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randikaye's review
4.0
This was the first book I had ever had the opportunity to read from Eleanor Bertin, and based on the description alone I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Still, I had enjoyed the previous novel in The Mosaic Collection (a collection of stand alone novels from various Christian authors), so I looked forward to reading the rest of them too. Unbound was not a disappointment in the least.
How many times have we heard it said that the stories in the Bible- despite their unfamiliar settings and times- are relevant to our lives still today? Oftentimes that can be really difficult to see- what with how different things are then versus now. Unbound gives us a prime example of that with it's fictionalized modern day take on the story of Ruth and Naomi. Now, I'll admit despite the names and the similar circumstances it took me a bit to catch on that this was what it was. The author did such a great job of creating these intricate characters with their histories and flaws that it felt completely new and fresh...and truly, it was.
While it was certainly a story of grace and faith, it wasn't a particularly lighthearted read. It deals with the heavy topic of grief--- showing how we all react differently to the circumstances. There is also much talk about miscarriage, infertility and abortion. In addition to these primary characters, we are introduced to Naomi's brother in law- a self proclaimed prophet who held to what seemed to me to be some rather cult-like/extremists beliefs. It was interesting to see the contrast between his legalistic views and the damage they had on those around him, compared to the true grace of God.
Overall, this was a really intriguing story full of twists and turns that kept me hanging on through the very end. I will say I did feel like the end felt a little bit rushed and I would have liked to see that done a little differently, or to have seen more on how it all played out, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It is a beautiful story of faith and family unlike any I've read before. I look forward to seeing more from this author.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.
How many times have we heard it said that the stories in the Bible- despite their unfamiliar settings and times- are relevant to our lives still today? Oftentimes that can be really difficult to see- what with how different things are then versus now. Unbound gives us a prime example of that with it's fictionalized modern day take on the story of Ruth and Naomi. Now, I'll admit despite the names and the similar circumstances it took me a bit to catch on that this was what it was. The author did such a great job of creating these intricate characters with their histories and flaws that it felt completely new and fresh...and truly, it was.
While it was certainly a story of grace and faith, it wasn't a particularly lighthearted read. It deals with the heavy topic of grief--- showing how we all react differently to the circumstances. There is also much talk about miscarriage, infertility and abortion. In addition to these primary characters, we are introduced to Naomi's brother in law- a self proclaimed prophet who held to what seemed to me to be some rather cult-like/extremists beliefs. It was interesting to see the contrast between his legalistic views and the damage they had on those around him, compared to the true grace of God.
Overall, this was a really intriguing story full of twists and turns that kept me hanging on through the very end. I will say I did feel like the end felt a little bit rushed and I would have liked to see that done a little differently, or to have seen more on how it all played out, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It is a beautiful story of faith and family unlike any I've read before. I look forward to seeing more from this author.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.
danad's review
4.0
She no longer thought of herself as living on borrowed time. Not since being set free from her past. The wariness she’d lived under had evaporated. The axe she’d dreaded falling had done so, but not on her. It had fallen on an undeserving Substitute. Far from her life unraveling, she found herself unbound.
Fear dropped away from her like limp rope, its bondage spent. “Although I am a great sinner, Jesus is a great rescuer. Nothing — not your charges, your manipulation, or your anger — can ever separate me from God’s unending love!”
Ruthie ran the entire gambit of emotions as one of the main characters in Eleanor's newest book. I was emotionally invested early on in the story. One moment I was rooting for her, and the next I wanted to shake her. I am humbled at how she stood by her mother-in-law, even when for her sake, she could have walked away. How many times do we stop and think of others grieving, in the midst of our own grief? It is also frightening at how easily life can change, and how a widow/widower must struggle with their "new normal." My main take-away from this book is to look for opportunities to
ease the burdens that our neighbors are struggling under the load of.
Fear dropped away from her like limp rope, its bondage spent. “Although I am a great sinner, Jesus is a great rescuer. Nothing — not your charges, your manipulation, or your anger — can ever separate me from God’s unending love!”
Ruthie ran the entire gambit of emotions as one of the main characters in Eleanor's newest book. I was emotionally invested early on in the story. One moment I was rooting for her, and the next I wanted to shake her. I am humbled at how she stood by her mother-in-law, even when for her sake, she could have walked away. How many times do we stop and think of others grieving, in the midst of our own grief? It is also frightening at how easily life can change, and how a widow/widower must struggle with their "new normal." My main take-away from this book is to look for opportunities to
ease the burdens that our neighbors are struggling under the load of.
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