Beauty in the Bittersweet

by Jessica Stone

If checking off lists were all it took, Elle Reed could keep her life from crumbling around her. But her husband betrays her trust, her best friend’s recent diagnosis reveals a hidden trauma, and a secret Elle has been keeping from her mother has wrecked their Gilmore Girls-esque relationship. Her career may be the one thing she has control over, and she holds it tightly with both hands.

Then she gets a call she never expects—her mother has passed away suddenly, taking any hope of reconciliation with her. Discovering Catherine’s collection of devotional journals while packing up her home provides an opportunity to glean the wisdom she so desperately misses. But the journals reveal that her mother had secrets of her own, leaving Elle wondering if anyone in her life is who they say.

When an upheaval at work rips away the only stability Elle has left, she has to face her biggest fear. What will it take for her to surrender control to The One who’s had it all along?

298 pages, Paperback

Published April 18, 2025

About the author

As a former journalist, and a current novelist and screenwriter, Jessica Stone has always loved telling stories. She believes her testimony and message are shared most clearly through fiction, and she loves the process of developing deep—and deeply flawed—characters who find redemption and learn to accept grace, just as she is still learning to do.

Whether at home pushing one of her cats off her keyboard or sipping espresso in a Parisian café while visiting her fashion designer daughter, you’ll usually find Jessica writing contemporary faith-based women’s fiction and cleverly thought-provoking romantic comedies that point to Jesus. Because she simply loves telling stories about life and love…and He authored the greatest love story of all!

Reviews

[Jasmine (Jazzie) [Jesus Loves You!!] · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Loving the lovable is easy, Elle. Everyone does that. It's finding a way to show the unlovable they are still worthy that means something.”

~My Thoughts~
If you asked me what drew me to this book in the beginning, I'd probably have to say more than anything else, the title did. Honestly probably because if I had to name this past year– year and a half– of my life, I feel like Beauty in the Bittersweet would fit it the most. But although the title drew me in, it was the story that kept me here. This was such a touching story that I honestly ended up liking more than I thought I would!

Just about everything in this book was pretty well done in my opinion! The writing, the plot, the characters, etc!

So, yeah, I definitely recommend this book!

~Characters~
Elle: Honestly, I was a bit worried at first that I would have some issues with relating to her just because there are so many things she goes through that I haven't had to deal with, but thankfully my worries were, for the most part, in vain. I really liked her character growth,

Caroline: Although we don't actually get to meet her on page, just from the journals and whatnot, I really love her character. She seems like such a nice lady, and I feel like she would have been amazing to actually know in real life if she had been real.

~Book Cover Rating~
9/10 It's cute and it fits the story very well!

~Content Warnings~
(Warning! 🚨 Before you go any further, there is a chance that something I've said about the content could possibly be a bit spoilerish, so please proceed with caution! Also, if I missed any content, please let me know so I can add it!)

Trigger Warnings:
Death of parents (not on page), grief.

Faith based/Christian:
Praying, quoting scriptures, mentions of God, talking about God.

Other Religious Content:
None

Violence:
None that I remember

Sexual Content/Romance:
Mentions of a husband cheating on his wife. Mentions of a kiss, mentions of someone going into someone's bed *cough* to you know… *cough cough* A couple lay in bed together (they're married and it isn't said that they don't anything like…).
Mentions of miscarriages.

Magic:
None

Bad Language:
None

LGBTQ+:
None!

Drugs/Alcohol:
Mentions of a drunk person. Mentions of alcohol, such as martinis.

~Other Notes~
I'd say this would be a great book to gift or read for Mother's day. And for anyone looking for books with characters who deal with the loss of a mother and/or characters who deal with a rocky marriage.

~My Age Recommendation~
16 years old and older

~Will I Read the Rest of the Series/More from this Author?~
Yes!

~Will I reread this book at some point in time?~
Most likely!

*I received a free copy of this book from the author for my honest review. A positive review was not required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Aleena Grosjean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I was going to like this story. This is a new author for me, and I can't even remember how I found her, but I signed up to be an advanced reader, and I'm so glad I did! The characters are believable, and their journey is tough, but seeing how God works through "impossible" situations to bring about His glory, forgiveness, and restoration was worth the investment of time. I can't wait to learn more about the characters in coming stories, and I would highly recommend this book. It is a clean, enduring, redemptive romance that shares the power of Christ in all things.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beauty in the Bittersweet is the first book I have read written by Jessica Stone and I look forward to reading some more books. This was a book that I decided to read purely off of the cover and the words Gilmore Girls-esque in the description, and it did not disappoint. This will be a re-read for me in the future.

