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The Way It Should Be
After years of estrangement, the lives of Zara Mahoney and her twin sister, Eve, are suddenly and completely intertwined again. Eve's troubled lifestyle causes the state to take custody of her two children and contact Zara and her husband, asking them to consider foster care. Newlywed Zara thought she'd finally been given a fresh start and feels wholly unprepared to care for a niece and nephew whose existence she wasn't even aware of.
Meanwhile, Eve may have a real chance to start over this time with the help of Tiff Bradley, who's dedicated to helping women everyone else has given up on after facing a heartbreaking tragedy in her own family.
Meanwhile, Eve may have a real chance to start over this time with the help of Tiff Bradley, who's dedicated to helping women everyone else has given up on after facing a heartbreaking tragedy in her own family.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2021
89 people are currently reading
2929 people want to read
About the author
Christina Suzann Nelson
10 books357 followersChristina Suzann Nelson is an inspirational speaker and the award-winning author of If We Make It Home, Swimming in the Deep End, and More Than We Remember. The Way It Should Be releases February 2, 2021.She writes and speaks about hope after dysfunction. Christina is over the top about her passion for faith, family, fiction, and foster care. When she’s not writing, she’s working with the Every Child initiative, chasing escaped steers, reading, breathing in the sweet smell of her horse, hiking with her dog, or enjoying her just-as-crazy family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
March 23, 2021
This is a wonderful, gut-wrenching book, but it's everything I've come to expect from this author. She has a way of getting to the heart of some complicated issues and dealing with them with utter grace.
Themes of addiction and foster parenting are woven throughout the story, and as life is much more complicated than we want to imagine, the ending is hopeful, yet not tied up with a nice bow. I ached for Zara as she learned to be an "instant" parent to her niece and nephew, and I was alternately angry with and compassionate for Eve as she attempted to get her life back on track. After reading this book I understand more clearly that recovery from addiction needs to come from within, a person cannot want to heal for someone else or it will never be enough. Even though Eve deeply desires to be reunited with her children, the motivation for her recovery had to be about her, not about them. That's a difficult thing for someone (like me) who has never dealt with addiction to reconcile.
There is a subtle yet pervasive faith message throughout the book, as the characters learn to rely on God for strength instead of themselves. I wonder if there will be a spin-off book, because there's a definite cliffhanger moment towards the end. Overall, another beautiful book by Christina Suzann Nelson.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
February 28, 2021
This is a book that hooks you in from the first page and keeps the momentum more or less constant right till the end.
The story tells us of twins Eve and Zara, who though having shared a common womb, have nothing in common in their adulthood as their ways have long diverged. Zara has uprooted herself from her struggling background with sheer grit and determination and has recently married Chad. She now looks forward to settling with her new husband in their new farm where she can work on her organic products business.
Eve, on the other hand, has not been able to get rid of childhood emotional struggles. She is an inveterate drug abuser, in spite of having two young children, and lives with her on-off boyfriend though he keeps abusing her physically.
Once when the abuse goes out of hand and Eve finds herself in hospital, a good Samaritan -- Tiff Bradley, who is dealing with personal issues of her own -- steps in to help. Zara finds herself forced to accept guardianship of the young children of her long lost twin. Will she able to manage these unexpected duties? Will Eve be able to win the battle against her addiction to drugs? Will Tiff be able to make her peace with her past though her actions of the present? Read the book to find out.
As a women's fiction, this book checks all the requirements. It has family and friends, emotions and struggles, separations and reunions. You will stay invested in each of the three main ladies throughout their varying journeys. Eve with her struggles of drug usage and trying to be a good mother, Zara with her struggles of trying to be a family to children she's never met before while managing her business and new marriage, Tiff trying to make good for earlier parenting mistakes by going all out to help the needy though her marriage seems to be bearing the repercussions of her charity... The way these three arcs are intertwined makes the book an engrossing read.
I particularly enjoyed how the author details out the struggles of foster parents. It was an inspiring eye-opener to see the requirements of the DHS to ensure child safety.
As a Christian fiction too, this book works nicely. Though a Christian, I'm not a big fan of this genre because many books in this category simply quote biblical phrases to make a point or they sound fatalistic by having trite remarks such as "God will take care of everything" or "God is watching you" and so on. Both approaches don't click with me. I'm a firm believer in "God helps those who help themselves", no matter which God one prays to. This book follows the same approach. While the characters seem to put their faith in God, all of them don't just rely on prayers or hope. They focus on deeds rather than words and use their beliefs to make a practical difference in society. I loved this aspect of putting religion in practice and wish all Christian fiction books would follow this approach.
All in all, “The Way It Should Be” is a very powerful and emotional story. The writing is very compelling. Though a couple of characters are too good to be realistic, the way it depicts the struggles of addiction and foster families makes it worth a read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bethany Publishing House, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
A 4.5 from me.
Trigger warnings: Domestic abuse, drug abuse, child trauma
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
The story tells us of twins Eve and Zara, who though having shared a common womb, have nothing in common in their adulthood as their ways have long diverged. Zara has uprooted herself from her struggling background with sheer grit and determination and has recently married Chad. She now looks forward to settling with her new husband in their new farm where she can work on her organic products business.
Eve, on the other hand, has not been able to get rid of childhood emotional struggles. She is an inveterate drug abuser, in spite of having two young children, and lives with her on-off boyfriend though he keeps abusing her physically.
Once when the abuse goes out of hand and Eve finds herself in hospital, a good Samaritan -- Tiff Bradley, who is dealing with personal issues of her own -- steps in to help. Zara finds herself forced to accept guardianship of the young children of her long lost twin. Will she able to manage these unexpected duties? Will Eve be able to win the battle against her addiction to drugs? Will Tiff be able to make her peace with her past though her actions of the present? Read the book to find out.
