The Element of Love by Mary Connealy

The Element of Love kicks off another exciting series by Mary Connealy.

Book Blurb

With their sharp engineering minds, Laura Stiles and her two sisters have been able to deal with their mother’s unfortunate choice in husband, until they discover his plans to marry each of them off to his lecherous friends. Now they must run away–far and fast–to find better matches to legally claim their portion of their father’s lumber dynasty and seize control from their stepfather.

When Laura befriends a mission group heading to serve the poor in California during their escape, she quickly volunteers herself and her sisters to join their efforts. Despite the settlement being in miserable condition, the sisters are excited by the opportunity to put their skills to good use. Laura also sees potential in Caleb, the local minister, to help with gaining her inheritance. But when secrets buried in Caleb’s past and in the land around them come to light, it’ll take all the smarts the sisters have to keep trouble at bay.

My Thoughts

The last couple of series I’ve read by Mary Connealy have left me feeling a little meh for some reason. It was a bit of a bummer because I’ve loved her books ever since I read Doctor in Petticoats. The Element of Love, however, reminded me why I’ve been such an ardent fan of hers.

The premise itself is interesting but, as usual, the characters are what made me love this book. Each sister had their own talent, which was cool, especially since their talents aren’t normally associated with women. I loved getting a glimpse into each sister, and I especially loved getting a glimpse in Zane’s head. I can’t wait for the next books to see what happens next.

The only moment of annoyance I felt was Laura’s reaction after Caleb’s secret was revealed. But that may just be me. Otherwise, the romance was sweet. I liked that their quick relationship was addressed. It was a bit quick, but I enjoyed Laura and Caleb together so much I almost didn’t care.

The faith arc provided some thought-provoking moments regarding redemption, forgiveness, and God’s plan. And the humor gave much needed comedic relief after delving into some weighty topics. This may very well be Connealy’s best novel yet.

Overall, The Element of Love is an enjoyable historical romance with great characters.

(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Further Information

Click the book cover image above to order a copy from Mary Connealy’s website or visit your favorite book retailer.

And for more on Mary Connealy, visit her website and sign up for her newsletter. You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

(Check out my reviews for other Mary Connealy books: Aiming for Love, Woman of Sunlight, Her Secret Song, The Accidental Guardian, and The Unexpected Champion.)