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The English Garden #2
The Rescue
The Rescue, book two in the series, is set in 1811 England. When Anne Gardiner slips from a ladder into the arms of a stranger, her father, Colonel Gardiner, deems the innocent embrace cause for immediate marriage.
Weston eventually sees that the “marriage” was performed for the Colonel’s sake and that Anne had no choice. When he learns that she’s sacrificed her own reputation to protect his name, Weston finds himself drawn to Anne.
But will these two guarded people give love a chance? And can they trust God enough to step into a new, real relationship?
Weston eventually sees that the “marriage” was performed for the Colonel’s sake and that Anne had no choice. When he learns that she’s sacrificed her own reputation to protect his name, Weston finds himself drawn to Anne.
But will these two guarded people give love a chance? And can they trust God enough to step into a new, real relationship?
300 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2002
About the author
Lori Wick
102 books1,516 followersFROM THE PUBLISHER:
Lori Wick is known as one of the most versatile Christian fiction writers on the market today. From pioneer fiction to a series set in Victorian England to a contemporary novel, Lori's books (over 5 million in print) continue to delight readers and top the Christian bestselling fiction list. Lori and her husband, Bob, live in Wisconsin with "the three coolest kids in the world."
Lori Wick is known as one of the most versatile Christian fiction writers on the market today. From pioneer fiction to a series set in Victorian England to a contemporary novel, Lori's books (over 5 million in print) continue to delight readers and top the Christian bestselling fiction list. Lori and her husband, Bob, live in Wisconsin with "the three coolest kids in the world."
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 142 reviews
January 21, 2020
A bit overly dramatic at times, especially toward the beginning, but I came to really care for these characters. The romance is the main focus of the story but it’s well done and not overly sappy, so I was able to enjoy it! I’ll be looking forward to reading the next two in the series.
December 12, 2020
I will preface this review by telling you that Lori Wick is one of my favorite Christian romance authors on the planet. I will also preface this review by telling you that Lori Wick had already published quite a few novels when I started reading her five or six years ago, and she has published quite a few more since then. She seems to have fallen into a rut with her plots, and her novels have become formulaic. That said, there are several of her works that are on my “absolute favorite books ever” list, and this is one of them.
“The Rescue” tells us the story of Anne Gardiner, a twenty-something young woman in 19th century England. Her father suffered a fever several years before our story starts and as a result is lovably wacko. When Anne is repairing the roof one day, a new neighbor comes by and startles her, causing her to fall off the roof and into his arms (literally, he catches her). Unfortunately, her father sees this and thinks that this new neighbor, Robert Weston, is her intended and hauls them both off to be married. Weston thinks that he’s being conned and Anne is just trying to keep her father from running his sword through this stranger. In order to protect Anne’s reputation, she and Mr. Weston really do get married, although they are not in love.
This is one of my favorite books because it’s relatable, even though this would almost certainly never happen in the 21st century. Though they are already married, they don’t know each other and their marriage is not based on love. As they build their relationship and learn to love each other, they are always seeking God’s will for them. They strengthen their marriage with prayer and seek to love as God loves us. It’s a beautiful reminder of how God provides for His children and how if we seek to love one another as Christ loved the Church, God will take care of everything else.
This book is the second in the “English Garden” series. You don’t need to read the first book to understand the story, although characters from the first book are prominent secondary characters. It will enhance your understanding of Anne and Weston’s friends, but not prohibit you from reading “The Rescue.” Again, this is one of my favorites and I like to reread it every year or so. Sometimes I just pull it off the shelf and read some of my favorite parts.
If you liked it and you want more Lori Wick, may I suggest the following: The Princess, Every Storm, Bamboo & Lace, and the Kensington Chronicles (4 books, all amazing).
Cross posted to my book blog: (http://starlightbookreviews.wordpress...)
