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andreanourse's review
5.0
Unexpected, Real
Vanessa has a knack for storytelling. The way she weaves together the past and present along with the different characters and perspectives is masterful. I felt like I really knew Meg and Charlie. I can’t wait to read more of their story.
Vanessa has a knack for storytelling. The way she weaves together the past and present along with the different characters and perspectives is masterful. I felt like I really knew Meg and Charlie. I can’t wait to read more of their story.
michellembruhn's review
4.0
A beautiful story about faith in the midst of a dark world and trusting both God and your partner as you make your way through it. I loved the characters—especially Piper—and how their struggles sucked me into a world I know next-to-nothing about (that of the military and army wives). And the epilogue made me very curious to find out what happens in the next installment!
therealnerdymom's review
5.0
I didn't know what to expect with this book. I'm so used to the fantasy genre, but I have been wanting to read other genres. I am so glad I picked this up! Vanessa's writing is beautiful and pulled me in right away. I loved the characters and how relatable they are. It was actually hard for me to read at times, because I could relate to some situations and feel for those characters. But, that's what I love, the stories that really pull me in.
mara_jade510's review
5.0
Let me preface this by saying I do not often read Christian fiction. It's just not my cup of tea, though I am indeed a believer. I also do not pick up military fiction unless it's of the science fiction variety. However, Vanessa's first novel about Charlie and Meg Winters was utterly riveting. From the first page I couldn't put it down. I didn't want to! Both Meg and Charlie, as well as the rest of the supporting cast, were relatable and I felt like they were my friends. They jumped off the page as real as if they walked into my house for a cup of coffee.
The military scenes were well written and helped me get a glimpse into what that life is like, which I appreciated. Honestly, I probably could write a paper on this novel, but I'll conclude with the following: the absolute best part of this entire story was the central aspect of the characters' Lutheran faith; we Lutherans are different and it's so hard to find Christian fiction that portrayes the faith accurately. Vanessa does that so well, and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
The military scenes were well written and helped me get a glimpse into what that life is like, which I appreciated. Honestly, I probably could write a paper on this novel, but I'll conclude with the following: the absolute best part of this entire story was the central aspect of the characters' Lutheran faith; we Lutherans are different and it's so hard to find Christian fiction that portrayes the faith accurately. Vanessa does that so well, and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
angiel's review against another edition
5.0
This book... HEART WRENCHING! I admit, I was a little worried when I started this book, because not only is it written by a friend of mine (pressure to love it!) but it also tackled the issues of relationships before, during, and after deployment. I have lived through 2 awful deployments (they are ALL awful) and I worried that this book either would make them seem way too easy to live through, or way too dramatic. Well, Vanessa hit it on the head. The emotions she wrote in such a way that they felt VERY real. Not overly dramatized or glossed over! I felt all the emotions just as I had when deployment, worry, not knowing... when it was all my reality. The story was so good, so real. Not only did it deal with the military aspect of the relationship, but it dealt with the relationship itself. Everyone goes into relationships with baggage, and seeing those relationships in the book was so authentic. I am SO glad that I finally read this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know how it REALLY is to live through this type of life.
r_j_setser's review
5.0
Soldier On is easily the best faith-based Contemporary Romance I’ve ever read, and I do NOT say that lightly…I have lots of favorites.
Wow. That’s really the only word I can say right now. I’ve never read a book that had so much reality of living as a struggling Christian before. Sure, I’ve read some books that have shown this reality before, but this author wasn’t afraid to include the imperfect, normal realities of life that so many faith-based authors like to pretend don’t exist. And what I mean is, the casual curse words that slip from time to time, the enjoyment of an alcoholic beverage (without scrutiny or portrayal of overindulgence), and the jokes or playful remarks that exist among close friends and couples, even Christians. I could relate to oh so much of the friendships and relationships in this book because of how real it is.
The story was phenomenal. It was unpredictable and filled with so many twists that it truly demands your attention. I never hit a spot in which I was bored or wanted to skip ahead either, which is extremely rare for my speed-reading eyes. Every word in this book has a precise purpose and not a single one was wasted, it is truly a flawless novel.
But, be warned. It is intense. Not in a graphic or bloody way, it’s emotionally intense. The arguments, the thoughts, the circumstances, the feelings, the doubt…it hits home and gets real. I am definitely in line for Vanessa Rasanen’s next book and I recommend this book to readers of all types, Christians or not, it really is a story worth remembering.
There is some mile cursing present and mild sexual comments/jokes. The action is intense, however not graphic.
I give Soldier On 5 out of 5 stars.
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.
Wow. That’s really the only word I can say right now. I’ve never read a book that had so much reality of living as a struggling Christian before. Sure, I’ve read some books that have shown this reality before, but this author wasn’t afraid to include the imperfect, normal realities of life that so many faith-based authors like to pretend don’t exist. And what I mean is, the casual curse words that slip from time to time, the enjoyment of an alcoholic beverage (without scrutiny or portrayal of overindulgence), and the jokes or playful remarks that exist among close friends and couples, even Christians. I could relate to oh so much of the friendships and relationships in this book because of how real it is.
The story was phenomenal. It was unpredictable and filled with so many twists that it truly demands your attention. I never hit a spot in which I was bored or wanted to skip ahead either, which is extremely rare for my speed-reading eyes. Every word in this book has a precise purpose and not a single one was wasted, it is truly a flawless novel.
But, be warned. It is intense. Not in a graphic or bloody way, it’s emotionally intense. The arguments, the thoughts, the circumstances, the feelings, the doubt…it hits home and gets real. I am definitely in line for Vanessa Rasanen’s next book and I recommend this book to readers of all types, Christians or not, it really is a story worth remembering.
There is some mile cursing present and mild sexual comments/jokes. The action is intense, however not graphic.
I give Soldier On 5 out of 5 stars.
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.
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