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Follow in the Dark #1
My Refuge
Meet Eden! Her fingers were made for the piano. Her voice was made to sing harmony. But suddenly her heart stops working, and everything changes. As the life she wants to be living passes by outside the walls of her hospital room, Eden realizes that she barely recognizes who she is becoming.
Meet Zahra! Math nerd. Future engineer. She's the baby of the family, but she's got big dreams... or at least, she used to. The war stole her home, halted her education, and imprisoned her in a tent far from home. Now what??
Meet Mei! Good girl. Optimist. Devoted member of her church youth group. Maybe a little bit clumsy. ;) But sometimes things can get really weird, and really confusing, really fast.
Meet Katya! Tennis player. Big sister. Fluffy dog tolerator. Her favorite place to be is with her best friends. Life is pretty good, until the morning when it suddenly isn't. With any sense of stability ripped away from her, is there a safe place for her heart and mind?
Toronto. Syria. Ukraine. Texas. Four girls face the hardships of isolation in remote corners of the planet. Their journeys will be messy, of course. One of them will struggle with growing anger , and another with crippling anxiety . One will drift toward despair . Another will battle surprising temptation . While facing challenges they wouldn’t have chosen, what refuge can they seek? What hope can they cling to? Not always at their best but also never abandoned, read along as Eden, Zahra, Mei and Katya discover that they are pursued and deeply loved by God. Their raw and relatable stories might point your heart to fresh hope, too.
Content This book contains descriptions of panic attacks, war (although not of interpersonal violence), and peer pressure in an online setting. I have done my best to handle these topics sensitively, and in a way that is appropriate for a young adolescent audience.
Meet Zahra! Math nerd. Future engineer. She's the baby of the family, but she's got big dreams... or at least, she used to. The war stole her home, halted her education, and imprisoned her in a tent far from home. Now what??
Meet Mei! Good girl. Optimist. Devoted member of her church youth group. Maybe a little bit clumsy. ;) But sometimes things can get really weird, and really confusing, really fast.
Meet Katya! Tennis player. Big sister. Fluffy dog tolerator. Her favorite place to be is with her best friends. Life is pretty good, until the morning when it suddenly isn't. With any sense of stability ripped away from her, is there a safe place for her heart and mind?
Toronto. Syria. Ukraine. Texas. Four girls face the hardships of isolation in remote corners of the planet. Their journeys will be messy, of course. One of them will struggle with growing anger , and another with crippling anxiety . One will drift toward despair . Another will battle surprising temptation . While facing challenges they wouldn’t have chosen, what refuge can they seek? What hope can they cling to? Not always at their best but also never abandoned, read along as Eden, Zahra, Mei and Katya discover that they are pursued and deeply loved by God. Their raw and relatable stories might point your heart to fresh hope, too.
Content This book contains descriptions of panic attacks, war (although not of interpersonal violence), and peer pressure in an online setting. I have done my best to handle these topics sensitively, and in a way that is appropriate for a young adolescent audience.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2023
12 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 8, 2025
4 stars ✨ Christian Fiction - Young Adult - Contemporary
Series: Book #1 in the “Follow in the Dark” series.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are read, mentioned, quoted, remembered, discussed, & thought over; Prayers & Thanking God (including some of the girls feeling peace and relief when being prayed over by others); ‘Thank God’ is said five times (once by Zahra’s Muslim mother); Youth group, worship, & a sermon/message; Talks about God, Jesus, Jesus’ suffering, His love, death/dying, & hard times; Most 'H's are capital when referring to God and Jesus; Eden tried to keep a good attitude about being in the hospital, but those best intentions slip away and she’s mad at God; A young woman from Eden’s church tells her about when she was angry at God and prayed angry prayers, which helped her (Eden is concerned if that’s even okay, but the young woman tells her that God knows and sees her completely and kindly; Later, Eden asks how Jesus can change how much she hates her situation and the woman encourages her that Jesus suffered and knows what they are going through); Eden tries the angry prayers and screams at God, allowing herself to say things she hadn’t been able to bring herself to admit; Eden prays that she doesn’t feel like God is with her at all and needs Him; *Spoiler* ; Eden’s mom comments about it being a long time since she talked to God about anything, but Eden encourages her that God is listening whenever she is ready; Mei goes to youth group online, worships