“The Rescue” tells us the story of Anne Gardiner, a twenty-something young woman in 19th century England. Her father suffered a fever several years before our story starts and as a result is lovably wacko. When Anne is repairing the roof one day, a new neighbor comes by and startles her, causing her to fall off the roof and into his arms (literally, he catches her). Unfortunately, her father sees this and thinks that this new neighbor, Robert Weston, is her intended and hauls them both off to be married. Weston thinks that he’s being conned and Anne is just trying to keep her father from running his sword through this stranger. In order to protect Anne’s reputation, she and Mr. Weston really do get married, although they are not in love.
This is one of my favorite books because it’s relatable, even though this would almost certainly never happen in the 21st century. Though they are already married, they don’t know each other and their marriage is not based on love. As they build their relationship and learn to love each other, they are always seeking God’s will for them. They strengthen their marriage with prayer and seek to love as God loves us. It’s a beautiful reminder of how God provides for His children and how if we seek to love one another as Christ loved the Church, God will take care of everything else.
This book is the second in the “English Garden” series. You don’t need to read the first book to understand the story, although characters from the first book are prominent secondary characters. It will enhance your understanding of Anne and Weston’s friends, but not prohibit you from reading “The Rescue.” Again, this is one of my favorites and I like to reread it every year or so. Sometimes I just pull it off the shelf and read some of my favorite parts.
If you liked it and you want more Lori Wick, may I suggest the following: The Princess, Every Storm, Bamboo & Lace, and the Kensington Chronicles (4 books, all amazing).
Cross posted to my book blog: (http://starlightbookreviews.wordpress...)
March 1, 2023
I really like these Lori Wick books. They have a good amount of Christian content. I enjoyed this book with an marriage of convenience.
June 27, 2019
I am not a huge fan of 3rd person omniscient. Its hard to follow and its weird to me to know what everyone is thinking at the same time and even in the same paragraph. The dialogue was very dry - I often skim the narrative to read the dialogue but found myself doing the opposite here. The whole story was unrealistically happy which I can appreciate in the sense of showing me how things should work out, but its difficult to relate to characters whose worlds constantly work out the way they expect them to. I would compare this to a book about the day my two children (ages 6 and 11) got along. What was most interesting to me was how, despite my constant irritation with just how mundane the events and situations in the story were, I was compelled to finish it. In fact, I couldn't put it down. I read the first book in this series (thankfully it had a a bit more tension), but after this one, I'm not sure if I want to read the next one or not.
November 9, 2021
I don't normally read Romance, but a dear friend, who has my greatest admiration recommended this. Since I'm not a romance reader, this may be they way all of them are, but as I approached the end of the book I realized everyone was perfect!
The Protagonist was perfect.
Her love interest was perfect.
His mother was perfect.
His man servant was above and beyond perfect.
The pastor and his wife were perfect.
All of their friends were perfect, including about a dozen perfect children.
The protagonist's father was imperfect for about a minute in the first chapter, but then he was nearly perfect.
The only adversity was from a couple of snide, arrogant, gossiping "townspeople," but that too was only for a minute, with no repercussions.
Everyone was caring and thoughtful in their replies. Even one "argument" seemed like it was hardly that.
The Protagonist was perfect.
Her love interest was perfect.
His mother was perfect.
His man servant was above and beyond perfect.
The pastor and his wife were perfect.
All of their friends were perfect, including about a dozen perfect children.
The protagonist's father was imperfect for about a minute in the first chapter, but then he was nearly perfect.
The only adversity was from a couple of snide, arrogant, gossiping "townspeople," but that too was only for a minute, with no repercussions.
Everyone was caring and thoughtful in their replies. Even one "argument" seemed like it was hardly that.
February 28, 2012
The Rescue is a beautiful historical/inspirational romance, the second book in the English Garden series. Anne Gardiner and Robert Weston ended up getting married, when he caught her from falling from a ladder. Little did they know, her ill father wanted them to get married and they did as strangers--a marriage of convenience. But when this happened, it was the talk of the time, while Anne's reputation was tarnished by gossip. That's when Robert decided they get married for real. And slowly but surely, they grew comfortable with one another and fell in love with each other, while they placed their faith in God to set things right for the perfect fit.
