Who knew
asserting one’s independence would cause such embarrassment? If only Almira
“Emilie” Crawford Wheeler hadn’t insisted upon carrying her own stack of
parcels, she wouldn’t have landed in an unladylike heap on the boardwalk. And
what about the half-truth she told the handsome stranger who came to her aid?
The stranger she never expected to see again?
Thad Alexander Evanson should have been paying closer attention to the
boardwalk, rather than the newfangled automobile motoring down the street. Had
he been more astute, a collision with the beautiful parcel-laden stranger might
never have happened. And if it never had happened, he wouldn’t have told a
partial-truth he figured wouldn’t matter.
Before long, Emilie and Thad are arranging to meet for a noonday meal each
weekend in Missoula under the guise of different names. But what happens when
their true identities are revealed? When half-truths are exposed? Could God
have a plan even in the midst of a tangled web of lies?
Love in Disguise begins
with a light-hearted, happy story. I found it especially interesting to read
about how people of the time likely viewed grand new inventions, the automobile
and the aeroplane in particular. Women’s suffrage was mentioned many times in
the story, as well as the different views on it at this period. Watching how
the romance and affection between Emilie and Thad developed was enjoyable. It also
had me always wondering, “When will they discover the other’s true identity?”
However, when true identities were uncovered, the tone of the book changed. The
story did not become depressing, but it did address some difficult subjects.
Honesty was one of the big
focuses of the story. I found it interesting how Thad and Emilie continuously
justified their lying to one another, always pushing aside the nagging thoughts
of it not being God’s will. The story perfectly expressed the power of misplaced
assumptions and believing/being influenced by other people’s ideas and opinions.
Also shown was pride and the sorrow it brings. The characters were constantly
not being forthright with one another, and then mourning the result of it. Wrong
ideas were never corrected, but rather, characters decided to stew about the
result of their silence. The moral of the book, as I see it, is to always be honest
and forthright with people in order to avoid heartbreaks like those that are
seen in the book.
The main characters were
very likeable. I enjoyed the ways in which Emilie and Thad treated their staff as
friends, not as people of lower station. Each of their spiritual journeys were followed,
and it was wonderful to see how they grew in their love for the Lord. Emilie’s
journey to learning God’s love for her is wonderful to read. Often spoken of
was the heartbreak of a stillborn child and how peace can only be found in
Jesus. Emilie’s struggle to accept a God Who would allow such a heartbreak was
very real and emotional. At times, I wanted to cry with her.
Overall, this was a great
read. Following along on Thad and Emilie’s spiritual and romantic journeys was enjoyable
and caused me to pick up this book when I had other things I should have been
doing. 3.5/5 stars
