A Different Sky

by Randie K. Berman

In the summer of 1973, on 20-year-old Rachel’s last college break before graduation, she travels to Israel while figuring out what to do with the rest of her life. Little does she know that the trip will change everything. On Haifa’s idyllic, pristine beach, she meets Nir, a self-assured, smooth-talking Israeli soldier, an unexpected encounter that lasts only 24 hours but is unforgettable. Rachel and Nir form an undeniable bond that neither time nor distance can break. As their relationship deepens, a stunning discovery forces Rachel to choose between the man she loves and her tightly-knit family, upon whom she’s increasingly relied since the tragic death of her father. Rachel’s faith, career, and loyalties will be tested as the consequences of her decision unfold. Will she brave these challenges and undergo transformation? Or will she buckle under the pressure?

A Different Sky is the story of one woman’s struggle with generational and cultural stereotypes during the 1970s, but it spotlights all women who challenge the status quo and are willing to sacrifice for others to their own detriment. This novel is told through the lens of someone committed to deep family ties and a strong belief in oneself. Rachel is a powerful heroine whose character and strength shine through on every page.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Fiction

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2024

About the author

I was born and raised in New Jersey in a very close-knit family. For most of my childhood, we lived within walking distance of both sets of grandparents and saw them almost every day. I majored in Education in college and taught middle school for four years before deciding to attend law school. I practiced law until 2012 as an in-house Litigation Counsel for a large corporation. At that time, I decided to embrace my creative side and switched my focus from writing trial briefs to writing novels, and I never looked back. My husband and I currently live in the rolling hills of northern New Jersey, where we enjoy taking walks and spending time with our family and friends. I love sharing my stories and hearing from readers, so please don't hesitate to contact me!

Reviews

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Goodreads for this free Kindle version. I went into this book blind and was thoroughly satisfied. While somewhat predictable that didn't lessen the enjoyment of the story. I was angry with both mothers most of the time as I don't think parents should tell their adult children how to live their lives, the author does however convey that it is coming from a place of love. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Bcuddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too light for me…good “young adult” book

[Sylvia Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Title:
A Different Sky

Author:
Randie K. Berman

Publication Date:
April 25, 2024

Publisher:
Independently published

Genre:
Women’s Fiction

Print Length:
350 pages

Customer Reviews:
4.8 out of five stars on Amazon
60 Reviews

Book Reviewed By Sylvia J.

Randie K. Berman was born and raised in New Jersey. After practicing law for many years in both the private and corporate sectors, she decided to pursue her passion of writing.

This is the author's debut novel. It is quite heartwarming and quite a journey.

You will fall in love with Rachel, Nir and Ezra.

The time is the 1970s. Rachel travels to Israel. She ends up meeting an Israeli guy and falls head over heels in love with him.

Will the couple get married? Will she have to leave her American family? Will that be quite an adjustment? Will there be challenges?

Did she expect her life to change so much?

Does she have the strength to make so many different  choices?

Will this be quite an emotional ride?

This book really held my interest from the very first word to the very last word. One will enjoy all the characters and the storyline. 

The book will make you laugh and cry. I highly recommend it as it is a great book for book clubs to read. Gift this book to someone for the holidays, as it makes a great holiday gift.

5*****

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching

I couldn’t put this one down, especially as it got closer to the end, a very Heart warming story 😀

[Sarah Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down. Finished it in two days and did not want it to end!! I need a part 2 to this story! I fell in love with Rachel, Nir, Ari, Ezra, the moms and sisters.
Randie Berman is an excellent story teller. By the end of the book I felt like I knew everyone and had been to Israel myself.

[Grace Rhys-jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

so enjoyed this book

I am really disappointed that Randi does not have lots of other books for me to read I do hope she writes more very soon ..

