★ Like mother, like daughter? Mary sure hopes not. ★
Two decades ago, Mary's mom walked out. A few days later, her dad started drinking. He never stopped. Mary swore off alcohol. She also decided she'd never have kids, just in case she took after her parents.
A year ago, Mary's boyfriend dumped her because she didn't want to have any children.
Yesterday, for the first time in a year, Mary met someone. Someone hunky. Someone smart. Someone who made her goofy smile. Someone who sent a shiver up her spine.
Tomorrow she's going on a first date.
She won't find out he's a widower with two kids for at least two more days. Can she overcome her fear and find the faith to trust someone else. . .and herself?
Assessment:
Plot: Despite the complexities littered throughout this tale, Finding Faith reads like the honeymoon stage of a relationship. It’s filled with laughter, an idealized reality, and an endless craving for the story to continue. Luke’s and Mary’s love offers a temporary euphoria that shows romance is sometimes found where it is least expected.
Prose/Style: Baker’s dialogue has the capacity to reflect the diction of a thirty-year-old and a five-year-old, encompassing a wide range of perspectives. Amy’s and Chase’s imperfect sputters and continual deviance paint an authentic picture of children's behavior.
Originality: The Christmas setting nearly typecasts this book with all the novelistic qualities of a Hallmark movie. The honeyed beginning and equally passionate ending provide a childish delight that kindles the spirit of a hopeless romantic.
Character Development/Execution: With an opening line that is both assertive and striking, the book begins with a strong narrator who claims her own story. As Mary tells her past, she becomes vulnerable with those in her life and her readers.
Date Submitted: May 04, 2021
