Things We Cannot Keep by Amanda Cox

Things We Cannot Keep by Amanda Cox
5 Stars

Thank you to Revell for a gifted copy of this book to read for review.

I really enjoyed this one! I loved the mention of one of our local Tennessee towns too! This is a Christian Fiction contemporary book with a smidge of romance weaved in, mostly contemporary though.

It's a story about healing, belonging, forgiveness and the things we carry with us from our past. Tess gets a mysterious package one day with the name she left behind a long time ago....she is forced to step outside the safe, quiet life she had made for herself after running for so long. I loved the mystery and clues of who the heirloom belonged to and the stories connected by it. There is something so special about the idea of treasured objects that carry pieces of people's histories and their families. These are stories that span generations.


Tess and Elliot's complicated history added another emotional layer. I appreciated that their relationship wasn't rushed and that forgiveness and trust had to be worked through rather than simply handed over.

Tess's faith journey was especially beautiful.

My favorite quote: "This is your chance, Tess. Instead of running and hiding, run toward healing. Run toward the full life you deserve. Find the courage to share the beauty with people who possess the capacity to share the love you were always meant to have."


Amanda Cox does such a wonderful job creating characters who feel wounded but hopeful. 5 big star for me! Highly recommend.

Content: mentions of domestic violence, abandonment

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gGCIgd
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The Deep End of Love by Christina Suzann Nelson

The Deep End of Love by Christina Suzann Nelson 
5 Stars

Wow. I loved this book. A true 5 star favorite Christian Fiction read. This is what I need in Christian Fiction books these days. Depth. Grace. Faith. Grief. Redemption in the Lord. 

Thank you to Christina for sending me a gifted copy of this book to read for review. I also borrowed a copy of the ebook and audiobook from Kobo Plus, loved the narration when I listened to a few chapters.

This was such an emotional, grace-filled story. She tackles the tough topics of teen pregnancy but this was such a multi-layered, multi-character story and so much more than just that topic. We followed characters who went through infertility trying to adopt, a mother who lost her son, a young girl who has an unplanned pregnancy, a woman with a tragic secret hidden for many years....many hard situations, but each story intertwines God's grace, love and redemption. 

The multiple points of view worked really well, allowing me to connect with each woman's unique struggles, whether it was grief, regret, fear, or the longing to become a mother. I appreciated that every character felt human and flawed, and I found myself rooting for each of them in different ways.

The Christian message felt authentic and naturally woven into the story, emphasizing forgiveness, healing, and the truth that God can bring beauty from even the hardest circumstances. 

The ending really got me. Unexpected and beauty in the ashes. 

Overall, I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven Christian fiction with meaningful themes.

*Trigger Warnings:
Teen pregnancy, mentions of past abortion, death of a child, car accident, grief, infertility 

About the Book (Synopsis):

When Izzy's pregnancy comes to light during her junior year of high school, her future sinks like a stone and leaves waves of uncertainty in its wake. And suddenly three women are pulled into the undertow. A mother desperate to protect her child, but battling hurt and fear from her past. A new woman in town with empty arms and a deep longing. And a broken heart trying to survive amid grief.

An unborn baby growing closer to his unknown future remarkably brings together these four women with four completely different stories. Masterfully told in woven points of view, The Deep End of Love explores how one decision exposes shame, fear, and hope—and how grace surfaces in the least expected places.

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Theo Of Golden by Allen Levi

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

What can I say? This is now my favorite book of all time. I cannot form into words how beautiful this story really is. This is what I would consider my first 6 star read, many people use that term for their "extra" favorite books. While I never have, it's the only rating I can think of. 

This is a story about faith in action. Faith lived out. Being kind to others. Do unto others. Being the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us. People are hurting in this world and need the Lord. I know what it means to not walk with the Lord in the past and what it means to walk with Him now. Before and after. Allen Levi portrayed the broken, real people of this world who just need someone to walk into their lives and be Jesus to them. 

That's all I have for now. Watch the full reading vlog for my immediate thoughts and reactions. I get pretty real and raw and honest as usual, but no surprise, right? :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHWS__fNhTs&t=

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from these links.

