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Love's Providence
This is an alternate cover edition for B00860XL3O
College athlete Lily Brennon has always been the piece that doesn’t quite fit in the puzzle, especially in her blended family, and no amount of rule-following perfection seems to bring her any closer to the love and acceptance she desperately seeks. If not for Jackson Carter, her childhood best friend and the only boy she’s ever loved, she’s sure she would have run away years ago. But when Jackson loses his father and a future basketball career within months of each other, his faith is so shattered, he shuts out everyone, including Lily.
After months of heartache, Lily begins to piece together a life without Jackson, and while vacationing at the beach on a beautiful island off the Georgia coast, she begins a long-distance romance with Alex Walker, a police officer with a quick wit and a cocky grin. He revives her hope in love again, but their intense attraction and his devastating secret test Lily’s commitment to save herself for marriage. Through her struggles to remain true to her principles, an agonizing choice between Alex and Jackson, and a series of terrifying events that threaten all of them, Lily must endure losing everything she’s been grasping so tightly. Only then will she discover the depth of the love that already surrounds her.
College athlete Lily Brennon has always been the piece that doesn’t quite fit in the puzzle, especially in her blended family, and no amount of rule-following perfection seems to bring her any closer to the love and acceptance she desperately seeks. If not for Jackson Carter, her childhood best friend and the only boy she’s ever loved, she’s sure she would have run away years ago. But when Jackson loses his father and a future basketball career within months of each other, his faith is so shattered, he shuts out everyone, including Lily.
After months of heartache, Lily begins to piece together a life without Jackson, and while vacationing at the beach on a beautiful island off the Georgia coast, she begins a long-distance romance with Alex Walker, a police officer with a quick wit and a cocky grin. He revives her hope in love again, but their intense attraction and his devastating secret test Lily’s commitment to save herself for marriage. Through her struggles to remain true to her principles, an agonizing choice between Alex and Jackson, and a series of terrifying events that threaten all of them, Lily must endure losing everything she’s been grasping so tightly. Only then will she discover the depth of the love that already surrounds her.
Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2012
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About the author
Jennifer H. Westall
8 books92 followersJennifer Westall loves writing Christian fiction as a way of exploring her own faith journey. Saving Grace (2016) is the third installment in the Healing Ruby series, the first of which was inspired by events in the life of her grandmother and explores the mysteries of faith healing. She's also the author of Love's Providence (2012), a contemporary Christian romance novel that navigates the minefield of dating and temptation. She resides in northern Virginia with her husband and two boys, where she homeschools by day and writes by night, thus explaining those pesky bags under her eyes. Readers can connect with her at jenniferhwestall.com or find her on Facebook and Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
did-not-complete
August 30, 2020DNF - moved too slowly and just didn't keep my interest as a contemporary romance.
March 17, 2013
(This review has spoiler) This is a suprising nice read. This is the story of Jackson, Lily and Alex. I must confess that the book was slow for me at the beginning but I kept reading it because the book's good review. The book got much more intense towards the latter half. It had unexpected twists and turns and ultimately love and forgiveness was what reunited two of the main characters. I must say that I have mixed feelings about Lily since she ultimately lost her viginity to Alex. She knew all along that Alex was wrong for her but she continue with her relationship with Alex. Alex did love her in her own way but ultimately lost her because their spiritual believes were so different. My favorite character is Jackson, of course, who always stay true to his Christian belief and ultimately forgave her showing to her that he truly loved her all along like he professed to her. All in all a good read although no sure I would recommend it to a teenager to read.
September 23, 2012
Lily Brennon and Jackson Carter have been childhood best friends for twelve years, and have dated from their late high school years into their college years in Birmingham, Alabama. Lily always thought that they had a relationship that was going to last forever, but when Jackson suffers the tragic loss of his father and a blown knee sidelines his dream of joining the NBA, he slides down the slippery slope of depression and pushes everyone away including Lily.
While on a family vacation to St. Simons Island, Georgia over the fourth of July holiday, Lily meets handsome local policeman Alex Walker. Alex helps Lily see that she can move forward with her life without Jackson being in it.