The character development was great. There were so many different layers to the characters and issues the characters were going through. Elle has just lost her mother and is having to pack up her mother’s estate and sell the house. Elle’s husband Micah is on tour managing a band and is not home very often. He makes some bad decisions and has an affair that greatly affects their marriage. Watching Elle and Micah fight for their marriage while going through everything else makes for such a vulnerable story. It really brought the characters to life.

The plot was great. I loved getting to go through the grieving process with Elle, while also fighting for her marriage while Martine (the woman her husband had an affair with) is telling lies about what transpired between her and Micah. Micah and Elle are trying to figure it out, while also working on their faith and marriage. Elle is also going through her mom’s journal, dealing with grief, but also finding out some things she didn’t know about her mom.
I also loved getting a glimpse at the music industry from a different perspective. This has been my third story this year that touched on the music industry and it has been great.

The romance aspect was low spice. It did talk about the affair and the other party involved is trying to break up the marriage, so she tries to elaborate and tell falsehoods. Even with it all, it is a low-spice, closed-door romance.

Jessica Stone did a great job intertwining faith throughout the story. I loved that part of the sermon was included. I also appreciated the different scriptures sprinkled throughout. I loved seeing God redeem this marriage.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, Loss, & Redemption
Great beginning to the Thornbush and Juniper series by Jessica Stone.
Heartwarming story of love and loss. This book tells the story of Elle whose marriage is having a very rough patch, her mom has died and her best friend has cancer. She’s struggling with her relationship with God while she reads her mom’s journals.
Really makes you think about life.
*I received this book as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[Donna Palmerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a thought provoking story which also inspires hope when you feel that nothing will be “right” again.
I not only enjoyed the plot but also how the characters developed from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book!

[Birgitta Mackiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Jessica’s debut novel! The characters were relatable and the story drew me in from the very first pages. The writing is beautiful. I felt like I could sit down with these women over a mug of tea. Like so many of us find out there are times when everything seems to go wrong all at once and just when you think it can’t get worse it does. Elle learns that there truly is beauty in the bittersweet but it’s not always easy to find at first.

I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Elle and co next!

[Cyndi Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent faith based story!

I wasn’t sure what to e peat, so I put them aside. I was hooked before finishing the first chapter! I cannot wait for the next installment!!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe this is Jessica Stone's first novel. Loved it!

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never heard of this author Jessica Stone, so when I found her online and signed up to be apart of her arc (advanced early reader group), I wasn’t sure what to expect but let me tell me. Beauty in the Bittersweet was a GOOD SURPRISE! Such a beautiful story of loss, betrayal and redemption all wrapped in one amazing story. The way Jessica captures each emotion in this soul-gripping beauty. I think the title perfectly describes the story. There is so much to unpack, I’ll be sorting through my thoughts for a while.

If you haven’t had a chance to pick this book up, I’d recommend it

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beauty in the Bittersweet by Jessica Stone is a book that’s exactly as its title says; it’s beautiful yet very bittersweet. You’ll find a great deal of heartache interspersed with hope…hope that can only be found in having a relationship with Christ.

I’ll be perfectly honest. At about the 30% mark, I wasn’t sure that I was going to be able to finish this book. It’s heavy, and I could feel the sadness deep inside of myself. I’m the type of person who has “all the feels, all the time.” However, I could see the glimpses of light shining through, and I was already sailing through the book. I ended up finishing it in just a little over a day. It’s that much of a page-turner.

After Elle’s mother dies very unexpectedly in her early 50s, Elle finds her mom’s journals which reveal so much to Elle. We think we know our parents, but when we’re kids, we’re so self-centered that we don’t think about things they might be going through. Sure, there are times when it’s easy to tell if they’re upset about something, but we rarely fully know what is going on because they shelter us from those big things.

Reading Elle’s mom’s journal entries along with her and discovering her mom’s deep feelings is very emotional. Elle begins to grasp just how much God helped her mom through the darkest times of her life. Yet, it’s very raw because her mom was human and got mad at God! Who among us hasn’t? This quote from the book just knocked me upside the head: “His (God’s) utmost desire isn’t my comfort on earth but shaping me for everlasting joy with Him.” Her mom’s journal eventually leads Elle to the realization that she might know about God, but she doesn’t know Him.

There’s just so much in this book that I could talk about, but it ultimately does come down to the fact that there is beauty in the bittersweet. The author gives us well-written characters who grow throughout the story. The things that the characters either go through or have gone through could be potential triggers for readers. I feel that giving those would spoil things that are revealed in the book, but if you have specific subjects that you wish to avoid, I’m sure that the author would be happy to share with you. You can contact her on her website: https://www.jessicastonestories.com/

Beauty in the Bittersweet is totally a five star read for me. Even though at times my heart was breaking, and I felt like I couldn’t go on, I am so grateful that I read this book. The spiritual and inspirational messages that are weaved into the story reached deep into my soul. They’re a reminder that we’re not alone in our struggles and our sorrow. I highly recommend it!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Fiction Romance is always a good genre. Beauty in the Bittersweet by Jessica Stone is the most recent book in this genre that I have read. It is Book 1 in A Thornbush and Juniper Story series. Jessica Stone is a new to me author and I was excited to read this book.

