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Another Shot: A Modern-Day Ruth and Boaz Story

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Another Shot is a contemporary romantic novella based on the classic story of Ruth and Boaz.

My name is Rae, and this is my story. Regretfully, it begins on a sad note. Everything was taken from me when my husband died in a tragic car accident. The only person on Earth who could have possibly been hurting more than me was my beloved mother-in-law, Laura, who lost her husband and only sons in the same accident.

Laura was forced to leave Arizona and return to New York, and I decided to go with her. I packed my things with no prospects or expectations; all I had was the undeniable urge to remain with her. As a result of becoming a widow at twenty-three, I was in a surreal frame of mind, and making a new start with my mother-in-law seemed like the only logical decision.

Less than two weeks after the accident we were on our way to New York. I trusted we'd make it somehow, but never imagined someone greater than us already had a plan in place—a plan as romantic as a fairy-tale.

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 14, 2015

240 people are currently reading
492 people want to read

About the author

Brooke St. James

114 books953 followers
Brooke St. James is a USA Today bestselling author and Amazon Kindle All-Star. She writes contemporary romance novels with Christian and inspirational themes and happy endings. She was born and raised in south Louisiana but has had the opportunity to travel and live throughout the U.S. An avid reader, writer, audio book addict, and fan of all things artistic, Brooke constantly has her hands in some creative activity. She's currently back home in Louisiana enjoying life with her husband, children, and two lazy dogs.

To find out more about Brooke visit her Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/brookesaintj...

Her Official website at:
http://www.brookesaintjames.com/

Follow her on Twitter or Instagram:
@brooke_stjames

To join her mailing list or for specific inquiries:
brookesaintjames@gmail.com

Listen to her audiobooks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeStJames

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5 stars
316 (50%)
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185 (29%)
3 stars
90 (14%)
2 stars
27 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews130 followers
Want to read
December 19, 2018
💝FREE on Amazon today (12/19/2018)!💝

Blurb:
My name is Rae, and this is my story. Regretfully, it begins on a sad note. Everything was taken from me when my husband died in a tragic car accident. The only person on Earth who could have possibly been hurting more than me was my beloved mother-in-law, Laura, who lost her husband and only sons in the same accident.

Laura was forced to leave Arizona and return to New York, and I decided to go with her. I packed my things with no prospects or expectations; all I had was the undeniable urge to remain with her. As a result of becoming a widow at twenty-three, I was in a surreal frame of mind, and making a new start with my mother-in-law seemed like the only logical decision.

Less than two weeks after the accident we were on our way to New York. I trusted we'd make it somehow, but never imagined someone greater than us already had a plan in place—a plan as romantic as a fairy-tale.
Profile Image for Megan.
1,736 reviews199 followers
August 5, 2016
The biblical story of Ruth is one of my favorite stories in the Bible, so I was really looking forward to reading this modern-day retelling of it. I was hoping it would be similar to Right Where I Belong, which I enjoyed a lot, but it wasn't and I was disappointed.

All the parts of the story were there, but they just felt out of place in a modern-day setting. Such as when Laura tells Rae that she doesn't have any other sons, so why should she go with her to NYC - I was like, why does she only have to marry from your family? And if that's not the reason, wouldn't NYC be one of the easiest places to find someone, potentially - since it's such a large place? That wasn't explained, at all. There were other scenes, Another scene is where Rae receives

I did enjoy the parts of the story that weren't trying so hard to be a retelling, but I did think that Rae and Laura moved on too quickly and that felt unrealistic.

2.5 stars
Profile Image for Agnieszka.
541 reviews
October 30, 2021
My favorite quotes:
Basically, I chickened out of chickening out, (p. 59)
"Purely out of love for my dear cousin, and having nothing to do with the fact that she's kind, talented, and so very beautiful, I'm going to marry this girl at the soonest possible opportunity. If any of you have a problem with it, please see my dad who will kindly spit in your eggs." (p. 123)

The biblical story of Ruth was as far as I can remember always my favorite, so I was happy to read this modern take on it.
It's a first person account told by Rae. Even if she mentions several times her grief the author didn't impart that emotion believably in this short-ish story, though that was the only issue I had - other than that it was plain perfect which happened not very often in many of the last books I've read.
As far as I can see this was the author's debut story (or at least the oldest available on Amazon) which makes this experience even more remarkable. Most of her books don't have original publication date entered yet, which I'll plan to change in the next weeks (while adding them all to my reading list *grins*)

I'm already looking forward to read the other shor story and series I downloaded in the past and will have an eye on her other books.
Profile Image for Sandra S Jensen.
3 reviews
April 21, 2015
Joy overcoming sorrow!

