This book was fairly poorly executed. I was interested in the premise as a Denver native myself, but the righteous characterization of Larimer as a born-again Christian is frankly, horrendous. This felt like utter Christian propaganda. I didn't realize when I picked this book that it would be Christian fiction. I missed the deadline for review because I put this down after 100 pages and never looked back.

My recommendation to the author would be to really emphasize that this book is in fact Christian fiction. I thought this would just be a historical biography on Larimer, the man, not Bible-thumping.

Wonderfully written true account of one man’s struggle against alcoholism. The author, Timothy Browne, handles this harrowing story with great sympathy and the rise and fall of the protagonist leaves a feeling of hope and that love will prevail. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC for an honest review. A compelling work of fiction that is well written and speaks from the heart. I am an atheist and anything religious is difficult to read. However I found the story of Jim Goodheart interesting and think many of us can relate.

4 stars
Wow, what an incredible book! This will appeal to a wide range of readers. The writing is just superb.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

Based on the true story of Jim Goodheart, charismatic leader of the Sunshine Rescue Mission.

A sweet, kind story of triumph through Goodheart's weaknesses and failures.

2.75☆

Larimer Street
by Timothy Browne
Pub Date 01 Dec 2021 | Archive Date 30 Nov 2021
BooksGoSocial
Christian | Historical Fiction



I am reviewing a copy of Larimer Street through Books Go Social, and NetGalley:




Larimer Street is based on the true story of Jim Goodheart, the founder of The Sunshine Rescue Street mission. It is a triumphant and epic tale of one man’s courage and redemption through his weaknesses and failures. There is power in going through—in surviving. And in the final analysis, losing some battles but winning the war.




The year is 1907, Larimer Street, Denver Jim Goodheart, a tall and handsome man, loses everything. Staggering in drunkenness and desperation on a dark night in November, he decides to drink a bottle of carbolic acid and make room in the world for a better man. Jim stumbles onto the doorstep of the rescue mission on Larimer Street, Denver’s skid row.



Despite Jim Goodheart’s life long battle battle with alcoholism, and by divine redemption, he becomes known as the captivating leader of the Sunshine Rescue Mission. Throughout the First World War and the Spanish Flu epidemic the mission serves the destitute in an era without safety nets or social programs.


The pain of the First World War and his personal war against alcoholism brings him to the point of losing it all again, except his loving wife, Ada, and his faith. Larimer Street is a story of courage and redemption. It is not a story of Jim’s success over his challenges, but a story of triumph through his weaknesses and failures.



I give Larimer Street five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!