Cheesus Was Here

by J.C. Davis

Sixteen-year-old Delaney Delgado knows miracles aren’t real—if they were, her kid sister wouldn’t be dead. So when the image of baby Jesus appears on a Babybel cheese wheel, she’s not buying the idea that God’s got a dairy obsession. Soon, religious signs begin turning up all over Del’s hometown, tiny Clemency, Texas. Overnight, news vans fill the streets and religious pilgrims start searching for God in the discount aisle of the grocery store.

Hell-bent on proving the so-called miracles are fake, Del convinces her best friend, Gabe, to help her find the truth. While Gabe’s willing to play detective, as a preacher’s son he’s more interested in finding evidence that supports the miracles. But when the whole town becomes caught up in religious fervor and even the late-night talk show hosts have stopped laughing and started to believe, finding the truth might cause more trouble than Del can handle. This novel is neither pro nor anti-religion, and will appeal to fans of contemporary YA novels that explore deep themes with an element of humor. The voice and characters are funny, strong, and full of heart. This is a book for anyone who loved Saved!

Genres: Young Adult, Humor, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Teen, Coming Of Age

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 11, 2017

About the author

A programmer by day, I write YA and MG fiction, the occasional short story and have far too many hobbies to keep up with. I live in Dallas, Texas with my husband, two kids and enough pets to start our own zoo.

Reviews

[Rachel Solomon · Rating 5 out of 5]

CHEESUS WAS HERE is a special kind of book, one that makes you laugh, cry, and think deeply. The premise caught my attention right away: a town overwhelmed by religious fervor after the face of baby Jesus appears on a cheese wheel, and the girl determined to prove this "miracle" isn't, as everyone else believes, a sign from God.

I was fortunate enough to read an early version of J.C. Davis's debut, and I fell in love with its charm and cleverness. This book is OOZING with voice, and the best part is that it feels effortless. Davis has an eye for details; her characterization of this tiny Texas town feels spot-on. Characters, dialogue, setting - every detail is perfection.

Del is a protagonist you just want to envelop in a hug. She's hurting so much, but she doesn't quite know how to manage her grief. Every character feels fully fleshed out. Though it would have been an easy path to take, there are no stereotypes here, which is extremely refreshing.

CHEESUS WAS HERE expertly mixes humor and heartbreak, and it's one of the most unique 2017 debuts I've read. I can't wait until this is out in the world!

[Vikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story slowly wrapped its way around my heart and squeezed. Delaney's family fell apart soon after her sister Clare died of cancer. It is a year later and her dad abandoned the family and left town, rarely calling and her mom is a zombie, only leaving her room to work night shift at a local grocery store. Delaney takes a job at the local gas station/convenience store in her small town of Clemency, Texas to help make ends meet. When a cheese wheel from her work appears to have the image of the baby Jesus (dubbed Baby Cheesus) on it, the rival churches competing for congregates in a small town and small business looking to make a profit take advantage of this "miracle" and other religious images that start spontaneously appearing around town with the claims of miraculous healing associated with them. Offended by the religious people telling her and her mother "it is a shame Baby Cheesus wasn't around a year ago or Clare may still be with us" and skeptical of the convenient appearance of multiple "miracles" in such a short period of time in a small town, Delaney openly questions whether these "miracles" are actually hoaxes and starts investigating people she suspects of having the most to gain by creating these religious images. This puts her on the receiving end of a small town's wrath at possibly screwing up the town's only chance at fame and profit and forces her to confront her grief that she has been avoiding dealing with for almost a year. Heartbreaking and thought-provoking, this book makes you question if Delaney is in the right for questioning the suspicious appearances of these"miracles" or if she is being driven by her anger at God for her sister's death and destruction of her family. Delaney and her best friend, Gabe's friendship which added humor and warmth to this book and my own questioning on whether these "miracles" are real made me invested in this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves young adult books or anyone looking for their next good read.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the author for review consideration.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to read an ARC of this book. Smart, sharp, and sensitive. A book about belief and miracles and grief. So good. Bonus: I'll be reminded of Del every time I eat a Babybel (which is often).

