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The Gustafson Girls #2
Renata and the Fall from Grace: The Gustafson Girls, Book 2
Renata Gustafson Dixon has it all. Just ask her; she'll tell you.
Until the day one of her sisters dredges up a name from the past and starts a chain of events that will rock the very foundation of all their lives.
Suddenly, the world Renata has worked so hard to build begins to resemble nothing more than a house of cards, and she no longer knows who she can trust. Certainly not her sisters, and apparently not her husband, either. Maybe not even herself.
When tragedy rips the last vestiges of control out of her hands, will Renata set aside her wounded pride and lean on the strength and support of those who love her?
If you like family sagas and series about sisters, you'll love Renata and the Fall from Grace and the rest of The Gustafson Girls series, a clean and wholesome Christian contemporary women's romance with sister relationships and family life themes.
Until the day one of her sisters dredges up a name from the past and starts a chain of events that will rock the very foundation of all their lives.
Suddenly, the world Renata has worked so hard to build begins to resemble nothing more than a house of cards, and she no longer knows who she can trust. Certainly not her sisters, and apparently not her husband, either. Maybe not even herself.
When tragedy rips the last vestiges of control out of her hands, will Renata set aside her wounded pride and lean on the strength and support of those who love her?
If you like family sagas and series about sisters, you'll love Renata and the Fall from Grace and the rest of The Gustafson Girls series, a clean and wholesome Christian contemporary women's romance with sister relationships and family life themes.
Audible Audio
First published April 21, 2015
93 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Becky Doughty
101 books215 followersBecky writes heartfelt and wholesome contemporary commercial fiction filled with friendship, romance, humor, a touch of mystery, a sprinkling of whimsy, plus a bushel of family drama. And usually a four-legged or winged companion, too. She’s also the voice behind an ever-expanding library of more than 200 audiobooks.
Becky and her Tomato Man met in the '80s (big hair, big hats, poofy sleeves, the works - see her About Page on BeckyDoughty.com). They live at the end of a lane on top of a hill in a hundred-year-old house. They share their lives with never enough pets, and they grow dueling riotous, rambling gardens. Most of the things in their gardens are edible… but some are most definitely not, due to Becky’s fascination with poisonous plants. They have three adult children living wild adventures of their own, but who also show up on demand with scrumptious grandbabies to nibble on.
Becky and her Tomato Man met in the '80s (big hair, big hats, poofy sleeves, the works - see her About Page on BeckyDoughty.com). They live at the end of a lane on top of a hill in a hundred-year-old house. They share their lives with never enough pets, and they grow dueling riotous, rambling gardens. Most of the things in their gardens are edible… but some are most definitely not, due to Becky’s fascination with poisonous plants. They have three adult children living wild adventures of their own, but who also show up on demand with scrumptious grandbabies to nibble on.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 28, 2015
After reading Becky Doughty's novel Juliette and the Monday ManDates, I couldn't wait to read Gustafson sister Renata's story. Even as I read, I found so many instances where I related to her as a wife and mother. To mask her underlying angst, Renata throws herself into running a tight ship at home and putting a good face on her pain. But God has ways of loosening our grip on our tightly-held masks...and as He does that for Renata, we find ourselves cheering for her to resolve things. I love the well-developed relationship between the four sisters--each sister has her own strengths and weaknesses, and as a unit, the Gustafason Girls are a force to be reckoned with. Every character and incident in this novel was so believable, from Renata's boys, who constantly said and did authentic "boy" things, to Renata's husband...whom I felt especially endeared to as he resembles real men I know.
This is one of those books that brought me to tears many times, and one I will never forget. These characters are part of my life now, and I am looking forward to reading Phoebe's story next. This novel is a gem that addresses heartache, married love, forgiving wounds from the past, family ties, and more.
This is one of those books that brought me to tears many times, and one I will never forget. These characters are part of my life now, and I am looking forward to reading Phoebe's story next. This novel is a gem that addresses heartache, married love, forgiving wounds from the past, family ties, and more.