As a women's fiction, this book checks all the requirements. It has family and friends, emotions and struggles, separations and reunions. You will stay invested in each of the three main ladies throughout their varying journeys. Eve with her struggles of drug usage and trying to be a good mother, Zara with her struggles of trying to be a family to children she's never met before while managing her business and new marriage, Tiff trying to make good for earlier parenting mistakes by going all out to help the needy though her marriage seems to be bearing the repercussions of her charity... The way these three arcs are intertwined makes the book an engrossing read.
I particularly enjoyed how the author details out the struggles of foster parents. It was an inspiring eye-opener to see the requirements of the DHS to ensure child safety.
As a Christian fiction too, this book works nicely. Though a Christian, I'm not a big fan of this genre because many books in this category simply quote biblical phrases to make a point or they sound fatalistic by having trite remarks such as "God will take care of everything" or "God is watching you" and so on. Both approaches don't click with me. I'm a firm believer in "God helps those who help themselves", no matter which God one prays to. This book follows the same approach. While the characters seem to put their faith in God, all of them don't just rely on prayers or hope. They focus on deeds rather than words and use their beliefs to make a practical difference in society. I loved this aspect of putting religion in practice and wish all Christian fiction books would follow this approach.
All in all, “The Way It Should Be” is a very powerful and emotional story. The writing is very compelling. Though a couple of characters are too good to be realistic, the way it depicts the struggles of addiction and foster families makes it worth a read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bethany Publishing House, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
A 4.5 from me.
Trigger warnings: Domestic abuse, drug abuse, child trauma
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
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October 7, 2020Another amazing book that I had the honor of reading for endorsement! Here's my official blurb:
Nelson once again delivers a story with heart, grit, and compassion. The Way It Should Be is a story that reminds readers of beauty in the midst of pain, hope in the thick of adversity, and the power of love to restore and redeem. A stunning read.
Nelson once again delivers a story with heart, grit, and compassion. The Way It Should Be is a story that reminds readers of beauty in the midst of pain, hope in the thick of adversity, and the power of love to restore and redeem. A stunning read.
November 1, 2021
I decided to read some of the Christy award winners and I can see why this book won. An amazing story of twins, one a heron addict and another happily married. When the one sister is pick up after her boyfriend abuses her, the other sister takes care of her 2 children. The story wraps around these 2 sisters and how both of them want to become the best Christ follow and sister they can be. Is it to late for the twin who is addicted to drugs to change her life around? Will the other sister give up the children she has grown to love. This story was simply amazing. The story of 2 sister going in different directions coming back together for the sake of the children. I loved the woman who help the drug addict sister because her own daughter was an addict to the other sister husband who loves his wife no matter what is thrown their way. I can definitely see why this has won the Christy award. I highly recommend this wonderful book and can't wait to read more from this author!!
March 24, 2022
Wow! This was a good one that I have been holding on to. It was also my Hidden Gem read for March.
This one hit home a little bit for me. I have been estranged from my sister for almost 12 years, so I totally understand the guilt, pain, and hesitation on Zara's side. I have also worked with a branch of DHS and have seen the trauma, happiness, and pain of children in the system.
This is the story of identical twins, Zara and Eve. The girls did not grow up in the best of conditions, their mother is in jail herself. But after the death of their brother from Hunters Disease, Zara left and never looked back. Eve was left at home and drugs became her coping mechanism. After learning Zara is a carrier for Hunters Disease she made the decision not to have children. But after events happen Eve's two children are sent to live with Zara and her new husband. Telling herself she couldn't love and raise someone else's child, Zara realized it didn't matter where they came from, all they needed was love. It also brought her sister back into her life.
The ending was good, Eve had a lot more strength than she thought and Zara had a lot more love than she thought. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author.
This one hit home a little bit for me. I have been estranged from my sister for almost 12 years, so I totally understand the guilt, pain, and hesitation on Zara's side. I have also worked with a branch of DHS and have seen the trauma, happiness, and pain of children in the system.
This is the story of identical twins, Zara and Eve. The girls did not grow up in the best of conditions, their mother is in jail herself. But after the death of their brother from Hunters Disease, Zara left and never looked back. Eve was left at home and drugs became her coping mechanism. After learning Zara is a carrier for Hunters Disease she made the decision not to have children. But after events happen Eve's two children are sent to live with Zara and her new husband. Telling herself she couldn't love and raise someone else's child, Zara realized it didn't matter where they came from, all they needed was love. It also brought her sister back into her life.
The ending was good, Eve had a lot more strength than she thought and Zara had a lot more love than she thought. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author.
December 23, 2020
I've wanted to cry so much through this book bc it was so sad! A couple of times I've wanted to put it down because of it.
In my opinion the author has done a very good job with this story in bringing out our main characters' feelings. Real life like. I can't imagine what I would do if that were me.
She's also done the subject of the book very well and I like how she doesn't beat around the bush either.
There's jest some things in life that you can't get over and it's hard to go forward after bad stuff happens. I'm living proof.
It's hard to move forward.
Grief has no set time. Time supposedly heals everything.
Well, maybe it does but you never ever get over missing something or someone.
This is my honest opinion. I was NOT required to write a positive review.
I recommend this book.
In my opinion the author has done a very good job with this story in bringing out our main characters' feelings. Real life like. I can't imagine what I would do if that were me.
She's also done the subject of the book very well and I like how she doesn't beat around the bush either.
There's jest some things in life that you can't get over and it's hard to go forward after bad stuff happens. I'm living proof.
It's hard to move forward.
Grief has no set time. Time supposedly heals everything.
Well, maybe it does but you never ever get over missing something or someone.
This is my honest opinion. I was NOT required to write a positive review.
I recommend this book.
February 8, 2021
Beautifully heart wrenching story. This was a hard story to read and a harder story to put down. Ms. Nelson does a great job of conveying the effects addiction has on multiple groups of people. She tells this story from several angles.
This is the story of Eve and how she tries to overcome her addiction to care for her children, Sammy and Charlotte. The struggles she goes through are documented in her journals. Her twin Zara and new husband Chad have a quick decision to make. Their story is told from the perspective of foster parents to their niece and nephew. Another part of the story is told through the eyes of Tiff, a concerned lady who chooses to help Eve personally. Having experienced a great loss, she is trying to live out her Christianity by caring for the helpless and the homeless. She is also trying to move past a tragedy and hold on to her marriage. We even glimpse the whole thing through the eyes of the children and that is very moving.
