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meezcarrie's review
4.0
One of my favorite things about Toni Shiloh’s books is the way she writes such warm stories that also tackle tough issues. It’s not an easy balance to keep the tone friendly and relatable while also wrestling with emotional topics such as abortion, racial identity, abuse, etc. Even with heavy plot lines, the tone of the story never feels heavy itself.
Shiloh shines in this area once again with Finally Accepted. Chloe and Darryl are layered characters who are struggling to feel accepted – by God and by the ones they love. It shows up in different ways in each of them, but the driving force is very similar. Related to their insecurities, these characters also explore racial identity issues, specifically related to being biracial. This perspective was particularly intriguing to me, as a white woman. Chloe’s struggles with not knowing how to relate to herself anymore, with feeling like she wouldn’t be accepted by either race – these are all things that had never occurred to me before, and I so appreciate the author broadening my own perspective in the process.
The romance between Chloe and Darryl has been brewing since book one in the Freedom Lake series, and Darryl in love is just adorably awkward. Lol. He doesn’t know quite what to do with himself whenever Chloe is around – and Chloe is much the same way around Darryl. I very much enjoyed watching the two of them figure out what the rest of us have seen all along.
One final element that I loved about Chloe and Darryl’s relationship was watching them navigate the different steps in their journeys with Jesus. Chloe has been a believer for a long time but her faith is a little shaken by the news she’s received about her family. Darryl is just beginning his relationship with Jesus, and there are lots of ins and outs and ‘finer details’ that he doesn’t quite get yet. Shiloh does a great job here of authentically grasping the faith struggles that both encounter along the way – and framing it from the right perspective.
If you haven’t yet traveled to Freedom Lake, you really must ‘book’ a trip soon!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
Shiloh shines in this area once again with Finally Accepted. Chloe and Darryl are layered characters who are struggling to feel accepted – by God and by the ones they love. It shows up in different ways in each of them, but the driving force is very similar. Related to their insecurities, these characters also explore racial identity issues, specifically related to being biracial. This perspective was particularly intriguing to me, as a white woman. Chloe’s struggles with not knowing how to relate to herself anymore, with feeling like she wouldn’t be accepted by either race – these are all things that had never occurred to me before, and I so appreciate the author broadening my own perspective in the process.
The romance between Chloe and Darryl has been brewing since book one in the Freedom Lake series, and Darryl in love is just adorably awkward. Lol. He doesn’t know quite what to do with himself whenever Chloe is around – and Chloe is much the same way around Darryl. I very much enjoyed watching the two of them figure out what the rest of us have seen all along.
One final element that I loved about Chloe and Darryl’s relationship was watching them navigate the different steps in their journeys with Jesus. Chloe has been a believer for a long time but her faith is a little shaken by the news she’s received about her family. Darryl is just beginning his relationship with Jesus, and there are lots of ins and outs and ‘finer details’ that he doesn’t quite get yet. Shiloh does a great job here of authentically grasping the faith struggles that both encounter along the way – and framing it from the right perspective.
If you haven’t yet traveled to Freedom Lake, you really must ‘book’ a trip soon!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
betherin02's review
4.0
Full review on FaithfullyBookish.com
Finally Accepted could have taken the road well traveled and Hallmarked its way to happily ever after (nothing wrong with that, lots of folks like the sweet fluff) but instead, Toni Shiloh gives us more (and that's what I like!) This story has substance, grit, and raw honesty. There is conflict and crisis, doubt and defiance, and both fledgling and faltering faith threads. Shiloh shapes each character with authentic complexities, secrets, and flaws.
The Freedom Lake series is a gust of fresh air in my reading lineup, boldly faith-filled and genuine. Well done, Ms. Shiloh, and thank you.
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.
Finally Accepted could have taken the road well traveled and Hallmarked its way to happily ever after (nothing wrong with that, lots of folks like the sweet fluff) but instead, Toni Shiloh gives us more (and that's what I like!) This story has substance, grit, and raw honesty. There is conflict and crisis, doubt and defiance, and both fledgling and faltering faith threads. Shiloh shapes each character with authentic complexities, secrets, and flaws.
The Freedom Lake series is a gust of fresh air in my reading lineup, boldly faith-filled and genuine. Well done, Ms. Shiloh, and thank you.
