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Tender Grace
Audrey Eaton awakes at three in the morning and gets up to retrieve her husband, Tom, from the recliner where he has fallen asleep watching a ball game. But when she enters the living room and looks at his gentle face in the soft lamp light, she knows their time together is over. Grief attacks her until all she can think about is how much she wants her old life back. Determined to find healing, she embarks on a journey to the one place Tom and she always intended to visit but never did. Along the way, she discovers, through shared experiences with friends old and new, the meaning of the "tender graces" God provides each and every day.
297 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2009
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February 12, 2025
’Tis the season for romance (doesn’t it seem like it’s always the season for romance?). But with this book review, I want to remind you of the gentle pursuit of the Lover of our souls. A novel about grief might seem an unexpected way to focus on that. Yet you may have found, as I have, that the love of Christ often shines brightest in the dark.
I first read and reviewed Tender Grace almost two years ago. I’ve decided to update and repost my review, because I think it’s time I reread this book. Perhaps, after reading this review, you’ll join me?
I don’t often pick up diary-style fiction, but this book drew me in right away through Audrey’s real, heartfelt voice. Her grief and “stuckness” were so real, but so was her longing to change. This was a gentle, beautiful, real-life story of moving on, growing in grace, and letting the Word of God do its life-changing work.
The strength of the story, for me, lay in the very relatable and realistic feel of the narrative. We may not have all lost a husband early, but we’ve all experienced grief or loss in some way. It was so encouraging to see the way Audrey turned toward the light and strived to return to a spirit of gratitude.
We may not all have set out alone on a road trip with no destination in mind. But we’ve all met people we wished we could help. We’ve all seen moments of God’s goodness and splendor, tried to do the right thing and failed, and faced challenges that required a choice between grace and anger. And we all need friends who use too many exclamation points but never stop supporting us.
But my very favorite element of this story was Audrey’s faith journey. I had qualms about her love for a sculpture of a Native American appealing to the Great Spirit; God and the Great Spirit are not the same. But it served as a challenge to her own walk with God, a challenge I have often needed as well.
While this is not specifically a story about God’s pursuit of us, that’s the feeling I remember from this novel. Like the bridegroom in the Song of Solomon calling his beloved away, God desires to call us to himself. Yet so often we try to hear him in ways other than his own perfect Word.
Not that God can’t interact with us in many, many ways. He does, and I’m thankful for it. But may we never forget that his chosen method of communication is through his Word, made alive to us by his Spirit.
Because of this, I loved that Audrey turned to the Word of God and that it undeniably changed her. I’ve read some Christian fiction where little to no Scripture is included in the characters’ growth. Not so with this book! The Word of God has the power to change us from the inside out. It was beautiful to see that so integrally woven into Audrey’s growth. God drew her to himself through his Word, and she in turn wanted more of it, and it in turn changed her even more. Beautiful.
Where human romance was concerned, I feared the book would veer into rekindling-the-old-flame territory but was pleased to find it did not. The few light remembrances of married intimacy were appropriate to the story, and what other romantic threads existed were very natural and gentle, in keeping with the rest of the story.
If you are currently in a season of grief, I encourage you to tread carefully where this book is concerned. It may bless and encourage you, or it may not be what you need right now. For the most part, though, I would recommend this to any reader who loves contemporary fiction with clear, beautiful biblical themes.
Although it’s not a fast-paced plot due to the diary style and real-life feel of the narrative, Audrey’s emotional and spiritual quest kept me turning pages. All in all, this is a lovely and gentle read, a story of a slow stretch toward the light and a journey from grief to gratitude, from loss to life, from heartache to hope.
And if you enjoy songs to go with your stories, this acoustic rendition of “Hear the Voice of My Beloved” is just as beautiful as this book.
Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
I first read and reviewed Tender Grace almost two years ago. I’ve decided to update and repost my review, because I think it’s time I reread this book. Perhaps, after reading this review, you’ll join me?
I don’t often pick up diary-style fiction, but this book drew me in right away through Audrey’s real, heartfelt voice. Her grief and “stuckness” were so real, but so was her longing to change. This was a gentle, beautiful, real-life story of moving on, growing in grace, and letting the Word of God do its life-changing work.
