Back Roads to Belonging by Kristen Strong

Every once in awhile I read a book that feels different. The words leap off the page and feel less like text and more like sitting in the kitchen over coffee with a friend sharing and learning more about life. Back Roads to Belonging is one of those kitchen conversation books.

Honestly, Kristen has a way of cutting right to the heart of the matter within this conversational tone, weaving hard earned wisdom, grace, and humour through her narrative while anchoring everything with Scripture. I especially appreciated the structure of her work, each chapter including introducing the chapter's theme, sharing a story from friend or personal past, and ending with a blessing. 

I also appreciated the way in which Kristen unpacks the topic of belonging, one often charged with so much meaning and emotion in our lives, in such a clear and gentle way. There's no denying each chapter clearly points to a central theme of belonging but each chapter also stays true to exploring belonging from a different perspective that both builds and expands understanding.  

This constant fleshing out and broadening means that most readers, will find a chapter that resonates with their own journey of belonging while also simplifying the ability to use this book as a reference. 

If I had to choose one book to recommend this year, this would be it.

5 out of 5 stars

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano

A rag woman, a country estate, and intrigue around every corner combines to create a highly enjoyable read from Joanna Politano.

Joanna Politano knows how to deliver a plot that is both fresh and engaging to readers. There really was so much to love within these pages. The characters were well fleshed out and had flaws that made them feel more realistic. I appreciated how Rothburne Abbey was able to take some of these on itself as it mirrored Raina's personal journey throughout the plot. Sully was a great romantic lead with his passion and drive, though I wish he had recognized his own identity as more than rescuer earlier in the book. 

I also appreciated the detail Politano put into the layers of her plot. The depth within the themes of renewal/restoration, the meanings of identity and names, the challenges of pursuing freedom and truth all made for a riviting read where the plot pulled readers in without revealing all of its secrets before their time.

Now, all that said, there were two points that detracted from the story slightly for me personally. During the transitions from Raina to Sully were a little jarring as the timing felt off but was never specifically mentioned. Now, admittedly, I was reading late at night which happens when you can't put a book down ;) but I do wish there was more clarity in those pov changes.

I, also personally, feel that the romantics will find the ending a wonderful conclusion but I would have preferred a more realistic end. Everything clicked into place just a little too neatly in the final chapters for my own taste and I was intrigued by the other path Raina had available to her which felt more plausible. 

Politano knows how to weave story and characters with meaning and message to create an engaging narrative for readers to fall into, that said, the ending does feel a little too clean for the story that was told and I'll probably be pondering Raina's what-ifs for awhile.

4 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of this book as part of the Revell Reads blog tour in exchange for my honest opinion.