Need You Now

by Beth Wiseman

When big-city life threatens the safety of one of their children, Brad and Darlene Henderson move with their three teenagers from Houston to the tiny town of Round Top, Texas.

Adjusting to small-town life is difficult for the kids, especially fifteen-year-old Grace who is coping in a dangerous way.

Married life hasn't always been bliss, but their strong faith has carried them through the difficult times. When Darlene takes a job outside the home for the first time in their marriage, the domestic tension rises.

While working with special needs children at her new job, the widowed father of one of Darlene's students starts paying more attention to her than is appropriate. Problem is, she feels like someone is listening to her for the first time in a long time.

If Darlene ever needed God . . . it's now.

"Experience a family's triumphant defeat over lies, betrayal, and loss while still clinging to the One who matters most."

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Amish, Audiobook, Romance, Contemporary

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

"I wish I had the time to review books and chat with you here, but my writing deadlines just don't allow it. Please like my Fans of Beth Wiseman Page on Facebook where I try to post any news and interact with readers."
Beth is the best-selling and award winning author of the Daughters of the Promise series - Plain Perfect, Plain Pursuit, Plain Promise, Plain Paradise, and Plain Proposal. She is contracted with HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Her other series--the Land of Canaan Novels--begins with Seek Me With All Your Heart, then The Wonder of Your Love and now, His Love Endures Forever. Seek Me With All Your Heart is the first Amish fiction book selected as a Women of Faith novel in 2011. Beth has also written three contemporary Christian fiction novels, Need You Now published in 2012 and The House That Love Built in 2013. In The Promise, (2014) Beth jumps way outside the box. This story takes readers far away from Amish Country and small Texas towns to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. Inspired by a true story, Beth believes this is the book she’s been working toward for a long time. 2015 brings Beth back to the Pennsylvania Amish with her new series, Amish Secrets. She is currently working on book #2 following much success with book #1, Her Brother's Keeper.

You can also follow Beth on Twitter: @BethWiseman

Reviews

[Paula Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most commonly known for her Amish fiction ,author Beth Wiseman has decided to take a go at writing contemporary fiction or what I personally would put under the category of Edgy Christian Fiction. I have to admit that I didn't know what I was really in for until I started reading it and as the storyline went along , it well was amazing. I have always been a fan of Edgy Content . so I loved the way Beth Wiseman captured the essence of the different issues in Need You Now. I think for me the theme of Need You Now was that no matter how hard and how difficult life gets for you , the obstacles that can be chucked in your path God Loves You, no matter what and with his love , you can fix anything .
Need You Now starts off a little slow as it sets the scene of Darlene and Brad who have just moved to Round Top - a rural community with their three children Chad, Grace and Ansley. The first bit of excitement comes when Darlene finds a snake in her bedroom and the snake incident introduces us to Layla -one of the other main female characters. Soon Layla becomes one of Darlene's good friends , but Layla isn't a christian and has lost her path with God as a few years ago Layla's daughter Marissa committed suicide. Can Darlene show Layla that God isn't all bad and before it's too late as tragedy strikes their friendship ?
Darlene and Brad have never had to worry about their daughter Grace , as she has been the good,quiet one but lately she seems to be withdrawing more and more . We discover that Grace has been cutting herself , what will the consequences be when Brad discovers that Grace has been self-harming herself ? When a cut goes wrong, can Brad and Darlene get Grace the help she needs before the next time when the cut will be fatal ?
It seems like temptation is in the air as Brad and Darlene's marriage hits a rocky bump in the road which will lead to misunderstandings and a kiss from another person, can this once strong couple prove that their love is strong no matter what happens , can the pair overcome their rocky road ?
Find out all this and more in Beth Wiseman's Need You Now , an excellent attempt in the transistion from Amish fiction to Contemporary Edgy Christian Fiction.

[Vernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

From City Life to Country Life---it is a big change for Darlene and Brad Henderson much more for their three teenage children.

It is not just adjusting to a new way of life that Darlene the central character of the story is going to face. A crisis will test her faith and married life is not such blissful as she hopes to be.

Beth Wiseman is a gifted storyteller.

Why?

I cannot put this book down after reading a few chapters. It is the kind of book good for a summer read over a cup of coffee in the morning or sipping an ice-coffee in the afternoon.

The Author has produced realistic and interesting characters such as Darlene and her husband Brad---who were trying their best to cope up with financially difficulties and bringing up three teenagers with distinct personalities and one with a hidden secret.

Then there was a twist along the way, when you get to know their nearest neighbor Layla, who has a dark secret of her own that will surprise you.

Added to the “drama” was one Dave Schroeder, handsome and successful, but dealing with being a widow and having a beautiful autistic daughter. His sadness leads him to go against his beliefs and risk something for a woman he can never have.

The storyline is not predictable and the sub-plots are indeed a page-turner that makes up for an exciting read. The characters are so believable that anyone can identify with.

It's all about redemption, forgiveness and how strong is your faith.

Having said all that, this is excellent work of Contemporary Christian Fiction.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart-touching, emotionally moving story of family.

I've read every single one of Beth Wiseman's Amish stories and have not been able to put them down, this contemporary novel is no different. From the very beginning we are introduced to a typical American family, every member is complex, and has their own hidden struggles.

I think the character that touched my heart most was Grace, because I have known people who struggled with the same things she struggled with. And I totally agree, great friends can really be God's way of reaching out in tough situations.

I really liked the character of Skylar though, she was a great girl who had her battles in the past, but came out stronger. She was probably my favorite character. I also really liked the character of Layla, because she is so much more than first meets the eye. That's one of the reasons I love Beth Wiseman's books so much, all of her characters are so well developed. I feel like I know alot about them just upon first meeting them, yet I want to find out more at the same time! And I really liked how the author used the role reversals between Layla and Darlene.

Overall, Need You Now though different in sub-genre, is another winner from Beth Wiseman. Emotionally driven, with moments that made me smile and others that broke my heart, Need You Now is a thoroughly satisfying literary journey from beginning to end.

I received this book from the publisher through B&B Media and FIRST Wild Card Blog Tours in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Beth Wiseman's books since the very beginning. Her Amish novels have this irresistible quality about them. I start one, and before I know it, three hours have passed and I've devoured one! Because she hasn't disappointed me yet, I've been anxious to see how she'll make the transition into the contemporary genre.

For the most part, I enjoyed it. The overall tone had some of the simplistic styling that I'm accustomed to reading in Beth's Amish novels. But to counteract that simplicity, the subject matter was complex and realistic. It was dramatic and relevant. There were questions posed that all of us have asked ourselves at one time or another. There were situations that the characters found themselves in that most of us hope to never experience. However, several story lines and POV's were used, and I think maybe one or two less might have helped to make the overall story tighter.

In my opinion, Beth has great strength with romantic story lines. That is one feature that I always enjoy from her Amish novels. I think, perhaps, if her future contemporary novels are more romantic in nature as opposed to strictly women's fiction, or maybe even a mix of both, I'll be more inclined to read them.

Without a doubt, though, I will continue to read her Amish novels. She has been one of my favorites for so long now that I mention her in the same sentence with Cindy Woodsmall as a must-read Amish fiction author. I'm glad to know that even with her new foray into the contemporary genre that Beth will continue to write Amish fiction.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
***Special thanks to Rick Roberson, The B&B Media Group, for sending me a review copy.***
Beth Wiseman is widely known in the Christian fiction market and beyond for her amazing Amish fiction and now with this book, Need You Now, I have the feeling that she will gain notoriety with even more readers. I'm not usually one for fiction without romance but this book really grabbed me, so much so that I read it straight through in a day. Need You Know is not just a book about marriage but families and friendship as well as love and loss. I'm a twenty-something who has never been married but I found myself relating to almost every character in the book from working mom Darlene who is just looking for some independence to Grace, her teenage daughter who is trying to figure out how to deal with her life. If you are thinking that maybe that this isn't a book for you like I was at first definitely give it a try, you may be surprised. Anyone who is a Wiseman fan will definitely see her knack for bringing to life great characters who could be your neighbor down the street to life in this book. She definitely does not shy away from tough issues like cutting, infidelity, or loss of faith. This really is a book for any reader, even teens who like a good story.

[Elaine Littau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Wiseman is mostly known as a best selling author of Amish Fiction. In her new book, Need You Now, she tackles life in a small Texas town located a little over an hour away from Houston. The family dynamic is believable to the reader. Darlene and Brad are parents of three children ranging in age from twelve to seventeen.

I appreciate that the author brings out difficult situations like raising and caring for a special needs child and balancing that care with looking out for teens and their issues. The family is not portrayed as a perfect Christian family although they call out to God in prayer for their daily trials as well as heart breaking events.

Many things that parents are concerned about are also dealt with such as: teen friendships and dating, drinking, drugs, and 'cutting'. The 'cutting' issue hits home with many teens and parents who do not understand the thought process behind the actions. Mrs. Wiseman offers up a storyline that is helpful to readers who are currently dealing with this.

Darlene and Brad are so busy providing for the family and being parents, that they forget to be a couple. The story brings to light how couples must guard their hearts and spend time together. This is a great read.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a reader of Beth Wiseman books I realized with this book that Beth has found her niche. You could feel the passion in her writing, I enjoyed this book much more than I have her other books. Contemporary fiction becomes Beth very well.

I enjoyed this book, and I know that for some that are ultra conservative (which I too am) that there were scenes in the book that won't sit well, the hint of infidelity, the lack of communication, etc. However I felt that Beth took what too often happens in real life and handled it wonderfully. Her reconciliation scenes and handling of touchy issues was superb. I also loved the story of Layla, Darlene is clueless about who she is trying to befriend until her husband tells her, but still Darlene presses on and leads Layla back into a position where she mends her failing relationships with God and her ex. This book thrilled me over and over. I laughed and cried, and felt the pain of Grace as she dealt with trying to be the perfect child.

A great story, and I hope to hear more from Beth in this genre SOON!! 307 pages US $15.99 4 stars

This book was provided by B & B Media for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review.

[Raya Whitehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a family who moved from the city into the home of (the mom's, Darlene) late grandparents. She meets up with her next door neighbor, Layla, (who helps her kill a snake in her bedroom) and is a formal movie star with some problems of her own and who doesn't believe in god. The mom has a need for independence and wants to get a job. She gets one at a school for special kids. At the school she does afternoon one on one sessions with a special girl named Cara. Cara's dad is named Dave and starts to slightly fall for Darlene. Darlene loves her husband Brad and her children, Chad (male), Grace (female) and Ansley (female).


This book is a great book. Has great details but doesn't go overboard with it. Had many religious parts in it. It tells of real life type family problems and how this family deals with them. All in all I loved reading this book.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this page turning book as Part One...and true to two part books it left you on a cliff hanger. Had to know the rest of the story...and a good story it was.
This book has it all, the great love of a family for each other..."Who do you love?". Also so not so typical teenage difficult problems, when Grace their middle child starts coping in a dangerous way.
This book also deals with marriage problems, even where there shouldn't be any. Also enjoyed how dealing with "special" children is highlighted on, and accepted. We are show the great accomplishments of these children and the people who care for them. Also be prepared for heartbreak!
You won't be able to stop at Part One, this book is a compelling page turner!

I received this book from the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! A must read!

[Rachel Brand · Rating 4 out of 5]

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY/WOMEN’S FICTION
PUBLISHER: THOMAS NELSON
PUBLICATION DATE: APRIL 10, 2012
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5 – GOOD

PROS: Approaches difficult issues respectfully and realistically; relatable characters

CONS: Some storylines and characters could have been developed further; one character took an unpleasant turn

For Darlene Henderson, life in Round Top, Texas feels much more safe and secure than it did in Houston. Her teenage son has been removed from the rough crowd he was spending time with in the city, and she and her husband are making plans to renovate their old farm house. Darlene’s so comfortable with her family life that she’s given up being a stay-at-home mum and started working at a school for disabled children. So she’s entirely unprepared when a series of catastrophes hit her family. Her seemingly perfect teenage daughter is revealed to have been self-harming for quite some time, a secret her brother was keeping from their parents. No one understands the enormity of what Grace has been going through, least of all Darlene. Her husband, Brad, is determined to sweep this situation under the carpet and deal with it without any outside help that might damage the reputation of their family. Brad’s reaction stuns Darlene, and his insinuations that Grace wouldn’t have been so destructive if Darlene spent more time at home drives an unexpected wedge between them. To complicate matters further, the father of a child at her school is starting to pay Darlene a lot of attention, at a time when she most needs someone to lean on. Darlene is struggling to stay strong and make decisions about Grace without the support of her husband, and needs all the help she can get to stay away from the open arms of another man.

Having recently become a fan of Beth Wiseman’s Amish fiction, I couldn’t help but be intrigued when I heard that she was releasing a contemporary novel, and a non-romantic one at that. Contemporary women’s fiction is a genre that is slightly lacking in the Christian market. There are some writers who approach this genre very well, but I’ve yet to encounter anyone who can rival Barbara Delinsky or Diane Chamberlain in their complex plots and family dynamics. While Beth’s debut into this market didn’t excite the same reactions in me that Barbara’s most recent instalments have, I will admit that it was incredibly compelling. I devoured it in two days straight, and I honestly think I need to go back and reread the last few chapters as I was struggling to keep my eyes open at the end, but determined not to go to sleep until I’d finished the book!

I didn’t have any major expectations for Need You Now, as I imagined it would be very different from Beth’s Amish fiction. But she has lived up to her trademark of complex, realistic characters with believable struggles, even in a contemporary setting. I was even more impressed by the way that she approached her teenage protagonists. Some brilliant authors have let me down in their portrayal of teenagers – notably, Jodi Picoult’s The Pact, which I repeatedly wanted to throw across to the room when I read it as a sixteen-year-old – but Beth does not join their ranks. While I never suffered to the extent that Grace did, I did struggle with unexplained feelings of depression throughout my teen years, which has now been diagnosed as Seasonal Affective Disorder. Even now, I can’t put my emotions from this stage of my life into words. Somehow, Beth has managed to explain how overwhelmingly confusing teenage depression can be, making Grace an incredibly relatable teenage character. Grace’s older brother, Chad, was equally realistic, although I felt that Beth could have developed his character a little more. There are hints that Chad is possibly going to head down the wrong route, like he did in Houston, and although he makes some positive choices towards the end of the novel, his character never had the depth that Grace’s did. Likewise, I did mostly enjoy the storyline about their neighbour, Layla, but she sometimes felt a bit caricatured. Her relationship with Darlene was very touching, but I think the fact that this novel attempted to focus on so many different characters meant that some of them – particularly Layla and Chad – were a little neglected and didn’t seem quite as fleshed out as Darlene and Grace.

Some readers may find it difficult to read about the struggles Darlene and Brad’s relationship faces, and the temptations that Dave presents her with. Need You Now illustrates how dangerous a seemingly innocent relationship can become when it starts to provide that which your marriage cannot. I will admit that I got a bit annoyed at Darlene towards the end of the novel. She overhears a phone conversation with her husband and makes several assumptions, but takes a long time to confront him about it. I know that this is probably the way that many women would react, but I’m not that kind of woman. But although I couldn’t relate to Darlene in this particular incident, I will say that for the majority of the situations she found herself in, I could emphasise with her. I do wish that Dave’s character had taken a different turn. He was painted so sympathetically at the start of the novel – a widower with a challenging daughter who just wanted to find love again – but I felt he almost became somewhat of a villain, and Darlene the victim. Of course he was wrong in coveting a married woman, but if Darlene can be forgiven for her mistakes, so can he. I wanted some hope for Dave at the end of the novel, but there wasn’t any. Perhaps Beth will write another novel about Dave’s redemption?

Beth’s debut into the contemporary market is strong, and hopefully a sign of better things to come. Her characters are just as realistic and relatable as those in her Amish novels, and she continues to address controversial issues that some authors shy away from. While perhaps the number of topics that come up in this novel might seem a little overwhelming – self-harm, adultery, death – the novel ended on a hopeful, uplifting note. I think the only major pitfall of Need You Now is that the novel has a large cast, and some of the characters seemed less credible than others. A few characters could have benefited from some further development, but perhaps this had to be sacrificed for the sake of the main storylines. But hopefully this is something that Beth can improve on in later novels, of which I’m sure there will be many. Fans of Beth’s Amish fiction will likely enjoy this foray into a new genre, and those who can’t bear to pick up a novel with the bonnet on the front will now also get the chance to enjoy Beth’s challenging yet uplifting stories.

Review title provided by Thomas Nelson.

[Alison P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no expectations going into this book but I quickly learned about the Henderson family, Brad and Darlene with Chad, Grace, Ansley. They moved their whole family because Chad was getting into trouble with friends in high school so they decided to start over in a more rural area with the house that they were left from their family. The move caused a lot of things to change and there were lots of ups and downs while everyone got settled into the new small town and the new life that they were building. Chad turned his life around and had all the people making bad decisions pushed out of his life while Grace who was the model child before was having lots of problems. Ansley decided to embrace country living and get chickens (which her mother hated after a bad experience getting pecked as a child). At the same time when things settled down and the kids were taking care of themselves, Darlene got a job as an assistant at a school. Things started to fall apart even more and everyone blamed themselves. You have to pick up the book to find out what happened but I know that there will be lots of surprises that you will enjoy. This book had a lot of religious over tones so if that isn't your interest, make sure you skip this one but I thought it was natural and not forced. I hope that you check out this book and enjoy it as much as I did. I know that I this author is known for Christian fiction so many fans may come for the religious parts of the book but I like the great characters and towns that the books are set in. I hope that you enjoy this book as well.

[Annette Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I love Beth Wiseman's Amish fiction, but her other novels are just as great, in my opinion--and Need You Now is no exception. I love how she handled the true-to-life situations presented in this book. I like how she showed that even Christian families have their problems, and how vital it is to rely on God when things are great and when things are not so great. what I got from reading this book is how important it is to truly appreciate those whom God puts in your life to love and cherish, and to forgive yourself when you mess up. Great story! Really liked it!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot to take away from this story. I had a hard time with some of the characters choices along the way but that is life right. The resolution happens as they embrace their feelings and talk to each other.
It shows how you can't judge a person by their outward appearance, it is what is inside that counts.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by Beth Wiseman that I've read that is not set within the Amish community. It is wonderfully uplifting. The characters are well developed and real. The story deals with real life problems that could happen in most any modern family. Those problems are dealt with using love and faith. I enjoyed it from cover to cover.

[Parkland Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a very heartfelt book and it didn’t shy away from unexpected struggles and heartache. I could relate to aspects of this story.

I listened to the audio version. The narration was okay, but not great. The story was very touching. This was my first book by this author and I will look into others.

[Carol Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story and a great page turner! Brad, Darlene and three teens with everyday issues and with their love gets helps them through misunderstandings and the loss of her wonderful friend, Layla. Great ending holding on together, they mended their misunderstandings and reconciled their love! Great read!

[Kimberly Bartle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Amish, but awesome

I was hesitant to start rhis book, as I'm burned out on Amish stories. This is an amazing, realistic book facing real issues. It was so, so good! I fell in love with the characters and hurt for their deep hurts.
More non-Amish from this author, please!

[Kathie Andriano · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading a Beth Wiseman novel. This book was not about Amish fiction. It was her first book about God, prayer and redemption. It incorporated marriage, family, friendship, teenage struggles, emotions, cutting and special needs. Very powerful and inspiring. Learned a lot.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read on families coming together and overcoming issues that easily tear a family apart.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Themes from every day, current problems. Great read and good writing.

[Patricia Marvin Hilfiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

First non amish book I have read by Beth Wiseman. I really enjoyed the book.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marriage can be so hard especially when communication is hindered. The characters were well developed and true-to-life. Well worth the time.

[Fanaticmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just okay. Not my favorite.

[Ranette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a more complex story than I first realized. A Christian family has their ups and downs, moves to a new town and navigates new friendships.

[Sarah Erlewine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved everything except...I wanted more closure on Dave and Cara. I would love to read a follow up about them. But overall, another excellent book by Beth Wiseman.

[Lorraine Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grest book.

[E_ve0 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fajna, luźna książka ale nic porywającego

[Janet Demaree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. I felt like I was right there in the story and was sorry when it ended.

[Diane Chumely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read

I couldn't put this book down I just had to stop everything and finish reading it.I recommend it to all