The strength of the story, for me, lay in the very relatable and realistic feel of the narrative. We may not have all lost a husband early, but we’ve all experienced grief or loss in some way. It was so encouraging to see the way Audrey turned toward the light and strived to return to a spirit of gratitude.
We may not all have set out alone on a road trip with no destination in mind. But we’ve all met people we wished we could help. We’ve all seen moments of God’s goodness and splendor, tried to do the right thing and failed, and faced challenges that required a choice between grace and anger. And we all need friends who use too many exclamation points but never stop supporting us.
But my very favorite element of this story was Audrey’s faith journey. I had qualms about her love for a sculpture of a Native American appealing to the Great Spirit; God and the Great Spirit are not the same. But it served as a challenge to her own walk with God, a challenge I have often needed as well.
While this is not specifically a story about God’s pursuit of us, that’s the feeling I remember from this novel. Like the bridegroom in the Song of Solomon calling his beloved away, God desires to call us to himself. Yet so often we try to hear him in ways other than his own perfect Word.
Not that God can’t interact with us in many, many ways. He does, and I’m thankful for it. But may we never forget that his chosen method of communication is through his Word, made alive to us by his Spirit.
Because of this, I loved that Audrey turned to the Word of God and that it undeniably changed her. I’ve read some Christian fiction where little to no Scripture is included in the characters’ growth. Not so with this book! The Word of God has the power to change us from the inside out. It was beautiful to see that so integrally woven into Audrey’s growth. God drew her to himself through his Word, and she in turn wanted more of it, and it in turn changed her even more. Beautiful.
Where human romance was concerned, I feared the book would veer into rekindling-the-old-flame territory but was pleased to find it did not. The few light remembrances of married intimacy were appropriate to the story, and what other romantic threads existed were very natural and gentle, in keeping with the rest of the story.
If you are currently in a season of grief, I encourage you to tread carefully where this book is concerned. It may bless and encourage you, or it may not be what you need right now. For the most part, though, I would recommend this to any reader who loves contemporary fiction with clear, beautiful biblical themes.
Although it’s not a fast-paced plot due to the diary style and real-life feel of the narrative, Audrey’s emotional and spiritual quest kept me turning pages. All in all, this is a lovely and gentle read, a story of a slow stretch toward the light and a journey from grief to gratitude, from loss to life, from heartache to hope.
And if you enjoy songs to go with your stories, this acoustic rendition of “Hear the Voice of My Beloved” is just as beautiful as this book.
Join my newsletter list for monthly book recommendations, plus a free short story, author updates, and more.
March 20, 2009
Have you ever read a book that is utterly and completely moving? Moving in the sense of all emotions?
First Sentence
He died the way he'd always wanted to.
Tender Grace is written from the point-of-view of Audrey as she makes entries into her journal. The first journal entry, dated July 10, is her first step towards awakening from the abyss of sorrow. Audrey's entries provide such depth and emotion... I was utterly and completely moved in the sense of all emotions.
The rest of my review is posted on my blog:
http://ibeeeg.blogspot.com/2009/03/te...
First Sentence
He died the way he'd always wanted to.
Tender Grace is written from the point-of-view of Audrey as she makes entries into her journal. The first journal entry, dated July 10, is her first step towards awakening from the abyss of sorrow. Audrey's entries provide such depth and emotion... I was utterly and completely moved in the sense of all emotions.
The rest of my review is posted on my blog:
http://ibeeeg.blogspot.com/2009/03/te...
November 1, 2009
A lovely story about a woman's literal journey back from grief. I appreciated how the author wove Scripture into the narrative. Also loved the "travelog" of the main charater's road trip from Missouri around the country and back. I've been to many of the places she mentioned, so it was fun to read someone else's opinions of Grand Canyon, San Diego, Monterey Bay, etc.
I read this while waiting for my husband to have cardiac tests, so it was timely!
I read this while waiting for my husband to have cardiac tests, so it was timely!
