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A Year of Weddings 2 #2
A Brush with Love: A January Wedding Story
Ginger Winters is a gifted hairstylist with scars no one can see. The last thing she expects from the New Year is a new chance at love.
Overcoming a childhood tragedy, Ginger emerges from the pain and trauma with a gift for bringing out the beauty in others. From the top big city salons to traveling the world as personal stylist to a country music sensation, success was almost enough to make Ginger forget she would never be one of the beautiful people, that girl, forever on the outside looking in. But she needs her confidence this weekend. She’s the acclaimed “beauty-maker” for the Alabama society wedding of the decade.
When high-school crush Tom Wells Jr. also returns to town and shows up at her shop looking for a haircut, Ginger’s thinly veiled insecurities threaten to keep her locked away from love, Despite Tom’s best efforts, Ginger can’t forget how he disappeared on her twelve years ago and broke her heart. Can she ever trust him again?
When Tom challenges her to see her own beauty, Ginger must decide if she will remained chained to the past or move freely into a new, exciting future.
Overcoming a childhood tragedy, Ginger emerges from the pain and trauma with a gift for bringing out the beauty in others. From the top big city salons to traveling the world as personal stylist to a country music sensation, success was almost enough to make Ginger forget she would never be one of the beautiful people, that girl, forever on the outside looking in. But she needs her confidence this weekend. She’s the acclaimed “beauty-maker” for the Alabama society wedding of the decade.
When high-school crush Tom Wells Jr. also returns to town and shows up at her shop looking for a haircut, Ginger’s thinly veiled insecurities threaten to keep her locked away from love, Despite Tom’s best efforts, Ginger can’t forget how he disappeared on her twelve years ago and broke her heart. Can she ever trust him again?
When Tom challenges her to see her own beauty, Ginger must decide if she will remained chained to the past or move freely into a new, exciting future.
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2014
47 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Hauck
76 books4,530 followersNew York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Rachel Hauck writes from sunny central Florida.
A RITA finalist and winner of Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year, and Career Achievement Award, she writes vivid characters dealing with real life issues.
Her book, Once Upon A Prince, was made into an original Hallmark movie.
The Wedding Dress has been optioned for film by Brain Power Studio
She loves to hear from readers. She also loves to encourage new writers and is a retired member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Executive Board.
A graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism, Rachel is an avid OSU football fan. She hopes to one day stand on the sidelines in the Shoe with Ryan Day.
Visit her web site to find out more and click on the icons to follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
www.rachelhauck.com
A RITA finalist and winner of Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year, and Career Achievement Award, she writes vivid characters dealing with real life issues.
Her book, Once Upon A Prince, was made into an original Hallmark movie.
The Wedding Dress has been optioned for film by Brain Power Studio
She loves to hear from readers. She also loves to encourage new writers and is a retired member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Executive Board.
A graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism, Rachel is an avid OSU football fan. She hopes to one day stand on the sidelines in the Shoe with Ryan Day.
Visit her web site to find out more and click on the icons to follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
www.rachelhauck.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
November 13, 2014
I've really enjoyed the A Year of Wedding Novellas ebooks. A Brush With Love is new novella coming next month from one of my favorite authors Rachel Hauck. I started this about the time I should have been turning out my light last night. It was 1:30 am when I finished it and finally got to sleep.
Zondervan is a Christian publisher. Some of these novellas have had strong Christian undertones to them and others have been more mainstream. Of the dozen novellas I have read from this series this one leans further toward the Christian fiction end of the spectrum. Being a religious person this didn't bother me at all. As several of the main characters featured in this book are in fact clergy this actually fits with the story well. I expect religious people to turn to God for answers and have them in their thoughts.
A Brush with Love is Ginger's story. We learn very early on in the story that parts of her body were badly burned and scarred in a fire when she was young. Despite her talent for making other people look their best she keeps herself hidden behind long sleeves and scarves. By the end of this story I was picturing burn victim Stephanie Nielson who despite her disfiguring injuries is a light and beacon to others.
Recommended to those who enjoy Christian romance.
Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book
Content: Clean
Source: Netgalley.com review copy
Zondervan is a Christian publisher. Some of these novellas have had strong Christian undertones to them and others have been more mainstream. Of the dozen novellas I have read from this series this one leans further toward the Christian fiction end of the spectrum. Being a religious person this didn't bother me at all. As several of the main characters featured in this book are in fact clergy this actually fits with the story well. I expect religious people to turn to God for answers and have them in their thoughts.
A Brush with Love is Ginger's story. We learn very early on in the story that parts of her body were badly burned and scarred in a fire when she was young. Despite her talent for making other people look their best she keeps herself hidden behind long sleeves and scarves. By the end of this story I was picturing burn victim Stephanie Nielson who despite her disfiguring injuries is a light and beacon to others.
Recommended to those who enjoy Christian romance.
Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book
Content: Clean
Source: Netgalley.com review copy
January 2, 2015
Don’t you just love this cover? I do! And as beautiful as the cover picture is, the story that unfolds in this novella is even more beautiful. It is the story of a woman who feels that she is less worthy than other women out there. She feels less beautiful, less important, and less deserving of anyone’s love.
Ginger is a very accomplished hair dresser who excels at making other women look their best. But, Ginger carries scars on the outside and on the inside that are keeping her from understanding her worth in God’s eyes. In fact, she questions whether there could even be a God, with the things that have happened to her in the past.
Tom is back in his hometown to start a church. Having dedicated his life to God, he must work to overcome town bias against his family. Another obstacle to overcome are the walls surrounding Ginger’s heart. Tom sees Ginger’s inner and outer beauty. Will he be able to convince her that both he and God find her beautiful?
The author did a superb job with this story. The characters were fully developed and I felt my heart ache for Ginger when she was treated as a second-class citizen at one point in the story. I also enjoyed seeing Tom step up and attempt to set things right. It highlighted his strong character.
I really enjoyed this novella, which is a part of the Year of Weddings 2 novella series.
I received a complimentary copy of this novella from the publisher, through Litfuse Publicity, in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Ginger is a very accomplished hair dresser who excels at making other women look their best. But, Ginger carries scars on the outside and on the inside that are keeping her from understanding her worth in God’s eyes. In fact, she questions whether there could even be a God, with the things that have happened to her in the past.
Tom is back in his hometown to start a church. Having dedicated his life to God, he must work to overcome town bias against his family. Another obstacle to overcome are the walls surrounding Ginger’s heart. Tom sees Ginger’s inner and outer beauty. Will he be able to convince her that both he and God find her beautiful?
The author did a superb job with this story. The characters were fully developed and I felt my heart ache for Ginger when she was treated as a second-class citizen at one point in the story. I also enjoyed seeing Tom step up and attempt to set things right. It highlighted his strong character.
I really enjoyed this novella, which is a part of the Year of Weddings 2 novella series.
I received a complimentary copy of this novella from the publisher, through Litfuse Publicity, in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
December 23, 2014
There is so much that I could say about this book, but at the end of the day, it was simply about love and deliverance. A Brush with Love was a beautiful story that made me smile and cry and remember the infinite touch of grace that comes by way of Jesus.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A/NA/YA
Status: Christian, Contemporary Romance
Romance/Chemistry: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Wisdom Lessons: Yes
HEA: Yes
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest critique.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A/NA/YA
Status: Christian, Contemporary Romance
Romance/Chemistry: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Wisdom Lessons: Yes
HEA: Yes
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest critique.
