Flowers, chocolates, and other presents are not frequently given to us. Some individuals find reading about romantic love to be a good way to liven up their sometimes dull daily lives.  It's a getaway, hope, a community, a source of information, a meeting of friends, an affirmation, it brings people together, offers representation, comfort, and a voice. Those who are active in the romance scene are aware that it is a place where enduring connections flourish. Many people have found some of their most fulfilling relationships by reading romance books.

These romance books will be available starting in September 2023.

1. You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

In this brilliant enemies-to-friends-to-lovers debut romance, a commitment-phobe and a hopeless romantic repeatedly fight until heartbreak and surprising chemistry pull them together. You, Again, a dazzling romantic comedy about modern love in all its manifestations, examines the intricacies of co-ed friendship with astute observations and passionate chemistry. This book is scheduled to be published by Dial Press Trade Paperback on September 12, 2023.

2. The Name Drop by Susan Lee

A brand-new novel by the author of Seoulmates tells the tale of a summer to remember, an identity crisis, and a love worth risking everything for. Adorable, touching, and certain to put a smile on your face. The Name Drop is everything readers are going to enjoy about young adult literature: frantic, voicey, swoony, with lovely strands of social criticism on important issues affecting young people today as well as romance. Readers couldn't help but cheer for the characters throughout Lee's wonderfully original tale of two youngsters discovering their identities both together and apart. Inkyard Press is scheduled to publish this book on September 12, 2023.

3. The Second Chance Hotel by Sierra Godfrey

Godfrey's second book is both a humorous, thought-provoking escape and a gentle reminder to all of us that it is much preferable to run toward pleasure than away from anxieties. Godfrey's writing captivates you from the first chapter on and takes you on an incredible experience that will have you longing for your own stay at the Ria Hotel. The Greek islands and the various routes individuals take to find love are celebrated in The Second Chance Hotel. Sourcebooks Landmark is scheduled to publish this book on September 12, 2023.

4. Love, Holly by Emily Stone

In this brilliant romance from the author of Always, in December and One Last Gift, a young lady seeks to mend a breach in her elderly pen pal's family in time for Christmas while also falling in love—and maybe even reconnecting with her own family. A touching, uplifting tale that will embrace you like a hug. Stone tells an enthralling tale of family, loss, and the power of love. Dell intends to publish this book on September 26, 2023.

5. The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary

In their quest to restore a collection of vintage wedding bands to their rightful owners, two hotel receptionists who are also bitter competitors learn about their own personal love stories. jovial, cozy, upbeat, and really gratifying. O'Leary has a talent for transporting readers to happy places that they don't want to leave. On September 26, 2023, Berkley is slated to publish this book.

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By personalizing historical events, making them vivid and emotional in individual tales, historical fiction highlights the failures and successes of those who came before us. It demonstrates how these events affected people. Additionally, because the facts are presented in a way that is more understandable than what is found in a history book, a larger audience may be reached and a more significant influence is made. Not only does it deepen our compassion for people who endured difficult circumstances before us, but it also helps us see how much the past informs the present and how political concepts and regimes continue to be relevant now. 

The following historical fiction books will be published in September 2023.

1. The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger

In this stunning solo book from the New York Times bestselling author of This Tender Land, a tiny Minnesota community is rocked by the death of its most influential resident in 1958, adding new gasoline to long-standing tensions. The River We Remember is an intricate, breathtaking mystery as well as a masterful perspective of midcentury American life. It is a direct look at the wounds left by the wars we struggle at both home and overseas, an emotional pursuit of the ways we attempt to recuperate, and an affirmation to the lasting significance of the stories we inform about the places we call home. This book is anticipated to be released by Atria Books on September 5, 2023.

