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janeeyre_914716's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
"I like your scars. I like that they've made you a fighter. I like your face, your eyes, you smile, and your heart. I love your ability to see beauty in others and bring it out for the rest of us to see. Those are things that make you beautiful and extraordinary."
~Tom Wells (to Ginger)
I absolutely loved this quote and story. I totally get what it's like in some ways to have a form of scars, but not in Ginger's case where she has to live with burn scars a fire.
My own personal scars were the ones I had when I was sexually abused at 20 years old for 2-3 months by my own dad who's been in prison since January of 2020. I'll actually be 33 soon and looking back on my journey of healing from what I went through, it took me YEARS to open up to where I am now ans to FINALLY let guys in and talk to them at least without "running away" in a figurative sense.
So in a sense, I related to Ginger in this story and when I heard that quote above from Tom Wells Jr. (The main guy/love interest), my eyes did water a little bit realizing that was me now. Of course, depending who the person is, I don't condone or excuse bad behavior and try and keep away from the toxic that'll ruin my own happiness, but I try to see the beauty and good in things and try to see myself as God sees me as well. Just as Tom Wells Jr. was helping Ginger do and to see she was still beautiful inside and out despite her old burn scars.
Overall, this was a sweet and cute short story and my first time listening to Rachel Hauck. I'll have to find other audios of her books and try an actual novel of hers since I liked her pacing, style, and characters.
~Tom Wells (to Ginger)
I absolutely loved this quote and story. I totally get what it's like in some ways to have a form of scars, but not in Ginger's case where she has to live with burn scars a fire.
My own personal scars were the ones I had when I was sexually abused at 20 years old for 2-3 months by my own dad who's been in prison since January of 2020. I'll actually be 33 soon and looking back on my journey of healing from what I went through, it took me YEARS to open up to where I am now ans to FINALLY let guys in and talk to them at least without "running away" in a figurative sense.
So in a sense, I related to Ginger in this story and when I heard that quote above from Tom Wells Jr. (The main guy/love interest), my eyes did water a little bit realizing that was me now. Of course, depending who the person is, I don't condone or excuse bad behavior and try and keep away from the toxic that'll ruin my own happiness, but I try to see the beauty and good in things and try to see myself as God sees me as well. Just as Tom Wells Jr. was helping Ginger do and to see she was still beautiful inside and out despite her old burn scars.
Overall, this was a sweet and cute short story and my first time listening to Rachel Hauck. I'll have to find other audios of her books and try an actual novel of hers since I liked her pacing, style, and characters.
beyondevak's review against another edition
5.0
There is so much that I could say about this book, but at the end of the day, it was simply about love and deliverance. A Brush with Love was a beautiful story that made me smile and cry and remember the infinite touch of grace that comes by way of Jesus.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A/NA/YA
Status: Christian, Contemporary Romance
Romance/Chemistry: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Wisdom Lessons: Yes
HEA: Yes
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest critique.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A/NA/YA
Status: Christian, Contemporary Romance
Romance/Chemistry: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Wisdom Lessons: Yes
HEA: Yes
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest critique.
kdurham2's review against another edition
3.0
A novella from Rachel Hauck who is one of the only Christian fiction authors that I will read. All of her books definitely fit in the Christian fiction genre and you would be remiss not to know that there is definitely some Jesus in each book. But even though I don't tend to love Christian fiction, I love the plot lines and this one was right up there.
I loved the characters and loved their back story. I just loved Ginger's story. I could have had so much more time hearing about her childhood and how she became the woman she was. Although I say this again later, I wanted more time with her. I wanted to hear more about her and wanted more from her.
The one thing I had with this book is I wish it wasn't a novella. I wish the author had more pages to make the book feel more full. I felt that the book had a part of insta love and a quick turn around of a main character, but I think it is solely because of the lack of pages and if given a few more pages, she could have built the story out more. So my wish is for more pages!
I loved the characters and loved their back story. I just loved Ginger's story. I could have had so much more time hearing about her childhood and how she became the woman she was. Although I say this again later, I wanted more time with her. I wanted to hear more about her and wanted more from her.
The one thing I had with this book is I wish it wasn't a novella. I wish the author had more pages to make the book feel more full. I felt that the book had a part of insta love and a quick turn around of a main character, but I think it is solely because of the lack of pages and if given a few more pages, she could have built the story out more. So my wish is for more pages!
reneesmith's review against another edition
5.0
Sweet, uplifting story!
Loved his novella! I would enjoy "seeing" these characters show up in another story. Love for Ruby Jane? Grab a copy & see for yourself.