Back home in Birmingham, Jackson realizes that he has messed up and wants Lily back in his life, but there is an attraction between Alex and Lily, and this love triangle will take all three of them on a journey that will bring their secrets, hopes, love, faith, heartache, choices, decisions and compromises to the surface, it will test their principles and beliefs, and ultimately change their lives as well.
Love's Providence is a YA Christian romance story that delves into the struggles of young adults making decisions of the heart while maintaining their faith and principles. Written in the third person narrative, the storyline alternates between the perspectives of Lily, Jackson and Alex. The setting of the story flips back and forth between Lily and Jackson's hometown of Birmingham, Alabama and Alex's hometown of St. Simon Island / Brunswick, Georgia. While the storyline mainly deals with struggle to make choices and decisions of the heart, it also has an intriguing addition of mystery and suspense thrown into the mix with enough twists and turns that will keep you guessing.
The author has created an intriguing cast of complex characters that easily draws the reader into their individual stories. I really enjoyed getting to know Lily, Jackson and Alex, and reading about their individual personal issues that they had to deal with in addition to their love triangle / romance issues. The author weaves a thoughtful tale about maintaining one's faith while navigating down the tricky path of life and the ups and downs that happen along the way.
Love's Providence is an inspirational story about the bonds of friendship, the choices one makes in the matter of the heart, and maintaining your faith and prinicples. This is a wonderful story that young adults and adults can share with each other, it can open up the lines of communication and provide much food for thought for the young adults as they go through the transitional years from teen to adult.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Reading Addiction Blog Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
While on a family vacation to St. Simons Island, Georgia over the fourth of July holiday, Lily meets handsome local policeman Alex Walker. Alex helps Lily see that she can move forward with her life without Jackson being in it.
Back home in Birmingham, Jackson realizes that he has messed up and wants Lily back in his life, but there is an attraction between Alex and Lily, and this love triangle will take all three of them on a journey that will bring their secrets, hopes, love, faith, heartache, choices, decisions and compromises to the surface, it will test their principles and beliefs, and ultimately change their lives as well.
Love's Providence is a YA Christian romance story that delves into the struggles of young adults making decisions of the heart while maintaining their faith and principles. Written in the third person narrative, the storyline alternates between the perspectives of Lily, Jackson and Alex. The setting of the story flips back and forth between Lily and Jackson's hometown of Birmingham, Alabama and Alex's hometown of St. Simon Island / Brunswick, Georgia. While the storyline mainly deals with struggle to make choices and decisions of the heart, it also has an intriguing addition of mystery and suspense thrown into the mix with enough twists and turns that will keep you guessing.
The author has created an intriguing cast of complex characters that easily draws the reader into their individual stories. I really enjoyed getting to know Lily, Jackson and Alex, and reading about their individual personal issues that they had to deal with in addition to their love triangle / romance issues. The author weaves a thoughtful tale about maintaining one's faith while navigating down the tricky path of life and the ups and downs that happen along the way.
Love's Providence is an inspirational story about the bonds of friendship, the choices one makes in the matter of the heart, and maintaining your faith and prinicples. This is a wonderful story that young adults and adults can share with each other, it can open up the lines of communication and provide much food for thought for the young adults as they go through the transitional years from teen to adult.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Reading Addiction Blog Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
October 2, 2012
I'm going to stay this is sports related because she was a volleyball player and he was a basketball player.. they did a few play by plays with the volleyball - so sports :)
his was an Awesome book! I truly loved it! It had everything I love in a great romance book -
Starting off with Jackson and Lily being best friends since they were 9 years old, dating when they turned 16, in love while in collage.
Life was great!
At least until things started going downhill for Jackson. His father died, he blew out his knee during basketball, and his coach just called and said the scouts didn't want to look at him anymore because of his injuries...
As if things couldn't get any worse, he told Lily he needed to be alone.. not just for now, but he needed he gone.. for good -
A few months later, Lily was still stirring over Jackson, but taking a family vacation was what she needed. Time away from her own thoughts.
Her obnoxious step sister and cousin were trying to get her to loosen up a bit.
When they wondered over to the cute cops that were sitting down at the picnic tables, she didn't care that she was being rude. She wasn't interested in anyone right now..
