A Love Like Ours (Porter Family, #3) in Transformational Fiction

Oct 08, 2014 Dawn rated it it was amazing

Goodness, Jake Porter. It's no wonder Lyndie's madly in love with you.

Becky Wade is exceptionally talented when it comes to 1.) writing a worthwhile clean contemporary romance, 2.) introducing readers to very true-to-life, flawed, yet appealing characters, and 3.) making you sigh with her descriptions of the feelings of these characters. ...more

24 likes · Like · see review

Oct 30, 2014 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

Tall, dark and brooding, Jake Porter is a study in contrasts. Admirable, accomplished and handsome on the outside, but so miserable, guilt-ridden and utterly broken on the inside that he can hardly manage any measurable human contact. Enter Lyndie James; beautiful, imaginative, free-spirited Lyndie; Jake's childhood friend who has dared to re-enter his life twenty years after exiting. Lyndie arrives back in Texas with her family after living in California for years; padding her resume as a horse ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Dec 19, 2014 Toni Shiloh rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance-favorites

I adore all books Becky Wade. I've never had a book of hers that I didn't like. With that said, A Love Like Ours is tied for first in my opinion. (My Stubborn Heart is the other contender if you're curious).
The story of the third Porter son, Jake, and his childhood friend, Lyndie James was fantastic! Jake was wounded serving in the Marine Corp and has been "tall, dark, and brooding" since he made an appearance in the first Porter series. I've been waiting for his story and Becky Wade did not di ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 12, 2015 Becky rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2015

When I sit down with a Becky Wade novel, I've come to expect two things: 1. Realistic characters who find themselves experiencing frustrating, heartbreaking, and toe-curling romance. 2. Finding myself so sucked into the story that I can't put it down for anything.

A Love Like Ours completely lived up to those expectations.

Becky Wade is no stranger to writing wounded heroes (remember what I said about realistic characters?), but Jake Porter takes the cake. Suffering from PTSD and full of survivor' ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 07, 2015 Carolyn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: christian-contemporary-romance, features-militar

I devoured A Live Like Ours like an addict on a bender - in huge chunks and in tiny bits at red lights, between baseball innings, and while I washed dishes. There is nothing new in the pretense of childhood friends, a wounded hero, and a strong, loving heroine, but the details and the way they are crafted bring those archetypes new life.

Becky Wade's writing is crisp, modern, and fresh. There is enough humor to make you smile between the scenes of exquisite tension and longing. The author is gift ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 01, 2015 Kelsey Messner rated it really liked it

Summary

Lyndie James and Jake Porter were best friends till Lyndie moved away with her family to California. Twenty years later, Lyndie’s back in town hoping to land a job exercising Jake’s Thoroughbreds to supplement her income as a children’s book writer and illustrator. While she’s much the same spirited, tender-hearted girl who cared for wounded animals and believed in God and miracles, Jake is calloused to the world after serving as a Marine in Iraq and suffers from PTSD. Jake is hesitant to Summary

Lyndie James and Jake Porter were best friends till Lyndie moved away with her family to California. Twenty years later, Lyndie’s back in town hoping to land a job exercising Jake’s Thoroughbreds to supplement her income as a children’s book writer and illustrator. While she’s much the same spirited, tender-hearted girl who cared for wounded animals and believed in God and miracles, Jake is calloused to the world after serving as a Marine in Iraq and suffers from PTSD. Jake is hesitant to let someone in, to allow someone to see the dark inner workings of his mind. Lyndie sees Jake as her next project, her next wounded soul to heal. As Lyndie prays for God to heal her old friend, she finds that getting close makes her vulnerable to hurts of her own.

The Pros

In A Love Like Ours, Becky Wade gives readers a meaningful story filled with personality, humor, and sigh-worthy romance. Many of the characters have great depth, including some endearing secondary characters like Lyndie’s downstairs neighbor, Amber. Readers will enjoy a smooth read with the unique backdrop of Texas horse country and insight into jockey life.

