“Which was worse, marrying a man who didn’t love her or growing old alone?”
I easily connected with Rose Hatfield, spinster teacher, whose desire to co“Which was worse, marrying a man who didn’t love her or growing old alone?”
I easily connected with Rose Hatfield, spinster teacher, whose desire to comfort a former classmate over his wife’s death leads to a marriage of convenience. A Not So Convenient Marriage is such a fitting title for this book that dragged my emotions back and forth with Rose’s and Samuel’s relational ebb and flow. Sometimes their feelings shifted so fast, I felt dizzy! Sandra Merville Hart truly presents a hard situation made worse by busybodies, untimely occurrences, and an inability to communicate well.
I loved Charlie. Definitely my fave secondary character! Charlie has weathered a lot of life, and has gleaned much wisdom. Yet, he doesn’t spout it out freely, but offers it gently when needed. Fortunately, he is a little stronger with Samuel, who needed a strong motion to the posterior region!
Rose slowly learns to turn from resentment over her own hurt to prayers for the hurt of others, (whose hurt she actually understands.) Perspective and prayer makes all the difference in our own attitudes, but I like that as we see with Rose, it is a decision that must be repeated many times before it becomes easier.
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Merged review:
“Which was worse, marrying a man who didn’t love her or growing old alone?”
I easily connected with Rose Hatfield, spinster teacher, whose desire to comfort a former classmate over his wife’s death leads to a marriage of convenience. A Not So Convenient Marriage is such a fitting title for this book that dragged my emotions back and forth with Rose’s and Samuel’s relational ebb and flow. Sometimes their feelings shifted so fast, I felt dizzy! Sandra Merville Hart truly presents a hard situation made worse by busybodies, untimely occurrences, and an inability to communicate well.
I loved Charlie. Definitely my fave secondary character! Charlie has weathered a lot of life, and has gleaned much wisdom. Yet, he doesn’t spout it out freely, but offers it gently when needed. Fortunately, he is a little stronger with Samuel, who needed a strong motion to the posterior region!
Rose slowly learns to turn from resentment over her own hurt to prayers for the hurt of others, (whose hurt she actually understands.) Perspective and prayer makes all the difference in our own attitudes, but I like that as we see with Rose, it is a decision that must be repeated many times before it becomes easier.
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own....more
“But it’s not all right to lie. No, but it can be necessary. It’s never necessary.”
Love in Disguise by Penny Zeller is such a light, fun historical fi“But it’s not all right to lie. No, but it can be necessary. It’s never necessary.”
Love in Disguise by Penny Zeller is such a light, fun historical fiction book, yet it speaks to serious issues. I was very pleased to find this novel next on my list, a nice break from more serious reading. Zeller had me laughing out loud quite often over the antics of her characters from the early 1900s. “Being proper-like with a dash of rebellion wasn’t for the faint of heart.” “Lord, I reckon this is an odd request, but might I become invisible?“ Also, repeated imagined quotes from Emilie’s mother had me in stitches.
Themes that keep this novel from being “fluff” writing are finding faith in God, second chances, and true love. Also, telling the truth. Fortunately for the readers, the lack of truthfulness and its consequences drive the story with the necessary conflict.
I changed my rating of this book from four to five stars after considering how much I loved the feels from the story. I loved getting to know Thad and Emilie, as well as Morris and Vera. The novel has a prairie romance feel to it, similar to When Calls the Heart. I was surprised, pleased, and amused by some of the secondary characters at the book’s conclusion.
Readers who enjoy Westerns, Historical fiction, or who enjoy books by Janette Oke or Jen Turano will want to pick up this Penny Zeller offering.
————————————————————————- I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. ————————————————————————-
Notable Quotables:
“Reflecting on things I have no control over will most certainly not bring me peace of mind.”
“Displeasing as all get out to the Lord when we aren’t truthful. Even when we think we have acceptable reasons for dishonesty.”
Lying is an awful thing. It erodes trust faster than the weather changes here in Montana.
“Pray? She hadn’t prayed since the day she prayed that the Lord would save…”
Merged review:
“But it’s not all right to lie. No, but it can be necessary. It’s never necessary.”
