SOFTLY AND TENDERLY, the sequel to The Sweet By and By captivated my mind and heart from the first paragraph.
I read my copy in just over a day. What I loved- among several things about this story- is the faith message. While most books shy away from a strong “come to Christ” message- this book tackled the issue head on-earning my quick respect.
This definitely has a “soap opera” feel to it as the back of the book suggests. But where the two part company is a soap opera never shows hope, this book while filled with great conflict and characters in trial, the end message is filled with great hope for the future. I don’t think I gave anything away there… The characters are flawed and broken, but what I love about them is as they are brought to their weakest, they must learn to stand on the Rock- Christ.
The only thing I struggle with is the issue about divorce and remarriage. Not that I mind that topic, but it does open it up for controversy. It can be a sticky issue, especially when marital unfaithfulness isn’t necessarily involved.
However, that aside, I was gripped from beginning to end. The writing is excellent, the story flows naturally forward and in the end I found myself with great eagerness for the next book. Winter of 2012 is a long way off unfortunately!
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publisher for my copy to review.
Can't wait to read this. We read The Sweet By and By for book club a couple of months ago, and I really enjoyed that one.
ReplyDeleteThen you will definately like this one! This one is my favorite of the two, so I think you will like this one! :)
ReplyDeleteI read the first book in the series for a blog tour and then won Dining With Joy in Rachel Hauck's contest. Now I have to get my hands on this book! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI have read several of Rachel's books including reading "Dining with Joy" now. This book sounds like a definite read.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
@Renee Ann, congrats on winning that book! I LOVED DWJ. I quickly became a Rachel Hauck fan and now I need to check out her backlist. :)
ReplyDelete@Jo, this one is very good, if you like her other books, you will like this one! :)
Thanks for coming by ladies!
Softly and Tenderly by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck is a very thought provoking and inspiring book. but a little bit too draggy for me, though. It is about having faith and forgiveness in things that happens in life. This book is a sequel of 'Sweet by and By'. I did not read 'Sweet By and By', but I think this book can be read as a stand alone. The story is concrete and solid even on it's own.
ReplyDelete