After a few days at the beach house, wondering around with the girls, and running into Steve and Alex a few more times, she decided to do the right thing. She apologized to Alex for being so rude and arrogant towards him. And in turn, he apologized to her for being rude right back.
They decided to start over... this time, they were actually friendly towards each other.
Days go by and Alex and Lily spend some more time getting to know one another. But it's time for Lily to go back home. Volleyball camp starts next week, and then it's practice and school - she doesn' tknow when she'll be able to see Alex again, but Alex still wants to keep in touch.
After a bit of time away, but still communicating over the phone, Lily decides to go back to Georgia with her friends to visit Alex.
Things heat up, and temptation overrides her beliefs. She feels the pull towards Alex, but she also knows that she wants to wait until she's married..
Going back home was hard. Jackson had a nice talk with his mom about learning to live and love is better then not to love at all. He wanted Lily back.
But when he finds out she's seeing Alex, he can't take it anymore.
Lily is torn between her life long best friend, and the guy she seems to be falling for now. How can she decide between the two?
Life starts to get stressful for Lily, and her confusion starts to blur her decisions. She loses her way, and struggles hard to get back on the right right..
Like I said, great story - we even had the crazy ex jump in and try to complicate things a lot - then the HEA was hard, because you can't help but fall in love with both Alex and Jackson. They're both great guys, and neither one of them deserves to be hurt.
The Christian part of the book was really great. It wasn't deep into spirituality, but Lily's belief in God was strong. She made her choices based on how God wanted her to act, and she really believed that he was guiding their love life as he saw fit.
It really opened my eyes to a few things I'd forgotten about in the past, and really touched me, personally :D
his was an Awesome book! I truly loved it! It had everything I love in a great romance book -
Starting off with Jackson and Lily being best friends since they were 9 years old, dating when they turned 16, in love while in collage.
Life was great!
At least until things started going downhill for Jackson. His father died, he blew out his knee during basketball, and his coach just called and said the scouts didn't want to look at him anymore because of his injuries...
As if things couldn't get any worse, he told Lily he needed to be alone.. not just for now, but he needed he gone.. for good -
A few months later, Lily was still stirring over Jackson, but taking a family vacation was what she needed. Time away from her own thoughts.
Her obnoxious step sister and cousin were trying to get her to loosen up a bit.
When they wondered over to the cute cops that were sitting down at the picnic tables, she didn't care that she was being rude. She wasn't interested in anyone right now..
After a few days at the beach house, wondering around with the girls, and running into Steve and Alex a few more times, she decided to do the right thing. She apologized to Alex for being so rude and arrogant towards him. And in turn, he apologized to her for being rude right back.
They decided to start over... this time, they were actually friendly towards each other.
Days go by and Alex and Lily spend some more time getting to know one another. But it's time for Lily to go back home. Volleyball camp starts next week, and then it's practice and school - she doesn' tknow when she'll be able to see Alex again, but Alex still wants to keep in touch.
After a bit of time away, but still communicating over the phone, Lily decides to go back to Georgia with her friends to visit Alex.
Things heat up, and temptation overrides her beliefs. She feels the pull towards Alex, but she also knows that she wants to wait until she's married..
Going back home was hard. Jackson had a nice talk with his mom about learning to live and love is better then not to love at all. He wanted Lily back.
But when he finds out she's seeing Alex, he can't take it anymore.
Lily is torn between her life long best friend, and the guy she seems to be falling for now. How can she decide between the two?
Life starts to get stressful for Lily, and her confusion starts to blur her decisions. She loses her way, and struggles hard to get back on the right right..
Like I said, great story - we even had the crazy ex jump in and try to complicate things a lot - then the HEA was hard, because you can't help but fall in love with both Alex and Jackson. They're both great guys, and neither one of them deserves to be hurt.
The Christian part of the book was really great. It wasn't deep into spirituality, but Lily's belief in God was strong. She made her choices based on how God wanted her to act, and she really believed that he was guiding their love life as he saw fit.
