Sincerely, Mayla

Just As I Am #2

by Virginia Smith

Mayla Strong's life is finally starting to seem normal. She has been working at the same job for four years, living with a good friend, and enjoying a deep relationship with God. But when Mayla is suddenly laid off, the placid surface of her life is shattered. In this touching sequel to Just As I Am , Mayla comes face-to-face with the responsibilities and joys of friends and family. As Mayla tries to help her friends, she realizes that God has all the answers—the trick is letting go long enough to let Him prove it.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 2008

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Virginia Smith has written over fifty books with sales exceeding 1 million copies worldwide. Her book, Guilty Secrets, was recently produced as a movie now streaming on Lifetime. She lives in Kentucky with her husband, 27 chickens, a barn kitty, and a barky Maltese named Max. Learn more about Ginny and her books at www.virginiasmith.org

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

About the book:

Just as life is beginning to come together for spunky, purple-haired Mayla Strong, she loses her job and her boyfriend. When she escapes to sunny Florida, her problems only tag along. In this heartwarming sequel to Just As I Am, Mayla learns how to balance friends, family, and faith while living in a messed-up world.

My review:

Sincerely, Mayla is probably Smith's best book yet. Mayla is a flawed, yet loveable character because she is genuine, especially when it comes to her relationship with God. Much of the time she is too distracted by life to pray, so she starts doing things on her own and then realizes she forgot to include God.

A self-declared control freak, Mayla gains insight into her family's dysfunction and learns that sometimes for their own good, people need to hear what they are doing to hurt others. Mayla's life demonstrates that love wants to see relationships healed. Love wants to see people set free.

While written in the first person point of view, it's not at all obvious. I love when an author can do that. Smith's writing is flawless and smooth-flowing. Her character's inner voice was so realistically done, you'll feel like you are in Mayla's head. And I totally loved how Mayla was passive aggressive and talked to herself while she read e-mails from Pastor Paul. What a scream!

I also was very touched by the subplot with Lindsey. The truths that came out through her story were so well done I wish every teen in trouble would read this book...just for the message alone. And you've gotta love Stuart. Smith illustrated through Mayla's relationship with him that being salt and light to the unsaved really does make them thirst. But the most important thing is to love them as Christ loves us. The message to Stuart about how Jesus perceived him when he asked Mayla the tough questions was so beautifully done that it made me tear up. I dare say I've not seen this type of scenario written in a more honest and loving way anywhere.

Yeah, Mayla was real, but Sincerely, Mayla shows that you don't have to be perfect to show people Jesus through your life. You just have to live sincerely and let Him abide in you so people will see Him in your eyes. What a beautiful illustration of an eternal truth.


Sincerely, Mayla was published by Kregel and released in March 2008.

[Rhonda Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books of 2008. It's fun, comical, and down to earth. Sincerely, Mayla,centers around Mayla Strong. A woman whose life is falling apart, while she's being sucked into her friends problems. There was only one thing to do--take a vacation. Off she goes to visit family where she can rest and relax. There is little rest and relaxation happening on this trip. Not only do her friends literally show up on the doorstep, but she discovers that her family has their own problems. Control freak Mayla tries to solve every ones problems her way. Before long she realizes it should be God's way, and God will work everything out.

This should be in every beach bag and on every summer reading list. It's an easy read that tackles some very difficult and heavy issues without being disrespectful. It's also a great read for all your unsaved friends as it shows a positive and Biblical way to handle certain ills in society.

[Victoria Bylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mayla is one of my all-time favorite heroines. I loved this book!

[Jean Kinsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!! It shows you don't need to be perfect for God to love you.

[Monica Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but slow

I did enjoy the book, but it was a slow read. It picked up at the end. It left a little cliffhanger for what I’m sure is another story in the series.

[Kimberly Vanover · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect sequel

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts: I have not yet gotten the chance to read Just As I Am, but I cannot reiterate how glad I am that I was given the chance to read and review Sincerely, Mayla. After finishing this book #2, I cannot wait to go back and read the prequel in Mayla's life found in #1. Mayla is 23, my age, and she is a real and very "normal" girl and I love her to death! Ginny has a winner with this story and life of the character of Mayla. Life is not a simplistic thing, and events do not occur one at a time and wait for something else to cool off before the next challenge. This book of Mayla's life is so real to life and brings so many things to light in the eyes of a growing Christian. Mayla is still a new Christian and learning step by step how to put more things onto God and become more Christlike. It is through her journey and life events that a reader can find peace and understanding of their own life. The beginning of the book was very humorous and caught my interest, the middle of the book I still could not put it down, and then end of the book practically had me in tears with a giggle in my smile. I strongly urge everyone to read this book. It spoke to me, to relating to Mayla's age, but there is a character in most all situations that can bring anyone into this story. There is no reason not to read this book!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read by Virginia Smith! It's been almost a year since Mayla gave her life to Jesus, a year of much growth and excitement. Except things are now falling apart for our heroine! Mayla struggles with her job, her friends, her regrets, and even puts her foot in her mouth and makes things awkward between herself and the man she is attracted to. When she decides to visit family in Florida, Mayla never dreams her problems will literally follow her down there and make her confront the deep parts of her heart. I thought the story started out a little slow, but the threads are so tightly woven that I couldn't put it down once I got into it. I'll be looking for more from this author!

[Beth Peninger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the "Just As I Am" series from Smith. Smith continues new Christian Mayla's journey to living a life in Christ.
Mayla has been a Christian for 9 months and a lot has happened. In this title even more happens as Mayla loses her job, is asked to house a teen runaway, decides to travel to Florida to visit long lost family, and has to navigate a host of other people and small problems. As Mayla encounters these challenges she learns a lot about God and trusting him.
Smith ends her two book series with Mayla on a positive note. I didn't like it quite as much as book 1 - I'm thinking because this one was a lot more typical Christian than the first. But it was a decent read.

[Trish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not read Just As I Am first, so I came into this book without any bond with Mayla. She's a fun, spunky character but I can't say I enjoyed the novel. The writing was OK, but the situations portrayed were just too far-fetched.

I'm a fairly new Christian, and I'm now going to talk a teenage girl out of an abortion, help a gay friend to see the light, and convince my grandmother that she's being hard-headed about her grown daughter (so she can now get married and live happily ever after).

All within a week?! No. Stinking. Way.

I read this author's Sister to Sister series and found that one much more realistic.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another charmer!

Mayla is back, conflicted about her feelings for her good-looking preacher, and now facing a job crisis. She decides to go on vacation, but her problems follow her. Literally. Just as humorous and touching as Just as I Am, I couldn't put this one down either.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a book you will start and read in one to two days. Like all Virginia Smith books you cannot not stop reading. It taught you a lot about you cannot run from your problems. Sometimes they follow you.

[Elaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read to page 86. Nothing to grab you and drag you in.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. It was a solidly written story with compelling and Real characters. A great follow up to Just As I Am.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mayla will stay in my heart for a very long time :)

[Afton Rorvik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just had to find out what happened to Mayla after meeting her in Just As I Am. I wasn't disappointed. :)

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the book! hilarious and great characters!