2. The Fraud by Zadie Smith

A colorful piece of historical fiction about who gets to tell their story—and who deserves to be believed—set against the judicial trial that tore Victorian England in two comes from acclaimed and best-selling author Zadie Smith. The Fraud, a brilliant book about authenticity and fraudulence and the mystery of other people, is based on actual historical occurrences. It is set in Jamaica and Britain. This book is scheduled to be released by Penguin Press on September 5, 2023.

3. The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

One lively child is left alone in the bush in Lauren Groff's tense and enthralling new book, striving to survive. The latest book by Lauren Groff is both an exciting adventure tale and an insightful parable about attempting to discover a new way of life in a society that is falling victim to colonialism. The Vaster Wilds is a work of unadulterated and prophetic force that asks how—and if—we can change rapidly enough to rescue ourselves by telling the tale of America in microcosm through the eyes of one girl at a turning point in history. This book is scheduled to be released by Riverhead Books on September 12, 2023. 

4. North Woods by Daniel Mason

The author of The Piano Tuner and The Winter Soldier returns with a sprawling novel about a solitary home in the woods of New England, recounted through the lives of individuals who dwell there throughout the ages. It is a compelling story of memory and fate. North Woods illustrates the various, mystical ways in which we are connected to our environment and to one another, spanning time, language, and location, by navigating cycles of history, nature, and even literature. It is a memorable book about secrets and destiny that addresses the perennial question of how do we live on, even after we are gone. It was written in accordance with the seasons and split into the twelve months of the year. This book is anticipated to be released by Random House on September 19, 2023.

5. The Armor of Light (Kingsbridge #4) by Ken Follett

The Armor of Light, the long-awaited sequel to A Column of Fire, marks a new dawn for Kingsbridge, England, where progress conflicts with tradition, class tensions pervade every aspect of life, and war engulfs the entire continent and beyond. The most well-known book by Ken Follett, The Pillars of the Earth, was released more than 30 years ago. We are now thrust into the conflict between kindness and avarice, love and hatred, progress and tradition thanks to this thrilling addition to the Kingsbridge series. We are offered a fresh understanding of the world-shaking events that occurred in nineteenth-century Europe via the eyes of each individual. This book is scheduled to be released by Viking on September 26, 2023.

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The deepest thoughts and motives of the characters are explored in thrillers, allowing us to analyze how the characters' choices drive the story to the outer limits of human ethics and morality. The genre makes us reflect on our own and other people's darkness. But take into account the unpleasant issues that thrillers bring up.

Here are some suspenseful books that may be published in September 2023: 

1. Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon

A murder in the next-door house does more to unite a family than anything else. A humorous whodunit featuring a grandmother, mother, and daughter triad of amateur sleuths. Picture Gilmore Girls with murder. Nina Simon's Mother-Daughter Murder Night is likely to captivate any reader who enjoys their mystery with equal quantities of comedy, family intrigue, and surprises. It is both a novel about the difficult relationship between a mother and daughter and an exquisite whodunnit. This book is anticipated to be released on September 5, 2023, by William Morrow. 

2. Holly (Holly Gibney #3) by Stephen King

In this gripping book, Holly Gibney—one of Stephen King's most alluring and ingeniously cunning characters—returns to uncover the horrifying truth behind many disappearances in a small Midwestern community. Holly Gibney, a famous King character, makes a successful comeback in Stephen King's novel Holly. Holly's steady development as a character—from a timid hermit in Mr. Mercedes to Bill Hodges's partner in Finders Keepers to a fully realized, intelligent, and occasionally tough private investigator in The Outsider—has been observed by readers. In King's most recent book, Holly is fighting a pair of horrifyingly evil and expertly disguising foes alone. This book is anticipated to be released on September 5, 2023, by Scribner.

3. Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter

A disturbing thriller centered on a cold case, a made-up true crime show, and the family involved. With a completely immersive thriller unlike anything you've ever seen before, mega-bestselling British crime author Cara Hunter makes her big American debut. Written as the teleplay of a true-crime documentary, it has the reader solving puzzles while looking over images, maps, coroner's reports, and other evidence as they read. This book is scheduled to be released by William Morrow Paperbacks on September 19, 2023. 

4. Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

A remarkable book based on the real-life sorority that the nation's first famous serial murderer in his last killing rampage targeted. In the novel Bright Young Women, two women from different parts of the country become sisters as a result of their zealous search for the truth. It suggests a new narrative based on evidence that has been ignored for years in favor of more attention-grabbing headlines—that the supposedly brilliant and charismatic serial killer from Seattle was much more ordinary than the countless books, movies, and primetime specials have led us to believe, and that the exceptional ones were the women whose lives he ended. This book is anticipated to be released on September 19, 2023, by S&S/Marysue Rucci Books.

5. Penance by Eliza Clark

A group of adolescent girls are murdered in this horrific, masterfully written novel from the author of the cult favorite Boy Parts. This compelling and unsettling book is as incisive in its portrayal of young women as Emma Cline's The Girls. Penance is a deftly nuanced, unflinching exploration of gender, class, and power that is compulsively readable, provocative, and disturbing. It also raises troubling questions about the media and our obsession with true crime while exposing the vile side of human nature and our darkest proclivities. This book is anticipated to be released on September 26, 2023 by Harper.

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One must occasionally simply go outside of their own reality and into another's. At other times, she has to figuratively get away from her own head. So, she starts reading novels. And as a result, we readers relished the realm of fiction. Even television cannot compare to fiction in terms of its capacity to aid in understanding another person, as it provides a thorough account of what is happening and who is speaking throughout the book.

These fiction books will be available starting in September 2023:

1. Evil Eye by Etaf Rum

With a compelling examination of Palestinian-American women's aspirations, what it means to live a full life, and how our unresolved pasts influence our present, the celebrated New York Times bestselling author of A Woman Is No Man makes her triumphant comeback. A powerful reflection on parenthood, generational suffering, and how outward appearances can conceal underlying truths. A writer who raised the bar extremely high with her debut novel returns with a beautiful second book. Harper Large Print is slated to release this book on September 5, 2023.

2. The Wren, the Wren by Anne Enright

A brilliant story about the passing down of tragedy, wonder, and love through three generations of women from one of our finest living authors. Three generations of women are brought to life in The Wren, the Wren as they struggle with inheritances of abandonment and enduring love that go beyond a DNA strand to become a rope flung from the past, a thick knotted rope, full of blood. Anne Enright expertly weaves a family saga of love, betrayal, and hope in sharp writing flecked with crystalline poetry. By WW Norton & Company, this book is scheduled to be published on September 19, 2023.

3. Wellness by Nathan Hill

The Nix author, a New York Times bestseller, is back with a touching and hilarious book about marriage, the sometimes perplexing search of health and happiness, and the tales that unite us. Wellness reimagines the love tale with a healthy mix of intelligence, sarcasm, and heart, moving from the gritty 1990s Chicago art scene to a suburban neighborhood of detox diets and home-renovation mania. An entertaining and heartfelt look at a contemporary marriage that is astonishing in its depth and closeness. Knopf intends to publish this book on September 19, 2023.

4. Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang

An exciting and revelatory story about a young cook whose discovery of pleasure changes her life and, inadvertently, the world is written by the How Much of These Hills Is Gold award-winning author. Land of Milk and Honey lays provocatively bare the ethics of pursuing pleasure in a dying planet. It is sensuous and startling, joyful and bitingly acute, and presented in language as enticing as it is unusual. The examination of desire and deceit, privilege and religion, and the roles we play to survive is a daringly inventive one. It is primarily a love letter to food, to unrestrained joy, and to the empowering force of a woman embracing her own appetite. The anticipated publication date for this book by Riverhead Books is September 26, 2023.

