Even In This

by Dianna Lanser

Sixteen going on seventeen, Miah Brennan stands on the riverbank of her future, awaiting permission to jump in. With a recording contract pending and a young Native American man winking at her; it seems as if God is parting the waters and waving her through. Her parents, however, prefer to keep her tucked away as if they were still living on their secluded, drought-dry cattle station in the Australian Outback.

Weeks before the September 11 attacks, just when her dreams are on a sure track to coming true, evil stalks Miah with a vicious plan of its own, destroying her hope and her future.

While scripture tells her to forgive, her heart wants to forget. But how in the cruel, aching world can she move forward when her life has collapsed into a heap of rubble? How could God possibly work this out for good? And will she and her boyfriend remain steadfast in their faith and love as they face the shocking challenges ahead?

Based on James 1:2, "Consider it all joy," Even In This is a chilling yet poignant love story that encourages the reader to lean into the ugliness and pain of life, whisper thanks to God, and trust He will transform it into something beautiful.

Genres: Christian Fiction

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2025

Reviews

[Joni Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic novel loaded with heart, grit and the goodness of God through it all. Walking with Miah and her family through heartache and triumph made me look at my own life and see how God has been near and faithful through my own stuff. Lanser does an outstanding job of painting a beautiful picture of a God-given purpose in our sin-broken world and the beauty of redemption through it all! Must read for sure!

[Julia Casselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It opens with beautiful, lilting prose that draws you straight into the uniqueness of Australian life—the sounds, the rawness, the steady pulse of it all. That setting becomes part of the story’s heartbeat, rising and returning in quiet, powerful ways.

I loved it. I hated it. It’s real. It’s gritty. It’s hard in places. But…even in this…God’s grace shows through His people, the peace that passes all understanding, and the assurance we have in Christ.

What I especially loved is that Dianna never hides the natural elements of life for those with a close relationship to God. She writes of talking to Him as if He’s right beside us, because He is. The faith in this story isn’t softened or disguised for comfort or sales. Thank you, Dianna, for keeping it real. For showing what it looks like to walk with Him, even when we’re angry that He didn’t do what we thought He should and struggling to hold on to faith.

This story brims with spiritual truth. It presses the question: What will it take for us to realize that Jesus really is the ONLY thing we need? When we begin to see through an eternal lens, this truth becomes unmistakable.

My favorite line (and it was hard to choose): “When we begin to expect too much from this life and way too little from the next, we start to stumble.”

This book is an emotional journey through every kind of love—the precious, the steadfast, and the loss. Hang on to your heart.

[Brenda Lobbezoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In this life you will have trouble” is an uncomfortable truth to hear, and even harder to experience. Even in This tells the story of 16 year-old Miah Brennan as she walks through pain and heartache. Dianna Lanser has created in her debut novel a powerful reminder of God’s promise that He will never make us walk this path alone.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart gripping story of choosing to surrender to an almighty God in the brutally hard. Miah’s story flows out of the author’s own wrestling to claim God’s faithfulness even when circumstances are ugly and choosing a Hope that’s far from trite. Lots to chew on and wrestle with!

[Madison Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank goodness for a book that does not wrap grief into a neat little bow or shy away from the reality of it. This book also made me think and reflect, and I love books that make me think. These two factors alone make this book 5 stars for me. This must have been such a difficult book to write. Just reading it, I plowed through about 65% of it in one sitting, then had to take a break for several days before continuing. I also love that the author has characters who come from such varied backgrounds.

There is only one thing that really bothered me, and I think it's worth pointing out. This book is about forgiveness, finding peace through sorrow, and the value of life. So it was jarring when 9/11 happened and a character becomes excited to "kill one turbaned terrorist for all the times my dad hit me and my mom. And I'm going to kill another for the white supremacy discrimination [cut for minor spoiler]...then I'm going to kill two of the bearded bas--baboons in memory of all the people who died in the Twin Towers, and--"

And yikes.

You're going to go to the Middle East and kill a bunch of not-white people who had nothing to do with 9/11 as revenge for white supremacy?! We should forgive people who committed great evil against us, but we don't have to forgive 9/11? It is walked back just a teensy bit later as this character decides maybe all lives are valuable, but contextually, I really don't think it was enough, particularly as colonization and the evils that accompanied it was a secondary theme in this book. But I do think it also shows how easy it is to slip into the patterns of dehumanizing others, even when it's not intentional. Not knocking off any stars because there was an attempt to change, but given the extremity of the comment and weakness of the change, plus what a missed opportunity to talk about forgiveness and joy on a national level as well as personal, I think it's worth discussing.

But overall, this book is a hard read in a good way, and I am so happy that pain was not papered over with trite sayings. Well done!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even in This, by Dianna Lanser, is a gripping story, a tale of the horrors that should never visit anyone, and the PTSD that follows.

Thankfully, Miah's family is supportive. They are there to pick up the mish-mash pieces. Her church and godly friends stay by her side, but the greatest healer God gives is time...if only a person in this situation can ride it out. Words of tremendous comfort are threaded throughout this story that holds little back. Questions that any person suffering PTSD would ask are not held back, but dealt with by the character.

What I like about this book was the story went on past the two pages after she was rescued. It carried on to the days when dealing became so very hard. When nightmares sucked the breath out of her.

I also really liked the focus on the Lakota Nation and cattle stations in Australia.

This is a realistic and difficult read, but it offers so much for persons in need of healing.

