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Barren

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After suffering a devastating loss, Nia finds herself alone.

She doesn't feel God's grace, or her husband's love.

His unexplained late nights finally break her.

With the help of a good friend, she decides instead of giving up, she'll surrender.

Barren is a story of redemption—a beautiful reminder that God is always near the broken-hearted.

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 14, 2024

207 people are currently reading
180 people want to read

About the author

Faith Arceneaux

16 books97 followers

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5 stars
183 (61%)
4 stars
81 (27%)
3 stars
32 (10%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Lakisha Johnson.
Author 58 books331 followers
August 9, 2024
With God in it…

This book was an enjoyable read. To see the highs and lows of Nia’s and Taye’s relationship, to the restoration was good. Definitely a read I’d recommend.
Profile Image for Ty.
46 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2025
wholesome book

This was a wholesome book that served as a gentle reminder to include God in everything we do. 💕 Marriage is a lot of work, but having God as the head will give you the wisdom you need.
Profile Image for Nay Denise.
336 reviews82 followers
August 4, 2024
This was a great read. Giving it a 4.5 star rating. I enjoyed the storyline between Taye and Nia. The real, raw emotions that they faced in the midst of being barren. Seeing them work through the good, the bad and the ugly was amazing.

The way they communicated in the end was really good despite the craziness that went on. Nia's friend group was awesome though sometimes I felt Phoebe was being toxic.

The faith in this book was everything! Found some gems for myself.

Definitely recommend this book!
Profile Image for Kimberly Keagan.
Author 6 books41 followers
July 4, 2024
Barren is such a good book! Author Faith Arceneaux did an amazing job at presenting a compelling, emotional story about issues many of us can relate to. Dare I hope the other two books in this series are about Nia's friends Gabby and Phoebe? ♥️

Kimberly's Rating System:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = I really, really liked the book. Maybe even loved it. 😍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = I liked the book. Would recommend it to others who enjoy the same genre.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ = The book was just o.k. for me. I finished it.
I don't post a rating on a book that I can't at least give three stars (chances are I didn't even finish it and, therefore, cannot give a worthwhile opinion).
845 reviews4 followers
July 16, 2025
Taye and Nia

This couple had several obstacles to overcome to get to the blessings God had for them
Nia suffered several miscarriages (trigger) and because of it lost her faith in God
Taye was keeping secrets that almost destroyed his marriage
But God through friends and family and turning everything over to the One who could foster change they overcame the obstacles and got the joy and peace they desired
Faith as always presented lessons we could learn from in her books
Thank you for staying true to your platform of inspirational books
I look forward to continue reading your catalog
Profile Image for Fati Sanogo.
34 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2025
5/5.This is my fifth Faith Arceneaux read, and I can now confidently say that I’m a fan. Barren (Book 1 of the Grateful Hearts series) hooked me right away. I loved everything from the storyline to the characters, the pacing, and especially how faith was woven naturally into the plot. Tye and Nia’s love story was emotionally engaging, and I appreciated how their relationship deepened even through immense trials. Both characters experienced real growth in their faith, which added depth to the romance. Highly recommend to fans of Christian romance. I look forward to reading the other books in the series!
Profile Image for Nay Denise.
1,719 reviews89 followers
August 4, 2024
This was a great read. Giving it a 4.5 star rating. I enjoyed the storyline between Taye and Nia. The real, raw emotions that they faced in the midst of being barren. Seeing them work through the good, the bad and the ugly was amazing.

The way they communicated in the end was really good despite the craziness that went on. Nia's friend group was awesome though sometimes I felt Phoebe was being toxic.

The faith in this book was everything! Found some gems for myself.

Definitely recommend this book!
Profile Image for Selina Watts.
74 reviews
April 21, 2025
This book felt a little misleading to me. While it delivers a powerful message about finding God and the importance of prayer, I struggled with the way the main character handled certain situations. As women, we’re called to support our husbands and allow them to lead, and although her intentions were good, I believe she went about things the wrong way.

I enjoy Christian fiction, but I also want it to be practical and aligned with biblical principles. This story had potential, but some choices the characters made didn’t sit right with me.
Profile Image for NubianJoí .
2,095 reviews9 followers
June 7, 2025
Love

Foremost the cover art is spectacular🤩‼️Thereafter, Wow 🥹😍…love prevails‼️“Barren (Grateful Hearts - Book 1)” is/was a beautifully written story of Nia & Taye (their circle of family’s & friends) and the journey through life’s presuppositions, disappointments, brokenness, prayers & mustard seed faith etc. …. 1 Corinthians 13, "Three things will last forever — faith, hope & love — and the greatest of these is love." 💐🥰 ..Well done Ms. Arceneaux, well done‼️Obedience is great than sacrifice‼️
15 reviews
August 1, 2024
Beautifully Written

