Outside of Grace - Anna Daugherty

 

From Amazon:
Ava Sanford longs to be known as more than the pastor's kid. When the opportunity arises to study abroad in Scotland, she jumps at the chance to leave the Texas coast and the pressures of Grace Church behind. But she never meant to leave God, too.

Her roommate's partying lifestyle promises the fun Ava has been missing out on—until a traumatic assault leaves her faith and pride in ruins. As her life in Scotland begins to crumble, rumors race back home, threatening her relationships with her family and friends, including Jack Shields.

A former athlete, Jack keeps his head down, working through college and coasting through life. After losing both his mother and his scholarships, he knows the things you love can disappear at any moment. But when his best friend seems to be next, the nonchalance and security he carefully guards are broken. Fighting for Ava will mean risking it all, and he can't do it alone. Only God can show them both how far grace can go.


While they're resolved in the end, and the discussion questions bring out the complicated interpretations of scripture, there was a large portion of the book that felt like it was blaming Ava as the victim, that she was really condemned. A lot of that could be seen as how she was processing things in her head, but it felt dangerously critical.  And even though the assault was not actually her fault, and not a foregone conclusion based on her choices, there was no real focus on her bad choices leading up to the trauma.  There were no hangovers from the drinking, no missed classes, no concerned friends as witnesses.  There were several characters who could have had more depth, but didn't feel fleshed out. 

Dealing with such a heavy topic is tricky.  I feel that this one didn't give enough hope or grace to encourage a reader to make it to the resolution where she finds that she is worthy of love.

You can find Outside of Grace HERE.

You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

The Blackout Book Club - Amy Lynn Green

 

When Avis' brother goes off to war, she takes over his job as librarian.  The problem is two-fold: first, she doesn't read, except magazines, and second, the private library's owner is determined to close the library.  Avis convinces the owner that the library serves an important role in the small town Maine community, and that the book club she's starting is a legitimate war-time activity to honor the required blackouts.  Now, she just needs to find members to actually attend, and she has to actually start reading books.

Reminiscent of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, the idea of this novel was so creative, and ideal for book lovers.  The desperate forming of the bookclub brings together members of the community, some of whom were reluctant readers, but eager for company or free food, and it combined readers of surprising literary tastes.  I loved the variety of texts that they covered, and how they included everyone, from the youngest child, to the widowed pawn shop owner.  By the end, these characters were drawn together by more than books, and cared for each for more than their literary contributions.

There were maybe a few too many main characters to feel that they were covered adequately, but they were a unique lot and their friendships were intricate and enriched the novel.

4 stars, and I am always eager to see more from this author!

You can find The Blackout Book Club HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

All That it Takes - Nicole Deese

 

In this sequel to All That Really Matters, Molly's assistant Val uproots her life and moves herself and her son across the country to make a go at becoming a film maker.  Miles, her new landlord, finds himself in a career transition as well, but one not of his choosing.  Can these two find their way to new purposes and the path that God has laid before them?

Wow!  I loved All That Really Matters, and I would venture to say that this sequel is even better.  Watching how these two characters worked out God's purposes for their lives, individually, when it seemed their paths may be forged separately was engaging, and for the most part, realistic feeling.  The author did a great job teasing out their fears and what was holding them back.  And the story that worked its way out of their seemingly separate projects was so good.

I give this book 5 stars.  I love these characters and these stories, and if this author doesn't continue with them, I can only hope for new characters to love as much!

You can find All That it Takes HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

On the Way to Christmas - Novella collection

 

Description from christianbook.com :

A Christmas Do-Over when job loss forces her to return to her small hometown.

A Yuletide breakup sends Willow Dashing Through the Snow solo on the Christmas Express---with hilarious results.

And big-city Kacey and small-town Drew share A Perfectly Splendid Christmas. But where do they go from here?

I know that I'm not the only one reaching for feel-good Christmas stories early this year.  As the world seems heavy and exhausting, we all need stories of hope and joy.  
Of the three stories, Dashing Through the Snow  was by far my favorite; I loved the story of a Christmas train ride, and the characters made it so much fun.

Overall, I give this book 3 stars, but Dashing Through the Snow is a 4-star story.

You can find On the Way to Christmas HERE.
You can find Shelia Roberts HERE.
You can find Melissa Ferguson HERE.
You can find Amy Clipston HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

Sadie on the Rocks - Joanne Bischof

 

Sadie finds herself at a crossroads: in her 30s, single, with no current dating prospects, and sick of the dating game, tired of writing about the dating life that she's not part of, and wondering what else life has for her, she decides to forge a new path.  She wants a job she can be proud of, and she wants to find more passion in her life, so she makes new choices and tries out a new hobby - rock climbing.  Can she find purpose and direction in her life, and contentment in her current chapter?

