Friday, October 6, 2017

If We Make It Home by Christina Suzann Nelson




  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Kregel Publications (September 26, 2017)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0825444950
  • ISBN-13: 978-0825444951

About the Book:

When four college friends graduated from the University of Northwest Oregon, their lives stretched before them, full of promise and vows to stay connected. But life has a way of derailing well-laid plans.

Now they haven't spoken in twenty-five years. But against all odds, three of them have found themselves back in the same place--at their alma mater, wondering how they got there. When they discover their fourth friend, Hope, has died, Jenna, Ireland, and Vicky decide to embark on a wilderness adventure to honor her memory--and for secret reasons of their own. 

Jenna wants to show her husband that she's more than a helpless, overweight, middle-aged empty nester. Ireland wants to get back to the nature she loves and hide from the charges being pressed against her. And Vicky wants to show she cares for something besides her ministry--and put off the disaster waiting at home for as long as possible.

They never bargained for the dangers they face in an unforgiving wilderness. Now they'll have to work together if they hope to make it home alive. While the three women fight to survive the elements, their toughest battles may be with themselves.

My Thoughts:

"If We Make It Home" is an intense and engaging novel by debut author Christina Suzann Nelson.  Normally, this isn't the kind of book I'd pick up for myself--which is just one more reason I love reviewing books!  Sometimes a hidden treasure comes your way and surprises you, and that's exactly what happened with Nelson's book.

Best way to describe "If We Make It Home"...think "Wild", with three points of view and a strong faith element...which already makes this a better book than the other one!  Of course, this is fiction, but still, I enjoyed the story and got lost in the fiction and felt these women were real.

The story is told from three points of view: Jenna, a stay at home mom; Ireland, an earthy, save the planet kind of woman; and Victoria, a successful ministry leader.  But each woman has secrets they've kept buried, and this challenging and dangerous journey draws out the true essence of each woman, helping them to see themselves and each other in a new way.

A shocking event near the beginning of the book left me speechless, and I had no idea how the story would unfold.  But I kept turning pages long into the night.  I couldn't put the book down until I knew that Jenna, Ireland and Victoria were going to be safe and sound.

So imagine my surprise when....oops!  A spoiler almost slipped out!  You'll have to buy a copy and read "If We Make It Home" to find out if they all do make it back.  I received a copy of the book from Kregel Publishing, with no services or obligations in return.

"If We Make It Home" gets my "One To Watch" stamp of approval, with a smattering of "Packs a Punch" for good measure.  I'm eager to read Nelson's next book, and I think you'll truly enjoy "If We Make It Home."

Until the next page turns,

Deena

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