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Because of You
Sixteen-year-old Chloe Gabriels has dreamed of going on an overseas mission trip for as long as she can remember, so when the opportunity arises for her to go to Thailand with Teen Missions International she jumps at the chance. Working at an orphanage, learning new skills, experiencing a different culture, making lifelong friends—what better way could there be to spend her summer vacation?
Of course, the trip will have its challenges—living in close quarters with seventeen other teens out of their comfort zones has a way of doing that—but it will be worth it. She’ll finally be serving God in a practical way.
But while the orphans and their stories break her heart, it’s someone unexpected who has the biggest impact on Chloe’s summer and leaves her wondering if maybe there are just as many people who need her love back home as there are overseas.
Of course, the trip will have its challenges—living in close quarters with seventeen other teens out of their comfort zones has a way of doing that—but it will be worth it. She’ll finally be serving God in a practical way.
But while the orphans and their stories break her heart, it’s someone unexpected who has the biggest impact on Chloe’s summer and leaves her wondering if maybe there are just as many people who need her love back home as there are overseas.
Unknown Binding
Published May 15, 2024
3 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Currie
8 books300 followersAustralian author, Hannah Currie, loves God, family, people (in small numbers, let’s not go crazy here!) and writing. A book nerd from birth, she knows firsthand the difference a good book can make in a person’s life. Even, and especially, fiction. Her dream as a writer is to make people laugh, cry and maybe even swoon a little but mostly to remind them that no matter how dark life may get at times, because of God, there is always hope.
She and her husband live with their three adorable kids in sunny Queensland, where it really is beautiful one day and perfect the next. Except, maybe, during heatwaves. They’re not so fun.
She and her husband live with their three adorable kids in sunny Queensland, where it really is beautiful one day and perfect the next. Except, maybe, during heatwaves. They’re not so fun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 30, 2024
5 stars, personally 🌟
About this book:
“Sixteen-year-old Chloe Gabriels has dreamed of going on an overseas mission trip for as long as she can remember, so when the opportunity arises for her to go to Thailand with Teen Missions International she jumps at the chance. Working at an orphanage, learning new skills, experiencing a different culture, making lifelong friends—what better way could there be to spend her summer vacation?
Of course, the trip will have its challenges—living in close quarters with seventeen other teens out of their comfort zones has a way of doing that—but it will be worth it. She’ll finally be serving God in a practical way.
But while the orphans and their stories break her heart, it’s someone unexpected who has the biggest impact on Chloe’s summer and leaves her wondering if maybe there are just as many people who need her love back home as there are overseas.”
Series: It seems to be a stand-alone novel.
Spiritual Content- All twenty-five chapters start with a Scripture at the beginning; Scriptures are read, mentioned, memorized, & discussed; Bible reading; Prayers, Thanking God, Blessings over food; Church going, services, & singing a hymn; Puppet shows about Bible stories; Witnessing; Many talks about God, His will, faiths, callings/dreams, testimonies, mission trips, those and events in the Bible, & Scriptures; Most 'H's are capital when referring to God and Jesus; Chloe has dreamed about going on a mission trip for years, ever since God whispered into her heart that she was going to be a full-time missionary one day; Chloe struggles to write her testimony as there wasn’t a “turnaround experience” because she grew up in a Christian home and always knew that God was a part of her; An assistant leader tells Chloe that that is her testimony and that it’s an awesome one so many would love to have, but Chloe is unsure because it doesn’t have loss like all the other testimonies; Chloe writes her testimony about always knowing God; When Chloe thinks that she’ll get a difficult teammate as her secret prayer partner, Chloe thinks about how God isn’t vindictive, “just far more interested in the “big picture” and a person’s growth than their comfort” & isn’t thrilled about having to pray and encourage the girl; This is a major challenge for Chloe & an assistant leader encourages her to remember that orphans aren’t the only ones that need to be reminded that God loves them; Chloe feels peace & God talk to her and comfort her; Chloe struggles with why God would let the girls at the orphanage have such hard lives (someone talks to her about this and they have a deep discussion that He does care, even more than they do); Chloe feels Jesus near when their team is praying; All about Chloe’s mission trip to Thailand, wanting to be a missionary one day, her excitement for the trip, & the things she learns; Many mentions of God, Jesus, trusting Him, faiths, & mission trips; Many mentions of devotional time, memorizing Scriptures, Bibles, Bible reading, Bible studies, books of the Bible, those and events in the Bible, & doing puppet shows of Bible stories; Mentions of prayers, praying, prayer partners, prayer teams, thanking God, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches, church going, services, sermons, youth groups/leaders, & pastors; Mentions of worship & a group of girls singing to God sounding like angels; Mentions of God-given callings/dreams, testimonies, & sharing them; Mentions of missionaries & how Chloe would read biographies on them and them being her heroes (Amy Carmichael, David Livingstone, and Mother Teresa are mentioned); Mentions of miracles; A mention of a Christian school; A mention of a blessing; A mention of a woman might as well being a saint for being good at everything;
*Note: Those who break the Teen Missions’ rules are given “Special Blessings” which is extra work to do; A hint to evolution (when Chloe sees a waterfall, she thinks “how could anyone see something like this and not believe in God? It would take far more faith for me to believe something like this happened by accident than by design.”); A few mentions of aliens; A couple mentions of the temples around Thailand; A mention of Santa.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: twelve forms of ‘stupid’; Eye rolling & sarcasm; Being sick (heatstroke), dizzy, & almost passing out (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of the deaths & possible deaths of parent s (including by cancer); Mentions of pranks (such as short-sheeting beds, laxative-spiked drinks, moving beds, and water balloons); Mentions of squatty potties & trying to use them; Mentions of throwing up/vomiting & eating bugs; Mentions of hatred; A handful of mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of some of the girls at the orphanage watching their parents die & being distraught when someone is sick as they think the person will die too; A few mentions of the possibility of being robbed & thieves; A few mentions of the mission trip not allowing drinking, smoking, drugs, bad language, card playing, or dancing; A few mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of rumors; A couple mentions of slavery; A couple mentions of glittery poo; A mention of possibly being kidnapped; A mention of parties & partying; A mention of a driver giving an angry gesture;
*Note: A teammate is difficult for everyone & Chloe thinks of her as an “irrationally emotional, constantly complaining, demanding mommy’s girl. And a drama queen to boot.” (Chloe tried to befriend her, but the girl was rude and said she didn’t want to be friends with her; We hear many of the girl’s complaints and negative comments; As the book continues, Chloe wonders if she was too quick to judge her, but the girl often makes rude and arrogant comments that makes Chloe frustrated; The girl is bitter and says she hates everyone on the team *Spoiler* ); A teammate teases Chloe about hating people like her who find the good in everything; Chloe’s mission trip is to an orphanage/refuge for young girls that some call the “forgotten children” & there discussions of how the girls ended up in their care (including some being ‘true’ orphans, some being sent away from their families due to being ill or too poor, some of the girls clinging to the bodies of their dead parents, & how some girls who have not been rescued are sold as slaves to brothels; Chloe thought that all of the girls would be orphans and realizes that isn’t the case); Chloe says that she tends to panic a lot & we see some of that with ‘what-if’s and her fear over possible events; Mentions of TV shows & fictional characters (Funniest Home Videos, Play School, Doctor Who, & Pippi Longstocking); Mentions of brand names (Spam, Pepsi, Band-Aid, Streets and Magnum ice cream, & Oreos); A few mentions of the Teen Missions crew that Chloe is going with ruling out secular movies and listening to music during their training and on the flight (this makes the teens get to know the other); A few mentions of cricket athletes; A couple mentions of Chloe and her near-in-age sister sometimes being best friends when they weren’t comparing each other or competing; A mention of McDonald’s; A mention of yoga mats (to sleep on).
