Notes from the Shelf

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Courting Mr. Emerson by Melody Carlson is a 341-page Christian romance novel. When fun-loving, spontaneous artist Willow West meets buttoned-up, retired English teacher George Emerson, she finds the obsessive-compulsive man intriguing. She makes it her mission to get him to loosen up and embrace life, which seems like a lost cause, but she doesn’t mind. In the process, she finds herself falling in love with him.

George is a confirmed bachelor, and he vacillates between irritation and attraction whenever Willow is around, which seems like much too often. He’s not interested in expanding his horizons or making new friends. But as the summer progresses, George finds his defenses start to crumble. But is his change of heart too late for Willow?

I found Courting Mr. Emerson to be a very cute romance novel and was a fun quick read. It’s all about second chances, unexpected love, and personal transformations. I liked that it was about an older couple finding love later in life; I don’t often see retirement-aged couples in the romance novels I find. I did not know it was a Christian romance, it didn’t seem obvious to me when I first read it, but I don’t think that took anything away from my reading experience. This book is full of humor, charm, and touching moments and explores letting go, opening up to love, and accepting that life’s best moments often come when least expected.

I give Courting Mr. Emerson 5 stars.

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