Things Worth Remembering

by Jackina Stark

Kendy Laswell and her daughter, Maisey, used to do everything together--until one fateful summer when Maisey witnessed something she shouldn't have, and their relationship fractured. Now, Maisey is back home to get married and Kendy realizes this is her last chance to reconnect with her daughter. Will Kendy and Maisey be able to reclaim the bond they once shared?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Novels, Contemporary

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things Worth Remembering was an touching story about redemption. It stresses the importance of forgiveness in both the offender and the offended's lives. Written in alternating mother and daughter points of view, you learn of a relationship gone astray nine years ago. The story covers the week prior to daughter Maisey's wedding. The tension is high between the two women, and as the week progresses they each remember moments before and after their relationship changed. Thus we learn how they have changed, and in a pivotal confrontation, we learn why.
At first I wasn't sure if I liked the voices; I felt Kennedy (the mother) was a bit whiny, and Maisey just spoiled or selfish. However, the story progressed well, and as they started to remember and reveal, they each grew on me. I loved the secondary characters of Kennedy's husband and Maisey's fiance, and Luke and Marcus were crucial to the resolution.
I enjoyed having both main characters' perspectives. It added fresh layers to the plot and narration. This book does not fit the mold. It is unique and inspiring. My daughter is only 4, but I have dreams of what our relationship could be as she grows. Although Kendy and Maisey went through a very difficult experience, this book challenges you to work for it! I have Stark's Tender Graces on my shelf and hope it will be as well delivered as this one is. I would, without hesitation recommend Things Worth Remembering.

[Janna Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forgiveness. Is it really important? "Things Worth Remembering" is a beautiful example of how important forgiveness is. Kendy loves her only daughter Maisey more than life itself and until Maisey was 13 they had the perfect mother / daughter relationship. Then Kendy entered a very dark period in her life and the relationship they had was destroyed beyond repair and Kendy doesn't know what to do to fix it. The problem is that Kendy doesn't have all the information, or rather Maisey has more information than Kendy realizes she does. Too much information can be a very bad thing and Maisey has never been able to forgive her mom. Now she is getting married to a wonderful man and everything comes to a head. What will happen when the darkness finally sees the light?

Jackina Stark has an amazing way of delving deep into her characters and bringing them to life. Kendy and Maisey are incredible people in their own rights and then Luke (Kendy's husband) and Marcus (Maisey's soon to be husband) are wonderfully strong secondary characters that many times are the reason the story moves forward. The overall theme of the book, how unforgiveness will change who you are and destroy your happiness, is so well spoken in Jackina's voice that I will recommend this book strongly to any woman's fiction lovers. Excellent.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book intrigued me because it's different from other Christian fiction. 1. The action switches between mother and daughter POV written in first person. 2. The majority of the story is flashbacks. 3. It covers forgiveness in a major way.
I found the flashbacks a little jarring at times. I would have to read over a section to remember what time this was happening. And it got a little confusing as more dates were added. Even the current action shifted between what happened 5 minutes ago and what was happening then.
The premise is also different. A Mom and daughter barely talk. The daughter avoids going home whenever possible but her wedding forces her back home, just for a week. Mom knows there's distance between them but can't put a finger on when or why. She takes whatever she can get.
The flashbacks unfold the story, viewed from both women's perspectives. I guessed what happened before it was revealed but it was still satisfying.
The message of forgiveness and what happens when we allow bitterness to take control makes a strong story. I think some of the flashbacks were unnecessary and I got tired of jumping between POVs so much. But the characters were well fleshed out, the story kept moving.

[Kathryn Sneed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things Worth Remembering is the first book I have read by Jackina Stark, and I must admit at first I almost stopped reading it in the beginning. The entire book is in the first person, swapped between mother and daughter characters, Kendy and Maisey. Having never read a book entirely in the first person, I was a bit bored in the beginning, but as I kept reading the story drew me in and I had to finish reading the book to find out the whole story! Jackina Stark's writing is very similar to Karen Kingsbury's books, and I am sure you will find it just as delightful!

Growing up Maisey had a wonderful relationship with her mother, until the fateful day that Maisey sees something she shouldn't. Now Maisey is grownup and about to get married. She has held this secret back her entire life, and her relationship with her mother is almost non-existent, because of the bitterness and resentment Maisey has held onto all these years. Kendy, Maisey's mother does not understand Maisey's attitude toward her. She has been left out of all the wedding plans entirely and has not been able to get close to Maisey for years. Not that Maisey is coming home for the wedding, Kendy hopes to get some answers. But when she finds out the secret Maisey has been holding onto for years, nothing can stop the rush of memories and emotions.

Wonderful book, filled with redemption, forgiveness, and love!

[Samantha Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book because of the attractive cover, the preferably larger font size, the title, which intrigued me and the fact that it was about a mother-daughter relationship. Little did I know how much remembering, releasing and healing it would bring me... It is so beautifully and gently written, exposing all the bottled-up emotions we carry, the unspoken disappointments, the unmet expectations and the whole process of forgiveness. I would recommend it for anyone who is or has a daughter, especially if there is a potential wedding to be planned... I cannot recommend it enough! I read it in 2 days flat as I couldn't put it down, but sobbed gut-wrenchingly for the emotions it brought to the surface.

