It's Not About Him

Second Glances #2

by Michelle Sutton

After passing out at Jeff's party, Susie becomes pregnant. Because she has no idea who the father is, she considers having an abortion, but decides to place her baby for adoption instead. Everyone seems to have a strong opinion about what she should do, but it's her decision to make, and hers alone. Following through ends up being more heart-wrenching than she'd imagined, but she's determined to do the right thing for her baby. She's not ready to be a mother. Jeff feels guilty about what happened at his party, and he offers to marry Susie so she won't have to give up her baby like his birth mother had done with him. But Susie refuses, insisting he should marry someone he loves and not marry to rescue her from her painful situation. After Susie places her baby with a couple she trusts, she expects to be abandoned, but Jeff sticks with her despite her attempts to discourage him. They grow close as Jeff tries to comfort Susie while she grieves the separation. Will Jeff see the good in Susie's decision and see that what she did is not about him, but what is best for her child?

Genres: Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Christian, Contemporary Romance

228 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

Michelle has written over two dozen edgy, inspirational novels. She is a book reviewer and a retired supervisor for the State of Arizona. She currently lives in North Carolina. but will soon be moving to Florida.

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

his story is about two characters from the first book, Jeff and Susie. In this book they have given up their wild, party ways and have given their lives to God, but there is one thing that Susie can never change. She was raped at a party which resulted in a pregnancy. She decides to give her baby up for adoption. The couple are friends of hers, and it will be an open adoption. Jeff, however doesn't agree with that, and wants her to marry him. He loves her, but Susie refuses him. It's Not About Him, it's what's best for her baby.

Susie denies her own true feelings for Jeff, letting his motive for marrying her, just because of the baby, and his own issues, being an adopted child himself, cloud her thinking. The reality is that Jeff really loves her, and is trying hard to support her but Susie pushes him away. This hero tries so very hard to support her in this book, it is sad as well as sweet. He gives her the space she asks for after giving up the baby. It is so clear that he loves her, but Susie is trapped in her own depression.

Michelle brings up alcoholism, rape, straight in the face temptation as a Christian and premarital sex in the returning character of Tony, who's wildness only escalates from the previous book. I have a habit of finishing good books in one or two days. I finished this book in just two days. So what did I think? I obviously loved the book. Michelle's characters are very real, like the guy or girl next door. The situations are real. I think a lot of Christian people like to paint a 'shiny happy world' picture, but it isn't realistic.

Christian people fall into the same traps as everyone else does and she makes this clear, but also includes without being preachy that God does love you, and even if you are alone or feel alone he is always there for you. As much as I loved the book, I have to say that it left a bittersweet taste for me after completing it. Susie gave up her baby, but wanted an open adoption. There are a lot of people in this world that get pregnant whether by rape, or a one night stand, but don't give up their child.

That part of the book was a bitter pill to swallow for me, but as usual, there is a happy ending to her book and I really think that you should read it. Buy it for your own young adults, because this a book that you can definitely learn something from, and one that I think you will enjoy reading again from time to time.

Her next book in the series is It's Not About Her. The main character is Tony in this book. This guy is lovable but a definite train wreck. If you have read, It's Not About Me, and when you read It's Not About Him, then you are definitely going to have to pick up the next book!
It's Not About Her will be released September 2010, and I know I'm picking that one up.

[Jill Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susie wakes up after a party knowing something isn't right. When she discovers she is pregnant but has no idea who the father is, she decides to place her baby for adoption with an infertile couple from church. Following through ends up being more challenging than she'd imagined. But she wants to do the right thing. If only Jeff would quit trying to marry her so she'll keep her baby! Why doesn't he understand? It's not about him; it's about what's best for her child. Meanwhile, a man shows up in her life that looks irritatingly familiar. Could he be the father?

The thing that’s so great about Michelle Sutton is that she isn’t afraid to be real. It’s Not About Him is a gripping story about two people struggling to make right choices despite their past mistakes. The plot is filled with tough topics of rape, drinking, premarital sex, and murder, but Michelle deals with each scenario in a realistic way that proclaims Christ as the answer to all sin and reminds readers that He can work through any tragedy. Michelle weaves a series of plots that both break and warm the heart. It’s Not About Him is the perfect sequel. Michelle has written another honest look into the world young Christians struggle to live in every day. I praise God for the way she shows her readers that they can stay pure if they lean on Christ and make good choices. I pray these books will change lives. I’m so looking forward to book three.

