Tamera Alexander always pens remarkable, unforgettable stories of grief, heartbreak, forgiveness, and redemption no matter the era she chooses. This is my first contemporary women's fiction by the author and I am utterly impressed at her skill in crossing over from historical romance. Granted, there is definitely a historical side to this book where we get a glimpse of 1863 but most of the story takes place in the present time.

Claire's first person voice is raw, heart-breaking, honest, and completely relatable as she navigates the aftermath of her husband's affair, a cross-country move, and being an empty nester while struggling to find her footing in the elite world of interior design in a foreign city. Her drive, determination, and grit are admirable. Despite being a Christian, she does not realize her need for complete surrender until much later in the book - and this made me pause and think. How often do we place Jesus on a shelf in pursuit of our own wants and idols of our making?
Charlotte's third person voice from 1863 was equally heart-breaking, honest, and raw but filled with the Spirit, hope, and joy despite her circumstances.

This gripping story will make you cry happy, sad, and ugly tears all in the span of one book. It's a must-read. ( )

A Million Little Choices is an outstanding work of women's fiction. It is a story of God's prevenient grace, of healing in one's soul through engaging with God's Word and mature Christian mentors, and of gaining insight into one's own life through coming to view that life through the lens of eternity. All that sounds very deep and theological, however, these themes are developed within a raw and compelling story of great loss and great love in the life of the main character. Author Tamera Alexander has created the story in a way that encourages readers to apply the discoveries made by her characters to whatever life situation they find themselves in. While a work of fiction, A Million Little Choices contains much truth.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of A Million Little Choices, a Focus on the Family Resource, from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. ( )

Weaving a story of brokenness and hope, Tamera Alexander brings us into a life crushed by grief and what feels like the most unfair of circumstances. Although I’ve never been in the situation Claire found herself in, I found her to be a relatable character—someone I could understand as she navigated the highs and lows of faith, grief, trust, and anger. This is a story that tugs on the heartstrings, and I was gripped from nearly the first page.

I did struggle with some elements of the story. There is a doctrine expressed here that I don’t agree with, and while it isn’t acted upon, it’s also never challenged, either. There’s also an incident that felt more like revenge than justice, which I struggled with. One scene near the beginning of the story was too close to TMI for comfort—I almost DNFed the book then—and there are semi-frequent mentions of marital intimacy, more than I’m personally comfortable with.

Because of those things, my rating was brought down, which I’m sad about because otherwise, this likely would have been a five-star read for me. I loved the way Claire’s passion and heart were described; I fell in love with Bernice; and the historical portion, while heavy, was also fascinating. Awful, in itself, but sweet, somehow. I almost wish the whole historical side of the story was real because it was so interesting.

In all, this was a good read. I enjoyed many elements, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys books about difficult topics from a Christian perspective.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it. ( )

Claire Powell, a seasoned interior decorator from the Denver, Colorado, region, had just been promoted to partner at her company at the same time as her husband, Stephen, was offered a partnership at a law firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Stephen, decided to relocate. Claire is annoyed by this and his emotional involvement with a woman he met at the gym, but she also accepts the fact her daughter is leaving for college and wonders if moving would help their marriage get back on track. She would make the most of it. But when their ability to connect is hampered by Stephen’s work obligations, Claire starts remodeling this old, historic home in Buckhead Georgia.

Claire discovers a secret tunnel filled with artifacts from the past while remodeling. She is unsure of how to handle such a significant finding. Then Claire finds a private journal kept in 1863 by Charlotte Thursmann, a strong and brave woman who was imprisoned in a cruel marriage, where she concerned and tries to protect her unborn child from her husband’s rage. During the latter stages of the Civil War, Charlotte helped in the Underground Railroad.

Finding her private journal enhanced the story. As time went on, my curiosity in each of these women’s stories and hardships grew. This mystery intrigued me. I appreciated the detours along the way. I can’t put this book down. Long after finishing the book, you’ll continue to think about these characters and their story. If you haven’t read a book by this author, I highly recommend this one for a great escape and one for your next book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. 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 https://psalm516.blogspot.com/ ( )