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Taking Boston
Jake Wilson is something peculiar in the deep-south Bible belt town of Warner Robins, GA. He's a single pastor. In his early thirties, he's built a large, contemporary church with plans for an expansive building project. His nine-year-old goddaughter, Boston, lives on the other side of the country. When her parents are killed in a car accident, she becomes an orphan, and Jake becomes an overnight father. When Boston bonds with Jessica, a young divorcee from Jake's church, Jessica becomes an integral part of their lives. Jessica awakens feelings in Jake he has long suppressed, but dark secrets haunt her. And when a vengeful church member learns of her past, he threatens to destroy everything Jake has worked for. Now Jake must help both girls to heal from their traumas while fighting for the church he's built. Can he be the father he needs to be? Can he help Jessica forgive herself? And can he save his church from the man determined to ruin him? Taking Boston is a story of how devastating sorrow can sometimes bring the greatest blessings.
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Published August 28, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 26, 2024
Wow! A true “must read” that aptly displays the power of love!
January 5, 2024
Ok, so let me start off by saying, I normally read suspense. There is a little mystery built into the story.
This book was about grace, mercy, and redemption, which is my second favorite thing to read!
This hooked me in from the start!
And I highly recommend it! Especially for someone looking for a Christian book to cover a few genres!
#stevebutleriknewyouwhen
Can't wait for your next work!!
This book was about grace, mercy, and redemption, which is my second favorite thing to read!
This hooked me in from the start!
And I highly recommend it! Especially for someone looking for a Christian book to cover a few genres!
#stevebutleriknewyouwhen
Can't wait for your next work!!
November 10, 2024
Good example of Christs love and forgiveness. Well written and clean. Recommend.
January 7, 2024
Grace
One of the best Christian fiction that I know so far. The story of failure and acceptance. How we give a meaning for grace in our life.
One of the best Christian fiction that I know so far. The story of failure and acceptance. How we give a meaning for grace in our life.
March 11, 2024
I didn't realize that this book would be so...religious.... Churchy....biblical. I enjoyed the story and was not deterred by any of that. I was raised Catholic. I know my Bible, very little, but always open to learning more.
Perhaps this book showed up, with Boston in the title, as a way for me to click ok on it.
( Grew up in a small town about 50 miles south of Boston)
Perhaps I needed to hear this, since my heart attack. God needs me here, I need to take better care of myself, so I can finish raising my 2 mentally disabled sons.
Taking in another couple's child must have been incredibly difficult, at first. But this story tells us to lean on Christ & He will get you thru it. Which is how my family has gotten thru these last .... Nearly 40 years.
When a little girl, about 8, survives a car crash, but her parents don't, your heart just breaks! Thankfully, her parents had a plan in place. Their best friend from college, now a Pastor, would raise their daughter, Boston, should anything happen to them.
Even Pastors need help. A young woman, who teaches 4th grade, and Sunday school, adores little Boston. She also finds herself falling in love with the Pastor, Boston's new " dad".
While dealing with a now so Christian gentleman from the congregation, Pastor Jake nearly loses his church, but he and the elders find a way.
Pastor Jake, Jessica and Boston end up befriending Mr. Knapp, after his heart attack/ car accident/ coma.
Now they are a "family" in a non traditional, but very Christian way.
Perhaps this book showed up, with Boston in the title, as a way for me to click ok on it.
( Grew up in a small town about 50 miles south of Boston)
Perhaps I needed to hear this, since my heart attack. God needs me here, I need to take better care of myself, so I can finish raising my 2 mentally disabled sons.
Taking in another couple's child must have been incredibly difficult, at first. But this story tells us to lean on Christ & He will get you thru it. Which is how my family has gotten thru these last .... Nearly 40 years.
When a little girl, about 8, survives a car crash, but her parents don't, your heart just breaks! Thankfully, her parents had a plan in place. Their best friend from college, now a Pastor, would raise their daughter, Boston, should anything happen to them.
Even Pastors need help. A young woman, who teaches 4th grade, and Sunday school, adores little Boston. She also finds herself falling in love with the Pastor, Boston's new " dad".
While dealing with a now so Christian gentleman from the congregation, Pastor Jake nearly loses his church, but he and the elders find a way.
Pastor Jake, Jessica and Boston end up befriending Mr. Knapp, after his heart attack/ car accident/ coma.
Now they are a "family" in a non traditional, but very Christian way.
April 2, 2024
Having a child always causes changes, especially when the child is the nine year old daughter of your best friend. Jake Wilson, the pastor of a large church, finds out the hard way the good and bad of this situation. Then everything gets complicated when a member of the congregation decides that his wealth should make him the decision maker for the church and that it is ok for him to make more money by that manipulation of said church.
