Synopsis:
Audrey's
dream if finally coming true. Now that their five kids are grown, she
and her husband Grant are turning their family home into a bed and
breakfast near Langhorne, Missouri. The opening weekend celebration
is interrupted by the arrival of their youngest, Landyn. She has just
driven from New York with a U-Haul. Chase, her husband of six months
and an artist struggling to make a name for himself, had taken on a
new living arrangement without even informing Landyn. It was far away
from her work and very small. She has come back home to think things
through. Audrey and Grant try to make their dream come true even as
they help their daughter and son-in-law work through shattered
dreams. The situation gets even more complicated when Landyn reveals
that she is pregnant.
My
review:
I
really enjoyed this novel. Raney has given us much to think about.
Landyn and Chase's marriage has hit a rough spot. Chase made a huge
decision in signing the lease on a studio apartment without
consulting Landyn. Even though it would be a better location for his
art work, it would mean long hours in commute for Landyn, whose job
was currently supporting them. She is upset. He thinks he did what
God was telling him to do. There is much to think about in this
situation. The wife is supposed to obey her husband but the husband
is supposed to love his wife and sacrifice for her as Christ did for
the church. And what about Chase's career? Should he get a job so he
could support them while his art career is getting off the ground?
Isn't he supposed to be the breadwinner?
Another
thought provoking issue is knowing the will of God. Chase is sure he
heard God when he signed for that studio apartment. Was it really God
or his own desire speaking to him? How does one know when he has
really heard from God?
In
the background to these issues is the relationship between Audrey and
Grant. Their marriage has stood the test of time and is weathering a
rough beginning to the bed and breakfast business. Both of them try
to be supportive of Landyn and Chase without interfering too much. It
is a delicate endeavor and much prayer helps them pursue a firm yet
loving attitude.
This
is a great novel about second chances, about imperfect people trying
to follow a perfect God. It is encouraging to see what God can do
with the messes we make of our lives.
Discussion
questions are provided so this would make an excellent choice for a
reading group.
Food
for thought in words from Landyn's grandmother to Chase:
“Quit
beating yourself up over this. If there's one thing I've learned,
it's that God rarely works in ways that make sense to us while
they're happening. All too often, it's only after we look back,
sometimes many years later – often, truth be told, peering over
heaven's balcony – that we can make sense of the way He was
working.”
I
am taking part in a blog tour of this book and you can read other
reviews here.
Deborah
Raney has won many awards, including the RITA, National Readers
Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, the Carol Award, and has twice been a
Christy Award finalist. She and her husband live in Wichita. You can
find out more about her and her books at http://DeborahRaney.com.
Abingdon
Press, 272 pages. Please visit your local Christian bookstore to
purchase this book.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book through Litfuse for the
purpose of an independent and honest review.
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