[Katie Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about family, friendship, and finding your own truth!

Del is still reeling from her younger sister's death, almost a year ago. Her family is in pieces, and Del is barely functioning at all. When the image of baby Jesus is found on a cheese wheel purchased at the small convenience store where she works, Del must decide what, if anything, she believes in anymore.

I fell in love with Del from the first page. She is snarky and funny and so full of heart. I ached for her as she struggled to make sense of her sister's death and hold herself together. I loved her fierce loyalty to her friends and her love of her family, in spite of their dysfunction. The mystery unfolded and I found myself completely drawn in, wanting to know more about the miracles in Clemency, Texas. This was a great story, full of heart and depth and humor!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful debut about faith, grief, love and life, JC Davis covers so much ground in this debut novel -and manages it beautifully. Delaney Delgado is the perfect protagonist - skeptical, funny, and hurting far more than she lets on. The family relationships are well drawn and the complexity of her friendship/crush with Gabe feels just right. The descriptions of small town are spot-on.

Funny, smart, with great dialogue, memorable characters, and a smart premise, this is a must read.

[Joanne O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dearly loved this sweet, poignant, laugh-out-loud funny book. Main character Delaney Delgado is going through a lot: her younger sister Claire died from cancer and ever since her family has been in tatters. Her feelings for her best friend Gabe (who has a lot of issues of his own) have also turned deeper, but she doesn't know how to tell him. And then her co-worker discovers what he believes to be the images of Jesus in a wheel of cheese and her whole town becomes convinced that miracles are taking place. J.C. Davis tackles the issues of faith, grief, guilt, secrets and truth with humor and heart. Such memorable characters, beautifully written.

[McCall Hoyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about CHEESUS WAS HERE. The cover is eye-catching. The story deals with serious situations in a frequently quirky and fun way. And the main character, sixteen-year-old Delaney Delgado, has a YA voice that rings true. I absolutely cannot wait until April for this release so that I can add it to my classroom library and share it with my students.

[Gerardo Delgadillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 1/2 stars.

CHEESUS WAS HERE addresses an eternal debate--Are miracles real? That's what skeptic Delaney Delgado must figure out when a co-worker finds the image of baby Jesus carved in a cheese wheel. That, along with some other mysterious miracles popping out all over her tiny Texas town. Del is on a quest to disprove the miracles, but her search has many obstacles: Preachers, the media, out-of-towners, her classmates--even her best friend Gabe.

Great writing and pacing make CHEESUS WAS HERE a must read.

[Jared Reck · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the things I love in a book--funny, quirky, heart-wrenching, and spot-on voice. I loved Del's voice from the opening pages, amidst an absurd situation in a nowhere town, and I loved it even more by the end, as she's coming to terms with much deeper issues of loss and belief and making choices for her future. Great read.

[Addie Thorley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the perfect combination of hilarious and heartbreaking. Del's blunt, snarky narration had me laughing out loud almost every chapter, but at the same time, her pain was so tangible and relatable, I keenly felt her inner hurt and struggle and just wanted to give her a hug. I absolutely adored Gabe (he totally showed up in one of my dreams while I was reading!) The miracles and the mystery surrounding them were fun and engaging, as was the setting. Clemency was so vibrant and fully realized it felt like a character all its own, and I absolutely loved all of the kooky people populating this tiny town. Davis' writing is snappy and dripping with voice, making this book an utter delight from start to finish. Highly recommended!

[Zippergirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a dear sweet odd little book. It had me at miracle food and I couldn't put it down. The angst strikes a universal note and the resolution mirrors the real world--no facile wrap-up.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this review and more on my blog.The Book Return Blog
Delany's family has recently fallen apart. Her younger sister has recently passed away from cancer. Her father leaves town. Her mother becomes a walking zombie. Then a picture of Baby Jesus appears on a cheese wheel at the convince store where Del works. It's not long before miracles start popping up all around town.