“Could there be any deeper connection than to be known?”
This story is beautifully told but it is a very hard subject to write about and Ms. Nelson does so admirably.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
This is the story of Eve and how she tries to overcome her addiction to care for her children, Sammy and Charlotte. The struggles she goes through are documented in her journals. Her twin Zara and new husband Chad have a quick decision to make. Their story is told from the perspective of foster parents to their niece and nephew. Another part of the story is told through the eyes of Tiff, a concerned lady who chooses to help Eve personally. Having experienced a great loss, she is trying to live out her Christianity by caring for the helpless and the homeless. She is also trying to move past a tragedy and hold on to her marriage. We even glimpse the whole thing through the eyes of the children and that is very moving.
“Could there be any deeper connection than to be known?”
This story is beautifully told but it is a very hard subject to write about and Ms. Nelson does so admirably.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
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November 11, 2021I read this because it won the award, not because it's something I'd normally pick up. This is women's fiction and deals with drug addiction and domestic abuse. I have to say that although it was a very heavy book, it was not graphic. Two of the three main female characters were Christian, and although their Christianity informed their lives and decisions, there was no main message for the reader to take away (that I saw). I think it was more in the thousand little steps of growth the characters gained throughout the book than one overarching "lesson." I don't think there was any misrepresentation of Christianity or the Bible, but I didn't walk away from the book feeling like I'd grown.
I had a hard time getting into the story since I didn't fall in love with any of the characters and had trouble with the writing style. It wasn't awful, so most people would probably be fine. It just left a lot of questions in my mind of why the author chose clunky wording here or an odd detail there.
The twist at the end totally threw me and made me want to know more. Overall, it wasn't really my type of book, which is fine because there are plenty of readers who are looking for this from Christian fiction. So I'm glad it exists and I don't have a problem recommending it to those people.
I had a hard time getting into the story since I didn't fall in love with any of the characters and had trouble with the writing style. It wasn't awful, so most people would probably be fine. It just left a lot of questions in my mind of why the author chose clunky wording here or an odd detail there.
The twist at the end totally threw me and made me want to know more. Overall, it wasn't really my type of book, which is fine because there are plenty of readers who are looking for this from Christian fiction. So I'm glad it exists and I don't have a problem recommending it to those people.
January 2, 2021
What a powerful story this is! I could not put it down once I started it.
The story centers around twin sisters who have had a difficult life. Zara is recently married to Chad and eve is a mom to Charlotte and Sammy, struggling with addictions. The aspects of family, ministry and foster care are so strong in this book. I look forward to checking out more of this authors books.
Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
The story centers around twin sisters who have had a difficult life. Zara is recently married to Chad and eve is a mom to Charlotte and Sammy, struggling with addictions. The aspects of family, ministry and foster care are so strong in this book. I look forward to checking out more of this authors books.
Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
October 7, 2020
I’m grateful for the opportunity to get an early read, and I’m thrilled to endorse it. This book spoke to me, clearly, yet tenderly. Congratulations, Christina!
February 3, 2021
I kept telling myself one more page, then I could put the book down, but I could not. I was hooked. The author has the readers emotional invested early on as she brilliantly weaves a tale that taking readers through lots of twists and turns, with several possible crazy paths the story could have ended with some happy, some tragic which would leave the reader an emotional wreck. I found myself glued to the page, tearing through the novel, because I had to know more.
The author masterfully tells this story through three POV’s allowing the reader to experience the story in a well-rounded way, having them to walk through addiction and how it affects family members, friends, and the addict themselves. It is heartbreaking in so many ways.
I liked how the author effectively gives a glimpse at the inner struggle of Eve, the addict fighting for her life and that of her children. These characters and their situations pull at your heart strings as we read Eve’s diary and get a peek into her soul. Eve’s family life is in crisis. Charlotte 5 and her brother Sammy a toddler. Eve’s Diary, May 20th …” Maybe she had come through the beating with her life, but heroin was still in the fight!”– I know the worst is yet to come, but my children need me. I’m trying to focus on my kids. Already my body is screaming as if my muscles are wrenching…My bones. I want relief, but I’ve tried that before and nearly died from the cure. An addict with a methadone allergy is pathetic. I can die from the help or die from the withdrawal. Either way, I’m not sure I’m going to make it….And my kids. I have to make it…for them.”
Then there’s Eve’s twin sister Zara who lost track of her sister years ago. Zara and Chad are newlyweds excited about their life together. She did not know her sister Eve was an addict and had two small children Charlotte and Sammy, until they receive a call from foster care. I liked how the author includes well timed humor through this couple adventure into foster care. Zara and Chad want to help. Things are happening fast. Zara says to Chad …”I keep wondering what they’ll go over in that weekend class, and if it’s really a good idea to give us two young children without that information first.”…”We can’t even housebreak a puppy.”
Chad says to Zara, “We’ll figure it out. People have children all the time. They can’t all be experts before they start.”
Then there is the story from a ministry viewpoint showing the messy yet loving side of things. I liked the character Tiff Bradley and how she does her part in helping the women no one wants to talk to and/or look at. She feels by helping Eve she is getting a glimpse into her daughters’ addiction. By helping Eve, she is helping her, and her family heal from the loss of her daughter, Lindsay.
The author isn’t afraid to say the hard things through her characters like Tiff Bradley who says this to her husband Bruce, “Listen, life isn’t safe. I used to do all the safe things, and I missed what was really happening in the world.”
Her husband Bruce replies, “Lindsay is gone. I thought you just needed to do this so you could accept that, but it keeps going, and I don’t understand. Do we need to lose you too?”
The author says, “I hope you walk away from this book with the realization that addiction does not define a person. I hope that when you see someone battling drug dependency, you will stop and pray for healing. There are miraculous stories of men and women who’ve turned their lives around. I count it as an honor to know a few of those people.”
