‘Til I want no more is Robin W. Pearson’s second novel. In this story we get a chance to meet Maxine.. She had a daughter years earlier, when she was just a teenager. Her parents adopted the little girl and Maxine was able to get an education and start a career. Just as she is planning her wedding, her ex moves back to town and wants to have a relationship with the daughter he has never met.

This is an emotion filled Christian women’s fiction story that will really tug at the readers heart. So many secrets have been hidden for so long and now they all come out and will affect so m any people. This story is rather slow moving and I found it a little hard to get into it. But the story itself is a great story and the writing is so fun to read. I could almost hear Maxine’s grandmother talking while I read the story. This story focuses on the importance of telling the truth, redemption, and forgiveness.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Tyndale House Publishers through NetGalley, this is my honest review. ( )

Thanks to The Book Club Network & Tyndale House Publishers for an advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

A warm, generous hug of a novel complete with a large loving family, strong women, the angst of confronting past actions with their consequences, secrets uncovered, love, faith, and redemption. Well-written and believable, with a racially-blended family which is NOT dysfunctional. I enjoyed the various relationships between grandparents, uncles, mothers, fathers, and children/grandchildren. Healthy long-term marriages are depicted alongside a wobbly engagement as well as an unwed mother and adopted child.

This story is told through the eyes of 30-year-old Maxine, who is beginning to doubt her upcoming marriage to Teddy, especially after her old high school boyfriend comes back to town. The novel details Maxine's ability to confront her past and expose the truth she's been hiding for 13 years. I appreciated the way the author gracefully threaded bible verses and references to God throughout the book. The characters have a sincere faith and God is part of their daily lives.

Would have loved Mama Ruby's recipes for that delicious chicken and cornbread! And those pies!! Yes, it's the authentic kind of southern fiction that includes mouthwatering food descriptions. ( )

This author masterfully creates a heart-felt story with a depth and richness of character I enjoyed and couldn’t put down. The family dynamics are real and relatable. I felt part of this community and adored the small-town setting. Things do not play out the way I thought they would. I loved that! I also liked how the characters evolve, along with the story and their situation.

I read a recent interview with the author who shared her inspiration for this story, she says, “I tend to cling to the past and my mistakes like they are life rafts, when in reality, they’re dragging me under and away from God’s saving grace. ’Til I Want No More is both a confession and an admonition: When Jesus says in Luke 6:37, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven,” it includes forgiving Robin. I must trust what God says about me and not let anything or anyone—my husband, children, parents, friends, enemies, work, success, or failure—tell me who I am.”

I appreciated how the author dealt with this revelation and relevant topics in a non-preachy way. She says, “Maxine’s story puts faith into practice by highlighting current, real-life topics. These topics include the dynamics of mother-daughter relationships, “parenting” adult children, nontraditional families, premarital counseling, and the emotional effects of losing a parent. I think it is important for believers to see that our Bible isn’t a history book; it serves as our authority on current events.”

This author recently earned a Christy Award for her first novel, A Long Time Comin’. I was deeply moved by that story, the characters, and their situation. I know that both novels would work well for your next book club pick. If you haven’t read this author’s novels, I highly recommend them. This book is a must read and this author is one to watch.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org ( )