I went into this 'Cheesus was Here' not knowing what to expect. I knew that it was about a cheese wheel with the face of Baby Jesus on it. Other than that I wasn't really sure what to expect. Wow, 'Cheesus Was Here' did not disappoint. I loved pretty much everything about it.

It was very well written. The prose was very easy to read and painted a wonderful visual of what was happening. The smooth description and settings reminded me of John Green's writing.

The story was not only hilarious and definitely made me laugh out load but was also deep and meaningful. It approaches so many deep topics. The main one being what faith is exactly and what causes some to have it (even amongst tragedy) while others do not.

I really loved the character of Delany. She was funny and cranky but absolutely lovable. Her friend Gabe and her brother Emmet also came across as stereotypes (preacher's kid and jock) in the beginning but showed their depth later on.
The end did leave me hanging a bit but I understood that the author wanted us to make our own conclusions on what would happen with Delany, Gabe, Emmet, and the rest of the town. Maybe, we can hope for a second installment of CWH.

I recommend 'Cheesus Was Here' as an easy, fun, and complex read. It is easy to read, funny, and meaningful. I can't believe that this is J.C. Davis' debut novel. I can't wait to read her next one.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. It's the story of a girl trapped between the miracle she'd wished for and the "miracles" currently going on in her town. There are a lot of secrets, some of which you never see coming. No spoilers, but man... there's one I NEVER would have guessed and it completely broke my heart.

The major secret -- the one behind the miracles -- really leaves you thinking about what could and should be okay. How good intentions mixed with desperation can make you do things you never imagined.

The ending left me wanting more of Del and Gabe and the rest of the characters of Clemency, Texas.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

...holy shit this was good. Surprise of the season for me.

[Kelly Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what I expected when I got this book. I won this book in a goodreads contest, and probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. Winning a book however leaves me feeling required to give it a fair shot! This book gave me all of the feelings! All of them! I was so angry in parts that I was texting some book friends just so I could vent! "A witch hunt" I told them ( though I can't tell you why, no spoilers here folks) This book grabbed me though! Held on and wouldn't let me go! I loved it! I cried.... oh I cried, I related with Delaney so much! This book is a must read! I am honored to have won this book! 5 Stars! All day long!!!

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass ich es noch so gern haben würde xD Cheesus was here war gar nicht, was ich erwartet habe und die ganze Thematik mit Religion und Glauben hat mich anfang etwas abgeschreckt. Aber es funktioniert. Erstaunlich gut sogar und nachdem ich mich erst eingefunden habe, habe ich die Abwechslung zu anderen Jugendbüchern genossen. Ich denke nicht, dass die Figuren mir im Gedächtnis bleiben werden, im Grunde hatten sie nichts an sich, dass sie hervorhebt, aber wieso auch nicht? Das tut dem Buch keinen Abbruch, es lässt sich dennoch gut lesen

[BibliofiendLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look for my full review in VOYA.



Full review up on my blog: http://tinyurl.com/hzckspv

[Kelly Gunderman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out this and other reviews on my young adult book blog, Here's to Happy Endings!

With a title like Cheesus Was Here and a cover that matches perfectly, this book is one of those books that I couldn't help but want to read. The entire book - cover, synopsis, and title - all sound like something that will present you with warmth, humor, and an interesting story that will draw you in and hold your attention until the very end. And Cheesus Was Here does just that.

When I started reading this book, I flew right through it - it was such a fun and entertaining read, and I found myself really drawn to the overall story and the characters.

In Clemency, Texas, Delaney Delgado has had a difficult life, causing her to not believe in any kind of higher power. Her younger sister died, her brother isn't always nice to her, and their mother has taken up neglecting her living children in order to work and mourn the one that is no longer here. Delaney knows by now that miracles aren't real - and she sees no point in pretending otherwise. She has even taken to working Sunday mornings at the town store so she has an excuse not to go to church with her mother and everyone else in town.

