Just a week before their marriage, Christine's fiancé calls off the wedding, leaving her heartbroken. With hopes of helping her through a difficult time, Christine's best friend Jessica enrolls them both on a humanitarian mission in Peru, to work at an orphanage called El Girasol -- The Sunflower.
While working at the orphanage Christine meets Paul Cook, a successful and charismatic American doctor who has fled the States after one fatal day took away his career, his faith, and the woman he loved.
Unplanned events lead Paul and Christine into the jungle of the Amazon, where Christine must confront her deepest fears, and she, and Paul, must both learn to trust and love again.
Download and start listening now!
"I picked this up on a 50¢ book table and didn't expect very much, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this true story. It was a quick, easy read, with lots of romance, drama and adventure. And as it deals with good-hearted people and adoption too, I was readily won over. "
— Shauna (4 out of 5 stars)
“Evans delivers an entertaining…picking-up-the-pieces romance...Satisfying.”
— Publishers Weekly“A heartwarming tale about two people who have to pick up the pieces after their lives derail in unexpected ways…Sweet and uplifting, Evans’ new tale is as enjoyable as his previous ones.”
— Booklist“This wholesome story from Evans boasts an amazing setting...A romantic meditation on faith, redemption, and public service.”
— Kirkus Reviews" I wasn't that impressed with the story. It wasn't bad, just not terribly impressive or inspirational, though of course that's just my opinion. "
— Samantha, 2/8/2014" This is the first book by Richard Paul Evans that I have read, and I finished it in 2 days! I really enjoyed his writing style and there was just enough romance, action and thought-provoking commentary to keep me very interested. I thought it was a great story. "
— Becky, 1/30/2014" this was a super fast read that really kept me interested. enjoyable, and well written. "
— Rachel, 1/23/2014" It is a novel about healing hearts, forgiviness and putting the past behind you and moving forward in life. Richard Evans main setting is the Peruvian jungle and a real orphanage - The Sunflower. I enjoyed this book. "
— Lola, 1/22/2014" Sweet clean love story. "
— MarioHeidi, 1/19/2014" I listened to it on tape. It was okay. "
— Donna, 1/14/2014" A well written, fast moving read about life in the Amazon region of Peru along with an intriguing development of relationships. "
— Babs, 1/5/2014" Mr. Evans tried to make us believe we didn't know who she'd pick in the end but it was completely predictable - which might sit better with someone who still believed in happy endings. "
— Annie, 1/4/2014" This is a good love story! He writes good wholesome books. "
— Diane, 1/3/2014" I read this book in one day. It was very hard to put down. It left me feeling very badly about the way children are treated around the world. "
— Furlann, 12/20/2013" This book made me want to go on a mission trip. I think Richard Evans books are really cheesy but I like them. It is defiantly a Hallmark movie in the making. "
— Nikki, 11/23/2013" Good, fast, interesting read. Story line is about a girl going to Peru on a service vacation. I liked the little love story in it as well, (of course). "
— Jeanine, 11/16/2013" I read it when I was out of work for a week after a car accident, and it didn't totally suck so I kept reading. Sometimes Evans' novels get a little dry for me, but they're not terrible, and they generally tell a good story. "
— Juli, 10/17/2013" I read this in one day at the cabin...A lovely romantic story about a woman with a history of men "leaving." Nicely written and easy to read when you need something uplifting and short. "
— Michele, 9/17/2013" My take away..."there are none so impoverished as those who do not acknowledge the abundance of their lives" "
— Kay, 2/13/2013" I enjoyed this book. It was a very easy read and was just a nice story. Nothing too amazing. "
— Jill, 12/29/2012" Loved, loved this book! Will make you want to ditch the country and do humanitarian work in an impoverished country. Makes you realize how very fortunate we are to be living in the lap of luxury here in America. A love story is weaved into the plot, of course. "
