What do you think?
Rate this book
God Bless the Broken Road
God Bless the Broken Road is a heartwarming story about a grieving army widow who finds her way back to her daughter, her faith, and a new love.
Amber Hill never imagined she would find herself a war widow and single mom. She feels robbed and is angry at God, and she doesn’t know how to help her nine-year-old daughter Bree through her grief. Where, Amber wonders, are the Sunday dinners, the picnics, the bike rides, the time together they should be enjoying as a family? Instead, Amber is left with a folded flag and an empty heart.
Cody Jackson has a death wish. Or at least that is what his manager thinks, as Cody pushes his race car and his luck in every race. Is he hiding something, or just daring God and other racers to end the path of destruction he finds himself on as he rounds the last turn? When Cody encourages Bree to join in a Derby car race for local youth, she finds a way to channel her grief into something good—and she likes that her mom and Cody are starting to become friends—or maybe something more.
Cody invites Amber and Bree to see him race, but as they watch Cody narrowly escape a devastating crash, she realizes she can’t lose another person in her life. It’s better to be alone than feel that type of grief again. But when Amber hits rock-bottom, she cries out to God and asks for help. With her faith, her life, her family, and her heart hanging in the balance, Amber is forced to decide between the broken road she knows so well and trusting that God will provide a new path.
Amber Hill never imagined she would find herself a war widow and single mom. She feels robbed and is angry at God, and she doesn’t know how to help her nine-year-old daughter Bree through her grief. Where, Amber wonders, are the Sunday dinners, the picnics, the bike rides, the time together they should be enjoying as a family? Instead, Amber is left with a folded flag and an empty heart.
Cody Jackson has a death wish. Or at least that is what his manager thinks, as Cody pushes his race car and his luck in every race. Is he hiding something, or just daring God and other racers to end the path of destruction he finds himself on as he rounds the last turn? When Cody encourages Bree to join in a Derby car race for local youth, she finds a way to channel her grief into something good—and she likes that her mom and Cody are starting to become friends—or maybe something more.
Cody invites Amber and Bree to see him race, but as they watch Cody narrowly escape a devastating crash, she realizes she can’t lose another person in her life. It’s better to be alone than feel that type of grief again. But when Amber hits rock-bottom, she cries out to God and asks for help. With her faith, her life, her family, and her heart hanging in the balance, Amber is forced to decide between the broken road she knows so well and trusting that God will provide a new path.
336 pages, Paperback
Published June 6, 2017
28 people are currently reading
665 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Graeser Dornbush
10 books696 followersJennifer Dornbush is a screenwriter, author, international speaker and forensic specialist. As she says, “I grew up around death.”
The television or movie screen is the closest most people will ever come to witnessing the forensic world. But Jennifer was raised in it. As the daughter of a small town medical examiner whose office was in their home. There were body parts in the fridge. She investigated her first fatality, an airplane crash, when she was 8 years old. Picking up pieces of skull with her father who simply saw it as an anatomy lesson. The first of many coroner lessons she experienced over two decades.
After exploring journalism and high school teaching, Jennifer turned seriously to screenwriting where she began to connect her coroner world to her writing. She sought out a degree at the Forensic Science Academy in Los Angeles to gain more forensic training and earned a unique kinship with LA’s top CSIs, fingerprint specialists, DNA scientists and detectives.
To share her love of forensics with the writing world, she authored the top selling non-fiction authoritative book, Forensic Speak, used by not only by show-runners and writers, but also crime investigators and law enforcement.
She created an Amazon top-selling mystery novel series, The Coroner’s Daughter. The first book in the series, The Coroner, released in 2018. The second in the series, Secret Remains, released January 2020. She is developing the series for TV.
She wrote the theatrically released film and novel, God Bless the Broken Road (2018). She has developed a TV crime drama series with Echo Lake and Hoplite Entertainment. Also she adapted a popular YA novel to script and sold a children’s show.
As a forensic consultant, she is frequently asked to consult with TV writers on shows such as: Bull, Conviction, Hawaii Five-O, Leverage, Suits and Rectify. She teaches screenwriting and mentors aspiring writers.
Jennifer is a member of the Writers’ Guild of America, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America and FBI Citizen’s Academy Alumni.
And she has a great sense of gallows humor.
Website: www.jenniferdornbush.com
Facebook: Jennifer Graeser Dornbush
Twitter: @JGDornbush
Instagram: @JGDornbush
Newsletter & Blog Sign up: www.jenniferdornbush.com
The television or movie screen is the closest most people will ever come to witnessing the forensic world. But Jennifer was raised in it. As the daughter of a small town medical examiner whose office was in their home. There were body parts in the fridge. She investigated her first fatality, an airplane crash, when she was 8 years old. Picking up pieces of skull with her father who simply saw it as an anatomy lesson. The first of many coroner lessons she experienced over two decades.
