Newton and Polly: A Novel of Amazing Grace

I love Jody's storytelling ability. Her words are effortless to read, the love story flows naturally, and the conflict is so intricately woven into the story, it feels authentic and realistic. To date, my favorite of Hedlund's stories are the ones inspired by real couples from history, with Rebellious Heart at the forefront (the story was inspired by John and Abigail Adams).This week I picked up Newton & Polly, A Novel of Amazing Grace. The story is inspired by the true love story of John Newton & Polly Catlett. I made the mistake of "just peeking inside" when the book arrived at my house. I'm on a tight deadline and had told myself I couldn't read it until my story is written, but Newton & Polly grabbed my attention and I couldn't stop reading. Literally, last night at about 10 p.m. I told myself I'd just read a couple chapters before bed. I became so engrossed in the book, I stayed up until 3 a.m. to finish it! I was shocked when I rolled over and looked at the clock.Despite the fact that I only had four hours of sleep last night, I'm not disappointed that I stayed up to finish the story. There were several things I loved about Newton & Polly. First, it's inspired by a true story--and it's an incredible one at that. I knew a little about John Newton, but I had no idea how deep his tale of redemption went. The ending is so worth the wait. God's amazing grace met John Newton and the world was never the same. He went on to write the most powerful hymn of all time, which also happens to be my personal favorite. Second, the attention to detail in Jody's book was masterful, without being cumbersome. I felt everything these characters felt. I lived through all the toils they endured. It was almost exhausting, but in a heart-pounding kind of way. Third, the emotional depth to this story is remarkable. Not only because it's John & Polly Newton's story, but because Jody does a superb job of bringing it to life and helping us understand how John could continue to make the decisions he made--and see how truly powerful his redemption was.This is an excellent book. I highly recommend this one to anyone who loves romance, history, and the story of God's unending love.

This is the fictional account of the early life of John Newton, the author of the hymn Amazing Grace. The story mostly takes place in a small shipping town called Chatham, England in the 1740s. John Newton is 17 years old and traveling back to accept a position his father has obtained for him to take a ship to a Jamaican plantation where he will work and oversee things for the plantation owner for the next five years. On his way back, he decides to stop and visit his mother’s cousin whom he has recently received a letter from. While there, he is introduced to his cousin’s daughter Polly Catlett and is immediately drawn to her. She is a young teenager of 15, but seems to feel the same attraction. He decides he doesn’t want the job his father has arranged for him because he doesn’t want to spend five years away from Polly. He just knows she is the one for him.As events unfold, John makes several poor choices that lead to his being forced to leave Chatham and the woman he loves. She is devastated as well, but her father has told her that John doesn’t have the character of a husband that her father wants for Polly. Polly agrees that John struggles with his faith and responsibility, but she still loves him. As months pass, Polly tries her best to forget John and go on with her life. Years pass when she receives an unexpected visitor…John’s father. He has come to her parents’ home to tell them that John is alive and a changed man. Can Polly give him another chance? Is John really changed or is he just putting on an act to please their parents? If he really has changed, how has this change manifested itself?This is a fantastic story! I couldn’t put it down. This is one of my favorite genres as I learn about history as well as get to enjoy a good romance! The author’s note following the story is very interesting and I liked reading about what was real in the story and what was fiction. I never knew the story of young John Newton and how his life was changed and how he lived out the rest of his life after his change. The scenes at sea put me right there on the ship with John. His realization of how God had saved him over and over again in his life and God’s love for even a sinner like him brought tears to my eyes. Don’t miss another wonderful story by Jody Hedlund!

I never realized that a story like this was behind the song, I enjoyed this book very much. Such a sweet story of love and honesty about how we fail as humans and need to turn to God and how He stands with us and forgives us.

Amazing Grace is one of my favourite hymns. You will hear the song with even more joy now!

Que livro maravilhoso! Não conseguia parar de ler...

Amazing book!!

Once again author Jody Hedlund has managed to write a story that not only captured my attention, but lifted my spirit with a positive message. Newton & Polly takes us back to that time in history that would not only change the life of one man in a remarkable way, but bring out of his conversion experience a song that has lasted for centuries.The author has done a remarkable job in keeping to the facts of John Newton's life - his dealings in the slave trade, his disreputable character, his lack of morals and most of all his unbelief in God. I would like to say that Polly made him into a better man and she did, but it would take many years for him to grow into that man. Yet Polly's love for John and her belief that God had a purpose for him was clearly the hope John clung to in his lowest moments. The story of how far he sank into sin, was made all the poignant when he finally realizes God has been loving him and with him through it all.This is the story of Amazing Grace and how God took a man who had rejected him and through the love of a good woman, changed him forever. I was not able to put this book down. I guarantee you won't be able to either.

I love the story of John Newton after Reading the book Amazing Grace many years ago. I found that reading Newton and Polly, many of the untold areas of his life were revealed and Polly Catlett was one of them which should never be overlooked. Thoroughly heart warming romance and truly wonderful portrayal of Gods grace and rescuing mercy.