The story of Ruth and Boaz has always been magical to me and how God can take a broken and sad situation and bring it all together for His glory. Loved this modern day version… Creative, fun, and made you want to be part of the family!
Profile Image for Lindsay Lemus.
443 reviews52 followers
August 23, 2023
So, this may be me and the fact that it was a short story but although this was very reminiscent of the Ruth and Boaz story from the Bible, it just didn't hit for me. It all happened so fast and seemed very convenient how it all fell into place without much conflict to overcome. I appreciate how the story stayed pretty close to the original story but I just needed more.
Profile Image for Parkland Mom.
783 reviews19 followers
July 28, 2025
3 Stars
Completed: May 31/25

Format: Kindle e-Book
Challenge Prompt: ARoCF's "set in another country from yours" — set in USA (I’m Canadian)

Book #66 of 2025: (New-to-me author)

I have mixed feelings on this book. It is a modern-day re-telling of Boaz and Ruth of the Bible. There were parts of the story I enjoyed, particularly the photography interest and the development of the friendship between Rae and Dominic. I just wish that part was longer. I'm not a fan of people dating or remarrying so soon after a spousal loss. I don't feel it's healthy. I loved that Rae was able to experience a strong family unit and she was devoted to Laura.

Strangely enough, I personally didn't feel a faith arc strongly in this story.l like I would expect for a re-telling. It felt like the attempt was forced and came across rather awkward. For example, Laura (the mother-in-law) talks about not having other sons to "offer" her widowed daughters-in-law. That sort of thing doesn't happen anymore.

Secondly, she also encourages a relationship to happen between Rae and Dominic only a few months after her son's death. This is a grieving woman who lost her own husband AND two sons at once. I honestly can't think of ANY mother-in-law encouraging something so quickly for her widowed daughter-in-law.

Lastly, at one point after the Thanksgiving evening, she encourages Rae to go downstairs to the sofa and lay at his feet. That just wasn't believable. These things made it feel like a romance was edited into a biblical re-telling and not a re-telling itself.

Personally, I felt this story would have been more believable with more time passing before "feelings" happened. THEN Laura could be realistically supportive and encouraging. We could have also enjoyed more of a build-up and connection between Rae and Dominic. The laying at the feet could also have been simply turned into, "Hey, why don't you go downstairs and talk privately since you both know you need to?" This is a modern re-telling and not trying to pound a round peg into a square hole.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Elaine.
6 reviews2 followers
March 22, 2015
I absolutely adored this book!

The story of Ruth and Boaz is a classic love story in itself. Another Shot is a novella that borrows from the arc of the Ruth and Boaz story but presents it in a modern and fresh way.

Rae is a 23 year old woman who tragically lost her husband in a car accident. He died along with his brother and father so her mother-in-law, Laura, lost her entire family in the same accident.

To make matters worse, the family business was in serious trouble and Laura is forced to sell it and everything she owned rather quickly.

The only person Rae has left in the world is Laura and she decides to follow her back to New York where the rest of Laura's extended family lives. The family helps to get them settled with a fresh start and tries to be as supportive as possible.

Though she is still grieving for her lost husband, Rae soon meets Dominic, the man who owns a huge photography store she began working at.

Without spoiling too much more, Dominic patiently and gently begins to show his love and support for Rae.

If you are familiar with the classic Ruth and Boaz story, you won't be disappointed by this. Even if you aren't, this novella is a fantastic read that will leave you feeling great!
Profile Image for Dana Michael.
1,401 reviews179 followers
May 30, 2015
I really enjoyed this sweet and clean romance. I loved that it was a modern day Ruth and Boaz story. It was fun to read and I encourage others to read it as well.
129 reviews
April 21, 2020
Apparently I read this several years ago, and I totally forgot about it. Ruth and Boaz is probably my favorite story in the Bible.

This was done very thoughtfully and with a caring perspective on the original story. Rae's husband was killed along with his brother and father in a car crash. Rae's mother-in-law; Laura, who had the nickname of LuLu is left with nothing, along with Rae and sister-in-law, Anna.

If you know the bible story, you'll know what happens next. The author handled the events of the storyline very deftly, especially considering this day and age. If you don't know the Bible story, you'll lose a lot of the nuances of what is happening. This is a big Italian family, Rae is from Irish stock but knows very little about her family.

All in all a great, gentle read, with a great POV from the 21st century.
Profile Image for Rebecca Grove.
3,492 reviews26 followers
June 16, 2021
I loved this story. Ruth is one of my favorite stories in the Bible but I was curious how it could be turned into a modern romance story. The author did a wonderful job. Laura lost her husband and sons to a car accident leavinge her with her two daughter-in-laws Rae and Anna. Laura's husband business had gone down hill so they had to sell everything to take care of debts. Laura was going to have to return to her family in NYC and Rae was determined to go with her to help out. Laura's family provided them with a small apartment and got Rae a job in a second cousin's business. Dominick owns a photography business and Rae was put to work n the receiving department. Nick takes great care of Laura and Rae. Rae starts to have feelings for Nick but is it too soon after her husband's death?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
7,755 reviews49 followers
December 21, 2018
Rae twenty three and a widow, only family she has known that is left is her mother in law. Of which she lost her husband and two sons. Having been told there were debts, and business, house would need to be sold. A small apartment in New York was available for them. Laura and Rae now living in a shoebox, at least they had each other. She was to work for Dominic at his camera store. Having met him , he wanted to be sure she would stay and work for him. If she wanted a different job let him know. Fun, and loving book giving you an idea of an Italian Family with lots of hugs, and watching out for one another. Definitely aa good one to read.
Profile Image for Kristy Mills.
1,933 reviews38 followers
October 25, 2020
I don’t know why Brooke St James insta love stories are ok with me, when other stories I read are not.

I love the characters she writes.

This is about Rae who just lost her husband of one year. Her mother in law lost all of her sons and her husband in the same accident. When it’s clear she needs to move back home to NYC Rae is determined to go with her. She’s the only family she has left and she is not letting her go.

When she’s there she meets Dominick, her late husband’s cousin. She is surprised when she catches feelings for him. He feels the same way pretty much from the moment he sees her.

I loved their sweet story. It was done tastefully and respectful of her late husband.
1,425 reviews12 followers
August 12, 2023
I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. When Rae’s husband and father in law both die in a car accident, her mother in law finds she owes money to her family for loans her husband took out on their car dealership. She ends up moving back to New York City and Rae insists on going with her since she has no other family. Once there, Rae has a job at a family store where she meets the owner, Dominic without knowing who he is at first. He is impressed with her and sparks begin between them. She quickly develops into a good photographer and he encourages her. A heartwarming story about second chances, love and restoration.
Profile Image for Kristy Moore.
245 reviews18 followers
July 13, 2019
Very cute modern retelling of the story of Ruth. I did feel the romance was a bit rushed, but I like how the author was able to find modern parallels to nearly every aspect and symbol from the original. It seemed like if Dominic was checking in with her supervisor as much as Boaz asked after Ruth, this was glossed over in this novel.