Love in Disguise by Penny Zeller is such a light, fun historical fiction book, yet it speaks to serious issues. I was very pleased to find this novel next on my list, a nice break from more serious reading. Zeller had me laughing out loud quite often over the antics of her characters from the early 1900s. “Being proper-like with a dash of rebellion wasn’t for the faint of heart.” “Lord, I reckon this is an odd request, but might I become invisible?“ Also, repeated imagined quotes from Emilie’s mother had me in stitches.
Themes that keep this novel from being “fluff” writing are finding faith in God, second chances, and true love. Also, telling the truth. Fortunately for the readers, the lack of truthfulness and its consequences drive the story with the necessary conflict.
I changed my rating of this book from four to five stars after considering how much I loved the feels from the story. I loved getting to know Thad and Emilie, as well as Morris and Vera. The novel has a prairie romance feel to it, similar to When Calls the Heart. I was surprised, pleased, and amused by some of the secondary characters at the book’s conclusion.
Readers who enjoy Westerns, Historical fiction, or who enjoy books by Janette Oke or Jen Turano will want to pick up this Penny Zeller offering.
————————————————————————- I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. ————————————————————————-
Notable Quotables:
“Reflecting on things I have no control over will most certainly not bring me peace of mind.”
“Displeasing as all get out to the Lord when we aren’t truthful. Even when we think we have acceptable reasons for dishonesty.”
Lying is an awful thing. It erodes trust faster than the weather changes here in Montana.
“Pray? She hadn’t prayed since the day she prayed that the Lord would save…”...more
“Glabrio stared at Sartorus and saw absolute certainty in his eyes. How could he be so certain a god no one could see had done anything?”
In Truth and“Glabrio stared at Sartorus and saw absolute certainty in his eyes. How could he be so certain a god no one could see had done anything?”
In Truth and Honor, #11 Light in the Empire, Carol Ashby has created very suspenseful Biblical romance. In AD 128, it is illegal to be a Christian in the Roman Empire, yet young, beautiful Martina has decided to follow Jesus. When she meets the new young tribune of Carthago, Gaius Glabrio, she believes his interest could turn deadly. Ashby creates some great action and very likeable characters that had me praying for them before I realized what I was doing.
Ashby’s meticulous research is evident in the historical fact presented, as well as the inclusion of many Biblical passages. The gospel is clearly presented for seekers, but I was challenged by the method used. Characters lived their faith until those around them asked for answers. “The way we end up close to other people…it’s often not an accident or mere chance.” “The best things in life are seldom pure chance.” Martina, Sartorus, and others often let little hints drop about their faith that will cause curious hearts to question. Information was doled out in a “want-to-know” basis, not in a heavy-handed way.
This is a can be a stand-alone novel, although characters from other books appear in this one. To help the reader, a list of characters can be found at the beginning of the book. Historical facts and study questions are included at the end.
I received a copy of the book from the author. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. ...more
“We do everything we can to protect our circle. Beyond that, if we’re so paranoid we forget to live our lives, what’s the use? You have to let go at s“We do everything we can to protect our circle. Beyond that, if we’re so paranoid we forget to live our lives, what’s the use? You have to let go at some point, and you figure the Almighty’s better equipped to protect your loved ones than you are.”
With a title like Death in the Cabbage Patch, RL Buck had me intrigued in his first novel of his new cozy series, The Cabbageville Mysteries. I found it to be a fun, clean offering. The victim is someone so unlikeable, that we have a smorgasbord of possible suspects.
Buck creates relatable and realistic characters. I did feel like Matt and Autumn became a couple extremely fast. Sukie and Misty add some reason for their parents to spend more time together. It will be interesting to see how they figure into future books.
Buck also populates his novel with some interesting secondary characters. The pastor and Widow Carmichael with her surprising business are both memorable. I’m sure we’ll see more of cousin Hedda, who is both Autumn’s friend and Matt’s cousin.
I’ll be looking for the next book in the series to see if the mystery can compare to this one.
I received a copy of the book from the author through Early Reviewers in Library Thing. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own....more
“…she was a strong Black woman in a long line of strong Black women.”
“With a little time and patience, any mistake can be fixed.”
Each Doors to the Pas“…she was a strong Black woman in a long line of strong Black women.”
“With a little time and patience, any mistake can be fixed.”
Each Doors to the Past dual timeline novels has been incredible, and Passages of Hope by Terri J Haynes will be seared into my memory for a long time.