Highly recommend

[Betsy Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dianna L Lanser’s book “Even In This” is so impactful. Dianna’s ability to craft beautiful language around such a raw, emotional story is what makes this book a compelling and hope-filled read. Whether you’re a person of faith or simply someone navigating life’s inevitable challenges, the themes of forgiveness, resilience, and finding purpose in pain are universally relatable. The story encourages you to lean into life’s “breaking” and trust that even in the toughest times, there can be growth and healing in our Lord, Jesus Christ. “Even in This” is more than just a story though; it’s an experience that encourages you to look at your own trials through a lens of hope and the possibility of transformation. Give it a read, and allow Miah’s journey to inspire your own. Beautifully written!

[Rebecca Tellez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seldom does a book reach down into our soul and touch it deeply, leaving us better than when we started. Even In This does just that. The author weaves a story that takes us from the Australian Outback to Michigan. Miah and her family and friends face unimaginable heartbreak and trauma, but their faith in it all is a beacon of light and hope for those who know them. Family dynamics and the nitty gritty of friendship are portrayed realistically. The reader is introduced to Australian and Native culture, and play an important part in the story. My favorite part of this story, was how the author wove Scripture and prayer throughout even the extremely hard and traumatic places.
This is the author’s debut novel, and it has cemented her place as a must-read Christian novelist. Even though it was hard to read in places, I could not put it down.

[DianFlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this compelling book by new to me author, Dianna Lanser, in less than 24 hours. It was easily the most gritty, raw, and heartbreaking novel I've ever read—but I literally could not put it down. It tore my heart in a million little pieces and never did put it back together completely.

However, there were plenty of spiritual nuggets guaranteed to strengthen your faith, scriptures rich with valuable lessons and wisdom, and exemplary characters (minus one sick creep!) Nevertheless, some of the scenes were terribly graphic and almost did me in—so I'd be remiss not to issue a warning here. For those with a tough hide I believe you will enjoy this proficiently written, intriguing, unputdownable novel!

[Joan Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me on a roller coaster ride with all the feels. At times I was crying over the tragic events but other times joyful over their faith.

A few of the things that happened were hard to read. It was uplifting when the characters talked to and listened to God’s voice giving them hope. The way the families and fiends were praying for each other was heart warming.

I was thankful for the Aussie glossary included in the book.

Dianna L Lanser has a gift for writting. I look forward to reading more from her.

I was given an ARC of this book by the author, but this is my honest review.

[Nicole Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even In This is easily a 5 star book. Grief is fortunately not something I know well but in this book I began to understand it. Dianna Lanser writes in such a descriptive way it pulls you right in. I was so invested that at one point I absolutely ugly cried. Other pros of this book include:
- a plot so engaging it’s hard it’s impossible to put down
- complex characters (some you really really love)
- a great love story
- reminder that God is with you even in the worst times

This book will stick with you and change the way you think about the hard times in life.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dianna L. Lanser's novel entitled EVEN IN THIS captures my attention with the first paragraph of the Prelude. The main characters, such as Jannali, Miah Brandt, are relatable, heartfelt, and well-rounded.Many of the characters display various depths of faith or lack of faith in God as they face challenging but hope-filled struggles.The plot is well developed and well paced. I give this book 5 stars. I recommend this book for mature teens and for adults.

[Heidi Barstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I look forward to reading more books from this author. This book is about a 16 year old girl, Miah, who struggles with her faith after being physically assaulted. With the help of her family and friends, and their unending faith, she is able to overcome her demons and rise above the horrible things that happened. Have a kleenex handy, because Dianna will take you on an emotional roller-coaster.

[Sheryl Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

With beautiful prose and an emotionally rich narrative, Even in This was a "dinner burner" for me - I avoided doing the things I was supposed to be doing in order to finish the book. It was an honest look at how extreme brokenness (admittedly hard to read) can be processed with hope and without a trite happy ending. Loved it.

[Janice Niekerk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is thought-provoking and challenging in all the right ways. It engages both the heart and the mind, inviting the reader into a world where the dialogue feels startlingly real and the characters wrestle honestly with the complexities of everyday life. Rather than offering easy answers or neatly resolved tensions, the story leans into the messiness of being human—our doubts, our conflicts, our hope, and our longing to make sense of it all.

[Brandt Lanser · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much to love about this story. It's exciting, tragic, encouraging, and challenging. It was hard to put down. The constant reminder of God's presence and faithfulness is another highlight in this moving novel.

[Lisa Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Deeply moving. Written with heart and experience. One Christian girl suffers the unthinkable, enduring three traumatic events one after another. How should one grieve and suffer while maintaining their faith? Beautifully written and it keeps you guessing too.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!! There were parts that were very hard to read but the characters were compelling and strong in their faith. It was rooting, compelling and well written. I couldn’t put it down..

[Frauchurchwellgmail.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book of 2026 read. I didn’t know what the book would be about and found it difficult to get into in the beginning. But as I continued reading I got pulled in. Rarely do I read a book in a day, but this one I did. I have to admit I shed tears several times while reading. The main character goes through some of the most horrific things you could possibly imagine, and suffers great physical and emotional pain and also loss. The author does an excellent job depicting all of the characters’ faith struggles in such a real way. It’s a reminder of God’s love for His children, even in their suffering and pain, the fact that no matter what, He never leaves His children to deal with the struggles of life alone. It was a reminder that I needed. The main message, choose joy. Even in this(whatever “this” is), choose joy.

[Terry DeBoer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense narrative of the trauma-filled life of a teenage girl, and a hopefilled faith and supportive friends and family help open her life to healing.