South of Somewhere by T.I. Lowe

 

South of Somewhere by T.I. Lowe

4.5 Stars rounding up to 5 on Goodreads

“You are loved, you are cherished, and you are chosen by our Savior, and your identity is far greater than any label someone is trying to place on you. Don’t ever forget that.”

I'd heard so many wonderful things about T.I. Lowe's books, and South of Somewhere was my first experience with her writing. Readers typically praise her ability to tell powerful, redemptive stories centered on real-life struggles and now I completely understand why. All I can say is....wow y'all! She delivered an emotional, heartfelt story that exceeded my expectations and showcased exactly why so many readers love her books.

Juniper "Junie" Wilder is a woman whose battle with grief after the loss of her husband and alcoholism cost her custody of her young daughter, Fern. She is determined to rebuild her life after rehab and she goes on a very difficult journey to healing, forgiveness and proving she deserves a second chance at motherhood.

This book is REAL. I love that T.I. Lowe didn't shy away from the powerful realities of addiction and recovery. We saw the setbacks, the guilt, the temptation...and you really had empathy for Junie in what she was trying to do.  You root for her to come out of this ahead and to make her way back to a healthy place for her daughter.

As a southern girlie in Tennessee, I also love the South Carolina beach setting. It gives a comforting feel in the midst of the heavy. The encouragement of everyone around Junie was so beautiful to see as well. It had that found family element as the people around her become like family as they share their struggles, stories of addiction and accountability for each other to make it.

The romance between Junie and Henry is an underlying thread that added heart to the story without overtaking the main plot. It was a slow build and their relationship developed naturally as friends first rather than instant attraction and I loved that. Henry believed in Junie. 

I was so connected to this book, especially from an audiobook listen - the narrator had a great southern narration for all the different characters and you really felt so connected like it was movie you were watching. 

While I wanted a smidge more of Junie's faith explored, she still realized just how much the Lord was on her side regardless and I loved the emphasis of that.

Highly recommend for anyone who loves southern fiction with real life stories that make you think, empathize and learn. Excited to read more by T.I. in the future.

Content/Trigger Warnings: alcohol and drug use mentioned, child custody battle, addiction recovery, mentions of loss of loved ones, grief from losing spouse, brief violent moment from a character, no language, no spice

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The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers

 The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers

5 Stars 

What can I say? Wow. This was one of those books that stays with you the rest of your life. I did a full spoiler-free reading vlog on this book - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VfloP09064&t= (second half of the vlog) and there were so many emotions. Francine doesn't shy away from the hard, painful realities of life, yet she handles them with such compassion, honesty and spiritual depth that while it's heartbreaking, it is also healing.

Dynah went through so much in this book. Her world shatters when she is raped and becomes pregnant from the assault. What moved me the most was how Francine really explored this journey with Dynah and not losing sight of the Lord. God was with Dynah. This book reminded me that no matter what evil befalls us....the Lord is with us through the battles, always. 

Seeing the generational addition to this book too, with Dynah's mother, grandmother and their own personal histories, really added to the book too. It was just as much their stories as Dynah's as they walked through healing. It shows the Lord can redeem even the darkest things in our lives. There is forgiveness in Christ.

Joe was also such an outstanding guy for me. We really see him be a good friend to Dynah and I loved that. 

Seeing Dynah really seek the Lord was beautiful and inspiring to me. How the Lord worked in her with Jim and his job....all I can say is...it brought me to tears.

This book really reminded me that sometimes when the world is trying to tell you all the things to think and do....that sometimes you need to step back and withdraw alone - just you and the Lord. Take your troubles to Him in prayer. He will answer. He will bring peace.

This is not a light read by any means but it's a profoundly important one. The characters are real and in desperate need of grace, forgiveness and healing.

Through it all, the Lord meets us in the darkest places and His mercy is big enough for every story. 

Content/Trigger Warnings: sexual assault (rape), unplanned pregnancy, abortion themes, family pressure, generational trauma, emotional abuse, PTSD symptoms, medical trauma, abortion procedures discussed, grief and loss, miscarriages

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Handle with Care by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

Handle with Care by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

5 Stars

I went into this book with realistic expectations from other reviews I have seen and knowing exactly what I was getting - an intense action, women's fiction read with a suspenseful hostage situation plot. This was one of those books that pulled me in, immediately, and didn't let go. It was SUCH A FAST READ. I read this in 1 day! 

