Review
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Title: Don’t You Marry the Mormon Boys
Author: Janet Kay Jensen
Publisher: Cedar Fort/Bonneville Books
Genre: Fiction/Romance
Year Published: 2007
Number of Pages: 314
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-59955-075-6
Price: $15.99

Reviewed by Karen Hamilton

Who ever said that love was smooth sailing was either lying or has never actually been in love. When two University of Utah Med Students from different cultures meet, the seeds of a lasting love affair are planted. Louisa Martin is from a close-knit polygamous community and Andy McBride is from a mainstream Mormon family. Both Louisa and Andy realize that any choice they make will have far-reaching consequences.

Andy ends up in Hawthorne Valley, Kentucky as a country doctor, making house calls and running the local clinic. As the reader gets to know him, they will be treated to his favorite memories and the most painful ones about his relationship with Louisa. Life falls into a pattern for him and he is met with unique neighbors and hard decisions that he needs to make as a doctor and friend. Little does he know the long lasting effects of his choices as he helps his patients.

Louisa goes back home to Gabriel’s Landing, Utah to provide medical care to a town that is distrustful of anyone outside their community. She is the sole medical provider and her eyes are opened to realities that she hadn’t noticed before. As Louisa strives to follow the rules and traditions of Gabriel’s Landing and be the best doctor she can be, she finds the balance impossible to keep. She also shares with the reader her memories and convictions about Andy and their time together. As Louisa makes the hardest decision in her medical career she is forced to leave her home.

As life moves on, fate brings them together in Finland. While there Andy and Louisa are finally able to be honest with their feelings for each other. Both of them realize that neither of their families will be thrilled with their marriage, so after enduring years of loving and heartache, they elope.

This story shows how love, respect, tradition and truth can blend the best of two cultures into one happy family. With snippets of Americana and good old fashioned “Healer advice” thrown in for good measure, this turns into an intriguing story with unique characters from all walks of life that blend together for a satisfying read.