After exploring journalism and high school teaching, Jennifer turned seriously to screenwriting where she began to connect her coroner world to her writing. She sought out a degree at the Forensic Science Academy in Los Angeles to gain more forensic training and earned a unique kinship with LA’s top CSIs, fingerprint specialists, DNA scientists and detectives.
To share her love of forensics with the writing world, she authored the top selling non-fiction authoritative book, Forensic Speak, used by not only by show-runners and writers, but also crime investigators and law enforcement.
She created an Amazon top-selling mystery novel series, The Coroner’s Daughter. The first book in the series, The Coroner, released in 2018. The second in the series, Secret Remains, released January 2020. She is developing the series for TV.
She wrote the theatrically released film and novel, God Bless the Broken Road (2018). She has developed a TV crime drama series with Echo Lake and Hoplite Entertainment. Also she adapted a popular YA novel to script and sold a children’s show.
As a forensic consultant, she is frequently asked to consult with TV writers on shows such as: Bull, Conviction, Hawaii Five-O, Leverage, Suits and Rectify. She teaches screenwriting and mentors aspiring writers.
Jennifer is a member of the Writers’ Guild of America, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America and FBI Citizen’s Academy Alumni.
And she has a great sense of gallows humor.
Website: www.jenniferdornbush.com
Facebook: Jennifer Graeser Dornbush
Twitter: @JGDornbush
Instagram: @JGDornbush
Newsletter & Blog Sign up: www.jenniferdornbush.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 11, 2018
This book really surprised me on how much I love. To be honest getting in to the first few chapters nearly lost me, but when it came to heart of this story, it pulled me right in.
Amber is a woman who always believed in the power of God and the church, but when she and her daughter Bree get some devastating news, her faith gone and angry at God. She leaves the church, and is struggle in all phases of her life just to survive. Cody Jackson comes to town because he is a race car driver, who is thought to have a death wish with his reclus abandoned ways on the track. He is sent to see someone who can teach him the right way to race and win. He has not been to church since he was a young boy, but it's one of the conditions of his new mentor that he attend church and help out the kids to build their own race carts. He becomes a friend to young Bree and also to her mother, who does not want help from anyone even though her life is falling apart. When another potential loss happen to Amber, she knows they she has to ask for help from family and friends and most of all God.
I hope we get more books from Jennifer Dornbush, she has a great talent. Well done Jennifer, and I can't wait to see the movie.
Amber is a woman who always believed in the power of God and the church, but when she and her daughter Bree get some devastating news, her faith gone and angry at God. She leaves the church, and is struggle in all phases of her life just to survive. Cody Jackson comes to town because he is a race car driver, who is thought to have a death wish with his reclus abandoned ways on the track. He is sent to see someone who can teach him the right way to race and win. He has not been to church since he was a young boy, but it's one of the conditions of his new mentor that he attend church and help out the kids to build their own race carts. He becomes a friend to young Bree and also to her mother, who does not want help from anyone even though her life is falling apart. When another potential loss happen to Amber, she knows they she has to ask for help from family and friends and most of all God.
I hope we get more books from Jennifer Dornbush, she has a great talent. Well done Jennifer, and I can't wait to see the movie.
June 18, 2018
Hoping there is a sequel and looking forward the movie!
March 9, 2020
It's really strange that an author's choice of tense/perspective would throw me so bad, but I honestly never got used to it in this book. I've read a number of books in present tense, but I'm pretty sure I've never read a third-person present-tense book before, and somehow it distracted and distanced me from the characters in a way that first-person present-tense narration usually doesn't. That's probably my biggest critique of the book, just the fact that I was never really able to settle in and immerse myself in the story.
I did like the characters for the most part, even with their flaws, and I could understand how they got into the messes they were in. I have to admit, though, with all the main characters dealing with deep pain and flaws, it was sometimes hard to tell if a piece of advice was what someone needed and they just weren't willing to take it or something spoken out of the other person's wrong perspective that wasn't the real issue at all. That got a bit confusing at times.
I did really love Bree, right up until the very end, when she made some choices that seemed to come out of nowhere--I get that she was upset, but that extreme of a reaction just seemed out of character for her. Or maybe it was just that the main characters weren't paying enough attention to what was going on inside?
I would have liked to get to see more of what changed Cody's attitude at the end; it seemed like he dropped off the map for a while and we never really saw the transformation happen, just the results of it. The romance element was also a bit lighter than I expected; it seemed like the focus was more on the two of them working out their personal issues than on their relationship with each other.
There were a number of side characters that I really liked a lot, although I would have loved to learn more of what made them tick. There were also some strong faith lessons, which I really appreciated. I think if I hadn't been so badly distracted by the style (my fault, I know), I would probably have enjoyed it more.
