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Beyond the Mirage
What if God allowed people to teleport?
Lauren is a quodesher – one of those people who can teleport a whole carful of people across the country.
When California wildfires turn the drive to her sister’s wedding into a mad dash teleportation tour of the country, she’s entrusted with her sister’s wedding ring...and thrust into a responsibility she knows she's not ready for.
When the ring goes missing, Lauren is forced to make choices that will impact the lives of the people around her forever.
As the leader of this ragtag group of wedding guests, she finds herself in more trouble than she bargained for. And since when did she ask to be haggled about her parents’ death (ancient history) at every move?
Not all is as it seems. And trusting God...might just be a journey.
With the imagination and powerful prose of Nadine Brandes's Wishtress, this clean YA novel speaks to the journeys we all embark on, and the faith it takes to put the broken pieces back together.
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"An amazing debut novel from Vella Karman. This story perfectly captures struggles with faith, trust, and the intimidating yet powerful act of stepping into the calling God has for you. Keep an eye out for more from her in the future, because Vella's just getting started!"
-Alli Prince, bestselling author of Call It Consequences and Copper Lies
"A beautifully written exploration of faith that elevates the contemporary Christian genre and finally takes us somewhere new."
-Brad Pauquette, founder and director of The Company and bestselling author of The Novel Matrix
"Finally! The road trip book for Christians that's not just clean, but actually well-written! Vella Karman has written a novel that will have you laughing and crying in the same breath."
-Noah J. Matthews, author of Outlaw Blood
Lauren is a quodesher – one of those people who can teleport a whole carful of people across the country.
When California wildfires turn the drive to her sister’s wedding into a mad dash teleportation tour of the country, she’s entrusted with her sister’s wedding ring...and thrust into a responsibility she knows she's not ready for.
When the ring goes missing, Lauren is forced to make choices that will impact the lives of the people around her forever.
As the leader of this ragtag group of wedding guests, she finds herself in more trouble than she bargained for. And since when did she ask to be haggled about her parents’ death (ancient history) at every move?
Not all is as it seems. And trusting God...might just be a journey.
With the imagination and powerful prose of Nadine Brandes's Wishtress, this clean YA novel speaks to the journeys we all embark on, and the faith it takes to put the broken pieces back together.
----
"An amazing debut novel from Vella Karman. This story perfectly captures struggles with faith, trust, and the intimidating yet powerful act of stepping into the calling God has for you. Keep an eye out for more from her in the future, because Vella's just getting started!"
-Alli Prince, bestselling author of Call It Consequences and Copper Lies
"A beautifully written exploration of faith that elevates the contemporary Christian genre and finally takes us somewhere new."
-Brad Pauquette, founder and director of The Company and bestselling author of The Novel Matrix
"Finally! The road trip book for Christians that's not just clean, but actually well-written! Vella Karman has written a novel that will have you laughing and crying in the same breath."
-Noah J. Matthews, author of Outlaw Blood
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2026
About the author
Vella Karman
2 books21 followersVella Karman is a story addict, drawing on her southern roots to craft novels splashed with color and emotion. Her gripping, whimsical YA and faith articles have reached over forty countries, with more sure to come.
She used to be overwhelmed by darkness, but Jesus filled her life with light. Now she writes authentic, faith-based stories with no spice or language and speaks at writing conferences.
Vella loves to interact with readers. You can catch her on her website (vellakarman.com), the discussion board here, or connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube (@vellakarmanauthor).
She used to be overwhelmed by darkness, but Jesus filled her life with light. Now she writes authentic, faith-based stories with no spice or language and speaks at writing conferences.
Vella loves to interact with readers. You can catch her on her website (vellakarman.com), the discussion board here, or connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube (@vellakarmanauthor).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 22, 2026
This is a really interesting read! The concepts of trusting God and teleportation working together aren’t a mashup I’ve thought about before. I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the story while still rooted in realism. The book is written well with no detectable typos. I had to finish the book to find out what in the world the characters were up to. I still want to find out what some of the side characters are going to get up to. I always love a good reminder to trust God with the big and small things.
May 23, 2026
Cute chapter headings. They look like highway signs!
Figuring out who and how the ring went missing kept me on my toes. (It ended up being my original guess!)
The way teleporting worked was interesting.
I didn't like the characters. The majority were rude, or felt unnecessary.