Sexual Content- It is said that girls who are not rescued by the mission as sold as slaves and sold to brothels “where they are abused, raped, and tortured for the rest of their lives. Many of those girls won’t even live to [sixteen to eighteen].” (This is a kick in the stomach to Chloe and she doesn’t understand why God would allow this to happen or how people could be so evil and cries herself to sleep after learning this); Chloe has a dream where she and her sister are sold to cover debts and wakes up after an evil man grabs her away from her parents (she knows it’s just a dream and her parents would never do that, but it shakes her and gives her a perspective on it); A handful of mentions of human trafficking, slavery, & brothels; A couple mentions of pairing up with the opposite gender not being allow on the mission trip; A mention of wolf whistles;
*Note: There is a rule for clothing to be tucked in that some of the teens complain about, but Chloe views it with the thought of “who knew what an untucked blouse or bit of skin might mean to a different culture?”; Mentions of a missionary couple unable to get pregnant, spending tens of thousands of dollars for medical intervention, still not able to get pregnant, & their grief; A few mentions of underwear.
-Chloe Gabriels, age 16
1st person P.O.V. of Chloe
224 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Five Stars
{Add up to a full star for teen girls interested in the mission field and/or going on mission trips.}
I’ve been super excited about this book ever since I first heard about it and I’m so exited that it was all I was hoping for and more!
First off, Chloe. She’s got a great attitude about everything and I think we could have been best friends when I was sixteen. Some might call her a goodie-two-shoes or too upbeat, but as someone who has been called both, I really liked her. :)
I found myself laughing at times with the antics of the team. This book brought back so many little details reminded me of my team and our trip to China--the team meeting in an airport, the squatty potties, the night market, the bargaining, the painting, the handprints of the wall, the adorable kiddos, and even the fear of leaving your heart behind in another country. Well done to the author, I need more books like this in the Christian YA market.
It was also really nice to go into this book knowing that there was no romance and it was very refreshing because of that and the mission trip elements. The main focus of this book was the mission trip, the kids, and Chloe’s heart which I just enjoyed so much. I think any teen who has an interest in mission trips or the mission field ought to check this book out.
This book highlighted how little I knew about Australia and my search history will attest to that as well, haha! Overall, I highly enjoyed this book and had to tab (and even underline) many parts while reading.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“Sixteen-year-old Chloe Gabriels has dreamed of going on an overseas mission trip for as long as she can remember, so when the opportunity arises for her to go to Thailand with Teen Missions International she jumps at the chance. Working at an orphanage, learning new skills, experiencing a different culture, making lifelong friends—what better way could there be to spend her summer vacation?
Of course, the trip will have its challenges—living in close quarters with seventeen other teens out of their comfort zones has a way of doing that—but it will be worth it. She’ll finally be serving God in a practical way.
But while the orphans and their stories break her heart, it’s someone unexpected who has the biggest impact on Chloe’s summer and leaves her wondering if maybe there are just as many people who need her love back home as there are overseas.”
Series: It seems to be a stand-alone novel.
Spiritual Content- All twenty-five chapters start with a Scripture at the beginning; Scriptures are read, mentioned, memorized, & discussed; Bible reading; Prayers, Thanking God, Blessings over food; Church going, services, & singing a hymn; Puppet shows about Bible stories; Witnessing; Many talks about God, His will, faiths, callings/dreams, testimonies, mission trips, those and events in the Bible, & Scriptures; Most 'H's are capital when referring to God and Jesus; Chloe has dreamed about going on a mission trip for years, ever since God whispered into her heart that she was going to be a full-time missionary one day; Chloe struggles to write her testimony as there wasn’t a “turnaround experience” because she grew up in a Christian home and always knew that God was a part of her; An assistant leader tells Chloe that that is her testimony and that it’s an awesome one so many would love to have, but Chloe is unsure because it doesn’t have loss like all the other testimonies; Chloe writes her testimony about always knowing God; When Chloe thinks that she’ll get a difficult teammate as her secret prayer partner, Chloe thinks about how God isn’t vindictive, “just far more interested in the “big picture” and a person’s growth than their comfort” & isn’t thrilled about having to pray and encourage the girl; This is a major challenge for Chloe & an assistant leader encourages her to remember that orphans aren’t the only ones that need to be reminded that God loves them; Chloe feels peace & God talk to her and comfort her; Chloe struggles with why God would let the girls at the orphanage have such hard lives (someone talks to her about this and they have a deep discussion that He does care, even more than they do); Chloe feels Jesus near when their team is praying; All about Chloe’s mission trip to Thailand, wanting to be a missionary one day, her excitement for the trip, & the things she learns; Many mentions of God, Jesus, trusting Him, faiths, & mission trips; Many mentions of devotional time, memorizing Scriptures, Bibles, Bible reading, Bible studies, books of the Bible, those and events in the Bible, & doing puppet shows of Bible stories; Mentions of prayers, praying, prayer partners, prayer teams, thanking God, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches, church going, services, sermons, youth groups/leaders, & pastors; Mentions of worship & a group of girls singing to God sounding like angels; Mentions of God-given callings/dreams, testimonies, & sharing them; Mentions of missionaries & how Chloe would read biographies on them and them being her heroes (Amy Carmichael, David Livingstone, and Mother Teresa are mentioned); Mentions of miracles; A mention of a Christian school; A mention of a blessing; A mention of a woman might as well being a saint for being good at everything;
*Note: Those who break the Teen Missions’ rules are given “Special Blessings” which is extra work to do; A hint to evolution (when Chloe sees a waterfall, she thinks “how could anyone see something like this and not believe in God? It would take far more faith for me to believe something like this happened by accident than by design.”); A few mentions of aliens; A couple mentions of the temples around Thailand; A mention of Santa.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: twelve forms of ‘stupid’; Eye rolling & sarcasm; Being sick (heatstroke), dizzy, & almost passing out (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of the deaths & possible deaths of parent s (including by cancer); Mentions of pranks (such as short-sheeting beds, laxative-spiked drinks, moving beds, and water balloons); Mentions of squatty potties & trying to use them; Mentions of throwing up/vomiting & eating bugs; Mentions of hatred; A handful of mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of some of the girls at the orphanage watching their parents die & being distraught when someone is sick as they think the person will die too; A few mentions of the possibility of being robbed & thieves; A few mentions of the mission trip not allowing drinking, smoking, drugs, bad language, card playing, or dancing; A few mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of rumors; A couple mentions of slavery; A couple mentions of glittery poo; A mention of possibly being kidnapped; A mention of parties & partying; A mention of a driver giving an angry gesture;
*Note: A teammate is difficult for everyone & Chloe thinks of her as an “irrationally emotional, constantly complaining, demanding mommy’s girl. And a drama queen to boot.” (Chloe tried to befriend her, but the girl was rude and said she didn’t want to be friends with her; We hear many of the girl’s complaints and negative comments; As the book continues, Chloe wonders if she was too quick to judge her, but the girl often makes rude and arrogant comments that makes Chloe frustrated; The girl is bitter and says she hates everyone on the team *Spoiler* ); A teammate teases Chloe about hating people like her who find the good in everything; Chloe’s mission trip is to an orphanage/refuge for young girls that some call the “forgotten children” & there discussions of how the girls ended up in their care (including some being ‘true’ orphans, some being sent away from their families due to being ill or too poor, some of the girls clinging to the bodies of their dead parents, & how some girls who have not been rescued are sold as slaves to brothels; Chloe thought that all of the girls would be orphans and realizes that isn’t the case); Chloe says that she tends to panic a lot & we see some of that with ‘what-if’s and her fear over possible events; Mentions of TV shows & fictional characters (Funniest Home Videos, Play School, Doctor Who, & Pippi Longstocking); Mentions of brand names (Spam, Pepsi, Band-Aid, Streets and Magnum ice cream, & Oreos); A few mentions of the Teen Missions crew that Chloe is going with ruling out secular movies and listening to music during their training and on the flight (this makes the teens get to know the other); A few mentions of cricket athletes; A couple mentions of Chloe and her near-in-age sister sometimes being best friends when they weren’t comparing each other or competing; A mention of McDonald’s; A mention of yoga mats (to sleep on).
