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Glendale #1
Glendale
In Glendale, book I of The Glendale Series, an unlikely relationship is formed when high school junior Jessica, the new girl from D.C., bumps into Joe – a good Christian boy with enough passion and conviction for them both…or so he thinks. As he walks a dangerous road, Joe makes big decisions in hopes of making his God Jessica’s. Instead, she becomes his. After a desperate fight to hold on, letting go turns out to be their salvation.
The Glendale Series wrestles with the age-old dilemmas of love, faith, family, forgiveness and growing up in a fresh story format. With relationships that grip readers’ hearts as they reflect raw realities plentiful in our society and an ending that will keep readers on the edge of their seats right up until the end, The Glendale Series is one girl’s unforgettable journey to health, wholeness and joy.
The Glendale Series wrestles with the age-old dilemmas of love, faith, family, forgiveness and growing up in a fresh story format. With relationships that grip readers’ hearts as they reflect raw realities plentiful in our society and an ending that will keep readers on the edge of their seats right up until the end, The Glendale Series is one girl’s unforgettable journey to health, wholeness and joy.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2011
About the author
Ann Goering
17 books14 followersAnn Goering is an award-winning journalist and author of Christian fiction.
Goering is passionate about helping women encounter Jesus, experience transformative hope, and live a life deeply rooted in the Word of God. She’s worked alongside an international Christian ministry for the past 15 years, as well as serving at her local church, and leading groups of women into encounters with Jesus through small groups and Bible studies.
She believes so much in the power of stories to illustrate spiritual principles, grow faith, and increase empathy, so wherever she is, you’ll find her sharing stories that reveal the beauty of Jesus amidst everyday life.
Goering loves entrepreneurship, travel, rodeos, interior design, deep friendships, and good hair days, but her absolute favorites are the people in her life.
She’s a Midwest girl soaking up the sunshine in the American Southwest, living on chicken molé and sweet tea, homeschooling her three best friends (aka daughters) with the only guy she’s ever kissed.
Goering is passionate about helping women encounter Jesus, experience transformative hope, and live a life deeply rooted in the Word of God. She’s worked alongside an international Christian ministry for the past 15 years, as well as serving at her local church, and leading groups of women into encounters with Jesus through small groups and Bible studies.
She believes so much in the power of stories to illustrate spiritual principles, grow faith, and increase empathy, so wherever she is, you’ll find her sharing stories that reveal the beauty of Jesus amidst everyday life.
Goering loves entrepreneurship, travel, rodeos, interior design, deep friendships, and good hair days, but her absolute favorites are the people in her life.
She’s a Midwest girl soaking up the sunshine in the American Southwest, living on chicken molé and sweet tea, homeschooling her three best friends (aka daughters) with the only guy she’s ever kissed.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 6, 2026
"She needs Jesus"
My brother in Christ and every other religion: what I need is closing this book before I light it on fire.
Let me preface my (scathing) review with this:
A. I'm not a Christian
B. I'm not a romance girlie
So the chances of me enjoying "Glendale"? Non existent.
I still gave it a go because it was a book club pick, and I'm not 100% evil (only 99%).
I grew up in a religious household – a religious SOCIETY. Not Christians, but I reckon religion-fueled hypocrisy is universal. All I've ever seen was religion being weaponized for the benefit of select groups (namely men) at the expense of others (namely women). And after finally letting go of my shackles? I still believe faith is a wonderful thing even though I myself never experienced it; mine was a sham and I believed only because it was the "norm" around me. Don't come at me with tales of how God is saving you — whether you're telling the truth or are in denial: I believe you. Does not change the fact that this review is gonna be from my very personal point of view.
Let's cover some basics.
- The writing style is decent: makes the pacing fast at the very least.
- 99% of the dialogue is small talk, and I for one abhor small talk. I literally don't give a shit about the weather being nice or how delicious Mrs Colby's lasagna is. Where's the damn plot?