3 stars
Content--mentions of reckless driving and car crashes; mentions of divorce, abandonment, etc.; arguments and bad attitudes; mentions of war injuries and deaths;
I did like the characters for the most part, even with their flaws, and I could understand how they got into the messes they were in. I have to admit, though, with all the main characters dealing with deep pain and flaws, it was sometimes hard to tell if a piece of advice was what someone needed and they just weren't willing to take it or something spoken out of the other person's wrong perspective that wasn't the real issue at all. That got a bit confusing at times.
I did really love Bree, right up until the very end, when she made some choices that seemed to come out of nowhere--I get that she was upset, but that extreme of a reaction just seemed out of character for her. Or maybe it was just that the main characters weren't paying enough attention to what was going on inside?
I would have liked to get to see more of what changed Cody's attitude at the end; it seemed like he dropped off the map for a while and we never really saw the transformation happen, just the results of it. The romance element was also a bit lighter than I expected; it seemed like the focus was more on the two of them working out their personal issues than on their relationship with each other.
There were a number of side characters that I really liked a lot, although I would have loved to learn more of what made them tick. There were also some strong faith lessons, which I really appreciated. I think if I hadn't been so badly distracted by the style (my fault, I know), I would probably have enjoyed it more.
3 stars
Content--mentions of reckless driving and car crashes; mentions of divorce, abandonment, etc.; arguments and bad attitudes; mentions of war injuries and deaths;
January 7, 2021
I really enjoyed this book by Jennifer Dornbush. It grabbed my heart from the beginning and didn't let go. I wanted to yell at Amber when she was making bad choices, but in her place, I probably would have done the same thing. The story flowed like a movie...which it became. I could see the scenes in my mind so clearly. Bree was definitely a star in the story, and she will tug at your heart.
The characters are well fleshed out and the problems Amber faces are realistic. The reader hurts for her as she wanders away from God and cheers as she makes her way back. I haven't watched the movie yet, but I plan to.
The characters are well fleshed out and the problems Amber faces are realistic. The reader hurts for her as she wanders away from God and cheers as she makes her way back. I haven't watched the movie yet, but I plan to.
July 28, 2017
GOD Bless the Broken Road is one of the tender hearted Christian fictions, Boy does it put the song to shame and that's a good thing because the song was number one multiple weeks. This book shows grief, loss, and how to get over it or will you never get over your loss/grief you go through it's but here. Amber had to go through her grief with her daughter - about her husband and her daughters Dad the feelings that you go through with them are so real - I found myself crying - but - I have suffered my own loss so I can associate - then she was having finance problems )who doesn't) but this is bad - let me tell you how seriously bad - no you have to read the book to find out what all is happening to find out how bad and what they are doing to her - When it rains on her it falls on her - but if it were me it would be the time to turn to GOD and rely on HIM - but will she - maybe - maybe not - I think you will be surprised - This book is not the same ol' same ol' you truly will be surprised with the story - with the love - because will there be love - she meets Cody - who helps out with Ambers daughter - but will there be romance - there are so many twists and turns but what remains constant is a GOD that loves us - her - all of them - but will any of them turn to HIM - rely on HIM - trust in HIM - give over their pain to HIM to heal their hearts? You will be surprised I tell ya - get this book - find out - and you will love it - read this before the movie comes out - the movie NEVER tells you all that the book does.......don't miss out. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.ccom
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.ccom
October 27, 2024
I couldn't identify with the main character but I didn't lose someone to death only to divorce. But I also couldn't understand why she withdrew from all friends during her grief. Okay book but not the greatest.
July 27, 2017
Very well written! Jennifer, you nailed it! The story is believable, the characters very real and the message powerful.
September 15, 2018
Amber Hill’s husband, Darren, dies in Afghanistan just days before he is to come home, leaving her to raise their daughter, Bree, alone. Involuntarily thrust into this strange new world, Amber’s never even thought about this possibility, never given it a moment’s consideration.
Devastated and angry, Amber sinks deeper and deeper into a black pit of despair as she obstinately struggles to handle everything on her own, shunning family, friends, and neighbors. Can she find her way through grief and sorrow? Can she return to her faith and learn to look to God for help once again?
Headstrong Cody Jackson arrives in Clarksville to work with Joe Cartier. He’s a race car driver who’s crashed one time too many; he needs to learn a few lessons . . . and Joe is just the man to teach him the skills he really needs to internalize. Can Cody find his way past his know-it-all attitude to become a successful race car driver?
Bree finds a bit of happiness being involved in Cody’s Go-Kart club. She’s planted a mustard seed, named it Matt, and is carefully tending it, watching it grow. The young girl doesn’t know how to deal with her grief over her father’s death and Amber is unable to see past her own pain to help her daughter. But when everything becomes too much for Bree to handle, what will she do?
