Scan barcode
meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
Grace Restored takes us back to Freedom Lake & the circle of friends we first met in Returning Home. While we certainly get lots of page time with Jo, Evan, Chloe, and Darryl the focus of this second book is Michelle and Guy. And boy do they have a story to tell!
I was very curious about their story because, of the six friends, Michelle has been the most closed-off toward a relationship with God (although that’s a toss up with Guy) & Guy has the most emotional story. Or so I thought. As Grace Restored progresses, we get more insight into each of these character dimensions and put together details which reveal a powerful & moving layer I wasn’t expecting. We see real people struggling with real questions, wrestling with honest faith, affected by the consequences of sin and the pain of a broken world. Yet at the same time, Shiloh meets their brokenness with the One who brings restoration, grace and healing.
Despite the heavy topics that Shiloh addresses in Grace Restored, it’s not what I would consider a heavy story. She knows exactly when a lighter scene is needed, when Guy’s precocious little girls need to have a ‘tea pawty’, when the reader’s heart needs to be lifted. But in doing so, she also doesn’t take away from the poignancy of the restoration that is taking place in her characters’ lives. Shiloh stays sensitive to that balance throughout the story, leaving you examining your own heart in the weightier scenes even as you are warmed by the lighter moments.
Bottom Line: Toni Shiloh writes with grace and heart, and it’s perhaps never clearer than in Grace Restored. Her characters are allowed to ask tough questions and hear some tough answers – answers which are, however, wrapped in grace and mercy. The weekly Bible studies and natural conversations between the circle of friends lead to organic faith discussions, and the personal pain experienced by the characters leaves room for Jesus to bring healing to the readers as well. If you are seeking diverse characters who go through real-life struggles and ask honest faith questions, then you need to be reading Toni Shiloh’s books!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
I was very curious about their story because, of the six friends, Michelle has been the most closed-off toward a relationship with God (although that’s a toss up with Guy) & Guy has the most emotional story. Or so I thought. As Grace Restored progresses, we get more insight into each of these character dimensions and put together details which reveal a powerful & moving layer I wasn’t expecting. We see real people struggling with real questions, wrestling with honest faith, affected by the consequences of sin and the pain of a broken world. Yet at the same time, Shiloh meets their brokenness with the One who brings restoration, grace and healing.
Despite the heavy topics that Shiloh addresses in Grace Restored, it’s not what I would consider a heavy story. She knows exactly when a lighter scene is needed, when Guy’s precocious little girls need to have a ‘tea pawty’, when the reader’s heart needs to be lifted. But in doing so, she also doesn’t take away from the poignancy of the restoration that is taking place in her characters’ lives. Shiloh stays sensitive to that balance throughout the story, leaving you examining your own heart in the weightier scenes even as you are warmed by the lighter moments.
Bottom Line: Toni Shiloh writes with grace and heart, and it’s perhaps never clearer than in Grace Restored. Her characters are allowed to ask tough questions and hear some tough answers – answers which are, however, wrapped in grace and mercy. The weekly Bible studies and natural conversations between the circle of friends lead to organic faith discussions, and the personal pain experienced by the characters leaves room for Jesus to bring healing to the readers as well. If you are seeking diverse characters who go through real-life struggles and ask honest faith questions, then you need to be reading Toni Shiloh’s books!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
betherin02's review against another edition
5.0
Full review on Faithfully Bookish
Loss, illness, circumstances. Life is messy. Grieving, doubting, hating. Humans are flawed. Authenticity. God’s grace covers it all. Redemption, restoration, promise, and hope.
Emotions put my reader heart through the wringer as I revisited this group of friends I’ve grown so fond of since Returning Home. The folks of Freedom Lake do NOT have it all together (not even close) but honestly, that’s a big reason I appreciate them so much. I’ll say it again, “authenticity.” Life knocks them down yet they continue seeking, learning, and growing together. This group of friends is tried and true and the way they do life together is inspiring. Shiloh dives into the Word, offering truth and encouragement straight from the Source, without coming across as preachy or sugar coated.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Loss, illness, circumstances. Life is messy. Grieving, doubting, hating. Humans are flawed. Authenticity. God’s grace covers it all. Redemption, restoration, promise, and hope.
Emotions put my reader heart through the wringer as I revisited this group of friends I’ve grown so fond of since Returning Home. The folks of Freedom Lake do NOT have it all together (not even close) but honestly, that’s a big reason I appreciate them so much. I’ll say it again, “authenticity.” Life knocks them down yet they continue seeking, learning, and growing together. This group of friends is tried and true and the way they do life together is inspiring. Shiloh dives into the Word, offering truth and encouragement straight from the Source, without coming across as preachy or sugar coated.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
cordiallybarbara's review against another edition
4.0
On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, Grace Restored by Toni Shiloh is a filled pastry. Savory or sweet, the only way to sometimes know what's on the inside is to take a bite. Try not to allow your expectation to influence your taste buds.
Michelle has created her perfect life, but then her high school boyfriend returns to town as a widower with adorable twin daughters. This was not part of the plan. In a small town like Freedom Lake, Michelle can't spend her life avoiding him. When their relationship rekindles, can it stand the test of old secrets?