5. The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar

The bestselling author of Reese's Book Club selection Honor delivers an engrossing tale about family secrets and the power of forgiveness. The Museum of Failures is a tour de force from one of our most exquisite storytellers about the complicated nature of love and regret. It is surprising, tragic, and ultimately a tale of forgiveness and healing still possible between a mother and son. Above all else, it serves as a much-needed reminder that empathy for others is the basis for forgiveness. Algonquin Books is planning to publish this book on September 26, 2023.

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“Some girls are pretty and they were born for it but no matter what always be yourself because people might see the wrong side of you”

― Jenny Han, Shug

Annemarie ''Shug'' Wilcox is astute, bold, and honest on the inside. In this captivating young adult novel from Jenny Han, the international bestseller of To All the Boys I've Loved Before, which was adapted into a 2018 big movie film, she sets out to become the new closest friend.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Annemarie Wilcox, or Shug as her family calls her, is beginning to think there's nothing worse than being twelve. She's too tall, too freckled, and way too flat-chested. Shug is sure that there's not one good or amazing thing about her. And now she has to start junior high, where the friends she counts most dear aren't acting so dear anymore -- especially Mark, the boy she's known her whole life through. Life is growing up all around her, and all Shug wants is for things to be like they used to be. How is a person supposed to prepare for what happens tomorrow when there's just no figuring out today?

My reaction to this novel...

When I first started reading this novel, I had no idea it was designed for middle school readers; I just wanted to read it because I adore Jenny Han and the way she delivers stories. Reading it felt exactly the same as when I had previously read one of her novels because I always felt like I was young again. It suddenly dawned on me that the main character is just 12 years old, so thinking about a deep and true love story at that age seems improper, but I can say that this novel is more of a cutesy-type narrative full of crushes and heartbreaks.

I can well relate to Annemarie's sentiments of inadequacy and unattractiveness as a young girl. She may have felt insecure at times as a child, especially if she didn't put much effort into her appearance and preferred kid-oriented activities. Many girls had the same emotions as she did. It is perfectly typical for girls her age to have these emotions as a result of starting to compare themselves to their sisters and friends, especially if those individuals had already reached their blossomed physically. I experienced a similar emotion when I was an adolescent, but it was quite typical. And I think it is inappropriate for her to spend more time on make-up than on playing.

Actually, I foresaw what would happen to her and her crush since I believe that's how things would always turn out. Because of the story's depiction of devastating heartbreaks and even familial issues, numerous adolescents may identify with it as being a bit realistic. We can see how she needs more support as she grows up, and I believe she is looking for a role model, which she thought she couldn't comprehend since she constantly feels alone and unattractive, and even she herself doesn't believe she is beautiful in a very unique manner. Being unconfident in oneself was quite upsetting, especially if there were reasons why she felt that way.

I particularly appreciate how her mother and sister refer to her as "Shug". It was very lovely for me since it seemed so special, but she couldn't see it for herself due of her poor self-esteem. I thought it was a pretty sweet pet name. I can also see how lovely and adorable she is, therefore I vouch for her and sincerely want her transformation to be so noticeable that everyone in her class, especially her crush, will undoubtedly realize how gorgeous she is.

The narrative is a little brief; you want to know more about it. I'm not sure whether it's intended to be a series, but despite the quick ending, I was really happy after finishing it. The narrative is wholesome and should be recommended to all middle grade readers as well as those who enjoy reading love stories. A worthwhile read that will revive the youth of our hearts.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)

“People are gonna disappoint you sometimes. We’re flawed creatures. Not one of us is perfect, not even you, and you’ve gotta let people mess up and then you’ve gotta forgive them. That’s just life.”

This is absolutely true. We shouldn't demand perfection from anyone since imperfect people exist on Earth. It is unjust for others to place excessive pressure on them to be flawless because even we are not perfect. To embrace ourselves and those around us, we must understand that we are born with flaws. Because only God is perfect, people are supposed to fall short of God's perfection.

“Things can’t stay the same forever. People change; they grow up. That’s the way it’s supposed to happen.”