One night, when she is leaving work, she is picking herself up some snacks, including drinks and a Babybel cheese wheel. Her coworker thinks it would be fun to steal the Babybel cheese wheel from her, and when he unwraps it, he sees something that no one ever expects to see when they unwrap a wheel of cheese - an image of baby Jesus.

Of course, Delaney doesn't think it looks that much like baby Jesus, and since she doesn't believe in miracles, she brushes it off. Her coworker won't give her the cheese wheel, so she takes a picture of it, since, after all - it was supposed to be her cheese. However, the next day, things are crazy - everyone in town now seems to know about the image on the cheese, and they are all calling it a miracle.

"Everybody always thinks they'll know the exact moment their life skips onto another track, the moment the meteor shifts in its path and hurtles toward Earth. I didn't see this meteor coming. Didn't even realize I'd just snapped a picture of it."

Delaney didn't expect everyone in town to go crazy over the cheese wheel, calling it a miracle and the even the news reporters are talking about it, featuring interviews on television - and before Delaney knows it, the cheese wheel has been purchased by one of the churches in the town, and is on display during services. The town store is constantly sold out of Babybel cheese wheels, because everyone wants to purchase them and see if God is leaving any special messages for them, too.

When another miracle strikes the town, Delaney is convinced that they are all fake, and is determined to prove it to everyone in town who keeps putting her down for believing in it. After a news interview airs with Delaney telling everyone that she believes that the miracles are fake, people in town have turned on her - her boss has even gone so far as to threaten her job if she keeps saying it.

When she teams up with the son of the pastor from the competing church in town, she develops a friendship with him and he helps her to figure out what's really behind the miracles - are they fake, or are they real after all? And can all of this talk of miracles finally help Delaney deal with her grief over her sister?

I don't really pick up books that have a big focus on religion or rely heavily on religious aspects, but for some reason, I was really intrigued by this one. Although it was a religious book in some aspects (I mean, the entire town was incredibly religious and they were pretty much convinced that a cheese wheel was touched by God), I found it more humorous and fun than I had expected. It was the perfect kind of contemporary book that I needed at the time - I laughed so hard when I read it.

With Delaney's snarky and no-nonsense attitude, she was determined to get to the bottom of the "miracles" that were happening in her neighborhood, because she honestly was convinced that they couldn't possibly be real. She was such a great narrator for this book - she was witty and made amusing comments, and I loved her determination.

At the same time that there were a lot of funny moments in Cheesus Was Here, there were also sad moments in the book, too. The death of Delaney's sister hung over her family like a ghost, and you can tell throughout the whole book that she had never really dealt with her grief. It caused her to stop believing, and it was hard watching her struggle with it, but it added so much depth to her character.

If you're looking for a great contemporary mystery, this is a really great book to pick up. It's charming, amusing, and a story that you won't soon forget.

Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[Brittany Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful book! The main character is a likable, hilarious and hurting 16 year old Delaney Delgado who works as a retail clerk at a local gas station "Gas & Gut." The setting is an adorable town in Middle America- Clemency, population 1,236, where "jobs are scarcer than a business suit on Main Street."

I am a Christian and was unsure heading into this book. The premise seemed unusual, but wound up being hilarious. Cheesus is a book about loss, healing and the beauty of a strong friendship. It will also make you wonder: Do you believe in miracles?

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Delaney lives in a small, religious community. I immediately connected with her sharp, strong personality and fighter mentality – She's a deep, layered character, grappling with the recent death of her sister, her father's departure, the brokenness of a relationship with her brother, and the pain of feeling abandoned and overlooked by her mother, who is overwhelmed with grief. This book touches on religion, doubt, spectacle, miracles, love, and faith, and evaluates the different ways humans are bonded not only to each other, but with their religious institution. This book is at once funny and heart-wrenching, with a strong hook that will draw readers right in from Chapter 1.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novel borrowed from an awesome classroom!

