The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

A retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in England around the year 1352. Annabel is the daughter of a deceased wealthy merchant (big surprise, huh?) and has a mother and two older brothers who are just plain lazy. Because of this, Annabel is sent to be an indentured servant for three years in the new lord, Ranulf Le Wyse's, house. Rumors around town say he's ugly and beastly, but over the weeks Annabel learns to love him. Understandably, she  is worried that her feelings are wrong because he is her lord. And sadly, because Ranulf's wife (now dead) had betrayed him in the past, he thinks that all women can't be trusted and shuns his feelings for Annabel in order to protect himself. Will love and justice reign?

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and had a great Christian message about loving others and not judging them. It has sweet romantic parts that, in my opinion, don't cross the line of inappropriateness that others books do. There are a few parts where Annabel is harassed by a man who wants to marry her, but they don't go to far and definitely show what a dishonorable man can be like. On the other-hand, the character of Lord Ranulf pictures what an honorable, Christian man is like. So very worth the read :)

5 stars

Age 13+