April 26, 2015
I have started every one of Becky Doughty's books thinking that I will like it and end up loving it. There are always elements of humor, sweetness and lighthearted moments, but she always digs deeper into complex real characters. Renata is a young mother of 4 who deals with grief and disappointment by becoming quite bossy and prickly. The road she must travel to grow isn't an easy one, but the results feel real - not impossible. I read the first book in the series before I read this one. It did help with the background story and the characters, but this book stands on its own. If this was the only book you could read, don't let the idea that it is in a series stop you. However, you will want to read them all. Obviously since this book is in a series, every loose end is not tied up. Each book does have a satisfying feeling to it and you don't feel like you are left hanging.
April 12, 2017
Another awesome book by a very talented author!
After reading the first book in this series, I was looking forward to reading this one and it doesn't disappoint. Not a light read, but so full of real life and so much emotion that I couldn't put it down! I love these sisters and their relationship in spite of Renata and Phoebe's spats. Renata is sometimes a hard character to like but as you journey with her through this story, you'll come to understand her better. Now I can't wait to read the next one and see Phoebe get her man! :)
After reading the first book in this series, I was looking forward to reading this one and it doesn't disappoint. Not a light read, but so full of real life and so much emotion that I couldn't put it down! I love these sisters and their relationship in spite of Renata and Phoebe's spats. Renata is sometimes a hard character to like but as you journey with her through this story, you'll come to understand her better. Now I can't wait to read the next one and see Phoebe get her man! :)
December 19, 2017
Wow. This isn’t a light easy read (in fact it was pretty upsetting for me). Renata is so real and while I could wish that her journey towards learning to extend grace (to herself and others) wasn’t as traumatic, I was left with lots to think about.
June 28, 2024
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Renata and the Fall From Grace took me on a rollercoaster of emotions!
Renata is not a likable character. She has to be in control of everything; if she is not, she simply walks away or throws a fit. She likes everyone to do what she says and has difficulty letting things go. One of the reasons I disliked Renata so much at the beginning is because I found her a little too relatable. What mom doesn't struggle with control? And thinking her way is best?
However, when tragedy strikes, Renata steps up to the plate. She is stronger than she thought she was, and stronger than the reader thinks. Her character growth is impressive.
There is one curse word in the book, but it is used appropriately and it is shocking and heartbreaking. My heart broke for the boy who said it. It is such a charged scene and so much going on.
Renata and the Fall From Grace is a hard read. When I got to a pivotal scene, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue the book. Not because it wasn't good, but because it was so hard, and it didn't go how I wanted it to! It took me a day or two to go back to the book. I had to see how it all played out, but I was heartbroken. This, my friends, is the sign of good writing. This book brought chills, tears, laughter, and so many other emotions. It is women's fiction at its finest. And, I ended up liking Renata, go figure, LOL!
If you enjoy women's fiction that is strong on faith (not preachy), emotions, and extremely well-written, I highly recommend this series. I also recommend reading it in order. The first two books could probably be read in either order, but there are hints to Phoebe's story and I want to see if my conclusions are right in the next book. I am sure the next two books will refer back to this one, which will give spoilers if you don't read it first.
One final note, the author is the narrator and she does a fantastic job.
Renata is not a likable character. She has to be in control of everything; if she is not, she simply walks away or throws a fit. She likes everyone to do what she says and has difficulty letting things go. One of the reasons I disliked Renata so much at the beginning is because I found her a little too relatable. What mom doesn't struggle with control? And thinking her way is best?
However, when tragedy strikes, Renata steps up to the plate. She is stronger than she thought she was, and stronger than the reader thinks. Her character growth is impressive.
There is one curse word in the book, but it is used appropriately and it is shocking and heartbreaking. My heart broke for the boy who said it. It is such a charged scene and so much going on.
Renata and the Fall From Grace is a hard read. When I got to a pivotal scene, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue the book. Not because it wasn't good, but because it was so hard, and it didn't go how I wanted it to! It took me a day or two to go back to the book. I had to see how it all played out, but I was heartbroken. This, my friends, is the sign of good writing. This book brought chills, tears, laughter, and so many other emotions. It is women's fiction at its finest. And, I ended up liking Renata, go figure, LOL!