July 10, 2012
Audrey, the main character was a person that I could imagine myself being friends with. In spite of her spiritual faith, she was "real" with resentments, regrets, and guilt that we all experience but may not acknowledge. As Audrey follows her bucket list of things to do as she travels across the country by herself, she comes to terms with all her feelings and discovers a new outlook on life. I really liked this inspirational book that dealt with real emotions, warts and all.
March 27, 2025
There was much about this that I could relate to....but perhaps it's just the space I am in now.
It was kind of sad. I understand her need to be able to move on, and the biggest part of that was Jesus.
But I was not so much into sad. I guess I should applaud that she was able to find herself and the Lord again.
I like the scriptures a lot.
It was kind of sad. I understand her need to be able to move on, and the biggest part of that was Jesus.
But I was not so much into sad. I guess I should applaud that she was able to find herself and the Lord again.
I like the scriptures a lot.
February 28, 2012
A very beautiful and touching book indeed.i was presently surprised to find out that it was a Christian novel.i think the author did a great job on keeping focus on what the characters main goal was.i believe the character was sometimes a bit hard to comprehend but maybe our age gap is just too great as i am 20 years old and she 55.
i am a big sucker for romance novels so this was definitely out of my curve but i still enjoyed it especially after reaching a few 100 pages.i enjoyed Zack the most because he made the ending a tad way more uplifting.will be checking out more books by this author.
i am a big sucker for romance novels so this was definitely out of my curve but i still enjoyed it especially after reaching a few 100 pages.i enjoyed Zack the most because he made the ending a tad way more uplifting.will be checking out more books by this author.
August 20, 2009
What a nice book. The first 20 pages into it, I thought, "This is odd. I'm reading a book about a women going through depression after losing her husband, and I'm enjoying the read. That's kind of an oxymoron."
The story is well crafted. I found myself tearing up at times. A beautiful journey. I'll read another of her books for sure.
The story is well crafted. I found myself tearing up at times. A beautiful journey. I'll read another of her books for sure.
March 22, 2017
I really liked this novel. I found it uplifting and encouraging.
May 28, 2017
I think it is a must have book.
November 13, 2018
This was just a wonderful, poignant and uplifting story of Audrey, who's lost her husband but she has lost herself, as well. She doesn't really do anything except watch TV. She is alive but acts like she's dead. She misses Tom so very much. She decides to go on a road trip by herself. She takes her husband's Bible. She hasn't read the Bible in ages but at each motel she reads a little and then more and more. So, Audrey changes, we are inspired and given the insight that God can do much with little.
I also enjoyed all the travel scenes. Marvelous!
I also enjoyed all the travel scenes. Marvelous!
June 15, 2022
What an absolutely beautiful novel! I loved coming along with Audrey's journey from grief to gratitude. I thought the way the story was told, through her daily journal entries, was a wonderful, intimate way to take that journey.
I also loved that she worked her way through the gospel of John during her journey . . . her insights into what it means to truly trust in Christ were just lovely.
This is a book I will be re-reading, perhaps more than once.
I also loved that she worked her way through the gospel of John during her journey . . . her insights into what it means to truly trust in Christ were just lovely.
This is a book I will be re-reading, perhaps more than once.
August 6, 2009
Tender Graces by Kathryn Magendie
Symrna, Georgia: Bell Bridge Books
$14.95 (paperback) – 315 pages
Some of the most poignant passages in literature are uttered by children: Tom Sawyer, Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, and Ree Dolly in Daniel Woodrell’s Winter Bone - all are juvenile protagonists who relate the events of their lives with candor. Perhaps Kathryn Magendie gave her child protagonist a narrator’s “voice” because when a child speaks to us, they usually speak with unabashed honesty, relating without guile, the anguish of growing up in a family shattered by either alcoholism, mental illness or divorce. In Kathryn Magendie’s Tender Graces, spunky, little Virginia Kate Carey must cope with all three.
