Title: Unrivaled- Author: Siri Mitchell
- Series: N/A
- Genre(s): Inspirational, Historical (1910 U.S.)
- Publisher: Bethany House, March 2013
- Source: NetGalley ($9.99 ebook)
- Length: 384 pages
- Trope(s): Family Drama, Reluctant Debutante, Reluctant Heir
- Quick blurb: St. Louis debutante tries desperately to save her ailing father’s beloved candy company, but struggles with her feelings for their rival’s son.
- Quick review: Fun historical premise and setting, memorable characters and complex conflicts — but not my favorite by Mitchell
- Grade: B
“I’ve always thought a meringue is a thing like hope, buoyed as they they are plenty of hot air. A bit pretentious at the start, don’t you think?” He settled his hands on his chest. “But that let that hope wait, let that resolve harden for a while…. Leave the oven door closed, and something wonderful happens. You just have to be willing to wait for it.”
I’d recommend this book for the historical world-building alone. Mitchell combines the early 1900s time period with the drama of rival family businesses to create a unique atmosphere that’s light-hearted and restless and constantly evolving — just like her main characters.
The one thing this book was lacking was a cohesive faith message. I love the low-key and understated spirituality in all of Mitchell’s books, but concentrating all of it in one secondary character — especially one who talks in circles — made it seem like an afterthought instead of an integral part of the story.
Thanks for taking the time to write and post a review!