If you enjoy women's fiction that is strong on faith (not preachy), emotions, and extremely well-written, I highly recommend this series. I also recommend reading it in order. The first two books could probably be read in either order, but there are hints to Phoebe's story and I want to see if my conclusions are right in the next book. I am sure the next two books will refer back to this one, which will give spoilers if you don't read it first.
One final note, the author is the narrator and she does a fantastic job.
August 28, 2023
I liked that this book picks up where book one ends. It seems as if a year has passed, but it seamlessly carried on and didn't seem like it was all about Renata. We still follow Juliette and her relationship as well as the sisters' forgiveness journey.
I do love how each book continues with the character development of all the sisters but still focuses on a specific sister and her "issues" bringing her back to the Lord.
Renata is still my least favorite sister. She was really working my nerves in the beginning. She is self-centered, narcissistic, gas lights everyone and is so controlling. I don't think she really got over that personality type, but I can understand some of her behavior based on what she went through. I hope to continue to see a change in her as we finish out the series in the other sisters' books.
One thing that really made me want to through my phone was a mention of a girl in the kids' school wearing boxers. Why are we even writing about children's underwear? I do understand conversations like this do happen with children in real life, but I think it should be left out of books. It's weird.
Overall I do like the authors writing and I did enjoy the narration of the audiobook. A solid 3.5 ⭐️.
I do love how each book continues with the character development of all the sisters but still focuses on a specific sister and her "issues" bringing her back to the Lord.
Renata is still my least favorite sister. She was really working my nerves in the beginning. She is self-centered, narcissistic, gas lights everyone and is so controlling. I don't think she really got over that personality type, but I can understand some of her behavior based on what she went through. I hope to continue to see a change in her as we finish out the series in the other sisters' books.
One thing that really made me want to through my phone was a mention of a girl in the kids' school wearing boxers. Why are we even writing about children's underwear? I do understand conversations like this do happen with children in real life, but I think it should be left out of books. It's weird.
Overall I do like the authors writing and I did enjoy the narration of the audiobook. A solid 3.5 ⭐️.
April 12, 2020
Good book!
Becky Doughty is a great author. I love the different personalities of the four sisters. Renata strikes me as a very stubborn woman. She's a good wife and great mama, but she bottles her feelings too much. Losing three babies to miscarriages is very traumatic. Losing John has to be ten times worse. Falling in love with the best friend so soon after his demise is a little awkward. I am not sure how realistic it is. But the story is still strong. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
Becky Doughty is a great author. I love the different personalities of the four sisters. Renata strikes me as a very stubborn woman. She's a good wife and great mama, but she bottles her feelings too much. Losing three babies to miscarriages is very traumatic. Losing John has to be ten times worse. Falling in love with the best friend so soon after his demise is a little awkward. I am not sure how realistic it is. But the story is still strong. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
September 3, 2018
I downrated this book compared to the first one for a couple of reasons.
First, Renata was a pretty sour, condescending and ungracious person from start to finish. Second, Between the two things, I did not enjoy this book very much, but because I was fairly invested in the rest of the characters and the background story, I finished the book.
The Christian themes continued, but because the protagonists were married there was some sex, although there was nothing graphic. The spoiled item that was really something I dislike isn’t viewed the same way by all people, so YMMV.
First, Renata was a pretty sour, condescending and ungracious person from start to finish. Second, Between the two things, I did not enjoy this book very much, but because I was fairly invested in the rest of the characters and the background story, I finished the book.
The Christian themes continued, but because the protagonists were married there was some sex, although there was nothing graphic. The spoiled item that was really something I dislike isn’t viewed the same way by all people, so YMMV.
June 3, 2017
Bittersweet
I could not believe what happened in this story. I actually had to read the paragraph twice before I really understood what happened. At least Renata ultimately gets her happily ever after. Read this story if you want clarification because I won't tell. Oh, and have a box of tissues.
I could not believe what happened in this story. I actually had to read the paragraph twice before I really understood what happened. At least Renata ultimately gets her happily ever after. Read this story if you want clarification because I won't tell. Oh, and have a box of tissues.
