Whatever Comes Our Way

Everyday Love #2

by Jaycee Weaver

Gina Hernandez is no stranger to hard work. She’s got three jobs to prove it. Trauma in her teens may have left her with severe anxiety and some body issues, but no one can say she’s not a fighter. Her life has never been easy. It's what's made her strong.

And then she meets youth pastor Jaydon Bennett, a gentle giant with a big beard and an even bigger heart—though it does have a few scars. He’s never doubted God could bring him the perfect woman, he just never thought He really would. Until Gina.

When Jaydon encounters a troubled teen whose family is in crisis, he and Gina have to figure out if maybe the painful pasts they’ve been dealing with just might equip them to help this hurting family.

The Everyday Love Series is a contemporary romance series set in Albuquerque, featuring ordinary people in lifelike stories that inspire, uplift, and share hope. Stories in which a very real God shows Himself in everyday ways to carry His people through any circumstance.

Genres: Contemporary, Christian Fiction, Romance

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

When New Mexico resident and USA Today bestselling author Jaycee Weaver isn't reading or writing, she enjoys dates with her brainiac hubby, drinking coffee, crafting, pretending she's a nature photographer, and making her teenagers cringe.

Jaycee considers herself a recovering perfectionist and frequent hot mess. She does her best to live her faith in action authentically, trusting God to be Lord over the good, the bad, and the ugly even when it’s hard.

Reviews

[Angie Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a tough review to write because it's very hard to put my finger on exactly why I felt like I needed to DNF. We started a little beyond the line of content I'm comfortable with when in the prologue, we get a flashback to a girl being assaulted by her mother's boyfriend. He gets cut off before he can take it all the way, and the description is very minimal, and there's a very clear warning to skip that section if you need to, and overall, I felt like it was handled about as tastefully as it could have been. So oddly, my DNF isn't actually based on the kind of rough past the heroine had, or the kind of rough situation I assume the girl they end up helping is living in. Which is very odd because I could understand that kind of thing getting too much for me, but as far as I had gotten, it hadn't.

So, with that kind of usually-too-much content not bothering me for once, it was strange the little things that got under my skin. There's a scene where a group of guys goes out to a microbrewery/restaurant for drinks, and yes, I've become convinced that the question of drinking (not drunkenness) is more of a legitimate issue of conscience than some of the church believes. But I can’t help but wonder, what purpose did it serve to have the youth pastor go out for a drink with the guys and have a conversation about why it's not wrong, when you know there are enough other people sensitive to it that you have to defend including it. They get food once the ladies come; could it not just have been a restaurant and avoided the topic? Because it wasn't at all necessary to the story as far as I can see; Gina's mom is an alcoholic, but she also doesn't have a problem with drinking and is more impressed that Jaydon also drinks than anything. It felt...squeezed in to say "hey, look, we're not your ordinary legalistic Christians" and nothing else. Maybe that wasn't the author's intent, but that's all I got from it, and it bugged me. So did other things, like a comment about Jaydon's niece teaching bad words to her toddler brother, and her dad's comment on being asked where she got them being "hey, we're preacher's kids, but we're not perfect." I mean, I know that's true, but as just a throwaway comment that's more of a handwave than anything? That really grated. There were other things like that too. Jaydon's obviously sold out for God and a great youth pastor, but Gina keeps getting glimpses of ways he breaks the mold, for lack of a better term (wait, he's got a tattoo? or, hold on, this isn't a Christian band he's listening to) that...are supposed to make him more interesting or attractive? Why? It's not that the things were blatantly sinful or more than matters of conscience, but you know they're controversial or you wouldn't make a big deal of them. Is Jaydon supposed to be a more desirable guy because he falls on the edgier side of those issues? Because it doesn't bother me that he has a tattoo. But it bothers me that his having one is supposed to make him more attractive and interesting and "not like other church guys". It just bothered me, and I can’t fully put my finger on why.

The attraction was pretty solidly on the physical side--not necessarily descriptive, but the mental exclamations every time Gina noticed how hot he was also made me uncomfortable. There were a few uses of "sexy," some mention of "boobs" (from her POV), and a recollection of an incident with a high school boyfriend that somehow made me more uncomfortable than the flashback to the assault. None of it on its own had crossed the DNF line; it just kept building into a more and more uncomfortable stack. And then, they're still barely getting to know each other, he's just heard a little of her story for the first time, and he's still trying to assure himself she's not like his manipulative ex, when they're suddenly kissing. Long. And Hard. Stepping away and then coming back to it. This isn't the first book I've read where a kiss comes out of left field, but--it was so random and so intense that I couldn’t put my eyebrows down. Not that it was descriptive, but...it was intense. And it was like, one second they're making plans to help a teen in trouble, and the next they're kissing. And kissing. And kissing. And then a few minutes later he gets sucked into a funk of remembering his ex, and she snaps him out of it by a joking comment about being naked? What? And when she kids him about that word waking him up, and isn't he supposed to be a preacher, he uses the same "I'm not perfect" line that his brother did before. I finished the chapter, but the pile of discomfort had gotten too big to ignore, and I didn't feel comfortable going on.

I've enjoyed some of this author's other work, but unfortunately this one was a miss for me.

[Paula Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful that I received this book as a gift! The story was very captivating and sweet, even while dealing with several key issues....self esteem, drug addiction, abuse, church....loss.... recovery. Throughout the entire story the characters remain steadfast and true. I truly enjoyed the journey!