The audio narrator is fantastic, very much a good storyteller where it felt natural and emotionally involved with the tension of the plot. I listened to the first 40% and then read the e-book copy for the remaining portion, just because I was reading faster than I was listening in that "I need to know" feeling.

The majority of the book happens inside a post office, where a woman is working there...and she is covering while her co-workers have left briefly. Several other woman are there to mail something that each contain something important to their lives to get out to who they are mailing them to. In comes her husband, drunk and upset about the divorce papers he was just served to the girl working at the Post Office. She shuffles him outside and then he comes back in with a gun and holds the women up hostage inside the post office....

What stood out to me most was the character driven focus of this book. As the situation unfolds, we get layered glimpses into each woman's lives...their choices, relationships, struggles. You learn so much about each of the women and their stories while they are held hostage inside the post office that you really become invested in the whole group and situation. Those details added so much depth to the book.

This book reminds us of why reading fiction matters. It gives us empathy, compassion, understanding, puts us in someone else's shoes...and we learn from their experiences. 

I really connected with each character and their story. We really got to see what they were walking through each individually and each person came out changed from the experience. They will never be the same again after this and neither will I. 

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a complimentary audio and e-book copy to read and listen to for review. All thoughts are my own.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Language: 4 D*mn, 2 a**, 1 BS, 4 B**ch. (I felt the language was minimal and situationally understandable but wanted to notate either way.) Mentioned of parental death by cancer and another parental death that was an accidental death, mention of possible dementia, domestic violence, hostage situation by gun, intense action, drinking

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The Stories We Carry by Robin W. Pearson

The Stories We Carry by Robin W. Pearson 

4 Stars

This is a heartfelt, Southern family story. Set in the small town of Gilmore, North Carolina, this Christian fiction is about Glory Pryor, who runs a bookstore in town and newcomer Adelle Simonette, who moves there with her young son. Their paths cross and both women have experience's they never expected. Adelle's is walking through grief from the loss of her husband. Glory is keeping secrets buried as her and her husband Eli are nearing retirement age as they look to moving on from the store to new things. Glory doesn't expect Adelle and her son working on her heart during their time there.

I really enjoyed this book. I have been loving general contemporary women's fiction stories lately and this was another good one to add to my recommendation list going forward. It’s reflective and emotional without feeling too heavy. This is my first book by Robin and she writes with such warmth and depth, especially when exploring themes of family and faith.

I appreciated how both Glory and Adelle’s stories showed their real life struggles. Glory wasn't much of a believer, and didn't want a lot to do with God, but she had the foundation of faith from her life growing up. We see some of her faith come back to her in this book. She was funny and I loved her relationships with others in this book. 

I loved that Glory was over 60 with her sweet husband Eli. Their relationship was real, funny and sweet. Adelle was in her 40's, with her 4 year old son. Middle aged characters in stories really bring the reality of life and depth to the story. Lots of relatability. 

Our characters experience healing and it was beautiful. I wasn't too sure how I felt with the ending when the big secrets were revealed, but it was tied up nicely in the end. 

Overall, this was a beautiful, faith-filled story about community, second chances, forgiveness and the little ways God works through the people around us.

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for an e-book copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7997514495
Amazon: https://amzn.to/45jBPob
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/638198

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A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro by Heather Norman Smith

Book Review: A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro by Heather Norman Smith 
5 Stars 

This book completely blew me away. As a special needs mama, this book touched my heart and didn't let go y'all. It's one of those that truly will stick with me. It's about friendship, second chances, forgiveness, being kind to one another...especially when no one is watching. This book shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a beautiful way. Our characters navigate grief, life's hardships, and how to trust the Lord in those moments. A favorite book of 2025 for me for sure.

Andy Clark has always been different. That's how the synopsis starts this book off. He's always had a tumorous mass covering half of his face but he's also the anonymous do-gooder, in quiet kindness....in Flatsboro, North Carolina. Andy is living his life exactly how his mother taught him. She left so many notes on cards for him that he reads after her passing over and over to continue to get her advice. He is a believer in Christ and wants to always do what is right. He was the caretaker for his best friend with down syndrome and when he passes away, Andy is devastated. How will he get through this?