The suspense of the 1860s story line is palpable and almost unbearable as Olivia Kingston works as a stationmaster on the Underground RailRoad. Who can be trusted and who is the enemy? Olivia’s tendency to try to handle problems on her own creates some real dangers.
I loved the two romances. While the one is more traditional, the other shows a marriage needing mended. I am glad that Haynes allows the reader to see both loves developing and deepening.
Speaking of love, Gracie McNeil is convinced she is a loser and will need a special realization of how much she is loved, if she is to overcome her negative, self-fulfilling thoughts. “Her childhood knitting teacher had told her that she took to knitting like she was born with needles and yarn in her hands. The compliment stung. She had not been born with yarn and needles. She had been born with trouble.” What an intrinsic self-doubt that only God can help an individual overcome!
Haynes populates both stories with wonderful characters. Douglas stands out, as do Clarence, Ms. Lila, and Ada. But the person who is most intriguing to me, is one we never actually meet, Gran.
All these novels stand alone, so if you haven’t read any, Passages of Hope is an excellent place to start. I can’t recommend it enough!
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. I also bought my own ebook. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“‘God’s business—’ ‘—ain’t your business,’” “But Gran kept telling me that. That God has His own ways of doing things that we may not understand.”...more
I am always on the lookout for clean cozies! Let me tell you about Cheddar Late Than Dead by Linda Reilly. First, while third in the series, I jumped I am always on the lookout for clean cozies! Let me tell you about Cheddar Late Than Dead by Linda Reilly. First, while third in the series, I jumped into this one without reading Reilly’s others and still caught on quickly.
I enjoyed the idea of a grilled cheese restaurant, a unique-to-me setting. I loved the special recipe idea Carly has as a centerpiece for the book. Unfortunately for my taste, Carly was able to be gone too often from her restaurant as her capable staff takes over. I prefer a cozy where the sleuth does not take lots of time off from her work to pursue the crime.
I like the thread involving Valerie. She sounds like a gem, a great find for the restaurant as well as a really sweet person. She will be a welcome addition to Carly’s “support group,” so to speak.
I did think the sudden attitude changes following the revealing of the perpetrator were a bit unrealistic. Too many people suddenly changed their tunes.
Read Cheddar Late Than Dead for yourself and let me know what you think.
I received a copy of the book from NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. ...more
“I love the idea of helping others help themselves.”
The Sugarplum Ladies by Carrie Fancett Pagels is a delightful, light historical Christmas novella.“I love the idea of helping others help themselves.”
The Sugarplum Ladies by Carrie Fancett Pagels is a delightful, light historical Christmas novella. The gorgeous holiday cover itself will be enough to draw you in.
Eugenie Mott, an 1867 Detroit resident, is resisting her father’s schemes to marry her off to a much older man. She prefers her work helping Civil War widows gain skills as waitresses so they can acquire needed jobs.
After meeting Canadian lawyer Percy Gladstone, Eugenie is drawn into his company. When Percy’s parents arrive from England while Percy has sent his servants on Christmas break, can the ladies that Eugenie has been training rise to meet the need?
I loved the heart both Eugenie and Percy have for helping others. Eugenie realizes that just giving money to a cause isn’t enough. She is a social reformer on a small scale, taking area widows, some of whom have turned to questionable ways to earn money, and giving them help for a lifetime by teaching them marketable skills.
In so many ways, the giving spirits of both Percy and Eugenie caused them to reach out to those around them and better lives. “This was what Christmas was truly all about. Loving others as Christ would love us.”
I found the notes about names, factual events, and recipes at the end very interesting!!
I was gifted a copy of the book by the author, plus bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own....more
Not sure what to read for Christmas? May I suggest Keeping Christmas, Vol I, is a good place to start? You’ll get castles, dogs, soba, laughter, tearsNot sure what to read for Christmas? May I suggest Keeping Christmas, Vol I, is a good place to start? You’ll get castles, dogs, soba, laughter, tears, intrigue, and faith all in one book!
Chautona Havig’s name drew me in. Anything she writes is truly fun, attention-grabbing, and truth-filled. In The Lights of Castleberry, Havig and Cathe Swanson team up to produce a young landscaper who tries to convince a modern castle owner to let her beautify the grounds. Sydney and Philip fall in love, but miscommunication and Sydney’s failure to stand up for herself threaten their happiness. Meanwhile, Sydney’s cousin Arielle pushes Mark into sharing more than his curmudgeon spirit is willing. This is a story to come, hopefully!
Another of the novellas that intrigued me was The Cross at Morioko Castle by Kathleen J Robison. Set in Japan and containing several Japanese words, I didn’t connect with the characters at first, but kept reading. Soon, I found myself ensnared in the saga of a young Japanese Christian girl, whose rich great-grandmother wants to make amends before dying. Can Ariko stay true to the faith and follow Obaachan’s demands? What about the mysterious Kai? Is he all he claims to be? I loved the legend, the samurai, and even the business dealings. And God’s placement of people at just the right time and place!
The last novella that I want to highlight closes the book, and how fitting! You may think you’ve heard the Christmas story a million times, but until you see it through Amal’s eyes, you are missing something! My heart rejoiced along with Amal’s by the conclusion of this novella. The Weary World Rejoices by Naomi Craig is Biblical fiction that will make you shiver, review Scripture, cry, cheer, evaluate how you treat Scripture (all while being an unputdownable story)!
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. ...more
“We can walk in holiness and yet do it in such a way that is loving and gracious!”
Mary by Shannon McNear is an emotional and spiritual coming of age s“We can walk in holiness and yet do it in such a way that is loving and gracious!”
Mary by Shannon McNear is an emotional and spiritual coming of age story of two young people from different cultures. McNear strives to show both the good and the ugly of both the English and the Native American cultures. Manteo is the dominant physical thread that holds these two tenuous cultures together. What an unusual man he is! Can Elinor and Sees Far help Manteo guide the fledgling love of Georgie and Mushaniq, as well as guide the racially diverse colony to unity?
McNear’s research is impeccable. I learned a lot of history. But hopefully, mostly, I learned to give grace for those of different from me, so that unity can prevail whenever possible. “The sacraments and doctrines are clear enough! That is not our trouble here. It is that we wish to administer the letter of the law and not be mindful of the spirit thereof.” Would the Roanoke Colony as portrayed in Mary be dissolved from within by disagreement and insistence upon each culture’s mores?
While a sequel to “Elinor, ” Mary by Shannon McNear has quite enough backstory one can read this as a stand-alone.
Different personal rivalries helped drive the action, creating tension and suspense. The outcome of all of them surprised me.
One last note: due to the subject matter, I would recommend this book for mature readers.
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. ...more
After reading Kimberley Woodhouse’s first book in the Secrets of the Canyon series, I knew I had to read the next, A Gem of Truth. What a gem it is, tAfter reading Kimberley Woodhouse’s first book in the Secrets of the Canyon series, I knew I had to read the next, A Gem of Truth. What a gem it is, too! Set mainly at the Grand Canyon Harvey House in the early 1900s, history and romance marry with action to form an exciting book you won’t soon forget.
“Instant friends. If only there were such a wonderful thing.” I could empathize with poor Julia who had trouble feeling worthy and making friends. Unfortunately, Julia tells fantastically entertaining stories to gain approval, but loses people’s trust in bargain. Will she learn to tell the truth before her life lays in shambles at her feet?
How many people can identify with Julia as “she still felt very much alone…Surrounded by people, but lonely.” This is so easy to fall in this trap. We often try to be good enough to please people, hiding who we really are, afraid of rejection if people discover the real us.
Told in third person, the novel switches back and forth quickly between characters and the reader must be alert.
I loved seeing our friends from Woodhouse’s first book, as well the new characters who added so much to the story. Ruth figures into this narrative until we are ready for her story, which will be out next year! (Yay!)
Woodhouse has done her Harvey House waitress homework, as well as incorporating a legend masterfully to add so much suspense! And her detail to jewelry making!
I appreciated that the main characters respected the Hopi Indians and treated them and their culture well. I would love to have seen that part of the Canyon, something we need to rectify next time we visit, as well as actually visiting the El Tovar.
Don’t miss this book!! I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley, plus I purchased my own ecopy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Would she never be able to get past who she’d been? Would anyone ever truly love her for who she was?”
“There are no bad eggs, just a bunch of people with sin natures. God loves every one of us the same.”
“Humility is knowing your worth and choosing to put others ahead of yourself anyway.”...more
“God does not see you for what you are. God sees you for what you can be.”
Stoney Ridge and especially Bishop David Stoltzfus’s home is my favorite set“God does not see you for what you are. God sees you for what you can be.”
Stoney Ridge and especially Bishop David Stoltzfus’s home is my favorite setting that Suzanne Woods Fisher has penned. While Anything but Plain could be read as a stand-alone, it is sweeter if you have read the preceding books.
Everyone loves Lydie, but having the Bishop’s youngest daughter work for them is another matter. As Edith says, ”Everyone says you’re an accident waiting to happen.” (How can some people be so cruel to others?)
Mammi, David’s widowed mother, comes for a visit. Before long, she informs Lydie, “‘You’re the reason I’m here.’ Mammi smiled. ‘You’re going to be my special project. We are going to fix you.’” Oh, the angst in that household , and not just for Lydie, as Mammi settles in! I love how Fisher weaves that one event into so many subplots.
I was slightly dismayed to find in this book that David himself is not perfect. He has always been such a humble, wise, and godly bishop. To find he has faults was indeed sad. May it be a reminder to all of us that we cannot put church leaders on pedestals. The only one we worship and adore is God. He alone is perfect.
I loved Nathan. He is humble, kind, knowledgeable about his organic farming, and eloquent as well. He is very forgiving, more than most.
One plot twist did throw me for a loop. I did not feel the reader had been properly prepared or armed with enough understanding to receive that twist as plausible.
Still, this is probably my fave Fisher novel so far for the unusual subject matter, (ADHD among the Amish) and the way Fisher deals with it.
I received a copy of the book through Celebrate Lit, and also NetGalley, plus I bought a copy to give away. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Act first and think later. Lydie’s life in a nutshell.”
“He needed to seek things to be grateful for, something Birdy was always reminding him of. Search for them like a lost coin, she would say, because his mind didn’t naturally go to gratitude.”
“The Lord God did not make a mistake when he made you. Everything about you was ordained from the beginning. You have to start believing that.”
“She had a knack for solving problems, for seeing things he couldn’t see....more
“Freedom rushed through Nora Fenton’s veins, erupting with each breath. Invisible shackles didn’t bind out here. Her independence always came at a pri“Freedom rushed through Nora Fenton’s veins, erupting with each breath. Invisible shackles didn’t bind out here. Her independence always came at a price.”
Transport yourself back to Mississippi in the early 1900s. Stephenia H McGee will instantly win your attention with a misfit daughter of a horse farmer. Nora Fenton lives to train and raise the horses, especially her colt, Arrow. Upon her father’s passing, Uncle Amos inherits the farm and tries to rein in Nora’s spirited, “unsuitable” ways. Nora’s only ally is the recently hired Silas Cavallero, who is searching the farm for secrets from his past. Can these two work together to save Emberwild, or will there be great changes ahead for the once-prosperous farm?
It’s easy to identify with both Nora and Silas, both misfits in their own right. I enjoyed the horse training details and also the mystery surrounding the farm’s establishment. Some characters changed in ways that may have even surprised their author. It’s always fun to ponder if those changes are plausible.
Anyone who loves historical fiction of the early 1900s, independent women who still need men, and horses will love this book. There is plenty of sweet romance, exciting action, and the pacing is consistent throughout the book. The only thing I wished different were more mention of asking God for daily wisdom in the hard circumstances, of which there were many.
I received a copy of the book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers. No positive review was required and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“One thing was for certain. She didn’t want to end up like Mother. Making all her choices about love and marriage based on fear.”
“She’d just bet her entire future on a man.
“How like God to weave a pattern where men’s evil and tragedy could somehow be twisted into something beautiful at the end.”
“It’s in our broken places God plants seeds of hope. He will grow something beautiful from ashes.”
Hope Sparrow, fleeing her unspeakably abusive past, “It’s in our broken places God plants seeds of hope. He will grow something beautiful from ashes.”
Hope Sparrow, fleeing her unspeakably abusive past, lands in Wanishing Falls, MN, at an old mom-and-pop bookstore. Desperate to find books with clues to her past, Hope agrees to stay and help run the store while she searches for her antique books. She doesn’t count on falling in love with the town, the couple that operates the store, nor their handsome, troubled grandson.
I loved seeing the healing that wise, older people can bring as they seek to live out the love of Jesus. Dee and Mags are two wonderful secondary characters I would like to have known.
I loved that Ronan and Kat are so willing to keep on offering friendship even when Hope seems to reject it repeatedly. While that is the Christian way, how many of us would give a person multiple chances in real life?