While this book is highly introspective, and low on action, Sadie's thoughts and journey are well-developed and would be encouraging to a reader on a similar journey.  She reaches out to engage others and bless them with her compassion and availability, and I loved watching her use her time and energy to develop a new passion while also looking for opportunities to engage with those around her.  Her bravery in letting go of things that didn't fit with her vision and faith were inspiring, and I hope that readers can gain courage from her choices.

I give this book 3.5 stars, but I would guess that others who can relate more to Sadie would find it much more engaging.  I hope that there are more Suddenly Sadie stories to follow her journey.

You can find Sadie on the Rocks HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

Where the Blue Sky Begins - Katie Powner

 

Small Montana town, ambitious finance advisor from Seattle, eccentric neighbor, and a crazy porch chicken - what could possibly go wrong?  Or how could it all go very very right?

I have to confess - the descriptions of Katie Powner's books never catch my attention the first go round.  But after two amazing, rich, unforgettable stories, I'm all in - I'll never turn down a Katie Powner book again.  Between Eric, the nephew who's been sent to "fill in" in the small town branch, hoping to work his way to a tenth floor position in the Seattle office, to Eunice, desperate to make amends, but painfully private about why it's urgent, to Cinderella, the crazy chicken, and Chicken, the rescued turtle - the lives and stories of these small town characters teach such deep lessons, about faith and loving the folks around you through good times and bad.  I love watching as those who are willing to reach out or listen are changed for the better, and can affect more than they even expected.  Not everything turns out rosy, but there are lessons to be learned even in sorrow.

5 stars to this powerful novel about literally loving your neighbor.

You can find Where the Blue Sky Begins HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

Worthy of Legend - Roseanna M. White

 

The final installment of The Secrets of the Isles, Worthy of a Legend continues the search for antiquities and focuses in on Lady Emily Scofield and her estranged relationship with her family.  As more clues surface regarding a priceless artifact, Emily's brother Nigel becomes more and more desperate and unhinged.  Can Emily continue to show love to a brother who would stop at nothing to make the discovery that he feels would make him earn his father's respect?  As for Lord Telford, who has a hidden passion for Arthurian legend, and is drawn to protect those who need it, how will he help this quest while keeping the Lady safe?

This entire trilogy has been amazing.  I have loved the characters, the setting, and the adventure.  I love how the characters interact, and draw closer to each other throughout the course of the trilogy.  One of my favorite parts is the friendships amongst the male characters.  Additionally, the truths revealed as the characters struggle through their conflicts and trials are so realistic.  Don't we all want to feel worthy of love? Don't we all wish to know that God cares about us personally?  Lady Emily and Lord Telford may come to those conclusions a little more dramatically than the average non-fictional person, but they reveal the truths that we are loved and we are worthy to God.

I am sad that this trilogy is over; I could continue to enjoy this cast of characters for several more books.  I can only wait impatiently for the author's next set of novels.

I give Worthy of Legend 5 stars.

You can find the book HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

Meet Me in the Margins - Melissa Ferguson

 

Savannah is an assistant editor in a small publishing company, one which focuses on, let's say, the more serious side of literature, which makes her dream of publishing a romance novel something of a covert operation.  When she leaves it in the room of the publishing house that she thinks is her secret space, only to find that someone has added edits to it, a relationship "in the margins," begins.  Her mysterious editor and she work out a system of never crossing paths while working her manuscript into something publishable, but what if she wants to know her mystery man in person?

If there's one sub-genre of books that I like almost as much as books about food, it's books about books and book lovers.  This story was so cute: the publishing/editing setting, the bookish banter, the secret manuscript and editor storyline - it was all so engaging and fun.

As a note, since I mostly review Christian fiction here, this would  fall on the side of "clean" fiction, but don't expect any faith building or spiritual elements here.

I give this book 4 stars; without spoiling anything, I would have liked a different trail within the story, but overall I loved it!

You can find Meet Me in the Margins HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

To Disguise the Truth - Jen Turano

 

"Considering she'd once shot the man sitting across from her, Eunice Holbrook was beginning to get the sneaking suspicion her past had finally caught up with her."  And thus, the adventures of Eunice Holbrook, as she's currently known, and Arthur Livingston, the man she shot, begin anew.  Eunice has started a new life for herself in New York, and enjoys running the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, completely separated from her past.  Arthur is on a mission to find the woman he promised to protect, and ensure she is given the land and legacy that is rightfully hers.

I think this is my favorite Turano series so far - I love the quirky, unusual, female characters banded together at the Inquiry Agency.  I love the banter between the main characters.  And I love having a centralized series so that the characters continue to have their stories move forward even when they're not the main character.  I'm really going to miss this group of women, and the men who've managed to be interesting enough to hold their own with them.