It really opened my eyes to a few things I'd forgotten about in the past, and really touched me, personally :D
October 28, 2012
ORIGINAL REVIEW AT: Little Book Star
This is the first time that I read a YA Christian Romance and it was awesome! It’s not only about romance, but it’s about the characters making right decisions in life, keeping their morals & principles, and taking risks. It is told in third person p.o.v. and switches back and forth to our three main characters’ perspectives – Lily, Jackson, and Alex. Lily and Jackson are best friends and had been on the same school since they were a child. Let’s say, they were bff’s. The story starts out when they are in college and as the story progresses, they both doubt whether or not they are meant for each other. As the story goes on, Lily meets a guy (yes, it’s Alex) while on a family vacation and that’s when the love triangle begins.
It was definitely something new and very relatable. I actually feel like the story can be true-to-life; the characters felt so real and they were making decisions like people in real life do. The characters definitely had their strengths and weaknesses and that’s one of the things I liked about the book. I also like how it switches back and forth to two different states, Georgia and Alabama (you’ll see why). It keeps us guessing and omg I almost cried when a tragedy happened in the book. It was the saddest and bravest thing ever. I don’t usually “almost cry” when reading a book, if I do then the book definitely hit me.
While reading it, I thought of Taylor Swift’s song White Horse. I don’t know, I feel like it just fits the story. I really recommend this to everyone whether you’re a teen or an adult especially if you’re up to books with best friends who becomes lovers then strangers then seeing how they come back to each other and realize that they just have to put their trust in God. It’s one of those books that gives you something to think about.
This is the first time that I read a YA Christian Romance and it was awesome! It’s not only about romance, but it’s about the characters making right decisions in life, keeping their morals & principles, and taking risks. It is told in third person p.o.v. and switches back and forth to our three main characters’ perspectives – Lily, Jackson, and Alex. Lily and Jackson are best friends and had been on the same school since they were a child. Let’s say, they were bff’s. The story starts out when they are in college and as the story progresses, they both doubt whether or not they are meant for each other. As the story goes on, Lily meets a guy (yes, it’s Alex) while on a family vacation and that’s when the love triangle begins.
It was definitely something new and very relatable. I actually feel like the story can be true-to-life; the characters felt so real and they were making decisions like people in real life do. The characters definitely had their strengths and weaknesses and that’s one of the things I liked about the book. I also like how it switches back and forth to two different states, Georgia and Alabama (you’ll see why). It keeps us guessing and omg I almost cried when a tragedy happened in the book. It was the saddest and bravest thing ever. I don’t usually “almost cry” when reading a book, if I do then the book definitely hit me.
While reading it, I thought of Taylor Swift’s song White Horse. I don’t know, I feel like it just fits the story. I really recommend this to everyone whether you’re a teen or an adult especially if you’re up to books with best friends who becomes lovers then strangers then seeing how they come back to each other and realize that they just have to put their trust in God. It’s one of those books that gives you something to think about.
December 23, 2012
Once I was finished reading this very well written book I felt at peace. Love’s Providence is an intriguing novel full of some of the most tragic events imaginable, but they are all realistic things that could happen in a regular individual’s day. No one is supernatural, no one is a super hero, and everyone is overwhelmingly human in every thought, feeling, and action. All in all, the overarching religious experience found within the pages brings you back to yourself and helps you re-center yourself. It is not overwhelming, preaching Christian ideals at the reader, but at the same time, it is definitely a firm presence that leads the main characters through their day to day lives following those ideals.
Throughout the novel the main character is battling the loss of her first love and trying to rebuild her life while maintaining a relationship with said first love. She attempts to balance her Christian beliefs with today’s prevalent views on sex and relationships. She also has to come to terms with her actions when she does go against her long-held belief system. By bringing the topic of sexual encounters to the forefront of the story it stands out from the typical YA religious romance novel. But it does so in a way that lets you see the connection between the character’s actions and her beliefs. The addition of the suspenseful mystery aspect of the novel takes you on a journey that you generally would not expect from this type of novel.
Overall, the hope and faith found in this novel is enough to rejuvenate even the most jaded of readers while keeping them captivated by the constant twists and turns in the story. It also helps to reconcile the many tragedies that can be faced in everyday life with a God who loves those on Earth.