Mr. Butler does a great job of weaving a biblical message of love, grace, forgiveness, and righteousness through the story. He also included all the fun, angst, guilt and self-introspection that goes along with realizing those things. As a pastors wife, I'd say he has a great insight into the workings of a church and the many facets of what goes on within. I very much enjoyed this book as it made me laugh, shed a few tears, and look at myself and how I would have reacted in some of the situations. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for more than just a fluffy story.
Mr. Butler does a great job of weaving a biblical message of love, grace, forgiveness, and righteousness through the story. He also included all the fun, angst, guilt and self-introspection that goes along with realizing those things. As a pastors wife, I'd say he has a great insight into the workings of a church and the many facets of what goes on within. I very much enjoyed this book as it made me laugh, shed a few tears, and look at myself and how I would have reacted in some of the situations. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for more than just a fluffy story.
November 24, 2023
A Christian romance and so much more!
I was hooked from the first page, and I struggled to put this book down. The four distinct POV's kept me riveted. This a new to me author, and I really like his writing style. The characters were extremely well developed - I felt like I knew each character through their thoughts and emotions described. The plot and romance were believable and so well done. I felt like the author really knew his subject matter and wrote from the heart. At times, I laughed, and elsewhere, my heart ached. It was so so good.
I will be thinking about this book and the main characters (Jake, Boston, Jessica, and Dewey) for a long time to come.
Highly recommended. If I could give it 6 stars, I would.
* note there are some minor typos, but they did not detract from the moving, amazing, heart wrenching and equally heartwarming story.
I was hooked from the first page, and I struggled to put this book down. The four distinct POV's kept me riveted. This a new to me author, and I really like his writing style. The characters were extremely well developed - I felt like I knew each character through their thoughts and emotions described. The plot and romance were believable and so well done. I felt like the author really knew his subject matter and wrote from the heart. At times, I laughed, and elsewhere, my heart ached. It was so so good.
I will be thinking about this book and the main characters (Jake, Boston, Jessica, and Dewey) for a long time to come.
Highly recommended. If I could give it 6 stars, I would.
* note there are some minor typos, but they did not detract from the moving, amazing, heart wrenching and equally heartwarming story.
January 20, 2024
I enjoyed this book. The premise of a single man, a pastor, taking a child after her parents are killed was sweet as was the relationship that develops between him and Jessica. Dewey Knapp is believable as a scripts like antagonist.
My issue was how quickly the story went. I know it is a short book but the speed with which Boston recovered from not only the death of her parents but being trapped for hours with their bodies was incredulous. Also within a year she recovered and went from calling Jake Mr Wilson to Daddy. It was a hard leap to make with the author.
I did appreciate the multiple situations where we saw the redemption of believers and the love of Christ. I love how personal the characters relationships were with Jesus.
All in all a good read.
My issue was how quickly the story went. I know it is a short book but the speed with which Boston recovered from not only the death of her parents but being trapped for hours with their bodies was incredulous. Also within a year she recovered and went from calling Jake Mr Wilson to Daddy. It was a hard leap to make with the author.
I did appreciate the multiple situations where we saw the redemption of believers and the love of Christ. I love how personal the characters relationships were with Jesus.
All in all a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2025
Tragedy, faith, and a twist I didn’t see coming.
I started Taking Boston thinking I was in for a sweet romance — what I got was grief, grit, & a gut-punch of redemption. Jake’s a pastor, and the scripture didn’t feel preachy — it felt real, like part of the heartbeat of the story. The church wasn’t just a backdrop, but a central component.
The opening broke me. The ending healed me.
& somewhere in between… something happens that changes everything.
I started Taking Boston thinking I was in for a sweet romance — what I got was grief, grit, & a gut-punch of redemption. Jake’s a pastor, and the scripture didn’t feel preachy — it felt real, like part of the heartbeat of the story. The church wasn’t just a backdrop, but a central component.
The opening broke me. The ending healed me.
& somewhere in between… something happens that changes everything.
April 5, 2024
A delightful religious story that was most enjoyable to read. It included sadness relationships as well as learning the word of God and how it affects our lives. I think all readers of this novel can relate in some way to one of the characters and feel empathy for them throughout the story. I think a sequel would be worthy if the author was willing to write one.
April 20, 2024
Touching story if redemption and love
This story was so beautifully written. The author taught about the redemptive power of Jesus' atonement without getting preachy. The story flowed naturally and was sad in many places, but hopeful and bright in others. I highly recommend for those who love a good story with Christian messages that are natural and not preachy.
This story was so beautifully written. The author taught about the redemptive power of Jesus' atonement without getting preachy. The story flowed naturally and was sad in many places, but hopeful and bright in others. I highly recommend for those who love a good story with Christian messages that are natural and not preachy.
January 3, 2025
I enjoyed reading this clean book. The characters do have dimension. I feel like this was pruned a little bit too much. I disliked the way divorce was heavily mentioned numerous times as a deep sin. With the religious answer being Jesus died for our sins, like like it was murder. It did not sit well with me as the ex husband left her. This was supposed to be more modern times.
