Resolutions

by Jenn Faulk

Three friends, ten resolutions, and a year full of big life changes.

For Emily Fisher and her friends, New Year’s Eve has never been about more than eating cake and watching the minutes until midnight disappear. This year, though, Emily, Sara, and Melissa decide that as they approach the age of thirty, they’re going to make some bold resolutions together and see them through in the year ahead, never guessing how dramatically life will change for them in the process.

As the daughter of a megachurch pastor and the assistant to a sensational and exhausting wedding coordinator, Emily already has her hands full. Using the resolutions as a challenge to make life about more than being a mindless drone at work, she ventures out of her comfort zone – trying new hobbies, picking up new exercise habits, travelling abroad, helping out in new ways at church, DATING – and discovers in the process that there’s more to life than weddings and work. When her family experiences unexpected hardships, Emily is forced to re-evaluate all of her priorities, and the lessons she learns lead her to stronger faith, a new dream for her career, and a romance greater than any that she could have imagined for herself.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Christian, Friendship, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

437 pages, ebook

First published March 10, 2013

About the author

Jenn Faulk is a native Texan who enjoys reading and writing chick lit. She's a pastor's wife, a stay-at-home mom, and a marathon enthusiast who loves talking about Jesus and what a difference He's made in her life. She has a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Houston and a MA in Missiology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

While all of Jenn's books are standalone novels with no cliffhanger endings, incomplete plots, or questions left unanswered, there is a suggested reading order that might be helpful as you get into the books...

Resolutions
Different Stars
Just Breathe
Best Day Ever
Even Still
Ready or Not
A Little Faith
Promises Kept
Beyond the Game
Just Friends
A New Tune
Pure Fiction
Home to You
Something Better
From Here on Out
Anywhere
Happily Ever After
Perfectly Pretend
Take Heart
So Like Us
Christmas Surprises
Tis the Season
The Plan
A Big Summer
Taking Chances
Destination Wedding
Crushed
Run (with L.N. Cronk)
Childish Ways
The New Girl
You and Me, Baby
Obsessed (with L.N. Cronk)
What a Christmas
Romance, Reality, and Blog Writers
Meet in the Middle
The Same Place (with L.N. Cronk)
Always
Lost and Found
Who You Know
The Mrs. Degree
You Again
Taken (with L.N. Cronk)
First Love
All My Days
Picture Perfect
Worth It
Wasted Time
Holiday Town
The One That Got Away
Meant To Be
All I Ever Wanted
Stuck on You
Pieced Together
Where You Are
Close Enough
All I Want for Christmas
Unexpected
Magical
Broken
Extraordinary
Wanted
Mine
More
Becoming Us (with Jaycee Weaver)
Maybe
Unmasked
Lucky
Called
Forever

Reviews

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't often review a book, but I will this one. I really enjoyed this book, and not just because I know the author. It's nice to read a chick-lit book that wasn't so sappy that I now need to see my dentist and that wasn't all about the sexual tension. Finally, people meet and fall in love because they actually like each other and respect each other. There seems to be a trend in many of the “romance” books lately that the guy can be a jerk and possessive, but that’s ok because they have sexual chemistry. If I had teenagers, I would recommend this book to them because it paints a picture of what healthy, fulfilling relationships look like and still has all the squee moments you come to expect from this genre. The book also scores major bonus points for being well written, which is sadly unusual. I look forward to seeing what happens next with these characters, but also from this author.

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story about three unmarried woman who have known each other since they were infants in the church nursery together. They remained friends through their school and college years and on into their working careers. Then on New Years Eve they celebrate together and work on their resolutions for the incoming year. But this year they want to actually keep their resolutions longer than February. They decide to start out with one resolution for each month while still keeping the ones from previous months.
Can they really do this and pull it off successfully throughout the year. When they meet next New Year's Eve will there be big changes in their lives because they all kept their resolutions over the year?
I enjoyed the humor in this story and that most of it was written in the first person of Emily , a pastor's daughter and professional wedding planner. The book isn't all humor but has its share of trials as one of the ladies encounters serious family issues that changes her life and the members of her family's life.
This book is contemporary romance and is Christian Fiction. I enjoyed it and I hope you will too. I loved the author's style of writing. She is a new to me writer and sometimes it's nice to get acquainted with different authors.

