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ezichinny's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Former Episcopalian Priest Cullen Kiley lost his husband and consequently his belief in God. After all, how could a loving God take away the best thing that ever happened to him? Cullen shut out all his family and friends, and set sail on the boat he owned with his late husband Cole.
While on a stroll down memory, Cullen docked in Southport, North Carolina. This was a town with significance to Cullen and Cole’s courtship. While jogging, Cullen spied a man who looked demoralized and dejected, but clutching his Bible for dear life. The minister in him saw a depressed man and Cullen stopped to lend an ear. This is how Cullen met Southern Baptist Pastor Abel Weston.
This was an interesting story because while both are ordained clerics, one is working so hard to keep his faith in the face of bigotry and the other turned his back on his calling due to heartbreak. I found it interesting that one character had always had family and community, but when he faced a tragedy, he also had a crisis of faith. Whereas the other character grew up without anyone in his corner, but he held on to his religion with everything he had while facing isolation.
I liked the story but wanted more shading to the characters. I didn’t like the one dimensional perspective on Southern Baptist religion. I would have preferred if the reader was given more independence in deciding the antagonist’s malevolence. It was like the author chose the most black and white worst case scenario and juxtaposed them with such a sweet soul like Abel. How could you not root for Abel and denounce his clergymen? I was expecting something really momentous to be reason Cullen disavowed his mission. When the reason was revealed, I felt like it weakened Cullen in my eyes. I imagine he must have told countless grieving persons that they will get through their pain. But when it was his turn, he balked at everyone’s show of comfort.
In addition, Abel’s struggle with his sexuality didn’t really seem like much of quagmire once he met Cullen. Abel quickly gave the impression that Cullen’s friendship and the possibility of more outweighed that momentary concern for his occupation. I would have liked to see more inner monologue on this struggle and less of Cullen’s musings.
What I loved about this story was that love prevailed. It was restorative and healing. Both Cullen and Abel were struggling in their mind and spirit. This journey to Southport was meant to be a remembrance of Cullen’s life with Cole but it turned into a new beginning. Cullen and Abel were a balm to each other’s souls and that was so refreshing. I loved Abel’s neighbor and her unconditional support. The love story here was sweet and satisfying.
But the bigger message, being observant and noticing those around you because you never know when you would save a life was motivating and inspiring. I feel like the next time I go jogging I will actually look at my surrounds and those I pass by.
*I received this book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review*
Former Episcopalian Priest Cullen Kiley lost his husband and consequently his belief in God. After all, how could a loving God take away the best thing that ever happened to him? Cullen shut out all his family and friends, and set sail on the boat he owned with his late husband Cole.
While on a stroll down memory, Cullen docked in Southport, North Carolina. This was a town with significance to Cullen and Cole’s courtship. While jogging, Cullen spied a man who looked demoralized and dejected, but clutching his Bible for dear life. The minister in him saw a depressed man and Cullen stopped to lend an ear. This is how Cullen met Southern Baptist Pastor Abel Weston.
This was an interesting story because while both are ordained clerics, one is working so hard to keep his faith in the face of bigotry and the other turned his back on his calling due to heartbreak. I found it interesting that one character had always had family and community, but when he faced a tragedy, he also had a crisis of faith. Whereas the other character grew up without anyone in his corner, but he held on to his religion with everything he had while facing isolation.
I liked the story but wanted more shading to the characters. I didn’t like the one dimensional perspective on Southern Baptist religion. I would have preferred if the reader was given more independence in deciding the antagonist’s malevolence. It was like the author chose the most black and white worst case scenario and juxtaposed them with such a sweet soul like Abel. How could you not root for Abel and denounce his clergymen? I was expecting something really momentous to be reason Cullen disavowed his mission. When the reason was revealed, I felt like it weakened Cullen in my eyes. I imagine he must have told countless grieving persons that they will get through their pain. But when it was his turn, he balked at everyone’s show of comfort.
In addition, Abel’s struggle with his sexuality didn’t really seem like much of quagmire once he met Cullen. Abel quickly gave the impression that Cullen’s friendship and the possibility of more outweighed that momentary concern for his occupation. I would have liked to see more inner monologue on this struggle and less of Cullen’s musings.
What I loved about this story was that love prevailed. It was restorative and healing. Both Cullen and Abel were struggling in their mind and spirit. This journey to Southport was meant to be a remembrance of Cullen’s life with Cole but it turned into a new beginning. Cullen and Abel were a balm to each other’s souls and that was so refreshing. I loved Abel’s neighbor and her unconditional support. The love story here was sweet and satisfying.
But the bigger message, being observant and noticing those around you because you never know when you would save a life was motivating and inspiring. I feel like the next time I go jogging I will actually look at my surrounds and those I pass by.
*I received this book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review*
suze_1624's review against another edition
3.0
A fairly easy read, despite being based on religion I didn’t find it too onerous.
Cullen has lost his calling after his husbands death - why would god take his man?
Abel is fighting his truth - accepting he is gay is self torture.
They meet and it goes from there - some corny moments, some unlikely moments. Abel does seem to jump into life as a gay man very quickly and I do think both should have been more circumspect to avoid the Agnes debacle later.
Despite the undercurrent of bigotry in Abel’s church, this was a light and simple story and at times the dialogue is a bit too corny for me.
Cullen has lost his calling after his husbands death - why would god take his man?
Abel is fighting his truth - accepting he is gay is self torture.
They meet and it goes from there - some corny moments, some unlikely moments. Abel does seem to jump into life as a gay man very quickly and I do think both should have been more circumspect to avoid the Agnes debacle later.
Despite the undercurrent of bigotry in Abel’s church, this was a light and simple story and at times the dialogue is a bit too corny for me.
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