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: 👍
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