Short chapters help make this narrative a quick read. The characters are well-developed and realistic, although readers may find themselves rolling their eyes at some of the choices Amber makes. Astute readers will predict the ending early on; however, twists and turns in the plot keep the pages turning as Amber struggles to find her way out of her anguish-filled purgatory while her friends pray for the day she will rediscover her faith and once again reach out to God.
However, there’s a curious conundrum surrounding the telling of this tale. Much of the unfolding story hinges on Amber’s ever-looming financial difficulties. But knowledgeable readers are certain to wonder why she finds herself in such difficulties, why there’s no mention of any continuing veteran’s benefits or of her being counseled regarding them.
Amber explains how she used the Death Gratuity she received, but there’s no mention of the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, which would provide her with a monthly payment. Nor is the Social Security benefit for surviving dependent children, another monthly payment, addressed.
Perhaps the author purposely excluded these in order to place Amber in severe jeopardy and thus strengthen the larger story of Amber’s struggle with her faith. Nevertheless, readers should be aware that the death of service members while on active duty would be highly unlikely to leave their families in such dire straits.
Readers who choose to suspend disbelief regarding Amber’s financial situation should grab a box of tissues; the heartfelt story unfolding in the pages of this book is certain to bring tears to their eyes.
Highly recommended.
Devastated and angry, Amber sinks deeper and deeper into a black pit of despair as she obstinately struggles to handle everything on her own, shunning family, friends, and neighbors. Can she find her way through grief and sorrow? Can she return to her faith and learn to look to God for help once again?
Headstrong Cody Jackson arrives in Clarksville to work with Joe Cartier. He’s a race car driver who’s crashed one time too many; he needs to learn a few lessons . . . and Joe is just the man to teach him the skills he really needs to internalize. Can Cody find his way past his know-it-all attitude to become a successful race car driver?
Bree finds a bit of happiness being involved in Cody’s Go-Kart club. She’s planted a mustard seed, named it Matt, and is carefully tending it, watching it grow. The young girl doesn’t know how to deal with her grief over her father’s death and Amber is unable to see past her own pain to help her daughter. But when everything becomes too much for Bree to handle, what will she do?
Short chapters help make this narrative a quick read. The characters are well-developed and realistic, although readers may find themselves rolling their eyes at some of the choices Amber makes. Astute readers will predict the ending early on; however, twists and turns in the plot keep the pages turning as Amber struggles to find her way out of her anguish-filled purgatory while her friends pray for the day she will rediscover her faith and once again reach out to God.
However, there’s a curious conundrum surrounding the telling of this tale. Much of the unfolding story hinges on Amber’s ever-looming financial difficulties. But knowledgeable readers are certain to wonder why she finds herself in such difficulties, why there’s no mention of any continuing veteran’s benefits or of her being counseled regarding them.
Amber explains how she used the Death Gratuity she received, but there’s no mention of the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, which would provide her with a monthly payment. Nor is the Social Security benefit for surviving dependent children, another monthly payment, addressed.
Perhaps the author purposely excluded these in order to place Amber in severe jeopardy and thus strengthen the larger story of Amber’s struggle with her faith. Nevertheless, readers should be aware that the death of service members while on active duty would be highly unlikely to leave their families in such dire straits.
Readers who choose to suspend disbelief regarding Amber’s financial situation should grab a box of tissues; the heartfelt story unfolding in the pages of this book is certain to bring tears to their eyes.
Highly recommended.
August 8, 2017
Dornbush crafted this novelization of the movie with the same name. She participated in writing the screenplay and has done an excellent job on the novelization.
Amber is trying to maintain a life for her and her daughter, Bree. Her job as a waitress is just not enough to make ends meet. She's angry at God for letting her army husband be killed in Afghanistan. She's stuck in a world of hurt and anger.
Cody is a race car driver who has crashed one too many cars. His sponsor has sent him to work with Joe in his garage, hoping for an attitude adjustment. Cody has difficulty accepting Joe's sage advice. Cody meets Amber and attempts the first acts of a fledgling romance.
Bree was my favorite character by far. She is a sweet little girl with a faith to move mountains. She forms a bridge between Amber and God and between Amber and her mother-in-law. Bree is definitely the hero of the story, even though she has to take some desperate actions that hurt others to ultimately bring healing.
There are many aspects of the novel I liked. The characters are well crafted and the novel was well written. There are many issues explored in the plot, including being mad at God, distancing one's self from friends after a tragedy, financial responsibility, healing grief, and much more.
