I first fell in love with Tamera Alexander’s writing when I read A Beauty So Rare, and to this day, it is one of my absolute favorite books. However, I found To Win Her Favor to be lacking in my expectations for this author.

As much as I love romance, I’m surprised that this book caused me to be bored, but I think the blame for that can be on the fact that it’s predictable. In A Beauty So Rare, the romance is surrounded by mysteries, action, and twists that you absolutely never saw coming, but To Win Her favor had “twists” that are predictable to anyone who has read a lot of arranged marriage romances as well as those who read horse racing/redemption stories; both of which I read A LOT of in middle school and high school.

The character’s bonding was nice to read and I did think Cullen and Maggie had a good story. And don’t get me wrong, Tamera Alexander’s writing is simply stunning, that’s why I continue to read her books after all! I just wasn’t as taken with Maggie’s story as I thought I’d be.

Perhaps I just wore myself out of these types of stories because I read so much of them when I was younger. So overall, I’d give it 3 out of 5 stars personally, but I’d still recommend it to fans of Christian romance and horse stories because others may really enjoy it.

There is some mild cursing, action and sexual content (no sex scenes however). The sexual content consists of detailed kissing and making out; the scenes always cut out before our characters get “intimate”.

I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review via Netgalley. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.

This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.

This title was assigned to two other reviewers at The Christian Manifesto, so I will be unable to post a review there. I may review it on my personal blog at a later date TBD, and will update this feedback if and when I do.

Pride and prejudice in the Southern settings. And dreams. And passion. And human dignity.

Maggie Linden has never thought that hers will be a marriage of convenience. She has even been unsure of entering the marriage at all - given the lack of young men due to the civil war and her own downfall in status, as the Linden wealth is certainly not what it used to be. But to marry a man her father had just met? And which kind of husband will he be? What if he will fight the only thing she had felt she was born to do - ride the horses?
Cullen McGrath knows very well what is to be betrayed by life - an Irishman in the land of Englishmen and then Americans was a subject to harh prejudices. And the injustice suffered in London, followed by the deaths of his wife and their wee daughter on a ship to America...But the hard life has taught him something about what a real man is, as much as the love of his late wife introduced the compassion to his heart. Yes, nobody wants to sell their land to him and they call him "white nigger", but he will find a way. But is the marriage offered by a desperate father, thinking of the fiture of his only living child, the right way?
But Maggie Linden is a woman worth of winning her favor...again and again. Even of the big question of truth and fear arises...

How could I ever miss Tamera Alexander's books yet? I don't have a clue. But for now I am going to lay my hands on everything by her!!!

This novel is SO worth reading, both for the story and the quality of writing. It is multifaceted, rich read - a simple story, but yet anything but a simple story. One couple fighting for love and for dreams - working a farm, enjoying themselves while fighting, and growing their capacity to love. No nation-saving acts here. And yet, the characters are nothing short of heroic when fighting the downs and ups of life. And while some of them are classical misunderstandings between the partners, some need a certain amount of a real courage. Courage to fight prejudices, courage to fight for their dreams, courage to change their opinions, courage to forgive.
The topic od prejudices is strong and my heart breaks for the suffering of the African American people. Or Irish people at that time, which is a lesser known issue, but not less heartbreaking. The dignity of a person is an ideal worth fighting for.
The topic of following the dreams also resonate strongly within me. God put the talents and the dreams onto us and we should use it. And experience the joy that living accordingly to our "wiring" and in truth brings.
And the horse racing theme! Being a lover of animals, I can identify with the love and beauty they can bring into our lives.

As for the main couple - Collum and Maggie are a match made in heaven. But their love is anything but quiet. They fight, they hurt - and they love. Their bond is simply strong, they have each other's back. And their passion...well, it is a passion in the full meaning of this word, so be forewarned. As for myself - I have enjoyed the tasteful openness and truthful quality, as the passion is a gift from God, too, but the door to the bedroom are certainly open. But there is nothing scandalous or inappropriate here.

I leave the pages of the novel as the sun shines behind my window - and I see both the spring in my city and experience the hot sun of Nashville and the strength and compassion of people living there. Their dedication to human dignity will stay with me for a long time.

Deeply recommended read.

I did not want this book to end. It is one of the best I have read by Tamera Alexander. I was both happy and angry with both the Hero and the heroine. I loved the setting and the description of the way the horse, Bourbon Belle, felt when she ran with Maggie on her back or when she was racing is incredible. It's like you are the horse and you really want to win and soar, as Maggie refers to it. I love horses and have never felt this way when reading about a horse. Bravo Ms. Alexander, Bravo.

Margaret "Maggie" Linden and her father own and run Linden Downs and are very close to losing their home and business due to back taxes they can't pay. Maggie, however, is looking forward to racing her horse, Belle, in the Peyton Stakes with a $35,000 purse to be had which would save their home. But seeing that the taxes have to be paid before the race, Mr. Linden decides to sell Linden Downs to a man he just met and believes is the right person to save his home and make a good husband for Maggie.

Cullen McGrath has the ready cash to pay for the taxes and whatever else Mr. Linden wants to tack on to the price. However, Mr. Linden has a catch. Cullen must marry Maggie and promise to take care of her properly. Though Cullen is not very keen on getting a wife in the bargain and starts to decline, until he sees Maggie. The deal is made, unbeknownst to Maggie. The choice is still Maggie's, but she feels there is no choice since she doesn't want to lose her home and her horse. Maggie agrees to the marriage in name only. I say, let the games begin.

This is a wonderful story and if you are into clean historical romance with some local history, meaning Nashville local history, then this book is for you. Enjoy!