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Review: The Enemy's Sister - Our House on Jakaranda Laan #3

The Enemy's Sister book cover on blue background

Having enjoyed Dienece Darling's Regency books, I was excited to read her new book in a very different setting. The Enemy's Sister—part of the Our House on Jakaranda Laan series that is multi-authored—takes place in South Africa and is a fascinating story where English, Dutch, and German blend together seamlessly on the page.

Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

He learned a lot of things in the army. Falling in love with the enemy’s sister wasn’t one of them.

Lieutenant John Beauchamp’s faith is as tattered and torn as the storm-tossed ship transporting his regiment to Cape Town in 1795 when they shipwreck on a South African beach. But the steadfast faith of persecuted local, Anneke Terblanche, and her unlikely friend, a freedwoman, inspire John to remember how sweet a life of faith can be. If only Anneke's brother wasn't trying to kill him.

Anneke has never met anyone more important to her than her twin brother, until John sweeps into her life. John is both raging storm and fragrant breeze. But her brother loathes the English and fears they mean to control the Boer’s new settlement at Cedarfontein. If Anneke chooses John, she’ll lose her twin and any chance of hearing her brother say he loves her.

Will Anneke and John leave their hearts behind on that fateful South African beach, or does God have another plan for this war-torn soldier and his faithful frontier girl?

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

This book is a refreshing change of scenery and an important exploration into conflicting beliefs and worldviews. I appreciate that Dienece Darling incorporates different languages and cultural practices to show us what life looks like for Anneke Terblanche, who is living in South Africa. When she encounters Lieutenant John Beauchamp, there is an initial language barrier that eventually fades over time as John regains his proficiency in Dutch. While John's survival skills in the wilderness are tested, Anneke's loyalty to her family becomes a clash of wills as she seeks to be obedient to God.

I absolutely love that this book tackles the dilemma of predestination and free will in a compelling manner without pitting opposing theologies against each other. The messages regarding unity, Christian charity, and spreading the Gospel make this story stand out even further by having the characters examine why they believe what they believe. It's clear that the author takes these subjects seriously, exhorting readers to practice grace and to engage in evangelism with all the nations. If you enjoy stories that delve right into biblical interpretation amid cultural and colonial conflicts, The Enemy’s Sister promises a fulfilling journey that will leave you spiritually enriched and thirst for the Bible even more.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍

Book Quotes

Was it wrong to teach Fatima about God? Lord God, I don’t understand. Please, help me understand. I returned to the meat, willing my hands to stop trembling. We’d lived through a dearth of God’s Word before. We could survive again. But how painful to know the Water that could make one never thirst again lay so close yet still sat so far out of reach.
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