Review: My Way - Follow in the Dark #2

This is a sequel that I have been looking forward to ever since reading the first book, My Refuge. My Way, the second book in the Follow in the Dark series by Ashley Al Saliby, picks up from the last book and grants us a further look at the lives of four young Christian women around the world and what they're facing.

I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

For four modern girls in vastly different settings, the Sermon on the Mount is about to get uncomfortably relevant.

The sequel to "My Refuge" is the second in the Follow in the Dark series, a set of YA Christian contemporary novels that trace the stories of four 15 year old girls navigating circumstances they wish they could change in Texas, Ukraine, Toronto and the largest refugee camp in the world: Zaatari.

"As their stories continue, the lives of Eden, Katya, Mei and Zahra will shift. Circumstances will change. New challenges will arise. One of them will find herself betrayed by someone she thought she could trust. Another will begin to question what she thought she knew. One of them will come face to face with her greatest fear, and one will discover that starting over is harder than she would have imagined.

Their journeys prompt the question: How do we know what we really believe – by the truths we assent to, or by the choices we make?"

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

What a joy to continue walking alongside Eden, Katya, Zahra, and Mei as they grow in their Christian faith and better understand what it means to be disciples of Jesus Christ. These lovely young women are so dear as they navigate the pressures of growing up in very different contexts. At the same time, I love that their journeys converge based on shared commonalities such as experiencing loneliness, fear, and uncertainty. Together, they embody what faithfulness can look like, no matter where we are in life.

I am so grateful that I've been able to get to know these four young women and their stories ranging from Canada and the US to London and a refugee camp. Ashley Al Saliby clearly loves writing about the hope and life we can find in Jesus, and it is my sincere prayer that her books will bless those of the next generation growing up. Her vision of using these fictional books to impart truth is a fantastic way to encourage deeper discussion. Anyone working with young women or who have daughters of this age will benefit greatly from both My Refuge and its continuation in My Way.

Book Summary

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

Comments

Double Takes

Continuing on the theme of books that can be labourious to get through, I've been coming across more and more content in Christian fiction that has me scratching my head, though they don't necessarily always affect the rating of the book (unless they're all piled on egregiously or something, but that hasn't happened yet). To be honest, a double take is usually the extent of what I give these mentions, but I do find it interesting that there is a bit of a shift in what can be included in Christian fiction nowadays. There are just a few of the ones that have stood out to me over the past while, though I'm sure there could be more added to the list as well. Luck/chance . I have caught myself in the past wishing someone "good luck" even though I don't believe in it, so I've tried to shift to saying things like, "all the best" or "I'll be thinking of you," even if it's a little longer or more awkward to say. All that to say,

Review: Captured in Frame: Bite of Betrayal #1

In reading the premise of this book, I was definitely intrigued off the bat. A Canadian in the English countryside? A peaceful little cottage that is not as it seems? Suspicious activities that need an answer? Sign me up for this British mystery! Captured in Frame is the first in the Bite of Betrayal series by Laura Thomas, set in the typically quaint village of Bramble Downs. I am grateful to the publisher, Mountain Brook Ink , for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : scenes of violence and death, infidelity and marital breakdown, depression and suicide, miscarriages and infertility Book Synopsis In an idyllic village nestled in the English countryside, photographer Georgia Brooks is desperate to begin a new chapter in her life. Bramble Cottage was supposed to give her space to heal and hope again after suffering betrayal and rejection by the only man she ever loved. This was Georgia’s chance to rekindle her faith and

Weighing the Effort

It's been just a little bit less than a year since I've started blogging again and creating a social media account to share about my love of books. Sometimes, I look back to when I first started and envision all of the changes that have happened in my life since that time. A lot of the changes have been absolutely splendid, where I could not imagine having a more fun year in connecting with authors and readers alike. Other changes have required more effort than should be necessary, which has resulted in additional strain. Though I haven't always been successful, I've tried to foster an attitude of positivity around my account. After all, it's my sheer love of Christian books that has led me to share my thoughts and reviews more publicly. However, for several months now, I have encountered so much friction on my social media account that it's made sharing content all the more difficult, especially since the majority of people interact with me over there rather th