Retreat to Folly

Jesus on Folly #1

by Missy Fillion

What if you met Jesus on the beach? Susan, an exhausted mother of three, wonders if sleep deprivation has finally made her crazy after a beach walk turns into an encounter with Jesus. She thought coming on this retreat on Folly Beach, South Carolina would give her some rest and renewal from her hectic life and maybe an attitude adjustment which she badly needs. The retreat and a series of life-changing encounters with Jesus challenge Susan to leave behind her narrow view of herself and mothering. The retreat sessions teach her to put her past in the past and embrace her present. Her time with Jesus magnifies these lessons with spiritual healings. Can Susan accept that Jesus is interested in the state of her soul and the state of her motherhood, and they are more closely intertwined than she could possibly imagine?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 10, 2012

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most moms, Susan has spent all her time and energy on her family and now she’s feeling run-down and put-upon and wonders if there is more to “Susan” than just “Mom” and “wife”, so she attends a women’s retreat held at her favorite beach. She gets great advice from the retreat leader and from the other attendees, but her greatest boost comes from talking to Jesus on the beach. No, really. Jesus is on the beach. This book could so easily have become overbearing and preachy. I don’t like preachy fiction. If I’m in that mindset, I’ll read the Bible or a devotional. Somehow, although probably half the book is conversations with Jesus, Fillion managed to make it not preachy. Instead, Retreat to Folly is a sweet inspirational book that will strike a chord with women everywhere.

I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[N.]

Took a while to read this. But eh. I am trying ti recall how I got this and I am not sure when, but it's competent. I'm just. Not getting hooked on?

Sorry Missy Fillion. Thanks for writing this. Odd duck

[Cynthia Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you a mother? Ever felt like all you do is change diapers and clean up messes? Ever feel like you have no purpose outside of being a mommy? Ever looked in the mirror and not recognized your reflection? If you answer yes, you will identify with Susan, who is in desperate need for a retreat. But she's also in need of a savior. Jesus. This book reads a lot like a self help book. There's not a whole lot of dialogue. It's mainly telling versus showing, but that's not a bad thing for this story. The author does a great job getting the reader to relate to Susan. There were times I felt like the author had read my own journal. As a mother of three, this book really helped me. If you're a mom, give it a read.

[Jesus Beach Girl Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this story. It is a great reminder that we all need to unplug from the world and just be alone with Jesus. My personal feeling though is that Jesus connects with us on a more personal level. I'm not sure I felt that in this book.

[Dorretta Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this Christian fiction. It was an easy read. It held my attention through out the book. I hope you enjoy as well.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started this book and made it through almost three chapters. Two major issues with this book jumped out at me and I couldn't finished.

The author did a completely, theologically incorrect representation of Jesus. Even if you ignore him just appearing in person to someone, he states that he doesn't really care how she acts, he just wants to be a part of her life. I am sorry, Jesus may want us to start with the inside, but he cares how we act. Read what he said, he cared.

Secondly, the author included an entire lecture from a self-help guru. Not only was it long, but the the book went from feeling like a story to feeling like a cheap self-help book.

Needless to say, I didn't like this book.