One aspect of the novel I found puzzling was that there no mention of Social Security survivor's benefits for Bree after Darren was killed. Also not mentioned was the Veteran's Affairs monthly payments for surviving Amber and Bree since Darren died in active duty. Amber would have received nearly $1,500 a month in VA benefits for her and Bree. She would also have medical benefits and the ability to shop at a base commissary and exchange for life. That is not something that should have been left out in this novel since a major factor was Amber's financial situation. The novel gives the impression the military ignores the financial support of surviving families. That is just not the case.
I recommend this novel to those who enjoy a novel of healing and restoration when one's life includes a journey down a broken road. Just be aware of the lack of information regarding how the military helps surviving families of military killed in action.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Amber is trying to maintain a life for her and her daughter, Bree. Her job as a waitress is just not enough to make ends meet. She's angry at God for letting her army husband be killed in Afghanistan. She's stuck in a world of hurt and anger.
Cody is a race car driver who has crashed one too many cars. His sponsor has sent him to work with Joe in his garage, hoping for an attitude adjustment. Cody has difficulty accepting Joe's sage advice. Cody meets Amber and attempts the first acts of a fledgling romance.
Bree was my favorite character by far. She is a sweet little girl with a faith to move mountains. She forms a bridge between Amber and God and between Amber and her mother-in-law. Bree is definitely the hero of the story, even though she has to take some desperate actions that hurt others to ultimately bring healing.
There are many aspects of the novel I liked. The characters are well crafted and the novel was well written. There are many issues explored in the plot, including being mad at God, distancing one's self from friends after a tragedy, financial responsibility, healing grief, and much more.
One aspect of the novel I found puzzling was that there no mention of Social Security survivor's benefits for Bree after Darren was killed. Also not mentioned was the Veteran's Affairs monthly payments for surviving Amber and Bree since Darren died in active duty. Amber would have received nearly $1,500 a month in VA benefits for her and Bree. She would also have medical benefits and the ability to shop at a base commissary and exchange for life. That is not something that should have been left out in this novel since a major factor was Amber's financial situation. The novel gives the impression the military ignores the financial support of surviving families. That is just not the case.
I recommend this novel to those who enjoy a novel of healing and restoration when one's life includes a journey down a broken road. Just be aware of the lack of information regarding how the military helps surviving families of military killed in action.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
March 19, 2021
They are all living with pain. Young widow Amber is single-handedly trying to raise her daughter Bree and to make the ends meet - and she is not succeeding there. Also, she has lose her faith - because didn't she love God with all her might? So why had her husband has to die?
Her mother-in-law Pattie, successfull cosmetics dealer, sees Amber struggling - and would like to help - but her way. Unfortunately these two women do not see eye to eye, both judging the other one, both loving the deceased Darren and Bree, his young daughter.
Enter Cody Jackson, irresponsible racecar driver. This small city will mess up with his life, values and heart - for the good reason.
Firstly - this authoress is immensely talented. By description this novel seems like the very stereotypical read - but it is not.
I love how she was not afraid to go messy with her characters, whom all are doing one mistake after another, learning the hard way. No saints here - luckily! Because we simply are not saints, we are all brokenhearted people here. So I love their journeys to maturity - fighting their pride, egos, behavioural patterns, prejudices...name it. This people, while all of them being good persons, would never probably could work together - unless the love bigger than their love of themselves would connect them and teach them.
Also - this novel, while lovely, of quality and tender-hearted - could use some polishing, too. How the characters' s catharsis have happened? And why so fast? After all the realistic messiness of their lives I would love to see the moments and processes of changes, too.
But this is also the testament of the authoress' s immense talent, as she simply is capable of going further from this point on.
Also, let me state the point which is both plus and minus for me - Pattie is some kind of independent cosmetic saleswoman (with the My Way brand, probably invented for the novel) and her praising her brand on practically her every scene can really get bothersome. But this is honest "botheringness" and it adds volumes of reality to the story.
Her mother-in-law Pattie, successfull cosmetics dealer, sees Amber struggling - and would like to help - but her way. Unfortunately these two women do not see eye to eye, both judging the other one, both loving the deceased Darren and Bree, his young daughter.
Enter Cody Jackson, irresponsible racecar driver. This small city will mess up with his life, values and heart - for the good reason.
Firstly - this authoress is immensely talented. By description this novel seems like the very stereotypical read - but it is not.
I love how she was not afraid to go messy with her characters, whom all are doing one mistake after another, learning the hard way. No saints here - luckily! Because we simply are not saints, we are all brokenhearted people here. So I love their journeys to maturity - fighting their pride, egos, behavioural patterns, prejudices...name it. This people, while all of them being good persons, would never probably could work together - unless the love bigger than their love of themselves would connect them and teach them.
Also - this novel, while lovely, of quality and tender-hearted - could use some polishing, too. How the characters' s catharsis have happened? And why so fast? After all the realistic messiness of their lives I would love to see the moments and processes of changes, too.