Then we have Della Rose who is a former beauty queen with a crumbling marriage to Wade Miller. He cheated on her and from the first chapter, we see Della leaving Wade with their daughter as she goes back to her hometown of Flatsboro with an unknown start and hopeful second chances. Della and Andy used to be best friends back in third grade but things happened where they were forcefully separated years ago. The Lord puts Della on Andy's heart and their friendship helps her navigate the grief of her ending marriage and Andy's continued grief over the loss of his best friend. 

Just writing this review I am in tears again and it's been a week since I finished the book you guys. I was just so moved by this friendship story between Andy and Della Rose. Della's little girl also added so much to the story as well. 

We saw the beauty of being kind. 

We saw redemption in Christ. 

We saw small town kindness on display, even in the hard times of people who may be unkind sometimes. 

We saw honoring those that are different that you. 

We saw the ability to have a second chance after your marriage ends. 

We saw a beautiful southern, small town story and so much more.

Thank you Heather for such a beautiful story. I won't forget it. A special thank you to Kregel Publications for a complimentary copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*content warnings for mention of suicidal thoughts, loss of a friend, husband cheating on wife, loss of a mother, grief

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7843588118?
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4pM8hb2
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780825455643_a-simple-kindness-in-flatsboro
Kregel: https://www.kregel.com/fiction/a-simple-kindness-in-flatsboro/

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When The Road Comes Around by Katie Powner

Book Review: When The Road Comes Around by Katie Powner 

A 5 Star Favorite of 2025

I am finding I LOVE a good Christian Contemporary Fiction book that explores themes of family, faith, and real life struggles and WOW - Katie brought SO much to this story. As a special needs Mama still early on in my parenting journey with our son, I related to Anita and was inspired by her so much.

Stay tuned for my reading vlog on YouTube on Thursday, August 28th, 2025! Lots of emotions. 

Read if you like:

- Montana Settings

- Christian Contemporary Fiction

- Special Needs Families Represented In Books

- Strong Christian Faith Content in Books

- Second Chances

- Found Family

- Stories with Depth

- Horses and Farm Life

We are in the small town of Grady, Montana. We follow 24 year old Tad who has a reputation for trouble and past mistakes. He gets a job at Come Around Ranch. Here is where he meets Sam, the ranch owners disabled 20 year old son. He develops a soft spot for him and wants to help him any chance he can. Sam is disabled and his mind is more of that of a child.

48 year old Anita Wilson struggles with her rheumatoid arthritis as she works on the guest house with her husband. They hire Tad for the summer, knowing it's a risk, but they could use the help. Anita and her husband Dan try to always do what is best for their son, despite his disability. 

We see these characters come together and find the second chances and grace from the good Lord above as they navigate challenges in life.

I had so many beautiful moments reading this book. I think it's one that forever stays with you. Tad experienced so much growth along the way. What is practically dropped in his lap unexpectedly added such a layer of depth to the story. I loved seeing his journey and trying to make the right decisions, despite the struggles he faced with his Dad and the situation he found himself in. 

Anita and Dan were a great example of middle age, special needs parents just trying to do the best they could as well. I loved seeing them always take everything to the Lord in prayer. No matter the circumstance, they would say to one another, "we need to pray about this for a few days". Oh what a great example. 

Also, Anita really had this perspective I could see I need to have myself in my own special needs parenting journey. Life is hard. We may not always get the perfect, easy answer from the Lord. But we have EVERYTHING we need, perfectly right in front of us in HIS time alone. It is all about perspective. 

Thanks to Katie Powner for writing such a powerful story. I cried. I felt true emotions while reading this book and it's definitely a favorite book of 2025.  

*content warnings: animal death (expected, old age), mentions of drugs briefly, alcohol abuse mentioned, bad relationship with father shown

Thank you to Bethany House for a complimentary copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7640547451

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/618543 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ILxelJ

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Gelato at the Villa by Robin Jones Gunn

Book Review: Gelato at the Villa - Robin Jones Gunn 

5 Stars - A Favorite Book of 2025 

Have you ever had a friend that you were praying would return to the Lord after hurt from the past? Have you been the friend that turned back to the Lord after His constant pursuit? This book is one you don't want to miss. 