November 17, 2015
A sweet story. I liked how Tom wanted Ginger to know she was beautiful, even with her scars. I just really liked the characters and story. The ending was great, too! A fun read!
*i received a complimentary ebook copy via netgalley for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
*i received a complimentary ebook copy via netgalley for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
January 21, 2015
About this book:
“Ginger Winters is a gifted hairstylist with scars no one can see. The last thing she expects from the New Year is a new chance at love.
Overcoming a childhood tragedy, Ginger emerges from the pain and trauma with a gift for bringing out the beauty in others. From the top big city salons to traveling the world as personal stylist to a country music sensation, success was almost enough to make Ginger forget she would never be one of the beautiful people. That girl, forever on the outside looking in. But she needs her confidence this weekend. She’s the acclaimed “beauty-maker” for the Alabama society wedding of the decade.
When high-school crush Tom Wells Jr. also returns to town and shows up at her shop looking for a haircut, Ginger’s thinly veiled insecurities threaten to keep her locked away from love, Despite Tom’s best efforts, Ginger can’t forget how he disappeared on her twelve years ago and broke her heart. Can she ever trust him again?
When Tom challenges her to see her own beauty, Ginger must decide if she will remained chained to the past or move freely into a new, exciting future.”
Series: Book #2 in the “A Year of Weddings 2” series. {This is part of the second series, hence the 2 at the end. This was my first book I’ve read in either series.}
Spiritual Content- Prayers; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of Scriptures & Scriptures are quoted; Mentions of people in the Bible; A lot of talks, mentions of sermons & church going and great witnessing; Tom came back to Rosebud to start a Church (He felt God’s call); Tom has a very strong Faith; R.J. says that she might “have to recommit myself to Jesus and go to Tom’s church” (because he’s cute); Ginger felt betrayed by God when she was in the fire, so she’s since stepped away from God; Christian artists and music is mentioned & sung.
*Note: a mention of Mother Nature; “Ginger shuddered. Having experienced fire, she had a deathly fear of h*ll. And of the God, if He existed, who claimed He could send her there. Real or imagined, she tried to avoid ticking God off at all coats.”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘darn’, a ‘drat’, a ‘please shut up’, a ‘oh my gosh’ and a ‘oh my word’, a ‘stupid’, a ‘wimp’, two ‘dang’s, three ‘shoot’s; “Kiss-my-grits” is said & repeated; Sarcasm; Mentions of drinking; Ginger’s heard people talking about her which has lowered her self-esteem dramatically (“Freak. Ugly. She gives me the creeps.”).
*Note: A mention of Michael Buble, Beyonce & the movie, “The Proposal” (which is not a teen friendly movie).
Sexual Content- a ‘baby’, two ‘babe’s, two ‘sexy’s; A semi-detailed kiss; a Mention of an almost High-School kiss; Noticing another couple kissing; Touches (which are sadly, pretty detailed, mainly because Ginger has never been touched by a man before (her father left)); Noticing & Smelling; Eric studies his new wife with such adoration; *Spoiler* *End of Spoiler*; Tom tells Ginger that her scars may have kept her from her mom’s lustful boyfriends; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
*Note: Tom says he needs a wife “To kick Tom’s butt when he needed it.”.
-Ginger Winters
-Tom Wells, Jr.
P.O.V. switches between them.
150 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
{Add a half star for OHST who don’t think they’re beautiful due to outward appearance}
Brave. That’s my word for 2015. “You Make Me Brave” by Bethel House Music is my anthem, so to speak, for this year. Where am I going with this? In “A Brush With Love”, being brave and overcoming what others think of you is a major point. Even awesomer (it’s a word) is that my anthem is sung in this novella. I wish I could have given it a higher rating but I couldn’t do to the Sexual content.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*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.
*I received this e-book for free from the Publisher (Zondervan Publishers) for this review.
“Ginger Winters is a gifted hairstylist with scars no one can see. The last thing she expects from the New Year is a new chance at love.
Overcoming a childhood tragedy, Ginger emerges from the pain and trauma with a gift for bringing out the beauty in others. From the top big city salons to traveling the world as personal stylist to a country music sensation, success was almost enough to make Ginger forget she would never be one of the beautiful people. That girl, forever on the outside looking in. But she needs her confidence this weekend. She’s the acclaimed “beauty-maker” for the Alabama society wedding of the decade.
When high-school crush Tom Wells Jr. also returns to town and shows up at her shop looking for a haircut, Ginger’s thinly veiled insecurities threaten to keep her locked away from love, Despite Tom’s best efforts, Ginger can’t forget how he disappeared on her twelve years ago and broke her heart. Can she ever trust him again?
When Tom challenges her to see her own beauty, Ginger must decide if she will remained chained to the past or move freely into a new, exciting future.”
Series: Book #2 in the “A Year of Weddings 2” series. {This is part of the second series, hence the 2 at the end. This was my first book I’ve read in either series.}
Spiritual Content- Prayers; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of Scriptures & Scriptures are quoted; Mentions of people in the Bible; A lot of talks, mentions of sermons & church going and great witnessing; Tom came back to Rosebud to start a Church (He felt God’s call); Tom has a very strong Faith; R.J. says that she might “have to recommit myself to Jesus and go to Tom’s church” (because he’s cute); Ginger felt betrayed by God when she was in the fire, so she’s since stepped away from God; Christian artists and music is mentioned & sung.
*Note: a mention of Mother Nature; “Ginger shuddered. Having experienced fire, she had a deathly fear of h*ll. And of the God, if He existed, who claimed He could send her there. Real or imagined, she tried to avoid ticking God off at all coats.”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘darn’, a ‘drat’, a ‘please shut up’, a ‘oh my gosh’ and a ‘oh my word’, a ‘stupid’, a ‘wimp’, two ‘dang’s, three ‘shoot’s; “Kiss-my-grits” is said & repeated; Sarcasm; Mentions of drinking; Ginger’s heard people talking about her which has lowered her self-esteem dramatically (“Freak. Ugly. She gives me the creeps.”).
*Note: A mention of Michael Buble, Beyonce & the movie, “The Proposal” (which is not a teen friendly movie).
Sexual Content- a ‘baby’, two ‘babe’s, two ‘sexy’s; A semi-detailed kiss; a Mention of an almost High-School kiss; Noticing another couple kissing; Touches (which are sadly, pretty detailed, mainly because Ginger has never been touched by a man before (her father left)); Noticing & Smelling; Eric studies his new wife with such adoration; *Spoiler* *End of Spoiler*; Tom tells Ginger that her scars may have kept her from her mom’s lustful boyfriends; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
*Note: Tom says he needs a wife “To kick Tom’s butt when he needed it.”.
-Ginger Winters
-Tom Wells, Jr.
P.O.V. switches between them.