- If you remove the religious aspect, it feels like I've seen this story about a thousand times before. It reads a lot like all the 2000's teen movies I watched growing up. Which means one thing: I'm currently way too old for this shit.
- The characters are hilarious (for all the wrong reasons).
Now onto the more serious matters.
Spoilers ahead, if you care.
I know I don't.
I think the whole purity narrative is ridiculous. Often used to guilt trip women and control their bodies (see how men with high body counts are celebrated whilst women with the same body count are slut-shamed), I was pleasantly surprised it was pushed onto a male character for once, not a female one. Until I realized what was happening. Jessi — who, let's be clear, is a spoiled little shit that wears high heels to grab a soda at 7-Eleven (wtf???) — basically represents sin. Beyond being a teenager with raging hormones, she's here to play the temptress that will stray poor little baby Joe away from daddy Jesus by forcing him to have SEX. Bleh! Harlot! Burn her at the stake! Or better yet: introduce her to Jesus. Because that's all she really needs: Jesus. She's so unloved and God loves all; Joe just needs to date her so he can tell her all about it and save her from herself. I am absolutely disgusted not only by the preachiness of it all, but also the fact that we're not addressing the real issues. Jessi mentions wanting to have sex because all her girl friends have already done it. Does she feel the need to copy others for validation? Is this a desperate attempt at filling up the void created by the distance with both her parents? Is she seeking love in misguided ways because she lacks the self-esteem to do it within healthy means? Is she even READY, physically and mentally, to have sex? None of this is ever questioned. Apparently Jessi just wants to "give the gift of her virginity" to Joe. Which is another thing that pisses me off to no end. The whole discourse around purity and virginity is a damaging social construct. You're not GIFTING away anything. This is YOUR. BODY.
So unless you're literally putting a bow on your hoo-ha: shut the fuck up.
I also felt uncomfortable at the way Joe points out, multiple times, how much control he has over Jessi. Major red flag. He says it himself: she's vulnerable, and desperately needs someone to hold on to because she doesn't feel loved and secure. Sounds to me like Jessi's the perfect prey for manipulators. And you see her express it a lot, the fact that Joe is basically the center of her universe. "I don't believe in God, I believe in YOU." Icky? As pure as Joe pretends to be, I'm reading his behavior a bit differently: the way he uses this relationship's unbalanced power dynamic to push his religion onto her ("to SAVE heeeerrrrr") is not very Jesus-friendly, me says. Even an agnostic such as myself can recognize you're full of shit, baby boy.
Caught the not-so-subtle digs at abortion on chapters-whatever. Yawn.
And can we stop insulting the dad's new girlfriend and her huge boobs? She's not fully innocent but the gratuitous body shaming is irritating. HE cheated. HE kicked you out of your home. HE is dumb enough to ask you to attend their wedding. Leave HER tatas alone.
While we're here, let's talk about the parents. I notice Jessi's family is painted as this absolute mess where the mom is too absorbed by her own pain and her job to really consider her daughter, and the dad is... well, a narcissistic asshole. Meanwhile, Joe's family is perfection. Everyone is present and so goddamn happy. Is this commentary on how Christian families are superior due to their faith? It seems the author here, being quite religious, really struggles to imagine what goes on in non-religious families, and especially in the minds of non-religious people. It would explain why she insists on whoring Jessi so much. I imagine this is what she thinks goes on in the minds of atheists: just a long list of impure thoughts about seducing others in a bikini. Meanwhile, the Christians are shown to help the homeless because they're real people who deserve some help (duh?). I'm not saying any of these depictions are necessarily untrue, but the obvious contrast makes me tick. There's good AND bad on both sides. Yet we cherry pick what to show on either to create a very specific narrative. There's even a quick political comment that tells me which party the author associates with.
Honestly, the jokes write themselves.
Cherry on top: Joe suddenly initiates sex with Jessi in an unhinged attempt to get her pregnant so her dad can't take her away from him, and so they can be together forever and ever and ever and ever.