The problems, mostly, were easily avoidable but no one avoided them.
Other circumstances didn't make sense.
I was frustrated about something the whole time. I wanted to love it, expected to adore it... But... I... didn't like it.
I think the same story could be written as a short story, and be a stronger for it.
Figuring out who and how the ring went missing kept me on my toes. (It ended up being my original guess!)
The way teleporting worked was interesting.
I didn't like the characters. The majority were rude, or felt unnecessary.
The problems, mostly, were easily avoidable but no one avoided them.
Other circumstances didn't make sense.
I was frustrated about something the whole time. I wanted to love it, expected to adore it... But... I... didn't like it.
I think the same story could be written as a short story, and be a stronger for it.
August 7, 2026
I really liked the idea/premise of this story. People can teleport? Turns out, only certain people can, one of whom is Lauren and her grandfather. Unfortunately, not everyone is thrilled with this "gift" they've been given. It was interesting to be a fly on the wall of the RV the group is traveling in.
Let's talk about what I enjoyed. I loved Lauren's grandpa. He's kind and caring. He clearly wants Lauren to succeed. Hazel is also a great encouragement to Lauren. Even though it was only over a 2 day period, you could tell that Lauren took her grandpa's teaching to heart.
That came out when they met a hitchhiker who Lauren wanted to help out because Scripture encourages believers to help those in need. It was clear that Lauren wanted to grow deeper in her faith, get to her sister's wedding, and make everyone "happy" in the process.
Being that this is a ya novel, I understand that I'm not the target audience, although I do read quite a few ya fantasy stories. There were a few things I struggled with, one of which was thinking about how young adults sometimes get a bad wrap, and it felt like (at times) that this story only helped with that. Lauren is a high school graduate and doesn't know what states Nashville or Indianapolis are located in?
There were also some inconsistencies that broke my reading concentration. Somehow Hazel all of a sudden has enough money and desire to buy a new vehicle when the RV breaks down. The confusion comes in for me with whether the vehicle she's purchasing is new or used. The salesman calls it new and Lauren says it has a new car smell, but the vehicle is certified used and had a new engine put in. A lot went on with the car buying which is why these inconsistencies stuck out to me. Things that like that distracted me from the story.
The spiritual aspect of it is that the main character talks to God and His Holy Spirit gives her the answer to her questions every time she asks. It worries me that young readers will read the story and if they don't hear from the Lord that they'll wonder why they're not hearing God's voice. As believers we know that God isn't going to give us the exact answers every time we ask Him.
There's also a lot of "purple prose" that might've been able to be saved for future stories. There were descriptions that didn't make sense to me. Things such as "dark sulky green" or "decaying-leaf colored hair." I like that the author was creative in not just saying "dark green" or "mousy brown" but those descriptions caused me to stop reading and ponder what those colors could be.
I think this story would be great for ya looking for an adventurous story that adds a twist with the teleporting.
Let's talk about what I enjoyed. I loved Lauren's grandpa. He's kind and caring. He clearly wants Lauren to succeed. Hazel is also a great encouragement to Lauren. Even though it was only over a 2 day period, you could tell that Lauren took her grandpa's teaching to heart.
That came out when they met a hitchhiker who Lauren wanted to help out because Scripture encourages believers to help those in need. It was clear that Lauren wanted to grow deeper in her faith, get to her sister's wedding, and make everyone "happy" in the process.
Being that this is a ya novel, I understand that I'm not the target audience, although I do read quite a few ya fantasy stories. There were a few things I struggled with, one of which was thinking about how young adults sometimes get a bad wrap, and it felt like (at times) that this story only helped with that. Lauren is a high school graduate and doesn't know what states Nashville or Indianapolis are located in?
There were also some inconsistencies that broke my reading concentration. Somehow Hazel all of a sudden has enough money and desire to buy a new vehicle when the RV breaks down. The confusion comes in for me with whether the vehicle she's purchasing is new or used. The salesman calls it new and Lauren says it has a new car smell, but the vehicle is certified used and had a new engine put in. A lot went on with the car buying which is why these inconsistencies stuck out to me. Things that like that distracted me from the story.
The spiritual aspect of it is that the main character talks to God and His Holy Spirit gives her the answer to her questions every time she asks. It worries me that young readers will read the story and if they don't hear from the Lord that they'll wonder why they're not hearing God's voice. As believers we know that God isn't going to give us the exact answers every time we ask Him.