Sexual Content- It is said that girls who are not rescued by the mission as sold as slaves and sold to brothels “where they are abused, raped, and tortured for the rest of their lives. Many of those girls won’t even live to [sixteen to eighteen].” (This is a kick in the stomach to Chloe and she doesn’t understand why God would allow this to happen or how people could be so evil and cries herself to sleep after learning this); Chloe has a dream where she and her sister are sold to cover debts and wakes up after an evil man grabs her away from her parents (she knows it’s just a dream and her parents would never do that, but it shakes her and gives her a perspective on it); A handful of mentions of human trafficking, slavery, & brothels; A couple mentions of pairing up with the opposite gender not being allow on the mission trip; A mention of wolf whistles;
*Note: There is a rule for clothing to be tucked in that some of the teens complain about, but Chloe views it with the thought of “who knew what an untucked blouse or bit of skin might mean to a different culture?”; Mentions of a missionary couple unable to get pregnant, spending tens of thousands of dollars for medical intervention, still not able to get pregnant, & their grief; A few mentions of underwear.
-Chloe Gabriels, age 16
1st person P.O.V. of Chloe
224 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Five Stars
{Add up to a full star for teen girls interested in the mission field and/or going on mission trips.}
I’ve been super excited about this book ever since I first heard about it and I’m so exited that it was all I was hoping for and more!
First off, Chloe. She’s got a great attitude about everything and I think we could have been best friends when I was sixteen. Some might call her a goodie-two-shoes or too upbeat, but as someone who has been called both, I really liked her. :)
I found myself laughing at times with the antics of the team. This book brought back so many little details reminded me of my team and our trip to China--the team meeting in an airport, the squatty potties, the night market, the bargaining, the painting, the handprints of the wall, the adorable kiddos, and even the fear of leaving your heart behind in another country. Well done to the author, I need more books like this in the Christian YA market.
It was also really nice to go into this book knowing that there was no romance and it was very refreshing because of that and the mission trip elements. The main focus of this book was the mission trip, the kids, and Chloe’s heart which I just enjoyed so much. I think any teen who has an interest in mission trips or the mission field ought to check this book out.
This book highlighted how little I knew about Australia and my search history will attest to that as well, haha! Overall, I highly enjoyed this book and had to tab (and even underline) many parts while reading.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
July 14, 2024
I smile, I live, I am // Because of You
Hannah Currie never disappoints! I loved going alongside Chloe and the team as they journeyed to Thailand on a mission trip. This book was so moving and inspiring to me and my favorite parts were all the Christian themes. It was refreshing to read a YA contemporary that didn't depend on the romance for a plot (actually this book has zero romance). I would love to see more YA contemporary like this in the future from authors, and especially more from Hannah Currie. 100% recommend!
Hannah Currie never disappoints! I loved going alongside Chloe and the team as they journeyed to Thailand on a mission trip. This book was so moving and inspiring to me and my favorite parts were all the Christian themes. It was refreshing to read a YA contemporary that didn't depend on the romance for a plot (actually this book has zero romance). I would love to see more YA contemporary like this in the future from authors, and especially more from Hannah Currie. 100% recommend!
September 5, 2025
5 stars
Wow! This was one of my most highly-anticipated TBR books, and it fulfilled all of my hopes! The characters, mission trip, Thailand setting... It's all SO good!
This book is absolutely brimming with faith content! Every part of it points to a powerful faith message of sharing God's light and salvation with others. And I loved how the message isn't just about reaching lives in faraway places - It's also about touching unexpected hearts close to home.
And seeing all of it through Chloe's eyes?? I loved it! As a teenager, she's definitely mature for her age, but her personality fits SO well into the plot.
Then there's the SETTING. I would've loved even more descriptive scenes, but there's just enough detail of Thailand's beautiful landscape (and some very cool markets) that the book still feels like my ideal type of travel adventure.
Also, can we take a moment to appreciate that gorgeous cover?? This is definitely one of my new favorite books - both inside and out. I'd recommend it to teens and adult readers alike.
*Content to note*
.....CONTAINS SPOILER.....
Emotional discussions of orphans' past circumstances (such as lost parents/witnessing deaths of loved ones) and unpleasant situations for girls not yet rescued (such as brothels/slavery). Cancer diagnosis of parent and character grieving because of it.
Wow! This was one of my most highly-anticipated TBR books, and it fulfilled all of my hopes! The characters, mission trip, Thailand setting... It's all SO good!
This book is absolutely brimming with faith content! Every part of it points to a powerful faith message of sharing God's light and salvation with others. And I loved how the message isn't just about reaching lives in faraway places - It's also about touching unexpected hearts close to home.
And seeing all of it through Chloe's eyes?? I loved it! As a teenager, she's definitely mature for her age, but her personality fits SO well into the plot.
Then there's the SETTING. I would've loved even more descriptive scenes, but there's just enough detail of Thailand's beautiful landscape (and some very cool markets) that the book still feels like my ideal type of travel adventure.
Also, can we take a moment to appreciate that gorgeous cover?? This is definitely one of my new favorite books - both inside and out. I'd recommend it to teens and adult readers alike.
*Content to note*
.....CONTAINS SPOILER.....
Emotional discussions of orphans' past circumstances (such as lost parents/witnessing deaths of loved ones) and unpleasant situations for girls not yet rescued (such as brothels/slavery). Cancer diagnosis of parent and character grieving because of it.
July 31, 2024
5 big beautiful stars!!! I LOVED it!!
Chloe was an amazing main character! She has a great sense of humor and her faith was so amazing. A lot of Christian young adult books have characters that are learning about faith, so it was so refreshing to read about a character who had a mature, strong faith. And, it wasn’t like she was perfect, she had her struggles and doubts. I related to her a lot.
Also, so cool that the verses at the beginning of each chapter were KJV. I rarely see that. And, they were good verses lol.
Also, no romance. Very refreshing. So much less drama because of that.
The story was so good. Mission work is very near and dear to my heart.
Easily a new favorite!!
Chloe was an amazing main character! She has a great sense of humor and her faith was so amazing. A lot of Christian young adult books have characters that are learning about faith, so it was so refreshing to read about a character who had a mature, strong faith. And, it wasn’t like she was perfect, she had her struggles and doubts. I related to her a lot.
Also, so cool that the verses at the beginning of each chapter were KJV. I rarely see that. And, they were good verses lol.
Also, no romance. Very refreshing. So much less drama because of that.
The story was so good. Mission work is very near and dear to my heart.
Easily a new favorite!!
June 20, 2024
This was a sweet and fun YA novel that explores foreign missions and how to live missionally on your own soil. I’d particularly recommend this book to teens that have grown up in the church, as it realistically portrays some of their unique challenges.
May 23, 2024
I received an early complimentary e-copy to read and review with my honest opinion. I’ve loved all of the other Hannah Currie books that I’ve read. This book started at a 4 star and ended at a 5 for me. It’s was relatable, funny, serious, and sweet.
Aside from her usual character descriptions that draw you to her characters, Hannah describes amazing scenery visuals! One scene at the local bazaar had me reliving a similar experience with shop keepers when we traveled to a foreign city.
