Review: How Can It Be? - A Work in Progress #1

How Can It Be? book cover on blue background

This is not an easy topic to write about, so I give a lot of credit to Kelli Galyean for tackling abortion in the church in How Can It Be? Not only is it addressed in a loving and truthful way in this book, I also give credit to how the church is portrayed in coming alongside women facing this trauma in their lives.

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

Content to be aware of: abortion, social drinking in multiple settings

Book Synopsis

As a college student, Mia Browning shared a carefree weekend with drummer Ryan Blackstone. Soon after, Mia learned she was pregnant, a fact her politically-ambitious parents would not allow to stay true. A forced abortion left her broken and alone.

Ten years later, Mia has found healing and embraced a new life in Christ. Mia arrives at church one Sunday, to find that the new worship minister is none other than the blue-eyed drummer of her past.

Seeing Ryan again after all these years is complicated. Serving at the youth camp means they are often thrown together, creating an unexpected friendship. Growing closer seems inevitable, but will they both have the courage to let go of the past and move forward into something deeper?

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

I appreciate that this romance tackles difficult subjects from a Christian perspective and that it does so with compassion and grace. Almost written in the style of a journal without an epistolary format, readers get to meet Mia Browning and understand why she has been having trouble in the dating department. Despite her relational struggles when it comes to romance, Mia has a thriving and vibrant church community around her, depicting how church members can care for each other and truly be a part of the discipleship journey for newer Christians. The references to church ministry are delightful and a week at summer youth camp brings me right back to being a camp counsellor, providing moments of levity amid the more serious subject of abortion.

The characters are well-rounded, mature, and responsible, which makes for an enjoyable reading experience, especially coupled with snippets of hymns throughout the text. The messages of God's grace, forgiveness, and mercy are powerfully conveyed and lived out, most notably through Ryan, along with some amazing people from the church. This book reveals how true community can in turn provide strength and encouragement to Christians who may be feeling stigmatized because of past sins. If you're looking for a romance that portrays how God can redeem heartbreaking pain and turn it into something beautiful, How Can It Be? shows us that scenario in a moving way.

Book Summary

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

Comments

Review: A Brewed Awakening

With surnames like Austen and Dashwood, you know that the people of Wisteria, North Carolina are just itching for a romance to play out before their eyes. A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham is definitely a rude awakening for Daphne, and it's a fun journey that we get to go on as we see a small town band together to support old and new local businesses. Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : several New Age references including séances, hauntings, and manifestation; symbols of luck; mentions of speaking to and praying to deceased family members; near conflation of deceased family members to deity Book Synopsis Daphne dreams of Mr. Darcy. Finn serves up pints and rock music. Can opposites attract when a tea shop princess meets her pub-owning rival? In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings t...

Review: The Biblio Diet

Over the years, I've had the joy of reading many books on health and nutrition, partly a product of some studies I've done on it and also due to personal interest. As a result, I'm always intrigued when there is a Christian perspective on this subject. I'm grateful that I learnt about The Biblio Diet by Jordan Rubin and Dr. Josh Axe after having previously read Eat Dirt by Dr. Josh Axe. Many thanks to Worthy Books for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis In this breakthrough book, New York Times bestselling authors and nutrition experts Jordan Rubin and Dr. Josh Axe offer a simple and holistic plan for building strength, health, and longevity. Based on the ancient wisdom of the Bible and confirmed by modern science, The Biblio Diet’s intuitive and easy-to-follow plan invites you to experience a breakthrough in the health of your entire family by learning to eat and live God’s way. In this book, y...

Review: A Convenient Marriage - Billionaires' Reunion #5

If you've ever had to organize a family gathering, you know it can be fraught with all sorts of complications. Thankfully, in meeting the Stone family, it's evident that there is much love shared as each sibling works through different circumstances in their lives. A Convenient Marriage by Rose Fresquez is the fifth book in the Billionaires' Reunion series about Wade Stone, and it can be read as a standalone. Book Synopsis He's her late brother's best friend. He doesn't believe in love. And now he's her fake husband. When her brother died, Claire shared guardianship of his daughter with his best friend, Wade. She could handle her one-sided crush on Hollywood’s hotshot producer while he was at arm’s length. But now that toxic relatives want custody of her niece, Claire will do whatever it takes to keep the baby, including faking a marriage with Wade. Wade excels at keeping complications at bay while navigating the glitz of Hollywood. But playing house with ...