with her group, & stays connected through text messages with her youth group about a project to show God’s love during the pandemic restrictions; Mei prays to glorify God with her body after reading 1 Corinthians 6:20; Katya remembers and sings a song her mother would sing about God being near; Katya reads Psalms 23 and doesn’t feel like God is with her, but wants to believe that He is; Katya prays during a panic attack for God to help her; Another girl says her family is “pretty religious” and while she hasn’t been to mass in a long time, talking about God isn’t going to offend her; Each of the four girls have someone in her life who speaks truth to her and points her to Jesus in the midst of her hard circumstances; Many mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & books of the Bible; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of churches, church going, youth groups, worship, pastors, sermons/lessons, & services; A few mentions of thanking God (including the Muslim god); A couple mentions of Heaven; A mention of a nun;
*Note: Zahra’s family is Muslim and talk about God (the author has a note that: “In Arabic, which is the language that Zahra’s family and their neighbors would speak, Muslims (like Zahra’s family) and Christians use the same word for “God” – Allah. That word refers to the one God, the God who created everything. Beyond that, however, there are a lot of differences in what the Bible and the Qur’an (the Muslim scripture) say about what God is like. The biggest difference has to do with Jesus. The Bible teaches that Jesus is God’s Son and the perfect revelation of who God is.”); Zahra questions how they can say that God is merciful when there is so much pain; *Spoilers* ; Mentions of Zahra’s family praying with their prayer mats, prayer beads, the Qur’an, and her father going to a mosque.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blah, blah, blah’, a ‘gah’, an ‘omg’, two ‘gosh’s, four ‘shut up’s, seven ‘oh my gosh’s, and eleven ‘stupid’s; Some eye rolling & sarcasm; Being in a collapsed building, hearing others being hurt, injuries, pain, & being knocked unconscious (barely-above-not-detailed); Zahra lives in a refugee camp in Syria during a war with her family & Katya lives in a bomb shelter in Ukraine during a war (with her little brother as they are separated from their mom); Katya has nightmares about her mom and friends in distress and hurt; Many mentions of wars, fighting, gunfire, bombings, bombs/missiles, bomb shelters, places destroyed, refugee camps, & a young man being abducted and his family grieving; Mentions of a baby dying during childbirth & grief (*Spoiler* ); Mentions of dying, Eden not being afraid of dying from of Jesus, & a kid down the hall from her passing; Mentions of girls being harassed and attacked/ambushed in Zahra’s area (so she stays in their tent unless her father is with her; unsaid if it is just physical assault or also sexual assault); Mentions of buildings collapsing on top of people, injuries, & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of COVID-19 pandemic, people being sick, & having to stay at home; A few mentions of car accidents, death, & grief (by a sister for her twin brother); A few mentions of the possibility of being killed (Katya’s concern for her mother); A few mentions of drownings & deaths; A few mentions of bullies & peer pressure; A few mentions of rumors; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of looted stores; A couple mentions of the concern of a puppy dying; A couple mentions of people being rude to signs being hung up about God (including a man being offended and someone else throwing a tomato at a sign); A mention of Eden getting a heart from “some poor dead person”; A mention of snipers in a war;
*Note: Zahra feels like her life is a prison due to being in the refugee camp and that any good opportunity is going to be taken away from her; Mei’s family is living through the pandemic in Canada and having to stay at home, her older sister very withdrawn because of her senior year not being as she hoped/expected; Katya has a few episodes she thinks are heart attacks, but are actually anxiety/panic attacks (described as she can’t breathe, thinking her heart is going to explode, major fear and panicking, and a doctor explains what it is to her, semi-detailed); Eden has some sass and disrespect towards her mom & snaps at her little sister (which makes her mom tell her that her condition is no excuse for acting that way; Later, Eden and her mom talk about how Eden feels pressured by her mom to do more and her mom admits to being too hard on herself and on Eden); Eden feels jealous about others living normal lives and hates being in the hospital; In a moment of anger and hating her circumstances, Eden throws the brand-new phone her parents got her; Mei faces a comment from a classmate about South Koreans being “her people” when she’s actually Chinese-Canadian; Mentions of medical things such as Eden waiting for a heart transplant, needles, IVs, and surgeries and complications; Mentions of panic and anxiety attacks; A mention of a brand-name (Etch-a-Sketch).