February 1, 2021
After reading Juliette's story in book 1, I had set an impression of what to expect of book 2. I was totally off the mark! Renata's story takes courage to read as she faces heart-breaking changes and strives to find a way to face the future. Grab your tissues. There is a happy ending, but not without a few tears. Go G-Force!
July 19, 2025
This was a more emotional book than the first. It was deeper and not as funny and light-hearted. Dealing with depression, miscarriages, and losing a spouse. It ends on a good note, with renewed hope and love!! But it is an emotional roller-coaster for sure!! Grab your tissue box before reading!! I love the series, and I can't wait to start book three!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2018
I loved this book I was sad when reading this book. I loved how Becky brought it all together in the end leading up to the the next book. I love how they all deal with the death of their parents. This is a wonderful book. I love that she also include humor in as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2020
If you haven’t read this series, you need to grab these books. They are wonderful stories of family, faith, love, and romance. The characters each have their issues but are all the better for them. Great books I recommend.
October 3, 2021
Renata's life is unravelling, her husband is there for her, tragedy strikes, with a bittersweet farewell written by the author, a dream hope for, unexpected romance and sweet family moments. This book put me through an emotional ringer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2023
3 1/2 stars. I’m really struggling with this story.
Not too keen on Renata’s whole attitude and then was hit with John, her husband dying! Very emotional.
Also, not sure how I feel about Renata and Tim’s relationship and it developing so quickly.
Not too keen on Renata’s whole attitude and then was hit with John, her husband dying! Very emotional.
Also, not sure how I feel about Renata and Tim’s relationship and it developing so quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2019
So Refreshing!
Doughty writes about real life with HOPE in the midst of the struggles!
I can't wait to get to Phoebe's story!
Doughty writes about real life with HOPE in the midst of the struggles!
I can't wait to get to Phoebe's story!
October 25, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and wasn’t sure since Renata was not my favorite sister in the first book. Great character development and redemption of her character. Happy reading and listening!
July 10, 2023
Fun and entertaining
Read
October 10, 2024Book 2 in the series. Torn between dislike for character and rooting for her. Enjoying the coninuation of stories.
May 5, 2025
What?!?! After Juliette’s book, this is not at all what I was expecting. Disappointed, annoyed, somewhat appalled (title).
January 8, 2017
Loved it. Very clean.
June 4, 2015
Renata and the Fall from Grace is the second in a new series from Becky Doughty. The first one, Juliette and the Monday ManDates, introduced the four Gustafson sisters. Renata is the second oldest, and she came across as the least likeable in the first book, due to her somewhat uptight and self-righteous nature.
As the featured character in the new volume, you might think that Renata would be portrayed in a more flattering light in her own volume, but she retained her prickly edge. At times I found myself annoyed with her. After all, who could really be that unfeeling when her young child gets sick and throws up? However, we do learn much about why Renata came to be the way she is. Doughty didn't exactly make Renata over into a different and more pleasant person, but she did show how Renata learned to be more forgiving of faults in others and thereby a more sympathetic character herself. Renata and the other characters are very well developed and I found myself cheering for Renata to find her path.
Despite the cover reminiscent of light-hearted romance novels, Doughty reminds the reader up-front that the book is "women's fiction." Her previous books have included main characters who have faced major life challenges and who have themselves made poor choices - sometimes even horribly sinful or selfish choices. In this way, Renata and the Fall from Grace is very consistent with previous work by the author. Despite the sometimes dark tone of Renata and the Fall from Grace, there is ultimately the realization that God's light will triumph over the darkness.
Part way through the book, the events took a very unexpected turn - just as life is known to do. Given the surprising twist, Doughty wove a beautiful story of redemption and love. It may not be the love story you were expecting when you started reading, but it is nonetheless a satisfying tale of love within couples and families. The strong and realistic characters make this well-writen text very hard to set down once you start reading. I read the whole book in an airport and on a flight, and strangers around me probably wondered why I was alternately laughing and crying! I can't wait to see what Doughty does with Phoebe's story next.
