My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This novel is a beautiful story of redemption, forgiveness and love. The idea of a story about a fashion model didn't instantly draw me in, but as soon as I started reading I was hooked. The author does an excellent job developing the characters and showing their inner turmoil and fears. Ivy is a NYC model at the end of her ten year run of fame. She desperately takes a job from her stepmother to model her wedding gown designs for a photo shoot and charity fashion show. On the outside, Ivy is a gorgeous successful woman, but on the inside she feels unloved and unwanted, due both to the last ten year of being treated as an object of beauty and lust as well as to growing up the product of adultery, ignored completely by her father and finally removed from her mother's home as her mother retreats into alcohol, drugs and depression after Ivy's father cuts off the relationship. The author writes beautifully and Ivy's transformation in the small town is so well done and believable. I love that the characters of faith in this story, her stepmother Marilyn, and Davis and Sara her nephew and niece, while believing in Christ's power and love, also have issues in their lives and I love that the author allows Ivy in her brokenness to be instrumental in their healing as well. Despite the fact that Ivy is the child of her husband and his mistress, Marilyn has always felt God calling her to love Ivy as a daughter and she lives that calling despite the fact that Ivy doesn't see it and responds negatively to her. Ivy's redemption and the redemption of these relationships in her lives was moving. All these main characters have struggled through so much: guilt, blindness, infidelity,rejection. Marilyn makes a powerful statement that really impacted me in my personal life. She says, "God's not in the business of pampering His children. He's in the business of perfecting them."
This book is one that I will lend freely, but will always have a spot on my shelf. While there is romance, I'd say its not specifically a romance novel; it is a novel about the redemptive power of Christ and the freedom we can have in Him.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
This book is one that I will lend freely, but will always have a spot on my shelf. While there is romance, I'd say its not specifically a romance novel; it is a novel about the redemptive power of Christ and the freedom we can have in Him.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
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