Sexual Content- A form of ‘hot’; Mei’s storyline has to do with inappropriate pictures and peer pressure (A guy in her class that she likes asks her to send a “good pic” and when she misunderstands and sends a harmless selfie, he sends her a file of what he means which makes her face turn hot and deep red and slam her laptop shut; She wishes she could un-see what she had just seen and feels sick to her stomach and gross; She has to reopen her laptop for class and tries to close the image without having to look at it again; Mei is told by another girl that the guy likes Asian girls and has a thing for her, but is trying to see if she can lighten up and have some fun (which Mei thinks “not that kind of fun” and is still sicken by the thought of the image he sent); Mei wonders if the picture was some kind of mistake as he seems like a nice guy and plans to have a nice picture of herself (not a gross one) just in case he messages her again; She finds videos online that say “Selfie Angles that will Make Him Go Crazy!” and “Ten Steps to the Hottest Selfie” and her stomach feels funny about them, and tries to figure out a compromise between what she’s seeing in the videos and what she’s comfortable with, but feels weird after trying to imitate what she sees in the videos; Mei clicks on a link in one of the videos and it leads to another picture like what the boy had sent her and she quickly slams her laptop closed and tries to erase it from her mind; She tries to imitate some of what she sees in the “sketchy tutorials” with “just the light from her closet to illuminate her pose” and doesn’t feel right about it, but thinks about her crush on the guy; Mei notices a Scripture about being wonderfully made by God above her mirror and feels turmoil at what she thinks God would feel about her trying to get the guy’s attention; She tries to close the picture without looking at it and wonders “how could a girl post a picture of herself like that?” and shudders before thinking “maybe I’m starting to understand why she would, actually.”; Mei talks with an older girl from church (who she thinks probably doesn’t care about getting a guy’s attention) and the girl mentions to Mei about being careful on her laptop at night because she “ended up on some weird sites one time. We just want to be careful with what goes in our heads, you know?”; *Spoilers* ; Eden feels jealous about a girl flirting with her crush on social media and notices on the girl’s social media that she has “Perfect hair. Perfect teeth. Perfect makeup. Perfect body. Perfect outfits.”; Mentions of crushes & cute boys; Mentions of jealousy; A mention of flirting; A mention of a song Eden is writing not being for a boy (like one of the hospital staff members teases her about); A mention of a woman trying to quickly cover her hair in Zahra’s area when suddenly having to be in public;
*Note: Zahra’s mother mentions about a young man that could take good care of her and protect her, but she doesn’t want to get married and her father says she is still young and has dreams (Zahra is concerned that she will be forced to marry, but that does not happen and is not brought up again); Eden sees an influencer on social media talk about “getting your body summer ready” and she notes that she’ll have another ugly scar on her chest after the transplant.
-Eden, age 15
-Zahra, age 15
-Mei, age 15
-Katya, age 14-15
P.O.V. switches between them
265 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
{Trigger Warning for wars, bombings, panic attacks, & dealing with inappropriate pictures }
{ Add up to a full star for girls in public school }
At first, I was hesitant about this book partially because of it following four different girls and I was concerned that I would have a hard time keeping track of their lives and telling them apart. That wasn’t the case at all, though, because they are all going through very different events and emotions that it was easy to keep them separated in my mind. None of the girls are connected to each other in any way, which I think might be a first for me as there is usually some connection between characters in the stories I read.
There’s definitely trigger warnings for sensitive topics, but this book could also trigger compassion for readers about those in these situations. I honestly thought the faith content and how these hard topics were handled and discussed were solidly done.
Typically, I wouldn’t care for reading about the pandemic, but Mei’s parts highlighted a different experience than my own along with other things she was experiencing, and it warmed my heart to see her friendship with her youth group.
One of the girls, Mei, faces a classmate asking her for inappropriate pictures and when she sees what he means, she’s embarrassed and can’t stop the image from coming to her mind again and again. This is a topic I’m cautious about in YA books and one that when discussed in Christian Fiction often comes across as the author putting on her a mom-hat or teacher-hat to educate the young readers she’s reaching. When that happens, the fictional story takes a turn that feels like a lesson and can be a negative in how it’s handled for those readers despite the author’s good intentions because it feels like they’re being “preached at”. I’m very impressed to say that I didn’t get that feeling at all with this book and the hard topics like this, war, and panic attacks it features and discusses. This author kept it natural—whether it be the reactions of the girls in their situations or how they handle different things, and it made the book feel very realistic.
With Mei’s challenges, she doesn’t talk to her parents about the images, but wrestles with it and a older girl who is like a “big sister” at youth group talks with her. I wish Mei would have discussed it with her mom, but with her parents being so busy and Mei feeling ashamed by seeing the imagine, it makes sense that Mei didn’t reach out about it. I was glad there was that older friend that shared Godly wisdom to and prayers for Mei.
