The Breaking Point

by Karen Ball

Gabe and Renee Roman are on the edge -- relationally and spiritually. Both consider themselves followers of Christ. But after years of struggling in their marriage, their greatest test comes in the most unexpected of a blizzard in the Oregon mountains. Their truck hurtles over the side of a mountain, and each encounters the realities of suffering, sacrifice, and service in Christ's name. It isn't until they surrender their last defenses that their surface understandings are torn away and all that's left is only through obedience to God's call can they find true joy.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Marriage

552 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Karen's latest full-length novel, What Lies Within, has been nominated as the Best Inspirational Novel of the Year. Readers regularly call Karen's writing powerful, uplifting, and fun. She writes from her home in Oregon, where she lives with her husband, Don, and their two "kids": Dasha, a mischievous 4-month-old Siberian husky, and Dakota, an Aussie-Terrier mix that should have been named Psycho.

Next to working with words, Karen's greatest joys are playing with her dogs, laughing, savoring nature and wildlife, and finding wonder in everyday life.

Reviews

[Lovely Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

A struggling married couple goes on their last ditch attempt getaway to try to save their marriage. They get stuck in the car in a snow storm and do a lot of reflecting as they try to survive the blizzard



*Trigger: infertility and infant loss, parental abuse

[Randy Alcorn]

The Breaking Point is compelling and strikingly honest. This story touches the heart and gives hope for struggling marriages. Karen Ball writes with clarity, depth, and power.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am really disappointed with this book. It has the potential to be brilliant, thus why I gave it three stars instead of two. However, this book fails to live up to that potential and instead comes disturbingly close to the rut of traditional trite Christian fiction. (Again, it doesn't actually fall into that run; that would have garnered two stars, maybe even one, if it had.)

Gabe and Renee are flawed characters living in a flawed marriage. (Trite Christian fiction usually avoids subjects like flawed marriage.) The only problem with that is the fact that Ms. Ball repeats the crisis/breakthrough/falling in love again scenario so many times it becomes boring and predictable. It also casts doubt on their final "breakthrough." Will they actually learn their ways or just go back to their old ways like they did after every previous "breakthrough?"

That alone was my biggest problem. (There were other nit-picky things I could mention but...)

This book also does not survive my purge. I can't really recommend it either.

[Audrey Henning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible book. Some people have pointed out that the book was slow, but I believe that was intentional.

It's definatly obvious that the author has gone through troubling times in her own marriage. The way she writes is fantastic. I myself have been through what the 2 main characters in this book are going through. She truly hit the nail on the head. It's a depressing book...definatly not something that's going to put you in a happy mood for most of it.

I like all the background we get on the 2 main characters. I know others have said that they do not like how the story bounces back and forth and it does kind of get confusing at times because you do have to pay attention to the dates. I personally liked the way the story flowed.

I would definatly recommend this to anyone who has had tough times in their relationship/marriage. This story hits home.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a Christian. Absolutely. But I have MANY issues with Christian fiction. Mainly that it's fake, dumbed-down, poorly written, boring... I must say that I was not bored with this book. Mostly because it was honest and it pulled no punches. It was well-written. And even though I knew how it would end, the journey was still worth taking. I happen to have a delightfully happy marriage. Every day. And I know that's rare. But I've had/have many friends who haven't had the same experience. I felt that there was a lot of spiritual wisdom offered in this book that can be relevant to all sorts of life and spiritual struggles we go through. I loved the quotes and Scripture verses at the beginning of each chapter. Bottom line, if more Christian fiction writers were courageous enough to write honestly about the human condition, and write it well, then I'd be more inclined to enagage with it. Well done.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many flashbacks it took me out of the story for me. But we did need them to see how different Gabe and Renee’s childhood was, his was abusive background and hers wasn’t. And it’s a good story of forgiveness and what can happen in relationship and leaning on Jesus for your joy. Not totally on your partner for it and coming back together after hard times and feelings of not being good enough.

[Shay Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome fiction book about a marriage - the details may not be the same in your marriage but we must learn that our spouses are not there to make us happy, we must be happy with ourselves and enjoy our spouse. Great honest read

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book. Very transparent author. Major emphasis on a hurting marriage.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this was a good read. Perfect for making you remember what marriage is all about. Highly recommend. Could reread it!