Much of Virginia Kate’s childhood is spent in “By God West Virginia” where she and her brothers, Andy and Micah are the hapless pawns of their parents, Fredrick and Kate Ivene Carey – two ill-matched alcoholics. Like most children in an unstable home, the Carey kids survive by clinging together. They are also adept at drawing on inner resources. Micah, the oldest paints, and as he grows older, his childish scrawls turn into provocative depictions of the world around him. The youngest, Andy, turns to sports. However, it is “Bug” (Virginia Kate) who keeps a diary; as she struggles to make sense of her mother’s violent rages and her father’s repeated absences, she sometimes withdraws into a fantasy world filled with nurturing spirits (including her beloved grandmother who perished in a suspicious fire) and a mythical horse, Fionadala.
At the heart of Tender Graces resides Kate Carey,who is a deeply troubled and enigmatic woman with a perverse need to injury and reject those who are closest to her. Eventually, she drives Frederick away, and when he ends up in Louisiana with a divorce and a new wife, Kate’s destructive nature grows as she lashes out at her bewildered children and all of the attending relatives. Gradually, she banishes them, first Micah, then “Bug” and finally Andy, sending them to Louisiana to live with the
Shakespeare-quoting, womanizing Fredrick.
The traumatic impact of this dislocation is extensive, and all the Carey children will carry the subsequent scars for the rest of their lives. At this point, Tender Graces becomes a study in contrasts. West Virginia’s lofty mountains, cooling breezes and colorful relatives are replaced with heat, mimosa and alligators. Instead of Kate Carey’s dark beauty, her chaotic house and the ever-present smell of bourbon and Shalamar Micah, Bug and Andy find pale, blond Rebekha and a neat house filled with color-coordinated rugs, drapes and towels. However, Rebekha is not the traditional Grimm Brothers fairytale stepmother, nor is the Louisiana household crawling with vicious relatives (Aunt Ruby in West Virginia is especially memorable) and carnal uncles. Gradually, the shame of being unloved is replaced with security, nurturing and kindness.
Tender Graces contains a paradox. As the Carey children grow into teenagers, evolving into talented and capable adults, Virginia Kate continues to yearn for the approval and love of her unstable mother. Despite repeated rejections she harbors an irrational need to return to this selfish and drunken woman who has abdicated all of her maternal responsibilities. Eventually, it is clear that Virginia Kate’s bond with her mother will only be resolved by her mother’s death.
Kathryn Magendie has a marvelous talent for capturing the world of children. Andy, Bug and Micah emerge with distinct personalities, each with their own set of interests.
Their daily lives are depicted with vibrant details. However, these children bear no resemblance to the usual characters in juvenile fiction. Magendie’s children talk with their mouths full of food, engage in endless (affectionate) taunting and often curse like longshoremen, and they all have the marvelous gift of exaggeration, especially Bug! (“I couldn’t talk because I had 40 frogs in my throat.”) Their speech is filled with references to period TV programs (Rawhide, Lassie, Elvis, The Wizard of Oz) and food (Zero candy bars, Orange Crush, etc.) It is a fully realized juvenile world filled with color, sound and smells (1950-65).
There are also some tantalizing mysteries. What happened at the cabin on the hill where Virginia Kate sometimes sees her father? What dark secret does Micah conceal about the death of his Uncle Arvelle? Who is Anin?
Is there anything wrong with Tender Graces? Well, yes, although the flaws are minor compared with the numerous merits. These people eat too much! It is New Orleans food, of course, but I got heartburn. The latter part of the book gets dangerously close to a cloying sweetness and needed some brutal editing. There are too many characters – some of which vanish for such prolonged periods, I forgot who they were.
I suspect that there will be more books from Kathryn Megendie. In fact, Tender Graces probably needs a sequel. A book with this much vitality deserves a child/grandchild.
Symrna, Georgia: Bell Bridge Books
$14.95 (paperback) – 315 pages
Some of the most poignant passages in literature are uttered by children: Tom Sawyer, Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, and Ree Dolly in Daniel Woodrell’s Winter Bone - all are juvenile protagonists who relate the events of their lives with candor. Perhaps Kathryn Magendie gave her child protagonist a narrator’s “voice” because when a child speaks to us, they usually speak with unabashed honesty, relating without guile, the anguish of growing up in a family shattered by either alcoholism, mental illness or divorce. In Kathryn Magendie’s Tender Graces, spunky, little Virginia Kate Carey must cope with all three.
