Title: Old Fashioned Novelization
Author: Rene Gutteridge & Rik Swartzwelder
Pages: 320
Year: 2014
Publisher: Tyndale
My rating is 5 stars
The book was excellent! It certainly opened my eyes on how a relationship with a woman should be by respecting her physically and emotionally, that it’s more than just the sex (as a lot of people nowadays think). It’s about sharing love, not just a husband and wife love, but the kind of love God has for us all. They start as two different people getting to know each other and their likes and dislikes, whether or not they believe in God. If things work out, they marry and become one instead of two.
A former playboy named Clay Walsh meets a free-spirited woman named Amber. They become attracted to one another, but it’s not easy. Clay seems to be wrapped up in his own little world of trying to do the right thing and is suffering from the guilt of his previous lifestyle. He now runs an antique shop and repairs furniture; he only has a few friends left who don’t understand him or understand his newfound faith in God. Then Amber comes along with only a car, stuffed with all her belongings (including her cat Mr. Joe). They become attracted to one another, but Clay wants to play it safe while Amber wants his attention, believing she has found the man of her dreams. She rents the apartment above Clay’s shop and starts breaking the appliances like the refrigerator and stove to get him to come see her. Clay finally relents and asks her out, but it’s hard for them to enjoy each other’s company because it seems neither can let go of their past and move on. It’s not until after they seek God with their hearts that they admit how deeply they are in love with each other and how it was divine intervention that brought them together. The story ends when Clay proposes to Amber and she accepts, beginning a new life together in a God-honoring way.
Many lessons can be drawn from this book such as love is not to build walls around ourselves, but to let people in. If we worry about sinning and causing destruction in our relationships, then all we have to do is ask God for guidance and remember that we believe and follow His ways and not those of the world. If things don’t work, then we should take heart and always remember that God has a plan for all of us. If we remember that, then we can realize that maybe God has someone special in store for us. If not, then we should know that maybe God is calling some of us to be single and fulfill the great plan that He has for us. Another lesson can be that men are called upon to be leaders and that their relationships with women should involve a lot more than physical needs and should include spiritual needs. Clay was a playboy until God rescued him from his sinful life. He struggled in his relationship with Amber, but remained steadfast in his newfound belief; this helps Amber to find God.
We may not always get what we want in this world, but we must always hope in the Lord for he will never forsake us and always has a plan for us. God has created men to be the spiritual leaders of the family. It is up to them to lead their wives and children in their walk with God, because women are created to be weaker than men and children are innocent until they grow up. As long as we pray and ask for God’s guidance then everything will work out alright in His time. Even as we stumble and fall, God will not abandon us nor forsake us. For love is patient, kind, hopeful, and old fashioned.

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5 stars ***** out of five

This novel has so many levels, and yet each one is fabulously portrayed. The first and most obvious is that of a young man who has turned from a life of partying to one of legalistic, self imposed goodness. The heroine who, though not a party girl, still views life as an adventure, while running away from life. How these two come together, bringing all the baggage of their lives with them, was fascinating. Sometimes I think that if we could work or at least do something to earn our salvation, we would, and often we do try. But in the end the only thing that "works" is for us to accept the Gift. And accepting the Gift is an adventure. A new gift, a new adventure each day! What an amazing novel, and one I recommend to my followers and readers!

Thank you to Fred and Cheri at The Book Club Network, Rene Gutteridge and Rik Swartzwelder, and Tyndale Fiction for the opportunity to read this novel. I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. A positive critique was not required. The opinions are my own. ( )

From Frat Man to Old Fashioned...

What causes Clay,a young man who has a raunchy past, to turn his back on that past and to live by a totally unusual set of rules regarding women? What hurt has caused Amber to feel like she is unlovable and unable to hold a man's attention permanently? Amber is impulsive, Clay is very strict. Can these two acknowledge their growing attraction and make it work, or will their great differences keep them apart?