I also loved this snippet from the ending. I can relate to the character’s feelings about sharing your faith with your own friends/people.
“…share God’s love with my own friends and culture. I didn’t know which was scarier. Actually, yes. I did. My own culture. By far. These weren’t people I was spending a few minutes with never to see again. These were my family and friends. People I’d see every day. People who knew me, who’d seen me at my best and worst. People who could hurt me with their judgment or choose not to be my friend anymore. But there was one thing I knew without a sliver of a doubt. The God who’d been with me all summer…held me still. And He’d never let me go…..
Where God would take me from here, I didn’t know, but to my surprise, I was okay with that. He’d proved Himself faithful so many times this summer and used me even at my worst. Whatever came next, He’d be there too.“
Aside from her usual character descriptions that draw you to her characters, Hannah describes amazing scenery visuals! One scene at the local bazaar had me reliving a similar experience with shop keepers when we traveled to a foreign city.
I also loved this snippet from the ending. I can relate to the character’s feelings about sharing your faith with your own friends/people.
“…share God’s love with my own friends and culture. I didn’t know which was scarier. Actually, yes. I did. My own culture. By far. These weren’t people I was spending a few minutes with never to see again. These were my family and friends. People I’d see every day. People who knew me, who’d seen me at my best and worst. People who could hurt me with their judgment or choose not to be my friend anymore. But there was one thing I knew without a sliver of a doubt. The God who’d been with me all summer…held me still. And He’d never let me go…..
Where God would take me from here, I didn’t know, but to my surprise, I was okay with that. He’d proved Himself faithful so many times this summer and used me even at my worst. Whatever came next, He’d be there too.“
June 3, 2024
I'm kind of at a loss of how to review this book. It was amazing, so don't go thinking that it wasn't. No, the problem is, I've never read anything like it before.
It's a YA book with no romance, deep lessons, a character-growing moments from start to finish. There is a depth to this book that, honestly, I don't find often in adult books. I've never read a teen/YA book that was so powerful and impactful.
I've never gone on a missions trip, overseas or otherwise, and yet, I found so much of Chloe's story that related to actual experiences in my own life! How she felt about her testimony and learned better is exactly how I used to feel. I, too, know what it's like to have to pray for someone who you don't like and how it changes your attitudes towards them, even when they don't change. I remember being amazed by that, to be honest. It was kind of wild.
There are very touching moments but there are also really funny moments! The whole part about Zed's name tickled me and I had to read it to my mom :)
Overall, I loved the moments and the little things in which Chloe sees God. I love the lessons she learned and how they will apply to people, anywhere and anytime. Totally unrelated, but it was also fun that I was reading this while a friend of mine was in Thailand on a mission trip! I'll have to let her borrow it when she gets home :)
I was on the launch team for this book but that doesn't influence my thoughts or opinions.
It's a YA book with no romance, deep lessons, a character-growing moments from start to finish. There is a depth to this book that, honestly, I don't find often in adult books. I've never read a teen/YA book that was so powerful and impactful.
I've never gone on a missions trip, overseas or otherwise, and yet, I found so much of Chloe's story that related to actual experiences in my own life! How she felt about her testimony and learned better is exactly how I used to feel. I, too, know what it's like to have to pray for someone who you don't like and how it changes your attitudes towards them, even when they don't change. I remember being amazed by that, to be honest. It was kind of wild.
There are very touching moments but there are also really funny moments! The whole part about Zed's name tickled me and I had to read it to my mom :)
Overall, I loved the moments and the little things in which Chloe sees God. I love the lessons she learned and how they will apply to people, anywhere and anytime. Totally unrelated, but it was also fun that I was reading this while a friend of mine was in Thailand on a mission trip! I'll have to let her borrow it when she gets home :)
I was on the launch team for this book but that doesn't influence my thoughts or opinions.
May 21, 2024
It's been a long time since I read a YA novel that wasn't a romance, but Because of You is like a breath of fresh air.
Chloe is such a believable protagonist, with flaws that many teen girls have and can relate to. It was really rewarding to be inside her head as she took in aspects of a new culture and also came to new understandings of the other teens on the trip alongside her. I loved learning all the missionary lingo, including the many acronyms, and it was so interesting to take an armchair trip to Thailand. I also really loved getting to know all the supporting characters through Chloe's eyes, especially the young orphans.
A summer read with substance, this is the perfect book to give to teens going on mission trips, or to those who one day plan to go. It's also a great opportunity for any Christian teen to understand missionary work and to think about how he or she might better serve others.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Chloe is such a believable protagonist, with flaws that many teen girls have and can relate to. It was really rewarding to be inside her head as she took in aspects of a new culture and also came to new understandings of the other teens on the trip alongside her. I loved learning all the missionary lingo, including the many acronyms, and it was so interesting to take an armchair trip to Thailand. I also really loved getting to know all the supporting characters through Chloe's eyes, especially the young orphans.
A summer read with substance, this is the perfect book to give to teens going on mission trips, or to those who one day plan to go. It's also a great opportunity for any Christian teen to understand missionary work and to think about how he or she might better serve others.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
January 14, 2026
Good Book!! See below my review on my blog: Chloe's Books
Main Character: Chloe Gabriels, age 16
Age Rating: 14+
Pages: 228
Religious Content: Many prayers and Bible reading. Bible memorization. Talks about God and His will. Talks about how He worked in certain people's lives. Mentions of treating others as God would and learning to look past the 'uninviting' parts of other people and still love them and treat them with kindness. Many discussions about faith. Mentions of missionaries. Mentions of testimonies. Mentions of 'special blessings.' Mentions of encouraging others. Mentions of writing out Bible verses.
Negative Content: Rude, mean thoughts toward others. Mentions of lying. Speaking in a sarcastically rude way about rules. Mentions of twisting an ankle. Several mentions of getting lost. Mentions of being scared of being left alone. Mention of nightmares. Mentions of squatty toilets and being embarrassed to use one. Mentions of dead people. Mentions of orphaned children. Mentions of children being found clinging to their dead parents. Mentions of cancer. Mentions of sicknesses. Mentions of certain books of the Bible being extremely boring and mocking it.
Sexual Content: Mentions of girls who are sold by their parents and abused and raped (Nothing is explicitly said; Chloe feels sad and rudely awakened to this reality). Chloe has a nightmare that she and her sister are sold to a mean man; she wakes feeling that she can understand just a little of what the girls go through. Mentions of a rule about not pairing up. Mentions of rude boys and wolf whistles. Mentions of a married couple being unable to have children. Mentions of bathing in a swimsuit. Mentions of a boy being 'sweet' quickly turning to 'annoying.'
My Comments: I thought this was a beautiful book. It's a bit different than most fictional books, seeing that it's about a mission trip, and, as missions have always been on my heart, I loved that part of the storyline. I did find, though, that the author was perhaps a bit unknowledgeable about the trauma that children can go through. She created the girls at the orphanage to be sweet, giggly girls with a hint of trauma in the past. Whereas, in reality, trauma is a hard barrier to break through; even with the right love and care, it can take years to even begin to see change come over children who have gone through the sort of trauma that the author described. I also found that the Christian content, though very much there, didn't seem real in a way in the characters. There were prayers, Bible memorization, and thoughts about God and missions, but it just didn't seem as deep as it might, and I thought it a bit of a mockery to missionaries when one of the leaders says that he started to read through the Bible two years ago and was only in Deuteronomy. Personally, I would hope that any mission leader would have read through the Bible multiple times. But, still, I really enjoyed the book and plan on reading it again. A four-star, but pushing more of a three and a half.