My only small issue with this story is how neatly and easily the "mystery" resolves, but it's not meant to be a suspenseful book, it's definitely a romance, and as such, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

4 stars, and I loved this whole series!

You can find To Disguise the Truth HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

Sunrise - by Susan May Warren

 

Dodge Kingston has been gone from his family ranch for a long time, and probably wouldn't have returned now, except for the fact that his father is in the hospital.  With an offer in the wings, a strained relationship with his father, and an unknown status with his high school sweetheart, adding in disaster after dangerous disaster, what will he choose for his future?

This was a fairly typical storyline for this author: lots of dangerous, life-or-death situations, a harsh environment, pasts that need dug up in order to move forward, and big decisions to be made.  I really enjoyed the Alaskan component of the story; the terrain and character of the land played such a big part in shaping the story and the characters.  The side characters, especially, were rooted in Alaskan culture and the lifestyle and gave a good picture of the wildness of the land.

The one issue I took with this story was that the relational drama of the main characters seemed to take precedence over what would have likely been forefront in their minds in reality.  They seemed to care more about their romance than their friends and family in danger.

I give this book 3.5 stars: engaging, high action, good elements of faith, but too much unrealistic drama.

You can find Sunrise HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

In Search of a Prince - Toni Shiloh

 

Bri Bayo knows that any time her mother makes time to meet her for lunch, there's something big to talk about.  She does not expect to find out that she's a princess to an African country, and that her grandfather, whom she's never met, is asking her to come because he's dying, and she will need to decide if she's willing to become queen.  She needs to learn about the country, she needs to learn the language, and on top of it all, the royal council determines that she needs to be married to take the crown.  

This book did a lot of things well that I haven't seen in a lot of books lately.  I really felt like I was experiencing a new nation with Brielle, a new culture, a new language, new expectations.  I loved how steeped in faith the characters - they spent time in prayer, not only for themselves, but for each other.  Having friends who pray for you and seek God's direction for you, in confirmation of what you're sensing from your own time with God. It's rare to see friends and companions lean into that so thoroughly in fiction books.  I also loved seeing Bri develop a relationship with her grandfather, heal her relationship with her mother, and learn about her father through his country.

There were a few loose ends in the story, but that just leaves me hoping for a sequel!
4 stars

You can find In Search of a Prince HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

Much Ado About a Latte - Kathleen Fuller

 

In Much Ado About a Latte, readers return to Maple Falls, where restoration of the town businesses continues.  Anita works hard at the Sunshine Diner, even while dreaming of opening her own coffee shop in town.  Unbeknownst to her, Tanner Castillo, her high school tutor, has dream of his own - of owning the Sunshine Diner and making it into a coffee bar/diner combination.  While pursuing their dreams secretly, their friendship grows with the chance of more - but can either aspect of their relationship sustain the secrets and competition?

While I love this town, and the storylines about updating the town and its businesses, this second installment didn't appeal to me as much as Hooked on You. The stories didn't feel flushed out, so the conclusion felt a little illogical.  Why did Tanner end up working in a diner when he was obviously intelligent and driven in high school? Where did Anita get her dream of a coffee shop? There was no build up of her dream or experience; it didn't seem to tie into her passions, it was just a way to prove herself to her parents. There also wasn't a great explanation of how the two businesses were going to work together; it just somehow conveniently tied the end up in a rosy ending.

I enjoy these characters, and I will continue to look forward to the series, but this one was only 3 stars for me.

You can find Much Ado About a Latte HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

The Girl Who Could Breathe Underwater - Erin Bartels

 

Kendra grew up spending glorious summers at Hidden Lake with her grandfather, and her best friend Cami.  Years have passed since she's been to the cabin; she has published a novel, her grandfather has passed away, and nobody has heard from Cami in too long.  She returns with questions, and the answers may be harder than anyone expected.

This novel left me feeling conflicted.  There were much harder topics broached than the description hinted at - topics that may catch readers off guard.  But necessary topics to be discussed.  Kendra's past that she tries to reconcile in her heart and mind, the topics that she wrote about in her book with thinly disguised characters, while shocking, are handled well in the writing.  Kendra doesn't brush them aside.  She doesn't immediately feel healed. Her relationships are not immediately hunky dory.  She struggles with her own role in what happened to her, and whether she could have prevented any of it.  She struggles with forgiveness.  

While all of these struggles were more realistic maybe than other novels have attempted, as a Christian-published novel, I would have liked to have seen more hope, or counseling, or growth.  It doesn't need to wrap up neatly, because real life isn't like that, but there seemed to be no resources outside of Kendra's own strength and resolve to move forward.

I give this book 3 stars; I can't fault the writing, but it was not really my cup of tea, and the description led me to expect a very different book.

You can find the author HERE.
You can find The Girl Who Could Breathe Underwater HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.