The first few pages in the book were a bit slow, but the storyline quickly picked up. The main character in the book is Elle Reed. Life is going downhill for Elle and she feels like things are out of control. Her husband does something that now she has trust issues with him. Her best friend had recent trauma and a diagnosis and Elle's relationship with her Mom has some hidden secrets. Elle is satisfied with her job and doing well at her job. Life takes a change when Elle receives a call that her Mom died unexpectedly. Rightfully so, Elle is devasted that healing the relationship with her Mom won't happen now. Elle is surprised when she discovers the secrets her Mom had been hiding in her Devotional journals. I really LOVE how the author includes a strong faith message in this book and that Elle realizes that her life is falling down because she hasn't been allowing God's plan for her life. Elle becomes a stronger person and relationships are healed when she gives God control and not her own control. The book is one of healing relationships, trusting others and Faith. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction. GREAT BOOK!

[Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and it was such a treat to read. Honestly the cover didn't draw me in but the summary of the book and the words Gilmore-esque phrase definitely had me hooked and I knew this was something I wanted to read and I am so glad I did. The story completely drew me in but the characters were written so well. The many layers they had unfolded and we saw the issues they were going through. These characters were relatable and I have to say the emotions were so real. Maybe I am speaking because I have the experience of loss with losing my mom last year so I definitely could relate toe Elle and her grief. For me I definitely had to have tissues nearby and seeing Elle and and Micah fighting for their marriage on top of all of this definitely adds to the heightened emotions.

The plot was great and truly moved at a great pace. Overall I really enjoyed the story and can't wait to see what the author pens next!

I received a copy for review. All views are my own.

[Kiersti Giron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut novel from Jessica Stone truly is a beauty! At first I wasn’t quite sure where the story was going, as unlike many novels, the most “dramatic” events in the book have already happened when the story begins—the death of a parent, a marital affair. But slowly, I realized that is the unique power of the story…for isn’t most of life dealing with the aftermath of the events that shape us, and figuring out how the past shapes our present, and how to move forward into a future that may not be perfect, but can nonetheless be good, thanks to God’s mercy and redemption? I loved how Jessica didn’t gloss over life’s messiness, but showed the beauty it still contains—as the title suggests—and still pointed to hope. The characters and vivid writing gripped me, making this novel hard to put down. I also loved the “Thornbush and Juniper” imagery in the series title, referring—I realized at last—to a verse I dearly love in Isaiah 55. I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys contemporary Christian fiction. Five stars!

[Nancy Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel by Jessica Stone, the first in a series, is a great read. If you want a story with a Christian theme—without being preachy—this one is for you. The characters deal with real life issues—the death of a parent, marital infidelity, cancer, struggles with faith—issues many of us are familiar with. Jessica is a new author for me, but I plan to continue to read her books.
Having recently lost my own mother, the struggles, guilt, wishes for more time that the main character went through are real and gripping. The journey of faith among the characters is well written. The crisis of faith that Elle’s mother went through when she had losses in her life are relatable. This book is an honest portrayal of life and how several people seek help from God and their faith. I highly recommend this book!

[Jennifer Utt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few pages in, I wasn't sure this was a book I really wanted to read. By chapter three I was hooked. About 2/3 of the way through I stayed up most of the night to finish the book. Even if you cannot relate to the characters or their struggles, there is something about their journey that captures you and draws you in. While this is not a suspenseful book, there are plenty of surprises that keep the story from becoming predictable and boring. This is a story of hope joy and love. I am so glad I didn't give up on this book in those first few pages. An amazing story that you will not regret reading.

While I received an advanced copy of this book, the review is completely mine.

[Amanda H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Stone is a new author to me, though I look forward to reading more of her stories in the future!

This story does not shy away from tough subjects, with things coming to a head when her husband betrays her and the loss if losing a mother. I love how Elle has a chance to get to know her mom more through finding her journals and reading through them. I also appreciated how Elle and Micah have to work on their marriage and trying to put it together. This is a wonderful, richly written story!

I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.

[Gennie Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica does a beautiful job at weaving in bits of biblical wisdom throughout Elle's story as we follow her through her marital struggles and dealing with losing her mother. She does a great job at fleshing out the reality of mother/daughter relationships through the revelation of some found journals that make you stop and evaluate your own relationships. We read this book as my book club pick. Jessica even participated in a Zoom meeting with us to discuss her book. It was such a treat! I highly recommend this book and hope to start my own prayer journals soon!!

[Vicky Coerper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very engaging and captivating. It drew me in and held me until the very end. I highly recommend it!