Title: They Danced On (The Darlings #3)
Author: Carrie Armstrong Gardner
Pages: 400
Year: 2016
Publisher: Tyndale
My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
The other two novels in the series are titled, All Right Here followed by Better All the Time by the same author. I didn’t read the other novels prior to reading They Danced On. However, for me, it was still a very potent story being told by the author. The Darling family has had its share of trials; the characters deal with life issues just like other families. The book in some ways was hard to read because I could identify strongly with the matriarch of the family named Jane who was wrestling with many trials one being her youngest moving out. Jane wasn’t ready for the empty nest period of her life, especially with her husband’s ALS struggles.
One of the Darlings daughters is named Laura and was struggling with alcohol while another daughter just got married and leaves to work as a missionary with her new husband. Jane begins to wrestle with what her future is going to be when all she has been identified with is being a mother, wife and taking care of the home. Now, as she looks down the road, she isn’t sure what she will be doing with her time or what is God’s purpose for her in this season and more.
I could identify with Jane as my family will be going through some good changes next year and I am thankful so far our health is good. Like Jane, I look to the Lord and believe He has a job for me to do and that my identity is in Him and not earthly titles. Other readers may understand some of the siblings’ issues or marital stuff that occurs. I loved how Jane and her husband, Leander, walked together through the tough season of his decline due to ALS. The author doesn’t spell out in detail what happens, but focuses the readers on the faith of the various family members as well as how strength from being a family unit helps as they walk through life experiences.
Personally, I wouldn’t recommend reading this during the holidays if readers have suffered with someone who has ALS or a long term illness or a recent loved one passing. Whenever people choose to read this novel and perhaps the prior two, I believe they will come away as I did with hope. For with God we can walk through the various trials and come out with a closer relationship with Him.
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They Danced On by Carre Armstrong Gardner is a wonderful book of hope no matter what the circumstances. Apparently a third and final book in the Darling Family series, it is easily a stand alone novel. Jane and Leander face a bleak future...Leander with seeming courage despite fear and Jane with a strong faith that seems to be failing her. Jane is one who never liked change. But now with the children grown and on their own and a past that is rearing its ugly head, she is looking for meaning in her life. The author writes well of several difficult issues throughout the book--alcoholism, impending death, the angst of raising children--and has realistically depicted the issues and rawness of emotions that surround these all too real life problems. The thread of faith throughout the story reinforces the truth that God is never late, and that we have to accept His answers with grace even it the answer is 'no'. They Danced On is an encouraging story of a family who finds grace and hope.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review. ( )

This is a wonderful story that captures the dynamics of family. Throughout the book we get glimpses into the lives of the Darling family. The characters were very relatable and easy to fall in love with. Each character brought a different problem, emotion and importance to the story. I really didn't want it to end and yes there are moments that I felt tears coming as I read about the trials the family faced.

Jane and Leander are the patriarchs of the family. I loved their dedication to each other and as I read that Leander had ALS, I could feel Jane gather her strength and surround her husband with love and compassion. She has a deep faith in God and assures everyone that Leander will be healed. I loved how the author showed Jane's steadfast hope in God and how she never once gave up. It would be so hard to watch a loved one go through an illness and I felt Jane was a great comfort to Leander. The author did a great job of showing what it is like to deal with a spouse's illness and how it takes the whole family to help out.

I found that each of the siblings had great love for each other and really was invested in each other's lives. The problems that the Darling family faced were real live issues that people face everyday. One of the most unforgettable parts of the book was the relationship between Jane and her sister. Something happened a long time ago, that Ellen refuses to forgive Jane for. That bitterness has caused such a strain on their relationship . Will Ellen ever find a way to forgive Jane? What secret has Jane kept all these years? The dynamics between these two characters were well written and shows how deep a betrayal can destroy a relationship. The story is of a family that faces devastating illnesses, addiction and behavior issues with children in a graceful and loving way. I love how the story was written with such emotion that I felt every tear, hurt and pain the characters experienced. Get ready for a story that will bring tears to your eyes, a smile to your face and a family that never gives up.

"There was so much of life left, both to sorrow over and to celebrate. "

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review. ( )

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was probably not part of the target audience for this book and therefore wasn't as positive about it as other reviewers. The book was refreshing for its lack of profanity which I appreciated. I found it difficult to follow the story line as there were many characters and the story bounced from one character to another. ( )

They Danced On by Carre Armstrong Gardner is a nice Christian fiction book. I enjoyed reading this book. I have had several of the issues addressed in my life one way or another. Not quite as directly as Jane Darling, but I totally related. The book was well written and well edited. Very few spelling or grammar errors. The characters were quite well developed. The story was too jumpy for my liking. But, you could see how God can and does work in individual lives and a family as a whole. I would like to read more about the Darling family and encourage you to do the same. I received this book in exchange for my honest review through Bookfun.org. ( )