[Shawna Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Not About Him by Michelle Sutton picks up with two of the characters we were introduced to in Michelle's YA novel, It's Not About Me.

Both Jeff and Susie are young, struggling Christians with serious issues to face. Susie, who is pregnant when the story begins, has decided to give her baby up for adoption. Jeff, though not the father, wants to take care of Susie and her baby. Having been given up for adoption himself, and plagued with his need to know why, he believes that Susie is making the wrong choice. In the midst of this conflict is a burgeoning romance.

There's not a subject this book doesn't approach. Alcoholism, rape, sexual temptation, death; Michelle takes on each of these, and shows how her characters overcome their pain and temptation with God's help.

My favorite part about this book was the completeness of the journey, starting with Susie's decision to give up her baby, and ending with the resolution Jeff finds at the book's conclusion. I don't want to give anymore away than that.

Next fall the third book in the It's Not About series comes out and it picks up with Tony. I'm glad, because I like and sympathize with his character, and look forward to seeing him conquer his struggles through Christ.
Good job, Michelle!

[Carman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is a moving story. I was crying in the first 45 minutes! I think the first book in the series is still my favorite, but book two is amazing also. I love Jeff. He is great, however, Susie got on my nerves. She had major trust issues, but by the end of the book she has worked through them, and I ended up loving her too. This whole story is just amazing, and Sutton is a great writer. She writes such moving books that make you cry, laugh, and think; I love them!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed writing this story. I hope you like it, too.

[Christy Trever · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Not About Him by Michelle Sutton is the second book in the Second Glances series. Susie Ziglar is trying to make the best of the horrific situation she's found herself in. After passing out drunk at a party, she was raped and ended up pregnant. While at first she was determined to abort the baby, she instead ending up giving her life to God and decided to put the baby up for adoption. She just wants to do what's right for a change, and that means keeping her distance from Jeff, despite his insistence that he loves her and wants to marry her. Jeff also recently gave up his hard-partying ways and turned to God, and now he wants to make a life with the beautiful woman Susie has become. Sutton depiction of a woman's decision to put her child up for adoption with exquisite attention to detail: Susie's gut-wrenching pain, occasional worries that she made the wrong decision, and fierce determination to do what's right for her child are brilliantly rendered. Susie and Jeff's romance happens in stutters and leaps and huge steps backwards, making it realistic and sweet. Sutton has a special talent for dialogue; she doesn't keep it squeaky clean, but keeps it real. I could easily hear the characters talking to each other. She also portrays well the struggle that men have with the temptation women present with revealing clothing. It's a gritty, realistic view of twenty-somethings, but with a message of hope.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is what a terrific book! This isn't you're everyday "fluffy" romance! It's Not About Him deals with issues such as alcoholism, abortion, rape, and sex in a way that is relevant and real for today's young adults. I was truly captivated by this book from the very beginning and I stayed up preeeettty late and woke up early to see what happened next! You definitely won't be bored with this one and you might even cry!

Jeff is a sensitive, caring hero who as a new Christian is still dealing with temptations from his past and Susie who is also a new Christian is facing her past and consequences of it in a very real way. I felt sorry for Jeff at times, Susie was so reluctant to acknowledge her true feelings but I was really pleased with how everything worked out for both of them and baby Melissa. I'm really looking forward to reading Book 1, It's Not About Me (yeah I know I ALWAYS end up reading series books out of order) to learn more about the story behind Annie and Dan, two terrific secondary characters in It's Not About Him who are very important in Susie's and Jeff's lives.

If you are a lover of romance with strong Christian themes It's Not About Him is definitely a book you will want to pick up. If you're a parent of an older teen I really think this book (and probably the series) would be great to read and discuss together. It's Not About Him is definitely highly recommended.

[Jennifer AlLee · Rating 3 out of 5]

In It's Not About Him, Susie must deal not only with the heartbreaking decision to give her baby up for adoption, but the aftermath of that choice. Meanwhile, Jeff feels guilty for not protecting her. Adopted himself and longing to find his birth mother, Jeff doesn't want to see another child go through what he has and tries to convince Susie not to go through with it. In the end, Susie and Jeff discover it's not about either one of them. It's about what's best for the baby. And through their sacrifice, God works all things to good in their own lives.

Michelle Sutton creates real characters who act the way real people would. She doesn't shy away from the ugly truths or the cold hard facts. Young people can relate to her characters, because they speak from the heart.