There's also a lot of "purple prose" that might've been able to be saved for future stories. There were descriptions that didn't make sense to me. Things such as "dark sulky green" or "decaying-leaf colored hair." I like that the author was creative in not just saying "dark green" or "mousy brown" but those descriptions caused me to stop reading and ponder what those colors could be.
I think this story would be great for ya looking for an adventurous story that adds a twist with the teleporting.
August 29, 2026
Beyond the Mirage by Vella Karman brings readers a unique plot with some intriguing twists. The whole plot takes place over a brief time period, the weekend of a wedding, but it is anything other than a simple road trip for the main character, Lauren, and her friends. Bringing in the unique ability to teleport to an otherwise normal adventure, Ms. Karman gave this already sweet and fun story a completely unique perspective that kept readers guessing.
I appreciated the wholesomeness of this book and the unique characters and their specific insights into life struggles each one of us deals with. I also appreciated the way Ms. Karman carefully and deliberately revealed each character's history and baggage in a timing that wasn't rushed or premature, but gave readers a completely new insight into each character's struggles. I enjoyed the sweet friendships, the life lessons learned, and the way that each character developed and grew in faith.
I was distracted by some of the initial chapters which seemed to be have more detailed descriptions of ordinary things than was needed, but I truly appreciated the wholesomeness and characters in this book. There are many misadventures along the way that test the patience of each person on the trip. I appreciated the faith woven throughout the book, although at times it was a bit charismatic for my preferences, I appreciated the focus on God and prayer. Beyond the Mirage was a good read. When circumstances just keep going downhill, can these young friends trust God and pull together to make it to the wedding on time and in one piece? Read Beyond the Mirage to find out for yourself! Happy reading!
Disclaimer: The author graciously provided me with a copy of this book . All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.
I appreciated the wholesomeness of this book and the unique characters and their specific insights into life struggles each one of us deals with. I also appreciated the way Ms. Karman carefully and deliberately revealed each character's history and baggage in a timing that wasn't rushed or premature, but gave readers a completely new insight into each character's struggles. I enjoyed the sweet friendships, the life lessons learned, and the way that each character developed and grew in faith.
I was distracted by some of the initial chapters which seemed to be have more detailed descriptions of ordinary things than was needed, but I truly appreciated the wholesomeness and characters in this book. There are many misadventures along the way that test the patience of each person on the trip. I appreciated the faith woven throughout the book, although at times it was a bit charismatic for my preferences, I appreciated the focus on God and prayer. Beyond the Mirage was a good read. When circumstances just keep going downhill, can these young friends trust God and pull together to make it to the wedding on time and in one piece? Read Beyond the Mirage to find out for yourself! Happy reading!
Disclaimer: The author graciously provided me with a copy of this book . All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.
September 22, 2026
This was such a cute read 🩵
This story is geared toward a younger audience, and keeping that in mind, I think it would be a really fun read for younger teens. Some of the characters felt a little immature at times, and a few conflicts probably could have been avoided with better communication, but that also felt fitting for the intended age group.
One of my favorite parts was the teleportation aspect! It was such a fun and unique addition to the story. I do wish we had gotten a little more backstory surrounding how and why it worked, as well as a little more depth to the overall plot, but it was still a fun adventure.
I also really enjoyed Vella’s, writing style. It was easy to read and made the story and characters easy to picture.
I especially appreciated how much the story focused on trusting God. Faith and prayer are woven throughout in such a sweet way.
One small note for parents of younger readers: the main character frequently prays and seems to hear an answer from God very directly/right away each time. This could be a great conversation starter about how God doesn’t always answer immediately or in a way that feels clear to us. Even in seasons when He feels silent, we can still trust Him and what He has revealed through His Word.
Overall, this was a sweet, faith-filled adventure with a fun premise that I think younger readers especially would enjoy! 🩵
Clean, no language, mild kisses only
This story is geared toward a younger audience, and keeping that in mind, I think it would be a really fun read for younger teens. Some of the characters felt a little immature at times, and a few conflicts probably could have been avoided with better communication, but that also felt fitting for the intended age group.
One of my favorite parts was the teleportation aspect! It was such a fun and unique addition to the story. I do wish we had gotten a little more backstory surrounding how and why it worked, as well as a little more depth to the overall plot, but it was still a fun adventure.