Main Character: Chloe Gabriels, age 16
Age Rating: 14+
Pages: 228
Religious Content: Many prayers and Bible reading. Bible memorization. Talks about God and His will. Talks about how He worked in certain people's lives. Mentions of treating others as God would and learning to look past the 'uninviting' parts of other people and still love them and treat them with kindness. Many discussions about faith. Mentions of missionaries. Mentions of testimonies. Mentions of 'special blessings.' Mentions of encouraging others. Mentions of writing out Bible verses.
Negative Content: Rude, mean thoughts toward others. Mentions of lying. Speaking in a sarcastically rude way about rules. Mentions of twisting an ankle. Several mentions of getting lost. Mentions of being scared of being left alone. Mention of nightmares. Mentions of squatty toilets and being embarrassed to use one. Mentions of dead people. Mentions of orphaned children. Mentions of children being found clinging to their dead parents. Mentions of cancer. Mentions of sicknesses. Mentions of certain books of the Bible being extremely boring and mocking it.
Sexual Content: Mentions of girls who are sold by their parents and abused and raped (Nothing is explicitly said; Chloe feels sad and rudely awakened to this reality). Chloe has a nightmare that she and her sister are sold to a mean man; she wakes feeling that she can understand just a little of what the girls go through. Mentions of a rule about not pairing up. Mentions of rude boys and wolf whistles. Mentions of a married couple being unable to have children. Mentions of bathing in a swimsuit. Mentions of a boy being 'sweet' quickly turning to 'annoying.'
My Comments: I thought this was a beautiful book. It's a bit different than most fictional books, seeing that it's about a mission trip, and, as missions have always been on my heart, I loved that part of the storyline. I did find, though, that the author was perhaps a bit unknowledgeable about the trauma that children can go through. She created the girls at the orphanage to be sweet, giggly girls with a hint of trauma in the past. Whereas, in reality, trauma is a hard barrier to break through; even with the right love and care, it can take years to even begin to see change come over children who have gone through the sort of trauma that the author described. I also found that the Christian content, though very much there, didn't seem real in a way in the characters. There were prayers, Bible memorization, and thoughts about God and missions, but it just didn't seem as deep as it might, and I thought it a bit of a mockery to missionaries when one of the leaders says that he started to read through the Bible two years ago and was only in Deuteronomy. Personally, I would hope that any mission leader would have read through the Bible multiple times. But, still, I really enjoyed the book and plan on reading it again. A four-star, but pushing more of a three and a half.
June 16, 2024
I was recently introduced to Hannah Curries books when I was on the review team for the first book in her Daughters of Peverall series. When I learned she had written a book that focused on a mission trip I was quite intrigued. Yes, it is different than a princess book, but Because of You is an awesome story. It is geared to young adults, but it is also great for adults to read, especially if one has an interest in missions.
I loved reading about Chloe's trip, especially knowing that the author had gone on a mission trip to Thailand when she was a teenager, and she had included some true-life moments. Seeing some of the preparation Chloe and her team had gone through, in memories, as the story begins when they are on their way to Thailand was quite intriguing. The majority of the story, however, focused on the time the teens are in Thailand working at a refuge for girls. The reader gets to see the hardships that the team dealt with, the sacrifices they made, and the friendships they made with the girls. Such a hard thing to think of the fact that there are girls out there being sold by their families into a life of slavery, girls who end up in brothels, girls who have no hope. Because while there were true orphans in this refuge, there were also ones who were considered orphans as their families didn't want them or couldn't take care of them. But the hope we see through the caretakers of the refuge, knowing there are people out there with the heart for helping these girls, was very moving.
At the same time, we also see how Chloe grows spiritually through this experience. Though her faith is strong already, she still has things she struggles with, don't we all, and it was encouraging to see her turn to the Lord for strength.
I truly enjoyed this book, even though it isn't the usual type of story I read. It was very encouraging, and even entertaining with some awesomely hilarious scenes in among the more serious scenes. And I felt I learned a bit about the culture of Thailand as well.
Definitely a book I recommend.
I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.
I loved reading about Chloe's trip, especially knowing that the author had gone on a mission trip to Thailand when she was a teenager, and she had included some true-life moments. Seeing some of the preparation Chloe and her team had gone through, in memories, as the story begins when they are on their way to Thailand was quite intriguing. The majority of the story, however, focused on the time the teens are in Thailand working at a refuge for girls. The reader gets to see the hardships that the team dealt with, the sacrifices they made, and the friendships they made with the girls. Such a hard thing to think of the fact that there are girls out there being sold by their families into a life of slavery, girls who end up in brothels, girls who have no hope. Because while there were true orphans in this refuge, there were also ones who were considered orphans as their families didn't want them or couldn't take care of them. But the hope we see through the caretakers of the refuge, knowing there are people out there with the heart for helping these girls, was very moving.
At the same time, we also see how Chloe grows spiritually through this experience. Though her faith is strong already, she still has things she struggles with, don't we all, and it was encouraging to see her turn to the Lord for strength.
I truly enjoyed this book, even though it isn't the usual type of story I read. It was very encouraging, and even entertaining with some awesomely hilarious scenes in among the more serious scenes. And I felt I learned a bit about the culture of Thailand as well.
Definitely a book I recommend.
I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.
May 20, 2024
If you are looking for an encouraging and uplifting summer read for yourself or for a young adult you know, pick up Because of You by Hannah Currie. You will not be disappointed! This book tells a tale of discovery and growth through the eyes of Chloe, a teenage girl on a mission trip to Thailand. As Chloe travels to new lands, learns new cultures, and meets many new people, she learns some very important lessons and grows in her faith and character. Will her dreams of becoming a missionary overseas be realized? Can Chloe learn to serve God even at home? Read Because of You to discover some of the truths that Chloe learned!
Because of You brings readers on a journey alongside Chloe, a sweet highschool-aged girl with dreams of becoming a missionary. I think we all can relate to that desire to make a difference in the world as well as feeling like we are unprepared for what is before us. I appreciated the first person point of view and the way that Ms. Currie made the struggles, doubts, and fears of Chloe very real to the readers. This is an excellent book that brings readers a feel-good tale full of faith without the fast-paced, adrenalin-packed energy of other books. I genuinely appreciated Because of You as a great change of pace from the often overly action-packed fiction. Another reason I appreciated Because of You was the way Ms. Currie didn't shy away from the difficult subjects of poverty, loss, trafficking, slavery, and other sadly true realities in our world. I appreciate the honest approach to these subjects in a way that even young readers could understand. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated this great book. I highly recommend Because of You by Hannah Currie and I sincerely hope that you pick up a copy for yourself! Find more information below about this great book and the author. Happy readings!
Disclaimer: White Spark Publishing graciously provided me with a copy of this book . All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.
Because of You brings readers on a journey alongside Chloe, a sweet highschool-aged girl with dreams of becoming a missionary. I think we all can relate to that desire to make a difference in the world as well as feeling like we are unprepared for what is before us. I appreciated the first person point of view and the way that Ms. Currie made the struggles, doubts, and fears of Chloe very real to the readers. This is an excellent book that brings readers a feel-good tale full of faith without the fast-paced, adrenalin-packed energy of other books. I genuinely appreciated Because of You as a great change of pace from the often overly action-packed fiction. Another reason I appreciated Because of You was the way Ms. Currie didn't shy away from the difficult subjects of poverty, loss, trafficking, slavery, and other sadly true realities in our world. I appreciate the honest approach to these subjects in a way that even young readers could understand. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated this great book. I highly recommend Because of You by Hannah Currie and I sincerely hope that you pick up a copy for yourself! Find more information below about this great book and the author. Happy readings!