Loved his novella! I would enjoy "seeing" these characters show up in another story. Love for Ruby Jane? Grab a copy & see for yourself.
adventuresofaliterarynature's review against another edition
4.0
This was a cute, short read! Ginger and Tom were both great characters and I really enjoyed watching their story play out. It was cute how they had liked each other when they were younger and were able to reconnect as adults. I loved how Tom helped Ginger see that her scars didn't define her and that not only was she beautiful in God's eyes but his, and everyone else who loved her. It was beautiful to watch as she turned her back on the lies she'd believed all her life and accept the love of God and Tom! It was such a fun novella and I definitely recommend it!
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
I am an established Rachel Hauck fan, and I have actually been looking forward to reading A Brush With Love for some time now. In fact, it sadly became a casualty of blogging – I started this blog right around the time it released and soon became so swamped with scheduled reviews that I ran out of time to read anything that was just for fun. It was well worth the wait :) Tom’s mission to help Ginger see her beauty, despite her scars, truly touched me. His execution of said mission brought tears to my eyes more than once. The epilogue – well – just make sure you have a tissue box handy but your smile will be firmly in place as well! A Brush With Love is full of wit, grins, and southern sass but it’s also just such a heartfelt, moving, and beautiful picture of God’s love for us – and of true romance.
(I received a copy of this novella in exchange for only my honest review.)
(I received a copy of this novella in exchange for only my honest review.)
jlwright04's review against another edition
4.0
The story was beautiful. It was a shade religion heavy for my taste and less focus on the romance part that I enjoy. It was, however, still a beautiful story
xakyr's review against another edition
4.0
This was a pretty decent story, though it didn't seem to be a very overt Christian themed one. I hated how much the heroine was hung up on her scars, and then the book ended rather abruptly for how much she harped on them. I enjoyed Tom and how he kept trying to get Ginger to see how beautiful she was despite the scars, as it reminded me heavily about my own husband. The scandal was an interesting twist, and I liked how Tom handled it. Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable way to spend a cold evening in!
booksforchristiangirls's review against another edition
3.0
About this book:
“Ginger Winters is a gifted hairstylist with scars no one can see. The last thing she expects from the New Year is a new chance at love.
Overcoming a childhood tragedy, Ginger emerges from the pain and trauma with a gift for bringing out the beauty in others. From the top big city salons to traveling the world as personal stylist to a country music sensation, success was almost enough to make Ginger forget she would never be one of the beautiful people. That girl, forever on the outside looking in. But she needs her confidence this weekend. She’s the acclaimed “beauty-maker” for the Alabama society wedding of the decade.
When high-school crush Tom Wells Jr. also returns to town and shows up at her shop looking for a haircut, Ginger’s thinly veiled insecurities threaten to keep her locked away from love, Despite Tom’s best efforts, Ginger can’t forget how he disappeared on her twelve years ago and broke her heart. Can she ever trust him again?
When Tom challenges her to see her own beauty, Ginger must decide if she will remained chained to the past or move freely into a new, exciting future.”
Series: Book #2 in the “A Year of Weddings 2” series. {This is part of the second series, hence the 2 at the end. This was my first book I’ve read in either series.}
Spiritual Content- Prayers; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of Scriptures & Scriptures are quoted; Mentions of people in the Bible; A lot of talks, mentions of sermons & church going and great witnessing; Tom came back to Rosebud to start a Church (He felt God’s call); Tom has a very strong Faith; R.J. says that she might “have to recommit myself to Jesus and go to Tom’s church” (because he’s cute); Ginger felt betrayed by God when she was in the fire, so she’s since stepped away from God; Christian artists and music is mentioned & sung.
*Note: a mention of Mother Nature; “Ginger shuddered. Having experienced fire, she had a deathly fear of h*ll. And of the God, if He existed, who claimed He could send her there. Real or imagined, she tried to avoid ticking God off at all coats.”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘darn’, a ‘drat’, a ‘please shut up’, a ‘oh my gosh’ and a ‘oh my word’, a ‘stupid’, a ‘wimp’, two ‘dang’s, three ‘shoot’s; “Kiss-my-grits” is said & repeated; Sarcasm; Mentions of drinking; Ginger’s heard people talking about her which has lowered her self-esteem dramatically (“Freak. Ugly. She gives me the creeps.”).
*Note: A mention of Michael Buble, Beyonce & the movie, “The Proposal” (which is not a teen friendly movie).
