Reading Teen

Rachel Coker has written a novel with a Christian-based theme that is entertaining and interesting without being preachy or "goody two-shoes". I found this book to be a refreshing change of pace. The main character is a young woman who has had to deal with major tragedy and upheaval in her life at a very young age. She deals with these things by building a wall around herself and keeping a tight rein on her emotions. Allie has to take responsibility for her single mother when brain cancer causes dementia to set in. Her mother does not believe in God and doesn't trust Christians, believing that they are hateful and deceptive. When circumstances require a big change in Allie's life, she tries desperately to hold onto her mother and their shared memories. The link between her old life and the new is an annoying guy named Sam Carroll. He is a rock that Allie can cling to in spite of herself. Allie pretends to have everything under control until World War II intervenes and causes her to realize that there is only one person in control and it's not her. There is a lot about Christian faith in this book but it is not overpowering nor does it make the book too heavy. The characters are believable and the story is realistic. I don't think that the religious aspect should keep anyone from enjoying the story. I would recommend this book to everyone.-Janeth