[Mary Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

I loved this book. Mother/daughter relationship was well stated and satisfying. The beautiful family characters were lovable and believable. I highly recommend.

[Sarahi McKeever · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a good one. There was a twist in this story I didn’t see coming and it had a happy ending. Made my heart content finishing it on a good note.

[Zainulfikri · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book sooo much.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kendy Laswell’s daughter Maisey is coming home to get married. This should be a joyous time for a mother and daughter who used to have a very strong bond, but for the past nine years, Maisey has been pushing her mother away. Kendy is unsure why their bond was is so broken, but she wants nothing more than to have her daughter back. Maisey’s childhood was a happy one filled with memories of her loving parents, but the summer she was thirteen, it all changed for her and she has not been able to forgive her mother.

It took me probably less than ten pages to fall in love with this book. This book was particularly touching for me because my mom passed away when I was twenty-two years old, the same age Maisey is in this story. There were many moments of pure frustration for me in this book. I wanted to reach into the pages and shake Maisey and say to her, “This is your mother! How would you feel if she was gone tomorrow?” I couldn’t imagine being that angry with my mom, ever. The love that Kendy has for her daughter reminded me so much of the love my mom had for me. This book moved me so much; I wish my mom was still here so I could tell her how much I love her.

In addition to Things Worth Remembering being a touching story about the strong bond between a mother and daughter, it is about forgiveness, healing, and redemption. I was moved to tears by this book because it was written with such heart and emotion. This book will remind us how important it is to forgive and how we all deserve a second chance. I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it, but keep the tissues close.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things Worth Remembering was my first book by Jackina Stark. It was emotionally laden with regret and pain, but redeemed by forgiveness and a new start.

Kendy is Maisey's mother and Kendy loves Maisey more than life itself. Over the years she's been shut out of Maisey's life more and more. Now Maisey is planning her wedding and it's becoming evident to all that Maisey is hostile toward her mother. Finally the dam burst and with raging anger it's revealed why Maisey hates her mother.

When Maisey was thirteen years old she witnessed her mother's indiscretion and has hated her ever since. Meanwhile, until a couple of days before the wedding, Kendy is oblivious to why Maisey is so distant and that she ever saw anything questionable. In a torrent of tears and hatred, Maisey's rage threatens her wedding.

The emotions in the book were realistic and the predicaments too. I liked that the story unfolded from both Maisey and Kendy's perspective.

I was mildly disappointment with Kendy's indiscretion, that relatively speaking, was minor. It was powerful enough to jeopardize many relationships. However, for the person who is reading this book who has experienced much worse indiscretions, I think the message wasn't too hopeful. The message could be about God's forgiveness of relatively minor indiscretions, but not the big ones.

I enjoyed the book. I felt the emotions, I experienced the temporary hopelessness of "having screwed up too badly." I will definitely read more Jackina Starks writing.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things Worth Remembering is a touching story of a mother and daughter who have a very detached relationship, due to a horrible secret that has been kept for the past nine years. The story takes place during the week before Maisey and Marcus' upcoming wedding. They have come home, to Maisey's parents house, to get things in order before the big day. After a few days spent with the Laswell's, Marcus begins to notice that Maisey either completely ignores her mother, Kendy, or treats her very insolently. He finally confronts her with his observation, which causes a massive family struggle to finally confront the secret that has been the cause of all their anger and hurt.

The book goes back and forth between Kendy's and Maisey's points-of-view throughout the entire story. At first I thought it was going to be a problem, but once I became engrossed in their lives, I didn't even notice. This is not my normal choice of reading; I prefer contemporary and historical romances, but decided to give this book a try...the beautiful cover is partly why I chose it. I'm so glad I did...I thoroughly enjoyed it! I can't wait to read more books by Ms. Stark.

*This book was provided for review by Bethany House Publishers

[Christy Trever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things Worth Remembering by Jackina Stark is another beautifully written, poignant novel by the author. For the first thirteen years of Maisy Laswell's life, she and her mother, Kendy, were connected at the heart, with a relationship most mothers and daughters would love to have. After witnessing something the summer she turned thirteen, their bond is shattered and now nine years later as Maisy prepares for her wedding, their distance is only accentuated. Stark has a unusual talent for creating multi-layered characters were unexpected depth. Both Kendy and Maisy are equally sympathetic, and the reader can't help but ache for both of them, as well as be inspired to take a closer look at their own relationships. There's a powerful message about forgiveness and redemption; the longer we hold on to anger and hurt, the more power it gains over us, eating away at the very soul. I dare the reader to make it through the final chapter without crying! Stark is definitely a new author to watch; she only seems to get better with each book.

[Kristin (Kritters Ramblings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful read - Christian fiction with a real twist and story. I used to read Christian fiction more often in my younger years, but had veered away when I kept running into very "preachy" fiction. It was a random pick up at the library and I was hesitant to continue after I read the back of the book.