Much of Virginia Kate’s childhood is spent in “By God West Virginia” where she and her brothers, Andy and Micah are the hapless pawns of their parents, Fredrick and Kate Ivene Carey – two ill-matched alcoholics. Like most children in an unstable home, the Carey kids survive by clinging together. They are also adept at drawing on inner resources. Micah, the oldest paints, and as he grows older, his childish scrawls turn into provocative depictions of the world around him. The youngest, Andy, turns to sports. However, it is “Bug” (Virginia Kate) who keeps a diary; as she struggles to make sense of her mother’s violent rages and her father’s repeated absences, she sometimes withdraws into a fantasy world filled with nurturing spirits (including her beloved grandmother who perished in a suspicious fire) and a mythical horse, Fionadala.
At the heart of Tender Graces resides Kate Carey,who is a deeply troubled and enigmatic woman with a perverse need to injury and reject those who are closest to her. Eventually, she drives Frederick away, and when he ends up in Louisiana with a divorce and a new wife, Kate’s destructive nature grows as she lashes out at her bewildered children and all of the attending relatives. Gradually, she banishes them, first Micah, then “Bug” and finally Andy, sending them to Louisiana to live with the
Shakespeare-quoting, womanizing Fredrick.
The traumatic impact of this dislocation is extensive, and all the Carey children will carry the subsequent scars for the rest of their lives. At this point, Tender Graces becomes a study in contrasts. West Virginia’s lofty mountains, cooling breezes and colorful relatives are replaced with heat, mimosa and alligators. Instead of Kate Carey’s dark beauty, her chaotic house and the ever-present smell of bourbon and Shalamar Micah, Bug and Andy find pale, blond Rebekha and a neat house filled with color-coordinated rugs, drapes and towels. However, Rebekha is not the traditional Grimm Brothers fairytale stepmother, nor is the Louisiana household crawling with vicious relatives (Aunt Ruby in West Virginia is especially memorable) and carnal uncles. Gradually, the shame of being unloved is replaced with security, nurturing and kindness.
Tender Graces contains a paradox. As the Carey children grow into teenagers, evolving into talented and capable adults, Virginia Kate continues to yearn for the approval and love of her unstable mother. Despite repeated rejections she harbors an irrational need to return to this selfish and drunken woman who has abdicated all of her maternal responsibilities. Eventually, it is clear that Virginia Kate’s bond with her mother will only be resolved by her mother’s death.
Kathryn Magendie has a marvelous talent for capturing the world of children. Andy, Bug and Micah emerge with distinct personalities, each with their own set of interests.
Their daily lives are depicted with vibrant details. However, these children bear no resemblance to the usual characters in juvenile fiction. Magendie’s children talk with their mouths full of food, engage in endless (affectionate) taunting and often curse like longshoremen, and they all have the marvelous gift of exaggeration, especially Bug! (“I couldn’t talk because I had 40 frogs in my throat.”) Their speech is filled with references to period TV programs (Rawhide, Lassie, Elvis, The Wizard of Oz) and food (Zero candy bars, Orange Crush, etc.) It is a fully realized juvenile world filled with color, sound and smells (1950-65).
There are also some tantalizing mysteries. What happened at the cabin on the hill where Virginia Kate sometimes sees her father? What dark secret does Micah conceal about the death of his Uncle Arvelle? Who is Anin?
Is there anything wrong with Tender Graces? Well, yes, although the flaws are minor compared with the numerous merits. These people eat too much! It is New Orleans food, of course, but I got heartburn. The latter part of the book gets dangerously close to a cloying sweetness and needed some brutal editing. There are too many characters – some of which vanish for such prolonged periods, I forgot who they were.
I suspect that there will be more books from Kathryn Megendie. In fact, Tender Graces probably needs a sequel. A book with this much vitality deserves a child/grandchild.
August 9, 2019
Especially touching since I too was married to a Tom who passed too soon!
April 23, 2009
Actually 3 1/2 stars...somewhere between Liked It, and Really Liked It.