This book was SO impactful for me. I laughed. I cried. I can't recommend it enough!

We need more friendship stories in books and I loved this one! In this book, we follow Grace and Claire. Told from Grace's POV, we see our best friends travel to Italy, making stops in Venice, Florence and Bellagio. The girls enjoy art, cooking, AMAZING food, gelato (of course!), museums and the LORD truly works on this trip. I also LOVED the people they met along the way and all the travel details.

I have a full YouTube reading vlog coming out on August 25th with ALL the tears and thoughts, but all I can say is this book is one I needed! 

Seeing Grace's POV praying for her friend who had been running from the Lord for so long after being hurt by people in the church years ago was powerful. She was patient with Claire. She honored her requests. She let the Lord lead her in the conversations, even when she didn't know what to say. Grace also encountered the Lord's peace when things aren't going great at her job. 

Yes, this book brings Italy to life and makes you really want some good Italian food and Gelato, but it also had the Lord front and center in their trip and by the end, we really see forgiveness, a prodigal daughter moment and good friendship on display. This is how you tell a beautiful, in depth story under 300 pages! :)

The Lord is always pursuing us. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. See my blog post for my favorite quotes as well in the graphics!

Thank you to TLC Book Tours, Revell and Robin Jones Gunn for a complimentary copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*trigger warning for mentions of past abuse as a child but not graphically detailed.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7742126756
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/618547
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JltXdc

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Last Light Over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright

 

Last Light Over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright

4.5 / 5

What a moving, emotional read. This was my first book by Jennifer and will not be my last. I really enjoyed the way she can pull you in to the story and you feel like you are right there in the midst of what the characters are going through. I cried. I felt such empathy. And I learned so much about this moment in history.

This is surrounding the most devastating hurricane that occurred in 1900 in Galveston, Texas. We follow Kathleen McDaniel who returns to New York after finishing school in Switzerland. A horrific event happens and she flees into hiding....she finds refuge and safety at St. Mary's Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island. She makes friends at St. Mary's, Sister Emily, Mother Camillus, Maggie and Matthew. Matthew is a handsome man who works for Isaac Cline at the US Weather Bureau. 

This is dual timeline so we follow Kathleen's life 6 months in New York with her family before she flees to St. Mary's and then the events during the hurricane in Galveston. This is a survival story through and through. I knew nothing of this hurricane and this taught me so much about what the people of Galveston endured. It was tragic. Heartbreaking. The author really pulls you in and you feel such empathy during those moments. While it's a tough read, it's an important read. No matter the devastation, we still see God at work and Kathleen finds Him in between the heartache.

I did find some of the timeline back and forth pieces took me out of the story sometimes since I was more invested what was going on in the current timelines with the hurricane but by the end, I loved seeing what transpired and what the reasons were for her leaving NYC. 

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Be prepared for an emotional journey. 

Thank you to TLC Book Tours, Tyndale House Publishers and Jennifer L. Wright for a complimentary copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Content: death, hurricane devastation, hurricane victims, child and parental death, grief, toxic parent situation.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7775547440

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/617644
Amazon: https://amzn.to/45CZgYm

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What the River Keeps by Cheryl Grey Bostrom

 

What the River Keeps by Cheryl Grey Bostrom 

4.5 Stars (Rounded up to 5 On Goodreads, Honorable Mention of Fav 2025)

What a powerful story. This is my 3rd Cheryl book and I just love the way she tells layered, in depth stories set in the Pacific Northwest. The setting always comes to life and her characters, while they go through hard things, really tug at your heart strings and you can always see hope between the pages. 

Here, we follow Hildy Nybo, a biologist that specializes in Pacific Northwest fish. She has anxiety, memory loss and a traumatic childhood where her father went missing. When her mother's health declines, leading to a dementia diagnosis, Hildy returns to her family resort on the Elwha River to help restore the Elwha River after the demolition of two century-old dams. Side note, I love how in the beginning, we see Hildy as a young child with her father and she told her Dad she met God in fish and nature. It was such a beautiful detail from a child's POV that reminds us to take in all of God's creation and truly see Him in every aspect of everything. There is also a moment where Hildy as a child can "see shadows" among evil and it felt like a tie in to spiritual warfare, reminding us that children have a greater sense of awareness.

