Brandy Bruce

3.5 Stars

Brandy Bruce is one of those authors who tugs and yanks at reader’s emotions in her books. They aren’t easy reads, but they are richer for the experience the reader takes along with the characters. Just One Spark is Jason’s story and is no exception.

I have mixed emotions about this book. On the one hand, it’s gritty, it’s raw, it’s real. Jason has found himself in the messy, muddy world of consequences for his sin. He is struggling with so many things in his life—his relationships, his future, his job.

And that’s where I got annoyed with him too. He was so focused inwardly that he failed to see the hurt he caused. He failed to look toward the One who saves. He was so mired in his pity that he got stuck there. Even when his friends and family came alongside him, he remained there for much of the book.

But isn’t that how we live our lives sometimes? We are so blinded by our circumstances or our situations, so paralyzed by our consequences that we hide from God instead of running to Him? He knows our sins. Nothing is hidden from Him, but in our shame, we turn from the light of hope.

I did enjoy catching up with the group of friends I met in The Last Summer. And the end of Just One Spark is perfect, giving us closure, letting us know that despite the rocky and rough road each of these friends has traveled, everything will be alright.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.… (altro)

A Merry Little Christmas is a sweet novella, peeking at the holiday season for Mandy and Leo Romano. As 2020 has taught so well, life is full of problems and complications that make it hard to feel “in the Christmas spirit.” Yet, as Mandy shortly learns, there is always the potential for hope and joy.

I enjoyed A Merry Little Christmas—for so many reasons: I love everything I read from Brandy Bruce; I love Christmas stories (especially with romance); I love stories that make my heart feel full. There is a lot of love about this little read, and I definitely recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.… (altro)

Growing up, I always dreamed of one day being a wife and mother, but the thing about dreams is that they are never the realities that we find ourselves in. It's so easy as adults to slip into the ho-hum of every day life, taking for granted that which is most important to us, and getting burned out. This is exactly where we find Mandy.

Mandy Romano is a wife and mom that finds that she's lost her joy at the beginning of the Christmas season, finding the traditions that she normally finds happiness in doing are meaningless and hollow. She wants to blame depression, but knows that it goes deeper than that. Mandy is such a believable and relatable character that I found myself struggling to read her negativity because it is almost a mirror image to my own struggles during this 2020 holiday season.

In saying that, reading A Merry Little Christmas reminded me that I need to focus on what is right in front of me, ask for help when I need it, be vocal in my struggles, and reach out to my family and spouse. We all need to know, this year especially, that it is ok to let go of things that do not bring us joy (those things that come out of obligation alone) and put our energy instead into the things that do.

I honestly felt like I got more out of this novella than I would a self-help book! I am so thankful to Brandy Bruce and her wonderful writing, and for creating a character that has my voice.

This is a short read that packs a powerful, self-reflective punch (for me, anyway) and one that I feel blessed to have read.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.… (altro)

After the first I love you’s and the I do’s comes the normalcy and routine of life. Sometimes, we just need to stop, step back, and simplify, and that’s exactly what Mandy Romano needs this holiday season.

I’ve always appreciated Brandy Bruce’s ability to shine a light on the hard things in life and let readers know that it’s okay to feel sad or less than or underappreciated or {insert emotion here}. She does it again in A Merry Little Christmas.

Probably more so this year than other holidays, people need assurance that they are not alone if the luster has faded from the celebrations, parties, and constant activity. That it’s okay to let go of somethings and focus on whatever brings you joy in the moment. And Bruce gives readers that exact assurance in this short but effective Christmas novella.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.… (altro)