150 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
{Add a half star for OHST who don’t think they’re beautiful due to outward appearance}
Brave. That’s my word for 2015. “You Make Me Brave” by Bethel House Music is my anthem, so to speak, for this year. Where am I going with this? In “A Brush With Love”, being brave and overcoming what others think of you is a major point. Even awesomer (it’s a word) is that my anthem is sung in this novella. I wish I could have given it a higher rating but I couldn’t do to the Sexual content.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*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.
*I received this e-book for free from the Publisher (Zondervan Publishers) for this review.
January 15, 2024
Story Enjoyment Rating: 9/10 Christian Faith Rating: 3/3
A Brush With Love by Rachel Hauck is a Christian contemporary romance novella. It follows Ginger, who is a hair stylist employed to do a big wedding. She was stood up in the past by Tom who turns up as the best man in the wedding. Ginger is still angry that Tom disappeared years ago and didn’t contact her.
The story contains lots of emotional development. Ginger has scars from her past and both characters are carrying secrets. Ginger also goes on a spiritual journey, learning to trust God for the first time and Tom is the new pastor at a church in the town.
Occasionally, this story felt a little rushed, but that was only because the author packed so much into it. I loved how much character and spiritual development we got, as well as the sweet romance and friendships.
A Brush With Love by Rachel Hauck is a Christian contemporary romance novella. It follows Ginger, who is a hair stylist employed to do a big wedding. She was stood up in the past by Tom who turns up as the best man in the wedding. Ginger is still angry that Tom disappeared years ago and didn’t contact her.
The story contains lots of emotional development. Ginger has scars from her past and both characters are carrying secrets. Ginger also goes on a spiritual journey, learning to trust God for the first time and Tom is the new pastor at a church in the town.
Occasionally, this story felt a little rushed, but that was only because the author packed so much into it. I loved how much character and spiritual development we got, as well as the sweet romance and friendships.
January 27, 2015
Ginger Winters was the victim of a horrible accident when she was twelve, and it’s forever changed her opinion of herself: she is not beautiful and never will be. But she can see and display the beauty in her friends and clients, which she does in her job as a hairdresser in her new salon in her hometown of Rosebud, Alabama. She rarely dates, and still hasn’t quite forgiven Tom Wells for standing her up twelve years ago, even though he had a perfectly good excuse: his family left town that night, and haven’t returned. But now Tom’s back, and keeps hanging around …
I’m in two minds about A Brush with Love. I enjoyed Ginger’s internal emotional and spiritual journey. As well as believing she’d never be beautiful, she also believed she wasn’t good enough for God—a lie too many people believe, an important issue to address, and one A Brush with Love deals with well (if a bit too quickly).
However, the romance didn’t work for me. The story didn’t convince me that two people who hadn’t seen each other for twelve years were a good match in the present (especially when one was a pastor and the other barely believed in the idea of God), it seemed that Ginger’s big personal revelation should have come in the middle not the end, and it felt as though all the romance actually happened between the end of the last chapter and the beginning of the epilogue.
This was a novella, but I really think there was too much plot and character development to cram into such a short space. It should have been a novel—that would have given the characters sufficient chance to develop and change.
Thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
I’m in two minds about A Brush with Love. I enjoyed Ginger’s internal emotional and spiritual journey. As well as believing she’d never be beautiful, she also believed she wasn’t good enough for God—a lie too many people believe, an important issue to address, and one A Brush with Love deals with well (if a bit too quickly).
However, the romance didn’t work for me. The story didn’t convince me that two people who hadn’t seen each other for twelve years were a good match in the present (especially when one was a pastor and the other barely believed in the idea of God), it seemed that Ginger’s big personal revelation should have come in the middle not the end, and it felt as though all the romance actually happened between the end of the last chapter and the beginning of the epilogue.
This was a novella, but I really think there was too much plot and character development to cram into such a short space. It should have been a novel—that would have given the characters sufficient chance to develop and change.
Thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
June 26, 2015
Ginger is a very talented and accomplished hair dresser who has worked for the stars. She's moved back to her home and is successfully running a beauty shop in town. But Ginger was scarred by a fire when she was a young girl and sees herself as ugly. She covers her scars with long sleeves and scarfs and secretly longs to be normal.
She's hired to style a wedding party and finds out that the best man is none other than the guy who stood her up when his family mysteriously left town 12 years ago. Ginger should have put it past her, but she couldn't get over the hurt and rejection of the only guy who has ever paid her any attention.
Tom is back in his hometown to start a church. Due to the way they left he must work to overcome town bias against his family. He must also work to overcome the walls surrounding Ginger’s heart. Tom sees Ginger’s inner and outer beauty but will he be able to convince her of his love and that both he and God find her beautiful?
This story pulled me in and kept me engaged all the way through. I hurt with Ginger over the pain of her scars and the struggle she had to feel beautiful and wanted. I got so mad at the way she was treated by the wedding party at one point. And was so proud of the way Tom stood up for her! No doubts that this story will keep your attention. The author did a good job on this short novella! :)
*Thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley for providing me with a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest opinion & review.*
She's hired to style a wedding party and finds out that the best man is none other than the guy who stood her up when his family mysteriously left town 12 years ago. Ginger should have put it past her, but she couldn't get over the hurt and rejection of the only guy who has ever paid her any attention.
Tom is back in his hometown to start a church. Due to the way they left he must work to overcome town bias against his family. He must also work to overcome the walls surrounding Ginger’s heart. Tom sees Ginger’s inner and outer beauty but will he be able to convince her of his love and that both he and God find her beautiful?
This story pulled me in and kept me engaged all the way through. I hurt with Ginger over the pain of her scars and the struggle she had to feel beautiful and wanted. I got so mad at the way she was treated by the wedding party at one point. And was so proud of the way Tom stood up for her! No doubts that this story will keep your attention. The author did a good job on this short novella! :)
*Thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley for providing me with a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest opinion & review.*
March 21, 2016
I am an established Rachel Hauck fan, and I have actually been looking forward to reading A Brush With Love for some time now. In fact, it sadly became a casualty of blogging – I started this blog right around the time it released and soon became so swamped with scheduled reviews that I ran out of time to read anything that was just for fun. It was well worth the wait :) Tom’s mission to help Ginger see her beauty, despite her scars, truly touched me. His execution of said mission brought tears to my eyes more than once. The epilogue – well – just make sure you have a tissue box handy but your smile will be firmly in place as well! A Brush With Love is full of wit, grins, and southern sass but it’s also just such a heartfelt, moving, and beautiful picture of God’s love for us – and of true romance.
(I received a copy of this novella in exchange for only my honest review.)
(I received a copy of this novella in exchange for only my honest review.)
February 15, 2015
Another book in a Year of Wedding series which are nice easy reads. Ginger is a hairdresser who has worked with many other brides on their special day. As a child she suffered terrible burns in a fire and as a result she keeps herself covered by scarves. The scars have left inner scars that are harder to deal with. She struggles to feel like a normal girl.
Tom comes into town to start a new church but has to deal with the local people being against his family. He also wants Ginger to believe that he loves her
Many thanks to Zondervan and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
Tom comes into town to start a new church but has to deal with the local people being against his family. He also wants Ginger to believe that he loves her
Many thanks to Zondervan and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
October 12, 2015
I might give this book 2-1/2 stars... I did really like the story. Or, at least, the idea of the story. But I just didn't care much for the way it was told. There was just (in my opinion) too much packed into this book to really enjoy it. I think it could have been much better as a full-length novel.