Even though we desire that things would stay the same forever, it is impossible since everyone, including you, change as the days, months, and years pass. We all experience growth, aging, and maturation, and how we respond to change—whether it's for the better or worse—depends on us.

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“And all she could think was that her life was passing her by, and if she didn’t do something soon, she’d die this way.
Alone.”

― Julia Quinn, When He Was Wicked

The sixth book in Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series is titled When He Was Wicked. The third daughter and sixth child of the Bridgerton family, Francesca Bridgerton, is the main character in the book.

Background image credit: Freepik

Synopsis from Goodreads...

In every life there is a turning point. A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one’s life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London’s most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.

After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca’s surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer—the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.

But that was then… Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love… until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets…

My reaction to this novel...

Nothing is more important to Francesca Bridgerton than being herself. She is the only one of the eight siblings who has a romantic story that we don’t get to watch from the start. Eloise is mentioned a few times in the novel, but she never takes on a functioning role once we learn she was married and became a widow. She receives her second romance tale in this one, with her desire for a child taking precedence. She was having reproductive issues and desperately needed a child at the same time. Going through this myself made the story more personal for me, allowing me to understand her thoughts when she announced that she needed her own kids, and it gave me hope that she would find her own happy ending. I was pleased when she discovered her second chance love story at the time, and the later epilogue made me realize that it was probably better than the first.

In one statement, I can simply express why I felt this book was fantastic: I liked how Michael admired Francesca in this novel. It was distinct from the following Bridgerton books because of the depth of Michael’s adoration for her (from the beginning of the story), and it was an energizing break from the manner of previous books where the main character doesn’t realize he loves his partner till the finish of the book. In this novel, I admired Michael and had an affinity for both Michael and Francesca, which is unusual for characters in a book.

I also felt that “When He Was Wicked” was a lot steamier than the other five volumes, and I think it’s amazing how Ms. Julia Quinn manages to make each sibling’s story unique in so many ways. I didn’t find the narrative to be depressing or boring, as some of the reviews I read earlier suggested. It wasn’t as cheery or funny as some of the other Bridgerton stories, but that just served to highlight the protagonists’ love story even more.

I think Julia Quinn is an amazing, extraordinary writer to have the option to make characters that shock and excite the readers particularly in a series like this where she is composing a book about each Bridgerton siblings. In any case, above all her characters in her books, as of now, Michael and Francesca were to die for. They made me extremely upset a few times prior to sorting my broken heart at once and I adored each moment of it.

I highly recommend it to everyone out there and truly this book is a must read.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨(4.5/5)

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“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. a burn for a burn. a life for a life. that's how all this got started. and that's how it's going to end.”

― Jenny Han, Fire with Fire

The second book in Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian's Burn For Burn Trilogy is titled Fire With Fire. The second volume was published on August 13, 2013. Immediately after the previous book's conclusion, this one begins.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

When sweet revenge turns sour...

Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn't exactly go the way they had hoped at the Homecoming Dance.

Not even close.

For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it's not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie is meaner than she ever was before. And then there's sweet little Mary. She knows there is something seriously wrong with her. If she can't control her anger, she is sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it's not just that Reeve bullied her, it's that he made her love him.

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They'll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It's the only way he'll learn.

It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn.

My reaction to this novel...

A fantastic continuation of the previous book in the series, Fire with Fire gave me the impression that reading it was similar to watching a chick-lit, unpredictability, and spooky film. Jenny Han is a fantastic author; her novels made me laugh out loud and sensational all over. You won't be able to put her books down most of the time, and I believe this book series to be equally adorable as the rest of her works. I stayed up late reading it because of its crazy narrative, which left me wanting to know more. Similar to Burn for Burn's opening, the majority of this book's opening has a present-day vibe, but the novel's intensity truly increases toward the finish. 