Throughout the novel the main character is battling the loss of her first love and trying to rebuild her life while maintaining a relationship with said first love. She attempts to balance her Christian beliefs with today’s prevalent views on sex and relationships. She also has to come to terms with her actions when she does go against her long-held belief system. By bringing the topic of sexual encounters to the forefront of the story it stands out from the typical YA religious romance novel. But it does so in a way that lets you see the connection between the character’s actions and her beliefs. The addition of the suspenseful mystery aspect of the novel takes you on a journey that you generally would not expect from this type of novel.
Overall, the hope and faith found in this novel is enough to rejuvenate even the most jaded of readers while keeping them captivated by the constant twists and turns in the story. It also helps to reconcile the many tragedies that can be faced in everyday life with a God who loves those on Earth.
September 22, 2012
Book exchanged for a review~Per Goodreads rules
What a beautiful story of hope, faith, and love between two childhood friends. From the beginning you are drawn into the story of Lily and Jackson. Following Lily and Jackson thru life's ups and downs show you just how faithful God really is. Both Jackson and Lily are tested yet neither of them see it until the very end of the book. Here are my thoughts on the book.
Lily Brennon is a young Christian, who always thought Jackson and her were going to be together forever, yet that is not the case at all. Jackson loves Lily more than anything yet pushes her out of his life without a second thought and no regret. While on vacation, Lily meets Alex Walker, a local cop, that helps Lily slowly face the world without Jackson in it. Lily and Alex start dating only she finds out a secret that makes her want to run away. Alex's convinces Lily to listen to his side of the story which she does and continues to date him. Jackson slowly crawls out of his depression to see he's made a mistake regarding Lily. Alex, Jackson, and Lily receives packages, texts, and emails from an unknown source all of which threatens Lily's life. Will Jackson face his feelings? Will Lily hang onto her faith? Will Alex show his feelings? How will God show himself in these lives? Your answers await you in Love's Providence.
What a beautiful story of hope, faith, and love between two childhood friends. From the beginning you are drawn into the story of Lily and Jackson. Following Lily and Jackson thru life's ups and downs show you just how faithful God really is. Both Jackson and Lily are tested yet neither of them see it until the very end of the book. Here are my thoughts on the book.
Lily Brennon is a young Christian, who always thought Jackson and her were going to be together forever, yet that is not the case at all. Jackson loves Lily more than anything yet pushes her out of his life without a second thought and no regret. While on vacation, Lily meets Alex Walker, a local cop, that helps Lily slowly face the world without Jackson in it. Lily and Alex start dating only she finds out a secret that makes her want to run away. Alex's convinces Lily to listen to his side of the story which she does and continues to date him. Jackson slowly crawls out of his depression to see he's made a mistake regarding Lily. Alex, Jackson, and Lily receives packages, texts, and emails from an unknown source all of which threatens Lily's life. Will Jackson face his feelings? Will Lily hang onto her faith? Will Alex show his feelings? How will God show himself in these lives? Your answers await you in Love's Providence.
October 10, 2012
3.5 stars
Lily is the main character in the book. Her story begins as her boyfriend and best friend decides to end the relationship. He is struggling with personal trauma and emotionally withdraws from life.
Heartbroken, she takes a trip with her family to an island for the summer. Her she meets Alex. He is a handsome police officer with an attitude. It doesn't take long for sparks to fly and the relationship to progress father than Lily was prepared for.
Lurking in the background is her feelings for Jackson, the boyfriend. She can't seem to let go, and yet she is ready to move on. It doesn't take long for Jackson to realize he has made a terrible mistake.
The story revolves around Lily and her struggle to figure out what she wants in her life. Her Christian values are strongly shaken by Alex. I could see how he got her to let down her guard a little bit at a time to get what he wanted from her. I could understand his side of the story, it's not that he was a bad person, just had a different set of values.
This is a well thought out book. While morals are compromized, it gives little detail to the events.
Lily is the main character in the book. Her story begins as her boyfriend and best friend decides to end the relationship. He is struggling with personal trauma and emotionally withdraws from life.
Heartbroken, she takes a trip with her family to an island for the summer. Her she meets Alex. He is a handsome police officer with an attitude. It doesn't take long for sparks to fly and the relationship to progress father than Lily was prepared for.