[Joan]

I suspected from the blurb that this was going to be a 'churchy' book, but I hadn't expected such an all out assault! The 'god' stuff started fairly gently and I was enjoying it, but then the book seemed to turn into little more than - 'trust in God and he will provide everything'

Not my sort of book. I am not rating. The style was far too waffly for my liking: protracted conversations and storyline, and very little in the way of real conflict apart from the father's illness, which was glossed over and, from what I have seen of the illness, unrealistic.

[Kerry Gain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian fiction is not something I normally read, but I loved this book! Beautifully well-developed characters and a sweet love story combine for a fun read that is hard to put down!! I read it in draft form but it's now available at Amazon in both print and Kindle versions!

[Laura Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book

Simply a feel-good read with great characters and a good story line. A great story about friendships and family and worship.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for any age.
Emily was the daughter of a megachurch pastor and a wedding coordinator. She and her two friends decided on their annual New Year's Eve celebration that they would make 10 resolutions, one for each of the next ten months which they did. Trust me when I say, this book is so much more than this. The author brings in so many wonderful people that adds so much depth to the story. There was such a blend of so many different people. There were parts that had me laughing, there was Emily's father being diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the compassion but also it gave me a better understanding of the disease. There were also the struggles with your job and your beliefs which was so realistic and well written.
I am over twice as old as the three girls but I loved everything about this book. I could feel the compassion, the kindness, the friendships, the family dynamics and how when you chose your faith that things had a way of working out. I may be over twice as old as the three girls but I could relate to this book because even as old as I am, I still like challenging myself, and seeing how the people I come into contact with are doing, how maybe I can bring some happiness to someone. So this book is life and all it has to offer.

[Teresa Rollen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would classify this book as Christian chick lit. This was about three friends who make resolutions on New Years and how they go throughout the year putting these resolutions into action. While the story tells how each friend fulfills these resolutions, this book focuses on Emily. Emily also ends up having a couple of love interests and I am so glad that she ended up with the man she did. Their relationship was so sweet and put a smile on my face. Emily is an Events Coordinator so we get a look inside Emily's job as she plans other people's weddings and other events. Emily's family also goes through a difficult time with her father who is the Pastor at her church. This was my first book by Jenn Faulk and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more books by her.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started picking up Jenn Faulk books when they were free or on sale. So I haven't read them in order until now. I was wondering if her first book would be shallow or poorly written, and was gratified to find out it is NOT! Resolutions is very well written, with good character development and a good balance of hilarious humor and deep spiritual insights. So far I haven't been disappointed by any of Faulk's books.

[Leslie Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so so so so GOOD!

Loved it! A “year in the life” such as I have never seen (or read) before. When 3 best friends make their New Year’s resolutions (1 for each month of the year) they never imagined the obstacles, blessings and changes it would bring them personally and as a group. A lot of humor, a lot of heart (and romance), I thoroughly enjoyed each moment of this engaging tale.

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a VERY COMPLETE story. It was LONG! The pace was very slow and there certainly weren’t any stones left unturned. Having said that, I liked it. It’s down to earth, there are lots of heavy issues, a few twists in plot, and it’s well-written. Most definitely a Christian story so if readers are offended by that they are best to stay away. I wouldn’t read it again but I’m glad I read it.

[Lonzine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I only planned to get started with the first few chapters and ended up finishing the entire book. Some sweet moments. A few laugh out loud moments. And a really nice group of people to read about. Emily is adorable, Josh is so appealing and I love the "real" quotable, honest dialogue. Especially from Debbie, Josh's sister.