This is a story of a woman's journey to find her old self again, following her husband's sudden death. Audrey leaves her Midwest home, her kids, and grandkids, and takes off on a road trip to the west coast. She packs along her husband's well-worn Bible to read along the way, as a way of connecting with him. She meets many interesting people on her trip. Written in journal (date-by-date) form, this is an interesting account of her slow progress back to herself, and her search to be thankful once again. She learns to recognize and embrace the "tender graces" in each day, that are little miracles and proof that God is with her always, right by her side. It was a heartwarming story and really spoke to me. I am trying to find the "tender graces" in my days, too.
Some of my favorite passages:
When writing about her journey and the Bible saying to Trust in God, she says, "Jesus also says here that He is the only way to the Father,...but I do trust him, and I feel very much that I am following him to the Father. My Lifetime Road Trip!"
As she struggles with missing her husband as her companion:
"I will not leave you as orphans, Jesus said..."
"I've had such a sense of the Spirit's presence in my life during these weeks on the road and I think it is he who is leading me toward home."
"Tender graces." "Tennyson's 'the tender grace of a day that is dead, will never come back to me' has become for me 'the tender grace of a day.'" "The things you called fun are among the many things I have begun to see as the tender graces each day brings."
Near the end of her journey..."I am a healthy branch these days, Life and Light no longer my antithesis."
spoken to a recently-widowed male friend she has met ..."I read once that the suffering that comes from losing someone we love has the potential of making us better. The old person dies, and a new one is reborn. I think your (deceased) wife would be so proud of the new you."
This is a story of a woman's journey to find her old self again, following her husband's sudden death. Audrey leaves her Midwest home, her kids, and grandkids, and takes off on a road trip to the west coast. She packs along her husband's well-worn Bible to read along the way, as a way of connecting with him. She meets many interesting people on her trip. Written in journal (date-by-date) form, this is an interesting account of her slow progress back to herself, and her search to be thankful once again. She learns to recognize and embrace the "tender graces" in each day, that are little miracles and proof that God is with her always, right by her side. It was a heartwarming story and really spoke to me. I am trying to find the "tender graces" in my days, too.
Some of my favorite passages:
When writing about her journey and the Bible saying to Trust in God, she says, "Jesus also says here that He is the only way to the Father,...but I do trust him, and I feel very much that I am following him to the Father. My Lifetime Road Trip!"
As she struggles with missing her husband as her companion:
"I will not leave you as orphans, Jesus said..."
"I've had such a sense of the Spirit's presence in my life during these weeks on the road and I think it is he who is leading me toward home."
"Tender graces." "Tennyson's 'the tender grace of a day that is dead, will never come back to me' has become for me 'the tender grace of a day.'" "The things you called fun are among the many things I have begun to see as the tender graces each day brings."
Near the end of her journey..."I am a healthy branch these days, Life and Light no longer my antithesis."
spoken to a recently-widowed male friend she has met ..."I read once that the suffering that comes from losing someone we love has the potential of making us better. The old person dies, and a new one is reborn. I think your (deceased) wife would be so proud of the new you."
March 4, 2009
Tender Grace is the story of a woman’s journey from emotional death back to life. The book begins a year after 55-year-old Audrey’s husband died, and the deep pain of her grief has killed something inside her. She takes off on a road trip, driving across the country to the west coast with no particular agenda or plan except to try to regenerate her dead emotions.
I liked this book, though I admit the first part was so painful that, had I not been on a cross-country flight at the time, I might have put it down. The sign of a good writer is the ability to create an affinity between a reader and a character, and Stark does that. But I was coming home from a wonderful vacation, and not eager to delve into such deep pain. Still, I had nothing else to read so I continued – and I am glad I did. A sense of hope and rebirth are woven throughout the story of Audrey’s journey to recover her desire to live. As Audrey reads through the Gospel of John and meets a host of memorable characters who touch her heart during her trip, the life-giving messages of the Gospel come alive in her life. The weaving of the Biblical messages with Audrey's character journey are nicely done.
