An Uncertain Choice

I just finished reading Jody Hedlund’s first YA An Uncertain Choice.

Due to her parents' promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, a month before her birthday, a friend of her father's enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents' will left a second choice. If Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the cloister is the best place after all. If only one of the knights the one who appears the most guilty had not already captured her heart.

I enjoyed this tale and I hope she will keep writing and improving in this genre.

Cons -There were no surprises for me (predictable story line and villain), and the torture scenes were a bit much for a young audience. I was disappointed that the prequel I bought for $1.99 (see my review of it here.) didn’t become a driving force for this full length novel. Even though the main character is now four years older, I saw no great difference in her maturity or abilities. *SPOILER ALERT* The love interest from the prequel isn't even seen (and barely mentioned) in this book.

Pros – a sweet romance, and something I would feel confident recommending to my own daughters. Hedlund touches on what marital love means, and how the partner should be a friend who helps you to become a better version of yourself.

While I wish a few of the better character qualities had been more fully developed in the story, the author provides a discussion guide on her website to go along with the book: http://jodyhedlund.com/books/an-uncertain-choice  This is an excellent source to aid in opening dialogue either with your own children or in a classroom setting. Topics include “boundaries in relationships”, “modeling courage”, and “dealing with disappointments.”

Overall, this is a clean and fun read that can be shared in a day and age where the content in many books (even YA) is becoming increasingly about characters and situations which are derogatory, negative, and self serving. I look forward to this authors next YA creation.

Want to win a copy of this book? Check out the authors website mentioned above. Have you read any of Hedlund's works? Do you recommend any YA books?