I'm continuing with the series

[Clara K Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

This was a true Christian Fiction book! Wonderful characters, story and spiritual inspiration. This was also a little different. I don't think I've ever read a book about New Year's resolutions. This story covered so many Life situations. This was my first book by this author and it won't be my last. I've already purchased the next book.

[Patricia L .Jex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I initially thought it would be a light, quick read because the tone was so conversational and down to earth. In reality, I think it's difficult to write in first person and do well by all of the characters. This author did a good job. The story had more complexity and real life in it that I expected, and it was a complete, well rounded story. Not the short read I expected which is good. I like to know the whole story, not the convenient story. I loved the idea of monthly resolutions. Something to think about as it might be more successful than full year resolutions.

[Mary Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly fun story!

This is about three friends at 28 years old wondering where their lives were headed. They made resolutions for the new year and opened up new challenges and wonderful possibilities. There is sad moments and fun moments but always a wonderful book to read.

[Abigail Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

Who knew you could tell a year's worth of life story without it getting boring, bogged down in details, and actually be cohesive? This was a fun, interesting read. Light, cheerful, and happy. And the perfect book to read to start off the year!

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

I enjoyed the idea of a new resolution each month and how each girl found true meaning in the middle of it all. Realistic with relationships and parents' health. Also, Bible truths woven in, not preachy. Definitely would recommend!

[Eileen Shoup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian romance at its best

Loved the three main characters-so like many 30 something young Christian women who are unmarried & waiting for that special someone or some plan to come into their life. Delightful read!

[Melissa Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This is not the first book that I’ve read by Jenn Faulk and it definitely won’t be the last. I love the mix of faith and love in her books! On to my next good read from her!

[Cara E · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this author. She’s simple and a little cheesy, but clean and describes the emotions of the characters well. This story was fairly predictable and the characters a tad daft. I do love a happy ending and definitely got that with this book. Thanks, Jen Faulk for another quick read!

[Erin Zuelke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I feel this book has a slow start. But as I continued to read I fell in love with the characters. They were so relatable!

[Cathy Bickerstaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Jenn Faulk

This was my first Jenn Faulk book, but it certainly won't be my last. It was Chick lit done right!

[Jeni Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, very religious based and in some parts quite a bit overdone on the preachy. Predictable and much of the story could've been trimmed, but not horrible when you got past the church.

[R.j. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice

I have read a lot of what this author has written, and I enjoyed this one the most. A solid book.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect read at New Year’s

This book is a hoot! Plenty of LOL moments and insights into the world of wedding planning. A creative take on New Year’s resolutions, as well.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three times as long as it needed to be but otherwise enjoyable.

[Alicia C Gephart Gephart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good mostly lighthearted novel!

[Daphnee Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book

This was a fun book to read. A group of friends make resolutions for each month of the year. It was fun to see what each friend came up with.

[J.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weddings and Misunderstandings and Fun

What a lovely book! Plenty of laughs and real drama amid a very sweet romance.
My go-to author for a fun, feel-good, and inspiring read.

[Jess (Shepherdjel) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute to start the year off! Sometimes you don't realize what is right in front of you. Loved the wedding planning pieces and romance.

[Kay Defreese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Emily and her family kept me laughing but then of course there were some sad moments in the book particularly when a family member starting getting dementia. Emily and her two best friends Sara and Melissa got together and made these New Years resolutions. I can't remember them all but one was to improve their health by doing something physical, travel someplace exotic, and do something to improve their house or apartment. Emily decided to take up running as a part of her resolution to improve her health. On her runs she develops a friendship with a bi-vocational pastor. To amp up her love life she thinks she is suppose to pursue the associate pastor at her church but they don't really have any electricity going on there.

I love Jenn Faulks books in that she adds quite a bit of humor in there. I like it that she writes the stories in a way that you can connect to the characters. I like it that the characters are deeply grounded in their faith but yet they are normal people. They are not perfect and suffer the same kinds of temptations we do. I like it that her characters that eventually fall in loved develop a best friend relationship first. I like Jenn Faulk books and hope to read more. This was the fourth one that I have read but I hope to read more.