[Becky Doughty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is one not often told in fiction. It didn't move quickly, nor did I feel that it really revolved around the physical "crisis" this couple found themselves in the middle of the blizzard, but rather on the accumulation of crises through their marriage coming to a head. I did find myself wondering what things would be like for this couple after they went home - so often we hit a wall or a breaking point and choose change...but then life gets in the way and we slowly revert back to the way we were. I think that's the primary reason I only gave it 4 stars - I didn't feel confident that the crisis was going to bring any permanent change. There were also a few times when I questioned the reality of the scenes. Would I recommend this book? ABSOLUTELY. It covers some hard truths about marriage and the fact that STAYING and CHOOSING to make it work are two different things that should go hand-in-hand.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book from this author; the writing wasn't as good as some I have read, but the message was excellently executed. Although the book is fiction, it is based some on the author's own marriage and journey with her husband to discover what marriage really means. The acknowledgements' section was not only that, but also a testimony of her marriage journey--and the wonders of God's hand in a Christ-centered marriage. The story really brought back memories of my early marriage, the struggles, the idea that you want the other person to conform to your idea of a husband, etc. The Scriptures and talks with God throughout the book were wonderful, and really revealed the character of God, and thus the character of humans. And how much we truly need Him. We have seen that in our marriage, and I marvel at the joy of staying the course.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

slow moving story with a good message about how marriage is a struggle, that you can't just give up when things don't go as expected. The couple, Gabe and Renee get in a car accident and slide off a mountain in a snow storm. As they struggle to survive in the cold and find help, their past struggles are revisited. Lessons learned: expectations in a marriage cause problems. The only person you can change is you. In a marriage it is being the best that you can be for the other person regardless of what they do for you. Again good message, but too slow for my liking.

[Mesu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing that this story is partially based on the author's life experience brought a lingering sense of awe as I read the heart-rending scenes. Karen has a beautiful ability to craft a moment--the sights, smells, and emotions--that draw a reader in. This book will be a ministry tool for me to share with friends who are struggling with baggage in their marriage. It's real, provocative, and life-giving.

[Trish Boese · Rating 3 out of 5]

3* This book is a moving story of marriage. A lot of times Gabe and Renee's marriage reminded me of my own. The characters are real and flawed, in need of God's grace. Gabe is a stereotypical tough kid from an abusive home, while Renee is an idealistic girl from a loving home. They love each other deeply, but their expectations get in the way. The author writes the story drawing from her own experiences, and the rawness shines through.

[Jenne Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first by this author, I found some of it a little tedious, but I loved the message behind her writing, which is that marriage is hard work and you can't just give in. You have to work at it constantly. I loved the quotes and little personal notes she put in it. I found a lot of their fights very real to life, the frustrations and miscommunication could happen to anyone.

[Renee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zzzzzzzzz... nead I say more?
The jacket made the book sound like something that might be a good read and I read some reviews that seemed positive. Eeek, I was nearly bored to tears that I couldn't even make it to 100 pages before I gave up.

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had a good story/message, but it just didn't seem to flow. I think I would have liked it better if it wouldn't have jumped back and forth in time, but instead went chronologically. I think the jumping around took away from the story.

[ANNETTE · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first time with this Author
A hurting marriage in need of God.
I found this story was a little slow at times The jumping back - N- forth had me a little confused but, I think I got the point. This was very predictable.

[Felicia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring and predictable, on top of that it was almost nothing like what the jacket cover described.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great conversation. If you like flashbacks this is a good one to read

[Becky]

reflective fiction book about marriage.

Reads quickly and the ending was real not sappy.

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED this heart-breaking story of love, pain, doing the right thing no matter how much it hurts and breaking free of the pain we hold in our hearts and the masks we hide behind.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

July 2011 Lit n' Latte Selection

[Jeana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed to read this. The story of a marriage on the brink and how it was saved.

[Anita Crockett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Would definitely recommend it to others.

[Shantell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out very well, it got me hooked but then it started getting repetitive and pretty depressing near the end. It could have had a better, possibly longer or more detailed ending as well.

[Colorado Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think this one is about a marriage on the brink, loved it if that is this one.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of a troubled marriage and how they made their way. Good read
.