The characters undergo a couple brilliantly handled character shifts. The primary three protagonists provide a new point of view to reveal an alternative viewpoint on their circle of friends, similar to the first novel. It was enjoyable to read how the main characters was behaving a little more responsibly and reacting to events both that had already occurred and those that are still occurring. Although the overall pace was considerably improved, there were still a couple passages that felt very slow.

The conclusion also caught me off guard since I had no idea who Mary truly was; all I knew about her was that she was secretive, but I didn't anticipate that she would be that exceptional. It's amazing how my thoughts turned into several of the YA science fiction/thriller novels that I've read in the past. I actually imagined that she might have extraordinary abilities as a result of her skill. Thankfully, the writers' interpretation of the narrative differs from me and my supposition is incorrect.

Additionally, I can add that I found the finale to be exhilarating, intriguing, and all the other adjectives that describe a great and sudden end. It was like riding a crazy roller coaster. In spite of the fact that not all turns out well in this novel, the manner in which the female characters interact offers us personal objectives, and the conclusion raises the possibility of how it may end in disaster. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I know I'll read the subsequent book without a doubt. The authors gave off a frightening whiff of spooky and otherworldly aspects, which I don't really want, but because they make it seem so plausible, I believe they are capable of carrying it out. This book will without a doubt be recommended to other book lovers.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)

“It’s all about attitude. You act like you’re the shit and guys are so dumb they’ll totally believe it.”

There are times when someone in our life acts as if they have a lot of issues or loads that they can't bear so that we would pay attention to or feel compassion for them. Other times, people exaggerate their issues so that we will give them priority when they are in need. We trusted them because we thought they wouldn't lie to us and we assumed that they felt the same way about us as we did about them.

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"Do you love Jesus? If so, you will want to please Him. If so, you will want to follow Him. I lf so, you will be fully satisfied with Him, Him and Him alone. The world will no longer draw. Its charms will cease to exist so far as you are concerned, and you will no more crave its empty pleasures. Jesus, Jesus, Himself, will be your all. You will feed upon Him, dwell with Him, abide in Him, love Him, and crown Him as king of your heart. All your questions will be easily settled if you really love Him. So again, do you love Him??"

--Oswald J. Smith, The Man God Uses

Oswald Jeffrey Smith penned the book The Man God Uses. The book was edited and released in New York by Christian Alliance Pub. Co. (1932). It includes 116 pages and 12 chapters. 

About the book...

Oswald J Smith will bring conviction to your soul and strengthen your spiritual connection with God. The man God uses is not your average and casual Christian. The next chapters cover: The birthday prayer, The man God uses, The divided life, The ultimate test, and The triumphant life.

My reaction to the novel...

Off The Kirb Ministries' Facebook page led me to this book. He suggested this book to Christians, which piqued my interest. I looked it up and read it. Actually, looking for this one took a lot of my time. Because I usually wind up in the incorrect book, searching is quite difficult. Fortunately, though, I was able to find it, read it, and finish it.

I've read some Christian literature in the past, but I wasn't really interested in this genre previously; something simply occurred to shift my interests during the past few months, and I'm not sure how.  I just remember that I urgently felt the need to hear the Christian teachings, even if I am a Catholic.

I believe it all began when I started reading the Bible. I had a feeling that I was drawn to it, and I came to the conclusion that I had to make a decision between being a Catholic or shifting to Christianity by accepting Jesus as my personal Savior. Of course, I picked Jesus and will always choose Him, so I sought for a church, asked a friend, and now I am living a life with Jesus. You may think after reading this that it was simple for me to abandon the faith that had been ingrained in me since childhood, but honestly, I find it to be quite challenging. My entire set of beliefs came under scrutiny as I studied the Bible, which pained me a lot.However, I came to realize that the truth is a gift from God, therefore I should know it and accept it. It's a blessing that I opened myself up to Him. I then started to watch sermons, podcasts, and Christian films, which eventually lead me to Off the Kirb Ministries and this book.