I am NAUSEOUS writing this. He's 18, and she's 16, which makes everything worse, but no matter the age: what in the fucked up co-dependent bullshit is happening? And now she's actually saying 'no'. And he insists, and she says 'yes', which still sounds like a 'no'. Even afterward, Jessi thinks it's her own fault if Joe "betrayed God." So she leaves. And he freaks out saying that now that she "got what she wanted" there was no reason to stay. Just kill me at this point. Are we still defending this guy? I literally just watched the Obsession movie, and Joe's behavior disturbingly ressembles that of Bear (derogatory).
This is so bad it's giving me a headache. Bad, HARMFUL messages all over these pages. I cannot understand why this is considered a romance at all, but then again, Colleen Hoover exists.
Author's note: "I wrote Glendale during my senior year of high school." HA. Yeah this makes so much sense now. I'm so happy the crappy books I wrote as a teenager are going to stay where they belong: rotting on an old disk drive.
"Glendale" should've done the same.
TLDR: Call me a woke-libtard-lunatic-leftist, because I don't think Jessi needs Jesus. With all the vultures surrounding her? She needs fucking therapy (and Joe does too).
My brother in Christ and every other religion: what I need is closing this book before I light it on fire.
Let me preface my (scathing) review with this:
A. I'm not a Christian
B. I'm not a romance girlie
So the chances of me enjoying "Glendale"? Non existent.
I still gave it a go because it was a book club pick, and I'm not 100% evil (only 99%).
I grew up in a religious household – a religious SOCIETY. Not Christians, but I reckon religion-fueled hypocrisy is universal. All I've ever seen was religion being weaponized for the benefit of select groups (namely men) at the expense of others (namely women). And after finally letting go of my shackles? I still believe faith is a wonderful thing even though I myself never experienced it; mine was a sham and I believed only because it was the "norm" around me. Don't come at me with tales of how God is saving you — whether you're telling the truth or are in denial: I believe you. Does not change the fact that this review is gonna be from my very personal point of view.
Let's cover some basics.
- The writing style is decent: makes the pacing fast at the very least.
- 99% of the dialogue is small talk, and I for one abhor small talk. I literally don't give a shit about the weather being nice or how delicious Mrs Colby's lasagna is. Where's the damn plot?
- If you remove the religious aspect, it feels like I've seen this story about a thousand times before. It reads a lot like all the 2000's teen movies I watched growing up. Which means one thing: I'm currently way too old for this shit.
- The characters are hilarious (for all the wrong reasons).
Now onto the more serious matters.
Spoilers ahead, if you care.
I know I don't.
I think the whole purity narrative is ridiculous. Often used to guilt trip women and control their bodies (see how men with high body counts are celebrated whilst women with the same body count are slut-shamed), I was pleasantly surprised it was pushed onto a male character for once, not a female one. Until I realized what was happening. Jessi — who, let's be clear, is a spoiled little shit that wears high heels to grab a soda at 7-Eleven (wtf???) — basically represents sin. Beyond being a teenager with raging hormones, she's here to play the temptress that will stray poor little baby Joe away from daddy Jesus by forcing him to have SEX. Bleh! Harlot! Burn her at the stake! Or better yet: introduce her to Jesus. Because that's all she really needs: Jesus. She's so unloved and God loves all; Joe just needs to date her so he can tell her all about it and save her from herself. I am absolutely disgusted not only by the preachiness of it all, but also the fact that we're not addressing the real issues. Jessi mentions wanting to have sex because all her girl friends have already done it. Does she feel the need to copy others for validation? Is this a desperate attempt at filling up the void created by the distance with both her parents? Is she seeking love in misguided ways because she lacks the self-esteem to do it within healthy means? Is she even READY, physically and mentally, to have sex? None of this is ever questioned. Apparently Jessi just wants to "give the gift of her virginity" to Joe. Which is another thing that pisses me off to no end. The whole discourse around purity and virginity is a damaging social construct. You're not GIFTING away anything. This is YOUR. BODY.
So unless you're literally putting a bow on your hoo-ha: shut the fuck up.
