A Vow Unbroken - A Review

Published - Howard Books, March 2014

Author - Caryl McAdoo

Format - ebook, paper

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Summary (from Amazon)
A spunky young widow hires a farmhand with a bad reputation to help her get her cotton to Jefferson to meet the wagon train, and sparks fly—but can she love a man who doesn't love the Lord?

Susannah Abbot Baylor reluctantly hires Henry Buckmeyer to help her along the Jefferson Trace, the hard stretch of land between her Texas farm and the cotton market, where she is determined to get a fair price for her crop. It’s been a rough year, and she’s in danger of losing the land her husband left to her and the children, but she’ll need help getting both of her wagons to Jefferson safely. She knows Henry’s reputation as a layabout and is prepared for his insolence, but she is not expecting his irresistible good looks or his gentle manner. Soon they are entwined in a romantic relationship that only gets more complicated when Susannah learns that Henry doesn't know God the way she does. Dangers arise on the road—but none as difficult as the trial her heart is going through.

Will Susannah and Henry’s love overcome their differences? And will she get her crop safely to the cotton market with enough money to save the farm? In this heartening and adventurous tale, a young woman’s fortitude, faith, and heart are put to the ultimate test.

This is the first book I've ever read by this author. To be perfectly honest, I really failed to connect with the characters. I found the narrative to be long and descriptive, and when I was at 30% finished (I had a Kindle copy), I was feeling that I should have been a lot further along. I ended up skimming the rest of the book to find out what happened, but I wasn't invested in the story. This is one of those books that I could have put down and not returned to.

I liked the premise of the book - a young widow needs to get her cotton crop to the market and enlists the help of a neighbor man. Yet, I really found it to be slow moving. I didn't need to know EVERY little detail on the journey. I really didn't.

I also didn't see what it was about the heroine that made the hero love her. To me, she was a rather flat character. On the other hand, the hero, Henry, was very well developed. I enjoyed the various layers and depths to him. Sure, he was a little rough around the edges, but I did find him to be very kind and caring.

I've recently read an article by one of my favorite authors where she explains seven different things that can stop her from finishing reading a novel.  As I read her article, I really felt that she was describing my feelings regarding this book perfectly! I found myself not caring about the characters,  and I thought it was too slow moving to name a couple of things.

I may give the author another try. But truthfully, I'm not sure.

Still, I know others may enjoy this book, even though I didn't particularly care for it. Please don't just take my opinion on it. There are several really positive reviews on Amazon.

I received a Kindle version of this book for free from Howard Books via NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing. I was not required to like the book or give a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of historical fiction, wagon trains

Rating - 2 stars - I really couldn't care about the characters