I also really enjoyed Vella’s, writing style. It was easy to read and made the story and characters easy to picture.
I especially appreciated how much the story focused on trusting God. Faith and prayer are woven throughout in such a sweet way.
One small note for parents of younger readers: the main character frequently prays and seems to hear an answer from God very directly/right away each time. This could be a great conversation starter about how God doesn’t always answer immediately or in a way that feels clear to us. Even in seasons when He feels silent, we can still trust Him and what He has revealed through His Word.
Overall, this was a sweet, faith-filled adventure with a fun premise that I think younger readers especially would enjoy! 🩵
Clean, no language, mild kisses only
June 25, 2026
As soon as I learned this book involved teleporting, I instantly wanted to read it.
It sounded like a fun ride. I didn't expect there to be so many twists and turns, or to be so on the edge of my seat for the second half of the book!
God has gifted some people with the ability to teleport cars full of people across the country. Lauren is one of those people-a quodesher. When she finds herself in charge of quodeshing for the first time, she must face her fears and trust the Lord. She has to get herself, and the passengers, to her sisters wedding, but nothing seems to be going to plan.
Lauren was such a relatable character! As someone who doesn't like to drive unless I have to, I related to her so much. Her anxiety and reluctance to lead I could relate to as well.
I loved the dynamics the other characters lent to the adventure, and Grandpa Mack was such a steady, loving presence, and I'm so glad Lauren had him.
Overall, this was a fun and thrilling ride. It really was an edge of your seat read as I waited to see if they would make it to the wedding in time. One of things I loved most about this book was how it highlighted the need to trust in God. I highly recommend it.
Content note: It was clean with no spice or swearing, and only mild violence.
I was given an copy of this book by the author to review. This is my own, honest opinion.
It sounded like a fun ride. I didn't expect there to be so many twists and turns, or to be so on the edge of my seat for the second half of the book!
God has gifted some people with the ability to teleport cars full of people across the country. Lauren is one of those people-a quodesher. When she finds herself in charge of quodeshing for the first time, she must face her fears and trust the Lord. She has to get herself, and the passengers, to her sisters wedding, but nothing seems to be going to plan.
Lauren was such a relatable character! As someone who doesn't like to drive unless I have to, I related to her so much. Her anxiety and reluctance to lead I could relate to as well.
I loved the dynamics the other characters lent to the adventure, and Grandpa Mack was such a steady, loving presence, and I'm so glad Lauren had him.
Overall, this was a fun and thrilling ride. It really was an edge of your seat read as I waited to see if they would make it to the wedding in time. One of things I loved most about this book was how it highlighted the need to trust in God. I highly recommend it.
Content note: It was clean with no spice or swearing, and only mild violence.
I was given an copy of this book by the author to review. This is my own, honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beyond the Mirage is one of those books that feels really and truly unique. Set over the course of just a couple days, it boasts an immersive modern setting and stakes that will have you feeling nervous on behalf of the characters and rushing to finish the book in hopes that they arrive safely (and on time) at their destination.
I loved the characters in this book. It's narrated in first person by our protagonist Lauren, whom I found pretty relatable as she struggles with leadership and trusting God. Her prose is vivid and really makes you feel as though you’re experiencing the story through her eyes, not as a distant observer. My favorite of the non-POV characters was Hazel, Lauren’s friend who works at Chick-fil-A. Ava grew on me over the course of the story, although I didn’t adore her at first. Xavier—well, let’s just say he isn’t the kind of character anyone’s supposed to like, but the story would’ve been lacking some conflict without him.
The teleportation in this book is totally not what I was expecting when I read the blurb, and the first few chapters left me scrambling to understand what was going on...although not entirely in a bad way. Rather than being a scientific aspect of the characters’ world, it’s more like a spiritual gift that only some Christians get to take part in. It requires a lot of suspension of disbelief, but it’s not there simply for a wacky plot. There’s an allegorical aspect to quodeshing as well, and it brings themes of trusting God’s plan to the forefront of the story. The one aspect of the plot I had a slight issue with was that things sometimes felt too easy for the characters when all they had to do was pray and receive a clear, unmistakable answer from God .
