Widowed two years ago, Lilly left the shelter of her intrusive in-laws home to stand on her own and provide for her son, Levi. She figures after a summer of working at the lake, she should have enough money for a place in the city where she could get a job at the candy factory. When her interfering in-laws show up at the Midway diner where she’s employed insisting her tent home at Lake Manawa is unsuitable, she is furious. They demand she allow Levi’s return to their home. A verbal altercation ensues and a handsome stranger intercedes on her behalf.
The stranger, she soon learns, is the roller coaster designer, Nick Perrin. But Lilly is not about to get involved with any man, especially a cocky rich man whose job requires him to travel the country. Charismatic Nick, however, is hard to ignore.
Saving Levi pulls them together, but will Lilly let her fears tear them apart?
My Star Rating: 4 Stars
My Review: This is my first novel by Lorna Seilstad, but it won't be my last! Even though I haven't read the first two books, it was easy for me to follow along with this third installment to the Lake Manawa Summers series. I look forward to going back to read the first two books! Lorna Seilstad is a talented writer with the ability to write a great story full of fun, a sweet romance, and that special element of faith that readers of Christian Fiction look for in a novel. The Ride of Her Life is a light, fun, easy read that kept my interest.
I found this story to be completely unique, as I wasn't aware of the history of roller coasters at this time, and I've never read a story with this setting and plot. To my knowledge, it hasn't been done.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, and the natural dialogue throughout the book. Lilly, Nick, Levi, and all of the secondary characters are uniquely drawn, and believable. I found Eugenia's character to add a fun element to the story, and she reminded me a lot of the "Amelia Bedelia" character in children's books. I don't know if someone could be that clumsy, or that naive, but I suppose it's possible. Regardless, her character made me smile and laugh.
As this is a historical, I appreciate the fact that the research is well done, and I was able to learn about a place in American history that I wasn't familiar with. The setting came to life, and I felt the fun and excitement of the lake shore, the midway, and the thrill of the amusement park rides. Lorna Seilstad really brought the charm of Lake Manawa to life.
An additional part to the story that I wasn't expecting was the tension that was created by Lilly's former in-laws, in their desire to take her son, Levi, from her. There were tense moments, and a hint of suspense and mystery that kicked this romance up to another level.
I think the faith element was very well done, and I enjoyed watching Lilly grow in her trust of the Lord, and her trust in the people in her life. It's nice to read a novel where you can connect to the thoughts and feelings of the main character, know that they're facing real-life struggles that we all have.
I highly recommend this novel, and I'd definitely say it's worth the price of admission!
"Available May 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."
**Thank you to Revell for providing me with a copy to review, in exchange for my honest opinion.**
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