I recently was able to reacquaint myself with an old friend... Years by LaVyrle Spencer. I find Spencer's writing to be so thoroughly engrossing that even after finishing a novel, the story of the leads cling to you. In this particular novel, set near the end of WWI in the middle of American farmland, the cast of characters are motley but endearing.
The hero is a young man of 33 years of age. He has been a farmer and has been content to be a farmer since the age of a young boy. When he was merely 17 or 18 he met and married a young girl of similar age passing through the Midwest on a political campaign. The girl was bipolar and not at all suited to life without constant stimulation. After the birth of their child her despondent mood increased until she up and vanished to the west coast. After the passing of several years, Theodore heard of her passing, but even had he wanted to remarry ninety percent of the women where he lived were related to him.
His son is 17 years old and is anxious to see part of the world and yet perversely content to be a farmer. Kristian's restlessness is not released until after the new schoolmarm arrives to Alamo, North Dakota. His grandmother, Nissa, lives with Kristian and Theodore in their farmhouse and his Uncle John comes by for every meal. John is slow, but not stupid. He's singularly incurious and doesn't feel the need to question things. John by the way is just one of many uncles.
The heroine, Linnea, is a young vivacious woman of just 18 years. She's earned her teacher's certificate and has set her heart on being a teacher (on her own and away from her family.) Little did she know that she was hired because the school board thought she was a man. Theodore is most surprised at finding a girl still wet behind the ears at the train station. His house has always been offered to the teachers because of its close location to the school. Immediately he rebels at the thought of hosting a female in his home - he's had enough heartache and feminine wiles to last him a lifetime. For being a grown man - he still caters to his ma so when Nissa declared Linnea was staying he had no choice but to let her.
To his dismay, Teddy is drawn to Linnea's freshness, spirit, and innocence. His old soul is given new life around her, but he knows his attraction is wrong. He may not be able to read, and he may not know half the words Linnea throws at him when they argue, but he can count... at nearly twice her age, he's old enough to be considered her father. On top of that his son is just a year younger than the pretty schoolmarm, wouldn't it be more accepted to see them pair off? Teddy throws in the path to love as many obstacles as possible because Linnea has an uncanny ability to see to the heart of a matter.
Can love bridge the age gap? This question is met and answered in a timeless story that entwines joys and sorrows.
Rating: 
 |
20 pb lot LAVYRLE SPENCER SALE SPRING HELLION YEARS L |
US $29.99 | Sale |
 |
Years by LaVyrle Spencer |
US $1.00 | Sale |
 |
NEW Years by LaVyrle Spencer |
US $23.91 | Sale |
 |
2 Contemporary Romance Hardcover Books by LaVyrle Spencer Twice Loved Years |
US $9.95 | Sale |
 |
Years by Lavyrle Spencer 1986 |
US $5.00 | Sale |
 |
17 pb lot LAVYRLE SPENCER YEARS LOVED SMALL SUMMER L |
US $31.29 | Sale |
 |
Lavyrle Spencer Years Soft cover Copy |
US $3.43 | Sale |
Online Stores - John Deere Agriculture Advertising Collectibles
- Teddy Avon Bears Dolls & Bears
- Young, Neil X-Z Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
- Pretty Young Orchids Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
- Signs John Deere Agriculture Advertising Collectibles
This post was written by...
Keira – who has written 1034 posts on Love Romance Passion.
Keira's favorite type of heroes are blind, scarred, and tortured... yes, she understands those should be separate, but all 3 at once is also nice! She enjoys historical romances best and adores audio books because great narrators turn books into auditory/mental movies (and she loves her romantic dramas like Pride and Prejudice/North and South!) Learn more about Keira in My Instant Turn Ons, Offs, and Ifs.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I love, love, love this book. It’s just so tender and heartwarming isn’t it? I love how Linnea really lightens Teddy’s rather lonely sad life. In many cases the age difference would bother me, but it really didn’t in this story.
I know what you mean, but she really offers him so much and it’s so tender that it just makes you sigh in bliss.
LaVyrle Spencer has written some of my favorite books. I wish she were still writing. Out of all of them, there were only a couple that put me off.
Absolutely LOVE this book. I was so sad when I finished it because I wanted to keep reading the story of these wonderful characters! Can’t wait to read more from this author. =)