I’m impressed that a book this polished and interesting is from a debut author. I wholeheartedly recommend Beyond the Mirage for fans of Christian contemporary and fantasy, and I will absolutely be following Vella’s further writing career.
I loved the characters in this book. It's narrated in first person by our protagonist Lauren, whom I found pretty relatable as she struggles with leadership and trusting God. Her prose is vivid and really makes you feel as though you’re experiencing the story through her eyes, not as a distant observer. My favorite of the non-POV characters was Hazel, Lauren’s friend who works at Chick-fil-A. Ava grew on me over the course of the story, although I didn’t adore her at first. Xavier—well, let’s just say he isn’t the kind of character anyone’s supposed to like, but the story would’ve been lacking some conflict without him.
The teleportation in this book is totally not what I was expecting when I read the blurb, and the first few chapters left me scrambling to understand what was going on...although not entirely in a bad way. Rather than being a scientific aspect of the characters’ world, it’s more like a spiritual gift that only some Christians get to take part in. It requires a lot of suspension of disbelief, but it’s not there simply for a wacky plot. There’s an allegorical aspect to quodeshing as well, and it brings themes of trusting God’s plan to the forefront of the story. The one aspect of the plot I had a slight issue with was that things sometimes felt too easy for the characters when all they had to do was pray and receive a clear, unmistakable answer from God .
I’m impressed that a book this polished and interesting is from a debut author. I wholeheartedly recommend Beyond the Mirage for fans of Christian contemporary and fantasy, and I will absolutely be following Vella’s further writing career.
October 12, 2026
Beyond the Mirage had an intriguing idea. The blurb caught my attention, and that was honestly what kept me reading when the first half felt a little slow for me.
I struggled to connect with the characters at first, and I found myself wishing for more detail and development in those early chapters. It took me a while to feel invested in the story or the people in it. But I pushed on, and I'm glad I did.
The second half picked up considerably, and I found myself much more engaged with the story.
This book is categorized as YA Christian fiction, and I think that's where I had a slightly different expectation going in. For me, the Christian elements felt more like a few sprinkles of God and faith throughout the story rather than something that was woven deeply into the characters or their journey. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but personally, when I pick up Christian fiction, I tend to look for faith to feel like a more meaningful part of the story.
Overall, this was a bit of a slow start for me, and I didn't connect with the characters as much as I hoped. But the story picked up in the second half, and I'm glad I pushed through because the premise really is interesting. For me, it wasn't the five-star that I was hoping for.
I struggled to connect with the characters at first, and I found myself wishing for more detail and development in those early chapters. It took me a while to feel invested in the story or the people in it. But I pushed on, and I'm glad I did.
The second half picked up considerably, and I found myself much more engaged with the story.
This book is categorized as YA Christian fiction, and I think that's where I had a slightly different expectation going in. For me, the Christian elements felt more like a few sprinkles of God and faith throughout the story rather than something that was woven deeply into the characters or their journey. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but personally, when I pick up Christian fiction, I tend to look for faith to feel like a more meaningful part of the story.
Overall, this was a bit of a slow start for me, and I didn't connect with the characters as much as I hoped. But the story picked up in the second half, and I'm glad I pushed through because the premise really is interesting. For me, it wasn't the five-star that I was hoping for.
May 28, 2026
"The truth is, God is good. And I can trust myself when I trust Him." (pg. 159)
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I finished Beyond the Mirage in two sittings, and the second one kept me up way past bedtime! This clean read is sweet without being corny and suspenseful without being overwhelming. I genuinely wondered a few times how the characters were going to get out of their predicaments, and all the crazy roadtrip hijinks were entertaining. With summer budding before us, this is a good book to bring on your adventures!
My favorite aspect of this book was [MILD SPOILER ALERT!!] watching the main character's relationship with God grow, bud, and produce fruit. In the beginning, she struggles trusting not only herself, but also the voice of God moving through her heart. Watching that fear morph into tentative hope, then trust, and ultimately complete surrender is inspiring, and has encouraged me to listen to His voice speaking in my own heart.
And let's just be honest... Grandpa Mack is peak 😂.
_________________________________________________
I finished Beyond the Mirage in two sittings, and the second one kept me up way past bedtime! This clean read is sweet without being corny and suspenseful without being overwhelming. I genuinely wondered a few times how the characters were going to get out of their predicaments, and all the crazy roadtrip hijinks were entertaining. With summer budding before us, this is a good book to bring on your adventures!