But this is also the testament of the authoress' s immense talent, as she simply is capable of going further from this point on.
Also, let me state the point which is both plus and minus for me - Pattie is some kind of independent cosmetic saleswoman (with the My Way brand, probably invented for the novel) and her praising her brand on practically her every scene can really get bothersome. But this is honest "botheringness" and it adds volumes of reality to the story.
January 8, 2017
Cody is sent to hicksville USA to train for next car race and this could make or break his career he just needs to show everyone in his racing world that he has what it takes. When Joe his trainer has other was of showing Cody whats important Cody starts to questions Joe's moves and whats he going to do next. When someone catches Cody's eye he wonders what is next in his time here in Clarksville.
Amber has is all a beautiful house, a beautiful daughter and a husband who is the love of her life and will be coming home any day now. When Ambers world comes crashing in around her she finds herself in a world of hurt and a battle of survival and faith. She starts to question her faith and her everyday walk and wonder what more could go wrong in her life she just needs a break. Will she be able to heal and still continue to raise her daughter and find happiness in it all or will she be so far sucked into her grief she can't find a way out?
This book is not your normal Romantic fiction book. This book deals with lost, love, heartbreak and finding healing in the greiving process while trying to make it through everyday life. I really did enjoy this book it seemed a little long sometimes but others times the book just flew by and I had a hard time putting it down wanting to know what happens next. I did not like Pattie I found her annoying, pretentious and a straight up know it all busy body. I loved how Bree was such an active role and the author didn't try and to make her perfect but made her relatable and allowed her grief to shine in the book as well. You will need to grab some tissue when you read this book there are so heart moments through out. This book was a really good read and well worth it. I can't wait to read more from this author. This is a good clean fiction book.
Amber has is all a beautiful house, a beautiful daughter and a husband who is the love of her life and will be coming home any day now. When Ambers world comes crashing in around her she finds herself in a world of hurt and a battle of survival and faith. She starts to question her faith and her everyday walk and wonder what more could go wrong in her life she just needs a break. Will she be able to heal and still continue to raise her daughter and find happiness in it all or will she be so far sucked into her grief she can't find a way out?
This book is not your normal Romantic fiction book. This book deals with lost, love, heartbreak and finding healing in the greiving process while trying to make it through everyday life. I really did enjoy this book it seemed a little long sometimes but others times the book just flew by and I had a hard time putting it down wanting to know what happens next. I did not like Pattie I found her annoying, pretentious and a straight up know it all busy body. I loved how Bree was such an active role and the author didn't try and to make her perfect but made her relatable and allowed her grief to shine in the book as well. You will need to grab some tissue when you read this book there are so heart moments through out. This book was a really good read and well worth it. I can't wait to read more from this author. This is a good clean fiction book.
July 28, 2017
GOD Bless the Broken Road is one of the tender hearted Christian fictions, Boy does it put the song to shame and that's a good thing because the song was number one multiple weeks. This book shows grief, loss, and how to get over it or will you never get over your loss/grief you go through it's but here. Amber had to go through her grief with her daughter - about her husband and her daughters Dad the feelings that you go through with them are so real - I found myself crying - but - I have suffered my own loss so I can associate - then she was having finance problems )who doesn't) but this is bad - let me tell you how seriously bad - no you have to read the book to find out what all is happening to find out how bad and what they are doing to her - When it rains on her it falls on her - but if it were me it would be the time to turn to GOD and rely on HIM - but will she - maybe - maybe not - I think you will be surprised - This book is not the same ol' same ol' you truly will be surprised with the story - with the love - because will there be love - she meets Cody - who helps out with Ambers daughter - but will there be romance - there are so many twists and turns but what remains constant is a GOD that loves us - her - all of them - but will any of them turn to HIM - rely on HIM - trust in HIM - give over their pain to HIM to heal their hearts? You will be surprised I tell ya - get this book - find out - and you will love it - read this before the movie comes out - the movie NEVER tells you all that the book does.......don't miss out. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.ccom
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.ccom
July 28, 2017
GOD Bless the Broken Road is one of the tender hearted Christian fictions, Boy does it put the song to shame and that's a good thing because the song was number one multiple weeks. This book shows grief, loss, and how to get over it or will you never get over your loss/grief you go through it's but here. Amber had to go through her grief with her daughter - about her husband and her daughters Dad the feelings that you go through with them are so real - I found myself crying - but - I have suffered my own loss so I can associate - then she was having finance problems )who doesn't) but this is bad - let me tell you how seriously bad - no you have to read the book to find out what all is happening to find out how bad and what they are doing to her - When it rains on her it falls on her - but if it were me it would be the time to turn to GOD and rely on HIM - but will she - maybe - maybe not - I think you will be surprised - This book is not the same ol' same ol' you truly will be surprised with the story - with the love - because will there be love - she meets Cody - who helps out with Ambers daughter - but will there be romance - there are so many twists and turns but what remains constant is a GOD that loves us - her - all of them - but will any of them turn to HIM - rely on HIM - trust in HIM - give over their pain to HIM to heal their hearts? You will be surprised I tell ya - get this book - find out - and you will love it - read this before the movie comes out - the movie NEVER tells you all that the book does.......don't miss out. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.ccom