I honestly wasn’t expecting this book to make me emotional, but it did with the four girls and what they and their families are going through. I had chills at a couple of parts and found myself near tears once or twice. I have to say that I felt like a big sister with these girls and how proud of I was of them all by the end, seeing how they rose above what was going on in their lives. I was a little bummed that the book ended before we saw some events/results for a couple of the girls, so I was glad to see that there is a sequel and will definitely be picking that one up!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
Series: Book #1 in the “Follow in the Dark” series.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are read, mentioned, quoted, remembered, discussed, & thought over; Prayers & Thanking God (including some of the girls feeling peace and relief when being prayed over by others); ‘Thank God’ is said five times (once by Zahra’s Muslim mother); Youth group, worship, & a sermon/message; Talks about God, Jesus, Jesus’ suffering, His love, death/dying, & hard times; Most 'H's are capital when referring to God and Jesus; Eden tried to keep a good attitude about being in the hospital, but those best intentions slip away and she’s mad at God; A young woman from Eden’s church tells her about when she was angry at God and prayed angry prayers, which helped her (Eden is concerned if that’s even okay, but the young woman tells her that God knows and sees her completely and kindly; Later, Eden asks how Jesus can change how much she hates her situation and the woman encourages her that Jesus suffered and knows what they are going through); Eden tries the angry prayers and screams at God, allowing herself to say things she hadn’t been able to bring herself to admit; Eden prays that she doesn’t feel like God is with her at all and needs Him; *Spoiler* ; Eden’s mom comments about it being a long time since she talked to God about anything, but Eden encourages her that God is listening whenever she is ready; Mei goes to youth group online, worships with her group, & stays connected through text messages with her youth group about a project to show God’s love during the pandemic restrictions; Mei prays to glorify God with her body after reading 1 Corinthians 6:20; Katya remembers and sings a song her mother would sing about God being near; Katya reads Psalms 23 and doesn’t feel like God is with her, but wants to believe that He is; Katya prays during a panic attack for God to help her; Another girl says her family is “pretty religious” and while she hasn’t been to mass in a long time, talking about God isn’t going to offend her; Each of the four girls have someone in her life who speaks truth to her and points her to Jesus in the midst of her hard circumstances; Many mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & books of the Bible; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of churches, church going, youth groups, worship, pastors, sermons/lessons, & services; A few mentions of thanking God (including the Muslim god); A couple mentions of Heaven; A mention of a nun;
*Note: Zahra’s family is Muslim and talk about God (the author has a note that: “In Arabic, which is the language that Zahra’s family and their neighbors would speak, Muslims (like Zahra’s family) and Christians use the same word for “God” – Allah. That word refers to the one God, the God who created everything. Beyond that, however, there are a lot of differences in what the Bible and the Qur’an (the Muslim scripture) say about what God is like. The biggest difference has to do with Jesus. The Bible teaches that Jesus is God’s Son and the perfect revelation of who God is.”); Zahra questions how they can say that God is merciful when there is so much pain; *Spoilers* ; Mentions of Zahra’s family praying with their prayer mats, prayer beads, the Qur’an, and her father going to a mosque.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blah, blah, blah’, a ‘gah’, an ‘omg’, two ‘gosh’s, four ‘shut up’s, seven ‘oh my gosh’s, and eleven ‘stupid’s; Some eye rolling & sarcasm; Being in a collapsed building, hearing others being hurt, injuries, pain, & being knocked unconscious (barely-above-not-detailed); Zahra lives in a refugee camp in Syria during a war with her family & Katya lives in a bomb shelter in Ukraine during a war (with her little brother as they are separated from their mom); Katya has nightmares about her mom and friends in distress and hurt; Many mentions of wars, fighting, gunfire, bombings, bombs/missiles, bomb shelters, places destroyed, refugee camps, & a young man being abducted and his family grieving; Mentions of a baby dying during childbirth & grief (*Spoiler* ); Mentions of dying, Eden not being afraid of dying from of Jesus, & a kid down the hall from her passing; Mentions of girls being harassed and attacked/ambushed in Zahra’s area (so she stays in their tent unless her father is with her; unsaid if it is just physical assault or also sexual assault); Mentions of buildings collapsing on top of people, injuries, & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of COVID-19 pandemic, people being sick, & having to stay at home; A few mentions of car accidents, death, & grief (by a sister for her twin brother); A few mentions of the possibility of being killed (Katya’s concern for her mother); A few mentions of drownings & deaths; A few mentions of bullies & peer pressure; A few mentions of rumors; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of looted stores; A couple mentions of the concern of a puppy dying; A couple mentions of people being rude to signs being hung up about God (including a man being offended and someone else throwing a tomato at a sign); A mention of Eden getting a heart from “some poor dead person”; A mention of snipers in a war;
*Note: Zahra feels like her life is a prison due to being in the refugee camp and that any good opportunity is going to be taken away from her; Mei’s family is living through the pandemic in Canada and having to stay at home, her older sister very withdrawn because of her senior year not being as she hoped/expected; Katya has a few episodes she thinks are heart attacks, but are actually anxiety/panic attacks (described as she can’t breathe, thinking her heart is going to explode, major fear and panicking, and a doctor explains what it is to her, semi-detailed); Eden has some sass and disrespect towards her mom & snaps at her little sister (which makes her mom tell her that her condition is no excuse for acting that way; Later, Eden and her mom talk about how Eden feels pressured by her mom to do more and her mom admits to being too hard on herself and on Eden); Eden feels jealous about others living normal lives and hates being in the hospital; In a moment of anger and hating her circumstances, Eden throws the brand-new phone her parents got her; Mei faces a comment from a classmate about South Koreans being “her people” when she’s actually Chinese-Canadian; Mentions of medical things such as Eden waiting for a heart transplant, needles, IVs, and surgeries and complications; Mentions of panic and anxiety attacks; A mention of a brand-name (Etch-a-Sketch).