I also felt uncomfortable at the way Joe points out, multiple times, how much control he has over Jessi. Major red flag. He says it himself: she's vulnerable, and desperately needs someone to hold on to because she doesn't feel loved and secure. Sounds to me like Jessi's the perfect prey for manipulators. And you see her express it a lot, the fact that Joe is basically the center of her universe. "I don't believe in God, I believe in YOU." Icky? As pure as Joe pretends to be, I'm reading his behavior a bit differently: the way he uses this relationship's unbalanced power dynamic to push his religion onto her ("to SAVE heeeerrrrr") is not very Jesus-friendly, me says. Even an agnostic such as myself can recognize you're full of shit, baby boy.
Caught the not-so-subtle digs at abortion on chapters-whatever. Yawn.
And can we stop insulting the dad's new girlfriend and her huge boobs? She's not fully innocent but the gratuitous body shaming is irritating. HE cheated. HE kicked you out of your home. HE is dumb enough to ask you to attend their wedding. Leave HER tatas alone.
While we're here, let's talk about the parents. I notice Jessi's family is painted as this absolute mess where the mom is too absorbed by her own pain and her job to really consider her daughter, and the dad is... well, a narcissistic asshole. Meanwhile, Joe's family is perfection. Everyone is present and so goddamn happy. Is this commentary on how Christian families are superior due to their faith? It seems the author here, being quite religious, really struggles to imagine what goes on in non-religious families, and especially in the minds of non-religious people. It would explain why she insists on whoring Jessi so much. I imagine this is what she thinks goes on in the minds of atheists: just a long list of impure thoughts about seducing others in a bikini. Meanwhile, the Christians are shown to help the homeless because they're real people who deserve some help (duh?). I'm not saying any of these depictions are necessarily untrue, but the obvious contrast makes me tick. There's good AND bad on both sides. Yet we cherry pick what to show on either to create a very specific narrative. There's even a quick political comment that tells me which party the author associates with.
Honestly, the jokes write themselves.
Cherry on top: Joe suddenly initiates sex with Jessi in an unhinged attempt to get her pregnant so her dad can't take her away from him, and so they can be together forever and ever and ever and ever.
I am NAUSEOUS writing this. He's 18, and she's 16, which makes everything worse, but no matter the age: what in the fucked up co-dependent bullshit is happening? And now she's actually saying 'no'. And he insists, and she says 'yes', which still sounds like a 'no'. Even afterward, Jessi thinks it's her own fault if Joe "betrayed God." So she leaves. And he freaks out saying that now that she "got what she wanted" there was no reason to stay. Just kill me at this point. Are we still defending this guy? I literally just watched the Obsession movie, and Joe's behavior disturbingly ressembles that of Bear (derogatory).
This is so bad it's giving me a headache. Bad, HARMFUL messages all over these pages. I cannot understand why this is considered a romance at all, but then again, Colleen Hoover exists.
Author's note: "I wrote Glendale during my senior year of high school." HA. Yeah this makes so much sense now. I'm so happy the crappy books I wrote as a teenager are going to stay where they belong: rotting on an old disk drive.
"Glendale" should've done the same.
TLDR: Call me a woke-libtard-lunatic-leftist, because I don't think Jessi needs Jesus. With all the vultures surrounding her? She needs fucking therapy (and Joe does too).
August 5, 2026
Read this for my family book club. I’m not the target demo, but even still I thought it could have been a little tighter narrative wise. I thought the family dynamics and the main character relationship were the strong points. The character arcs of the leads was what kept me invested.
October 22, 2025
✅Christian romance
✅Boy next door
✅Coming of age
Jessica Cordell — city girl, attitude, trauma, freshly dropped into tiny town USA after her parents’ divorce and a whole mess of drama. 💅💔
She’s mad at the world, allergic to small talk, and ready to not make friends.
Enter Joe Colby — the local golden boy. 🏈✨ Faithful, loyal, everyone’s favorite son of Glendale.