Grace Restored is book 2 of a series, but it could easily be a standalone novel. Toni Shiloh impressed me with the depth she brought to her characters. Sometimes Christian novels can ignore hard problems, but Toni Shiloh visited some challenging moments and the daily consequences. Although the story mostly focused on Michelle, I enjoyed the Bible study friend group with their own character growth and life changing moments. Toni Shiloh's characters lifted each other up with God's truth, which kept faith as an important component to the story and not just a side note.
If you enjoy modern day fiction with a Christian worldview, Grace Restored by Toni Shiloh is for you.
Michelle has created her perfect life, but then her high school boyfriend returns to town as a widower with adorable twin daughters. This was not part of the plan. In a small town like Freedom Lake, Michelle can't spend her life avoiding him. When their relationship rekindles, can it stand the test of old secrets?
Grace Restored is book 2 of a series, but it could easily be a standalone novel. Toni Shiloh impressed me with the depth she brought to her characters. Sometimes Christian novels can ignore hard problems, but Toni Shiloh visited some challenging moments and the daily consequences. Although the story mostly focused on Michelle, I enjoyed the Bible study friend group with their own character growth and life changing moments. Toni Shiloh's characters lifted each other up with God's truth, which kept faith as an important component to the story and not just a side note.
If you enjoy modern day fiction with a Christian worldview, Grace Restored by Toni Shiloh is for you.
fiction_aficionado's review
4.0
In my opinion, Toni Shiloh has delivered her best novel yet with Grace Restored. And she hasn’t shied away from characters who are asking the tough questions, either. Both Michelle and Guy have suffered significant losses in their lives—Michelle lost her parents just as she graduated from school, and Guy lost his wife when she gave birth to his three-year-old twin girls—and they’re struggling with a God who would let that happen. But even more than that, these two have a complicated history of their own…and only one of them knows the full story.
One of the things I’m enjoying the most about this series is the sense of fellowship between all of the characters. There’s Jo and Evan from the first novel in the series—Returning Home—and several other friends we’re getting to know, some of whom I hope will be getting their own stories (Chloe, Holly, I’m looking at you!) They come together for weekly Bible study, and if you love authentic discussion between a group of young-ish believers (and in some cases pre-believers) then you’ll love the discussions this group has. Not only are they there for each other spiritually, but they support one another through difficult life circumstances—and Michelle isn’t the only candidate for that kind of support here, as Chloe begins the process of trying to find her father.
But I think my favourite aspect of this novel is the way Michelle and Guy were forced to confront the areas of hard-heartedness in their lives—not just spiritually, but towards those who have wronged them or hurt them. I don’t want to say too much in case I give anything away, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself tearing up!
I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for these characters.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
One of the things I’m enjoying the most about this series is the sense of fellowship between all of the characters. There’s Jo and Evan from the first novel in the series—Returning Home—and several other friends we’re getting to know, some of whom I hope will be getting their own stories (Chloe, Holly, I’m looking at you!) They come together for weekly Bible study, and if you love authentic discussion between a group of young-ish believers (and in some cases pre-believers) then you’ll love the discussions this group has. Not only are they there for each other spiritually, but they support one another through difficult life circumstances—and Michelle isn’t the only candidate for that kind of support here, as Chloe begins the process of trying to find her father.
But I think my favourite aspect of this novel is the way Michelle and Guy were forced to confront the areas of hard-heartedness in their lives—not just spiritually, but towards those who have wronged them or hurt them. I don’t want to say too much in case I give anything away, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself tearing up!
I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for these characters.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
marylinfurumasu's review
5.0
Another fantastic story by Toni Shiloh. This is the second book in the Freedom Lake series. It was fun to read Michelle and Guy's story. They each had so many issues they were both working through. I loved how the author covered sensitive issues with tenderness and God's love. She brought in colorful word pictures and deep emotions.
There was a quote in the book which grabbed me; "Think of it like a swimmer going against the current. He will exhaust himself. All his efforts are futile. But when he goes with the current, he gains more speed and covers more space than he ever imagined. " This is talking about letting God lead and not fighting it.
I truly loved all the drama, humor and romance. Guy's two twin girls were so entertaining. I enjoyed the way they talked and their personalities. I also enjoyed reading about some of her past characters and all the interaction between them. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
I highly recommend reading this series and getting to know Jo, Evan, Michelle, Guy and soon Chloe, and Darryl's story. So Good!
There was a quote in the book which grabbed me; "Think of it like a swimmer going against the current. He will exhaust himself. All his efforts are futile. But when he goes with the current, he gains more speed and covers more space than he ever imagined. " This is talking about letting God lead and not fighting it.
I truly loved all the drama, humor and romance. Guy's two twin girls were so entertaining. I enjoyed the way they talked and their personalities. I also enjoyed reading about some of her past characters and all the interaction between them. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
I highly recommend reading this series and getting to know Jo, Evan, Michelle, Guy and soon Chloe, and Darryl's story. So Good!
tonishiloh's review
Dear Readers,
I hope you enjoy your return trip to Freedom Lake. Grace Restored centers around Michelle Thomas and Guy Pierre, two secondary characters from Returning Home. They each battle with the bad in the world and the ideal of a good God. I pray their journey blesses you and enriches your own faith journey.
Blessings,
Toni
I hope you enjoy your return trip to Freedom Lake. Grace Restored centers around Michelle Thomas and Guy Pierre, two secondary characters from Returning Home. They each battle with the bad in the world and the ideal of a good God. I pray their journey blesses you and enriches your own faith journey.
Blessings,
Toni
More...