The Dawn of a Dream by Ann Shorey

Hmmm. This was a very clean romance that had a message that I found unattractive. Luellen O'Connell is shocked and betrayed when her husband of only a few months abandons her. Unfortunately, he leaves a very real part of himself behind and she is forced to live with the consequences. This is the story of her emotional recovery and her pursuit of her dream to get an education and be a school teacher.

The message I didn't like? That seemed a little 21st century for this 19th century book? It was that a woman's education and career is more important than any other consideration in her life. Our Luellen put it before every other loved one in her life. I admire Luellen's grit and determination, but I didn't agree with her choices. She made herself and others miserable in pursuit of her great obsession with her own career. Hm.

This was also one of those books that kind of beats the reader down with all the misfortunes that befall our main character. Poor Luellen just doesn't seem to get a break! It all ends well, though, I suppose.

All in all, it was an engaging and clean read with a hard-working protagonist who tries hard to do what she feels is right. If the book wasn't exactly to my taste, it was by no means an unpleasant or unsatisfying read.