This book is straightforward to read; the author did a great job of simplifying it for readers, who will easily get how he wants to be understood. I could definitely feel all of his faith and challenges, but even though they may have seemed like struggles to others, they were still acts of worship to him. I was truly taken aback at how he felt that way, and it gave me hope that perhaps one day I too will devote my life to the Lord in the same manner.

This book will provide Christians with hope while also providing unbelievers with food for thought. We will be able to see what our purpose is and receive advice on how to materialize and carry it out. Though it may be tough at times, our Lord ordered us to do it, and we should not think twice about it. I greatly like this book and wholeheartedly suggest it to every Christian, as well as to non-Christians. This will undoubtedly help.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5)

I just want to share this excerpts from the book, I hope you'll like it to the same way I felt after reading it.

“I think it takes a lot of energy and hard work to pretend things are perfect. I think I’d get really exhausted trying to pretend that. Sometimes it takes a lot of guts and bravery to admit that things aren’t perfect, that they’re not even okay. How would anyone know I needed help if I was always pretending everything was fine?”

― Katrina Kittle, The Kindness of Strangers

Katrina Kittle is the author of the book "The Kindness of Strangers". It was released by William Morrow Paperbacks on January 2, 2007.

Synopsis from Amazon...

A young widow raising two boys, Sarah Laden is struggling to keep her family together. But when a shocking revelation rips apart the family of her closest friend, Sarah finds herself welcoming yet another troubled young boy into her already tumultuous life.

Jordan, a quiet, reclusive elementary school classmate of Sarah's son Danny, has survived a terrible ordeal. By agreeing to become Jordan's foster mother, Sarah will be forced to question the things she has long believed. And as the delicate threads that bind their family begin to unravel, all the Ladens will have to face difficult truths about themselves and one another—and discover the power of love necessary to forgive and to heal.

My reaction to this novel...

I've never read a novel by Ms. Katrina Kittle before, and I felt really conflicted about it. She was attempting to get over a message to her readers, one that is addressed in many novels I have read, and I believe she was successful in doing so. I like how she was able to portray the gruesome events that a child would encounter in a horrifying light. As I read this, I found myself wondering how someone would actually process this tale if it were to come to pass. Nobody with a rational mind, in my opinion, could possibly comprehend the suspect's mentality. It is utterly wicked.

The subject matter made it a tough book to get through at times, but it's comparable to driving by a car collisions and being forced to look. I just couldn't understand how an adult could do that to a child or how traumatized he could be to the point where, even if they had done it to him, he was always trying to please them out of love and a simple need to be loved. I felt like throwing up all over from what they actually done to the kid.

Actually, I really enjoy the concept or subject that Katrina Kittle is trying to get through, and I can say that the method she goes about communicating it is quite simple to comprehend since she avoids using jargon that can turn readers off. However, I found it challenging to read since Katrina Kittle frequently used profanity that included the name of God. This, in my opinion, is a truly poor aspect of her writing. She frequently invoked the name of God in vain, which truly angered me at times, and I skipped several of her phrases. That truly annoys me. She ought to do her homework correctly because she created her characters Jews, thus she should be aware of such things. And even though I am not Jewish, I am aware as a Christian that we must not take God's name in vain. I was disappointed with her writing because she employs it so frequently in this book. I truly hope that her other books won't be unpleasant like this one because her readers could get the impression from it that it's acceptable to use swearing words with the name of God. The fact that I repeatedly recognized it and found it to be so repulsive makes me wonder if the other readers did as well.

This book was really difficult for me to read. Maybe the next time she writes a narrative like this, she should include a disclaimer that there will be a lot of profanity and breach of the third commandment because she invokes the name of God frequently in her profanity. For me, I really don't want to recommend this book since there are many books that address the same topic without using the name of God incoherently only for cursing and those books are way better than this.

My Overall Rating: ⭐(1/5)

Where to buy this book...