About the Book
Author: Samantha Roman
Genre: Christian YA
Release Date: June 4, 2025
Fifteen-year-old Candy Chancellor must choose between holding onto yesterday’s pain or the hope of tomorrow. When her father is tragically killed weeks before her baby brother is expected, Candy is tossed from being a happy home schooled girl to the new girl at Christian school- with a seat in front of her new best enemy. Now that her grieving mother is unable to provide any true support, Candy relies on the help of two of her new friends from school, an old friend of the family, and tries to find God in the midst of it all.
Real estate tycoon Leslie Chancellor must make a choice between life or death and this time she doesn’t have her husband to help her. When Robert Chancellor is tragically killed, Leslie spirals into a deep darkness she can’t escape. Now that Candy is chasing her dreams of being a super star, Leslie must rely on an old family friend, a kind colleague, and new friend she didn’t plan on meeting.
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My Review
This novel for young adults explores some serious issues, including the sudden death of a parent. Candy deals with long term grief, anger and resentment. Her mother becomes an alcoholic, another serious issue. One of the major questions the plot touches upon is why God allows tragedy. It was good to see how Candy is confronted with a clear presentation of the gospel and the need to grow into a place of forgiveness.
Roman's writing style is straight forward and not sophisticated, good for young readers. Candy's family is very wealthy. The high end gifts given and catered meals might represent a level of living most young people would not be able to appreciate. That wealthy lifestyle did lead into an exploration of prejudice toward the poor, by others, not by Candy nor her mother.
The novel is written in a dual point of view, Candy and her mother. That is not a favorite style of mine. While the person is identified at the beginning of each chapter, it can be confusing when reading an ebook as I did.
This is a young adult novel that may contain trigger situations. I liked the clear presentation of the gospel and the character growth shown in Candy. The novel ends with unfinished business so I will be looking for the sequel.
My rating: 4/5 stars.
About the Author
Samantha Roman is a Christian author who loves sharing heartwarming fiction with readers all over the world. She writes by day and is a mystery movie watcher at night. When she isn’t writing or watching movies, you can catch her with her family and puppy!
More from Samantha
You wanted to read Christian fiction, but nothing with too much “romance.”
You sing your part of the duet, but your dad doesn’t answer.
Blog Stops
Simple Harvest Reads, August 8 (Author Interview)
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 9
Artistic Nobody, August 10 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, August 10
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 11
Guild Master, August 12 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 13
Fiction Book Lover, August 14 (Author Interview)
Leslie’s Library Escape, August 15
A Reader’s Brain , August 16 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, August 16
lakesidelivingsite, August 17
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 18 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 19
Vicky Sluiter, August 20 (Author Interview)
Life on Chickadee Lane, August 21
(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)
4 comments:
Sounds like a great read.
This looks like an awesome read. Thanks for sharing.
Gorgeous cover
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