Sexual Content- A form of ‘hot’; Mei’s storyline has to do with inappropriate pictures and peer pressure (A guy in her class that she likes asks her to send a “good pic” and when she misunderstands and sends a harmless selfie, he sends her a file of what he means which makes her face turn hot and deep red and slam her laptop shut; She wishes she could un-see what she had just seen and feels sick to her stomach and gross; She has to reopen her laptop for class and tries to close the image without having to look at it again; Mei is told by another girl that the guy likes Asian girls and has a thing for her, but is trying to see if she can lighten up and have some fun (which Mei thinks “not that kind of fun” and is still sicken by the thought of the image he sent); Mei wonders if the picture was some kind of mistake as he seems like a nice guy and plans to have a nice picture of herself (not a gross one) just in case he messages her again; She finds videos online that say “Selfie Angles that will Make Him Go Crazy!” and “Ten Steps to the Hottest Selfie” and her stomach feels funny about them, and tries to figure out a compromise between what she’s seeing in the videos and what she’s comfortable with, but feels weird after trying to imitate what she sees in the videos; Mei clicks on a link in one of the videos and it leads to another picture like what the boy had sent her and she quickly slams her laptop closed and tries to erase it from her mind; She tries to imitate some of what she sees in the “sketchy tutorials” with “just the light from her closet to illuminate her pose” and doesn’t feel right about it, but thinks about her crush on the guy; Mei notices a Scripture about being wonderfully made by God above her mirror and feels turmoil at what she thinks God would feel about her trying to get the guy’s attention; She tries to close the picture without looking at it and wonders “how could a girl post a picture of herself like that?” and shudders before thinking “maybe I’m starting to understand why she would, actually.”; Mei talks with an older girl from church (who she thinks probably doesn’t care about getting a guy’s attention) and the girl mentions to Mei about being careful on her laptop at night because she “ended up on some weird sites one time. We just want to be careful with what goes in our heads, you know?”; *Spoilers* ; Eden feels jealous about a girl flirting with her crush on social media and notices on the girl’s social media that she has “Perfect hair. Perfect teeth. Perfect makeup. Perfect body. Perfect outfits.”; Mentions of crushes & cute boys; Mentions of jealousy; A mention of flirting; A mention of a song Eden is writing not being for a boy (like one of the hospital staff members teases her about); A mention of a woman trying to quickly cover her hair in Zahra’s area when suddenly having to be in public;
*Note: Zahra’s mother mentions about a young man that could take good care of her and protect her, but she doesn’t want to get married and her father says she is still young and has dreams (Zahra is concerned that she will be forced to marry, but that does not happen and is not brought up again); Eden sees an influencer on social media talk about “getting your body summer ready” and she notes that she’ll have another ugly scar on her chest after the transplant.
-Eden, age 15
-Zahra, age 15
-Mei, age 15
-Katya, age 14-15
P.O.V. switches between them
265 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
{Trigger Warning for wars, bombings, panic attacks, & dealing with inappropriate pictures }
{ Add up to a full star for girls in public school }
At first, I was hesitant about this book partially because of it following four different girls and I was concerned that I would have a hard time keeping track of their lives and telling them apart. That wasn’t the case at all, though, because they are all going through very different events and emotions that it was easy to keep them separated in my mind. None of the girls are connected to each other in any way, which I think might be a first for me as there is usually some connection between characters in the stories I read.
There’s definitely trigger warnings for sensitive topics, but this book could also trigger compassion for readers about those in these situations. I honestly thought the faith content and how these hard topics were handled and discussed were solidly done.
Typically, I wouldn’t care for reading about the pandemic, but Mei’s parts highlighted a different experience than my own along with other things she was experiencing, and it warmed my heart to see her friendship with her youth group.
One of the girls, Mei, faces a classmate asking her for inappropriate pictures and when she sees what he means, she’s embarrassed and can’t stop the image from coming to her mind again and again. This is a topic I’m cautious about in YA books and one that when discussed in Christian Fiction often comes across as the author putting on her a mom-hat or teacher-hat to educate the young readers she’s reaching. When that happens, the fictional story takes a turn that feels like a lesson and can be a negative in how it’s handled for those readers despite the author’s good intentions because it feels like they’re being “preached at”. I’m very impressed to say that I didn’t get that feeling at all with this book and the hard topics like this, war, and panic attacks it features and discusses. This author kept it natural—whether it be the reactions of the girls in their situations or how they handle different things, and it made the book feel very realistic.