Some parts of this story made me uncomfortable. However, the underlying theme that God can overcome our pasts and people's differences and fears surpasses my discomfort. I am reminded that our God is a God of mercy and grace and second chances. This story beautifully illustrates that point.

I would recommend this book for mature readers, including older teens as appropriate. I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.What causes Clay,a young man who has a raunchy past, to turn his back on that past and to live by a totally unusual set of rules regarding women? What hurt has caused Amber to feel like she is unlovable and unable to hold a man's attention permanently? Amber is impulsive, Clay is very strict. Can these two acknowledge their growing attraction and make it work, or will their great differences keep them apart?

Some parts of this story made me uncomfortable. However, the underlying theme that God can overcome our pasts and people's differences and fears surpasses my discomfort. I am reminded that our God is a God of mercy and grace and second chances. This story beautifully illustrates that point.

I would recommend this book for mature readers, including older teens as appropriate. I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Sometimes you just need a light, fluffy read that has a predictably cheesy happily ever after ending. I was getting the January blues and this definitely fit the bill for "gentle read." Normally I don't like books based on movies (although I love them the other way around), but since I hadn't seen the movie, "Old Fashioned" I was totally ok with the book. I have no idea how it is compared to the movie though since the movie is releasing on Valentine's Day this year (it's competing against 50 Shades! Good luck old boy!).

Chivalry makes a comeback. Free spirited Amber, is constantly jumping from one adventure to another. When her car runs out of gas in quaint little college town she decides to give it a chance. She finds the perfect little apartment for rent that comes with an adorable landlord. The only problem is, her landlord is the most old fashioned person she's ever met. He won't even be in the same room as an unmarried woman and doesn't believe in dating. That doesn't stop Amber though, she keeps "breaking" things in her apartment so her landlord has to stop by. Even though she's regulated to standing on the stoop and talking to him through the screen door, it doesn't deter her. Clay, her reclusive landlord, is hiding from a past. He's radically changed his life in the past nine years but he still feels the burden of his guilt. When carefree Amber waltzes in his life, he feels a pull he hasn't felt in years. But he's soo scared of repeating the past that he knows he has to do things much much differently this time.

Pretty adorable story, with obvious Christian undertones. Looks at alternatives for dating and discusses redemption for sins in the past. Definitely one of my favorite inspirational reads (trust me, that is hard saying. inspirational romance is NOT my go to genre!).

I received this book free from Tyndale press in return for my honest, unbiased opinion. ( )

Oh. My. God.

Literally. God. Mine.

Well. Old Fashioned wasn't what I was expecting. First off, I didn't know until I was holding this novel by author Rene Gutteridge in my hands that it's actually based on a screenplay, one written by writer-director-producer Rik Swartzwelder. And, finding out that this book's cinematic counterpart is purposely being released the same weekend as the film version of Fifty Shades of Grey, it strengthened the assumption I formed after once brushing through Old Fashioned's book blurb: this would be a nice story intent on giving rather blanket pointers on chaste dating practices for Christians. I'd like it well enough, and that would be that.

I can't pinpoint exactly when, while reading, I realized this novel wasn't what I'd thought it'd be. When I finished the book, I threw it down, took a seat, and wept.

"Sometimes doing right is more than not doing wrong."

Former reckless frat boy, Clay Walsh, meets free-spirited pretty girl, Amber Hewson, in this romantic story that's both sweet and humorous but also complex, nuanced, and at many points, just enough. The characters, major and minor, are imperfect, sometimes outrageous, and ultimately believable. Heartache, shame, faith, and grace find their places in this tale, not about dating pointers, but about a guy and a girl, plus the guy and himself, the girl and herself, and the God Who loves them both.

"As Lloyd tells me every day--be a good steward of your pain."

A vague book review, I know. Descriptions rarely do experiences complete justice, but it didn't take me long after weeping to know that I'd be adding Old Fashioned to my list of all-time favorite books.
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Tyndale House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review. ( )