I'm Going on an Adventure: January 2022

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water by Erin Bartels

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Photo from GoodReads.com

About:

When Kendra Brennan moves into her grandfather's old cabin on Hidden Lake, she has a problem and a plan. The problem? An inflammatory letter from A Very Disappointed Reader that's keeping her from writing her next novel as long as its claims go unanswered. The plan? To confront Tyler, her childhood best friend's brother--and the man who inspired the antagonist in her first book--in order to prove to herself that she told the truth as all good novelists should.

What she discovers as she delves into the murky past is not what she expected. Facing Tyler isn't easy, but facing the truth of her failed friendship with his sister, Cami, may be the hardest thing she's ever had to do.

Description from GoodReads.com

Review:

I have mixed feelings about this book. Erin Bartels never fails to dive deep into tricky subjects that many books avoid, and she does so with finesse. I admire her for this, as I think we need more books that authentically explore the hard topics. However, I wasn't a big fan of this story in particular.

While the story has an intriguing start, I began to lose interest as things went on. Things began to pick up a little towards the middle, but I still had a hard time keeping focused on what was going on in the story. The content also went a little farther than I was used to -a sex scene, unwanted by the MC, and not described in detail, but startling in a book on the Christian market. It was also a little surprising since the book's back cover copy was vague, and for a long time I had no idea what the book was really about.

I understand that the author went through a similar situation so I don't want to be unfeeling as to how the story played out, however I wish there had been more hope in the story. I understand that life doesn't always work that way, but I left it feeling a bit depressed.

The writing and cover? A+. The story itself is one that I'm more conflicted about.

I voluntarily received this book from the publisher in order to write an honest review. All opinions are truly my own.

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Time Travel

Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Photo from GoodReads.com

About:

In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Harrison cares deeply for Ellen, but as a wheelchair-bound paraplegic, he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship. However, he's desperately trying to save her by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease.

When he locates two flasks, Ellen refuses to drink one of them because she believes the holy water killed her sister and father. In an effort to convince her to take it, Harrison ingests the contents first, and when Ellen witnesses the effects, she can no longer deny the power of the substance in the bottles. Dangerous criminals are also seeking the holy water, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug--including sending her back into the past to find it for them.

Description from GoodReads.com

Review:

Ellen and Harrison are both interesting characters and I especially enjoyed the first part of their story together. However, especially as the story progressed, I began to feel detached from what was happening. I just couldn't connect with the story, which is kind of how I felt while reading Stay With Me, book one in the series. Maybe it's the time period they're traveling back to that disinterests me- I've never been too fond of that time in history. The plot also felt rushed and lacking in depth.

I love the concept- two people, who have never been able to live life the way they wished due to health problems, confronted with a magical water that can turn back time- and also heal the body. What is morally right in this situation? Who should drink of this water- Ellen or Harrison? The kids in the hospital that Ellen helps at? Who is deserving of healing? I think Jody does a pretty good job of answering the questions in Never Leave Me, and it's in an engaging way through time travel. I just wish the plot itself had felt less rushed- I really wanted to like this book more.

I voluntarily received this book from the publisher in order to write an honest review. All opinions are truly my own.