Del's family fell apart a year ago when her little sister died from cancer. Now she works at the carry-out to avoid a house that is no longer a home. Her Dad left for Montana, her Mom only leaves her room to work and something is up with her football jock brother. Luckily she has her best friend Gabe. A co-worker opens a snack of Baby Bell Cheese and sees the face of Jesus on the cheese. This begins a trio of miracles in the small town.

Del cannot accept that miracles are happening in her town when God let her little sister die and her family to fall apart. Gabe, a preacher's son, reluctantly joins Del in her quest for the truth. If there is a God, why would he let her little sister die and spend time putting random pictures of Jesus on a piece of cheese and other places?

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

How has this book been slipping under everyone's radar?! This was funny, deep, sad, and wonderful. The characters are relatable, the town is relatable. Even the plot- it's not far fetched. I enjoyed this book in one sitting, and can't wait to see whatever the author has else in store for us!

[Lisa Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book! What stood out the most to me was the author's ability to present such deep, emotional subjects and tragedies lightly. J. C. Davis just had the perfect balance in her writing so that the reader felt all the sadness and anger, but countered these subjects with her witty writing style to achieve an emotional equilibrium. Even though some terrible things happened, it was not a depressing book. It was a deep complex book with tragedy and grief, but was told in an easy to read way.
The author's writing brought the reader right into the story- into the setting and into the characters minds and hearts. The memorable characters, both teens and adults, had layers that were peeled away as the story unfolded to reveal secrets and hidden pain. This was a book about friends, family, love, loss, change, tragedy, grief, right and wrong, healing, and miracles. Although the book is about seeing religious images and struggle with faith, I would not call it a religious book. It does not take a position on God or miracles being real. This is left for the reader to decide.
This isn't a book for just young adults. It is a book for any adult. The book is recommended for ages 12 and up, but I would recommend it for ages 14 and up due to the mature topics. This is the author's debut novel. I sure hope she continues to write!
A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Meg Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have SO MUCH LOVE for this book!
As a Christian, I love that CHEESUS interrogates faith while also showing lives of people who both believe and don't. It feels like most books about faith are one-sided, but this one gives multiple perspectives on faith and belief, commenting on the absurdity of these fake miracles while also allowing room for belief. I don't know if this was intentional, but I found it wonderfully ironic that there were never any scripture passages or verses used to defend or deny Cheesus--it made me think about how so many debates about religion aren't actually really about religion but something deeper and more personal. Del is a lovable, relatable and vulnerable protagonist. Her grappling with faith is very human and real. I fell in love with Gabe right away and how he and Del complimented each other with different perspectives. A great and unique debut--well done!

[Teresa]

* eArc provided by publisher via Edelweiss *

[Jaina Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.

I waffled on this one.

I almost didn't agree to review Cheesus Was Here because I worried it would be offensive to me as a Christian. The teaser promised it was "neither pro nor anti-religion," though, so my curiosity won out and I got the book. I agree that it doesn't wind up siding firmly with one side of the argument of the other, though there are some interesting points made along the way. In many ways, I almost thought it was a little biased toward religion.

Don't get me wrong–as I said, I'm a Christian myself. But I find it rather disturbing that the entire town of Clemency believes in the miracles except for Delaney, and that everyone (including characters who are considered by the author to be voices of reason!) constantly tells Delaney that her only reason for trying to disprove the miracles is some sort of bitter, slightly immature vendetta against God for her sister's death.

I mean, I don't know about you, but if people started worshipping a hunk of Babybel cheese I'd definitely be skeptical and start investigating. You can be religious without being gullible, and you can roll your eyes at some baby-shaped cheese just because you think it's stupid (and not because you're angry at the universe). Granted, Del's particular reasoning may have had something to do with her sister's death, too, but it would have been good to see some other viewpoints.

Besides that, though, I thought the book's take on everything was really good. The crazed way people start worshipping the hunk of cheese (and then later a window and a board that appear to be similarly marked by God) is frustrating but realistic, and Del's emotional turmoil and cynicism after her sister's death by cancer the year before rings crushingly true. There's a little bit of language and some references to mature topics (including sex and homosexuality), but nothing horrible to turn people away.