The story had lots of potential! For me, it just didn't reach it's potential.
The story had lots of potential! For me, it just didn't reach it's potential.
February 29, 2024
"I like your scars. I like that they've made you a fighter. I like your face, your eyes, you smile, and your heart. I love your ability to see beauty in others and bring it out for the rest of us to see. Those are things that make you beautiful and extraordinary."
~Tom Wells (to Ginger)
I absolutely LOVED this quote and story. I totally get what it's like in some ways to have a form of scars, but not in Ginger's case where she has to live with burn scars a fire.
My own personal scars were the ones I had when I was sexually abused at 20 years old for 2-3 months by my own dad who's been in prison since January of 2020. I'll actually be 33 soon and looking back on my journey of healing from what I went through, it took me YEARS to open up to where I am now ans to FINALLY let guys in and talk to them at least without "running away" in a figurative sense.
So in a sense, I related to Ginger in this story and when I heard that quote above from Tom Wells Jr. (The main guy/love interest), my eyes did water a little bit realizing that was me now. Of course, depending who the person is, I don't condone or excuse bad behavior and try and keep away from the toxic that'll ruin my own happiness, but I try to see the beauty and good in things and try to see myself as God sees me as well. Just as Tom Wells Jr. was helping Ginger do and to see she was still beautiful inside and out despite her old burn scars.
If you yourself have inward or physical scars (or both perhaps) know how much you're still loved and that you are special no matter what because they should not ever define you. That's what the devil wants you to believe so don't let him for one second or minute more let him tell you otherwise. Find and fight for your personal happiness again, fight to find that joy, comfort, peace, safety, and was to knock those walls down and bring your guard down and choose to rather be an open book. The more you share your experience (you don't need to go into detail if you don't want to) the more you'll heal. And plus, you NEVER KNOW if someone will be inspired by your resilience and courage, or maybe you'll help someone in a similar situation or going through a hard time in general that needs some lifting up. Don't let those scars inside and/or out define you and let them help someone else by speaking up.
Overall, this was a sweet and cute short story and my first time listening to Rachel Hauck. I'll have to find other audios of her books and try an actual novel of hers since I liked her pacing, style, and characters.
~Tom Wells (to Ginger)
I absolutely LOVED this quote and story. I totally get what it's like in some ways to have a form of scars, but not in Ginger's case where she has to live with burn scars a fire.
My own personal scars were the ones I had when I was sexually abused at 20 years old for 2-3 months by my own dad who's been in prison since January of 2020. I'll actually be 33 soon and looking back on my journey of healing from what I went through, it took me YEARS to open up to where I am now ans to FINALLY let guys in and talk to them at least without "running away" in a figurative sense.
So in a sense, I related to Ginger in this story and when I heard that quote above from Tom Wells Jr. (The main guy/love interest), my eyes did water a little bit realizing that was me now. Of course, depending who the person is, I don't condone or excuse bad behavior and try and keep away from the toxic that'll ruin my own happiness, but I try to see the beauty and good in things and try to see myself as God sees me as well. Just as Tom Wells Jr. was helping Ginger do and to see she was still beautiful inside and out despite her old burn scars.
If you yourself have inward or physical scars (or both perhaps) know how much you're still loved and that you are special no matter what because they should not ever define you. That's what the devil wants you to believe so don't let him for one second or minute more let him tell you otherwise. Find and fight for your personal happiness again, fight to find that joy, comfort, peace, safety, and was to knock those walls down and bring your guard down and choose to rather be an open book. The more you share your experience (you don't need to go into detail if you don't want to) the more you'll heal. And plus, you NEVER KNOW if someone will be inspired by your resilience and courage, or maybe you'll help someone in a similar situation or going through a hard time in general that needs some lifting up. Don't let those scars inside and/or out define you and let them help someone else by speaking up.
Overall, this was a sweet and cute short story and my first time listening to Rachel Hauck. I'll have to find other audios of her books and try an actual novel of hers since I liked her pacing, style, and characters.
January 28, 2023
A Brush With Love: A January Wedding Story by Rachel Hauck
140-page Kindle Ebook
A Year of Weddings 2 #2
Genre: Romance > Christian Romance, Contemporary Romance, Clean Romance; Christian Fiction, Novella
Featuring: Small-Town South Alabama, Scars, Painting, Stylist, Pastor, Second Chance Trope, Discussion Questions, Excerpt from Serving Up a Sweetheart, Advertisements
Rating as a movie: PG-13
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
My thoughts: 🔖Page 36 of 140 Ch. 4 I was all gung-ho to read this entire series back-to-back, but it isn't going to happen. I'm taking a break from reading and afterward I will be looking for a thriller to break up the monotony.
This story had a slow start, it had a very meaningful ending which made up for the first part of the book.
Recommend to others?: Maybe. This series features different moods but despite different authors and plots some of the stories feel the same.
140-page Kindle Ebook
A Year of Weddings 2 #2
Genre: Romance > Christian Romance, Contemporary Romance, Clean Romance; Christian Fiction, Novella
Featuring: Small-Town South Alabama, Scars, Painting, Stylist, Pastor, Second Chance Trope, Discussion Questions, Excerpt from Serving Up a Sweetheart, Advertisements
Rating as a movie: PG-13
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
My thoughts: 🔖Page 36 of 140 Ch. 4 I was all gung-ho to read this entire series back-to-back, but it isn't going to happen. I'm taking a break from reading and afterward I will be looking for a thriller to break up the monotony.
This story had a slow start, it had a very meaningful ending which made up for the first part of the book.
Recommend to others?: Maybe. This series features different moods but despite different authors and plots some of the stories feel the same.
December 8, 2017
A good story about not judging someone by the way they look. Or by what their parents have done.
I did not care for the narrator of this audio-book. She was very slow and monotone.
I did not care for the narrator of this audio-book. She was very slow and monotone.
December 3, 2024
Audiobook. Loved the main character. Lots of depth.
Sweet love story
Sweet love story
October 3, 2020
Can you say you are beautiful? Because you are 💝
January 19, 2016
A Brush With Love is a sweet novella, with relatable characters and a detailed backstory.
Rachel Hauck admits in her acknowledgements that when she planned out this story she found she had enough material for a full-length novel. And you can tell. There is plenty of backstory, intertwined lives, shared history and troubles of the heart and soul that need to be resolved. So as a result, this story does jump a little and concludes very quickly. Yes, it would be better as a full-length book where each step of Ginger's faith journey, love story and learning to believe in her beauty could be fully explored. But, taking into account that this is a novella and had to be cut to fit the length requirements, this is a fun and heartfelt story.
Ginger was injured in a fire when she was young and suffered extensive burns as a result. Her whole life she has covered up her scars, believing no one could ever see her as beautiful. It was too easy to believe the harsh words spoken about her, especially when the only guy who showed a speck of interest in her left town one night and never contacted her again. Now that same boy is back in town. They are both all grown up, Ginger a successful stylist and Tom a starting out preacher, but the spark between them is still alive, despite the years of silence and hurt. Tom wants to shown Ginger God's love, but can't help falling for this woman, who is beautiful inside and out.
