"Inga Linberg may be the oldest of 5 girls, but she's also the plainest,tallest, and gentlest of them all. Her family has always viewed her as thesensible one who would stay around the parsonage and help her father. When Dirk Bridger comes looking for help with his two nieces and dying mother,Inga's life change forever. She goes and agrees to help out with the child-watching and house chores until Mrs. Bridger dies. Inga quickly makes herself indespensible in the Bridger household. Her joy and loving care even begin to touch Dirk, whom she never meant to fall in love with
but did.
Dirk's always had big dreams to see the world. When his brother and
sister-in-law were killed in an accident, he suddenly got saddled with his brother's life: a dairy farm and two sweet little girls. After Dirk's mother dies, Inga moves back home for a few days. Then, Dirk Bridger, the love of her life and heart proposes a marriage of convenience. Knowing she's asking for pain, Inga agrees.
Soon the celebate marriage becomes more. Inga tries to earn her husband's love, unaware that he is slowly falling in love with her. One day there's a terrible accident where Inga's sister, Gunda, almost drowns. While looking for her, Dirk falls in the river and catches pneumonia. Inga patiently nurses him back to health. Soon after, a beautiful, rich woman from Dirk's past comes to the Bridgers and tries to lure Dirk away. Seeing the woman and overhearing the conversation, Inga flees the scene and ends up falling down the stairs. Her unborn child dies and Inga retreats into her head for a good long while. Dirk fully recovers and realizes that he loves his wife desperately and deeply. He's not a man of great words, but he tries his hardest to show her he loves her. Eventually, when a kind cousin of his two nieces offers to take the two girls and love them, Dirk refuses outright, determined that Inga and him and the girls will be a family. Inga finally turns in the end, beating back her fear. The young family comes closer together in spirit at last."
Julie Gilbert, Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of Patterns of Love
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story
- 19th century
Marriage/Married
Yes
Marriage subplot:
- marriage of convenience spurring real love
If one lover chases another...
- they alternate
Caretaker, in love with
Yes
Falling in love with
- Homecaring friend
Main Male Character
Profession/status:
- farmer
Age/status:
- 20's-30's
How sexual is this person?
- several sexual encounters
How romantic is this person?
- somewhat romantic
Sex has good effect on him
Yes
Sex makes him
- blissful
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- bulging muscles
Main Female Character
Age/status:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- homemaker
How sexual is this person?
- frigid
How romantic is this person?
- somewhat romantic
Sex has good effect on her
Yes
Effect of sexing
- a better lover
- mature
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- healthy but a geeky weakling
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Midwest
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- no torture/death
What % of story is romance related?
- 80%
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references
- descript of kissing
Part of a series?
Yes
Focus of story
- equally on him and her
Consequences of sex
- pregnancy
How much dialog
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
How much sexing?
- 1-2 sex acts