I really enjoyed the story line. I wish that there was more interaction with Amaya and Taye, creating a bond. I also wish that we knew the background and how Phoebe and Taye reconciled their feelings/ attitudes towards each other. Nevertheless, Faith Arceneaux wrote a beautiful story on returning back to the arms of the greatest comforter we could ever know, God.
212 reviews3 followers
June 30, 2025
Pretty good story. I would argue with the title. Three miscarriages does not mean a women is barren. I didn’t always agree with the author on some things. If is decision as big as fostering a child is at play, it should be made jointly, not resolved by prayer after the fact. That doesn’t make it ok to leave the partner out of a decision that is so impactful to him. There are words missing here and there, so another editing would be good. Overall it’s a pleasant story with good moral tones and some lessons learned.
33 reviews
July 30, 2024
Great read

This was definitely a heart warming read. It was wonderful to see how Taye and Nia worked through their relationship issues - finally realizing that God has to be the center. Their story reminds us that often times we can be so focused on what we don’t have that we lose sight on what we do. I love it when love wins
Profile Image for tanya.
147 reviews
July 7, 2025
Just What My Soul Needed

As a married, Christian woman this book ministered to me. It reminded me to pray without ceasing. It showed how selfish we can be when we want something and how hard that can be for our partner. But, it also shows what listening to Gods’s word is like and stepping out on faith. And the beauty and necessity for community. I enjoyed reading it.
Profile Image for Ang&#x1fabd;.
1 review
November 29, 2025
This was my first fiction book and i was surprisingly amused. The plot was good the character development with Nia and Taye was great. My only complaint was the ending it was kinda abrupt the epilogue helped provide closure, but i would have love to see a little more of their journey prior to the wedding.
Profile Image for Shahtia Gay-hairston.
3,433 reviews26 followers
June 18, 2024
Barren

I was hesitant to read this book because I generally dislike seeing women who desire children struggle with having them. It makes me so sad. But this cover was dope and the reliance on God and his Will was refreshing. The feeling of gratefulness was tangible💜
303 reviews
August 3, 2024
Good

This book was pretty decent. There character development was solid. I can’t say I agree with Nia making life changing decisions without Taye and then tacking God’s name on it. Still a good book and interesting.
10 reviews
August 27, 2024
Necessary

Everyone needs friends that remind you of who you are and better yet who God is. It reminded me of the residue that past experiences leave and how grace is necessary day to day.
Profile Image for Ruth Whyte.
379 reviews1 follower
October 15, 2024
Barren ( Grateful Hearts Book 1)

This book was inspirational romantic story about Nia and Taye marriage, losing 3 pregnancy, fostering Amaya and at last having Amaria . The road was rocky but they overcome with prayer, love and friends. Lovely Christian Romance book
18 reviews
February 13, 2025
Great Story

The story was great from beginning to end. A good Christian, love story. This was my first time reading this author's work but because this story was intriguing, I will read more from her.
6 reviews
June 2, 2025
Good Boom

I had been looking for a new African American Christian fiction author and I'm glad that I found Faith! This was a good story and I enjoyed watching the characters stories unfold! I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
59 reviews
June 3, 2025
great read

This is a great book. It explores a marriage with realistic issues other than infidelity.
It highlights pregnancy loss, adoption, financial struggles, faith, family, friends and fight!
30 reviews
June 7, 2025
Excellent

A page turner! I couldn’t put it down! I absolutely loved the characters, the storyline, and the commitment to Christ. The author didn’t over do it. It flowed easy and effortlessly. I can’t wait to read more books by her!
257 reviews
September 12, 2025
when you live God out

This story lets you know that when you live God out you worry and get off track. Many of us have been this way and we have the girlfriends that give there opinions I pray that you have one that will always tell you to take it to the Lord
454 reviews5 followers
June 14, 2024
Barren

This short book is great, I did not read every line, but found the characters realistic. as always I would recommend this book for others to read! Buy
27 reviews
July 31, 2024
Beautiful

With God, all things are possible!! Taye and Nia found out the hard way . However, once they realized how God worked, they began to turn their lives around!!
Profile Image for D.K. Ricks.
Author 1 book5 followers
September 26, 2024
God first!

Beautiful story of trials, loss, surrender and trust! Valley lows to the mountain high! Keeping God first makes the journey possible!
12 reviews
January 25, 2025
This is a wonderful book that I couldn’t put down.
25 reviews
June 6, 2025
RE-Good book

Great read a little slow at first but it did not disappoint me, God show up and show out as usual ,looking forward to to book 2
Profile Image for Michelle Foster.
14 reviews
December 20, 2025
I love a good love story but add a God and it just doesn’t get any better. I’m glad to have discovered this author and this series. It’s definitely been a good read.
18 reviews
April 16, 2025
Amazing

What a wonderful love story I have never heard of this author but I truly enjoyed this book and I am excited to read the next story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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