Tom and Ginger have a wonderful connection, despite everything that stands between them. I especially loved their shared humour, and the scenes as they reconnect are full laughter that covers the underlying hurt Ginger feels.
This book felt a little juvenile at times, and I'm not sure if that was because the story is built on the relationship Tom and Ginger had as teenagers or if it is just the tone of the novella. I do wish this story was full-length to fully explore all the wonderful facets Rachel Hauck has woven into the story, from faith, God's love, friendship, the way the world views us and how that shapes out view of ourselves, to forgiveness and the relationship between a kind man and a hurting woman. I instantly connected to Ginger and really enjoyed her voice, which was vulnerable but still strong.
The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Find more reviews on my blog Madison's Library.
Rachel Hauck admits in her acknowledgements that when she planned out this story she found she had enough material for a full-length novel. And you can tell. There is plenty of backstory, intertwined lives, shared history and troubles of the heart and soul that need to be resolved. So as a result, this story does jump a little and concludes very quickly. Yes, it would be better as a full-length book where each step of Ginger's faith journey, love story and learning to believe in her beauty could be fully explored. But, taking into account that this is a novella and had to be cut to fit the length requirements, this is a fun and heartfelt story.
Ginger was injured in a fire when she was young and suffered extensive burns as a result. Her whole life she has covered up her scars, believing no one could ever see her as beautiful. It was too easy to believe the harsh words spoken about her, especially when the only guy who showed a speck of interest in her left town one night and never contacted her again. Now that same boy is back in town. They are both all grown up, Ginger a successful stylist and Tom a starting out preacher, but the spark between them is still alive, despite the years of silence and hurt. Tom wants to shown Ginger God's love, but can't help falling for this woman, who is beautiful inside and out.
Tom and Ginger have a wonderful connection, despite everything that stands between them. I especially loved their shared humour, and the scenes as they reconnect are full laughter that covers the underlying hurt Ginger feels.
This book felt a little juvenile at times, and I'm not sure if that was because the story is built on the relationship Tom and Ginger had as teenagers or if it is just the tone of the novella. I do wish this story was full-length to fully explore all the wonderful facets Rachel Hauck has woven into the story, from faith, God's love, friendship, the way the world views us and how that shapes out view of ourselves, to forgiveness and the relationship between a kind man and a hurting woman. I instantly connected to Ginger and really enjoyed her voice, which was vulnerable but still strong.
The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Find more reviews on my blog Madison's Library.
December 28, 2014
What can I say? I was so blessed to receive A Brush With Love by Rachel Hauck, it is such a beautiful novella and I read it in just one sitting. Not only is it beautifully written but it carries the theme of beauty throughout.
Ginger was badly burnt in a trailer fire as a youngster, several botched operations left the skin on her neck, arm and back scarred. Ginger sees herself as ugly.
As a seventeen year old Ginger's friend Tom asked her out to the cinema, but disappeared in the night with his family. He left no explanation. Ginger felt ugly and hurt.
Fast forward twelve years, Ginger now owns a hair and beauty salon in her hometown, and has a reputation for making people look stunningly beautiful. When Tom unexpectedly walks into her salon, old feelings resurface for them both.
Tom is now a third generation preacher, led to his old hometown by God, to set up a new church. He has to battle the locals who remember his father disappearing one night under a scandal. But Tom junior is not his father - and he just wants to point people to Jesus and not man.
Tom sees Ginger as beautiful, and always has. He really wants Ginger to see herself as God sees her. And Tom wants Ginger to know God. Ginger prayed to God before the trailer fire, but He didn't let her escape unscarred. Ginger is not bitter, she just does not know God. It is Tom's desire that she knows Jesus.
A Brush With Love is such a wonderful novel, and beautifully written. Rachel Hauck books never disappoint. She is a masterful story teller. The characters of Ginger and Tom are charmingly drawn, and the exchange of dialogue between them is a pure delight to read. As I was reading, I felt that they were more than just characters in a book, they seemed like friends.
If you have never read a book by Rachel Hauck, please pick up A Brush With Love - you will not be disappointed, and you may well become hooked on Rachel's books. To read just one book by Rachel Hauck is never enough, she will leave you wanting more, more, more!
Ginger was badly burnt in a trailer fire as a youngster, several botched operations left the skin on her neck, arm and back scarred. Ginger sees herself as ugly.
As a seventeen year old Ginger's friend Tom asked her out to the cinema, but disappeared in the night with his family. He left no explanation. Ginger felt ugly and hurt.
Fast forward twelve years, Ginger now owns a hair and beauty salon in her hometown, and has a reputation for making people look stunningly beautiful. When Tom unexpectedly walks into her salon, old feelings resurface for them both.
Tom is now a third generation preacher, led to his old hometown by God, to set up a new church. He has to battle the locals who remember his father disappearing one night under a scandal. But Tom junior is not his father - and he just wants to point people to Jesus and not man.
Tom sees Ginger as beautiful, and always has. He really wants Ginger to see herself as God sees her. And Tom wants Ginger to know God. Ginger prayed to God before the trailer fire, but He didn't let her escape unscarred. Ginger is not bitter, she just does not know God. It is Tom's desire that she knows Jesus.
A Brush With Love is such a wonderful novel, and beautifully written. Rachel Hauck books never disappoint. She is a masterful story teller. The characters of Ginger and Tom are charmingly drawn, and the exchange of dialogue between them is a pure delight to read. As I was reading, I felt that they were more than just characters in a book, they seemed like friends.
If you have never read a book by Rachel Hauck, please pick up A Brush With Love - you will not be disappointed, and you may well become hooked on Rachel's books. To read just one book by Rachel Hauck is never enough, she will leave you wanting more, more, more!
February 1, 2015
I loved this! I have been looking at Rachel Hauck's work for a little while now because several of my absolute favorite authors recommend her books. I did try to read one quite a while ago and didn't end up connecting with the characters. However circumstances kept leading me back to this book. It was hard to resist with that beautiful cover, and I finally picked it up and I'm SO glad I did.
Although this was a short, quick read, it didn't feel like a novella. I felt like we got to know a lot of different characters pretty well and it didn't feel rushed. I really enjoyed the town of Rosebud and it's people. I am wondering if Ms. Hauck has any other books in this setting. Personally I would love to read Ruby-Jane's story.
Ginger's journey to faith, health, and restoration was beautiful and heart wrenching. Tom and Ginger's love story was poignant, sweet, and fun. I loved seeing the way things unfolded. I especially appreciated how the emphasis was on Ginger being whole and finding fulfillment herself before she sought an outside relationship or a physical makeover. If I could have I would have read this in one sitting. I didn't want to put it down, and there were even a few tears at the end. I will definitely be adding more of Rachel Hauck's books to my TBR list.
*I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
www.wanderingthepages.tumblr.com
Although this was a short, quick read, it didn't feel like a novella. I felt like we got to know a lot of different characters pretty well and it didn't feel rushed. I really enjoyed the town of Rosebud and it's people. I am wondering if Ms. Hauck has any other books in this setting. Personally I would love to read Ruby-Jane's story.
