Summary: Read this review to learn what I thought about the book The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
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An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf’s bailiff, a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past. Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff’s vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf’s future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.
Melanie Dickerson is an author that I’ve only recently discovered and I really love her stories. I’ve learned that the things I read get into my thoughts much more than I realized, and that by reading Christian-themed books, as opposed to books with a very different mindset, it’s easier to keep my own thoughts pointed in the right direction, because our thoughts affect our actions and words.
I knew The Merchant’s Daughter was going to be based off the story of Beauty and the Beast, which made me apprehensive, but it turned out to just be subtle hints of the story, rather than feeling like a full-blown fairy tale. Of course it was still a fairy-tale in the sense that it ends happily ever after, but with less magic involved.
I also love that the main character ends up saving herself (and the guy!). I could tell she was a strong female character from the beginning, but I got a little nervous in there for a bit when she felt too “damsel in distress.” It was a very quick read for me, though, maybe three to four hours, which I loved because I couldn’t put it down (and needed to get other things done!).
If you’re looking for something romantic, set in a past time period, with some talk of God in there, then this is the book for you!
