Junk Love: A Novel

Fort Herring #1

by Abilene Potts

What if the healthy choice for your loved one isn't you? 

A hearty novel about relationships, faith, and sacrificial love.

HOLLY SAMUELSSON is a dietitian all about healthy choices, but she won't be any man's broccoli: she wants to be desired. After another relationship fail, Holly swears off dating and decides to make her own family through in-vitro fertilization or adoption.

But when a mind-blowing man asks Holly out, she must choose whether to repeat her mistakes, maintain her course toward single motherhood, or try something new: an outdated approach to dating.

CORA MARTIN is recovering from a death-defying detour as her mentally ill sister's sidekick when a shocking encounter derails her plan for college. A false accusation drags Cora into court where she must decide who deserves her trust.

Three people have to answer the question: Is my love enough, or do I do more harm than good?

Help yourself to a story with substance. Surprises, too, but nothing weird like Jell-O salad with hot dogs or cookies with raisins. After all, if God wanted raisins in cookies, we wouldn't have chocolate. Short-listed for the 2022 Grindstone Literary Novel Prize, Junk Love is the first book in the Fort Herring Trilogy.

394 pages, Paperback

Published October 2, 2023

About the author

ABILENE POTTS is an American author who practices juvenile law and hot yoga.

Her dual-POV debut novel Junk Love was short-listed for the 2022 Grindstone Literary Novel Prize.

Junk Love is the first book in the Fort Herring Trilogy, with Junked Love and Over Love scheduled for publication in 2025 and 2026. The series follows three women on their faith journeys—for faith in themselves, in others, and in God.

Abilene lives not too far from Fort Herring with her star-gazing husband and her feisty daughter.

Reviews

[Lori Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story of what it means to find that right kind of love and the sacrifices that it might entail. This was one of the most well-written books I have read all year!

The main characters’ stories was truly awe-inspiring, and I love how their stories built separately then eventually intertwined. Also, I enjoyed the way the author was able to describe something without actually saying it- I’m not as eloquent 😅 with my words, but the writing style was just *chef’s kiss*. Just trust me on that.

This novel truly touched my heart! I encourage my fellow book lovers to also read it when you are in need of a book to feed your soul while simultaneously enjoying a story of love, friendship, and discovering faith.

I cannot wait for the other books to come out in 2024 and 2025!

[Shani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read, and a little bit different than what I normally go for. However, I found myself really identifying with both characters, as they navigated some pretty hard moments in their lives. I felt for HOlly as she goes through one rough moment after another and all she wants is to be a mother. I felt that in my soul. How much can one person go through before they crack? I feel like Cora was going through that more often than not through her parts of the book.

The way each of their journeys was captured was done in such a way that made me feel empathy, humor at the witty parts, compassion, and pride. In the end, they both found their places and where they needed to be. I loved the way the author handled two big topics. Well done, I really enjoyed it!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting journey of two women who are looking for love and acceptance but in it seems the wrong places. Holly is an outgoing, bright spirit who has unfortunately chosen poorly for a partner. From just the beginning of her talking about Keith I was even stunned she put up with his crap. I was glad when things started to turn around for her, but I can understand her hesitation to get back into a relationship especially when she was supposed to be swearing off men. It was sad to see her struggle with wanting a family and a man by her side that she could share that with. I'm sure even without someone she would make a good single parent. Cora, however, has to make a tough choice of being a single parent, accepting help or giving up her baby for a better life. Or at least that is what her mom keeps saying. I was happy that she stood her ground with her decision to keep her baby but understood how that would be a struggle with what her future was supposed to hold.

I was a little confused in the beginning, but I stuck with it and finally got a hang of the author's writing style and the way she switched between characters. I feel like there are parts in the book that can be relatable to most people.

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Abilene Potts sure does know how to draw you in from the very beginning. Who is Julie and why is one of the main characters Cora calling for her? I had to continue to find out. I like books like this. Not a lot of backstory in the beginning. You just jump right in head first. This book really warmed my heart, saddened my soul and made me laugh my tush off.”You Martin women and your shoes” My book loving mind loved the references to books like” the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”,“Mansfield Park” then with books from the bible like “Ecclesiates, James and Third John. Holly’s story is one of having faith that you make the right choice when it comes to your relationships. I wanted to smack Keith in the mouth. What a jerk. In Cora’s story it's very deep with relatable situations. One of the most loved characters is Danelle. I am so glad Holly found Jacob and got to experience real love. When Cora’s story ends it's really a new beginning. And oh is she loved.

It really is a great story.

Abeille Potts' writing style can sometimes be confusing. The flipping back and forth from one lady to the next and then at different ages threw off the rhythm of the book a little. But for the most part I liked this book and would recommend it.

[Shannon Lilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Junk Love" by Abilene Potts is a story of love, friendship, and spirituality. Potts takes readers on a journey through the lives of two women grappling with the challenges of love and motherhood. One of the standout features of Junk Love is the humor and relatability. I found myself laughing within the first few pages and feeling empathy for the plight of Holly, who is feeling like an afterthought in her own relationship. Who hasn’t at some point felt like someone else’s “broccoli”?

The storyline was unique and the book covered a lot of ground. At times I loved this because it gave us a closer look into these well-developed characters and their backgrounds. However, there were times when the story bounced around a little too much and I was left a bit disoriented. There were moments in the book that hinted at a much deeper story that could have been more developed, but then the chapter would end, and the topic not visited again. However, my understanding is that the book will be a trilogy so these topics may be picked up again later.

One of the things I liked most about the book was the friendship between Cora and Holly. I look forward to seeing their friendship develop in the next book.

[Bethany Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very lost in the beginning having to look back and forth at the dates to try to keep track of when things were happening. This is a typical problem I have with books and even movies that flip back and forth in time so I can't necessarily say that it wasn't done well. I personally just had a hard time tracking it. I did like the story as a whole and how all the different characters paths intertwined. I had to give it a 3 instead of 4 stars just because I couldn't track it easily. The story was definitely 4 star level. I also feel like it just stopped at the end with no conclusion but I think I saw there are other books to follow it so that would make sense. I like books that come to a conclusion even with sequels. If I enjoyed a book I am likely to follow the author whether they write series or free standing novels.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[April Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junk love—you crave it, it’s easy and delicious, but leaves you unfulfilled. But when you find real love, you have something wholesome and lasting.

Junk Love is the story of people looking for the real thing. It’s probably classified as a romance, but it is so much more. It’s an exploration of faith and doubt, hard choices, forgiveness, and the promise of redemption.

This novel is witty and lighthearted, but also deep and reflective. It’s a bit clunky at the beginning, but the author finds a good pace several chapters in, and it is hard to put down. Characters are well-developed, and their inner conflicts are relatable. Junk Love was a joy to read.

*I received an advance copy of this novel to read in exchange for my opinion and review.

[Candice Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so unique! It's takes you on a journey with Cora and Holly as they each learn what healthy love is. There was also some wrestling with faith and God, which I found interesting and relatable. It was too vulgar for me at times, but I couldn't help but need to know how each character's story ended.

[Elaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing in this book is absolutely awful- it was a slog to get through and certainly was not worth the effort