I am glad I decided to go ahead and read this great little book. A Christian fiction with a story that felt real and not to goody too shoes. There were a few verses and lifestyle moments that was imbedded in the book, but it was no where near too much or offensive.

This book flip flopped between the view points of the mother and daughter. They have to confront an issue from the past which changed their family drastically. The relationship between the mother and daughter was so genuine and true - I could remember my teenage moments with my mom. I would pass this book along to any mother and daughter duo who would love to read a real story that has depth and a true conclusion.

[Ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a slow start for me but it did get better! I think the book had some great messages for its readers. Forgiveness being the main one. It is a touching story about a mother and daughter who have a not so perfect relationship. Maisey, the daughter, is getting married in a week and comes home to her parents house to prepare for the big day. Tensions rise as Maisey keeps a secret she has told no one, not even her best friend, that involves her mom (for nine years). It's more of a Christian fiction, so if you like a good life story with some Christian background, check it out. Its a quick read too.

[Claudia Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackina was a faculty member back in the '70's when I attended Ozark Bible College in Joplin, Missouri. I remember Jackina as intelligent, hilarious, and one who obviously loved the Lord. I thoroughly enjoyed her book. She uses the technique of shifting back and forth between the minds and actions of the two primary characters and through their perceptions weaves the tale of how a long-ago indiscretion and a deeply held secret impact today's relationships. In the midst of the hardships this past situation bring to one of the characters we get to see how clinging to faith helps. A good, engaging read. I look forward to more books by Ms. Stark.

[Ruby halliburton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely. It covered the fractured relationship between a mother and daughter caused by the daughter witnessing an indiscretion between the mother and the daughter's uncle. The daughter kept this to herself for years. It was only revealed on the eve of the daughter's wedding. It was very believable. The book showed the way to forgiveness through the way God forgives us. The father and mother handled the situation in a Christian manner.

[Dena Loder-Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book in the morning around 11 and finished by early evening. It was such a good read and very hard to put down. (And I did have to put it down to make lunch and take care of my family.)

The glimpse into the complicated mother/dauhter relationships of two generations broke my heart and left me hopeful. It made me want to call my mother just to chat and then take my teenage daughter out shopping.

[Patty LeBlanc · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really hard book for me to get into. I almost put it down because it took so long to get to the good part of the book that made me want to continue reading. Once I finally did get to that part, I did like the book, though it still bounced around the storyline a little too much for my liking. I think the ending was very good though and the idea of the story was good. If you like stories about family, secrets, forgiveness, and renewal then this book would be along those lines.

[Tina at Mommynificent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a powerful story of forgiveness and redemption, and one that I highly recommend. The only reason I'm giving it four rather than five stars is that I found the first half of it quite hard to read because of the rift and the hard feelings between the characters. It was actually a little depressing. The first half is totally necessary to achieve the beauty of the forgiveness and reconciliation, but it was still hard to read.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

as the back cover reads: Kendy Laswell and her daughter, Maisey, used to do everything together--until one fateful summer when Maisey witnessed something she shouldn't have, and their relationship fractured. Now, Maisey is back home to get married and Kendy realizes this is her last chance to reconnect with her daughter. Will Kendy and Maisey be able to reclaim the bond they once shared?

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters in this 3-generation family and their friends are carefully drawn. The main plot is the reconciliation of a daughter to her mother on the eve of the young woman's wedding. Christian values are woven into the narrative as warp to woof. It might be nice to read other stories of this group of people facing modern trials.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by Jackina I have read and it was a very good book. There were a few issues that Maizie should have confronted early on and not let it fester in her heart for nine years. She treated her mother very badly, but in the end it was all well and forgiven. I will look for more book by this author..............

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this, Maizey's side drove me crazy, what a spoiled jerk! BUT. She was spoiled and like 21 years old, which can be more prone to seeing things in black and white with no room for grey.

even as an adult, she still took her mother's depression as an action against her, eyeroll

[Alyssa Alena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows up with Maisey returning home with her husband-to-be on the week of their wedding. With a secret that she kept for the last 9 years, her relationship with her mum, Kendy has deteriorated since then. With the beautiful story of the strong love between parents and their child, the author touched beautifully as well on the need for forgiveness to those who've hurt us.

[Esther mundih · Rating 2 out of 5]

ugh couldnt even finish this one...characters are too hard to understand. Too many characters for me to keep up with. very little romance and the story isnt really clear. Made it to page 105 and backed out.NOt for me. Am a romance addict.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the writing was a little juvenile, this was a good read. It had a lot of appeal for family relationships, particularly the mother/daughter one. I liked how it ended, because although it ended up happy, the characters still had some things to deal with.

[Beverly Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book

This book was an amazing book. It was about a bond destroyed between a mother and daughter and the effect on each until the daughter finally let her feelings known. The end result will bring you to tears! Very good Christian novel.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

About a mother daughter relationship.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this one for my book club. It took me a little while to get into it at first, but once I did, I really enjoyed it.
It has a wonderful message about how God can heal us.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read! She captured family relationships and forgiveness. Believable characters.