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.
fiction_aficionado's review
4.0
Two emotionally wounded people, two rather messy families, a group of supportive friends, and a strong message about forgiveness, grace, and acceptance are what you’ll get when you pick up the third book in Toni Shiloh’s Freedom Lake series. Chloe and Darryl are characters we’ve been following since the beginning of this series, and there are developments in Chloe’s story, in particular, in the previous book in this series, Grace Restored, so if you want the full picture, I recommend reading this series in order. That said, this could be read as a stand-alone novel, too.
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about this series is the strong faith element. With many of the characters being new or young Christians, they’re exploring some really foundational elements of what it means to live as a believer, and in many cases, from the vantage point of some difficult circumstances. Chloe was raised by her grandmother after her mother abandoned her as a baby, and at the beginning of this book, she’s only just found out who her father is and learned she has three half-siblings. Let’s just say things get harder before they get better…
Darryl’s situation is slightly different, but no easier—and unlike Chloe, who’s one of the few life-long believers in the group—Darryl is just beginning his Christian walk. Their journeys remind us that, no matter where we are in our walk with Christ, difficult times will come, and no matter what we do or don’t have in our earthly lives, God wants to be our all. And yet, he blesses us with all kinds of earthly love as well. There will be emotional moments, sweet moments, and one totally heart-stopping moment (no spoilers!) as you read this story. I hope we haven’t seen the last of Freedom Lake.
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’ve enjoyed most about this series is the strong faith element. With many of the characters being new or young Christians, they’re exploring some really foundational elements of what it means to live as a believer, and in many cases, from the vantage point of some difficult circumstances. Chloe was raised by her grandmother after her mother abandoned her as a baby, and at the beginning of this book, she’s only just found out who her father is and learned she has three half-siblings. Let’s just say things get harder before they get better…
Darryl’s situation is slightly different, but no easier—and unlike Chloe, who’s one of the few life-long believers in the group—Darryl is just beginning his Christian walk. Their journeys remind us that, no matter where we are in our walk with Christ, difficult times will come, and no matter what we do or don’t have in our earthly lives, God wants to be our all. And yet, he blesses us with all kinds of earthly love as well. There will be emotional moments, sweet moments, and one totally heart-stopping moment (no spoilers!) as you read this story. I hope we haven’t seen the last of Freedom Lake.
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
The Freedom Lake Series has been a wonderful series to read. I love the community and all the characters in these books. I feel like they’re family.
In this story, we get to know Chloe and Darryl more. They both are struggling with their personal identity and the image of what “family” looks like. Both had difficult years while they were growing up. But the friendships they made in school with, Jo, Michelle, Evan, and Guy are ones they draw upon now as adults. They are hit by intense events in their lives and the lessons they need to learn. With the help of their friendships and God, they start to see what really matters in life. I loved how the author, Toni Shiloh, brings so many life lessons into her stories. This one is about knowing our past is just that, the past. I love this quote she wrote,
“He chuckled, rubbing his chin. “I know, but still. My past.”
“Is that. The past. Keep it there and move on with the grace God is offering you.”
Wow, we all need to remember this from time to time. It’s God’s grace and love we need to hold on to. There were many more deep life lessons in this story, some I’ll take and think about for a long while.
I laughed, I cried, and I truly loved every moment I was reading this book and hope you will too. I highly recommend you pick it up and read it.
I was given this book by the author for an honest review, all opinions are my own.
In this story, we get to know Chloe and Darryl more. They both are struggling with their personal identity and the image of what “family” looks like. Both had difficult years while they were growing up. But the friendships they made in school with, Jo, Michelle, Evan, and Guy are ones they draw upon now as adults. They are hit by intense events in their lives and the lessons they need to learn. With the help of their friendships and God, they start to see what really matters in life. I loved how the author, Toni Shiloh, brings so many life lessons into her stories. This one is about knowing our past is just that, the past. I love this quote she wrote,
“He chuckled, rubbing his chin. “I know, but still. My past.”
“Is that. The past. Keep it there and move on with the grace God is offering you.”
Wow, we all need to remember this from time to time. It’s God’s grace and love we need to hold on to. There were many more deep life lessons in this story, some I’ll take and think about for a long while.
I laughed, I cried, and I truly loved every moment I was reading this book and hope you will too. I highly recommend you pick it up and read it.
I was given this book by the author for an honest review, all opinions are my own.
tonishiloh's review
Dear Reader Friends,
I pray that the last book in the Freedom Lake series blesses you. I've enjoyed my time in Freedom Lake and hope you enjoy your return visit.
Blessings,
Toni
I pray that the last book in the Freedom Lake series blesses you. I've enjoyed my time in Freedom Lake and hope you enjoy your return visit.
Blessings,
Toni
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