When Hildy returns home, she steps out of her isolation and here meets Luke, a compassionate carpenter with his own tragic past and grief, and together they go through healing in this book. They have a passion for nature, animals, the river and they really connect well.

Hard things about the past resurface, she starts to put things together about her father's disappearance and what she finds is not what she expected....

Bottom line, I really enjoyed Luke and Hildy's healing journey, their romance and God's love, redemption - fully weaved into the story throughout. What Luke had been through was SO HARD and he was such an inspiring guy really trying to do the best he could. Seeing their healing was POWERFUL to me. A favorite quote from Luke “I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m all in, Hildy. Not with some God I tap for favors, but with a living Tsunami who raises the dead. Who washed my sorry carcass onto a better road.” Had me TEAR UP!

Along the way though, we see something happen with separation between the characters and the path Hildy goes down is not a good one...yet Luke is there regardless and I love how he stepped in to protect her and take care of her. 

Moving to the ending, I loved how the mystery was revealed - did NOT see that coming....it was sad, but real, raw and the start to true healing and forgiveness for Hildy to move on. 

Overally, highly recommend. I always say if you liked Delia Owens Where the Crawdads Sing type of story with the nature elements but with a level of faith added, pick up Cheryl's books. I love her stories and looking forward to what she writes next.

*Content warnings: Death of a spouse and children, grief, death of a parent, dementia, attempted sexual assault with details leading up to the abuser's intentions and her trying to escape, domestic violence in that same scene, brief mention of animal abuse/animal death

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers, Cheryl and TLC Book Tours for a complimentary copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7707349218
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/617646

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mkM95a

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The Light on Horn Island by Valerie Fraser Luesse

 The Light on Horn Island by Valerie Fraser Luesse 

5 Stars!

Reading this book felt like stepping back in time to memories with my grandparents and great grandparents - so many beautiful days gone by. It feels like sweet tea, magnolias, front porch sittin' southern storytelling that will stick with you forever. This was my first book by Valerie, and now I need to read ALL of her other books.

Set in Mississippi, Edie returns home to her beloved grandmother after the loss of her friend in New York. This setting is very warm and familiar as a southern gal in Tennessee myself. The author portrays small town southern life in such rich detail, while also honoring the wisdom of our grandparent's generation. 

We see the heart of this story lie in the relationships of Edie and her grandmother, a tight-knit group of friends and family. Long buried secrets and stories come to light in this book. Her grandmother introduced her to the antique shop and many of her friends there and we see Edie reconnect with someone from her past also. 

ALL of the characters in this were phenomenal. We heard their stories from Hurricane Camille in 1969 as well, which added such a layer of depth to the story and gave me a huge respect for those that have went through these hardships. The Lord was all over this story too, with the added character of Jason. He was very memorable and interesting how Valerie tied that together in the end. Warmed my heart!

One of my friends and I chatted about this story and how it was like puzzles we were trying to figure out along the way - between tracking down survivors from the hurricane and trying to figure out the light on the island - it was just great all around.

Overall, SO glad I read this book. Highly also recommend the audiobook because the narration had great southern accents too. 

Thank you to Revell for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Content: Clean, no language, grief, attempted suicide mentioned, mental health struggles, depression mentioned once, hurricane survival stories and loss of loved ones in that discussion 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7171473788
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YuWVw2
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/598754

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn

 

 Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn - 4 Stars 

This story is a heartfelt journey of friendship, faith, and self-discovery that takes readers on an emotional safari through the stunning landscapes of Africa. Centered on the friendship sister bond between Fern Espinoza and Lily Graden, the book truly captures the essence of a long-term friendship that has weathered the trials of time and distance.

This is a Christian contemporary women's fiction story that I truly felt connected to. I loved the writing style, faith content, travel elements and the characters. This book opens up to the teenage years of Fern and Lily, who first connected while  volunteering in Costa Rica. 20 years later, here they are, embarking on a long-awaiting trip to Africa - a dream trip that they talked about many years ago. This trip soon becomes one of emotional growth as each woman carriers their own struggles. The author intertwines their personal stories well with the beautiful backdrop of Africa. 

