Title: Finding Amanda
Author: Robin Patchen
Pages: 268
Year: 2015
Publisher: JDO Publishing
My rating 5 out of 5 stars.
The cover of the book quickly grabbed my attention and when I read the synopsis, I knew I wanted to read this book. Here is a tale about Amanda Johnson who is married to a popular chef and blogger. Amanda’s past that she revealed privately to her husband years later is one she now wants to make known through her memoir. Amanda is a survivor of abuse by her psychiatrist and now that he knows what she plans on publishing, he is coming after her and plans on successfully keeping her this time.
For me, it was very moving story of restoration of Amanda’s heart and her life. There are many twists and turns in the plot along with the feeling of impending, even deathly danger. I was left waiting for it as I kept turning pages. I felt for Amada’s husband as he was reeling from her wanting separation. Remember, this is a work of fiction not fact and doesn’t reflect on the field of the many doctors who are trustworthy.
I thought the author did a great job of showing the husband’s perseverance with God’s help in standing with Amanda. Both characters are learning at different times and ways that God is the one who can do more than they could ask or think. The author does a fantastic job of showing the heartache, pain and time it takes to allow God to work in hearts to bring about forgiveness, restoration and renewal of joy! ( )

Mark’s friends “Chris and Jamie were so wise and insightful, always unruffled. Mark attributed it to their religion,” and even joined their church. But it wasn’t enough to stop his marriage falling apart. While he tries to keep his wife and child safe, and struggles with the anger he feels toward his wife's former abuser, she sees every separation as rejection, every request as yet another attempt to control her, and every disagreement as the end. So now Mark lives in a dingy apartment, separated from everyone he loves.

There’s a strong thread of wise, natural faith in this novel, with plenty to share with the reader. Different points of view become very real, as does the growing danger threatening Amanda. Meanwhile there’s a growing possibility of hope and redemption.

Finding Amanda is a tough read with its depiction of abuse’s aftermath, but it’s an honest one filled with honest wisdom for the wounded and those who love them.

Disclosure: I bought this one in a set with another book I was looking for. ( )