Lurking in the background is her feelings for Jackson, the boyfriend. She can't seem to let go, and yet she is ready to move on. It doesn't take long for Jackson to realize he has made a terrible mistake.
The story revolves around Lily and her struggle to figure out what she wants in her life. Her Christian values are strongly shaken by Alex. I could see how he got her to let down her guard a little bit at a time to get what he wanted from her. I could understand his side of the story, it's not that he was a bad person, just had a different set of values.
This is a well thought out book. While morals are compromized, it gives little detail to the events.
July 11, 2012
I started to read this delightful book thinking it was just the normal Christian Romance. Boy was I wrong! This little book packed a punch and pretty soon I was transported into an all out mystery/suspense with action and adventure. Wow.
This is an excellent read for young adults and I'd even recommend it for young Christians who are in the throes of decision making as it relates to purity. This book shows us what can happen when we compromise our standards and change our minds to please those around us. In this book, our heroine Lily was hurt by the love of her life and meets another guy who seems great but her decision to start a relationship with him will change her life forever.
The story line though predictable (most romance novels by nature are predictable) kept me coming back for more. I kept trying to tell Lily what to do throughout the entire book. It really was an interesting read and worth the time.
This is an excellent read for young adults and I'd even recommend it for young Christians who are in the throes of decision making as it relates to purity. This book shows us what can happen when we compromise our standards and change our minds to please those around us. In this book, our heroine Lily was hurt by the love of her life and meets another guy who seems great but her decision to start a relationship with him will change her life forever.
The story line though predictable (most romance novels by nature are predictable) kept me coming back for more. I kept trying to tell Lily what to do throughout the entire book. It really was an interesting read and worth the time.
October 14, 2012
I have to say that Love’s Providence really surprised me. I knew it was a Christian Romance when I started it but the story is such a real and touching one. It had a really good mixture of romance and mystery to it.
This is a book I would recommend to any young adult or even adult. It really shows how one wrong decision and a compromise on your beliefs can make life spiral out of control. There are many good lessons to be learned from this and I think the consequences are portrayed very well. It is a short but very easy read and one I think anyone would find very enjoyable.
This is a book I would recommend to any young adult or even adult. It really shows how one wrong decision and a compromise on your beliefs can make life spiral out of control. There are many good lessons to be learned from this and I think the consequences are portrayed very well. It is a short but very easy read and one I think anyone would find very enjoyable.
August 19, 2012
This is a good fast read. I was in between books for my book club and thought why not try this book for .99 on Amazon not expecting to much. Boy was I wrong, this book engages you right from the start and I was not able to put it down. I hope to see much more from Jennifer. I really like her writing style it! flows so well. Jennifer keep writing.
October 22, 2013
This book has everything! Tragedy, mistakes , romance, regret, thrills, forgiveness and most of all love! Beautiful story of how regardless of our mistakes and bad choices God loves us and always has the best design for our lives...even when we get in the way! Loved it
October 20, 2015
Great story and happy ending!
Good read. Slow to start but great storyline. Very captivating and good lesson in leaning on Jesus for everything. It is so easy for us to mess up His good plans for us!
Good read. Slow to start but great storyline. Very captivating and good lesson in leaning on Jesus for everything. It is so easy for us to mess up His good plans for us!
April 21, 2013
Really enjoyed the book! Characters were likable and well developed. Loved the ending but I won't spoil it for you.
May 8, 2017
Great book
Loved this book. It was so full of twists and turns, very interesting and well written. Ms. Westlake is one of my favorite authors.
Loved this book. It was so full of twists and turns, very interesting and well written. Ms. Westlake is one of my favorite authors.
