Dirty Girl (Dirty Girl Duet, #1)
Book
From USA Today bestselling author Meghan March comes a sexy new spin-off duet from The Dirty...
Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North
Book
Ten years ago, Harold Fry set off on his epic journey on foot to save a friend. But the story...
Gaspar Noe recommended 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) in Movies (curated)
Fietsknoop - Fiets je fietsroute helemaal gratis!
Navigation and Lifestyle
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Fietsknoop: De fietsroute app voor op de fiets met alle fietsknooppunten in heel Nederland en...
iPhytter iPhone Edition
Social Networking and Business
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・Achieved 70% discount of G729 audio codec! PHYTTER, the major brand in VoIP solution arena,...
Countdown 1945
Book
From Chris Wallace, the veteran journalist and anchor of Fox News Sunday, comes an electrifying...
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Never Saw You Coming in Books
Sep 30, 2021
"Because the uncomfortable truth is, while the church loves sinners in their pews, they don't want them in front of a crowd. It's the difference between acceptance and tolerance, and it might catch on. God forbid."
This is a really lovely and moving story. While it includes a lot of religious themes and discussion, it never felt like too much--religion and forgiveness informs the story, rather than detracts from it. Meg is a side character in Hahn's excellent book, MORE THAN MAYBE, and we see glimpses of Vada and Luke from that tale (which is really fun). It's wonderful to see Meg fully explored here--Hahn writes her sections in a snappy and smart way, capturing Meg perfectly. She's so sweet, yet smart and tough. Her entire life has been upended, and Meg truly must rethink her whole faith and foundation. I think a weaker person would crumple at such a situation. Watching her grow is really fun; you cannot help but root for her.
And Micah is a great character, too. He too, has had his faith tested, as his father destroyed his church and Micah's belief in the church. Micah and Meg's romance is cute, honest, and real. Hahn's book explores how shamed these two feel by falling in love and how the church has conditioned them to feel that love, happiness, and romance can be wrong and even sinful. It tackles the pain of loving a Jesus/God who then censures you for loving. It's so adept at this and skilled at portraying their struggles. How can the love of these two sweet, earnest kids be wrong? And as they explore why bad things happen--especially as they believe so fully--the book makes you think and examine deeply. It deftly exposes the church's focus on female purity only, while often ignoring the males. Honestly, whether you're religious or not, this is a must-read, especially in these times, when so much of the control of a women's body seems not be our own.
Overall, I loved this book. It offers a charming romance, along with a timely look at religion and how it can affect young people as they make their way in the world. The side characters are excellent (I'm looking at you, Duke, and Cash the dog!). Hahn's writing is as excellent as ever. 4.5 stars. Please note the author's own note for a trigger warning for self-harm and suicide.
I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press / Wednesday Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
Elizabeth's Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen
Book
Elizabeth I is often portrayed as a ruthless 'man's woman', who derided her own sex - 'I know I have...
Correspondence: The Foundation of the Situationist International (June 1957 - August 1960)
Guy Debord, Stuart Kendall, John McHale and McKenzie Wark
Book
Yesterday, the police interrogated me at length about the journal and other Situationist...


