A Very Fun Read

Ben Morrison is a sweet guy who falls like a rock for Lauren Holt the first moment he sees her... but she's been scarred by life and won't even consider dating anyone. So, he settles in to be her friend, hoping she'll learn to trust him in time. Lots of fun banter between them and some very natural conflicts, between Lauren's hopes and fears, and especially between the newly-converted Ben and his very-non-Mormon family. The author does a great job of setting up a very convincing crisis of love and faith, and then resolving it in a satisfying way.

I'm not a Mormon, so there were things that went over my head, but overall I still really enjoyed reading this.

Lauren Holt has had it with men, relationships, and the whole "happily ever after" myth. After being in a series of relationships that could at best be described as federal disasters, she has decided to abandon any hope of romance and instead, focus on her studies as a physical therapist at BYU-Idaho.

Ben Morrison is hurting in a different way. A former pre-law student at Harvard, he was disowned by his enormously wealthy but extremely controlling father when he joined the Mormon Church. Financial and family assistance came to an abrupt end, as well as his studies at Harvard. Now, nearly a year later, he finds himself in Rexburg, Idaho, attending a church-run university, wondering where his life will take him.

Ben soon discovers that life throws a curveball when you least expect it; or, in his case, a fast pitch. During a pick-up softball game at a church social, Ben falls instantly in love when he meets Lauren for the first time. Not knowing her dating history, he asks her out but she makes it immediately apparent that his advances are unwelcome. She has closed herself off and Ben finds that the doors are locked, her alarm is on and he's not getting in.

Through patience and friendship, Ben begins to win Lauren's heart and trust. Just as they are reaching a deeper level in their relationship, a family crisis sends Ben back to Massachusetts. With great apprehension, he returns to his family where he is given a choice, one which will affect everyone for the rest of their lives. The heartbreaking outcome rests with Ben: what will be the ultimate ramification of his decision? What will the outcome of his decision cost him? Is it worth the risk of losing the people he loves? Does he have the courage to follow through with his resolution?

Ms. Klingler skillfully weaves a tale of student life on a church-run university campus, where curfews are the norm, and church-sponsored activities prevail. She is adept at recapturing the feelings of being new on campus, the excitement of being on your own for the first time and feeling overwhelmed by the newness of campus life.

Ms. Klingler capably develops all the characters in the book and has a talent for recreating all the people we recognize from our high school and college years. She accurately and affectionately depicts life in an apartment-like dormitory, where lasting friendships form over boys and chocolate, where there's always a shoulder to cry on or a friend with whom laughter is shared.

This was a good first effort from Ms. Klingler and a nice perspective of college life from the LDS point of view.

This book is different from other books, which have been reviewed for Writers Unlimited in that it was written by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) and is written with the LDS reader in mind. As such, there are references in the book beyond the knowledge of the non-LDS reader. For instance:

As he is leaving for Massachusetts, Lauren gives Ben a "quad." This is shorthand for what the Latter-day Saints call a quadruple combination: The Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine & Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. These books are considered standard works in the church and are part of the Latter-day Saint life.

Ms. Klingler also states that Ben and Lauren belonging to a "ward." A ward is the same as a parish or congregation; a stake is made up of several wards. A bishop and two counselors preside over a ward; a stake president and two counselors preside over a stake.

In order for Ben to go to the temple, he must obtain a "recommend" from his bishop. A temple is different from a meetinghouse. It is a building specifically set aside for the proxy work for the dead that all Latter-day Saints are commanded to do. Strict adherence to church rules must be followed in order to receive a recommend. A recommend is only granted after one has proven to their bishop and stake president that they live in accordance with church standards. On the other hand, a meetinghouse (or church building) is where day-to-day activities and meetings are held. Sunday services ("Sacrament") are held in meetinghouses and games such as basketball and volleyball are played.

*Note: this review was written by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.