I didn’t enjoy this as much as the author’s other books. This one was so heavy-handed with the preaching. Something about how the characters were portrayed was really off-putting. ( )

A Heart-Wrenching but Uplifting Contemporary Christian Fiction Novel.
To all those who live with the anguish of abortion, and to their families who suffer with them in secret and in silence.

This book was loaned to me by a friend, and I felt that I should read it. It's taken me awhile, but I've finally gotten around to it. Obligation finished. I didn't hate the book, and I knew that it was a Christian book, so no surprises there, but It just got a bit too much for me by the end. I understand the story, and i think Ms. Rivers does a wonderful job of describing the consequences and the angst felt by victims of violent sexual assault. The characters were described very well, but it just got too maudlin and preachy for me. I have my own ideas about abortion, and will not share them on this book review. They are mine and personal to me alone. Is abortion right or wrong? I don't know, but I don't think it is simply a matter of yes or no answers. Circumstances and outside influences can change the answers. The individuals themselves each have different, and, what to them are compelling reasons, for making the decisions that they make. After reading this book, I think my eyes have been opened as to the daunting number of elements that must be considered when a decision like this is made. And whatever decision is made, that decision will forever be there for the rest of that person's life. This is a very well-written book, and a very heart wrenching one as well. I am glad that I took the time to read it. I knew there was a reason why this book has been calling to me from my shelf for all these years. ( )

This issues based book was a bit too agenda focused for my taste. The issue is abortion and the characters are put through the mill as they encounter situations that make them consider this as an alternative. Mostly there is a college student who is raped and then dumped by her friends and almost by her family as they cannot deal with the stigma. But then we learn how the mom and grandmother both also dealt with the issue and even what lead the abortion doctor to his practice. It's all a bit much and at times the dialogue sounds like a series of arguments or talking points instead of real speech. As does the many ways the main issue is woven into the storyline. ( )

This was the perfect book to choose to read on a day I was sick! I was a little apprehensive about how much detail I would encounter in certain scenes, but in the end, that wasn’t really a problem, which I was grateful for. The one thing I didn’t expect from this story (but should have, I guess) was the way that choosing life versus the alternative was presented and the amount of tension around this issue that ensued from the discussions. I’ve never been in a position like the characters in this story found themselves in (and I’m grateful for it), and I’d like to think that I would choose life every time. But I appreciated the realistic way that Rivers allowed her characters to question and work through their beliefs.

The one thing I was hoping for from this story did come through—that there is hope after a terrible, traumatic experience. It can take a long time to heal sometimes, but the Lord is faithful, and I loved seeing that represented over and over through the story. This was an excellent read—highly recommended! ( )