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christeen's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! The first couple chapters were slow but as I neared the end, I couldn’t put it down!! The ending was totally a surprise but quite the turn of events. I recommend this book. The setting was Brunswick, GA where I’ve visited & could visualize the scenery.
bookbugbex's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
laurenmidna's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book! I really liked the characters, the setting felt full and realistic, the story was intriguing. I feel like Sketch's storyline could have been developed more, it's the only thing that kind of bugs me. I get that he's a parallel to Chase, but I wanted more individual development from that part of the plot. Other than that, I thought this book was great, and I'll definitely be looking for more from this author!
katiedoodle's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the writing style of this book and generally found most of the messages surrounding identity and the feelings and needs of orphaned and abandoned children to be positive. The plot was a bit unbelievable but quite sweet.
I enjoy that there was a mystery to be solved in this story, although I was disappointed to find that the main character, who has dedicated his life to solving it, ultimately just hears the truth from the very man whose name he was trying to clear all along without really doing anything successful to uncover it himself.
There were a few moments that had me side-eyeing the author as well. In one scene, a woman who used to be an adult film actress is harassed by a man at a restaurant. It's rude but she doesn't seem to be in any physical danger. She punches/stabs him in the throat with her keys and continues to assault him violently and this is rewarded with a comped meal and no real reaction from the main character. In another scene, the protagonist reminisces about the time his father did not let him in the house to escape from a bully who was beating him up, telling him he needed to go face the issue, and this is also framed as a good thing.
It also felt like the author was trying too hard to say something profound. Almost every scene has Unc giving a flowery speech to one of his family that is really about how everyone has scars but they're still unique and wonderful. A couple of these moments would be fine but it is just constant.
Finally, I didn't realize this story was in the category of Christian fiction when I initially picked it up as a book club read. Personally I am not interested in this genre. The religious themes were apparent but not central to the story and not really overbearing, although they were some of my less preferred parts of the story.
Overall it was a pleasant read but I was a bit let down.
I enjoy that there was a mystery to be solved in this story, although I was disappointed to find that the main character, who has dedicated his life to solving it, ultimately just hears the truth from the very man whose name he was trying to clear all along without really doing anything successful to uncover it himself.
There were a few moments that had me side-eyeing the author as well. In one scene, a woman who used to be an adult film actress is harassed by a man at a restaurant. It's rude but she doesn't seem to be in any physical danger. She punches/stabs him in the throat with her keys and continues to assault him violently and this is rewarded with a comped meal and no real reaction from the main character. In another scene, the protagonist reminisces about the time his father did not let him in the house to escape from a bully who was beating him up, telling him he needed to go face the issue, and this is also framed as a good thing.
It also felt like the author was trying too hard to say something profound. Almost every scene has Unc giving a flowery speech to one of his family that is really about how everyone has scars but they're still unique and wonderful. A couple of these moments would be fine but it is just constant.
Finally, I didn't realize this story was in the category of Christian fiction when I initially picked it up as a book club read. Personally I am not interested in this genre. The religious themes were apparent but not central to the story and not really overbearing, although they were some of my less preferred parts of the story.
Overall it was a pleasant read but I was a bit let down.
heidirgorecki's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this story about heartfelt selflessness, sacrificing for someone else even to your own detriment, and unraveling who both Chase and “Sketch” were in this story. It was well written and had many good points to think about. I love the theme that’s often in his books, about how we long to know “whose we are”. This one has made me think a lot.
cherihy808's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Charles Martin never disappoints!! What I love most about his writing are the descriptions. You feel like you are right there wherever the story is taking place. Not many authors have the gift of making you feel that way without rambling too much and adding unnecessary words just for length. I truly could close my eyes and imagine each and every scene in this book. Also the storylines in his books are always so emotional and pull at the heartstrings. There is a lot of sadness but also a lot of moments that make you smile.
As far as characters, another great thing Mr. Martin does is easily makes you connect with each of them. I loved all the characters in this one (with the exception of Jack). By far, Unc was my favorite. His words of wisdom, his devotion to his family, his humbleness…I loved him. My favorite quote from him, “ If God can make a firefly’s butt light up like a star, then anything is possible. Anything.”
The only reason I knocked one star off was because I did feel as though it was predictable. With that being said, I am still very happy that I read it and I highly recommend any and all Charles Martin novels!
anorboge's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, and Suicide
caslater83's review
5.0
While I found a few parts in the beginning to be a little "dragging," the overall story is very powerful, very emotional, and if you find yourself hating it, you have no soul. Chase is a journalist who is on a personal journey of sorts to find the truth for himself and the ones he loves most. This is a book that will tug your heart. Be sure to have a box of Kleenex close at hand!
bc_303's review against another edition
3.0
Chase Walker - reported, adopted into family with horrible past by two loving parents Aunt Lorna & Uncle Willy. Set in Swampland of Georgia.
Tommy - his girl cousin, sexually abused by dad, gets AIDS making porn, ends up unraveling the mystery of Chase's life and giving chase the details he needs to take her dad down.
Willy's brother is Tommy's dad. Greedy, stole millions of bonds, blamed it on his brother. Killed his dad, dad's lawyer, and brother's wife and made it look like the lawyer did the killing.
Mixed in with this is a kid that ends up in the town on the side of the railroad tracks after his adopted mom commit suicide by train. As they are unraveling the story of his life trying to figure out his past it helps tell the story of Chase's past. He's a genius artist.
Interesting book as far as thinking about what is Justice and what is freedom as Willie never takes revenge on his brother even though he knows what his brother did to him, to Tommy, and to the town.
I found the ending incredibly unsatisfactory. Everyone inside the family knew the truth but the crook is never forced to be accountable. I especially hate that he was sexually abusing his own kids and no one in the family tries to get him locked up. The book could have been tied together much better. Like there are clues dropped throughout but it's never really tied together very well.
Tommy - his girl cousin, sexually abused by dad, gets AIDS making porn, ends up unraveling the mystery of Chase's life and giving chase the details he needs to take her dad down.
Willy's brother is Tommy's dad. Greedy, stole millions of bonds, blamed it on his brother. Killed his dad, dad's lawyer, and brother's wife and made it look like the lawyer did the killing.
Mixed in with this is a kid that ends up in the town on the side of the railroad tracks after his adopted mom commit suicide by train. As they are unraveling the story of his life trying to figure out his past it helps tell the story of Chase's past. He's a genius artist.
Interesting book as far as thinking about what is Justice and what is freedom as Willie never takes revenge on his brother even though he knows what his brother did to him, to Tommy, and to the town.
I found the ending incredibly unsatisfactory. Everyone inside the family knew the truth but the crook is never forced to be accountable. I especially hate that he was sexually abusing his own kids and no one in the family tries to get him locked up. The book could have been tied together much better. Like there are clues dropped throughout but it's never really tied together very well.