The second he meets Jessica, it’s like his neatly organized world just got yeeted out a window.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 “Faith, love, and forgiveness hit harder than caffeine” stars ☕💫
If you want a story that’ll make you cry, smile, and text your bestie “I just want to move to a small town and start over 😭,” Glendale is IT.
Teachings:
1. Forgiveness is freeing — both giving it and accepting it.
→ Jessica’s bitterness toward her parents and her situation eats away at her peace until she starts to forgive.
2. Faith isn’t about being flawless; it’s about letting God work through your flaws.
→ Both main characters stumble, but their growth comes from surrender and humility.
3. Community and compassion are part of healing.
→ Glendale’s small-town setting reinforces that faith often flourishes through people — even imperfect ones.
4. God’s plans can look wildly different from what we expected.
→ Jessica never wanted to be in Glendale, but it’s exactly where she needed to rediscover hope.
Overall message
“Grace isn’t earned. It’s accepted.”
That’s the quiet heartbeat of Glendale. The story reminds readers that even when life feels unfair or fractured, faith can turn broken places into beginnings.
✅Boy next door
✅Coming of age
Jessica Cordell — city girl, attitude, trauma, freshly dropped into tiny town USA after her parents’ divorce and a whole mess of drama. 💅💔
She’s mad at the world, allergic to small talk, and ready to not make friends.
Enter Joe Colby — the local golden boy. 🏈✨ Faithful, loyal, everyone’s favorite son of Glendale.
The second he meets Jessica, it’s like his neatly organized world just got yeeted out a window.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 “Faith, love, and forgiveness hit harder than caffeine” stars ☕💫
If you want a story that’ll make you cry, smile, and text your bestie “I just want to move to a small town and start over 😭,” Glendale is IT.
Teachings:
1. Forgiveness is freeing — both giving it and accepting it.
→ Jessica’s bitterness toward her parents and her situation eats away at her peace until she starts to forgive.
2. Faith isn’t about being flawless; it’s about letting God work through your flaws.
→ Both main characters stumble, but their growth comes from surrender and humility.
3. Community and compassion are part of healing.
→ Glendale’s small-town setting reinforces that faith often flourishes through people — even imperfect ones.
4. God’s plans can look wildly different from what we expected.
→ Jessica never wanted to be in Glendale, but it’s exactly where she needed to rediscover hope.
Overall message
“Grace isn’t earned. It’s accepted.”
That’s the quiet heartbeat of Glendale. The story reminds readers that even when life feels unfair or fractured, faith can turn broken places into beginnings.
February 3, 2025
This book is so different from Goedel’s historical line, but it is also just as deep. This book is not what I normally read, but I’ll recommend it so much - my daughters (and son if I can convince him) will read this book when they are teenagers and really sink into a book that has teenage love and romance, one a Christian and one not, and the struggles of purity and faith. This was a slow burn, thorough read. It has our nonChristian heroine coming to a small town after her senator father divorces her mother as he has taken up with his assistant. Our hero is the quintessential small town Christian boy - the quarterback who is on a track to become a pastor, and he doesn’t date. Initially I was worried about this read because we start it with the perspective of a rebellious teen without a connection to God, but once I figured out that it was still going to truly be a strong Christian read, things all smoothed out. Goedel’s books go deep. They capture your heart and yank on those heartstrings. This is the first book in a saga series. Young love. Coming of age. The pains of a broken family. Purity and faith and more. I’m excited for more from this author. 4.5 starts rounded up to 5.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
November 26, 2025
Review
Okay I am done with Christian Romance lol, I can’t anymore. Let me get back to my bible only. Love the redemptive ish story, but this book shows exactly why light has no fellowship with darkness and there is no such thing as missionary dating, I was rooting for my man Joe to keep pure, it was the first time that I have ever rooted against the main couple, but I knew the end of the Story, thank you dear author for not coming up with a fairy tale salvation plot lol, and I was disappointed with Joe, he didnt invite her to small group, to church, boy who are you to tell that she aint ready for the Lord, lol. And in the end there was no mention that she actually came to Christ, so I could care less about their reunion. At the end of the Day (my opinion only) I don’t think that Christian should date in high school, it will lead to nothing but sin, get to know the Lord, study, make friends, and thats it, and don’t date a non believer.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:24
Okay I am done with Christian Romance lol, I can’t anymore. Let me get back to my bible only. Love the redemptive ish story, but this book shows exactly why light has no fellowship with darkness and there is no such thing as missionary dating, I was rooting for my man Joe to keep pure, it was the first time that I have ever rooted against the main couple, but I knew the end of the Story, thank you dear author for not coming up with a fairy tale salvation plot lol, and I was disappointed with Joe, he didnt invite her to small group, to church, boy who are you to tell that she aint ready for the Lord, lol. And in the end there was no mention that she actually came to Christ, so I could care less about their reunion. At the end of the Day (my opinion only) I don’t think that Christian should date in high school, it will lead to nothing but sin, get to know the Lord, study, make friends, and thats it, and don’t date a non believer.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:24
February 11, 2025
Glendale is a young adult novel about a girl from a broken home who finds love and belonging with her Christian boyfriend and his family. I actually read this series about 11 years ago. It was nice to re-read the newer version that was just released. Some of the story came back to me, but parts of it are new. This story dives into the complexities of teenage years and first loves and the struggles that come with that, such as abstinence and staying pure in the relationship. I reflected on my teenage first love and remember how difficult it was to stay a virgin. But it was important to me and my faith, so I stayed firm in my decision. However, not everyone is able to do that. This story shows how God gives us grace even when we make mistakes. He is there always waiting for us with open arms no matter what we've done. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
August 5, 2026
This was one of the best books I’ve ever read! Glendale is a book I’ll never forget, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. It’s a great romantic book for Christians who are looking for all of the cute and cheesy romance moments without any explicit scenes. It truly kept me hooked, always wanting to read more and kept me excited about what’s going to happen next!
Personally, I think the characters Jessica and Joe acted too maturely for their ages in the book. They seemed a few years older than they were really in the book, especially Joe. But other than that, I have no complaints. Looking forward to reading more and seeing what happens in the next book :)
Personally, I think the characters Jessica and Joe acted too maturely for their ages in the book. They seemed a few years older than they were really in the book, especially Joe. But other than that, I have no complaints. Looking forward to reading more and seeing what happens in the next book :)
February 11, 2025
This story captivated my heart! There were some raw realities that were honestly a little hard to digest in the beginning... Keep reading because you end up falling in love with these characters! Ann Goering does a masterful job telling a story of young love and maturing through loneliness and struggles!
January 12, 2026
This book was good at some points I kinda got bored but then it got good again, I relate to Jessica this most in the book and I can see a little bit of me in her I loved the ending of this book as well and can’t wait to read book 2
May 1, 2026
real & deeply moving
I did not think when I started this story that I would get so involved in it - it is so real life. But above all it points to Jesus full of mercy and Grace who uses everything in our life to help us grow in Him. glory to God!
I did not think when I started this story that I would get so involved in it - it is so real life. But above all it points to Jesus full of mercy and Grace who uses everything in our life to help us grow in Him. glory to God!
Read
November 2, 2025pretty relatable story, though I saw trouble coming with his expectations that she would eventually convert to his faith.
January 21, 2026
found the fist 60% of this book boring and i couldn’t get the whole ‘she needs Jesus’ judgement out my head
May 9, 2015
See full review @ The Indigo Quill: http://theindigoquill.blogspot.com/20...
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchanged for an honest review.
I love local authors! If you're a fan of Karen Kingsbury, then you will definitely be a fan of Ann Goerig! I have been searching high and low for another Christian Fiction author who seems to emanate human capacity, emotion, and real-life issues with a fresh perspective. Glendale seems to be my jackpot.