Ginger's journey to faith, health, and restoration was beautiful and heart wrenching. Tom and Ginger's love story was poignant, sweet, and fun. I loved seeing the way things unfolded. I especially appreciated how the emphasis was on Ginger being whole and finding fulfillment herself before she sought an outside relationship or a physical makeover. If I could have I would have read this in one sitting. I didn't want to put it down, and there were even a few tears at the end. I will definitely be adding more of Rachel Hauck's books to my TBR list.
*I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
www.wanderingthepages.tumblr.com
September 29, 2015
The story in this book was good, but if I was rating it solely on the romance part it would get a much lower rating. I don't like when books have a christian, let alone a pastor, dating/pursuing someone who doesn't share their faith.
The more emotional issues dealt in this book were well done. I hated how Ginger viewed herself and how her clients at the wedding treated her (that was despicable), because of her scars.
I really think this story would've been better as a full length novel, as some parts felt rushed and others bogged down because of all the details, but overall it was still good and I'd recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
3 1/2 stars
The more emotional issues dealt in this book were well done. I hated how Ginger viewed herself and how her clients at the wedding treated her (that was despicable), because of her scars.
I really think this story would've been better as a full length novel, as some parts felt rushed and others bogged down because of all the details, but overall it was still good and I'd recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
3 1/2 stars
February 15, 2017
This book is sooo good! I love the story Rachel Hauck paints about beauty and unconditional love in: A Brush with Love: A January Wedding Story. Ginger Winters is a talented make up and hair stylist, and she helps bring out the beauty in other women as she styles them, but she doesn't feel beautiful herself, because of an accident that happen when she was younger, now she has burn scars on her body. So fast forward, she gets hired on as a stylist at a wedding and the man of honor is Tom Wells Jr. her friend and the guy she liked in high school, who had to leave town suddenly because of a family scandal. This book is more that just a romance of the two characters you get to see God showing his love to Ginger through Tom. I thought the characters were well developed and likeable. I would recommend this book to anyone. This is definitely one of my new favorite books.
October 28, 2015
This was a cute, short read! Ginger and Tom were both great characters and I really enjoyed watching their story play out. It was cute how they had liked each other when they were younger and were able to reconnect as adults. I loved how Tom helped Ginger see that her scars didn't define her and that not only was she beautiful in God's eyes but his, and everyone else who loved her. It was beautiful to watch as she turned her back on the lies she'd believed all her life and accept the love of God and Tom! It was such a fun novella and I definitely recommend it!
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
January 9, 2015
In A Brush with Love, Rachel Hauck has crafted a story of a deeply scarred woman who has it all -- when it comes to making other women beautiful. However, she will never see herself as beautiful, let alone desirable to a man. She's walled her heart and life off, even as a piece of her longs for more. Enter the hero who walked out on her 12 years earlier when his family fled town in the middle of the night. He's always found her beautiful, but knows she has to accept that truth for herself. This novella is one that I wish had been longer. There was so much truth to be explored as Ginger steps into seeing her beauty first through Tom's eyes and then through God's. A quick read that I enjoyed!
February 6, 2015
A Brush With Love is a delightful novella! Rachel Hauck is an excellent storyteller and shares an important message is this beautiful story. I enjoyed the main characters, Ginger and Tom, and their emotional and spiritual journeys. I would love to continue their story! A Brush With Love is another wonderful addition to the Year of Weddings series!
I received a complimentary copy of this novella through Litfuse Publicity. All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received.
I received a complimentary copy of this novella through Litfuse Publicity. All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received.
January 6, 2015
Rachel Hauck is an incredible author. Though this is a short novella, it grabs the reader from the fist page with its depth. I've never read one of Rachel's books I didn't like. I don't think I ever will. Looking forward to her next novel.
January 2, 2015
Cute.
August 21, 2016
Ginger Winters lived life on its altered scale, grievously marked with the hideous scars of horrific wounds. The bitter pain inspired her to see the beauty in others, despite her own ugly scarring. Although she survived to find a new purpose for living, the unalterable truth was that she was horribly scarred, a bitter fact that confronted her daily and from which there was no relief nor respite. The irreconcilable wounds in her heart and scars on her body created a shame that nothing could ever cover. Ginger knew she would never be beautiful again but she had a life calling that she dearly loved. As a successful stylist, she had the amazing skill to make an ordinary woman look extraordinarily beautiful. The art of beauty was her gifted calling and passionate duty in life. Ginger threw her whole heart and soul into her work, to see beauty blossoming in others. Her frightful, ugly scar kept her marked for life, with the soul-shattering, nerve-wracking realization that no one would ever want her. This bitter truth blew its own trumpet, giving her no peace. There would be no one, no one at all.
When Tom Wells broke into Ginger’s carefully guarded thoughts, their eyes locked in intense emotion, memories penetrated her senses with passionate intensity. Seeing Tom reopened a locked door in Ginger’s heart. She must not hide her wounds and scars too much to drive him out of her life. He might be her passion’s flame after all. But for Ginger, the flame of love’s passion was the most terrifying fire of all. With memories stirring his emotions passionately, Tom swung back to harsh reality. Should he apologize or let the past go? He tried to catch her gaze. “I’m sorry, Ginger.” The confession came frankly and honestly, with no previous thought and no prepared agenda, flowing freely where it willed. Ginger froze, gazing with gleaming eyes, revealing nothing.
Ginger awakened an intense longing in Tom, an aching desire to share her heart, touch her scars, comfort her and tell her she was beautiful. To Tom, she was as beautiful as ever, even more raw and wounded. Deep inside his heart, underneath all the latent layers of propriety, beneath any trepidation of what was right and proper, he longed to be in her life. Seeing Ginger made Tom feel like a part of his heart was restored. He felt new and wonderful, wanting to be a better person. Ginger was hard to read. Although she kept her feelings reined in tightly, she knew instinctively that Tom would open a locked, bolted and barred door into her heart.
Tom desired to follow God’s call and restore his family’s reputation and legacy. He must be above board in all his dealings. Sitting in the sanctuary, in the heartwarming presence and inspiration of God, Tom wept tears of gratitude. He heard God’s still, small voice in His heart, gently guiding him into the truth. “Walk worthy of His calling. Fulfil every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power.” “Know the Word. Live it, pray it, sing it.” Be faithful to your calling and to the Lord. Let Him do the choosing. It only matters what He thinks. Be confident in His love for you. Trust in His guidance and leadership. Love Him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Let God touch Ginger’s eternal soul. Point her to Him. God redeems, saves and heals. Gaze at Him. Win Ginger to Jesus. Show her His love. Lead her to the Truth that God is love. How should Tom relate to Ginger? A simple, sweet answer arose in his heart. He could tell her what her heart longed so desperately to hear, that she was beautiful.
Out of the pain and humiliation of Ginger’s disfigurement emerged an unusual quality, a rare gift to highlight beauty in others. Ginger’s astounding success in revealing the beauty in women almost made her forget her own disfigured appearance. But it would take another extraordinary kind of love and selfless commitment to help Ginger to see the beauty in herself. The harsh reality of the truth that she was scarred and ugly always doomed her to stand precariously on the periphery, forever on the outside, looking in at beauty but destined never to be a part of it. Can Ginger’s thinly veiled insecurities, locking her from love, help her to recognize the beauty in herself or are some scars too deep for recovery? Will Ginger remained pitifully chained to the past, oblivious to love, or can she move freely into a new, hope-filled future?