Michelle dedicates this book to mothers who have recognized the needs of their children and chosen adoption over abortion. As one of those women, I'd like to thank Michelle for addressing such a sensitive subject with such honesty and compasion.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read!! After reading It's Not About Me, I had no compassion for Susie whatsoever for the things that she had pulled in the first book in the series. Michelle had assured me that I would change my mind about her in this story. Indeed the woman was right. My heart went out to Susie. The things that poor girl had gone through broke my heart. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Susie and Jeff's story. The challenges they had to face. And seeing their relationship unfold. Michelle kept me reading late into the night. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. The ending truly was perfect. Jeff got the closure he needed and Susie got closure too. Michelle did an excellent job writing about the subject of open adoption. And the view of adoption from the birth mother. The emotions that she goes through. The struggles she faces. Susie's story was both moving and heartbreaking. Another wonderful read from, Michelle!

[Andi Tubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am adopted and this is the first book that I have read with the point of view focused on the birth mother and the couple adopting the baby. All of the emotions in the story were real and raw. I felt everyone of them. What is great about what Michelle Sutton is that she isn't afraid to write about what is real. This stuff is really going on with our YA today and she writes about it honestly and right in your face! I didn't want to put the book down! This is an absolutely beautiful story. It shows that an birth mother and the adopted family can work together for the good of the child. This is a definite must read, it's one of my top 10 for the year! I give it a lighthouse and shine a light on it for pointing a path to God!

[Michele Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzy has decided to give her baby up for adoption that was conceived when she was raped at a party at Jeff’s house. That incident had caused both her and Jeff to become closer to God and to give up their partying ways. Jeff is disappointed that she has decided to give her baby up for adoption since he was adopted and he is searching for his own birth mother. He wants to marry Suzy and raise her child as his own but Suzy doesn’t have those feelings for him. The identity of Jeff’s birth mother and the reason that she gave him up for adoption is surprising but understandable. This book does deal with different adult issues such as drinking, adoption and even rape.

[Jennifer Farr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I did not read the first book in this series, but I did not feel like I needed to. Even though this book makes reference to situations in book 1 I felt that I had a good understanding of what happened. I am LDS so part of why this book only gets 3 starts from me is because of the "preachy" factor. I don't understand the religions that have "that moment", and I had a hard time connecting with the story. I enjoyed the story, but I did not feel the same intensity to finish the story as I do with other books. I would recommend this book for a good, quick read.

[Dawn Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous book by Michelle Sutton. This on delves into the emotional difficulties of overcoming a sinful past and the traumas that can and so often DO come with it. The ups and downs of Susie and Jeff's relationship are amazing to follow. This book delves deeply and directly into the tremendous sacrifice that so often comes with adoption vs the decision to abort. Susie's strength and resolve are such an inspiration, even as she struggles to overcome the past and her current fears and learns to trust both God's love for her and Jeff's. I can highly recommend this book to anyone in their late teens and into their twenties. You won't regret reading it.

[Kathy Eberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Susie gets pregnant by an unknown man at Jeff's party, Jeff asks Susie to marry him to give her child the home that neither he nor Susie ever had. Susie, however decides to relinquish her rights to a young couple who can give her baby more than she can. I enjoyed this book by Michelle Sutton very much and can understand the emotions of such a decision. Michelle has a way of diving into the heart of a matter and yet brings redemption through her stories. Congratulations to Michelle again for such a riveting story!

[Stefne Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle Sutton does a great job of taking a character who is hard to like and then show the reader how and why the character acts and thinks the way she does. I walked away from the book not only liking the character but remembering that you can never truly understand someone unless you've walked in their shoes. I appreciate the message of grace for others and redemption for all.

[Amber Willingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Michelle ! I really love the way that she takes situations that people face often in life that sometimes go by as unspoken ones that people are afraid to talk about and puts them in a story that will grip your heart and open your eyes !! If ya get the chance to read it Well worth the read !!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving and compelling story. This is a wonderful sequel to It's Not About Me. Make sure you keep the tissues handy!

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Michelle Sutton weaves a powerful story, about second chances, about hard decisions and the consequences of those decisions, but also about the power of the forgiveness.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the second edition new cover.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really sweet book. I liked that it all took place after and not during the pregnany. it had good morals and was very religious. I don't usually read a lot of Christan books but I liked it. The ending was a little cheesey and wrapped up almost too well. I'll probably read the rest in the series (once again I started with the second book) as soon as I find some time.

[Melissa (So Behind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another heart wrenching story from Sutton. She delves into the subject of whether or not to give a baby up for adoption and it just gets the reader with all of the feels.