I liked this book, though I admit the first part was so painful that, had I not been on a cross-country flight at the time, I might have put it down. The sign of a good writer is the ability to create an affinity between a reader and a character, and Stark does that. But I was coming home from a wonderful vacation, and not eager to delve into such deep pain. Still, I had nothing else to read so I continued – and I am glad I did. A sense of hope and rebirth are woven throughout the story of Audrey’s journey to recover her desire to live. As Audrey reads through the Gospel of John and meets a host of memorable characters who touch her heart during her trip, the life-giving messages of the Gospel come alive in her life. The weaving of the Biblical messages with Audrey's character journey are nicely done.
April 15, 2012
Plot: Audrey spends a year and a half grieving her husband's passing. Then realizing she doesn't know who she is anymore Audrey embarks on a road trip across the United States. Along the way she finds healing and experiences God's tender grace in some unexpected ways.
Setting: Modern day, various cities and sites throughout the United States.
Why I picked it up: Honestly this one's been on my "to read" list for so long, I no longer remember the exact reason I put it on. I think, though, it was because the blurb on the inside cover caught my interest.
Why I kept reading: I enjoyed being part of Audrey's growth as she rediscovered herself and the things that are important to her.
In the end: It inspired me to take a road trip. Even though I can't do a road trip in my current season of life, I do hope one day my husband and I can take one of several which we've been talking about for years.
The story took a while to get started and for awhile I almost gave up because I had a hard time caring about the main character. After a chapter or two the story picked up. I enjoyed traveling across the country with Audrey and being part of her adventures.
Setting: Modern day, various cities and sites throughout the United States.
Why I picked it up: Honestly this one's been on my "to read" list for so long, I no longer remember the exact reason I put it on. I think, though, it was because the blurb on the inside cover caught my interest.
Why I kept reading: I enjoyed being part of Audrey's growth as she rediscovered herself and the things that are important to her.
In the end: It inspired me to take a road trip. Even though I can't do a road trip in my current season of life, I do hope one day my husband and I can take one of several which we've been talking about for years.
The story took a while to get started and for awhile I almost gave up because I had a hard time caring about the main character. After a chapter or two the story picked up. I enjoyed traveling across the country with Audrey and being part of her adventures.
January 16, 2016
It was a pretty good story. I think I would have liked it more if the author had gone a little more into detail on her trip. I think it went too fast. Maybe explained why she stopped reading after her husband died. I didn't understand that. I think if my husband goes first, I will do nothing BUT read, so I hope he has good insurance! The grief she described was done very well. I certainly don't ever want to experience what she had to. I was VERY pleased with the outcome with her ex-boyfriend from years before. I won't spoil it here, but it was done very well. It's a tough subject and very tender for many of us who can't imagine living without the one we love and hold dear to our hearts and souls. So it was hard to read for that reason, but who knows what's around the corner? And how much time we have. This book diverted a couple of arguments that could have been much worse if I hadn't been reading it! HaHa!
September 11, 2014
I liked this book. It was an unusual subject for me to read, but it was interesting to start the woman's journey with her after she had been in a slump of depression and had an inciting incident that led her on a journey.
One of my favorite things about this book is the way the author wove Scripture throughout. As the main character goes on a physical journey, it's also an emotional and spiritual journey. You can see her grow in depth as she realizes what the Bible says anew in this season. A couple weeks after I finished the book, that is the thing that sticks with me most.
I enjoyed the (slow) pacing too. There were a couple times when she encountered someone or something that was just an experience - not something with any greater meaning - and I had to remind myself that in novels, events are meaningful, but in real life, things just happen. The bookish side of me says, "You introduce a character, there must be a reason." But I got over that.
Overall good read.
One of my favorite things about this book is the way the author wove Scripture throughout. As the main character goes on a physical journey, it's also an emotional and spiritual journey. You can see her grow in depth as she realizes what the Bible says anew in this season. A couple weeks after I finished the book, that is the thing that sticks with me most.
I enjoyed the (slow) pacing too. There were a couple times when she encountered someone or something that was just an experience - not something with any greater meaning - and I had to remind myself that in novels, events are meaningful, but in real life, things just happen. The bookish side of me says, "You introduce a character, there must be a reason." But I got over that.
Overall good read.