January 13, 2021
Great story about Anne, an independent and selfless young woman. Startled by the voice of a stranger approaching their home, she falls into the arms of Robert Weston, a wealthy young man moving in to the area. Anne’s father, a former colonel in the military approaches with his sword and forces marriage upon them. Weston takes her to his home and makes Anne clean his entire mansion of a home while he takes a trip. Anne feeling guilty for her father’s doings does so. She eventually is returned to her home. However, Anne’s reputation is now in disarray. Weston gets to know her and in time, asks her to marry him to help repair her reputation.
March 18, 2020
I love Lori Wick books. This was such a beautiful story. I highly recommend it.
April 23, 2024
4.5 stars**
This was such a fun marriage of convenience story. I love the humor and drama that accompanies Regency books and this one had plenty of that. Anne and Weston are very sweet together and I loved their romance.
Read this book if you love historical romance, Regency, and marriage of convenience, some of my favorite genres. 😊
This was such a fun marriage of convenience story. I love the humor and drama that accompanies Regency books and this one had plenty of that. Anne and Weston are very sweet together and I loved their romance.
Read this book if you love historical romance, Regency, and marriage of convenience, some of my favorite genres. 😊
May 7, 2024
This needs ten stars!!! *sigh* I think this is my very fav just because I’ve always liked this kind of romance. I mean, you get married with mutual respect and believe it’s God’s will and then all the stuff in between that’s just…well…amazing!!! I won’t spoil it though. I love arranged marriages in stories.
Read this now!!!!
Signed,
Serenity F. Helzerman
Read this now!!!!
Signed,
Serenity F. Helzerman
May 26, 2020
Just what the doctor ordered. A sweet, clean romance that brought a little brightness to my day.
January 11, 2024
"The Rescue" is a beautiful story of God's love, timing, and never-ending grace. Even though it's a continuation of "The Proposal," this can be read independently!
February 25, 2024
Book two of this series continues the stories of the Jennings, Palmers, and Hurst and brings us more of Mr.
Weston and his now new wife Anne. A marriage that is to rescue one but ends up being a saving grace for all involved. Protection, understanding, and eventually love comes. Great story of putting other's needs before your own and finding a true love along the way.
Weston and his now new wife Anne. A marriage that is to rescue one but ends up being a saving grace for all involved. Protection, understanding, and eventually love comes. Great story of putting other's needs before your own and finding a true love along the way.
March 18, 2020
What woman doesn't want to be rescued when her circumstances constantly wear her down? Ann's humbling attitude toward life was a good lesson to us all regardless of our status. I could strongly relate to her situation taking care of her father who lived in a constant state of confusion with dementia. I took heart in Mr Weston and his mother with their positive Christian perspective. I wanted a mother-in-law like her and in turn would love to be a mother-in-law like her. Ann seemed to feel like Cinderella suddenly misplaced into a world of wealth and luxury she had long forgotten. She had grown so used to fending for herself and taking care of her father and friends that she had to relearn how to be taken care of herself. I loved the reminder of the lesson that Father God sees us in our full potential and worth at all times regardless of our personal often minimized views of our selves.
June 19, 2023
A sweet story of a sham marriage that turns into consideration, chivalry, respect, and a possibility at real love. Despite the odd conditions of the forced marriage (to pacify the colonel), the interaction and developing relationship between Weston and Ann is touching. The way Ann protects Weston, even to her own detriment, is poignant, and Weston's response, now that he knows the truth of the situation, is moving. It is fun to watch them take a marriage of convenience/protection into a loving relationship.
February 10, 2014
Set in 1811 in England, "The Rescue" centers on two young single people thrown together by danger, gossip, and obedience to God. Eventually, they also fall in love.
While the idea for this series is great (Christian companion stories for Austen & Bronte), the execution is so poor that I would not recommend these to the reader of discretion.
Plot: B
Writing: I-
Vocabulary: D-
Level: Easy
Rating: G
Worldview: Christian
While the idea for this series is great (Christian companion stories for Austen & Bronte), the execution is so poor that I would not recommend these to the reader of discretion.
