Review of Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

This was the first book I have read by Siri Mitchell and I was not disappointed! :) The story takes place in the early 1900's in St. Louis, Missouri. Lucy Kendall has just returned from a trip across Europe with her Uncle and Aunt and is dismayed when she returns home to find that her father's candy business has been struggling. Lucy's father suffered some health problems while Lucy was abroad and is unable to continue working. Her mother is determined to sell the business, but Lucy can't stand to let that happen. She devises plans to create a new candy to sell at City Confectionary. Perhaps if she can create a new candy that no one has tasted before, she can save the business and keep their competitor from winning over their customers.

Upon returning home from Europe, Lucy learns that she has been crowned the Queen of Love and Beauty for the city of St. Louis which means she is required to attend all of the prestigious parties and events in town. Lucy's mother is insistent on finding Lucy a husband to secure her an excellent future, but there is no man in town that Lucy is interested in. They're either too old, too odd, or just plain uninteresting. That is, until a newcomer makes his way to town. Lucy is suddenly taken by this new young man although she has no idea who he is or what his name is. Little does she know, he is the son of her father's rival.

I found myself glued to the pages of this book from the very beginning! It's nearly a 400 page book, but I finished it in a matter of days. The chapters alternate between Lucy's point of view and Charlie's, giving the reader a look into both of their lives and perspectives. And although it wasn't mentioned a great deal, there was mention of Christianity, God, and prayer throughout the story. There were also quite a few twists and turns that left me guessing up until the last few chapters. I would highly recommend this book to my friends and rate it as 5 stars. This is the type of story I would have no qualms about letting my girls read as they grow older. I am eager to read more of Siri Mitchell's work!

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers to give my honest unbiased opinion.