Hope has difficulty seeing herself as the kind, gentle, caring soul that she is. Instead, she sees herself through lies from her past. She needs to learn that “the past doesn’t tell us who we are, only where we’ve been.”
The road to faith is rocky for Hope and Ronan. Can they put aside their individual pasts and others’ opinions to trust that God’s love supersedes anything that may have happened to them? Can they truly believe this for good? This whole idea of giving a problem over to God and realizing He’s got it, I can relax, really hit home for me last night, as I struggled with worry and fear. I have to choose to continue in His love.
The one thing that I think readers should know, is there may be trigger subjects. One, which wasn’t the main issue, rang true with me, and made it difficult to read those passages as I lived them with the character.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. ...more
“The mind of a killer is a journey into chaos.” What makes a Jaime Jo Wright novel, esp The Premonition at Withers Farm, such a great read? For those w“The mind of a killer is a journey into chaos.” What makes a Jaime Jo Wright novel, esp The Premonition at Withers Farm, such a great read? For those who like “spooky,” ”eerie,” and a murder mystery, there is plenty of that vibe going on in both parts of this split-time novel. For any that have dealt with depression caused by life’s circumstances, Wright deals compassionately with this as we see Molly in the present day, struggling to survive another day. For those who like to see the power of a good friendship, I loved the support that Sidney provides to Molly. Also, George is a good friend to Perliett in the historical thread. Some will say that séances and evil have no place in a Christian novel. My answer would be, see how Jaime Jo Wright deals with them from a Christian perspective. She doesn’t wham the reader with absolutes early on, but slowly, non judgmentally leads to her Biblical conclusions. A very satisfying tale from all threads involved! Highly recommended! I received a copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley. I also bought my own copy for my keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“There will always be agony in the living. But it is in the agony that we discover our roots, and so often what we thought we needed wasn’t really what we need at all. It’s who we needed.”
“faith wasn’t something you achieved, it was something you fostered.”
“Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting.” She dropped her hand, wiping a cobweb onto her shorts. “It means living with their memory until God reunites us. It means finding a resolution to their death so you can keep on living.”
“Funny how when a person took a step back from all the expectations they had on themselves, that grace stepped forward and picked up the pieces that made no sense.”...more
“…could she let go of her pride and hurt, and let him into her heart?”
Twin Murder Mix-Up is the second book I’ve read by Sami Abrams. I enjoyed this o“…could she let go of her pride and hurt, and let him into her heart?”
Twin Murder Mix-Up is the second book I’ve read by Sami Abrams. I enjoyed this one as much as the first and am adding Abrams to my list of go-to authors for exciting, non-gruesome, romantic suspense.
In the wrong place at the wrong time, Amy Baker witnesses a murder. Trying to eliminate her, the murderer mistakenly kills Amy’s identical twin. When childhood friend Keith Young originally refuses to help, then reluctantly gets involved, can the two get past their own issues and the past itself?
One bad choice leads to another, until Keith cannot face himself or his former best friend. It doesn’t help that Amy’s attitude can be toxic. “if her jabs were firebombs, he’d be burned to a crisp.” I think Keith is very courageous to take on Amy’s protection, when he knows he will likely get burned. I wanted to judge Keith for being so slow to come clean with Amy and for not responding to her for so long. But honestly, Abrams nailed human nature here. Unfortunately, Keith doesn’t realize his biggest roadblock to his relationship with Amy is himself.
Amy has her own issues. Besides the past, she cannot get over her own well-hidden inferiority complex. This type of mental block can sabotage a relationship all by itself, no help needed from other sources! Needless to say, I found Abrams’s characters very realistic.
My fave character? This would have to be Keith’s dad, Ian, if we don’t count the baby. Ian possesses a quiet confidence and an ability to confront truthfully without being abrasive. While he is Keith’s dad, he is also able to be a great surrogate dad for Amy, yet without coming between the two.
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“…could she let go of her pride and hurt, and let him into her heart?”
Why hadn’t he stuffed his shame in a box and reached out to her?
Regret wrapped around him like a blanket.
She might be angry at Keith, but there was no one she wanted more to keep them safe. If only she could fully trust him.
He had to trust those around him and, ultimately, God to safeguard Amy....more
Sorry, that person's shelf is private.
Loading...