With Mei’s challenges, she doesn’t talk to her parents about the images, but wrestles with it and a older girl who is like a “big sister” at youth group talks with her. I wish Mei would have discussed it with her mom, but with her parents being so busy and Mei feeling ashamed by seeing the imagine, it makes sense that Mei didn’t reach out about it. I was glad there was that older friend that shared Godly wisdom to and prayers for Mei.
I honestly wasn’t expecting this book to make me emotional, but it did with the four girls and what they and their families are going through. I had chills at a couple of parts and found myself near tears once or twice. I have to say that I felt like a big sister with these girls and how proud of I was of them all by the end, seeing how they rose above what was going on in their lives. I was a little bummed that the book ended before we saw some events/results for a couple of the girls, so I was glad to see that there is a sequel and will definitely be picking that one up!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
November 25, 2025
4.5⭐️
This book surprised me in all the best ways. I loved that at the center of each of the four stories was finding, seeking, and putting trust in Jesus through all circumstances. There are wonderful lessons in this book, including important topics that are great conversations to have with teenage girls. There are realistic and relatable depictions of how each girl faces her own set of trials and the onset of emotions, including anger, frustration, despair, fear, and temptation. Some topics are more intense and will stir up emotions, and in truth, I wasn’t quite sure how the author would approach it at first, but wow, she did a wonderful job in a God-honoring way. In particular, I thought Ashley did a great job exploring and discussing the dangers teens face when being online, as I truly believe it’s a prominent issue today and one that more teens need to be aware of.
Although a shorter book, I felt connected to each of the four girls and loved how the author integrated stories from around the world. Each chapter has Scripture intertwined and discussed, where each girl is led to the love and hope of Jesus, which was my favorite part of the entire book.
A few verses from the book: 1 Corinthians 10:13, Psalm 23:4, and Psalm 62:8💙
I highly recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more of Ashley’s work in the future!✨
Content Discretions: anxiety, panic attacks, War (no violence described), anger, peer pressure, discussion of inappropriate photos
This book surprised me in all the best ways. I loved that at the center of each of the four stories was finding, seeking, and putting trust in Jesus through all circumstances. There are wonderful lessons in this book, including important topics that are great conversations to have with teenage girls. There are realistic and relatable depictions of how each girl faces her own set of trials and the onset of emotions, including anger, frustration, despair, fear, and temptation. Some topics are more intense and will stir up emotions, and in truth, I wasn’t quite sure how the author would approach it at first, but wow, she did a wonderful job in a God-honoring way. In particular, I thought Ashley did a great job exploring and discussing the dangers teens face when being online, as I truly believe it’s a prominent issue today and one that more teens need to be aware of.
Although a shorter book, I felt connected to each of the four girls and loved how the author integrated stories from around the world. Each chapter has Scripture intertwined and discussed, where each girl is led to the love and hope of Jesus, which was my favorite part of the entire book.
A few verses from the book: 1 Corinthians 10:13, Psalm 23:4, and Psalm 62:8💙
I highly recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more of Ashley’s work in the future!✨
Content Discretions: anxiety, panic attacks, War (no violence described), anger, peer pressure, discussion of inappropriate photos
November 23, 2024
4.75⭐️
Wow. This book was hard. A lot of deep & hard stuff going on. I think the author did a very good job handling the subject matter in the book. There is scripture integrated in every chapter, references at the end of chapters. A lot of biblical motivation and comfort through hard times. This book could be very comforting and inspiring to teenage girls going through similar situations or emotions.
I don’t know if I would suggest this for under 14 myself, because of some of the tough subject matter and even then it may be more the maturity of the teenager also.
*Content Warnings [ War violence, parental separation, loss of child, death, hospitalization, isolation, inappropriate pictures, temptation talked about, implications of rape, anxiety, panic attacks depicted. - Most everything listed here is not described in any detail, or very little detail. It is handled very well by the author in my opinion. ]
Wow. This book was hard. A lot of deep & hard stuff going on. I think the author did a very good job handling the subject matter in the book. There is scripture integrated in every chapter, references at the end of chapters. A lot of biblical motivation and comfort through hard times. This book could be very comforting and inspiring to teenage girls going through similar situations or emotions.
I don’t know if I would suggest this for under 14 myself, because of some of the tough subject matter and even then it may be more the maturity of the teenager also.
*Content Warnings [ War violence, parental separation, loss of child, death, hospitalization, isolation, inappropriate pictures, temptation talked about, implications of rape, anxiety, panic attacks depicted. - Most everything listed here is not described in any detail, or very little detail. It is handled very well by the author in my opinion. ]
September 28, 2024
Really enjoyed this YA novel and wish I could have read books like this as a teen. Dealing with tough issues that today’s teens either face themselves or hear about on the news, all handled in an honest but gentle way and pointing toward our hope in Christ. It’s written in 4 perspectives and they never overlap in any way, so the ending felt a bit abrupt to me. There is a second book that picks up the same stories and I am looking forward to reading it in the future!
