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Review: My Refuge - Follow in the Dark #1

My Refuge book cover on blue background

I admit that it's been a while since I've read a Christian YA book, but am I ever thankful that Ashley Al Saliby reached out and let me know about her most recent book, My Refuge: Four Girls from Around the World, Imprisoned by Circumstances but Pursued by Hope, the first in the Follow in the Dark series. Not only is the cover stunning, but I am so touched by the ministry possibilities behind this book.

Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

Christian fiction for teen girls learning to follow Jesus in a broken world.

Four girls face the hardships of isolation in remote corners of the planet. Their journeys will be messy, of course. One of them will struggle with growing anger, and another with crippling anxiety. One will drift toward despair. Another will battle surprising temptation. While facing challenges they wouldn’t have chosen, what refuge can they seek? What hope can they cling to?

Not always at their best but also never abandoned, read along as Eden, Zahra, Mei and Katya discover that they are pursued and deeply loved by God. Their raw and relatable stories might point your heart to fresh hope, too.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

This collection of four short stories of different young women around the world is excellent to share with young Christian women. It is clear that the author has a heart for ministering to this audience and that she is passionate about helping the next generation of Christians grow in their faith. Each story depicts a scenario of young women feeling confined or imprisoned, including an American in the hospital's ICU, a Syrian in a refuge camp, a Canadian in her apartment during the pandemic, and a Ukrainian in a bomb shelter. As the stories are quite current, it was illuminating to step into these shoes and see global conditions through their eyes.

This book brings the verse from Psalm 46:1 to life by showing how God is our rescuer and comforter when circumstances look bleak. Meant to be a discipleship resource in the form of these stories, I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to share God's message of hope and light in the darkness. My Refuge is the first in the Follow in the Dark series and I look forward to seeing more from Ashley Al Saliby as she shares the heart of Jesus with young women. This is a book that I could not only relate to now, particularly through the story of Mei, it is a book that I wish I had as a teenager!

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍

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