Review: Not by Sight by Kate Breslin

Not by Sight

by Kate Breslin

 

 

Received from the publishers Bethany House Publishing through Netgalley for an honest review.

Grace Mabry, determined to help the war effort after seeing her brother go to fight in the trenches, decides to hand out white feathers to conscientious objectors at a party with her maid and friend, Agnes. However, when she hands out a feather to Jack Bennington, she unravels a thread of danger and betrayal that she could never see coming.

Not by Sight is the second novel from the award-winning Kate Breslin, her first being For Such a Time. I have not read her first novel, so this is my first foray into Breslin's Christian fiction.

This book lured me in with a beautiful cover and an intriguing premise - romance, friendship, forgiveness, faith and espionage; what more could a girl want? I have to say I wasn't disappointed while reading, the plot kept me engaged and I finished the novel quite quickly. Breslin gives us flawed characters, hidden agendas and a swoon-worthy lead in a plot that recalls Beauty and the Beast, The Phantom of the Opera and even a little Jane Eyre.

As this is Christian fiction, the subject of faith was an underlying theme throughout the novel; however, I do not think that it was overdone. Throughout Breslin's writing, we see the different characters suffering with types of blindness and the journey some of them are able to take through darkness into the light - to walk by faith and not by sight.

All in all, this was an enjoyable easy read. My only complaint is that sometimes Grace seemed a little too good. I would recommend this to those who enjoyed Julianne Donaldson's Edenbrooke or other Christian historical fiction novels.

Not By Sight is currently available in Kindle Edition and comes out in paperback in the UK on 4 September 2015. It is available in both formats in the US.

Review: No Matter What

No Matter What

by Sally Donovan

Goodreads Description:

'I love you, no matter what.' This book tells the uplifting true story of an ordinary couple who build an extraordinary family - describing Sally and Rob Donovan's journey from a diagnosis of infertility to their decision to adopt two children who suffered abuse in their early life. Writing with incisive wit and honesty, Sally Donovan movingly describes the difficulties of living with infertility when friends and family have no idea, and the emotional process of arriving at a decision to adopt. She recounts the bewildering logistics of adoption and, after finally Sally and Rob are joyfully matched with siblings Jaymee and Harlee, how their joy is followed by shock as they discover disturbing details of their children's past. Determined to heal their children, Sally and Rob realise they will need to go 'beyond parenting' to give them with the help they need. By turns heart-rending, inspiring and hilarious, Sally and Rob's story offers a rare insight into the world of adoptive parents and just what it takes to bring love to the lives of traumatised children.

This book is insightful and, at times, heartbreaking. Donovan highlights the fact that the end of the adoption process is not the end of the journey, that there's so much more before and afterwards. I haven't read anything before has been so honest about adoption - the highs and the lows.

I would thoroughly recommend this to any parent or especially anyone considering the adoption process or anyone who has adopted.

Review: If I Stay

If I Stay

by Gayle Forman

Goodreads Description:

Everybody has to make choices. Some might break you. For seventeen-year-old Mia, surrounded by a wonderful family, friends and a gorgeous boyfriend decisions might seem tough, but they're all about a future full of music and love, a future that's brimming with hope. 

But life can change in an instant. 

A cold February morning ...a snowy road ...and suddenly all of Mia's choices are gone. Except one. As alone as she'll ever be, Mia must make the most difficult choice of all. 

With the film trailer out, I thought I'd better post an overdue review of this little beauty!

This was my first Gayle Forman, and I'm hooked. Although short, this story is beautifully sweet and believable. The stream of consciousness style lends so well to this story and the characters felt well-rounded. I especially loved Adam. You will be left wanting more, so be sure to check out the companion novel Where She Went. I still cannot believe I picked this gorgeous hardback like new for £1 from a charity shop!

What did you think of If I Stay and are you excited for the upcoming film? 

March Wrap Up

I'm pretty late posting this, so let's just get straight to it! This month I finished...

City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3)

 by Cassandra Clare 

 I enjoyed this but guessed early on the big plot twist.

 If I Stay

by Gail Forman

 I picked up this beautiful hardcover edition for a bargain £1 from a local charity shop. And I really liked it. Short and sweet. 

 The Help 

by Kathryn Stockett 

A re-read for book club. Enjoyed this just as much as the first time.

 Divergent

 by Veronica Roth 

Why I waited to long to read this I do not know! Really enjoyed it, although Tris did annoy me at times.

The Geography of You and Me 

by Jennifer E. Smith 

A really cute contemporary romance that I received from netgalley. Will release a full review near the release date, 15 April.

 And the books I started but didn't finish... 

 Prep 

by Curtis Sittenfeld 

I was excited for this book and I was thoroughly disappointed. I found Lee to be pretty depressing and I just couldn't connect with her. However, Sittenfeld's writing is great as per usual.

 On Beauty 

by Zadie Smith 

 I just was not in the mood for this. May loan it from the library at a later stage. For that reason I won't be giving this a rating just yet, I don't feel that would be fair.

March was a busy month for me, again, so I didn't read as much as I wanted to. Although I didn't do too badly! Later this week I'll tell you what I'm reading this month. Until then, what was your favourite read in the last month?