March 1, 2024
This collection of four short stories of different young women around the world is excellent to share with young Christian women. It is clear that the author has a heart for ministering to this audience and that she is passionate about helping the next generation of Christians grow in their faith. Each story depicts a scenario of young women feeling confined or imprisoned, including an American in the hospital's ICU, a Syrian in a refuge camp, a Canadian in her apartment during the pandemic, and a Ukrainian in a bomb shelter. As the stories are quite current, it was illuminating to step into these shoes and see global conditions through their eyes.
This book brings the verse from Psalm 46:1 to life by showing how God is our rescuer and comforter when circumstances look bleak. Meant to be a discipleship resource in the form of these stories, I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to share God's message of hope and light in the darkness. My Refuge is the first in the Follow in the Dark series and I look forward to seeing more from Ashley Al Saliby as she shares the heart of Jesus with young women. This is a book that I could not only relate to now, particularly through the story of Mei, it is a book that I wish I had as a teenager!
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
This book brings the verse from Psalm 46:1 to life by showing how God is our rescuer and comforter when circumstances look bleak. Meant to be a discipleship resource in the form of these stories, I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to share God's message of hope and light in the darkness. My Refuge is the first in the Follow in the Dark series and I look forward to seeing more from Ashley Al Saliby as she shares the heart of Jesus with young women. This is a book that I could not only relate to now, particularly through the story of Mei, it is a book that I wish I had as a teenager!
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
October 19, 2023
“The cross is where we see the proof of God’s love for us. Jesus’ death on the cross is really convincing evidence that God is for us, not against us—that He loves us deeply—even when our circumstances appear to contradict that.” -My Refuge
My Refuge is a beautiful example of how God is with us in all circumstances. It also revealed the importance of good friendships and how we should surround ourselves with reliable people to hold us accountable as we pursue a relationship with Christ.
4.5/5 Stars
(Briefing)
Four stories. Four girls. All pursued by hope.
Eden, a young musician suddenly hospitalized with heart failure, awaits the day when she can lead a normal life. Will she overcome the anger and confusion inside of her as she waits for a heart transplant?
Zahra, an aspiring engineer trapped in a refugee camp, desperately tries to further her education with limited resources. Will she finally find something that no one can take away from her?
Mei, a girl experiencing the effects of quarantine, battles the onslaught of insecurities and self-worth as she finds ways to impact the world from the safety of her home. Will she learn to see herself the way God does?
Katya, a victim of war, longs to be reunited with her mom while waiting beneath the protection of a bomb shelter. Will she overcome her growing fear and anxiety as a war rages above her?
(First Impression 4/5)
The story begins with Eden, a girl hospitalized with heart problems. Her anger and frustrations, as well as sorrow for her predicament, leaped out of the pages. Tears were brought to my eyes as Eden watched the days go by from the hospital window and saw her friends living the life she once lived on social media. What a drastic change to happen in a young girl’s life, yet a beautiful opportunity for God to reveal His glory. Ashley introduced Eden and her story with precision, filling me with anticipation for the next three stories to come.
(Character Development 5/5)
All four girls were vastly different, just like the storylines. They grew in so many ways, from fear to hope, despair to joy, insecurity to confidence, from feeling trapped to being free. Eden, Zahra, Mei, and Katya transformed and took flight. Yet, I know there’s so much growth left to come, and I cannot wait to continue walking alongside these girls on their journeys through life and as they are brought closer to Christ.
(World-Building 5/5)
The circumstantial world-building was exquisite. I say “circumstantial” because of the four unique concepts brought to life. Each story focused on an important issue that inspired and brought forth the floodgates of tears. The imagery and settings were easy to fall into. Ashley made each story powerful and impactful in their own way. We see Eden struggling with anger, Zahra with desperation for more, Mei with self-worth, and Katya with anxiety. Though their lives and circumstances differ, each girl is brought closer to Jesus. I thought this was a lovely concept. No matter the difficulties worldwide, God offers hope to all.
(Emotions 5/5)
There was a point when I was reading this book in public, and let me say it was a challenge to keep the tears from falling. Many heavy and sorrowful topics were tackled in My Refuge, ones that teenagers, girls specifically, battle with daily. This world needs more books like this; the younger generation needs books like this. Ashley did a phenomenal job reaching out to young girls and touching on issues I’m sure many are familiar with. I believe even adults would be able to relate and feel inspired by this book. My Refuge is a tear-jerker and will make your heart ache, but it will also bring a smile to your face to see how God is faithful no matter the situation.