This is a book that will open your eyes, pull at your heart and have you look at things with fresh eyes. This book would make for a great book club pick. There is so much to discuss. If I could give the author five stars or more I would. This is a must read.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org
The author masterfully tells this story through three POV’s allowing the reader to experience the story in a well-rounded way, having them to walk through addiction and how it affects family members, friends, and the addict themselves. It is heartbreaking in so many ways.
I liked how the author effectively gives a glimpse at the inner struggle of Eve, the addict fighting for her life and that of her children. These characters and their situations pull at your heart strings as we read Eve’s diary and get a peek into her soul. Eve’s family life is in crisis. Charlotte 5 and her brother Sammy a toddler. Eve’s Diary, May 20th …” Maybe she had come through the beating with her life, but heroin was still in the fight!”– I know the worst is yet to come, but my children need me. I’m trying to focus on my kids. Already my body is screaming as if my muscles are wrenching…My bones. I want relief, but I’ve tried that before and nearly died from the cure. An addict with a methadone allergy is pathetic. I can die from the help or die from the withdrawal. Either way, I’m not sure I’m going to make it….And my kids. I have to make it…for them.”
Then there’s Eve’s twin sister Zara who lost track of her sister years ago. Zara and Chad are newlyweds excited about their life together. She did not know her sister Eve was an addict and had two small children Charlotte and Sammy, until they receive a call from foster care. I liked how the author includes well timed humor through this couple adventure into foster care. Zara and Chad want to help. Things are happening fast. Zara says to Chad …”I keep wondering what they’ll go over in that weekend class, and if it’s really a good idea to give us two young children without that information first.”…”We can’t even housebreak a puppy.”
Chad says to Zara, “We’ll figure it out. People have children all the time. They can’t all be experts before they start.”
Then there is the story from a ministry viewpoint showing the messy yet loving side of things. I liked the character Tiff Bradley and how she does her part in helping the women no one wants to talk to and/or look at. She feels by helping Eve she is getting a glimpse into her daughters’ addiction. By helping Eve, she is helping her, and her family heal from the loss of her daughter, Lindsay.
The author isn’t afraid to say the hard things through her characters like Tiff Bradley who says this to her husband Bruce, “Listen, life isn’t safe. I used to do all the safe things, and I missed what was really happening in the world.”
Her husband Bruce replies, “Lindsay is gone. I thought you just needed to do this so you could accept that, but it keeps going, and I don’t understand. Do we need to lose you too?”
The author says, “I hope you walk away from this book with the realization that addiction does not define a person. I hope that when you see someone battling drug dependency, you will stop and pray for healing. There are miraculous stories of men and women who’ve turned their lives around. I count it as an honor to know a few of those people.”
This is a book that will open your eyes, pull at your heart and have you look at things with fresh eyes. This book would make for a great book club pick. There is so much to discuss. If I could give the author five stars or more I would. This is a must read.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org
January 24, 2021
Powerful Women's Fiction Novel.
Three women, Tiff, Eve and Zara, are connected by substance abuse. Tiff mourns the loss of her teenage daughter by helping the homeless. Zara and Eve are identical twins. Eve is a drug addict.
As there paths converge, it's clear that life is messy and can be painful. Each of the women takes a risk to love others fearing the outcome. I love that Eve's voice is heard through her journal entries.
The descriptions of men, whether an abuser or a loving husband, were well done. It was rewarding to see how the marriages of both Tiff and Zara were impacted by drug abuse and how they ultimately worked through those struggles.
This novel treats the topics of drug addiction and the foster system in a realistic rather than idealistic fashion. My heart goes out to those with family members addicted to drugs and my praise to those willing to give of their time and heart to be foster parents.
The cover is a perfect representation of Zara and Eve. Both beautiful. One has just fallen and will hopefully be able to sit upright again.
My gratitude to publisher Bethany House for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Three women, Tiff, Eve and Zara, are connected by substance abuse. Tiff mourns the loss of her teenage daughter by helping the homeless. Zara and Eve are identical twins. Eve is a drug addict.
As there paths converge, it's clear that life is messy and can be painful. Each of the women takes a risk to love others fearing the outcome. I love that Eve's voice is heard through her journal entries.
The descriptions of men, whether an abuser or a loving husband, were well done. It was rewarding to see how the marriages of both Tiff and Zara were impacted by drug abuse and how they ultimately worked through those struggles.
This novel treats the topics of drug addiction and the foster system in a realistic rather than idealistic fashion. My heart goes out to those with family members addicted to drugs and my praise to those willing to give of their time and heart to be foster parents.
The cover is a perfect representation of Zara and Eve. Both beautiful. One has just fallen and will hopefully be able to sit upright again.
My gratitude to publisher Bethany House for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
January 16, 2021
What a powerful read, one that tugs your heart and doesn't want to let go.
Zara and Eve twin sisters had a difficult up bring and now we meet them when they are grown with what is now happening in their lives. One has just gotten married, she and her husband have bought a small farm and beginning their new life together. The other Eve has more or less followed in her mother's footstep, and is now clinging to life.
Add to this group a spunky 5 year old girl, and a toddler boy, and a dreaded illness hanging over their heads.
I loved how this story unfolded and kept giving, their was fear something would happen to these children, or one of these characters would end up dead.
I loved the epilogue, and now I want more information! A phone call?
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.
Zara and Eve twin sisters had a difficult up bring and now we meet them when they are grown with what is now happening in their lives. One has just gotten married, she and her husband have bought a small farm and beginning their new life together. The other Eve has more or less followed in her mother's footstep, and is now clinging to life.
Add to this group a spunky 5 year old girl, and a toddler boy, and a dreaded illness hanging over their heads.
I loved how this story unfolded and kept giving, their was fear something would happen to these children, or one of these characters would end up dead.
I loved the epilogue, and now I want more information! A phone call?
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.