May 17, 2018
It's not quite a 4, but not a 3 either. After reading the healing Ruby series... I struggled to get into this story. But once it picked up, I read it everywhere and sometimes, as I waiting for traffic to move, I sneaked in a page or two eager to get home, cosy up and read on. Initially,I felt it was suitable for a younger me. The constant description of the characters being aroused, felt a bit much like the characters had no other dimension but Its high school going on to college so that really is true to the season in the characters lives. Besides, hind sight is vision 20/20 and its so easy to forget that at that age, every emotion was so intense, so raw, so pure. The passion was intoxicating and palpable. The struggle to do what you think is right verses your raging hormones, wondering how far is too far? Pushing the boundaries with every kiss and moment spent alone. In the end, the hurt and the things that spiral out of control perhaps not to the extent in the book, but very "real, sobering, fight with God, WHY moments", the exhaustion from crying from one heartbreak and stumbling right into another while still trying to keep important balls in the air, school, dreams, family. Eventually you stop fighting God and simply pray, HELP.PLEASE.SORRY That time in your life really shapes you. It can grow your faith or completely shutter it.
I enjoyed the book. An easy read. The plot took sometime to build up. The characters felt so so, I couldn't quite see them in my minds eye and some bits of the story seemed to just drop off...
One valuable lesson I learnt is that in times of great struggle, whispering a short prayer can make all the difference and that, I will take with me.
I salute the writer for following her passion... It's takes such courage. I look forward to reading more.
I enjoyed the book. An easy read. The plot took sometime to build up. The characters felt so so, I couldn't quite see them in my minds eye and some bits of the story seemed to just drop off...
One valuable lesson I learnt is that in times of great struggle, whispering a short prayer can make all the difference and that, I will take with me.
I salute the writer for following her passion... It's takes such courage. I look forward to reading more.
August 29, 2018
This story was just ok for me as I felt it dragged a bit at times and I would have definitely liked to get a bit more from Jackson's POV.
Lily and Jackson are BFF's and dating when Jackson has an injury that might end his college basketball career and he loses his Dad. Instead of leaning on Lily, he pushes her away.
On vacation with her friends, she meets police officer Alex Walker and is instantly attracted to him. She is determined to wait for marriage to lose her virginity because of her faith, but Alex is older and doesn't have the same beliefs. She eventually sleeps with him and then beats herself up over it. Jackson wants her back because he realizes he shouldn't have pushed him away, but Lily wants to be with Alex. But Alex is hiding secrets and something from his past comes back to haunt him.
Most of the book is about Lily and Alex and we only get small snippets of Lily and Jackson. I didn't really feel any connection with them as a couple, only as friends. Maybe because the author was busy making their love "pure". It just didn't ring true that two college age people totally in love that dated 4 years never went farther than kissing because of their faith.
A little too "preachy" for me, but not a bad story.
Lily and Jackson are BFF's and dating when Jackson has an injury that might end his college basketball career and he loses his Dad. Instead of leaning on Lily, he pushes her away.
On vacation with her friends, she meets police officer Alex Walker and is instantly attracted to him. She is determined to wait for marriage to lose her virginity because of her faith, but Alex is older and doesn't have the same beliefs. She eventually sleeps with him and then beats herself up over it. Jackson wants her back because he realizes he shouldn't have pushed him away, but Lily wants to be with Alex. But Alex is hiding secrets and something from his past comes back to haunt him.
Most of the book is about Lily and Alex and we only get small snippets of Lily and Jackson. I didn't really feel any connection with them as a couple, only as friends. Maybe because the author was busy making their love "pure". It just didn't ring true that two college age people totally in love that dated 4 years never went farther than kissing because of their faith.
A little too "preachy" for me, but not a bad story.
March 1, 2018
Excellently written
This is my first Jennifer H. Westall novel, and it did not disappoint. The beginning pages pulled me quickly into the story so that I wanted to know more.
The main characters were so believable and their daily struggles were similar to those of many young Christians. This story was filled with detail to help you understand the reasoning of the course of actions by the characters. I found it easier to read because of the details presented.
There was a portion of the novel that didn't seem to be something most couples would encounter but it fit well in the story. God being the amazing God that he is allowed some undesirable things to happen but those undesirable things brought them back to his word. The personal relationships with God changed some but for the better in the end. We all struggle with life changing events at times but God didn't move away from us, we moved away from him.
I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
This is my first Jennifer H. Westall novel, and it did not disappoint. The beginning pages pulled me quickly into the story so that I wanted to know more.
The main characters were so believable and their daily struggles were similar to those of many young Christians. This story was filled with detail to help you understand the reasoning of the course of actions by the characters. I found it easier to read because of the details presented.
There was a portion of the novel that didn't seem to be something most couples would encounter but it fit well in the story. God being the amazing God that he is allowed some undesirable things to happen but those undesirable things brought them back to his word. The personal relationships with God changed some but for the better in the end. We all struggle with life changing events at times but God didn't move away from us, we moved away from him.
I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
March 27, 2018
No Changing God's Plans
Lily and Jackson had loved each other for forever. But when Jackson's father suddenly died, Jackson was so depressed and heart broken that he pushed Lily away. On a beach trip she met charming Alex. He had secrets and history that did not fit Lily's values and faith. Through pain and struggles, all three characters grappled with finding and following God's will. Lesson learned: God's plan is perfect and He will have His way.
Lily and Jackson had loved each other for forever. But when Jackson's father suddenly died, Jackson was so depressed and heart broken that he pushed Lily away. On a beach trip she met charming Alex. He had secrets and history that did not fit Lily's values and faith. Through pain and struggles, all three characters grappled with finding and following God's will. Lesson learned: God's plan is perfect and He will have His way.
March 30, 2018
Great story kept me hooked all the way through.
It's a wonderful story of love and self discovery. We all deal with grief in different ways. Even though the story was predictable it kept me hooked all the way to the end. The author makes the characters feel so real, its like your reading about loved ones or friends. I want to know what happens next. Great read for anyone looking for a bit of adventure and romance.
It's a wonderful story of love and self discovery. We all deal with grief in different ways. Even though the story was predictable it kept me hooked all the way to the end. The author makes the characters feel so real, its like your reading about loved ones or friends. I want to know what happens next. Great read for anyone looking for a bit of adventure and romance.
January 30, 2018
Unrealistic and not a great storyline
I really wanted to like this book and kept reading with the expectation it would get better. Unfortunately it did not live up. I won’t add a spoiler alert and say why, but parts of it were just silly and repetitive. I hated the whole Alex thing.
I really wanted to like this book and kept reading with the expectation it would get better. Unfortunately it did not live up. I won’t add a spoiler alert and say why, but parts of it were just silly and repetitive. I hated the whole Alex thing.
February 28, 2018
A good read to remind you that God has our back even when we can't see it that way.
I gave the book five stars for directing us to search our own hearts to not only forgive but accept forgiveness.
I gave the book five stars for directing us to search our own hearts to not only forgive but accept forgiveness.
February 24, 2018
Temptation!
This author weaved quite a storyline of triangular love as well as temptations not pleasing to God. My review cannot be quite what I would normally give as it was too steamy, albeit true to life. My personal belief is the eyes are the windows of my soul.
This author weaved quite a storyline of triangular love as well as temptations not pleasing to God. My review cannot be quite what I would normally give as it was too steamy, albeit true to life. My personal belief is the eyes are the windows of my soul.
July 30, 2018
This book was slow building, but it was worth it in the end!
I had a hard time at first really sinking my teeth into this book. I'm glad I stuck with it because I really loved it by the end!
I had a hard time at first really sinking my teeth into this book. I'm glad I stuck with it because I really loved it by the end!
June 9, 2017
A modern day coming of age romance story of redemption.
February 11, 2018
Little predicted
I choose this book cause of it's title. Ending was a little predicted. But overall a good read. Enjoyed the reax
I choose this book cause of it's title. Ending was a little predicted. But overall a good read. Enjoyed the reax
February 28, 2018
I had a little trouble following characters because I only read a few hours at a time. I would have been better off if I read the book through. It was an interesting book, though.
March 20, 2018
Wonderful book
I loved reading this book. I was on the edge of my seat until the very end of the book.
I loved reading this book. I was on the edge of my seat until the very end of the book.
May 11, 2020
Loves Me. Loves Me Not
Four hundred plus pages of back and forth, never actually knowing how things would actually end. Exciting and romantic to the last word.
Four hundred plus pages of back and forth, never actually knowing how things would actually end. Exciting and romantic to the last word.
July 19, 2022
Did not like the characters to start. Ending drew me in much more
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