February 5, 2010
The journal-style of this book made it very easy to read. Unfortunately, in my opinion, that is where the positive aspects end. Jackina Stark's writing is passable in the technical sense. However, it lacks the emotion which one would expect to accompany the story of a widowed woman trying to heal herself following the untimely death of her husband. In addition, the plot seemed extremely contrived and predictable: widow sits home in a depression for 15 months following her husbands death; one day,she jumps in the car and decides to drive across the country alone and without an agenda; she reconnects with old friends,meets new ones, and VOILA...she returns home a healed woman! Finally, this novel has a very heavy religious leaning. I found the constant interjection of scripture quite preachy.
June 27, 2009
This book was amazing!
Have you ever picked up a book to read and just start thinking, that it was meant for you to pick THAT book at THAT time to read it? well, it was like taht for me with this book. I loved it so much I wanted to underline each and every line that grabbed my heart but, it was the library's :( I almost wanted to just go ahead a buy a copy and give it to them and keep theirs so I could underline it RIGHT then. Don't worry, I didn't so now I will get my own copy and re-read it.
Have you ever picked up a book to read and just start thinking, that it was meant for you to pick THAT book at THAT time to read it? well, it was like taht for me with this book. I loved it so much I wanted to underline each and every line that grabbed my heart but, it was the library's :( I almost wanted to just go ahead a buy a copy and give it to them and keep theirs so I could underline it RIGHT then. Don't worry, I didn't so now I will get my own copy and re-read it.
April 8, 2016
Soothing, and drew me closer to The Lord
I thought this book might help me as I deal with my best friend's recent death. It did help. And it drew me closer to God. I hadn't expected that the book also was a Bible study, but it was and helped to quiet me. It reminded me that He is with me always and knows my pain. And that he also wants to draw me into His sweet presence and dry my tears.
I thought this book might help me as I deal with my best friend's recent death. It did help. And it drew me closer to God. I hadn't expected that the book also was a Bible study, but it was and helped to quiet me. It reminded me that He is with me always and knows my pain. And that he also wants to draw me into His sweet presence and dry my tears.
Currently reading
February 11, 2009So far, I am enjoying this book. It is written in a journal style and is about a woman trying to recover from her husband's sudden and unexpected death by going on a road trip. I can totally relate to some of the feelings she has expressed. I think I will probably look for more books by this author when I am finished.
August 10, 2014
This book was so moving, dealing with the death of a spouse. As the author so well describes you finally reach the point where gratitude surpasses grief, the Faithful One is constantly near to you, so many things happen you know it's Jesus. She even mentioned the song sung on the Selah album "The Faithful One." By far the best book I've ever read
September 19, 2014
What a sweet story! After two years of being a widow, she embarks on a road trip to visit a place she and her husband Tom had always planned to visit but never did. Along the way on this trip, she discovers much about herself, about God, and that God had been with her all along, even in the darkest days. A lovely ending in this one!!
April 4, 2009
Written in diary form, this book was like walking in the shoes of a woman putting her life back together after losing her husband. Those in similar circumstances will find strength in wisdom themselves in these pages. Short and very readable.
August 22, 2009
With her Bible in tow, recently widowed and in need of emotional healing, Audrey embarks on a cross-country journey and journals her experiences and feelings. A good read for anyone going through troubled times; this book inspires and gives hope.
September 7, 2009
The book is the story of one woman learning to live again through God after the sudden unexpected death of her husband. She goes on a journey and as she travels she re-finds God and is able to release the lose of her husband. Very compelling and touch story.
January 26, 2011
I loved this story. Being a Christian and a widow this really touched close to home. The style was easy to read and loved the scriptures interwoven through the story. I look forward to reading more of her novels when they come out.
May 31, 2011
I seem to be reading books with a common theme lately, surviving the loss of a husband. This one is Christian ficiton. Pretty good book, but I am done with this theme...loss of a spouse is depressing.
March 28, 2013
Perhaps His will for me right now is to quit mourning "the tender grace of a day that is dead" and instead embrace and celebrate "the tender grace of a day," each one a gift from an eminently good God.
Favorite quote from the book, but many more in it to ponder.
Favorite quote from the book, but many more in it to ponder.
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