Sexual Content- a ‘baby’, two ‘babe’s, two ‘sexy’s; A semi-detailed kiss; a Mention of an almost High-School kiss; Noticing another couple kissing; Touches (which are sadly, pretty detailed, mainly because Ginger has never been touched by a man before (her father left)); Noticing & Smelling; Eric studies his new wife with such adoration; *Spoiler* Ginger’s mother was rumored to have hooked-up with Tom’s father, the pastor but they never had an affair (but she admits to falling in love with the married pastor); In the Epilogue, Ginger says about how she & Tom will become one on their wedding night. *End of Spoiler*; Tom tells Ginger that her scars may have kept her from her mom’s lustful boyfriends; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
*Note: Tom says he needs a wife “To kick Tom’s butt when he needed it.”.
-Ginger Winters
-Tom Wells, Jr.
P.O.V. switches between them.
150 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
{Add a half star for OHST who don’t think they’re beautiful due to outward appearance}
Brave. That’s my word for 2015. “You Make Me Brave” by Bethel House Music is my anthem, so to speak, for this year. Where am I going with this? In “A Brush With Love”, being brave and overcoming what others think of you is a major point. Even awesomer (it’s a word) is that my anthem is sung in this novella. I wish I could have given it a higher rating but I couldn’t do to the Sexual content.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-brush-with-love-by-rachel-hauck.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this e-book for free from the Publisher (Zondervan Publishers) for this review.
“Ginger Winters is a gifted hairstylist with scars no one can see. The last thing she expects from the New Year is a new chance at love.
Overcoming a childhood tragedy, Ginger emerges from the pain and trauma with a gift for bringing out the beauty in others. From the top big city salons to traveling the world as personal stylist to a country music sensation, success was almost enough to make Ginger forget she would never be one of the beautiful people. That girl, forever on the outside looking in. But she needs her confidence this weekend. She’s the acclaimed “beauty-maker” for the Alabama society wedding of the decade.
When high-school crush Tom Wells Jr. also returns to town and shows up at her shop looking for a haircut, Ginger’s thinly veiled insecurities threaten to keep her locked away from love, Despite Tom’s best efforts, Ginger can’t forget how he disappeared on her twelve years ago and broke her heart. Can she ever trust him again?
When Tom challenges her to see her own beauty, Ginger must decide if she will remained chained to the past or move freely into a new, exciting future.”
Series: Book #2 in the “A Year of Weddings 2” series. {This is part of the second series, hence the 2 at the end. This was my first book I’ve read in either series.}
Spiritual Content- Prayers; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of Scriptures & Scriptures are quoted; Mentions of people in the Bible; A lot of talks, mentions of sermons & church going and great witnessing; Tom came back to Rosebud to start a Church (He felt God’s call); Tom has a very strong Faith; R.J. says that she might “have to recommit myself to Jesus and go to Tom’s church” (because he’s cute); Ginger felt betrayed by God when she was in the fire, so she’s since stepped away from God; Christian artists and music is mentioned & sung.
*Note: a mention of Mother Nature; “Ginger shuddered. Having experienced fire, she had a deathly fear of h*ll. And of the God, if He existed, who claimed He could send her there. Real or imagined, she tried to avoid ticking God off at all coats.”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘darn’, a ‘drat’, a ‘please shut up’, a ‘oh my gosh’ and a ‘oh my word’, a ‘stupid’, a ‘wimp’, two ‘dang’s, three ‘shoot’s; “Kiss-my-grits” is said & repeated; Sarcasm; Mentions of drinking; Ginger’s heard people talking about her which has lowered her self-esteem dramatically (“Freak. Ugly. She gives me the creeps.”).
*Note: A mention of Michael Buble, Beyonce & the movie, “The Proposal” (which is not a teen friendly movie).
Sexual Content- a ‘baby’, two ‘babe’s, two ‘sexy’s; A semi-detailed kiss; a Mention of an almost High-School kiss; Noticing another couple kissing; Touches (which are sadly, pretty detailed, mainly because Ginger has never been touched by a man before (her father left)); Noticing & Smelling; Eric studies his new wife with such adoration; *Spoiler*
*Note: Tom says he needs a wife “To kick Tom’s butt when he needed it.”.
-Ginger Winters
-Tom Wells, Jr.
P.O.V. switches between them.
150 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
{Add a half star for OHST who don’t think they’re beautiful due to outward appearance}
Brave. That’s my word for 2015. “You Make Me Brave” by Bethel House Music is my anthem, so to speak, for this year. Where am I going with this? In “A Brush With Love”, being brave and overcoming what others think of you is a major point. Even awesomer (it’s a word) is that my anthem is sung in this novella. I wish I could have given it a higher rating but I couldn’t do to the Sexual content.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-brush-with-love-by-rachel-hauck.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this e-book for free from the Publisher (Zondervan Publishers) for this review.
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