— Chelle, 10/17/2012" This book really made me want to go on a 2 week mission to Peru to help in an orphanage there. Really enjoyed this book! "
— Skeetoid, 8/25/2012" This was a nice feel good read. It was quick and fun, but also a bit predictable. However, it was definitely worth the few hours it takes to read. "
— Annie, 8/24/2012" This was a very different setting for Evan's books. Again, a good read. "
— Melissa, 8/7/2012" One of the best birthday presents ever! I read this one once a year too. "
— Kathryn, 4/3/2012" Not very good writing, really, but it had a good ending. Paul Cook's diary entries were deep and insightful - best part of the book. "
— Lorena, 2/7/2012" Again, I read this quite a while ago. I don't remember a whole lot about it, just enjoyed it. A quick, easy read. "
— Kendi, 12/7/2011" Richard Paul Evans is so awesome. I can't put this book down. It's set in Peru the characters are great and the story line flows. I don't have to travel to Peru he takes me there. "
— Judith, 10/28/2011" This was one of my favorite books by this author. I am not really sure why, maybe becuase I went to mexico to an orpahanage. But I really liked this book. "
— Kristen, 9/4/2011" Great little love story! It makes you appreciate the many blessings in which we have! "
— Lori, 8/4/2011" I really liked this one and enjoyed how it encouraged me to worry more about those forgotten children. "
— Howardmomma, 6/3/2011" Haven't found a Richard Paul Evans book I would recommend or read again until now. Really enjoyed this book! "
— Deborah, 5/20/2011" I went into reading this with a bad attitude but ended up liking it a lot. It was a bit sappy for my taste. But it was a quick happy read. "
— Emily, 5/17/2011" I remember really enjoying this book when I got it. I enjoyed the premise of serving others while having some pretty exciting experiences. This speaks to me. I long for living life out loud, but I'm also all about doing good in the world. It's a nice marriage between the two. "
— Shannon, 5/15/2011" Great book - actually inspires you.... "
— Eileen, 5/11/2011" We did this for book club. I got a kick out of personally knowing Van Evans, the author's brother, who the book is dedicated to. It wasn't a life changer, but a nice, light read. Made me want to travel to Peru. "
— Christina, 4/19/2011" A well written, fast moving read about life in the Amazon region of Peru along with an intriguing development of relationships. "
— Babs, 4/15/2011" I just read this book, and it was a really good book. I loved the story and the characters, it is based on a true story. "
— Kelley, 4/7/2011" I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to you! It was a quick read...just a day for me, which is unusual. ;) "
— Kari, 4/4/2011" I read this story in the Readers Digest Condensed Books and enjoyed it very much "
— Marjorie, 3/23/2011" This story is an easy read, and one with a pretty predictable ending...and yet every time I read it, I enjoy it. I guess the sweet story combined with the faith each character experiences makes it endearing. "
— Lee, 3/17/2011" The best book I've read in a long time. It's got adventure and romance all rolled into one. The message of hope and love is one that needs to told and retold. I loved it! "
— Diana, 3/11/2011" I just finished the Sunflower. LOVED this book! It was so descriptive of the trip to Peru, I felt like I was there too. The love story touched my heart, as I could relate to the characters. I also fell in love with the children of Peru. "
— Tiff, 3/10/2011Richard Paul Evans is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Christmas Box. Each of his more than thirty-five novels has been a New York Times bestseller. , the Romantic Times Best Women’s Novel of the Year Award, the German Audience Gold Award for Romance, five Religion Communicators Council Wilbur Awards, the Washington Times Humanitarian of the Century Award, and the Volunteers of America National Empathy Award .There are more than thirty-five million copies of his books in print worldwide, translated into more than twenty-four languages. Learn more at Facebook.com/RPEFans or his website RichardPaulEvans.com.
Campbell Scott has, in addition to his numerous stage and film credits, narrated more than forty audiobooks, including This Boy’s Life and Into Thin Air, and won seven AudioFile Earphones Awards.