Despite her ugly, scarred appearance, a small part of Ginger’s heart still longed to be a woman, a carefully concealed, secret desire, known only to herself. Tom shook her painstakingly erected emotional barriers. When he gazed at Ginger with his intent blue eyes, she felt engulfed in his love. The flames Tom ignited in her heart could not be extinguished at any cost, in any manner or by any means. Although Ginger would not admit it, Tom’s calm presence drew out the best in her, making her feel secure enough to aspire to be a better person.
Under Tom’s sensitive, insightful gaze, Ginger felt utterly transparent, as if he saw what she tried to hide. His words and the firm tenor of his voice confirmed, with utmost certainty, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that he could read her, seeing through her thinly veiled insecurities with discerning skill, as if through a lens with the most acute focus. Tom instinctively understood Ginger’s strengths, weaknesses and the pressures she faced. He spoke of two kinds of beauty – outer and inner – with all the layers and nuances in between all the trappings. It was certainly good to do something she was good at and that she loved, Tom felt about Ginger’s job as a successful stylist, having no idea how much she ached to do it for herself.
If Ginger’s life signature was only for making others beautiful, wouldn’t that be enough? No, the heart knows what it wants and it will not be satisfied until it gets it. That was the way she lived life, figuring it out on her own. Ginger’s heart wanted love and freedom from her scars. Tom admired Ginger’s frankness and honesty. Her laughter warmed his soul. Her breath mingled with his, so to speak, their heartbeats in perfect sync. Tom wanted to touch her wounds, tell her it would be alright and that she need not hide them from him. But that would cross all boundaries.
Every time Tom saw her, Ginger caught a piece of Tom’s heart. He warmed her heart with hope. He had called her beautiful twice and it warmed her heart. She wanted to believe in his love. Emotion swelled in Ginger’s chest and tears filled her eyes. Tom’s soft, sweet tones pierced her fragile facade and drifted into her soul. She could see through his sea-blue eyes and into his guileless soul. “Pardon me for caring”, he had said to her. Ginger was deeply inspired by Tom’s sparkling grin. Tom realized that Ginger was not as hard and defensive as she pretended to be. It was only a protective defense, merely a put-on pretense, to scare people off.
Ginger was stuck in life and in her heart, concerning her beliefs about God, herself, and Tom. Cold tears threatened to overwhelm Ginger as she tried to avoid Tom’s penetrating gaze. The soft tenor of his voice touched her heart. She wondered why he was so nice to her. Was it because he liked her? No man could ever like her. Although he was a man of God, warm and kindhearted, with a blue-eyed intensity, Ginger could not trust anyone. As a successful hair stylist, she was in command of her life, captain of her ship, steering bravely to her destiny. But out in the harsh world, she was the poor, pitied, scarred one.
Tom’s beaming smile pierced her heart. His touch, his voice, his smile. He was the one man in her life who made her feel what it was like to be a woman. His gaze, the intensity of his words, set her heart on fire. He liked her scars and the fact that they had made her a fighter. He liked her face, eyes, smile and heart plus her ability to see beauty in others and bring it out for the world to see. Those were the things that made her unique and extraordinary. To Tom Wells, Ginger Winters was the most beautiful girl in the world, scars and all.
When Tom Wells broke into Ginger’s carefully guarded thoughts, their eyes locked in intense emotion, memories penetrated her senses with passionate intensity. Seeing Tom reopened a locked door in Ginger’s heart. She must not hide her wounds and scars too much to drive him out of her life. He might be her passion’s flame after all. But for Ginger, the flame of love’s passion was the most terrifying fire of all. With memories stirring his emotions passionately, Tom swung back to harsh reality. Should he apologize or let the past go? He tried to catch her gaze. “I’m sorry, Ginger.” The confession came frankly and honestly, with no previous thought and no prepared agenda, flowing freely where it willed. Ginger froze, gazing with gleaming eyes, revealing nothing.
Ginger awakened an intense longing in Tom, an aching desire to share her heart, touch her scars, comfort her and tell her she was beautiful. To Tom, she was as beautiful as ever, even more raw and wounded. Deep inside his heart, underneath all the latent layers of propriety, beneath any trepidation of what was right and proper, he longed to be in her life. Seeing Ginger made Tom feel like a part of his heart was restored. He felt new and wonderful, wanting to be a better person. Ginger was hard to read. Although she kept her feelings reined in tightly, she knew instinctively that Tom would open a locked, bolted and barred door into her heart.
Tom desired to follow God’s call and restore his family’s reputation and legacy. He must be above board in all his dealings. Sitting in the sanctuary, in the heartwarming presence and inspiration of God, Tom wept tears of gratitude. He heard God’s still, small voice in His heart, gently guiding him into the truth. “Walk worthy of His calling. Fulfil every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power.” “Know the Word. Live it, pray it, sing it.” Be faithful to your calling and to the Lord. Let Him do the choosing. It only matters what He thinks. Be confident in His love for you. Trust in His guidance and leadership. Love Him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Let God touch Ginger’s eternal soul. Point her to Him. God redeems, saves and heals. Gaze at Him. Win Ginger to Jesus. Show her His love. Lead her to the Truth that God is love. How should Tom relate to Ginger? A simple, sweet answer arose in his heart. He could tell her what her heart longed so desperately to hear, that she was beautiful.
Out of the pain and humiliation of Ginger’s disfigurement emerged an unusual quality, a rare gift to highlight beauty in others. Ginger’s astounding success in revealing the beauty in women almost made her forget her own disfigured appearance. But it would take another extraordinary kind of love and selfless commitment to help Ginger to see the beauty in herself. The harsh reality of the truth that she was scarred and ugly always doomed her to stand precariously on the periphery, forever on the outside, looking in at beauty but destined never to be a part of it. Can Ginger’s thinly veiled insecurities, locking her from love, help her to recognize the beauty in herself or are some scars too deep for recovery? Will Ginger remained pitifully chained to the past, oblivious to love, or can she move freely into a new, hope-filled future?
Despite her ugly, scarred appearance, a small part of Ginger’s heart still longed to be a woman, a carefully concealed, secret desire, known only to herself. Tom shook her painstakingly erected emotional barriers. When he gazed at Ginger with his intent blue eyes, she felt engulfed in his love. The flames Tom ignited in her heart could not be extinguished at any cost, in any manner or by any means. Although Ginger would not admit it, Tom’s calm presence drew out the best in her, making her feel secure enough to aspire to be a better person.
Under Tom’s sensitive, insightful gaze, Ginger felt utterly transparent, as if he saw what she tried to hide. His words and the firm tenor of his voice confirmed, with utmost certainty, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that he could read her, seeing through her thinly veiled insecurities with discerning skill, as if through a lens with the most acute focus. Tom instinctively understood Ginger’s strengths, weaknesses and the pressures she faced. He spoke of two kinds of beauty – outer and inner – with all the layers and nuances in between all the trappings. It was certainly good to do something she was good at and that she loved, Tom felt about Ginger’s job as a successful stylist, having no idea how much she ached to do it for herself.