Disclaimer: White Spark Publishing graciously provided me with a copy of this book . All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.
May 12, 2024
Because of You is a book I consumed in shorter increments than normal. It took me DAYS to read it instead of hours- and not because it dragged (it DIDN’T) but because it fit the book better than my usual sprint through a story. I was reminded loosely of my time in Southern Africa so it was a bit nostalgic-feeling. While fictional in nature, it reads more like a nonfiction to me; it feels real.
Told from 16-year-old Chloe’s point of view, we get to see her inner thoughts here. While I wouldn’t label them snarky, they frequently made me smile and chuckle. “Curious as I was…I thought it best not to ask…this was likely one of those cases where the less I knew, the better.” I loved glimpsing Thailand through her eyes, hearing a testimony similar to my own in her voice.
I feel like I highlighted half of the book. While technically fiction, this book has so much of its story found in the real life experiences of its author. I laughed, cried, nearly gagged. I also contemplated parts and had times of letting it just simmer. Because of You was amazing, but not in a well-done-action-movie type of way. It’s a quiet and humorous telling of living life for God, of perspectives being changed in unexpected ways, of joy found after hardship. It’s beautiful.
While I have read several of Hannah’s other books (and enjoyed them), she really hit it out of the park with this one.
Romance and violence-wise, completely clean, though possible trigger warning could include human trafficking and struggling with infertility.
Told from 16-year-old Chloe’s point of view, we get to see her inner thoughts here. While I wouldn’t label them snarky, they frequently made me smile and chuckle. “Curious as I was…I thought it best not to ask…this was likely one of those cases where the less I knew, the better.” I loved glimpsing Thailand through her eyes, hearing a testimony similar to my own in her voice.
I feel like I highlighted half of the book. While technically fiction, this book has so much of its story found in the real life experiences of its author. I laughed, cried, nearly gagged. I also contemplated parts and had times of letting it just simmer. Because of You was amazing, but not in a well-done-action-movie type of way. It’s a quiet and humorous telling of living life for God, of perspectives being changed in unexpected ways, of joy found after hardship. It’s beautiful.
While I have read several of Hannah’s other books (and enjoyed them), she really hit it out of the park with this one.
Romance and violence-wise, completely clean, though possible trigger warning could include human trafficking and struggling with infertility.
May 22, 2024
Hannah Currie has penned a powerful yet sweet coming-of-age story in Because of You that will soften your heart towards those in the mission field.
Chloe is beyond excited for her first mission experience, and even though she’s wise and patient with the limitations of living in an Asian country, she doesn’t expect the lessons she learns there – and these are ones that we readers need to know, as well. The story provides the perfect backdrop for helping us to understand real empathy and compassion.
This story is completely free of romance, a trait that’s difficult to find in teen reads, and also completely clean. While the main character herself is sixteen, I feel that it’s appropriate for any teenager. This makes it great not only for individual reading, but also for groups, like book clubs and youth groups.
In many ways, Because of You is a throwback to books of a bygone era. It’s sweet, deep, and clean, with great lessons and action that’s a mix of emotional, interpersonal, prankster, and events that result from traveling and foreign interaction. The lack of intense suspense and scary episodes make it the kind of book that anyone can enjoy, and I can see it being a big hit as a family read-aloud or a book club pick – I’ve already put it on my book list for next year. I highly recommend it for you, too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Chloe is beyond excited for her first mission experience, and even though she’s wise and patient with the limitations of living in an Asian country, she doesn’t expect the lessons she learns there – and these are ones that we readers need to know, as well. The story provides the perfect backdrop for helping us to understand real empathy and compassion.
This story is completely free of romance, a trait that’s difficult to find in teen reads, and also completely clean. While the main character herself is sixteen, I feel that it’s appropriate for any teenager. This makes it great not only for individual reading, but also for groups, like book clubs and youth groups.
In many ways, Because of You is a throwback to books of a bygone era. It’s sweet, deep, and clean, with great lessons and action that’s a mix of emotional, interpersonal, prankster, and events that result from traveling and foreign interaction. The lack of intense suspense and scary episodes make it the kind of book that anyone can enjoy, and I can see it being a big hit as a family read-aloud or a book club pick – I’ve already put it on my book list for next year. I highly recommend it for you, too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
September 12, 2024
There NEEDS to be more books written like this! To say that I was moved by this book does not begin to describe how I felt while reading it. I went on this journey with Chloe, and I felt all the emotions she did.
If you are interested in missions and even if you aren't, you should read this book! Hannah did a great job writing a missions book that both teens and adults can read and be challenged by.
Am I showing Christ's love to everyone, including the ones who I don't get along with? Christ died for them too, and maybe they are in my life so I can make a difference in theirs! How can I support missionaries more? I can hold the rope for them in prayer! Many young girls in other countries have suffered horrors we can only imagine, and while our heart breaks for them, we can choose to love them and pray that God will save them, both physically and spiritually.
"God cries too, and He loves these girls far more than I ever could." ~ quote from the book
Content guide:
Sexual content - mentions of girls being sold to brothels, being abused or raped, human trafficking
Other content - a driver gives an angry gesture
*possible TWs* *minor spoilers*
- a character's mom is really sick with cancer and undergoing chemo treatment, but might not live 2 years
- a couple share their grief of being unable to get pregnant even after spending thousands of dollars on treatment
If you are interested in missions and even if you aren't, you should read this book! Hannah did a great job writing a missions book that both teens and adults can read and be challenged by.
Am I showing Christ's love to everyone, including the ones who I don't get along with? Christ died for them too, and maybe they are in my life so I can make a difference in theirs! How can I support missionaries more? I can hold the rope for them in prayer! Many young girls in other countries have suffered horrors we can only imagine, and while our heart breaks for them, we can choose to love them and pray that God will save them, both physically and spiritually.
"God cries too, and He loves these girls far more than I ever could." ~ quote from the book
Content guide:
Sexual content - mentions of girls being sold to brothels, being abused or raped, human trafficking
Other content - a driver gives an angry gesture
*possible TWs* *minor spoilers*
- a character's mom is really sick with cancer and undergoing chemo treatment, but might not live 2 years
- a couple share their grief of being unable to get pregnant even after spending thousands of dollars on treatment
May 20, 2024
Even though I am a big fan of Hannah Currie, I was not 100% sure what to expect of Because of You because it’s not a princess book and is aimed more at teenagers/young adults (it’s been a while since I classified as one of those), but it’s a Hannah Currie so I jumped at the chance to read it.
I can honestly say I enjoyed it. It’s different from her other books, but the writing is still done with excellence, the story is well thought out and portrayed and many parts of the book resonated with me. The fact that I was a very similar teenager to Chloe does help, and I could relive bits of my younger years following her adventure. The spiritual truths in the book also made me think and even convicted me in places. I will definitely give Because of You to my daughters to read when they are a bit older, and it has inspired me to make a difference in the lives of the people in my local mission field. I even had tears in my eyes at times and had to laugh at certain scenes (those who have read it will know).
Thank you Hannah for writing another great book and I really look forward to reading many more books from your pen.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but the views and opinions are my own, and I will be reading this book again.
I can honestly say I enjoyed it. It’s different from her other books, but the writing is still done with excellence, the story is well thought out and portrayed and many parts of the book resonated with me. The fact that I was a very similar teenager to Chloe does help, and I could relive bits of my younger years following her adventure. The spiritual truths in the book also made me think and even convicted me in places. I will definitely give Because of You to my daughters to read when they are a bit older, and it has inspired me to make a difference in the lives of the people in my local mission field. I even had tears in my eyes at times and had to laugh at certain scenes (those who have read it will know).
