Skip to main content

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 me with 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: 👍
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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. 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, you’ll receive powerful in...
Post a Comment
Read more

Friday Reads

While sharing my weekly reads has helped me to read a bit more than usual, I have to admit that it also incites a little panic in me when I realize that all the books I had hoped to complete are still in various stages of progress. At the same time, it also indicates to me that I do have more time to read if I don't get distracted by other activities, like scrolling on my phone 😀 This week, I'll be working on the following books: 📘 Christian fiction: Between Stairs and Stardust by Pepper Basham 📗 Christian non-fiction: Pilgrimage by Lynn Austin 📙 Non-Christian fiction: Elizabeth: Obstinate Headstrong Girl from The Quill Collective 📕 Non-Christian non-fiction: Simple and Delicious Vegan by Michaela Vais I'm looking forward to all sorts of reads this weekend!
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: The God You Need to Know

Pneumatology is a subject I confess that I don't focus on as much, so I was intrigued by The God You Need to Know by Margaret Feinberg, particularly given its Old Testament perspective. In studying the intersection of faith and the arts during seminary and recounting how the Spirit was first given to Bezalel and Oholiab, I was delighted to discover an entire chapter devoted to the Artisan Spirit, making this book an enriching read. Many thanks to ICON Media Group  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Discover answers to your biggest questions about the Holy Spirit--and invite the Spirit to move in your life in powerful, real, tangible ways. Everyone has questions about the Holy Spirit. If faith in Jesus provides my connection to God, then what role does the Holy Spirit play? How is the Spirit part of my day-to-day relationship with Christ? And why doesn't the Spirit's work play out in my life the w...
Post a Comment
Read more