Depending on You

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

JAGEARS, MELISSA

DEPENDING ON YOU

Can the joy and hope of Christmas restore their love before it's too late?

Leah Whitsett's life was ideal until the disastrous day she nearly died because of her husband's deceit. When he returns home weeks before Christmas, she knows the best gift she can give him is forgiveness, but how can she relinquish her hard-won independence knowing he plans to turn their family's life upside down again?

Bryant has always known his wife was a gift he'd never deserved, but how can he provide for her in a town that no longer wants anything to do with him? He longs to atone for the misery he's put his loved ones through, but when he brings a family member home for the holidays, he and Leah may end up even further apart.

With emotions high and their marriage at stake, will the season bring the hope they need...or are their rifts too large to mend?

Depending on You is the third book in the Frontier Vows series by award-winning Christian romance author Melissa Jagears. If you like authentic characters who deal with real-life struggles, you'll enjoy this heartwarming holiday romance.

My Review:

published in 2020

A heartwarming second chance love story built upon the themes of forgiveness and hope.

I haven't read the first two books in this series and I think it would have helped if I had since I felt like I'd leapt into the middle of a story. The author does a good job of relaying the pertinent facts -- a kind of quick catch-up backstory for both Leah and Bryant -- but I think their love story would have made more of an impact if I'd read the other books.

Readers are introduced to a lot of characters -- a town's worth -- who have all played secondary roles or were H/hs in previous books -- so if you're current with the series, you'll be pleased to get reacquainted. Newbies like me might flounder a bit but it won't take long to shuck that new-girl-in-town feeling and become lost in the story.

The town gave me a Little House on the Prairie or Dr. Quinn vibe -- with all kinds of personalities and I love the way they all came together to celebrate Christmas with a special church presentation that was both touching and laugh-out-loud funny.

There's a poignancy to Bryant's humble pursuit of his wife. But Leah harbors bitterness and distrust and her struggle with the principle of forgiveness makes for an achingly beautiful story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Depending on You, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 16  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!