Renata and the Fall from Grace is recommended for anyone who enjoys good storytelling. Participants of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) will be inspired to note that the novel apparently got its start during NaNoWriMo 2012.
I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
As the featured character in the new volume, you might think that Renata would be portrayed in a more flattering light in her own volume, but she retained her prickly edge. At times I found myself annoyed with her. After all, who could really be that unfeeling when her young child gets sick and throws up? However, we do learn much about why Renata came to be the way she is. Doughty didn't exactly make Renata over into a different and more pleasant person, but she did show how Renata learned to be more forgiving of faults in others and thereby a more sympathetic character herself. Renata and the other characters are very well developed and I found myself cheering for Renata to find her path.
Despite the cover reminiscent of light-hearted romance novels, Doughty reminds the reader up-front that the book is "women's fiction." Her previous books have included main characters who have faced major life challenges and who have themselves made poor choices - sometimes even horribly sinful or selfish choices. In this way, Renata and the Fall from Grace is very consistent with previous work by the author. Despite the sometimes dark tone of Renata and the Fall from Grace, there is ultimately the realization that God's light will triumph over the darkness.
Part way through the book, the events took a very unexpected turn - just as life is known to do. Given the surprising twist, Doughty wove a beautiful story of redemption and love. It may not be the love story you were expecting when you started reading, but it is nonetheless a satisfying tale of love within couples and families. The strong and realistic characters make this well-writen text very hard to set down once you start reading. I read the whole book in an airport and on a flight, and strangers around me probably wondered why I was alternately laughing and crying! I can't wait to see what Doughty does with Phoebe's story next.
Renata and the Fall from Grace is recommended for anyone who enjoys good storytelling. Participants of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) will be inspired to note that the novel apparently got its start during NaNoWriMo 2012.
I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 8, 2015
The Gustafson girls are certainly quite a bunch of women. After reading about Juliette and the ManDates her sisters sent her on, I looked forward to seeing more of this bunch in Renata and the Fall from Grace by author Becky Doughty.
Renata (Gustafson) Dixon is the married sister of the group, experiencing the joys, the annoyances, the heartache, and the different facets of love found in wife and motherhood. As in the first novel of the series, the story makes way for the Gustafsons' G-FOURce meetings and the one-of-a-kind protocol that those entail, and as much as the sisters may disagree and clash, the way their ultimate bond shines through, in big ways and small, is a pleasure to see.
This isn't always the case for me when I read, but the parts of this novel that most drew me in were the most tragic, and the scene that put me in tears had its own beauty. I'll admit I never exactly warmed up to Renata's independent and pretty prickly character, the swinging of her moods blindsiding me a time or two, but she's human and understandable, and it helps that she's self-aware. I'm not sure that I saw an inward, individual growth for her as pronounced as the changing of her circumstances, and an aspect of the novel's romance left me wanting a little more time to get used to it. I also ran into some language I wasn't ready for, but a good amount of the Dixon children's comments, questions, and antics had me smiling.
Oh, and a particular glimpse of a man stepping up and being a man in a tough family situation, teaching someone else something about what it means to be a man, had me all the way pumped.
I could go on. And I will go on, as I find this author's writing to be consistently real and accessible, and I fully intend to read the next book in this series when it releases. I'm more than intrigued to see what's in store for the next Gustafson girl, Phoebe.
____________________
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Renata (Gustafson) Dixon is the married sister of the group, experiencing the joys, the annoyances, the heartache, and the different facets of love found in wife and motherhood. As in the first novel of the series, the story makes way for the Gustafsons' G-FOURce meetings and the one-of-a-kind protocol that those entail, and as much as the sisters may disagree and clash, the way their ultimate bond shines through, in big ways and small, is a pleasure to see.
This isn't always the case for me when I read, but the parts of this novel that most drew me in were the most tragic, and the scene that put me in tears had its own beauty. I'll admit I never exactly warmed up to Renata's independent and pretty prickly character, the swinging of her moods blindsiding me a time or two, but she's human and understandable, and it helps that she's self-aware. I'm not sure that I saw an inward, individual growth for her as pronounced as the changing of her circumstances, and an aspect of the novel's romance left me wanting a little more time to get used to it. I also ran into some language I wasn't ready for, but a good amount of the Dixon children's comments, questions, and antics had me smiling.
Oh, and a particular glimpse of a man stepping up and being a man in a tough family situation, teaching someone else something about what it means to be a man, had me all the way pumped.
I could go on. And I will go on, as I find this author's writing to be consistently real and accessible, and I fully intend to read the next book in this series when it releases. I'm more than intrigued to see what's in store for the next Gustafson girl, Phoebe.
____________________
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2015
I read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it. The characters were winsome and there were several plot twists that made me giggle. Enter book number two. Renata was easy to dislike in the first book, so I had high hopes for her. I wanted to see redemption or self realization or growth or..... I got nothing. This author took a huge risk and it could have paid off beautifully. It did not. I disliked Renata in the beginning and I hated her by the end. She was shallow and judgmental and self-righteous to start with and it never got better. Did she get her happy ending? You betcha! Did she deserve everything she wanted, delivered on the platter of the loss of the most intriguing character in the book???? I don't think so. Jesus was the shining light in "Juliette and the Monday Mandates". He didn't even show up in the second book. Bad characterization and wretched character development.
April 12, 2016
Great book! Not your typical style romance. Some parts were even hard to read. In fact, about halfway through the book, I had to stop reading and just cry for awhile before I could continue reading. I never saw what happened coming. It was difficult to accept, but it was a very real possible situation that could happen in life. So many romances are just about the happy moments and don't include the difficult things. While it was a struggle to accept some of the things that happened in the book, it was still a great book with a joyful (although maybe a little bittersweet) ending. I definitely recommend reading this book, but be prepared with a box of tissues.
July 31, 2017
I gave this book three stars not because I don't love the author's writing - I do - but because the book was simply too hard for me to read due to the emotions it invoked in me. One of my greatest fears happened in this book, and I just couldn't handle reading it and experiencing it through the eyes of the characters. I was a crying mess trying to get through the pages and my stomach was in knots. Maybe I'm just too sensitive and emotional, I'm not sure. But in any case, my three stars does not reflect on the author's ability to write a good story - she does a wonderful job of it - but because her writing was so talented that I couldn't handle the experience of reading the book.
September 22, 2022
Clean, realistic, Christian romance. Renata has a loving and understanding husband and four beautiful boys. She has three wonderful sisters and grandparents who raised them since their parent died when the four girls were younger. Renata's life is nowhere perfect.
She has her doubts about her life and her faith. She is battling with serious depression she is trying to work out on her own and deal with other life situations involving her three other sisters. I love how she battles through tragedy and her journey to healing herself, her family, and her faith.
She has her doubts about her life and her faith. She is battling with serious depression she is trying to work out on her own and deal with other life situations involving her three other sisters. I love how she battles through tragedy and her journey to healing herself, her family, and her faith.
March 9, 2018
This is a second book in the Gustafson sisters series, but my first time reading books by Becky Doughty. Renata was married to John in the beginning. Their love story ended suddenly. But not the story of Renata life. *Spoiler Alert* Johns best friend Tim is there to help her. It may have seemed she didn't grieve enough....But for her even in the end John was there giving his blessings. WILL now go back to read the first book now and wait impatiently for the next two to be done.
June 21, 2016
Sigh. I'm trying to remember if I've ever really liked a book before where I had such a hard time liking the main character, and I'm drawing a blank. Renata is stubborn and selfish and prickly, and somehow through all that the author still made me care about what happened to her. Well done, realistic fiction. Is it butterflies and roses? Nope. But it's really good writing, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
June 4, 2015
Loved it
Bought this after reading the first book.. There were a few times when the characters didn't seem the same as they were in the last book (mostly Phoebe), but it's a good read. Again, the characters are real and not perfect. The men are fallible and the women have issues, which I really appreciate! Wish the next book was already written!
Bought this after reading the first book.. There were a few times when the characters didn't seem the same as they were in the last book (mostly Phoebe), but it's a good read. Again, the characters are real and not perfect. The men are fallible and the women have issues, which I really appreciate! Wish the next book was already written!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews