The first day I bought this book, I sat on my desk and told myself I'd just read a chapter before I go to bed. That was 9pm. No matter how hard I tried, I could not put the book down. I found myself teary eyed, reading the ending, at 5am the next morning. Intending to read just the first few pages, I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting (with one bathroom break!).

Everytime Angel would run away from Michael's love, I would say, "you stupid, ungrateful woman!" But as I was reading, God reminded me of all the times when I myself would backslide from my faith, thinking that I could make it on my own without Him - and of how unconditional His love is (like Michael's) when I come to my senses and ask for His forgiveness. After I finished the novel, I couldn't help but thank God for His forgiving, faithful, redeeming love.

I definitely recommend this book. But don't read it like I did - Don't read it in one sitting until 5am when you need to be at work at 7am.!!

I have read very widely, and rarely if ever, has a fiction book held my attention and deep emotions as this book did. Francine Rivers shows the life of children sold into prostitution and the traps they seem to stay in forever. She shows what real married love looks like and the contrasts between good and bad, sweet and bitter, happiness and sadness, truth and lies, all are a major part of this very, very excellent Christian fiction book! It should be required reading in all high schools, private or public and I will recommend this books to all the homeschooling groups I can find. Congratulations Francine, you have done to my heart, mind and emotions what few if any authors have managed to do!

Ok, I know you read the reviews, and it's always " oh this is a great book," or " you just have to read it," " its the best book in the whole wide world" and you think, "yep, heard that line said before..." well, I don't want you to think that I'm just writing this review and coming up with those lines. BUT I'm serious, this is the best book I have ever read. I have a read a ton of books in my day, and Francine Rivers is by far the best author I have come across. I also recommend the Mark of the Lion series by her. Those were excellent also. Francine Rivers has wonderfuly portrayed the book of Hosea through this story. It shows God's unconditional love for us, no matter what we've done in the past. He loves for who we are. Its wonderful, isn't it? I highly recommend these books and I hope all of you who read them enjoy them as much as I did.

I've read every book for Francine Rivers that I could get my hands on and this one is by far her best. A gripping story demonstrating God's love, I couldn't put down Redeeming Love once I started. I read until three in the morning. I laughed, I cried, I rediscovered precious truths that I had forgotten about God's love. I would recommend this book to any one. I was sorry when I read the last page. I wish I could have read more about Michael and Sarah's life.

W-O-W!!! This book is just amazing. A retelling of the story of Hosea in an 1850s California setting. I felt so deeply for Michael all throughout, and I had such a hard time even putting the book down! (I even got scared by the waiter at a drive-in restaurant today, because I got so engrossed!) I just hope that I can have that much faith in God, and follow His will no matter what, even when it hurts or seems wrong to the worldly point of view.

When Redeeming Love was first released, as an admirer of Francine's story telling skills I rushed out to buy a copy. After reading it I returned to clear out the shelves of three different book stores, buying 4-5 copies at a shot. When it was released in hardback through a book club, I bought another 5 copies. Why so many books? Because it is the BEST witness of the Father's love that I can give to someone who will not listen to "God talk" or read traditional Christian fiction. What is a well written romance on the surface, is so much more at its core.

This story gets inside of the readers heart and mind, it creates a hunger to be loved unconditionally. To be loved in a manner the world via Hollywood tells us is possible, but life experince tells us is not.

This is God's love at work in Michael's life and Angel's, and for those readers who allow it, in our lives as well. We all sin and fall short of the mark, Angel did so in a very public manner. We all need to be redeemed, to know that we are loved beyond measure. Francine's retelling of the book of Hosea allows a glimpse of the depth and breadth of the Father's love for each of us.

I absolutely loved this book. Angel can't believe that Michael Hosea really loves her. Even though he knows she was a prostitute, he still loves her. It's inconceivable to her that anyone could love her without having ulterior motives.

Michael lovingly and tenderly persists in showing Angel that his love is unconditional and that there are no strings attached.

This isn't just a wonderful love story. It shows each of us how much our Heavenly Father loves us. Yes, we are sinful. We're not perfect. Yet He persists in loving us.

My favorite authors are Francine Rivers, Lorie Wick, and Robin Jones Gunn. They have worked hard to take Christian fiction to new heights.

Before reading this book, I had no clue what it was. I just found it on a bookshelf and began reading it. This is the best, most moving novel I have ever read. Based on the book of the Bible, Hosea, Francine Rivers clearly portrays the meaning of TRUE love and how we should live by love and forgive others as God has done for us. This book is not only outstanding and addicting, but it teaches lessons about life and TRUE Christianity that can change you forever.

I LOVED this book! Ordinarily, I do not recommend religious books to anyone, because what works for me will not usually work for other people. In times past, I would simply say that I enjoyed the book, but would be very noncommittal when asked if I would recommend it. This time, however, I highly recommend this book!

It was an excellent retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea. It moved me from anger to love, from tears of sorrow to tears of joy. It was a great example of how God's love, expressed through man, can heal another person's heart. It showed how no matter how far we try to run, God is always there for us and with us, and He will take as much time as we need to teach us of Him and His love.

Redeeming Love is, at its heart, a story of restoration and forgiveness -- the kind that has to take place not only on a spiritual level, but also on an intrapersonal level and within one's self. It's also a lesson on judgement. So many people had so quickly passed judgement on Angel that she internalized their negativity, and they missed out on the opportunity to heal her wounded spirit. Even Micheal almost missed his chance, until he allowed the Lord completely bend his will to the divine purpose the Lord had intended.

This book will make you fully appreciate the goodness of the Lord. I will awaken in your spirit a renewed desire to be drawn into His fold. If you are not moved by this story, check your pulse, you may be dead.

I am an avid fan of Francine Rivers; have been for a long time. I had read the Mark of the Lion series, as well as Atonement Child and Sin Eater prior to reading this- Redeeming Love. I saved it till last, I believe, because it was her first, and I wanted to read her later works to be able to compare the first book to.

I was proven wrong.

This book is a masterful expression of the Christian mind- and of the mind polluted by sins kept as baggage...by the mind that believes that no one loves them...by the mind that is resistent to any love and affection in their lives!

What a powerful book, and powerful stories. You will love Angel- a hurt, lost former prostitute- and her husband, Michael, a devout Christian farmer willing to go to hell and back (pardon the pun) for his wife.

Read this book- you won't be disappointed.

WARNING: YOUR LIFE MAY BE CHANGED.

I think the book is a great book. I could see myself in Angel; always trying to run away from GOD'S love to other unprofitable things. However, I believe the book was, sometimes, unnecessarily graphic. Even though bad words weren't used, some descriptions of some characters sexual engagement was too vivid, and, in my opinion, disturbing.