Plot: B
Writing: I-
Vocabulary: D-
Level: Easy
Rating: G
Worldview: Christian
September 1, 2017
This was a wonderful, uplifting romance story that is unapologetically Christian. The characters were very likeable but almost too good to be true. However, they were characters that we would do good to emulate. The story was simple but interesting and, as I mentioned, uplifting. Lessons of the meaning of true love, of forgiveness and giving of oneself.
February 23, 2010
I'm having a hard time wanting to finish this book...very unrealistic...such simplistic characters...un-believable storyline...It actually would be a nice book for an eleven year old girl...I should have read it fourteen years ago... :)
July 25, 2020
Amusing and has good pacing
I accidentally read the books out of order,but I am enjoying them nonetheless. Lori Wick draws you in and the women are well.written and not simpering and foolish as in some books.
But I love how God is interwoven throughout the story most of all.
I accidentally read the books out of order,but I am enjoying them nonetheless. Lori Wick draws you in and the women are well.written and not simpering and foolish as in some books.
But I love how God is interwoven throughout the story most of all.
June 17, 2020
Very clean and old fashioned love story. Predictable but sweet. Like reading a hallmark movie. The main characters are very likable and easy to cheer on.
November 24, 2020
Such a great story, I will re-read this many times.
December 8, 2023
This was such a well-articulated book about true humility and patience. I so very much enjoyed every word.
July 12, 2018
In spite of the good reviews left in this book’s wake, I have a very different opinion of The Rescue.
Before I start, I would like to point out that I am a huge fan of Lori Wick’s novels, including The Kensington Chronicles -which is my favorite Christian book series- Sophie’s Heart, and The Proposal. Wick is a simply terrific writer, and I have enjoyed her other books very much.
This one was... different. There are two points I’d like to show you that are valid in my book.
1. Colonel Gardiner’s medical condition does not make sense.
In the novel, Colonel Gardiner tends to be out of the loop and forgetful. That is normal for a man his age; after all, he could have dementia or Alzheimer’s. But he has other symptoms that are noted in the book as follows:
-Fever
-Paleness
-Irritability
-Lowered Appetite
-Frailness
These symptoms can all occur with old age; I realize that. But, in this time period, people did not know as much as we do about sickness and disease. Plus, I don’t recall that Colonel Gardiner was that old in the novel- the average age for dementia or Alzheimer’s is 70, with some exceptions. But it is impossible to identify what exact sickness he did have, and it would be even harder in that time. The symptoms are also off and on; sometimes he acts fine in the book and terrible later.
In conclusion, it is hard to tell what sickness he does have, and whatever it is, it is not portrayed well in the book.
2. The characters have no notable qualities, and their names do not describe them well.
In my opinion, part of being a good writer is developing a good main character with a name that matches their personality. Wick did that well in Sophie’s Heart- Sophie or Sophia means “charitable” or “good,” and that does describe her in the best way possible.
But the name “Anne” just sounds “blah” in the book. No offense to any Annes out there; I have read many books that have a main character named Anne that are fantastic (ex. Anne of Green Gables.) Sadly, Wick failed at making the character interesting and appropriate for the position. Anne, in this book, is very quiet and reserved. She isn’t strong-willed and independent as required for the role. If you fall from a ladder and a man catches you, you should be embarrassed in the very least! But no, she just said “thank you” and didn’t do much else.
Her responses also don’t trigger any interest from the reader. Every time someone talks to her, she acts like a deer in headlights, says a couple of words, and continues what she was doing.
If Wick wanted to make her character quiet, there should be a so-called breaking point in the book where she at least has some trace of emotion and feeling.
Also, none of her interests -except cleaning, that is- are portrayed in the book. She is so plain and boring in the book. It’s just unbearable! And -I’m a female, so I know what I’m talking about- women tend to be somewhat enigmatic in both real life and in the fictional world. But there was no mystery, no details, no splash of color...
In conclusion, this book was cardboard. Sorry, Lori.