January 10, 2022
4.5 stars (rounded up) ✨
This is not a book I would've picked up on my own. In full transparency, I received this book complimentary from the author. I only knew it had won the Christy award in the same category that Stars, my all-time favourite novel, had been nominated. That, and the story itself was quite heavy.
And what a shame it would have been if I'd never picked up this book. The Way It Should Be is a deeply emotional story where I felt the author wrote her heart out on every page. From the heartbreaking trauma to the confusion Zara (and Tiff and Eve) faces in making the right decisions, to the nuances of foster care that most of us probably wouldn't consider, healing... it's a gripping story with depth that won't be leaving this reader anytime soon.
To address concerns on how heavy this story is, if you've ever read Terri Blackstock, this is somewhat on the same realm, except cleaner. I personally am very glad to see these kinds of topics discussed in Christian fiction. I love the heavier side of it, because that's true to life. Unfortunately, addictions are so prevalent in our world today and so many children are in need of healing and good homes. But not many of us actually understand what addicts and children of addicts go through. I thought Christina did an amazing job highlighting how complex this issue can be, depending on your perspective.
The ending, bittersweet and realistic, may not leave readers with the warm, fuzzy feeling most fluff stories do. But it is realistic (apart from one occurrence that tied things maybe too nicely), and I appreciated the author's note at the end. Highly recommend you read that note when you get to it, as it will explain some of the choices the author made.
I recently read A Flicker of Light by Katie Powner and this book reminded me so much of that one, based on the type of conflict and struggles the characters face. Maybe that's why I loved this one so much. I'm happy to see more lifelike books with depth like this.
So for those wanting a lighter read, this book probably isn't for you. However: if you're looking for a meaningful story with heart, that will leave you with tears in your eyes and a better understanding of the world around you, I present this book to you. Please do give it a read. You won't regret it!
ps: I totally caught that Agatha Christie reference. Just sayin'.
This is not a book I would've picked up on my own. In full transparency, I received this book complimentary from the author. I only knew it had won the Christy award in the same category that Stars, my all-time favourite novel, had been nominated. That, and the story itself was quite heavy.
And what a shame it would have been if I'd never picked up this book. The Way It Should Be is a deeply emotional story where I felt the author wrote her heart out on every page. From the heartbreaking trauma to the confusion Zara (and Tiff and Eve) faces in making the right decisions, to the nuances of foster care that most of us probably wouldn't consider, healing... it's a gripping story with depth that won't be leaving this reader anytime soon.
To address concerns on how heavy this story is, if you've ever read Terri Blackstock, this is somewhat on the same realm, except cleaner. I personally am very glad to see these kinds of topics discussed in Christian fiction. I love the heavier side of it, because that's true to life. Unfortunately, addictions are so prevalent in our world today and so many children are in need of healing and good homes. But not many of us actually understand what addicts and children of addicts go through. I thought Christina did an amazing job highlighting how complex this issue can be, depending on your perspective.
The ending, bittersweet and realistic, may not leave readers with the warm, fuzzy feeling most fluff stories do. But it is realistic (apart from one occurrence that tied things maybe too nicely), and I appreciated the author's note at the end. Highly recommend you read that note when you get to it, as it will explain some of the choices the author made.
I recently read A Flicker of Light by Katie Powner and this book reminded me so much of that one, based on the type of conflict and struggles the characters face. Maybe that's why I loved this one so much. I'm happy to see more lifelike books with depth like this.
So for those wanting a lighter read, this book probably isn't for you. However: if you're looking for a meaningful story with heart, that will leave you with tears in your eyes and a better understanding of the world around you, I present this book to you. Please do give it a read. You won't regret it!
ps: I totally caught that Agatha Christie reference. Just sayin'.
January 5, 2021
Zara is newly married when she receives a letter informing her that the niece and nephew she doesn’t even know need a place to live. Zara’s twin sister Eve hasn’t had it easy and is battling addiction.
Tiff is a woman on a mission, having lost her daughter to addiction.
These three will interact and change each other’s lives.
Written with such insight you can feel each women's pain, hope, past , scars and healing on every page
I had so many emotions reading this book, gratitude, blessings, sorrow, insight and compassion.
I think I’d like to be a combination of all these ladies when I grow up... Tiff’s resilience to try and make others not follow her daughters path, Zara’s determination to overcome her childhood and buy a farm and make seedlings into products and Eve’s grit to overcome her demons and her strength to fight for a better life for herself and her kids
While this is my first book by this author it definitely will not be my last. This one will not only stay with me for a long time
A huge thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!
January 11, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book by this author I've read and it's very good. The writing flows well and the characters are likable. The story is definitely realistic and hits on several important topics that are quite common in today's world.
This is the first book by this author I've read and it's very good. The writing flows well and the characters are likable. The story is definitely realistic and hits on several important topics that are quite common in today's world.
July 16, 2024
Didn’t realize when I bought this book that it was so heavily centred around faith, specifically Christianity. But the story line itself was so heartbreaking and emotional to get through. Overall I really liked it!
August 22, 2024
Such a powerful story, about life being messy and hard, yet so beautiful when people come together to help one another. My kind of story-full of forgiveness, love, and redemption.
February 8, 2021
I was hooked from the first line. "The most beautiful things are those that survive a storm and find their glory in the restoration." This heartbreaking and heartwarming story has themes of addiction and foster parenting woven throughout. Author Christina Suzann Nelson has a way of getting to the heart of the matter without sugar-coating it, yet with compassion and grace. Estranged twin sisters are brought into contact again with all the honest feelings addiction in families bring up. This story gave me a greater appreciation for what an addict can go through, and all who help them from volunteers to case managers, to people willing to hire former addicts to help them get their lives back on track, and to those who love them and their children along the way. And the children of addicts! "How did a child with such a tiny body carry around so much painful baggage?" "Addiction didn't come with an easy path. But hope still existed." The sister Zara who escaped a painful childhood truly has a prince of a husband. They are newlyweds, and together they explore foster parenting with a niece and nephew they didn't know existed. Zara has anxiety when her past comes crashing into her present, she and her sister Eve (in varying degrees) learn to lean on newfound faith.