[Andrea Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I really related to Gina. This one is my fav of the series.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever Comes Our Way is another great addition to the Everyday Love series. It was so interesting to learn about both Gina and Jaydon’s background stories. They were both side characters in book one, What Could Be, and I had no idea the troubles that they had seen in their lives.

Gina and Jaydon were easy to like and I definitely wanted them to find their happily ever after. They also worked so well together. I really enjoyed seeing how they interacted with Hailee and Javi, two siblings who were in a troubling situation. The author handled some tough topics with grace, always pointing the reader toward the Lord.

This story can stand alone if you haven’t read book one, although I definitely recommend the first story, What Could Be, as it is a novel that I really enjoyed.

(4.5 stars)

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Toni Shiloh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet read

[Debbie Chatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. I loved so many things about this book. i loved how Gina and Jaydons story was God’s story. As such this story showed that we have to trust God’s timing. God will work out the details of our lives in his way. I loved how the story includes realistic challenges in the lives of the characters. This story deals with anxiety attacks, failed marriage, addiction, sexual abuse, judgmental church goers and forgiveness , yet without going too deep into the weeds. So as the reader you get to see God’s hand at work in these realistic life situations. I also loved how purity was upheld. Highly recommend this book for the romantic and for the realist.

A couple of my favorite quotes
Chapter 16 when God heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds, he actually does a rather thorough job
Chapter 20 forgiveness is a decision, but also a journey.....it belongs to Jesus.

[Michelle Boykin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Christian values

I chose this high ranking and I hardly ever give out this ranking. This was not a normal romcom or love/hate relationship. The couple knew there was attraction and was upfront and honest with each.other Sex is not a dirty thing in a marriage and I liked that the couple discussed and set boundaries before things got too far. While each had their own issues they were honest about their past and loving in their responses. The secondary story with the minor siblings is one seen far too often today but it was handled in a good and safe option with a healthy and necessary plan for the mom. I really enjoyed this story and actually purchased it after downloading a sample. I would recommend this book and the author.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaycee Weaver deals with some very difficult subjects such as anxiety and drug abuse in this hard-hitting romance. And points to Jesus all along the way.

I love Gina and Jaydon and the way they fell for each other so hard and so fast. The way they love to tease each other just made me love them more! I also love how Gina threw herself completely into helping the hurting teen from Jaydon's youth group without any prompting.

If you enjoy romance that has a strong Christian message, you won't be disappointed.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This is a story of 2 past-broken people who found healing in faith. They then assisted 2 teens who needed safety, along with 2 mom's who were seeking healing and better lives.
A great, clean story full of positive hope.

[Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving Love Story

This is a moving and memorable love story with some characters that you will definitely cheer for and hope and pray for the best as they journey towards unconditional love and understanding as individuals and family plus friends too.

[Tearra Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read! I loved the story unfolding between Jaydon and Gina, both well rounded, well crafted characters. I can't wait to discover this author's other works!

[Lucette Nel · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest... I read this totally because of the cover. And it's a captivating and enjoyable read. Ms. Weaver Isa tale Ted author and I'm looking forward to her other books on my Kindle.

[Tina Lowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! Whatever Comes Our Way, written by Jaycee Weaver is more heart-felt and emotionally charged than expected. This book drew me in from the first chapter. It was real, honest, and it didn't wrap the hard things in a pretty package with a dazzling bow. The two main characters have both faced hard knocks -- and it doesn't seem to matter what role they play in society.

What matters seems to be the line they walk for others, as well as what they believe they can do to help others. For example, Jayden was raised in a faithful, loving home that was complete with doting parents, a sibling, and a faith that made him who he was inside and outside of his heart. Gina was raised in a troubled home, where she only could count on her sister for protection. Living a hard scrabbled life gave others, even those with faith, the opportunity to tear her down.

I loved this book, because I have seen people in all walks of life try to bring the broken pieces of life inward, to find the glue that could hold them together. This book painted a scenario of abuse and neglect -- one that might be seen as unworthy of the attention of an amazing, awesome God. Yet, what I loved about this book was the faith-filled aspects -- the temptations we all face, the truth of the One who saves us, the faith given to those who seek, and finally the Love He gives because we are His. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for its reality, its love, and faith in our everyday dreams.

[Cat T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I loved Jaydon. The way he pastors and helps the teens is fantastic. He's so fun and sweet and kind. Gina is awesome too, although I didn't like her quite as much. Her arc with her mother though was so beautiful.

I love the social work/foster piece of this. I love how the kids gradually learn to trust Gina and Jaydon through them sharing pieces of their stories.

I didn't love the quick romance piece of things. And it took them a while to realize they should be supervised. XD Although I'm glad that was addressed. Often the adults in romantic fiction like this go and do whether they want together, with no problems or temptations. But still, although this couple is so cute together, most of what detracted from the story was the very fast romance.

Overall I recommend though! It's such a nice story about healing, love, and redemption.

[Ranee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the main characters in this book but found myself skimming a lot of the story. As a previous reviewer commented, the alcohol drinking, though not excessive, bothers me and the makeout sessions and physical sexiness descriptions they use regularly about each other, though I thoroughly appreciate that the stopped themselves from going “too far” before marriage. The short dating and marriage timeframe does not bother me - my husband of over 35 years and I had a quick “turnaround” also. Helping Hailee and Javi and reconciliation with G’s mom was awesome.

[Gretchen Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Review will be coming soon!

[Gretchen Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Review will be coming soon!

[Nicole McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book(revised edition). I liked how the story was completely different than I was expecting, in a good way. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

[R.j. · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice book, with interesting characters and a good plot. Nothing earth shattering, but solid and enjoyable. Worth your time and money for sure!