The book is a good one for parents of
teenagers, particularly if the mother is a stay-at-home-mom. The book
tackles many problems of young adults: illegal drinking, emotional
problems, and dating. It also raises questions about how much Mom has
to give up to keep the family together. The book came down rather
heavily on the side of Mom going back home, but I'm not sure that's
realistic in today's world. I would have liked to see a more balanced
way of dealing with the problem of Mom's job and the kids' needs.
The story is a bit diffuse. I thought
Wiseman was trying to deal with too many problems and character
types. The risk with too many characters is that some the conflicts
go unresolved. That happened in this book, but may pick up in Part
II.
I recommend this book if you're dealing
with teenagers, or a mom deciding to go back to work. It's filled
with reminders that we all need to talk to God. I found that very
refreshing. The story moves quickly and is easy to read. You have to
decide for yourself whether Brad and Darlene are making good choices
for themselves and their children.
I reviewed this book as part of the
Booksneeze Program.
Nice review. I really enjoyed this book as well--did you read both Part 1 & Part 2? The loose ends tie up nicely by the end. Beth Wiseman writes fearlessly with the stresses and struggles that are an inevitable part of a marriage and raising children--yet offers hope in the face of those challenges. She doesn't shy away from letting the characters in this book face some problems and difficult questions. I think many readers will be able to relate to this book, and be comforted by the fact that they are not the only ones who struggle.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I thought Wiseman tackles the hard questions. It helps parents see they're not alone. I'm glad you told me about Part II. I was a bit disappointed in the ending, but I'm sure that will clear up in Pare II. Thanks!
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