Basically, Cheesus Was Here is a really interesting book that raises some fascinating questions about religion and death and mourning. I really enjoyed it, much more than I thought I would.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town Clemency has encountered a miracle - the image of Baby Jesus on a Babybel cheese wheel. A preacher buys it from store clerk, Andy, and installs it in his church. With people praying over this Babybel cheese, some positive results are achieved. But are these merely coincidental?
Delaney, our heroine, was there when the cheese was first discovered. A religious town, Del doesn't believe in God since her sister died, and her family fell apart. I really did feel for Del, and believed in the turmoil of her family members - her mum, dad, and brother. The initial description of the town was great too, and set the scene.
After Baby Cheesus McJesus, the image of Jesus on a window at a drive in, is seen, and soon more attention is attracting people out of town to Clemency. It is easy to see how quickly these things blow up. People in, and out town, are hailing these 'signs' as religious miracles.
A genius plot idea by J. C. Davis, Cheesus was Here also has a blossoming relationship between Del, and best friend Gabe, and the book doesn't focus solely on this.
I enjoyed the one liners too. "That same day Andrew Carol, our quarterback, found a four leaf clover on the practise field. I'm willing to admit there be a miracle in there somewhere because I wasn't aware Andrew could count that high."
There is plenty to chuckle at, including a Garfield magnifying glass. It is the small details that put thought into this book.
I loved also Del's grief was written sensitively, with vulnerability, and heart, and also how she had a differing opinion from the whole town, her peers, even her best friend, but continues to fight to expose those so called miracles as fakes.
There is a lot that marks this book out from your typical YA lit (and it stays rooted in reality) It made me think of Hope was Here, by Joan Bauer.
Ultimately Cheesus was Here was gripping, and had characters I was sorry to say goodbye to.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

[Rebecca Veight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gobbled this up like a yummy Babybel. Couldn't help myself, but that was cheesy! Whoops I'm at it again! Seriously, I adored this quirky, unique, touching & beyond clever story.

At the Gas & Gut where Del works, a babybel cheese with the image of Baby Jesus is discovered. Some take it seriously, weir events are stated as "miracles" & the town goes crazy. Is it divine intervention or calculated manipulation?

Religion can be a booming business or used to advance profit. Great insight on how easily things can be blown out of proportion & how we cater it. It is unfortunate, but people are usually sheep. Also the feeding frenzy of the media.

This is also a story of grief & guilt. Everyone experiences grief differently. The Polaroids signify how everything is fleeting, elusive. It is Del's way of grasping memories from a life that seems to be passing her by & it's meaning.

You can feel the Texan drawl & an air of raw pain masquerading as cynicism (love Del's snark). Davis expresses a wonderfully dark sense of humor.

Goodhearted and funny, this is an amazing portrayal of how people may go overboard (ok waaay overboard in this instance) in their desire to ignite faith, and not just the religious kind.

[Shannon P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where is the end of this book? Is there another page or five hidden between the Acknowledgments and the About the Author section? One last question is left unanswered and it is even asked again in the very pages right before the book just stops. I want to know what happened at the meeting and then there could be a conclusion. I needed to know if people were forgiving and began helping the place they once loved and attended, or if they turned their backs and worshipped falsely because of the rules given to them by others in the town.

I am, however, happy about the relationships that grew in this story. Boundaries were tested and things were said, but those things needed to come out because the characters had drawn up after a hard crisis and were having difficulty opening back up and interacting with the world.

[Kyla Schooling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Del is skeptical when it comes to God and miracles. Her sister died of cancer, her dad abandoned her, and her mom spends all her time crying in her bedroom. That’s when the image of Baby Jesus appears on a cheese wheel and the whole community comes down with miracle fever. Del wants to get to the bottom of the miracles that are suddenly everywhere but she has a lot of personal baggage to untangle first. This was a fun book that made me cry a bit. It wasn’t anti-God or religion as the title might imply. It was a quick and enjoyable read.