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.ccom
July 28, 2017
GOD Bless the Broken Road is one of the tender hearted Christian fictions, Boy does it put the song to shame and that's a good thing because the song was number one multiple weeks. This book shows grief, loss, and how to get over it or will you never get over your loss/grief you go through it's but here. Amber had to go through her grief with her daughter - about her husband and her daughters Dad the feelings that you go through with them are so real - I found myself crying - but - I have suffered my own loss so I can associate - then she was having finance problems )who doesn't) but this is bad - let me tell you how seriously bad - no you have to read the book to find out what all is happening to find out how bad and what they are doing to her - When it rains on her it falls on her - but if it were me it would be the time to turn to GOD and rely on HIM - but will she - maybe - maybe not - I think you will be surprised - This book is not the same ol' same ol' you truly will be surprised with the story - with the love - because will there be love - she meets Cody - who helps out with Ambers daughter - but will there be romance - there are so many twists and turns but what remains constant is a GOD that loves us - her - all of them - but will any of them turn to HIM - rely on HIM - trust in HIM - give over their pain to HIM to heal their hearts? You will be surprised I tell ya - get this book - find out - and you will love it - read this before the movie comes out - the movie NEVER tells you all that the book does.......don't miss out. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.ccom
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.ccom
April 25, 2022
This book stressed me out a bit with Amber's constant stress and foolish ways. I don't really like the third person point of view in a story as it it feels too disconnected. A lot of the sentences were short which became annoying after a while. I didn't like Cody's character even up the end...he was too selfish, egotistical and frankly seemed about as bright as a stump. He reminded me of the "dumb jock " cliché but a Nascar version. Amber's turnaround at the end was a little too fast and complete just because of a story about a necklace, too convenient.so much angst and then it wraps up in a page or two. BUT, even with all that, it might not sound like it, I did like the book. I liked Bree's character, her willingness to try new things and upbeat ways even though she's grieving her dad. I felt sorry for her as Amber was pretty much neglecting her for most of the book.(I'm talking physically and emotionally...no food in the house, won't sing to her anymore at bedtime when asked,etc.) I get that Amber was grieving deeply but that bothered me. And her mother in law Patti didn't help with her judgemental attitude. The book was well paced and interesting though and kept my attention (which is getting harder these days with the way Christian fiction genre is going.) All in all, a decent read. I probably won't reread but I it's a good first time read.
October 7, 2017
God Bless the Broken Road is one of the best novels I've read this year. The story is well written with lots of emotional scenes that kept me engaged. The main characters are well fleshed out and I found myself connecting to Amber and Bree immediately. Amber, a war widow, with a young daughter tries desperately to find some kind of normality after the loss of her husband.
Amber feels that when she needed God most, that he wasn't there for her. It seems like nothing in her life will ever be right again. Then on the scene comes Cody, an almost washed up race car driver. Exactly what Amber is sure she doesn't need. She pushes all her friends away, including her mother-in-law who only want to be there for her.
How can she find her way back and live life again? This is a story of failure, a feeling of abandonment, and struggle. But in the end, is one of great victory. A very uplifting story of renewed faith, trust, and love. It shows how when we are at our lowest point in life, we can still find our way back to God
Amber feels that when she needed God most, that he wasn't there for her. It seems like nothing in her life will ever be right again. Then on the scene comes Cody, an almost washed up race car driver. Exactly what Amber is sure she doesn't need. She pushes all her friends away, including her mother-in-law who only want to be there for her.
How can she find her way back and live life again? This is a story of failure, a feeling of abandonment, and struggle. But in the end, is one of great victory. A very uplifting story of renewed faith, trust, and love. It shows how when we are at our lowest point in life, we can still find our way back to God
June 17, 2017
I gave this book five stars because I think this is a must read book for all readers to read. Jennifer's story is compelling and once you start the book you will find that you can hardly put it down because of the story line, the characters, and the suspense in wanting to find out how everything ends for Amber and Bree. The story draws you in so that you feel part of the character's lives, and what happens in their lives. The story will touch your heart strings. Jennifer did an awesome job in the writing of this book, and the movie that is based on the book will be a must see for everyone when it is released sometime in 2018. Keep a watch out for it because the movie too will touch your heart.