Honestly, I'm incredibly anxious to read the next book in this series! This was so good. I became involved with the characters and the storyline because it was so deep and so real. I felt what they were feeling. The anger, desperation, love, and happiness. It's been almost a decade since I've graduated High School, but it was like I could experience the angst and the sensitivity of that delicate stage in life all over again. Although the main character, Jessi, was extremely difficult to like at first, you develop a sense of understanding and compassion for her.
Goering also captures the progression and trials of spiritual life very well. The fact that she was able to show how Jessi became too important to Joe, when his focus was the opposite was extremely clever on her part. This wasn't a sugar-coated, flowery depiction of the ideal Christian life. It was an accurate portrayal of the obstacles that often go unsaid and unseen. The best word that I can describe this book as is human. It was so incredibly exposed and tragically beautifully human. This book isn't just for Christians. It's for the searching and the lost. If you want to see what life in Christ can really be like, start reading the Glendale Series. You will see that Christians aren't "perfect people" with "perfect lives" and "never do anything wrong." We are all human, facing life with the same obstacles. The difference is our response.
I'm so excited that I stumbled upon this author at a local festival! I honestly cannot wait to read the next book, because the cliffhanger at the end will only leave you wanting more!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchanged for an honest review.
I love local authors! If you're a fan of Karen Kingsbury, then you will definitely be a fan of Ann Goerig! I have been searching high and low for another Christian Fiction author who seems to emanate human capacity, emotion, and real-life issues with a fresh perspective. Glendale seems to be my jackpot.
Honestly, I'm incredibly anxious to read the next book in this series! This was so good. I became involved with the characters and the storyline because it was so deep and so real. I felt what they were feeling. The anger, desperation, love, and happiness. It's been almost a decade since I've graduated High School, but it was like I could experience the angst and the sensitivity of that delicate stage in life all over again. Although the main character, Jessi, was extremely difficult to like at first, you develop a sense of understanding and compassion for her.
Goering also captures the progression and trials of spiritual life very well. The fact that she was able to show how Jessi became too important to Joe, when his focus was the opposite was extremely clever on her part. This wasn't a sugar-coated, flowery depiction of the ideal Christian life. It was an accurate portrayal of the obstacles that often go unsaid and unseen. The best word that I can describe this book as is human. It was so incredibly exposed and tragically beautifully human. This book isn't just for Christians. It's for the searching and the lost. If you want to see what life in Christ can really be like, start reading the Glendale Series. You will see that Christians aren't "perfect people" with "perfect lives" and "never do anything wrong." We are all human, facing life with the same obstacles. The difference is our response.
I'm so excited that I stumbled upon this author at a local festival! I honestly cannot wait to read the next book, because the cliffhanger at the end will only leave you wanting more!
April 15, 2012
This book was incredible. A story about young love and the way life can get in the way. I fell in love with falling in love as I read the pages of this book. I could not put it down until I had turned the very last page and even then I had to download the second book onto my kindle moments later!
December 18, 2014
Loved the first book. Was only halfway and had to buy the second and third book. Could not put the first book down! The characters struggled with some real life issues, especially to always keep God first...
May 29, 2012
I really loved this book. It was one of those books that you are sad when you are finished reading it. Great read!
June 8, 2012
This is a wonderful book and it is free to download on Kindle. I loved it so much I purchased the other two books in the trilogy.
June 19, 2012
Loved it! Great series that I can't put down!
August 28, 2012
Loved it & can't wait to start the next one in this series!
August 28, 2012
great book! Book one of series.The whole series was very good.
February 16, 2013
The first book I've read from this author and I loved it. Couldn't put it down and am on my way to amazon.com to get the second book in this series.
April 20, 2013
This is the first in a series of three books. I loved this one and I'm looking forward to the next two.
May 31, 2013
Simple story of faith and first loves.
February 3, 2014
Great book. Loaned it to my daughter as soon as I finished it. Ready for the second one in the series.
March 26, 2014
Have read first three books and really enjoyed them. Would recommend them to others. Am looking forward to reading the next three books about the mothers.
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