The Road to Paradise

4.5 stars
A delightful story about a young woman and a man from vastly different backgrounds. Margie was gently raised among the best of society; Ford grew up in the wilderness. When Margie wants to escape society and become a forest ranger, exercising her favorite pursuits as a naturalist, she joins Ford's staff. He feels the need to look after her, since she's their first woman on staff and has a habit, annoying to him, of looking at nature with awe and wonder and joy rather than with respect of its meaner sides.

I think what I liked best about Margie was her pluck and her faith. She might not like what she comes across at times, and she might feel like giving up, but she doesn't melt into a puddle and stop going. She's the sort of person I would like to meet in real life.

Ford was struggling with the grief of losing his father recently, and he had loads of emotional baggage to work through. Only problem is, he's running away from God as well, so he has no reliable way to find comfort and closure after the accident that took his father's life. He's a strong man, a good ranger, and a gentleman—but he's not at peace with the world.

Favorite side characters were Luke and Mrs. Brown! And the antagonist proves himself worthy of the role.

I received a free review copy from the Blogging for Books program.