I highly recommend The Way It Should Be!
Thank you to the author, publisher, for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.
I highly recommend The Way It Should Be!
Thank you to the author, publisher, for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.
March 9, 2023
Great book
Excellent narrator!
Excellent narrator!
April 5, 2021
“The most beautiful things are those that survive a storm and find their glory in the restoration” are the opening lines to this story and they’re the most poignant.
Trigger warnings: addiction, death of a child, fostering/adoption, complexities of fertility/genetics.
This is a story about family, love and friendship. It is written in a three person narrative and tells the story from the viewpoints of twin sisters Zara and Eve and a lady called Tiff that steps in to help Eve in her darkest hours. Eve’s views are shared via her diary entry which is different to the other two women and leaves the reader contemplating the significance of this and if it was deliberately crafted for a specific purpose.
Zara is newly married to Chad - they’ve just bought a new home, she has started up a new business venture, there’s talks about starting a family and creating an exciting future, but when an unexpected letter rocks the foundations of what her and Chad are building, there’s a choice to be made, but what happens when the thing you most want will bring sadness with it. Whose heart do you protect - your own or the already fragmented hearts of children.
Eve, on the other hand, is struggling - she has found herself in a vicious cycle that she can’t break away from. She wants to be a good mother to her children, but finds herself doing things to try and make that happen. Poor choices lead set her on a path of self-destruction and potentially what could be her demise.
Tiff, has an heart of gold - wracked by guilt, she has her own share of troubles and she is using these to channel projects within the community and for a group of people she has a strong emotional connection too, even if it’s to the detriment of her own life and marriage. When she meets Eve, she goes further than she has ever done before, breaking her own rules, to try and help and protect this vulnerable woman. Does Tiff see this as her second chance of getting things right?
There are references to faith and trusting in God throughout (but they’re subtle), but don’t let it put you off. The circumstances that these three women find themselves in are what entwines their lives. Some might say it’s fate, whilst others might say it’s God’s will. Whatever it was, these women needed to be brought together to restore themselves.
Whilst some might argue that the story doesn’t go into the true depths of addiction and somewhat glosses over the true horrors of what an addict and their families would face. I think that the book has been beautifully and sensitively written and I would recommend reading this book. My heart ached for each of the characters and the situations that they found themselves in. It also yearns to know more - how did things turn out for each of the characters, especially since it feels like some questions have been left unanswered by a couple of cliffhanger moments (I wonder if there will be a sequel?)
Thank you for a free copy of the book, in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings: addiction, death of a child, fostering/adoption, complexities of fertility/genetics.
This is a story about family, love and friendship. It is written in a three person narrative and tells the story from the viewpoints of twin sisters Zara and Eve and a lady called Tiff that steps in to help Eve in her darkest hours. Eve’s views are shared via her diary entry which is different to the other two women and leaves the reader contemplating the significance of this and if it was deliberately crafted for a specific purpose.
Zara is newly married to Chad - they’ve just bought a new home, she has started up a new business venture, there’s talks about starting a family and creating an exciting future, but when an unexpected letter rocks the foundations of what her and Chad are building, there’s a choice to be made, but what happens when the thing you most want will bring sadness with it. Whose heart do you protect - your own or the already fragmented hearts of children.
Eve, on the other hand, is struggling - she has found herself in a vicious cycle that she can’t break away from. She wants to be a good mother to her children, but finds herself doing things to try and make that happen. Poor choices lead set her on a path of self-destruction and potentially what could be her demise.
Tiff, has an heart of gold - wracked by guilt, she has her own share of troubles and she is using these to channel projects within the community and for a group of people she has a strong emotional connection too, even if it’s to the detriment of her own life and marriage. When she meets Eve, she goes further than she has ever done before, breaking her own rules, to try and help and protect this vulnerable woman. Does Tiff see this as her second chance of getting things right?
There are references to faith and trusting in God throughout (but they’re subtle), but don’t let it put you off. The circumstances that these three women find themselves in are what entwines their lives. Some might say it’s fate, whilst others might say it’s God’s will. Whatever it was, these women needed to be brought together to restore themselves.
Whilst some might argue that the story doesn’t go into the true depths of addiction and somewhat glosses over the true horrors of what an addict and their families would face. I think that the book has been beautifully and sensitively written and I would recommend reading this book. My heart ached for each of the characters and the situations that they found themselves in. It also yearns to know more - how did things turn out for each of the characters, especially since it feels like some questions have been left unanswered by a couple of cliffhanger moments (I wonder if there will be a sequel?)
Thank you for a free copy of the book, in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2021
Oh My. What a story.
As I read the final page in this tear-jerker of a story, my heart was in my throat. And yes, my eyes were suspiciously damp.
Christina Suzann Nelson has written a story that shows the realities of addictions.
It shows us the gritty, raw effects of dealing with those addictions.
The heartbreak that some kids have to go through, when, thru absolutely no fault of their own, they are caught in the middle of this really hard stuff.
Eve and Zara are twin sisters that haven't seen each other in a very long time.
Eve is badly beaten, and her kids are quite traumatized.
Zara and her husband are asked to take in Eve's two little kids and give them a safe home.
This story really gripped my heart. It opened my eyes to things I hadn't thought of before. It makes me want to do something to reach out and help those less fortunate.
This is a book that you will NOT want to miss.
Be prepared to leave part of your heart in its pages.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
As I read the final page in this tear-jerker of a story, my heart was in my throat. And yes, my eyes were suspiciously damp.
Christina Suzann Nelson has written a story that shows the realities of addictions.
It shows us the gritty, raw effects of dealing with those addictions.
The heartbreak that some kids have to go through, when, thru absolutely no fault of their own, they are caught in the middle of this really hard stuff.
Eve and Zara are twin sisters that haven't seen each other in a very long time.
Eve is badly beaten, and her kids are quite traumatized.
Zara and her husband are asked to take in Eve's two little kids and give them a safe home.