My favorite aspect of this book was [MILD SPOILER ALERT!!] watching the main character's relationship with God grow, bud, and produce fruit. In the beginning, she struggles trusting not only herself, but also the voice of God moving through her heart. Watching that fear morph into tentative hope, then trust, and ultimately complete surrender is inspiring, and has encouraged me to listen to His voice speaking in my own heart.
And let's just be honest... Grandpa Mack is peak 😂.
May 21, 2026
This had sibling energy! Lauren’s voice was super engaging and I totally related to her struggling to keep everyone on task. I love that even if I saw what was coming plot-wise, I did NOT see the finer details that really made this book hilarious and enjoyable. There were also moments that really made me think. This is the first time I’ve highlighted lines in a book I bought for myself. There were a few places in which I could have used more information about the side characters, but ultimately that didn’t hurt the story. And at one point people’s reactions to quodeshing seemed a little off, although I realize that was thematic and funny. This isn’t typically my genre, so maybe it’s just a problem with me lol. Overall, I really enjoyed this book!
August 19, 2026
Book Review: Beyond the Mirage by Vella Karman
Although this isn't my typical genre, I found Beyond the Mirage to be surprisingly relatable. Having grown up traveling with my family in an RV and spending plenty of time packed into vehicles with others, the travel aspect definitely brought back some familiar memories.
I'm always thankful to come across clean Christian options for young adults, and I especially appreciate books that I can feel good about adding to our church library. Thank you to Vella Karman for sending me a copy to read and review, and for allowing us to add it to our collection!
If you're looking for a clean Christian YA read with a road-trip adventure, Beyond the Mirage may be one to check out.
Although this isn't my typical genre, I found Beyond the Mirage to be surprisingly relatable. Having grown up traveling with my family in an RV and spending plenty of time packed into vehicles with others, the travel aspect definitely brought back some familiar memories.
I'm always thankful to come across clean Christian options for young adults, and I especially appreciate books that I can feel good about adding to our church library. Thank you to Vella Karman for sending me a copy to read and review, and for allowing us to add it to our collection!
If you're looking for a clean Christian YA read with a road-trip adventure, Beyond the Mirage may be one to check out.
August 2, 2026
Beyond the Mirage is a fun, fast paced read perfect for fans of YA Christian books with a hint of magic.
I thought the premise of the story was unique, and the idea of quodeshing was intriguing. The characters' interactions were thoughtfully written, and their banter made me laugh. Lauren's terror during driving was very real, and it was something I could easily relate to. The reason I didn't give it a higher star rating was because I felt the story could have been drawn out more, and that the plot could have been expanded. For a younger audience though, I think it was an amusing and creative read.
For a debut author though, I felt like it was strong start!
I thought the premise of the story was unique, and the idea of quodeshing was intriguing. The characters' interactions were thoughtfully written, and their banter made me laugh. Lauren's terror during driving was very real, and it was something I could easily relate to. The reason I didn't give it a higher star rating was because I felt the story could have been drawn out more, and that the plot could have been expanded. For a younger audience though, I think it was an amusing and creative read.
For a debut author though, I felt like it was strong start!
Read
September 16, 2026This book was so different from anything I've read before. It was a clean book with a lot of detail. It is a Christian YA, so take that into account. I enjoyed the book. It was an interesting and I especially loved the idea of teleportation. The story kept me curious, engaged and waiting to see what would happen next! I liked Lauren and Grandpa Mack from the beginning, but it took time for Ava and others to grow on me. There were many pieces that reminded me of my Dad and that was tender. It felt different from what I’ve read before. Overall, a very interesting read with a unique premise!
May 21, 2026
Beautifully-written YA light fantasy. The 'good guy' characters still made mistakes and had to learn; the 'bad guy' characters had their moments of maturity. What I liked best is that the characters really felt like young adults, dealing with college, driving, and relationships. The road trip details were so vivid I felt like I was there. A few plot points came out of left field, but all in all I highly recommend it.
May 21, 2026
Honestly? We need more books like Beyond the Mirage. We need more compelling, faith-based books. We need more books with dynamic characters that keep readers up hours past their bedtime.
Essentially, we need more books that are wholesome, faith-based, have a strong plot, and a wonderful cast of characters---all that Beyond the Mirage contains.