Wade also shares insight into family dealing with sickness; Lyndie’s sister, Mollie, has had cerebral palsy since birth. So much of Lyndie’s faith is built from her experience watching her sister and her family trust God through all circumstances. Being Mollie’s sister changes who she is and how she sees the world, also enabling her to see past Jake’s stoic exterior.

Jake Porter’s struggle with PTSD is a relatable story for so many readers; Jake lost his faith in the war, and thinks he doesn’t deserve God’s grace or anything good in his life. Jake’s faith journey though the story is a wonderful portrayal of God’s redeeming love.

The Cons

While Wade’s writing is descriptive, at times, the pacing sags with description and seemingly irrelevant storylines. For example, Lyndie and Amber force each other to go out on dates which brings a little more humor to the story, but some of the scenes seemed unimportant or too long. Overall, the book was evenly paced.

Conclusion

A Love Like Ours is a fun, faith-based romance. If you’re looking for more than a trivial romance, this one’s a good pick. You get an interesting story, great characters, a picture of God’s faithfulness, and a “tall, dark, and brooding” Texan.
...more

Like · see review

May 08, 2016 Kame rated it it was amazing

Shelves: christian-fiction, series, 2016-books-read

Lyndie and Jake were inseparable when they were young. He always watched out for her. Then her family moved away. She tried to keep in touch and followed his military career as best she could. Now many years later she and her family have come back.

I have to say it, Jake is my favorite Porter brother.

He has seen some pretty awful stuff, and can not fathom why he was spared his life over others. He is strong and even though he won't like it mentioned sensitive and caring too. Lyndie is the perfec ...more

Like · see review

Apr 30, 2015 Wilani Wahl rated it it was amazing

A powerful book with a tremendous story. I was drawn into this story from the very beginning. I loved the characters. This is the third book in a series, but it is able to stand alone. I felt like I was living the story right along with the characters. One of the things that I loved the most was the spiritual emphasis and message of the book. I love this quote from the book.

I’m messed up, God
But I’m perfect.
I’m a failure.
I am not.
I’m filled with darkness.
I am the light.

I look forward to the next ...more

Like · see review

May 18, 2015 Andi Tubbs rated it it was amazing

This was a great book from start to finish. I lost many nights of sleep staying up to read this one. While it was a great book, it was sad as well. Jake is a former Marine, and dealing with PTSD. Both Jake and Lyndie grow emotionally and spiritually through the book, which is always a plus for me. As a navy brat and navy wife I love that part of the proceeds from this book are going to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. I have a lot of respect for Becky that she would consider that. So, buy a grea ...more

Like · see review

Nov 23, 2014 Martha rated it liked it

This book had a serious side to it's fun loving cover with the topic of PTSD. It briefly went into the topic, but I struggled with a few premises of the book.

It seemed to use PTSD as an excuse to be rude, take liberties and other flaws. While those are more human flaws that anyone can have, they are not usually something associated with PTSD. I appreciated what the author was trying to portray and know that PTSD manifests in many different ways. As someone that suffers from it myself, I may hav ...more

Like · see review

Oct 10, 2014 Becky of Becky's Bookshelves rated it it was amazing

WOW! I loved this book. I did not want it to end. Lyndie and Jake are delightful characters who draw you into their story. Lyndie is a sweet character with a heart of gold who loves to save. Jake is working through PTSD from his days as a marine. He is referred to as Tall, Dark, and Brooding. You just have to love that! Within the book there are several great themes and sub-plots. I always reflect on life and enjoy Becky Wade's stories. She has many funny scenes to offset the deepness of her top ...more

Like · see review

Apr 23, 2015 Caryl rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016-challenge

I loved Jake and Lyndie's story! I was drawn into the story from the beginning. Ms. Wade handled the issue of PTSD and those with special needs with love and care. This story is magnificent! ...more

Like · see review