Before I start, I would like to point out that I am a huge fan of Lori Wick’s novels, including The Kensington Chronicles -which is my favorite Christian book series- Sophie’s Heart, and The Proposal. Wick is a simply terrific writer, and I have enjoyed her other books very much.
This one was... different. There are two points I’d like to show you that are valid in my book.
1. Colonel Gardiner’s medical condition does not make sense.
In the novel, Colonel Gardiner tends to be out of the loop and forgetful. That is normal for a man his age; after all, he could have dementia or Alzheimer’s. But he has other symptoms that are noted in the book as follows:
-Fever
-Paleness
-Irritability
-Lowered Appetite
-Frailness
These symptoms can all occur with old age; I realize that. But, in this time period, people did not know as much as we do about sickness and disease. Plus, I don’t recall that Colonel Gardiner was that old in the novel- the average age for dementia or Alzheimer’s is 70, with some exceptions. But it is impossible to identify what exact sickness he did have, and it would be even harder in that time. The symptoms are also off and on; sometimes he acts fine in the book and terrible later.
In conclusion, it is hard to tell what sickness he does have, and whatever it is, it is not portrayed well in the book.
2. The characters have no notable qualities, and their names do not describe them well.
In my opinion, part of being a good writer is developing a good main character with a name that matches their personality. Wick did that well in Sophie’s Heart- Sophie or Sophia means “charitable” or “good,” and that does describe her in the best way possible.
But the name “Anne” just sounds “blah” in the book. No offense to any Annes out there; I have read many books that have a main character named Anne that are fantastic (ex. Anne of Green Gables.) Sadly, Wick failed at making the character interesting and appropriate for the position. Anne, in this book, is very quiet and reserved. She isn’t strong-willed and independent as required for the role. If you fall from a ladder and a man catches you, you should be embarrassed in the very least! But no, she just said “thank you” and didn’t do much else.
Her responses also don’t trigger any interest from the reader. Every time someone talks to her, she acts like a deer in headlights, says a couple of words, and continues what she was doing.
If Wick wanted to make her character quiet, there should be a so-called breaking point in the book where she at least has some trace of emotion and feeling.
Also, none of her interests -except cleaning, that is- are portrayed in the book. She is so plain and boring in the book. It’s just unbearable! And -I’m a female, so I know what I’m talking about- women tend to be somewhat enigmatic in both real life and in the fictional world. But there was no mystery, no details, no splash of color...
In conclusion, this book was cardboard. Sorry, Lori.
January 9, 2021
Let me start by saying I’ve read a couple of Lori Wicks books and really enjoyed them but this was just awful.
Firstly if you’re going to write a book set in Regency England you should at least use the write terms and phrases. To name just a few discrepancies:
Pastor should be Reverend
Dinner should be supper
Candy should be sweets
And the phrase “way more” I’m sure was not used. “Far more” would fit the time period much better. Small inaccuracies but they all lead to the believability of the book.
Secondly, the contrast between her old life (what he apparently saves her from) and her new life was not really shown and wasn’t very believable. Her chapter was also very flat and not likable at all.
Too much emotional talk especially about intimacy. Oh it’s painful. They’re both emotional wrecks. Who are constantly tired and drained and need naps after useless conversations about trying to understand each other and let the other one know they are „for this marriage“. If that’s how exhausting life was back then, then I’m glad I don’t live in the regency period. However I don’t remember Elisabeth Bennet needing a lie down after an awkward conversation or even a proposal. Anne needs to grow up and get over herself. She behaves like a spoilt brat most of the time. I still don’t know what he sees in her. Basically small unimportant matters were constantly being made into massive overly dramatic emotional plot lines. It didn’t make any sense.
I won’t go on....even though I really could. It was cringeworthy at times. I laughed so hard at times not because it was funny but because it was just so ridiculous.
Firstly if you’re going to write a book set in Regency England you should at least use the write terms and phrases. To name just a few discrepancies:
Pastor should be Reverend
Dinner should be supper
Candy should be sweets
And the phrase “way more” I’m sure was not used. “Far more” would fit the time period much better. Small inaccuracies but they all lead to the believability of the book.
