Amazing book! I read it in one day because I just had to see how it ended! ( )

This is a truly character driven story that evoked the full gamut of emotions in this reader. The story covers many issues including destroyed dreams, teen pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage, adoption, estranged family members, marital discord, tragic death, grief, and secrets. There are four different points of view: Jillian, who struggles with choices from her past and how the secrets affect her life, Izzy, who is Jillian's high school aged daughter who discovers she is pregnant as well as dealing with the grief of the death of her baby daddy and her part in it, Margaret who is the mother of Travis, Izzy's boyfriend who dies in a tragic accident and Stacey who so wants to be a mother, but is still dealing with her own grief and secrets.

I do not want to ruin this story for anyone so will talk about my feelings while reading this book. The characters in this story felt so real. The problems and their reactions to various situation were genuine and I could feel a real empathy for them. The girls in the house were all young and trying to make the best of the situation they found themselves in. I wish there was such a place around here as it really seemed to be helping these young women and their babies. As I read, I became invested in the stories of all the characters and yes, tissues were needed. The church families involved were amazing. There was acceptance of the girls and their situations, support of the home and a lot of prayer and forgiveness. If only we could always move forward without guilt and regret at things in our past that we can not change. There were a lot of twists and turns in the story. I thought I had it figured out, knowing what Izzy was going to do, then bam, she did what? There were times that I got frustrated with the characters and their actions and/or decisions, then the next minute I was cheering for them.

This was a book that once I started reading it, I didn't stop until I finished. It was a relatively quick read, and one that I enjoyed very much. It is an emotionally packed story that will stay with you long after you finish. This is a great book for anyone who loves emotional dramas, that are realistic and will have you reading instead of doing whatever you were supposed to be doing that day or night. I received a copy of this book from Just Read Publicity to read and review. The rating, ideas and opinions are my own. ( )