So, before I get into my feelings on the story itself, I feel this book is a great example of why Christian fiction needs to have content warnings. I love that more Christian authors are digging into the deep and messy realities of life in our world, however, it's not fair to blindside readers who may be struggling with the issues themselves and, like so many, were reading as an escape. So, this book really needed a content warning for childhood sexual abuse and probably suicide as well.
What made this more frustrating is that Bartels is such a good writer. I was impressed by her intentionality in word choice, her ability to paint a scene, and how she conveyed emotion into her characters.
Kendra was a fascinating lead. While not the bubbly or adventurous I think a lot of readers may expect I found her a good representation of a young woman seeking to heal and understand her trauma. Because Kendra really did wrestle through things, between her absent father, her strained relationship with her mom, the abuse, the fear of loosing her "summer family", the fear of failing her editor her reactions make sense. Her strong reaction to the rejection of her anonymous but known critic, her fear of outing her abuser and loosing the closest family she knew, even her refusal to put out Andreas after his sudden arrival. Bartels writes the messiness well though perhaps not in a way readers familiar to the genre will find satisfying.
The story itself does take a little while to adjust to as there's such a strong element of narration with Kendra writing to her critic, sorting her feelings, processing her memories, and trying to defend. But the style eventually grew on me and made such sense when the major twist at the end was revealed.
For a Revell novel there is almost no faith content and conservatives readers may struggle with the obvious serious content as well as some of the casual drinking and smoking that many characters engage in.
I also feel some readers of the genre may not be content with the ending, there is forgiveness, there is moving forward with life but there are no legal ramifications for the abuse. While this is frustrating I feel this is also so true to so many women's stories that I felt it fit the style and story well.
This isn't a feel good book, but it was one that touches on deeper issues and truthfully acknowledges the messiness of life. Overall, I'm glad it stumbled onto my bedside table.
3.75 out of 5 stars.
Book was provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and Baker Publishing Group.
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