June 20, 2017
I was initially attracted to this book because of it's title ,God Bless The Broken Road. What I had hoped for was the same heart tugging emotions in the book that I get from the song, and I got that and more.
Amber was a mess after her husband was killed while in active duty, her life was literally falling apart she was loosing her house, her mother in law was trying to take her daughter the last thing she needs is a man.. or is it?
I really wasn't sure what to expect from a book titled after a song, but I'm really glad I gave it a chance. Jennifer takes on a journey that no one wants to go on, and does it wonderfully. If you enjoy Christian fiction/ romance I definitely recommend this one.
I voluntarily reviewed this for Netgalley and Howard Books
Amber was a mess after her husband was killed while in active duty, her life was literally falling apart she was loosing her house, her mother in law was trying to take her daughter the last thing she needs is a man.. or is it?
I really wasn't sure what to expect from a book titled after a song, but I'm really glad I gave it a chance. Jennifer takes on a journey that no one wants to go on, and does it wonderfully. If you enjoy Christian fiction/ romance I definitely recommend this one.
I voluntarily reviewed this for Netgalley and Howard Books
July 6, 2021
What a profound, gut wrenching, gift of a book. A must read.
A key theme here was around the parable of the mustard seed.
This book does not sugar coat realities of grief, of loss, single parenthood, or of the true sacrifices that come with being in a military family. Jennifer does not do the cliche romance, and I am grateful for it. It would have taken focus from the important messages of this story.
To the one struggling today.. Be it with loss, anger, family life, military family life, being widowed or facing the possibility or imminent loss of a loved one.
To the one just looking or a hard hitting, emotional, noteworthy read.
To the one that can only ask, "why me, God"?
..This is for you.
A key theme here was around the parable of the mustard seed.
This book does not sugar coat realities of grief, of loss, single parenthood, or of the true sacrifices that come with being in a military family. Jennifer does not do the cliche romance, and I am grateful for it. It would have taken focus from the important messages of this story.
To the one struggling today.. Be it with loss, anger, family life, military family life, being widowed or facing the possibility or imminent loss of a loved one.
To the one just looking or a hard hitting, emotional, noteworthy read.
To the one that can only ask, "why me, God"?
..This is for you.
February 25, 2019
I read the book in 4 days and then watched the movie immediately on Netflix. And all I can say is wow! If you need a good cry, this will give it to you. Amber is a woman of God, but after she and her daughter Bree get some devastating news, her faith is tested to the extreme. While angry with God, Amber chooses to leave the church but after facing further hardships and potentially another loss Amber realizes she needs the power of the lord more than her friends and family. The book was very well written. I felt I could relate to the characters, and had such compassion for Amber during these trials of her life. I hope to see more things written by Jennifer Dornbush!
June 14, 2018
What a poignant, heartwarming story Jennifer Dornbush has written. I was drawn immediately into this book by the realistic, engaging characters and the emotional subject. The author has done a great job of pushing through the grief, pain, and brokenness of the heroine to get to healing through God’s love and trust. A sweet message of hope and courage is woven into the story and adds dimension and depth to it. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy emotional, realistic stories.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
March 5, 2018
This book was heart felt. The emotions it stirred up in me was more than any book this year. You are able to see the situation from all sides. Journey in any believers life has hills and valleys. The book shows you how life circumstances can rock you to your core. What a blessing it is to know you have a Lord who loves you so much that he stays with you each step of the journey.
April 10, 2021
I could identify with a lot of the book. Losing the love of your life to death shakes your foundation. Then trying to raise children without their dad is difficult beyond words Bitterness and being overwhelmed just happens. In this book someone appears that helps change her life. This is an interesting book.
June 9, 2020
I loved this book from start to finish!
The characters were so good, I felt like I knew them. I wish she’d write a continuation because I’d really like to know what happens with them all. I’ll have to check out the movie too!
The characters were so good, I felt like I knew them. I wish she’d write a continuation because I’d really like to know what happens with them all. I’ll have to check out the movie too!
January 1, 2026
I used to work with author’s mother and I think I have read all of her books, plus I follow her on Facebook. This was a study in grief, in that it has a different pattern for each person going through it. We all think we should be able to handle things on our own.
June 18, 2017
I loved the book. It was well written and held my interest to the last page. I hope there will be a sequel. So eager to see the movie.
August 27, 2017
A lovely story
This is a sweet tale about a journey through grief to hope and the power of taking helping hands when they are offered.
This is a sweet tale about a journey through grief to hope and the power of taking helping hands when they are offered.
October 1, 2017
Pretty good story line! Sad, with a happy ending....Not necessarily unpredictable....Good Christian fiction, though.
November 9, 2017
Very Good. I hope I read more by this author.
May 9, 2019
I had a really hard time believing this was the authors first book. She had from page one. I must admit I NEEDED to read this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews