Tag: Rachel Hauck

REVIEW: The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck

REVIEW: The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

“You are cordially invited to the Fifth Avenue Story Society.”

Jett receives his invitation after a night in jail for a drunken brawl where he tried to defend a bridesmaid from a groomsman who refused to hear the word “no.”

Lexa receives her invitation at work where she’s been the executive assistant to a rising star for years. She could be running the company, but she’s afraid of what would happen if she applied to be CEO and her boss said no.

Chuck was in jail with Jett because he waded into the fight. It was a huge mistake to get involved. It could have cost him the most important people in his life. He found his invitation in his car – the one he drove for Uber after his life fell apart.

Ed and Coral round out the group. All five of them received invitations. None of them know who sent them. But in time they all start to see their Monday nights together as one of the most important parts of their week. They process life together and encourage one another. And they wait to discover who called them together – and why.

Review

This was great! There was a connection to the author’s previous work The Writing Desk (which I loved!) that I didn’t expect, but thoroughly enjoyed.

This breaks with the pattern of an historical story alongside a contemporary one that the author used in the last couple books of hers I have read. I loved that this one is set entirely in the present. The set up of five mostly-strangers coming together gave the author so much to explore. Everyone was holding something back – from the group and in some ways from themselves. There’s a strong element of “the truth will set you free” in this.

The stories of the two women in the group were probably my favorites – although Ed’s story had the biggest emotional punch for me. But I enjoyed how all five stories wove together and built on one another. I also enjoyed the thread about writing that worked through the stories of the three men in the group.

There was plenty of tension in this – several spots where I thought the group might fracture beyond repair. But one character’s new relationship with God led her to be the example for the group, sharing her story and waiting to see if the others would be brave enough to share theirs. I completely enjoyed the journey of watching it all play out.

Fans of Rachel Hauck’s work – as well as fans of contemporary Christian fiction – should check this one out!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck

REVIEW: The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Chloe Daschle is tired of playing characters who die. But death scenes have sort of become her bread and butter – all anyone wants her to do, it seems. But not this time. Chloe has read an amazing new script, and she is determined to be the lead. Bound by Love takes place during the American Revolution. It’s based on a letter from the screen writer, Jesse Gates’, ancestor. In the letter, Hamilton asks an old flame if their love might have a second chance after both of their beloved spouses have passed away. Chloe, a big believer in True Love, longs to play the role of Esther in this fictionalized version of the love story represented by the letter.

Hamilton and Esther were very real people in 1781. While Esther was part of British society, she and her father lived in South Carolina where her father managed the land and assets of a wealthy British businessman. Hamilton lived on a nearby farm with the aunt and uncle who raised him after he lost his family. While the two young people are in love, circumstances put them on opposites sides of the growing hostilities in the colonies.

Hundreds of years apart, the stories of Hamilton and Esther and Jesse and Chloe are tied together in ways they can’t begin to fathom.

Review

This is a lovely story of family, forgiveness and faith. This formula of connecting stories in different time periods has been used to great success by this author before, and it works again this time.

The historic pieces from the Revolutionary War are solid. The events of that time period really work against the characters of Hamilton and Esther. The reader gets to see how things develop in the community and threaten to pull the young people apart.

I enjoyed the contemporary story more than the historical one for this book (whereas I enjoyed the historical part more in The Writing Desk.) This isn’t an especially deep or tortured love story, but each character has baggage to overcome. I really enjoyed Chloe and Jesse, and I was cheering for them from the start.

The faith pieces were okay. There are some slightly “mystical” moments that felt out of place to me with the rest of the story. But I loved the conversion stories that explored faith and surrender and unconditional love for some of the characters.

I found a book by this author on my TBR shelves and another on my e-reader. Both are now on my summer reading wish list. I really enjoy Ms. Hauck’s work and I’m looking forward to reading more from her.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck

REVIEW: The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Tenley’s first book was a best-seller. An award winner. But she can’t get one word written for a follow up. With a famous father and great-great-grandfather who were authors, shouldn’t this be easier? Is she destined to be a one hit wonder?

In 1902, Birdie longs to throw off the expectations of her station. She wants to have her stories published and marry the man she loves. But the publisher she approached turned her down, and she never got her manuscript back. Her parents have arranged a marriage for her that will solidify her status in society for the rest of her life. But what about what she wants?

When Tenley heads to Florida to care for her estranged mother while she goes through chemo, she’s supposed to be writing her next book. Instead she takes steps that will draw her story and Birdie’s together across more than 100 years.

Review

This was terrific! First and foremost it’s a story of writers, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I adored Birdie. She showed great strength and determination as she made every effort to fight the destiny laid out for her. Her story was my favorite.

I empathized with Tenley. She’s lost. She doesn’t really know who she is. But she does the right thing in going to take care of her mom. And while they still had prickly moments, I loved watching them try to sort things out.

This is also a set of love stories (Jonas and his family are fantastic!! There are several laugh-out-loud moments of banter between Tenley and Jonas). And it is also a story of God who sings over both of these women, encouraging them to not be dismayed. This was absolutely lovely!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