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What Hindered Love
Former foster kid Chloe Wren had never been to church a day in her life until she stepped through the doors of Community Fellowship at the age of eighteen. She quickly becomes entangled in the complex world of a pastor's family through her relationship with Micah Barrett, the troubled younger son of the church's pastor. Six years later, her relationship with both Micah and the church have been broken seemingly beyond repair. Yet the son she and Micah share has a childlike faith that just might be the key to redemption for them all.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2019
8 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Tillman
4 books18 followersMelanie is a writer of Christian Romance and a homeschooling mom of three. She is also married to her best friend and love of her life who just happens to be a pastor. (Please don't call her a pastor's wife - that's not her job description!) She is passionate about her faith, her family, books, and education. In her writing, she attempts to create female characters who are genuine and flawed and love stories filled with hope and healing.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 3, 2019
Such a great story!
I really couldn’t put this down. I fell instantly in love with the town and its cast of characters. Micah and Chloe’s beautifully broken love story is a perfect example of struggles and second chances. Well done!
I really couldn’t put this down. I fell instantly in love with the town and its cast of characters. Micah and Chloe’s beautifully broken love story is a perfect example of struggles and second chances. Well done!
April 28, 2019
With the overarching theme of redemption, What Hindered Love is reminiscent of the Christian fiction classic Redeeming Love. Chloe reminded me so much of Francine Rivers’ Angel, who also felt unworthy of love. I drew this comparison the other day when I found myself picking up the book and thinking, “Let’s see what stupid thing Chloe does today.” I fell in love with the characters yet wanted to slap them at the same time, keeping me coming back to the story as often as I could. In her very first book, Melanie Tillman is up there with the greats of Christian fiction!
Side notes: I reserved the last star for some nit-picky grammatical errors and typos. Sensitive readers should be aware that there is some mild swearing and sexual content (presented as sin).
Side notes: I reserved the last star for some nit-picky grammatical errors and typos. Sensitive readers should be aware that there is some mild swearing and sexual content (presented as sin).
July 30, 2019
This was an incredibly beautiful story. I tend not to like inspirational stories because I feel they aren't realistic, but this book is the exception. The situations are incredibly relatable and the journey between the characters as they come back together and back to their faith is incredibly touching. I found myself crying at parts from how beautiful the scenes were.
August 15, 2020
What Hindered Love by Melanie Tillman is a beautiful contemporary retelling of the book of Hosea. It is a story of the faithfulness and love of God who will never give up on us nor forsake us.
Life may be hard and we erect walls to protect us. “Let God in… behind those walls.” These walls imprison us. They separate us from living the life that God intended. The walls need to come down.
We look at ourselves and judge us to be unworthy. We foolishly and wrongly believe that God would not want us. “Do you even see me, God?” God sees us and God wants us to know Him.
In our misunderstanding of God’s character, we believe God does not want us. “If she wasn’t even worthy enough to darken the doors of a church, she sincerely doubted God would hear her.” Sometimes others do judge us. Churches are not made up of perfect people, far from it. Churches are made up of imperfect people in need of a Saviour. We must try not to misrepresent God to others. God is a God of love, not an angry father figure pointing the finger and scolding.
Adolescence is a confusing time. Our hormones often overtake our brains. We need to know that we are not alone when we mess up. Others have walked the path before us.
There are the themes of addiction and single parents. Both are frowned on by some, and helped by others.
The characters were well drawn, realistic and likable. I absolutely adored the two young boys with their mannerisms and love.
A mother’s love is fiercely protective. The love of God for us is huge. What Hindered Love is a book of love – a love that perseveres, a love that is unending, a love that envelops us all, a perfect love that casts out all fear. This love is perfectly summed up in this quote:
“No matter what you do… no matter how many times you run, nothing can make me stop loving you.”
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Life may be hard and we erect walls to protect us. “Let God in… behind those walls.” These walls imprison us. They separate us from living the life that God intended. The walls need to come down.
We look at ourselves and judge us to be unworthy. We foolishly and wrongly believe that God would not want us. “Do you even see me, God?” God sees us and God wants us to know Him.
In our misunderstanding of God’s character, we believe God does not want us. “If she wasn’t even worthy enough to darken the doors of a church, she sincerely doubted God would hear her.” Sometimes others do judge us. Churches are not made up of perfect people, far from it. Churches are made up of imperfect people in need of a Saviour. We must try not to misrepresent God to others. God is a God of love, not an angry father figure pointing the finger and scolding.
Adolescence is a confusing time. Our hormones often overtake our brains. We need to know that we are not alone when we mess up. Others have walked the path before us.
There are the themes of addiction and single parents. Both are frowned on by some, and helped by others.
The characters were well drawn, realistic and likable. I absolutely adored the two young boys with their mannerisms and love.
A mother’s love is fiercely protective. The love of God for us is huge. What Hindered Love is a book of love – a love that perseveres, a love that is unending, a love that envelops us all, a perfect love that casts out all fear. This love is perfectly summed up in this quote:
“No matter what you do… no matter how many times you run, nothing can make me stop loving you.”
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
March 23, 2021
I'm only halfway through but I just have to say now that is very well written and I'm falling in love with all the characters. I have actually already read God Bless The Broken Road and I wish I hadn't because then I would be able to enjoy the story even more. But I still do love this book. I'll leave another review when I'm finished with the book! :)
December 25, 2023
Melanie Tillman weaves a tale across time of love and loss, of brokenness and healing and of sorrow and joy. You will find yourself weeping, laughing and routing for Chloe, our flawed, yet inspiring heroine. What Hindered Love will draw you into the world of Chloe and Micah and will leave you wanting more.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews