This is Rachel’s most recent novel. It just came out on August 4th. I have read both of her previous books and loved them. Before winning this book from the author, I had read the prologue and first chapter in her publisher’s Instagram stories and was hooked. Agnes Pratt runs from her past only for her past to follow her to her new town six years later. James Harris doesn’t understand what happened that caused Agnes to leave him without even saying goodbye, but he comes to Penance to find out. “A Life Once Dreamed” is an amazing novel that lets you see the many facets of life and also shows you that people can react many different ways to the same experience. It shows you how a person can have compassion for those around them and how contagious that can be. If you are looking for a book that shows you all is not lost in the world, then this is the book for you.
Review of “The White Rose Resists” by Amanda Barratt
This is my first time reading one of Amanda Barratt’s novels. It is a novel based on the true story of Sophie and Hans Scholl as well as some of the friends that were part of a group called “The White Rose”. I thoroughly enjoy reading books based on World War II and even more ones based on true stories. With this novel, you can tell that the author did a good amount of research into the actual story especially the ending of the book. The only thing that concerned me with the novel was that I had a feeling that it would not be a fast read which it was not. There are some German words thrown in that slowed me down and the content is a little on the heavier side which I think slowed me down some. However, even though it was a slower read than I normally like, I thought that the story itself was so interesting that it made up for the slower pace of the book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is into World War II novels.
Review of “Sea Glass Castle” by T.I. Lowe
This is the third book in “The Carolina Coast Series” and I have to say that it maybe my favorite of the three because of the antics of the three main male characters, Lincoln, August, and Wes. Honestly I liked these guys so much in this one that I would love for there to be a three book series that makes each of them the main character in each of the three books. You would think in books like these that the male main character would sometimes be overshadowed by the female main character but that definitely does not happen in this book! And then you have the three girls, Opal, Josie and Sophia plus all the minor characters like the Knitting Club women who all cause you to be rolling on the floor laughing at their antics. However, there are some serious moments in this book that are so well written you will be looking for your box of tissues. I have to say if you haven’t read this book, then I recommend you do! And definitely get the first two while you are at it.
Review of “The Edge of Belonging” by Amanda Cox
“The Edge of Belonging” is Amanda Cox’s debut novel. This is a split-time novel which means you get to go along with the main characters in the present as well as the past. You get to learn about the main character, Ivy Rose, both as a child and as an adult. You also will encounter some other remarkable people that are her adopted family. Ivy’s life did not start out like you would expect a baby’s life to start which is in a hospital with her birth mother. Nor is her adoption into her new family the way you would expect either. However, the one thing you would expect and hope would be true with any adoption of a baby is the love of family. Ivy does find that love among several people. Amanda Cox does an amazing job of bringing her characters and their world to life so that you feel as though you are right there with them. As she switches between past and present, she makes it easy to follow so that you are not confused or wondering which time period you are currently reading. If you are looking for a great book about love, forgiveness, and adoption, then I would definitely recommend this book. Not once was I bored with this story and at times I found it hard to put down in order to do things I needed to get done. I have to say that if this book is an example of how well written all of Amanda Cox’s future books will be then I would love to read all of them.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in order to give an honest review.
Review of “The Pages of Her Life” by James L. Rubart
I have read almost all of James L. Rubart’s books with my favorite probably being the first one I ever read by him called “Rooms”. In fact, I was surprised (since it’s been awhile since I read Rooms) when I recognized the name, Micah Taylor, and background story of one of the minor characters in this book as the main character from “Rooms”. As you can tell from my previous statements, I highly recommend this book. In “The Pages of Her Life”, you meet Allison who is at her wits end with her personal and professional life. She is getting fed up with her partner who was her best friend until they tried going into business together. She is divorced and living alone until things with her mom go south which causes her mom to have to move in. Then all of a sudden she ends up with this mysterious journal. James L. Rubart does an excellent job of creating not only his fictional characters but also the world they live. You definitely feel the emotions as the characters are feeling them. Also one of the parts about his books I’ve always loved is the lesson you can get from the stories. No matter where you are in life you can find something about his books to which you can relate. If you have never read his books before, then I recommend you start today or whenever you finish the book you are currently reading. You can start with any of his books. However, he does have a series that you should read in order and I would definitely read “Rooms” before this one so that Micah Taylor’s appearance in this one will make more sense.