Books for Christian Girls: "Sweet on You" by Chautona Havig

About this book:

“As the mayor's daughter, Madeline Brown enjoys a rich social life that many might envy. But a sharp mind and a growing talent for observation leaves Madeline torn between avoiding social censure and exploring the world around her. With an aunt who considers higher education and employment equally unsuitable for the mayor's daughter, there is little to amuse her save endless committee meetings, evening socials, and her favorite pastime: curling up with an exciting detective novel. The temperance and suffrage movements hold little interest for a young woman who has just endured the rigors of her father's mayoral campaign. So when a young man shows interest in her friend, Madeline's interest piques--until his actions hint that he might not be the upstanding gentleman everyone presumes him to be. Unable to ignore her concerns, Madeline finds herself in the middle of an investigation into his character and discovers a side of Rockland she's never encountered. Will her new hobby reduce the tedium of her life, or will her "meddling" create tension for herself and her father? Will she be forced to squelch this budding skill of hers or has Madeline finally found her calling in life.”

Series: Book #1 in the “Meddin’ Madeline Mysteries” series.

Spiritual Content- Prayers; A parody of Proverbs 31; Scriptures are mentioned, quoted & discussed; Church going & a sermon; Talks about Jesus, prayers, being devout, religion growing fanatical; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of church going, mass, sermons, singing & prayer meetings; Mentions of Bibles, bible reading & psalms; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of being devout & discussions on different religious opinions; Mentions of blessings; Mentions of Providence and being grateful; Mentions of prayers; Mentions of religious people, godly people & Christians; Mentions of sins & repentance; A few mentions of quite time with the Lord;

*Note: The phrase “The Lord helps those who help themselves” is said.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blasted’, a form of ‘idiot’, three ‘stupid’s; Killing a rat (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of curses (said, not written); Many mentions of alcohol/spirits/liquor, wine, drinking, drunks & temperance (& Madeline actually drinks wine and cordial at dinners); Mentions of murder mystery novels, murder scenes & blood; Mentions of cards, gambling, debts & clubs; Mentions of stolen items, thieves & burglars; Mentions of pipes & smoking; Mentions of body waste & manure; Mentions of lies, lying & deceit; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of saloons.

Sexual Content- a hand kiss, three cheek kisses, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses; Temptation to kiss someone; Touches & Embraces (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing; Flirting & Blushes; Many mentions of women of ill repute, brothels/bawdy houses, being intimate, & affairs (never said, but hinted at what prostitutes have to do; a mention of diseases there); Many mentions of noticing, touches, flirting & blushes; Mentions of dastardly deeds & men with lipstick on their cuffs; Mentions of a burlesque show & men going to one; Mentions of a tête-à-tête; Mentions of a flatterer & him kissing another girl; Mentions of a man who left three women with children; Mentions of rakes & cads; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of seeing other couples kiss (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of love & romance; Mentions of reputations; Mentions of jealousy; A few mention of a woman caught in adultery & a woman with five husbands; A few mentions of a philanderer possibly persuading a woman to do something immoral & his carnal nature; A few mentions of leers; A couple mentions of molestation; A couple mentions of whispering sweet nothings to the fairer sex; A mention of physically assaulting a woman; A mention of marrying a philanderer; A mention of a husband running around town (to see other women); A mention of an illegitimate son;

*Note: A mention of a feminine ailment; A mention of a bosom friend; A mention of a man liking a woman’s dress that has a lower neckline; A mention of a man wanting to recruit a girl (hinted for a brothel); A couple mentions of immodesty; A few mentions of unmentionables; A few mention of Dimmesdale from The Scarlet Letter.

-Madeline Brown, age 19

P.O.V. switches between Madeline (mostly), Russell(8x), Vernon(8x) & Lousia (2x)

Set in 1901/1902 (?)
352 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

When I started this book, I felt very lost and overwhelmed by all the characters and names, but by the middle I felt more confident in who was who. Madeline was really different and unique from the typical historical heroine, she’s quite sharp and quick on her feet with responses. I smirked many times while reading her comments & plans. I like that Madeline isn’t part of the suffragette movements since in most Christian Fiction set in this era the women are all for it. {Another reason why I just love “Sleigh Belles” by Janice Hanna.} Her father is a kind and loving father to her and doesn’t hound her on getting married like most historical fathers in other books.

I do have to add though: Historical authors, please include the year your book is set in. I literally spent ten minutes debating with my mother over what year this book was set in based on a paragraph in a letter. It’s truly not that big of a deal, but it would be really nice for a detailed person like me to know that info. ;)

Though, some words didn’t seem historically accurate, I overall enjoyed this book; Madeline was such a fun heroine, but I’m not sure about reading the future books in the series since I highly disliked Vernon. I do have to give the author props for even though her book had many mentions of prostitutes & brothels, it’s actually pretty clean in that regard, which was a pleasant surprise.

See y’all on Friday with a new review!