Thank you, Vella and publisher, for the eARC. <3
Essentially, we need more books that are wholesome, faith-based, have a strong plot, and a wonderful cast of characters---all that Beyond the Mirage contains.
Thank you, Vella and publisher, for the eARC. <3
May 21, 2026
This isn't my typical genre, but I absolutely LOVED this book. It hooked me in from the start and I just couldn't put it down. The characters were so relatable and real - I feel like I've met people like them all in real life. Honestly, this book was a breath of fresh air, exactly what I needed. Not preachy, not dark. Just a cool breeze on a hot summer day. Looking forward to the next book from this author, whatever it may be!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It kept me up past my bedtime! The characters felt so realistic and like they each had their own personalities. The whole concept of quodeshing (basically, teleportation) was a lot of fun. I loved seeing the heart behind this story and how it encourages readers to trust God.
It kept me up past my bedtime! The characters felt so realistic and like they each had their own personalities. The whole concept of quodeshing (basically, teleportation) was a lot of fun. I loved seeing the heart behind this story and how it encourages readers to trust God.
May 21, 2026
I relate to the main character Lauren. Sometimes I feel like my gifts are more burden than blessing. Having faith to trust in the One who bestowed the gift can be a challenge when things don't immediately turn out the way I think they should. Lauren stayed the course and I celebrated with her through every victory, I think you will too. Now I really wish quodeshing was a real thing!
June 6, 2026
Perfect summer read. This is a clean young adult book for teen girls. A friend group goes on a road trip and learns more about each other, themselves, and trusting God. They navigate buying a first car. They confront conflict head on. Near the end I think three of their four phones are uncharged, lost, or broken. Just like real life with a side of time travel.
June 23, 2026
The concept is very cool, but it wasn’t for me specifically. I was kinda confused and only made it to chapter four or so before I put it down and I haven’t picked it back up since. Would love to finish it someday, but for right now, it’s a pretty title on the shelf. So proud of the author tho, it’s been great watching her journey on instagram.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed this book. I just wish that the book was longer. It felt like there was a lot that could have been further developed. The premise was super unique, but I do wish that there was more development and more length. Even still, good book!
May 13, 2026
I truly enjoyed this story! It had an excellent plot and even though it’s a shorter story, you really knew the characters by the end. I wish it was longer. I want more from these characters, so I hope that the author will write another book about these characters soon!
May 21, 2026
Wow. Beyond the Mirage is absolutely captivating! I was hooked from the first line till the last. I laughed and cried and my heart resonated with its depth. This may be a YA book, but at 71, I’d say it’s for everyone with an open heart. Can’t wait to read her next book!
May 23, 2026
This was a super fun read. I enjoyed the magic system—super unique and creative. It’s hard to have a book that is overtly Christian still feel organic and not cheesy, and this book did that well! Excited to see more from this author!!
June 1, 2026
This book had me on the edge of my seat. It got worse, and worse, and ended with such a sweet message. I loved how present God was in this book! If you're looking for a clean read that talks about faith, trust, and Jesus, this is the book for you!
June 10, 2026
This is a fabulous road trip book! It brought me back to my learning-to-drive years XD I absolutely adored Hazel's faithful and chill nature and Grandpa Mack's steady faith. The way that the author incorporated faith in the ordinary felt so natural and not AT ALL preachy. I can't tell you how many Christian books I've read that could take a lesson from this book. Also the way that quodeshing (teleporting) works in the worldbuilding is so cool!
May 21, 2026
Such a fun story! Relatable, thought-provoking, and imaginative. If you like contemporary with just a bit of fantasy you'll love this book.
August 10, 2026
I had the privilege of copyediting this incredible novel. It's not the genre I typically read but boy was I in for a treat!
It's fast-paced, has quirky, realistic characters, and lots of whimsy!
It's fast-paced, has quirky, realistic characters, and lots of whimsy!
August 14, 2026
Such a sweet author, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read this book, but I really struggled with the concept! The grandpa was so sweet though, and I loved his accent!!
May 21, 2026
Received as an ARC from the author
Definitely a page turner, perfect to read on a road trip. Wholesome if you like contemporary christian fiction. Not usually my genre, but I'd read more by this author!
Definitely a page turner, perfect to read on a road trip. Wholesome if you like contemporary christian fiction. Not usually my genre, but I'd read more by this author!
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