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her debut novel A Different Sky, Randie Berman tells the story of a girl, Rachel, figuring out what she wants out of life. From the very first chapter, Randie had me hooked. If I didn’t have to sleep, I wouldn’t have put it down, and even still I read it in a couple days. I had to know what Rachel was going to choose.
Throughout the novel, I fully bought into Rachel’s struggle to figure out what she wanted. For me, the best part of the book was how well Rachel’s feeling of being torn between two things you want came across. I didn’t see the ending coming, but it fit so well with the rest of the story that I should have. I would absolutely recommend this novel to anyone looking to remember what it’s like to find yourself, and even if you aren’t, you will be by the time you're through chapter two.

[Laura Shubert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway and from the description I didn’t think it was a YA novel but it read like a YA novel. The story was fine, and I did guess the outcome very early on. The book takes place in the 1970s but there’s very little mentioned that is set in that time frame, I could see it being a story that resonates in the present.

[Barbara Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling well written novel

This book tells the story of a young woman who has her life changed by love . Rachel has to make difficult choices in this novel. Her world is changed but her spirit is not. I enjoyed reading a book about a young woman who finds the strength to overcome the many obstacles life throws her way.

[Jennifer Mazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book to delve into, have I got a story for you 😁 🎉 this first time author made me laugh and cry, while taking me on a journey through the main character Rachels life! "A Different Sky" is, the Perfect beach/vacation book!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!!

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

It may be too new to be considered a classic, but this book strongly reminds me of The Thornbirds and Evergreen. It is beautifully written and tells a wonderfully inspiring story.

[Isabel Ferrari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it was great reading. I could not put the book down.Kudo's to this author!!!

[Scot Gershman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Both thought-provoking and exciting at the same time. Highly recommended.

[Rachel Hirschy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a debut novel by Randie Berman and I’d give it a 3.5⭐️ if Goodreads allowed. This book was based in the 1970’s about a young American girl who travels to Israel, meets and falls in love with an Israeli guy. They ultimately get married and she adjusts to leaving her family and having to deal with challenges they face being newly married, new jobs, and a new country. This book took me a little while to get into it mainly because the story line moved rather quickly for it to be believable at first but once I got into it, it did hold my attention and it was a good story over all.

[Heidi Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character’s forthright and sage responses to very personal and sometimes difficult life choices made this book a joy to read. Rachel, a young American, leaves her New
Jersey home the summer before college graduation, never expecting her life to change in so many ways, with that fateful first step onto Israeli soil. The events that follow take the reader on a journey that is both thoughtfully written and surprising in it’s emotional breadth.

[Annamarie Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving tale beautifully told.
Hannah struggles not cause pain to those she loves but has to make many difficult decisions as she tries to follow her dreams and live her own life. I found it easy to relate to the characters’ emotions and the situations they had to deal with in this well paced debut novel . I’m already looking forward to reading the next novel from this author.

[Julia Vosler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was captivating from the very first chapter and I struggled to put it down between reads! Beautifully woven story between characters and the flow was perfect. I will definitely recommend for my book club

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Highly recommend. Plot has it all: family dynamics, career-related challenges, challenges of living in a foreign country, and tragic loss. It’s a read that keeps you engaged and hoping for a sequel!

[Judy Lamastra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved A Different Sky by Randie K. Berman. The characters were so well developed and the storyline was very moving. You could place yourself in this book and wonder which choices you would make. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

[E Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Different Sky was such a great book. I loved it from the beginning to the end. I hope there will be a book 2 as I am anxious to see where Rachel’s life goes from here! I applaud the author on her very first book!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read, it brings you into the lives of the characters. The writing is so descriptive & poignant.
One of the best books I have read in a long time. Highly recommend it.

[Nancy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this young woman’s journey of life, love and family relationships. It was such an easy and pleasurable read, the book flew by. Highly recommend!

[Caroline White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating story of love, loss and family, that is both timely and timeless. A great read!

[Lisa Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written, interesting novel of love, life and family. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was so captivating I could not put it down.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well developed story and strong characters. A story you fall into and root for the protagonists of all the way through. I didn't know what to expect, but enjoyed the read just the same.

[Natasha Overton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved how the book was written, though the foreshadowing made quite a bit predictable.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written! I loved the characters right away. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this. The story just pulled me in and kept me eagerly turning the pages.