Thank you Hannah for writing another great book and I really look forward to reading many more books from your pen.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but the views and opinions are my own, and I will be reading this book again.
May 31, 2024
Because of You by Hannah Currie is a wonderful fictional account of how a short-term mission trip changes the life of a sixteen year old girl.
I was so excited for this book when I first heard about it, because missionary work is near-and-dear to my own family. My maternal grandparents were international missionaries for over thirty years and I myself have gone on multiple short term mission trips both domestically and nationally, so when I hear about a book promoting mission work, I am excited. And Because of You did not disappoint.
This book takes readers on a beginning-to-end account of Chloe’s mission trip to a Thailand orphanage and each chapter will leave you smiling. The characters are eclectic, the antics humorous and unique, and the spiritual lessons heartfelt. While this book is a fictional account, I found it to be very representative of many people’s experiences on mission trips and I believed everything that happened to Chloe and her teammates.
Most of all, I am just so thankful for a modern YA novel that represents and promotes mission work in such a way. I would recommend this book to any young person in my church.
As a member of the launch team I received a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
I was so excited for this book when I first heard about it, because missionary work is near-and-dear to my own family. My maternal grandparents were international missionaries for over thirty years and I myself have gone on multiple short term mission trips both domestically and nationally, so when I hear about a book promoting mission work, I am excited. And Because of You did not disappoint.
This book takes readers on a beginning-to-end account of Chloe’s mission trip to a Thailand orphanage and each chapter will leave you smiling. The characters are eclectic, the antics humorous and unique, and the spiritual lessons heartfelt. While this book is a fictional account, I found it to be very representative of many people’s experiences on mission trips and I believed everything that happened to Chloe and her teammates.
Most of all, I am just so thankful for a modern YA novel that represents and promotes mission work in such a way. I would recommend this book to any young person in my church.
As a member of the launch team I received a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
May 3, 2024
When 16-year-old Chloe sets out on the mission trip she’s looked forward to since the age of 10, she doesn’t know what to expect, and the boot camp held by the Christian organization running the trip didn’t prepare her much. But when she arrives in an extremely primitive orphanage for girls in a remote part of Thailand, she’s also not prepared to lose her heart to the 40 young children who’d been rescued from traumatic situations and, in some cases, saved from lives of human trafficking.
Chloe has to learn survival skills like washing her dishes, clothes, and hair in an icy-cold river—and her ability to make friends is tested by one of her fellow teen missionaries, who spends most of the time crying and complaining that she misses her mom. Some of the most valuable lessons Chloe learns have nothing to do with orphans, Thailand, or survival: they’re lessons of trust, faith, and friendship.
Definitely recommended for any teen hoping to participate in a mission or service trip! This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I’ll be checking out her backlist after reading this one. (ARC received from publisher)
Chloe has to learn survival skills like washing her dishes, clothes, and hair in an icy-cold river—and her ability to make friends is tested by one of her fellow teen missionaries, who spends most of the time crying and complaining that she misses her mom. Some of the most valuable lessons Chloe learns have nothing to do with orphans, Thailand, or survival: they’re lessons of trust, faith, and friendship.
Definitely recommended for any teen hoping to participate in a mission or service trip! This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I’ll be checking out her backlist after reading this one. (ARC received from publisher)
May 10, 2024
Christian coming of age perfection!
I loved Hannah Currie’s Crown of Promise series and was curious if she could deliver contemporary YA. In short, yes she can!
Any teen who dreams of impacting the world for God—and any adult who remembers the days of church camp or mission trips—will adore Chloe’s story. The voice is so authentic I forgot I was reading fiction. I felt like I was there with Chloe every step of the way, from the travel drama to sleeping on a cement floor to the children that both wrecked and filled her heart.
This is not a fast-paced thrill ride. It’s not filled with dire circumstances and impossible odds. It’s a beautiful, genuine tale of faith and faithfulness. It’s a squeaky clean read with no romance arc. The main character is 16, but younger kids could enjoy the story as well as adults. It’s pure, delightful, and inspirational.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I loved Hannah Currie’s Crown of Promise series and was curious if she could deliver contemporary YA. In short, yes she can!
Any teen who dreams of impacting the world for God—and any adult who remembers the days of church camp or mission trips—will adore Chloe’s story. The voice is so authentic I forgot I was reading fiction. I felt like I was there with Chloe every step of the way, from the travel drama to sleeping on a cement floor to the children that both wrecked and filled her heart.
This is not a fast-paced thrill ride. It’s not filled with dire circumstances and impossible odds. It’s a beautiful, genuine tale of faith and faithfulness. It’s a squeaky clean read with no romance arc. The main character is 16, but younger kids could enjoy the story as well as adults. It’s pure, delightful, and inspirational.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
May 22, 2024
This was a great coming of age story about a girl named Chloe who dreams of being an overseas Christian missionary. Chole goes on a missionary trip and has, as many young adults do, expectations of what she would be doing on the trip. She works hard to learn the rules that have to be followed when they arrive in Thailand, and thinks she is ready. When Chloe and the team get to The Grace Refuge, Chloe is heartbroken by the stories of the young girls at the orphanage. God impresses on her heart that it is He who is rescuing these girls, and that he uses His people to help along the way.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; with unfailing kindness, I have drawn you to myself.”
“You see Chloe? God has not forgotten these girls. He is working in people’s lives every minute of every day to save them. George and I, we have the privilege of being a part of that plan. But, ultimately, God is the one working. It is He and He alone who has the power, might and care to bring them home.”
God does a work in her heart to not only share God’s love with those far away, but to do so with those right around her.
I highly recommend this young adult novel for girls ages 12-16. I received a complimentary copy of this book from WhiteSpark Publishing. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; with unfailing kindness, I have drawn you to myself.”
“You see Chloe? God has not forgotten these girls. He is working in people’s lives every minute of every day to save them. George and I, we have the privilege of being a part of that plan. But, ultimately, God is the one working. It is He and He alone who has the power, might and care to bring them home.”
God does a work in her heart to not only share God’s love with those far away, but to do so with those right around her.
I highly recommend this young adult novel for girls ages 12-16. I received a complimentary copy of this book from WhiteSpark Publishing. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
May 7, 2024
Hannah Currie knows how to write a compelling young adult novel that even season adults will enjoy. Her latest, Because of You, brought me back to my own teen years as I delved into the story of Chloe, who is embarking on a mission trip to a girls’ orphanage in Thailand. I related completely with Chloe as I recalled my past mission trip experiences – the joys, the challenges, the discoveries, and the widening of perspective to a painful world in desperate need of hope.
Currie penned a story full of meaning with a plot that kept me engaged from start to finish. I especially loved the message of this book - for we never know how much our small actions can impact others in a huge way. And this is a timeless message of love we all need to be reminded of.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Currie penned a story full of meaning with a plot that kept me engaged from start to finish. I especially loved the message of this book - for we never know how much our small actions can impact others in a huge way. And this is a timeless message of love we all need to be reminded of.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
April 30, 2024
I’ve read Currie’s princess books, and enjoyed them a lot, so I was eager to try out her new young adult book, Because of You, even though it’s not a princess book.
This book brought back so many memories of teenaged me – trying to fit in, trying to apply my faith, going on missions trips, feeling awkward, and really growing in my relationship with Jesus. Currie has done a fabulous job making the story come alive, along with the various characters (some of whom really are characters!) And, since I ended up as a missionary in Asia, I really identified with the challenges Chloe faced in learning how to survive and thrive in a different culture.
You don’t have to be a young adult to enjoy and appreciate this book!