This story really gripped my heart. It opened my eyes to things I hadn't thought of before. It makes me want to do something to reach out and help those less fortunate.
This is a book that you will NOT want to miss.
Be prepared to leave part of your heart in its pages.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
January 7, 2021
This is a deeply emotional story of a family composed of twin girls, a younger brother and a mother. The boy is suffering a lethal disease, dying a painful death when the girls were young. They were forced to raise themselves with the help of their grandmother because their mother’s depression left her unable to cope.
We then go ahead several years to find them as adults with vastly different lives. While one worked to change all that had been her past, the other failed to thrive and fell into a world of drug dependency and the violent world that users live in.
The story that ensues is hugely emotional and upsetting. Being a mother I felt all of the emotions that Tiff experienced. The underlying belief of god seems to have given the twins the strength to do what is right and to take care of themselves and those they loved.
The book ripped my heart apart time after time when I just wanted to crawl inside and hug everyone. The author did an amazing job of portraying street life it surprised me how many people in my life where so close to falling into the lives that so many of these characters lived. As a community we need to reach out and help homeless people.
Well done to the author and I hope each of you that read this book find yourself on a different level of understanding and compassion. Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for allowing me to read this ARC.
We then go ahead several years to find them as adults with vastly different lives. While one worked to change all that had been her past, the other failed to thrive and fell into a world of drug dependency and the violent world that users live in.
The story that ensues is hugely emotional and upsetting. Being a mother I felt all of the emotions that Tiff experienced. The underlying belief of god seems to have given the twins the strength to do what is right and to take care of themselves and those they loved.
The book ripped my heart apart time after time when I just wanted to crawl inside and hug everyone. The author did an amazing job of portraying street life it surprised me how many people in my life where so close to falling into the lives that so many of these characters lived. As a community we need to reach out and help homeless people.
Well done to the author and I hope each of you that read this book find yourself on a different level of understanding and compassion. Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for allowing me to read this ARC.
April 6, 2021
This book touches on two subjects, one that is incredibly close to my heart, and the other which I gratefully learnt so much more about after reading this book.
Addiction is such a heart breaking subject that has, and continues, to destroy so many lives. Fostering is also an incredibly complex experience, both emotionally and psychologically. Christina offers a delicately yet realistically insight into both topics, drawing on her experience with Every Child Oregan organisation.
The three women in this book all have their own struggles and heartache which they have to find their way through, and Christina painted these struggles and hopes beautifully.
My heart ached for the two children (well it ached for everyone really) but having a 2.5 year old really had me feeling for them in particular. I loved the one liners from Charlotte - the brutal honesty of a toddler / young child is unparalleled.
The book was well written, and had a softness about it which was in contrast to the topic. For those of you who like an ending tied up in a neat little bow, you won’t see that here. And I for one am thankful, as I feel (given the topic) it would have been in congruent to do so. Religion and faith is also highlighted throughout the book but done so in an inert way, and certainly doesn’t detract from the story - if anything, I think it helps accentuate the main topics of the book.
A book that deals with sadness, loss and heartache in a hopeful and courageous way - recommended.
Addiction is such a heart breaking subject that has, and continues, to destroy so many lives. Fostering is also an incredibly complex experience, both emotionally and psychologically. Christina offers a delicately yet realistically insight into both topics, drawing on her experience with Every Child Oregan organisation.
The three women in this book all have their own struggles and heartache which they have to find their way through, and Christina painted these struggles and hopes beautifully.
My heart ached for the two children (well it ached for everyone really) but having a 2.5 year old really had me feeling for them in particular. I loved the one liners from Charlotte - the brutal honesty of a toddler / young child is unparalleled.
The book was well written, and had a softness about it which was in contrast to the topic. For those of you who like an ending tied up in a neat little bow, you won’t see that here. And I for one am thankful, as I feel (given the topic) it would have been in congruent to do so. Religion and faith is also highlighted throughout the book but done so in an inert way, and certainly doesn’t detract from the story - if anything, I think it helps accentuate the main topics of the book.
A book that deals with sadness, loss and heartache in a hopeful and courageous way - recommended.
April 3, 2021
This book touches on two subjects, one that is incredibly close to my heart, and the other which I gratefully learnt so much more about after reading this book.
Addiction is such a heart breaking subject that has, and continues, to destroy so many lives. Fostering is also an incredibly complex experience, both emotionally and psychologically. Christina offers a delicately yet realistically insight into both topics, drawing on her experience with Every Child Oregan organisation.
The three women in this book all have their own struggles and heartache which they have to find their way through, and Christina painted these struggles and hopes beautifully.
My heart ached for the two children (well it ached for everyone really) but having a 2.5 year old really had me feeling for them in particular. I loved the one liners from Charlotte - the brutal honesty of a toddler / young child is unparalleled.
The book was well written, and had a softness about it which was in contrast to the topic. For those of you who like an ending tied up in a neat little bow, you won’t see that here. And I for one am thankful, as I feel (given the topic) it would have been in congruent to do so. Religion and faith is also highlighted throughout the book but done so in an inert way, and certainly doesn’t detract from the story - if anything, I think it helps accentuate the main topics of the book.
A book that deals with sadness, loss and heartache in a hopeful and courageous way - recommended.
Addiction is such a heart breaking subject that has, and continues, to destroy so many lives. Fostering is also an incredibly complex experience, both emotionally and psychologically. Christina offers a delicately yet realistically insight into both topics, drawing on her experience with Every Child Oregan organisation.
The three women in this book all have their own struggles and heartache which they have to find their way through, and Christina painted these struggles and hopes beautifully.
My heart ached for the two children (well it ached for everyone really) but having a 2.5 year old really had me feeling for them in particular. I loved the one liners from Charlotte - the brutal honesty of a toddler / young child is unparalleled.
The book was well written, and had a softness about it which was in contrast to the topic. For those of you who like an ending tied up in a neat little bow, you won’t see that here. And I for one am thankful, as I feel (given the topic) it would have been in congruent to do so. Religion and faith is also highlighted throughout the book but done so in an inert way, and certainly doesn’t detract from the story - if anything, I think it helps accentuate the main topics of the book.