I usually don't care for mutual LAFS unless the novel is set in an AU (shifter, fantasy, sci-fi). Getting married six months after the death of a high school sweetheart seems a little fast, IMO.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dulce Natalie.
123 reviews
July 23, 2020
I enjoyed this modern twist to the story of Ruth and Boaz. I was pleasantly surprised by the accuracy with the real story. It's great to see a clean romantic story. Christian romances can still be sweet and beautiful without all of the sex scenes. It might be difficult for non-believers or those unfamiliar to Ruth and Boaz's story to find credibility in the events of the story but the Lord works in mysterious ways. This story shows how we may not always comprehend God's grace but He is faithful and surprises us with his blessings. Great story, definitely worth reading!
146 reviews
June 9, 2025
I've read a couple of Brooke St. James' books and really liked them, but unfortunately this one was just uncomfortable. The story was sooo fast that the characters didn't have time to build chemistry, so it just felt weird that they "fell in love" and got married so quickly. The classic Ruth/Boaz story has so much more cultural background that we don't get from reading the Bible at surface level, so trying to do a straight parallel into modern times just doesn't work. I truly appreciate the effort, but this book wasn't for me.
63 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2020
Not biblical at all!!!!
This has nothing to do with the purpose of why Ruth and Boaz story was told. Ruth and Boaz lived for God. Naomi came back to God. Even in modern days God still is. Yes they have similar situations but they cannot compare. This story defeats the purpose of why Ruth and Boaz was told. it wasn't what I expected. Disappointed really. Don't get me wrong the story is nice but it's best on it's own. This is just a story of a man and a widow. Ruth and Boaz is so much more than that and I was really looking forward to hearing it in a modern prospective. Just because you mention God once or twice in a sentence doesn't mean God's in it.
Profile Image for Holly.
2,878 reviews
June 20, 2021
It’s enjoyable book. I don’t know the original story and this didn’t take away the enjoyment of reading.
The storyline was good but moving in kind of slow style.
I had a feeling that I moved to sixties , don’t know why. Maybe they were dialogues or maybe behaviour of main characters.
It’s sweet and clean romance. Enjoy

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
16 reviews
August 22, 2019
Sweet story

This is a story of two women who have a great tragedy in their lives. I loved the characters and the story. The hero is larger than life and a good man. The heroine is not a shrinking violet, but she’s a little shy. I felt they got together too soon, but that’s life! Good story
3,352 reviews18 followers
June 16, 2021
Wow! Such an amazing story you can't stop reading! The story line flows smoothly and pulls you in the moment you start reading. The characters are amazing! They're realistic, easy to get to know and intriguing. A great read you don't want to miss out on.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Profile Image for Joey Geneva.
117 reviews
April 3, 2025
This was sweet and I loved the close parallels to Ruth’s original story with direct quotes taken straight from the Bible! Overall, it was cute and a wonderful companion to my Bible study with modern day adaptations that further speak to the hope and themes of generosity and loyalty I so enjoyed in Ruth!
Profile Image for Laura Van Nice.
249 reviews23 followers
March 21, 2018
Touching

This was a sweet take on the age old story. The Italian angle was unique, too. Writing was pretty solid and Rae's emotional journey was compelling. The timeline felt a little rushed, though. I'd definitely read more by this author.
2,388 reviews17 followers
March 21, 2018
Awesome

This story was just awesome. I fell in love with Dominic and how thoughtful and sweet he was. Their chemistry was great and I loved how her life along with her mother in law turned around. Super sweet, clean romance.
Profile Image for Stacey.
110 reviews
May 11, 2019
A modern take on Ruth and Boaz

I enjoyed this quick read. While it didn't have biblical references throughout, I enjoyed that it was clean. It is nice to read a sweet love story. For the price, I say give it a chance. You might find yourself pleasantly surprised.
Profile Image for Melanie Mason.
Author 17 books39 followers
January 26, 2020
A sweet story

I really enjoyed this story. It was refreshingly free from all the usual drama of modern romances. It was simple but beautiful enough to bring me to tears. Thank you for sharing.
844 reviews
Read
February 13, 2020
Wow

The author followed the Ruth story really well . I enjoyed reading it very much. It is well written with no typos or grammatical errors that are usually found in ebooks. Nice and clean , not too contrived.
Profile Image for Marianne.
7,189 reviews85 followers
June 9, 2021
This is a clean sweet romance.. It's pretty cute, with characters that are easy to like. A old-fashioned style story that may make you think of Grace Livingston Hill.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
9,375 reviews140 followers
June 10, 2021
This is a well written modern version of Ruth and Boaz. The author does a great job moving the story flawlessly and delivers a beautiful love story. Well done!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
205 reviews2 followers
July 23, 2021
Good book

This was a good book. I felt like if was a bit unrealistic which is what kept me from giving it 5 stars. All in all, it was a good, quick read and I enjoyed it. I liked that despite it converting a deep story, there were plenty of moments to smile and laugh at as well.
Profile Image for Melissa.
20 reviews1 follower
April 25, 2025
I loved this book. It is the first Brooke St. James book I have read and I am a fan. I loved how well the modern adaptation of Ruth and Boaz’s story stayed consistent with the original, while adding a fresh perspective.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews

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