Name: A Lasting Impression
ISBN: 9780764206221

Tamera Alexander

After an unwanted past, Claire strives to create something that will last as an artist among Nashville's elite society in the 1860s.

A Lasting Impression

Mary Horton

That was unexpectedly lovely, and I did not mean to finish it tonight.

I first started it about a month and a half ago, right during the onslaught of the Reading Slump that Shall Go Down in Infamy. I wasn't feeling it, then - but it was honestly not because of the book. It just wasn't the right time.

So when I picked it up today? I DID NOT EXPECT TO GET SO HOOKED.


  Lovely Things:


- The setting is so vivid. SOMEONE PLEASE TAKE ME TO BELMONT MANSION, PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
- The writing. It's everything I've come to expect of Tamera Alexander! (Although not as good as in A Note Yet Unsung . . . but then again, nothing is as good as A Note Yet Unsung. ;P)
- THE BANTER HAD ME CRACKING UP OH MY GOODNESS
- Claire and Sutton's relationship was SO NATURAL and adorable and real. It wasn't overly dramatic or insta-lovey (totally a word). It overdid it a bit in the uh, flirting and physical contact area . . . but it was nonetheless absolutely adorable. They had such a sweet relationship, and it warmed my heart.
- ahhhhhhHHHHH ALL THE ART STUFF <3333
- Claire is French and Sutton is southern and somehow that strikes me as the cutest match. I don't even know why, but it does.
- Can we talk about the themes? 'Cause I'm here for them. 
- That scene when they got up in the night and made breakfast? I shipped them so hard.
- Claire was honestly one of the most refreshing female characters I've ever read. She was incredibly hardworking and desired to make a new name for herself. Sweet yet with a steely resolve and a sharp wit. Timid at first, but gradually, her confidence grew and it was a beautiful sight to behold. Gentle and kind and so gracious when people put her down. But she wasn't a pushover either. Guys - Claire was just wonderful. (But she's not perfect . . . don't worry.)
- Tamera Alexander gets an A+++ for character development, just sayin'.
- OKAY I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK. THAT IS ALL.


  Not-So-Lovely Things:


- Really, there's not much . . . but it didn't quite resonate with me the way I hoped it would. I had kind of an, "aww, that was sweet" reaction at the end, which was far different from the POWERFUL emotion I felt during A Note Yet Unsung (sorry, I can't help comparing them). An excellent book, but it missed the mark of becoming a favorite.
- While I adored the romance and thought their teasing banter was cute, it DID kind of get a bit too flirty and physically-based sometimes. They could have eased off the kissing and touching a leetle bit. :P It made me a bit uncomfortable at times, but not to an extreme degree.
- I was hoping the plot would take a bit more of a dramatic turn than it did. No spoilers, but it didn't seem like it built up to as much in certain areas as I was hoping it would.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am immensely glad I came back to it! Though it's nowhere near as good as A Note Yet Unsung, in my opinion, it stands well on its own as a truly wonderful read.

4 stars!

Jeni Enjaian

After previous pleasant experiences with Ms. Alexander's works I had much higher hopes for this book. However, I am wary of almost all Christian fiction now because almost without fail, writers of Christian historical romantic fiction fall prey to all the clichés in the book. At first Ms. Alexander avoided the most obvious clichés but by the end, almost every single one had been included in the far too long book. 
In no particular order, here are the things I had an issue with. First, the book is far too long. Most of the book is unnecessary filler. Second, the characters do not develop at all. Third, on top of the previous point, the romance between the two protagonists is rushed (yes, rushed in a 400+ page book) and highly unbelievable. Some of the actions taken by Sutton were completely anachronistic. Fourth, Ms. Alexander included a church service and a sermon. When I got to that in the latter portion of the book I rolled my eyes. I do not understand why Christian authors feel compelled to preach to their readers. As a discerning Christian reader, I find it a complete turn off.
I do not recommend this book at all. I might actually take the rest of the books of hers off my to read list. I'm not sure but I'm strongly tempted.

A Lasting Impression

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