Secondly, the contrast between her old life (what he apparently saves her from) and her new life was not really shown and wasn’t very believable. Her chapter was also very flat and not likable at all.
Too much emotional talk especially about intimacy. Oh it’s painful. They’re both emotional wrecks. Who are constantly tired and drained and need naps after useless conversations about trying to understand each other and let the other one know they are „for this marriage“. If that’s how exhausting life was back then, then I’m glad I don’t live in the regency period. However I don’t remember Elisabeth Bennet needing a lie down after an awkward conversation or even a proposal. Anne needs to grow up and get over herself. She behaves like a spoilt brat most of the time. I still don’t know what he sees in her. Basically small unimportant matters were constantly being made into massive overly dramatic emotional plot lines. It didn’t make any sense.
I won’t go on....even though I really could. It was cringeworthy at times. I laughed so hard at times not because it was funny but because it was just so ridiculous.
January 15, 2024
I have vague memories of reading the first book in this series and liking it a really long time ago. My library has the series on audio so I decided to continue and see if I still enjoyed Wick's writing. For the most part, I did. It is a very meandering book nothing really happens it is more about the journey of Anne and Weston slowly falling in love. I did like the gentle romance that was at the heart of this book. Plus, it was nice to hear them talk of their love of God in everyday conversation. One thing that irked me was Anne's dad who was mentally impaired after a high fever is just left on his own for days at a time. He gets easily confused and will pick up a sword and threaten people with it from time to time. Plus, he was always wandering off. I can understand when it was just Anne and her father that she couldn't always be at the house to watch him because she had to go get food for them but when she got married to a man of means why didn't they set up a caretaker for him? Instead, Anne just leaves and only checks on him once in a while. It just made no sense. Other than that, I enjoyed it.
November 5, 2017
While I enjoyed the story overall, the and enjoyed most of the characterizations, there was one aspect I didn't really get. When Anne Gardiner fell from the roof and just happened to be rescued by a man who was driving buy (whom they didn't know), her father, who witnesses only the the end of the event (she is unknown mans arms) immediately goes of the deep end and insists that they now have to marry. Although this is the early 1800's this seems extreme, especially since her father appears to have what now know as dementia and the whole community knows it. In order to appease her father they pretend to get married in front of him hoping that will end it. Unfortunately, her father went around the town telling everyone about her getting "married", which led to two total strangers having to marry for real. Once I did enjoy the book overall, but that plot twist seemed just a little far fetched. Things did work out in the end with an HEA.
March 20, 2024
Lovely clean historical romance about two strong Christians who agree to a marriage of convenience, hoping to eventually fall in love. They have loving Christian friends in their community, many of whom we met in the first book of this series. I appreciate the genuine concern most of the characters have to discuss all of their problems and sorrows in light of trusting God and what wisdom He has for them in their situations. I enjoyed one reviewer referring to this as reminiscent of the Cinderella story, as the main female character had fallen on hard times, and her whole situation is turned around with her marriage.
April 12, 2021
I like this one better than the Proposal (#1 of this series), so 4 stars. I also enjoy Wick's novels that have the couple married and then fall in love. But now that I'm older and more mature than when I first read and loved Wick as a teen, I see that she lacks credibility in this series and is overly sentimental in many of her books. Still enjoyable clean romances when you want entertainment. They are overtly Christian as well, not the type of many modern Christian fiction with a nod to Christianity, but really hard to tell.
June 2, 2020
This is a clean love story between a poor girl and a rich man, set in England, in the year 1811. Anne Gardiner literally slips into the arms of handsome Mr. Weston, when he startles her off a ladder. Anne's father has a bit of dementia and believes that Weston his Anne's betrothed. The story is a little repetitive in parts, and what kids will call mushy, today, but it is a cozy light-hearted love story for the young at heart, with the historical aspects, of the time period, as a bonus.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 142 reviews