that. I found the setting of New York’s Hudson Valley at the turn of the century and the shared connection to a rich but elusive family intriguing. The fact that both characters worked and the discussions of clothing and perceptions assigned to certain types of professions added to the story. They both came from a lower class background but are and have changed their place in society. Sadly there were some moments that didn’t make any sense, such as when the hero was making assumptions about the heroine which didn’t match up with information he had from other sources.
Throughout the story, their shared letters and packages were mentioned as that was how their relationship was built but only near the end was one shown. I would have liked to have seen and understood that correspondence, as well as more of Julia’s experience in medical school. The hero’s day-to-day life was presented in a vivid way, while hers was only referred to, and a better balance would have illuminated her character. When the author took the time to get deep into a moment such as Julia waiting for her judgement or the moments in the middle when the characters bonded over goats, it was wonderful. I loved the humor in the story and Camden’s descriptions and wanted more of everything.
I believe this is an inspirational book and the main way this was presented was in Julia’s career choice. She wishes to travel and to accomplish this, she’s studying to become a missionary doctor and travel to Asia. There were only a few rather chaste kisses but the sexual tension was created by great descriptions of how they each perceived the other.
Overall, this was a sweet novella with an unusual setting that felt far too short. Camden has an engaging writing style, a good ear for dialogue, and creative choices in setting but needs to show more. If you like goats, there’s a major section in the middle where the goats act like really clever plot contrivances.
This book is available from:
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well.
Thanks!
Great review! It also looks like this is free on Kindle right now, as it’s the “intro” to the a novel-length work. I read Camden’s “Against the Tide” a year or so ago and remember that it started out strong but then kind of fizzled out…maybe it was a lack of sexual tension, as I’m not used to reading “sweet” or “inspirational” romance. I may take a chance on this novella though as the setting and characters sound unique.
This sounds interesting, but I tried to read “Against the Tide” last year and was put off by all of the hero’s sanctimoniousness. He judged everything and everyone based on his Christian values and mocked the heroine’s beliefs. He was everything I hate about Evangelical Christians. It sounds like this wasn’t as big of a part of this book, so I might take a chance on it.
@Demi, thank you. I reviewed it as I think it was free or 99c on iTunes and liked it. There isn’t much sexual tension in this but the characters have some wonderful interactions.
@scifigirl1986 The set up was one of the most compelling parts and the only judging is the hero at times acting like the heroine’s taking things for granted. That was one of those points which made no sense as he’d been writing letters to her and knew how hard she worked. The Christian part didn’t come through as the whole draw of the missionary work was to travel the world not spread the word.
Sounds like a unique setting for a story – sad to read that it wasn’t as well-done as it could have been! But I have to applaud the line ” if you like goats …” !!! I do, in fact, know someone who very much likes goats and I also follow Phil Plait on Instagram and his feed is mostly goats doing funny goaty things. Isn’t it fun when worlds collide!
@ClaireC The goats are amazing. They all have personalities and even different kinds are discussed. The goat section was probably my favorite part of the novella as it was where it all worked. The characters were interacting, the descriptions were beautiful and it was funny.
It is, I love when worlds intersect. I’m a librarian and adore being able to take something from one knowledge area and pull it into another.