rich2023's reviews
230 reviews

Easy as Pie by Carina Taylor

funny lighthearted

5.0

This book was so cute and funny! Such adorable characters!

Content Warnings: one cuss word, two uses of the word hell, 

Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad

5.0

This book blessed my soul. I will refer to this book to encourage me in walk with Christ. Must read for all followers of Christ!
“Lament gives us permission to vocalize our pain while moving us toward God-centered worship. It is an act of faith as we turn to God , lay out our complaints, ask God to keep his promises, reaffirm our trust in him.” 

I Will: Nine Traits of the Outwardly Focused Christian by Thom S. Rainer

hopeful informative reflective

5.0

Right Where I Belong by Krista McGee

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

This book was awesome! This is perfect for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults to read! The characters, the plot, how they relied on God!!! 

Here is a quote that stood out to me: “Better to be sleep deprived than God deprived. My days are so much better when I make spending time with God a priority. “

Can't Help Falling by Courtney Walsh

funny lighthearted reflective

4.0

This book was adorable, funny, sweet! I like the dyslexia representation and the anxiety that comes from a traumatic event. Emmy is a relatable character because I prefer books over parties. 

“Honey, he is speaking my language. Being thoughtful. Doing things that will show me he loves me. It doesn’t matter what the gesture is, if the intent behind it is to show someone you care, then it can be romantic.”

Concerns: mention of “silently praying to the spirit of Jane Austen and “the universe sensing the shift in my thought process” 

Sunny by Jason Reynolds

sad tense

4.0

I like how Jason Reynolds makes the character's voice come alive. He makes you feel what the characters are feeling. Out of all the books in the series, this has to be the saddest one. The Coach is awesome! The team and how they stick together is great. This is a great book for children. 

Wedding at Sea by Melissa Tagg

emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense

4.0

I enjoyed this entire series. The mystery was predictable in some ways but I was still surprised at how everything unfolded. The faith content was low but I liked how the focus was on trusting God even when you don’t understand. Also, it’s ok to have questions and not understand what God is doing or being sad, angry, etc. The key is to bring everything to God in prayer. 

I like Melissa Tagg’s writing style!! I’m excited to check out more books by this author. 

A Seaside Wonder by Melissa Tagg

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was a beautifully written book that had me invested in the characters, plot, and the mystery of who is behind the incidents at the farm. This book had more faith content than the first book. I like how this book stemmed from the author having questions, worries, and fears. The author learned that faith and prayer is not about having answers but trusting God in the midst of not understanding. 

“If instead of asking God to take the pain away, we invite Him into it.” 

Autumn by the Sea by Melissa Tagg

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious

4.0

This was a good book filled with mystery, laughter, family, etc. The faith content was very light. 
“How do I know it’s Him and not just me and my own silly heart?” I would have liked for the characters to have prayed and relied on scripture.
Content: A ghost story is mentioned in the book.
I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Target Acquired by Lynette Eason

mysterious tense

4.0

This was a good book. I like the friend group and how they prayed and cared for one another. 
Message: Don’t let jealously consume you. Be content with what you have.