I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
This book brought back so many memories of teenaged me – trying to fit in, trying to apply my faith, going on missions trips, feeling awkward, and really growing in my relationship with Jesus. Currie has done a fabulous job making the story come alive, along with the various characters (some of whom really are characters!) And, since I ended up as a missionary in Asia, I really identified with the challenges Chloe faced in learning how to survive and thrive in a different culture.
You don’t have to be a young adult to enjoy and appreciate this book!
I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
June 14, 2024
I thought this was a great Christian YA novel. I liked how the author showed what a youth mission trip looks like and how it can change you through service. I also liked that she showed how God wants us, not only to serve those who are impoverished, but also to serve those who are in a similar situation as us. I liked seeing the teens grow in their faith in this story and I liked how they came to love the girls they were serving. I also liked seeing Chloe learn that some times more is going on with a person then we realize and to keep trying to love and encourage them even when it is difficult. I thought this was a good story and enjoyed reading it.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
June 20, 2024
Wow! Much like the other Hannah Currie book I read recently I absolutely adored this one. I was so impacted by the stories she encountered along her way, including her own testimony. The girls at the orphanage were so cute and broke my heart in many ways. Chloe experienced so much growth and not in the way she was expecting demonstrating how God can use us in so many different ways to be the light for others. Experiencing the culture of Thailand a bit was interesting, as I love getting to travel to different places via books. I think the challenge of the place in which they find themselves is definitely an opportunity for growth in and of itself as they couldn't rely on modern day conveniences which we are used to relying on. Learning more about how Teen Missions works, and that the author went on a trip herself was a fun tidbit of information.
I will definitely be purchasing this book to add it to my collection, and sharing it with my daughter.
I will definitely be purchasing this book to add it to my collection, and sharing it with my daughter.
May 13, 2024
Because of you was a great book. The book is about Chloe she in high school and has always wanted to go on a Missionary Trip. So now she is finally able to go. So after all the preparations with the team she is on her way. After much travel they are in Thailand and ready to go. Once there they are introduced to the people in charge of the orphanage and get to meet the children. They had been told of the project that they would be doing but there is a change. This is wonderful book filled with joy, laughter, excitement, and friendship. I could not put it down. This book was given to me by the publisher. All thoughts are my own. This was another wonderful book by Hannah Currie and I will be looking forward to her next.
June 16, 2024
I greatly enjoyed reading this book about young girl, Chloe, who decided to go on the mission trip during her summer holidays. She went with Teen Missions International from Australia to Taihland, to spend 3 weeks at the orphanage. Her adventures were sometimes funny, and sometimes sad, and her experience was moving. I was touched by Chloe's maturity and relationship with God, and how she grew during this mission trip. Although this story is a fiction, it is based on personal experience of the author. This book is tear straining, and I recommend it for younger and older readers alike.
I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
October 24, 2024
I feel like a lot of contemporary Christian fiction for kids and teens is either too saccharine or didactic or trying so hard to be relevant that it's too edgy or a watered down Gospel. This book is none of those though and will be very relatable for Christian kids who have grown up in church and dream of doing something big for God. There are some nice life lessons in here, as well as a few sweet and funny stories. Human trafficking is a theme, so best for middle school or high school. It is written from an Australian perspective and I do think the story structure would have been stronger with a smaller group and fewer characters.
August 27, 2025
It has been a minute since I've read a YA book, and this one did not disappoint! It was a breath of fresh air to read a YA novel where the protagonist is allowed to have an adventure and focus on growing in her relationship with God. Where was this kind of book when I was a teenager?!
And oh, the nostalgia! I went on a Teen Missions trip a few (ahem) years ago and reading this brought back so many memories. This is interesting because I went out of the US and Chloe went out of Australia and it appears they are exactly the same, haha. Teen Missions appears to have given many a lifelong heart for missions whether the participants become missionaries or writers of them! :)
And oh, the nostalgia! I went on a Teen Missions trip a few (ahem) years ago and reading this brought back so many memories. This is interesting because I went out of the US and Chloe went out of Australia and it appears they are exactly the same, haha. Teen Missions appears to have given many a lifelong heart for missions whether the participants become missionaries or writers of them! :)
May 12, 2024
This was my first book by Hannah Currie, but it almost certainly won't be my last. This YA novel kept me engaged with Chloe especially and her thoughts and adventures. That she was from Australia, and traveled to Thailand, added to the interest for this American who has never been to either place. I love that her faith was strong, but still challenged, and that she grew closer to God, and the members of her teen missions team, in a natural way. A wholesome story with real conflict and adventure that tugged at my heart and made me want to draw closer to God.
June 17, 2024
Australian sixteen-year-old Chloe Gabriels is about to get on an airplane for the first time in her life and head on a short-term mission trip to Thailand, to serve in a local orphanage. She’s going on a trip with seventeen other teenagers from her area, male and female, so that provides lots of scope for conflict and character development.
Chloe’s story is excellent. Sure, there are times when she’s a little immature and puts off the thing she knows she’s supposed to do, but that’s realistic and relatable. All teenagers procrastinate … and so do more than a few adults.
There are things she has to learn, both about herself and about her fellow missionaries. I enjoyed watching her grow and change even during the short-timeframe of the story. I also liked that the story was focussed on Chloe and there was no romantic aspect (as I think that would have detracted from Chloe’s own story).
Parts of the story are based on author Hannah Currie’s own short-term trip to Thailand with Teen Missions. These stories add a sense of fun and realism that bring back some of my own memories of school and youth group trips. It’s a real feel-good story with a strong Christian message.
Recommended for fans of young adult Christian fiction, and especially for anyone considering a short-term mission trip.
Thanks to WhiteFire Publishing for providing a free ebook for review.
Chloe’s story is excellent. Sure, there are times when she’s a little immature and puts off the thing she knows she’s supposed to do, but that’s realistic and relatable. All teenagers procrastinate … and so do more than a few adults.
There are things she has to learn, both about herself and about her fellow missionaries. I enjoyed watching her grow and change even during the short-timeframe of the story. I also liked that the story was focussed on Chloe and there was no romantic aspect (as I think that would have detracted from Chloe’s own story).
Parts of the story are based on author Hannah Currie’s own short-term trip to Thailand with Teen Missions. These stories add a sense of fun and realism that bring back some of my own memories of school and youth group trips. It’s a real feel-good story with a strong Christian message.
Recommended for fans of young adult Christian fiction, and especially for anyone considering a short-term mission trip.
Thanks to WhiteFire Publishing for providing a free ebook for review.
December 31, 2024
Yet another fantastic read from Hannah Currie! I really need to read her Crown of Promise series, because I've loved everything else by her so far...
Because of You falls into the very small missionary book niche, which I honestly haven't read much of besides Found in Translation by Roger Bruner. Hannah Currie captured all the feels. The heart for those in need. The struggle to bring it home. The difficulty of embracing and accepting different cultures.
Chloe is SO relatable. She seeks to find the best in things, and yet, still she has a really hard time loving the unlovable Skye. Ultimately, though, despite it feeling pointless, the love she showers has impact. Definitely a message we all need to be reminded of!
This book is riveting without even needing a romance thread, which is a significant feat in contemporary YA. Another thought-provoking, compelling novel from an incredible author.
Because of You falls into the very small missionary book niche, which I honestly haven't read much of besides Found in Translation by Roger Bruner. Hannah Currie captured all the feels. The heart for those in need. The struggle to bring it home. The difficulty of embracing and accepting different cultures.
Chloe is SO relatable. She seeks to find the best in things, and yet, still she has a really hard time loving the unlovable Skye. Ultimately, though, despite it feeling pointless, the love she showers has impact. Definitely a message we all need to be reminded of!
This book is riveting without even needing a romance thread, which is a significant feat in contemporary YA. Another thought-provoking, compelling novel from an incredible author.
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