A book that deals with sadness, loss and heartache in a hopeful and courageous way - recommended.
January 29, 2021
I don’t know what it would be like to be an identical twin, nor have I lived in a dysfunctional family where there are so many hurts and pains. However, I do know that the author, Christina Suzann Nelson has written a beautifully touching story of healing, forgiveness, love, and hope.
This book was so captivating and deeply moving. It was a story of three women’s lives and how they all connected. It’s also a story that portrays what the use of drugs and its never-ending pull, can do to individuals and their families.
The whole world of foster-parenting, all the ins and outs, fears, and struggles, are foreign to me. I believe it takes a tender-hearted person or people, to be a foster parent. The author truly presents all aspects of this difficult and yet, what could be a rewarding, process.
The thing I love about Christina Suzann Nelson’s writings is that she brings such realness and depth to all her characters. I also appreciate the way she writes about some tough issues and how others deal with them. She doesn’t sugar-coat the pain and hurts her characters experience, yet she brings beautiful and poignant resolutions and makes it just The Way It Should Be.
I hope you too will pick up this book and read it, it might open your eyes like it did mine.
I was given this book by the publisher and in no way did it influences my review, all opinions are my own.
This book was so captivating and deeply moving. It was a story of three women’s lives and how they all connected. It’s also a story that portrays what the use of drugs and its never-ending pull, can do to individuals and their families.
The whole world of foster-parenting, all the ins and outs, fears, and struggles, are foreign to me. I believe it takes a tender-hearted person or people, to be a foster parent. The author truly presents all aspects of this difficult and yet, what could be a rewarding, process.
The thing I love about Christina Suzann Nelson’s writings is that she brings such realness and depth to all her characters. I also appreciate the way she writes about some tough issues and how others deal with them. She doesn’t sugar-coat the pain and hurts her characters experience, yet she brings beautiful and poignant resolutions and makes it just The Way It Should Be.
I hope you too will pick up this book and read it, it might open your eyes like it did mine.
I was given this book by the publisher and in no way did it influences my review, all opinions are my own.
February 14, 2021
This was like watching a true life documentary except for the fact that it was fiction. The author did a great job of writing a story that was so realistic, so moving and so heartbreaking at times too. Estranged identical twins are reunited not by choice but by necessity. Ironically newlywed Zara finds out she’s a carrier of a disorder that affects males. It’s hard for her to realize that she and her new husband Chad will never be able to safely have biological children of their own. Her drug addicted twin, Eve has been in an abusive relationship and already has two children. They get taken away by CPS and Zara finds herself being asked to foster these two, a niece and a nephew that she never knew she had.
It’s a long arduous journey that finds Zara and Eve trying to forgive the past in spite of the obstacles facing them. This was truly a novel that won’t be quickly forgotten. Lessons can be learned all around about forgiveness for each other but mostly forgiveness from God.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise. All opinions are my own.
It’s a long arduous journey that finds Zara and Eve trying to forgive the past in spite of the obstacles facing them. This was truly a novel that won’t be quickly forgotten. Lessons can be learned all around about forgiveness for each other but mostly forgiveness from God.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise. All opinions are my own.
March 14, 2021
"The Way It Should Be" tells the story of two families affected by addiction.
Twins Eve and Zara have lost touch. But when Eve's boyfriend beats her up, her two children need foster care. Zara and her new husband Chad agree to care for the children. Will Eve be able to regain custody of her children? Will Zara be able to release her dream for a family of her own?
Meanwhile, Tiff mourns the loss of her daughter to addiction. She looks for ways to help homeless men and women, which is how she meets Eve. Can Tiff help or even save Eve without losing her marriage?
Author Christina Suzann Nelson does a decent job of telling the truth about addiction and foster care. As she notes, it's a hard subject to handle in fiction. And I appreciate that the ending is realistic and not tied in a neat bow. There are triggers in this book, though, that readers should be aware of, such as domestic abuse, addiction, and infertility.
Twins Eve and Zara have lost touch. But when Eve's boyfriend beats her up, her two children need foster care. Zara and her new husband Chad agree to care for the children. Will Eve be able to regain custody of her children? Will Zara be able to release her dream for a family of her own?
Meanwhile, Tiff mourns the loss of her daughter to addiction. She looks for ways to help homeless men and women, which is how she meets Eve. Can Tiff help or even save Eve without losing her marriage?
Author Christina Suzann Nelson does a decent job of telling the truth about addiction and foster care. As she notes, it's a hard subject to handle in fiction. And I appreciate that the ending is realistic and not tied in a neat bow. There are triggers in this book, though, that readers should be aware of, such as domestic abuse, addiction, and infertility.
January 7, 2021
I've read other books by this author and enjoyed them. She does a nice job of creating realistic characters and writing emotional storylines, and this one was no exception. It was easy to connect with the characters and stay engaged. Tiff is resilient and Zara is determined, and you can't help but root for them. I also enjoyed Eve's strength and conviction to overcome and provide a better life for herself and her kids. There are some difficult subject matters, and the author does a fine job of tackling them.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
April 4, 2021
This is a well written book. It charts families, addiction and abuse. Also the destruction and rebuilding that addiction can cause. Written very honestly and is full of moments that will bring tears to your eyes.
It was for me personally, a bit too heavy on religion and that stopped me from enjoying it so much. Possibly it should be in Christian women’s fiction and not just contemporary as I felt a little preached at, and quite honestly I’d not have read it if I’d known.
Thanks so LoveBooksGroup, and the author for this advanced reading copy of the book.
It was for me personally, a bit too heavy on religion and that stopped me from enjoying it so much. Possibly it should be in Christian women’s fiction and not just contemporary as I felt a little preached at, and quite honestly I’d not have read it if I’d known.
Thanks so LoveBooksGroup, and the author for this advanced reading copy of the book.
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