March 30, 2026
As a pastor's wife of 40 years I found this book a very realistic portrayal of church life and the unfortunate politics sometimes involved. It was a charming story and well written. How I wish all difficult church situations had a fairy tale ending like this one does! After all it is Christian fiction. Nevertheless I enjoyed reading it immensely.
March 31, 2026
One of the very BEST books I have read in a long time!!!...kinda reminded me of a modern day Scrooge do over with Dewey...loved all the characters,Boston is a heart stealer,Pastor Jake and Jessica make a very good couple and there are forgiveness lessons throughout the story...I do wish there was more and a series, didn't want it to end!!!
January 18, 2024
What a friend!
The song “What a friend we have in Jesus” came to mind as soon as I finished reading. Life will and can absolutely harden your heart, if you don’t treasure and nourish your relationship with God.
What a wonderful heartwarming read.
The song “What a friend we have in Jesus” came to mind as soon as I finished reading. Life will and can absolutely harden your heart, if you don’t treasure and nourish your relationship with God.
What a wonderful heartwarming read.
February 4, 2024
This book had a solid storyline and was enjoyable to read. While it has some editing errors that distracted from the flow of the book, overall it was solidly written. Sweet girl Boston, Pastor Jake, and teacher friend Jessica made for interesting characters.
March 6, 2024
A wonderful.surprising book
Very uplifting story about how God makes.good out of bad. A sknnvle.pastor finds himself bringing up.his orphaned granddaughter. God'S grace a d forgiveness works through them as they forge a new family.
Very uplifting story about how God makes.good out of bad. A sknnvle.pastor finds himself bringing up.his orphaned granddaughter. God'S grace a d forgiveness works through them as they forge a new family.
April 2, 2024
Good message
The story is great but it progresses a little slow, with new characters suddenly appearing.
This story has a great message of grace. How one little girl was able to bring a grumpy old man to peace.
The story is great but it progresses a little slow, with new characters suddenly appearing.
This story has a great message of grace. How one little girl was able to bring a grumpy old man to peace.
March 26, 2026
No spoilers - if you start reading you will have trouble putting it down. The author showed in a real and often graphic way how God used four lives in a reaffirmation of His love and redemption. Nothing is impossible with God.
March 30, 2026
Excellent book. A beautiful story of love, forgiveness, trust, faithfulness, and redemption. It has a real-life feel about it. Expect tears. The lead characters are all strong and I don’t know which one I liked most. It captured me right away and, I rarely say this, I couldn’t put it down.
January 23, 2024
to see the world through the eyes of a child
Tragedy, triumph, and healing all in one place. The heart of a child can win the kingdom. Children can be very versatile!
Tragedy, triumph, and healing all in one place. The heart of a child can win the kingdom. Children can be very versatile!
January 25, 2024
Very preachy
Not a favorite very preachy and long parts that really didn't add much to the story could have been half the length and had more impact
Not a favorite very preachy and long parts that really didn't add much to the story could have been half the length and had more impact
February 2, 2024
Not what I expected
Taking Boston,was at times heartbreaking & other times so refreshing.God can do miracles in our lives we just need to believe.
Taking Boston,was at times heartbreaking & other times so refreshing.God can do miracles in our lives we just need to believe.
February 11, 2024
Wasn't aware how Christian faith based this book is or i would but have selected it. I read it all but was not my cup of tea
March 29, 2024
Sharing God's love
A heart warming reminder that we all need to show our love to others and little child shall lead us to share the love of God.
A heart warming reminder that we all need to show our love to others and little child shall lead us to share the love of God.
April 17, 2024
I loved the book and how it focuses on the grace of God towards us despite our mistakes.
Was curious if the main characters finally got married hehe
Was curious if the main characters finally got married hehe
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2024
Good Book!
I enjoyed this book. It’s sweet and very touching. Definitely pulls at your heart strings but worth it. I Definitely Recommend!
I enjoyed this book. It’s sweet and very touching. Definitely pulls at your heart strings but worth it. I Definitely Recommend!
June 21, 2024
Love this book
A sad beginning with a happy ending. In between was life. How we live it. Who we are. Real or fake. Love or hate.
A sad beginning with a happy ending. In between was life. How we live it. Who we are. Real or fake. Love or hate.
July 6, 2024
Very touching
I really liked this book.I like how they portrayed God bringing good out of tragedy.And I like happy endings.Would recommend to anyone.
I really liked this book.I like how they portrayed God bringing good out of tragedy.And I like happy endings.Would recommend to anyone.
November 17, 2024
Heartwarming
Absolutely loved this book! God's love is evident throughout. All because of a little girl named Boston.... You will not be disappointed!
Absolutely loved this book! God's love is evident throughout. All because of a little girl named Boston.... You will not be disappointed!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews