"Bending Toward the Sun" Review

Emilie Heinrich is devoted to her father, the only family she has left. She honors his request to get an education at the local university along with helping him in their general store. But sometimes she feels as if she might want to pursue her own dreams.

Emilie’s childhood friend, Quaid McFarland, returned home safely from the war, but neither of them expected the attraction that is now sparking between them. Once Emilie’s father finds out about their interest in each other, he is determined to protect his daughter from becoming involved with someone who is “just an Irish teamster.”

Torn between devotion to her father and a budding romance with Quaid, Emilie will need to search her heart and trust in God to guide her and to bend her in the way she should go.

Bending Toward the Sun is the second novella in a series of three by Mona Hodson. “The Quilted Heart” series of novellas is leading up to the launch of Ms. Hodson’s next series, “Hearts Seeking Home,” coming this summer.

As in the first novella in this series, I was able to connect with the main characters in this story right away. Part of this was probably because I was at least introduced to Emilie in the first novella, but I also think that the author just has a knack for quick character development. Although I have never been in Emilie’s situation before (my parents absolutely loved my husband from the beginning of our relationship), I could still sympathize with her emotions and with her circumstances. I also liked the secondary characters in this novella, especially Quaid’s family. The McFarlands were portrayed as a big, loving family, which was just very homey-feeling and a nice touch.

I liked being able to reconnect with Maren and Mrs. Brantenburg and the other ladies in the quilting circle. The quilting circle seemed to play a bigger part in this novella, and it was pleasant and encouraging to see how the friends in the circle cared about each other and helped each other in their times of need.

As is usually true with a novella, the story seemed to just be getting started when everything wrapped up and it ended. Again, this is always going to be the case when you only have so many pages, but I thought the last chapters of this one were just so quick. The romance was also a bit hurried at the end, especially since the characters hardly spent any time together during the course of the novella, but at least in this case they had known each other previously and were just now being reacquainted.

One aspect of this novella that I really liked was how Quaid was so respectful of Emilie’s father’s wishes, even though he disagreed with them. At one point, Emilie becomes angry with Quaid because she sees it as him not “fighting” for her. But Quaid is actually just being patient and respectful of Emilie’s father and trusting God for the outcome. This is such a good reminder for me to wait on God’s timing and not just rush into things on my own.

I enjoyed this second offering in this series of novellas, and I look forward to reading the final one that tells Caroline’s story.


I will give Bending Toward the Sun … 3 ½ BookWorms.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."