“I’m the only contented one in the family!”

Tragedy seems to loom over the Tracy household. Yet, Olive pushes it all away with laughter and songs. She scorns Duke’s proposal and pacifies her rage against Eddie’s incorrigible habits. Things would go on as they were or not go on at all.

Yet, changes thrust themselves upon Olive and her four siblings rapidly. A war that is taking lives each day. A stranger at Crofton Court. A whimsical, incorrigible child. What a puzzle her life is!

Olive’s contentment is all but destroyed. Yet, on what can she build again? And if she takes the time to seek God, is it possible to be happier and more useful to others than ever before?

Dear Olive is another compelling tale from the pen of Amy LeFeuvre!

Until I re-read this novel, I had forgotten how much depth of story, how many likable characters, and how many plot twists there were in these pages!

The cast of characters is colorful and an interesting mix of serious, comical, happy, grave, and endearing. As is typical of Amy’s style, an intriguing child (this one not an invalid but a whirlwind of a girl) brightens the scene often with her peculiar thought patterns and intense loyalty.

Primarily, the book focuses upon the lives of the Tracy siblings. Vinny, Olive, Osmond, Edmund, and Elsie are quite the match for each other!

The siblings are humorously philosophical, although it is sobering when they come to the wrong conclusions. None of the Tracy siblings is afraid to speak their minds, at least to one another, and the open confidence gives us a fuller look into each soul through the story. They are witty, sad, energetic, opinionated, and altogether loyal no matter the differences betwixt them.

This book exemplified the fact that God gives us our siblings with purpose, each of us especially designed so that we can best grow into the image of Christ. It is an encouraging and challenging picture of sibling friendships as they blossom into adulthood.

Olive and Edmund catch our chief attention.

As a heroine, Olive is thoughtful, happy, intelligent, and emotionally staid. She begins contended in a miserable life and moves steadily toward true contentment in Jesus Christ. I enjoyed her strong convictions and how she drew encouragement from the Lord.

Eddie is cheerful, valiant, strong, and true. That is, after he gets through his careless, self-destructive stage. It is easy to like Eddie, but just as easy to stand bewildered by his speech. What caught me most was his appeal to be saved from his sinful life.

Dear Olive is set during the same era as the classic The Little Princess. It offers a touching and sometimes humorous perspective on the war. Amy’s characteristic voice gives a full glimpse of sacrifice, love, grief, and triumph for those at the Front and the home front of the war. It’s historically pleasing and insightful.

Amy yet again twines mystery into the pages. Although it seems only an underlying current, it affects Olive a lot and adds another layer to the commonplace things.

There are many lessons taught and learnt, but the overarching hope and challenge to live life in relationship with Jesus, and how it changes the inner and outer life is so encouraging!

Hallelu Yah! Jesus is in the world today! He dwells in us through the Holy Spirit, and He has the power to make us new creations from the inside out. He is our faithful High Priest and loving Friend in all our trials. He is the Sovereign Lord over all; no matter how our circumstances affect us, we can run to Him for refuge, wisdom, and truth. Hallelu Yah!

Dear Olive is a five-star read for me; I enjoyed the second read as much as the first. Enjoy a tale of adventure, humor, love, and a true, practical faith in Jesus!