We see Fern dealing with struggles as she lost her job at a Christian publishing company and is unsure of what her next steps in life are, just as Lily is worried about the hardships within her marriage. Both ladies experience personal growth and lessons that challenge their perspectives and encourage them to surrender to the Lord's plan in their lives. 

Overall, this is more than just a safari story among friends - this is a story filled with lighthearted moments and deeper reflections between two friends who are more sisters than friends. I loved the side characters they met along the way that encouraged them in their faith and challenges. Anyone who loves good faith filled, travel, contemporary adventure stories will like this! 

Highly recommend. Thank you to the publisher for providing an early copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6712043391
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4eD1I4s
Baker Book House (Recommended): https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/579829

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on any items purchased from these links.

Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom

 

Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom - 4.5 Stars 

Sugar Birds is a beautifully written story that combines elements of suspense, emotional depth, and a profound connection to nature. Set in the stunning landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, the book explores themes of survival, healing, and human resilience.

The story follows three central characters: 10-year-old Aggie, who runs away into the forest after accidentally setting a fire that threatens her family’s farm, Aggie's brother Burnaby and Celia, who is visiting her grandmother's nearby farm. Burnaby and Celia eventually meet and have an instant connection together. Celia helps in the search party to find Aggie as she goes missing in the forest for many weeks. We see Aggie's POV as she tries to survive and hide from the others, too afraid to return to the aftermath of what she has done. We also see Celia in a tough situation with a dangerous guy and Burnaby - with a bit of a love triangle as they get to know one another. 

One thing that always stands out to me in Cheryl's books is how she has such rich elements of the natural world. Her descriptions of the forests, rivers, and creatures of the Pacific Northwest are vivid and atmospheric, immersing readers in the beauty and danger of the environment.

This book is also strong in emotional depth. She delves into difficult subjects like grief, guilt, and forgiveness, but she does so with a light, empathetic touch. The book doesn’t shy away from the pain of the characters’ experiences, yet it also offers hope and redemption. There’s a light faith element woven throughout the story that adds a layer of reflection and healing.

I also really loved the portrayal of Burnaby. He is autistic and as an Autism Mama, I loved seeing him as a younger teen and how he interacted with Celia and others in the story. After reading Leaning on Air by this author, which is more of Celia and Burnaby's story, going back to Sugar Birds was a beautiful experience to learn more of how they met and interacted.

I have to say the suspense in this one was very good, we were needing to see how Aggie was doing throughout the story and Cheryl did a good job with the pacing to give enough backdrop of what was happening while our main characters were on the search for her. The ending was fast paced and I liked how it went. 

Overall, Sugar Birds is a heartfelt, deeply moving book that leaves a lasting impression. Readers who enjoy contemporary fiction, character-driven stories, and those who enjoy themes of survival and personal growth will find much to love in this book.

Thank you Tyndale House for a copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6842497256
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ejYL8T
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/522932

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox

 

Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox - 4 Stars 

“Because God meets us right where we’re at. And maybe things in our lives get broken down and beat up along the way. The good news is restoration work is kind of His specialty.”

In this story, we follow Josephina or "Joey" Harris who takes the opportunity to help restore an old lighthouse. Little does she know the story behind it and the legends she would find. She meets 81 year old Walt and his grandson Finn. We see that together they go on a journey to uncover what happened long ago....

I really enjoyed the faith elements, immersive setting, the characters and the mystery behind the lighthouse. This really felt like a generational moving story. We are in the North Carolina Outer Banks in 2007 and the 1940s here and seeing how the story was brought together was beautiful in how Amanda told it.

Joey is trying to figure out what happened to the lightkeeper and his daughter while Walt is desperate to restore the lighthouse itself. We see a little romance develop between her and Finn that I really enjoyed. It was really nice to see their relationship develop.

While some parts were slow for me, it was a beautiful story. If you like contemporary fiction stories with elements of family, faith, restoration, secrets, past discoveries, lighthouses, etc....check this out.

Thank you to Revell for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6648425980
Amazon:  https://amzn.to/46Z8ajm
Baker Book House (Recommended):  https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/553567

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.