If Ginger’s life signature was only for making others beautiful, wouldn’t that be enough? No, the heart knows what it wants and it will not be satisfied until it gets it. That was the way she lived life, figuring it out on her own. Ginger’s heart wanted love and freedom from her scars. Tom admired Ginger’s frankness and honesty. Her laughter warmed his soul. Her breath mingled with his, so to speak, their heartbeats in perfect sync. Tom wanted to touch her wounds, tell her it would be alright and that she need not hide them from him. But that would cross all boundaries.
Every time Tom saw her, Ginger caught a piece of Tom’s heart. He warmed her heart with hope. He had called her beautiful twice and it warmed her heart. She wanted to believe in his love. Emotion swelled in Ginger’s chest and tears filled her eyes. Tom’s soft, sweet tones pierced her fragile facade and drifted into her soul. She could see through his sea-blue eyes and into his guileless soul. “Pardon me for caring”, he had said to her. Ginger was deeply inspired by Tom’s sparkling grin. Tom realized that Ginger was not as hard and defensive as she pretended to be. It was only a protective defense, merely a put-on pretense, to scare people off.
Ginger was stuck in life and in her heart, concerning her beliefs about God, herself, and Tom. Cold tears threatened to overwhelm Ginger as she tried to avoid Tom’s penetrating gaze. The soft tenor of his voice touched her heart. She wondered why he was so nice to her. Was it because he liked her? No man could ever like her. Although he was a man of God, warm and kindhearted, with a blue-eyed intensity, Ginger could not trust anyone. As a successful hair stylist, she was in command of her life, captain of her ship, steering bravely to her destiny. But out in the harsh world, she was the poor, pitied, scarred one.
Tom’s beaming smile pierced her heart. His touch, his voice, his smile. He was the one man in her life who made her feel what it was like to be a woman. His gaze, the intensity of his words, set her heart on fire. He liked her scars and the fact that they had made her a fighter. He liked her face, eyes, smile and heart plus her ability to see beauty in others and bring it out for the world to see. Those were the things that made her unique and extraordinary. To Tom Wells, Ginger Winters was the most beautiful girl in the world, scars and all.
January 3, 2019
Ginger was burned in a trailer fire as a young girl. The physical scars--and emotional ones--have stayed with her for her entire life. Now, she is a talented hair dresser. She has a huge wedding to style, when the best man ends up being none other than the guy who stood her up when they mysteriously left town, Tom. After 12 years, Ginger should have put it past her, but she couldn't get over the hurt and rejection of the only guy who has ever paid her any attention.
This one was a little more deep. Ginger has many self-esteem issues. She can't see past her burns, and imagines that others can't either. She can't imagine anyone, especially a man, thinking of her as beautiful. This one was a little more religious, as Tom is a pastor, and Ginger comes to know Jesus.
I loved how this one progressed. Again, it might have been a little fast because the timeline was sped up for it being a novella. But the two rediscovered what they liked about each other all those years ago. They were also able to get to know the people they had become and fall in love all over again.
There was a lot of growth in this one, as Ginger starts to let go some of the thoughts and insecurities that have plagued her for so long. As she starts to understand exactly what happened 12 years ago, she starts to move on and open up to Tom.
I enjoyed this one so much. It was also definitely more emotional (to me) than some of the others in this collection. This was an amazing story, cute and sweet and romantic.
I received an eARC from the publisher, this did not affect my honest opinion.
This review first appears on The NerdHerd Reads
This one was a little more deep. Ginger has many self-esteem issues. She can't see past her burns, and imagines that others can't either. She can't imagine anyone, especially a man, thinking of her as beautiful. This one was a little more religious, as Tom is a pastor, and Ginger comes to know Jesus.
I loved how this one progressed. Again, it might have been a little fast because the timeline was sped up for it being a novella. But the two rediscovered what they liked about each other all those years ago. They were also able to get to know the people they had become and fall in love all over again.
There was a lot of growth in this one, as Ginger starts to let go some of the thoughts and insecurities that have plagued her for so long. As she starts to understand exactly what happened 12 years ago, she starts to move on and open up to Tom.
I enjoyed this one so much. It was also definitely more emotional (to me) than some of the others in this collection. This was an amazing story, cute and sweet and romantic.
I received an eARC from the publisher, this did not affect my honest opinion.
This review first appears on The NerdHerd Reads
August 29, 2017
Rachel Hauck can never disappoint me with her story telling. With this one she allowed me to feel what a person that have physical scars can feel about beauty. And the irony of heroine having a successful hair and make-up business, where she makes everybody else look and feel beautiful added a really good twist to it.
Ginger is a hair and make up artist to the stars and then came back to her hometown to open her own salon. She received burn scars all over her body due to a fire in her trailer home when she was 13. That made her feel guarded and closed off. It also made her feel very insecure. While in high school she met a cool and handsome guy named Tom. They got along pretty well and he even asked her out on a date. Unfortunately on the day of their date, she was jilted by Tom. Without any explanation, Tom's family up and left town that night. Years later they are reunited by a wedding of a common friend. He was the best man and she was the hired stylist. Sparks fly as soon as their paths crossed again. Ginger's biggest hurdle is overcoming her insecurities and learning to believe in Jesus' love for her. Tom paves the way for her to come back to her faith and she realizes that even with her physical scars, she can be loved both by the Superior Being and Tom.
Ginger is a hair and make up artist to the stars and then came back to her hometown to open her own salon. She received burn scars all over her body due to a fire in her trailer home when she was 13. That made her feel guarded and closed off. It also made her feel very insecure. While in high school she met a cool and handsome guy named Tom. They got along pretty well and he even asked her out on a date. Unfortunately on the day of their date, she was jilted by Tom. Without any explanation, Tom's family up and left town that night. Years later they are reunited by a wedding of a common friend. He was the best man and she was the hired stylist. Sparks fly as soon as their paths crossed again. Ginger's biggest hurdle is overcoming her insecurities and learning to believe in Jesus' love for her. Tom paves the way for her to come back to her faith and she realizes that even with her physical scars, she can be loved both by the Superior Being and Tom.
June 25, 2017
Spoilers lay ahead
I really liked the character of Ginger be a use I could identify with a lot of the insecure thoughts she had. So on more than one occasion I found myself highlighting thoughts she had because I recognized them as kind of my own in a way.
As a piece if literature on a whole I really felt that this book was too vanilla. Even a little stilted. There wasn't enough time character development in the pastor and he seemed to have the right right from the start. He seemed pretty confident as to who he was which is good but it made for boring and unrealistic reading. It was almost as if this book was written to witness to a new Christian or a non Christian. But it was kind of undercooked in that department too.
I tried out this author for the first time and I don't think I'll be reading another any time soon.
I really liked the character of Ginger be a use I could identify with a lot of the insecure thoughts she had. So on more than one occasion I found myself highlighting thoughts she had because I recognized them as kind of my own in a way.
As a piece if literature on a whole I really felt that this book was too vanilla. Even a little stilted. There wasn't enough time character development in the pastor and he seemed to have the right right from the start. He seemed pretty confident as to who he was which is good but it made for boring and unrealistic reading. It was almost as if this book was written to witness to a new Christian or a non Christian. But it was kind of undercooked in that department too.
I tried out this author for the first time and I don't think I'll be reading another any time soon.
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