(Style 4/5)
My Refuge was written well, with plots and emotional situations that were easy to get lost in. The only issue I had was with the two POVs that would clash from time to time. It changed from third to first person, enabling the characters to share their thoughts instead of being referred to in third person. I loved reading what they were thinking, but the clarity was a bit fuzzy and didn’t separate the two POVs all the time, apart from a few thoughts being in the classic italics. Even so, I barely noticed this because the story was so intriguing and held my attention in a firm grasp. I’m only mentioning this because it did cause a bit of confusion. Other than the POVs, this book was excellent, and I quickly absorbed the captivating points Ashley aimed to get across.
(Cleanliness 5/5)
This book was almost entirely clean, apart from a brief indication of inappropriate photos. These photos, however, were not detailed at all. War is mentioned, as well as some dramatic scenes that may be sensitive to some readers, but still PG. Ashley tackles anxiety, despair, and loneliness in the most lovely way. My Refuge is undoubtedly the perfect atmosphere for the age group it’s geared towards.
(Conclusion 4/5)
I didn’t think I’d cry as much as I did while reading My Refuge. The best word to describe this book is powerful. Ashley excelled at handling daunting and challenging situations, and she did a wonderful job of keeping each story intriguing. I’m a little bummed with how it ended because there’s still so much left to be told of all four stories. However, I saw the mention of a possible second book in the future, so I’m thrilled about that. I was sad when it ended because I didn’t want to stop reading.
My Refuge was an incredible read and makes you think about other people’s sufferings and how even the most minor acts of kindness and compassion can make a huge difference. We may not always see this difference, but God certainly does, and I believe He uses our small acts of love to further His kingdom in so many ways. I highly recommend this book to everyone, but especially teenagers and young adults.
Genres: fiction, Christian, young adult, contemporary
!Trigger Warnings!
War, violence, emotional, anxiety, despair, loneliness, mentions of inappropriate content online
Thank you, Ashley, for sharing a copy of your book with me. I feel so blessed to have been able to read and review your book. It will no doubt impact the lives of the teenage girls you are aiming to reach. I will look forward to reading your next book!
Follow Ashley on Instagram!: @ashleyalsalibywrites
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
My Refuge is a beautiful example of how God is with us in all circumstances. It also revealed the importance of good friendships and how we should surround ourselves with reliable people to hold us accountable as we pursue a relationship with Christ.
4.5/5 Stars
(Briefing)
Four stories. Four girls. All pursued by hope.
Eden, a young musician suddenly hospitalized with heart failure, awaits the day when she can lead a normal life. Will she overcome the anger and confusion inside of her as she waits for a heart transplant?
Zahra, an aspiring engineer trapped in a refugee camp, desperately tries to further her education with limited resources. Will she finally find something that no one can take away from her?
Mei, a girl experiencing the effects of quarantine, battles the onslaught of insecurities and self-worth as she finds ways to impact the world from the safety of her home. Will she learn to see herself the way God does?
Katya, a victim of war, longs to be reunited with her mom while waiting beneath the protection of a bomb shelter. Will she overcome her growing fear and anxiety as a war rages above her?
(First Impression 4/5)
The story begins with Eden, a girl hospitalized with heart problems. Her anger and frustrations, as well as sorrow for her predicament, leaped out of the pages. Tears were brought to my eyes as Eden watched the days go by from the hospital window and saw her friends living the life she once lived on social media. What a drastic change to happen in a young girl’s life, yet a beautiful opportunity for God to reveal His glory. Ashley introduced Eden and her story with precision, filling me with anticipation for the next three stories to come.
(Character Development 5/5)
All four girls were vastly different, just like the storylines. They grew in so many ways, from fear to hope, despair to joy, insecurity to confidence, from feeling trapped to being free. Eden, Zahra, Mei, and Katya transformed and took flight. Yet, I know there’s so much growth left to come, and I cannot wait to continue walking alongside these girls on their journeys through life and as they are brought closer to Christ.
(World-Building 5/5)
The circumstantial world-building was exquisite. I say “circumstantial” because of the four unique concepts brought to life. Each story focused on an important issue that inspired and brought forth the floodgates of tears. The imagery and settings were easy to fall into. Ashley made each story powerful and impactful in their own way. We see Eden struggling with anger, Zahra with desperation for more, Mei with self-worth, and Katya with anxiety. Though their lives and circumstances differ, each girl is brought closer to Jesus. I thought this was a lovely concept. No matter the difficulties worldwide, God offers hope to all.
(Emotions 5/5)
There was a point when I was reading this book in public, and let me say it was a challenge to keep the tears from falling. Many heavy and sorrowful topics were tackled in My Refuge, ones that teenagers, girls specifically, battle with daily. This world needs more books like this; the younger generation needs books like this. Ashley did a phenomenal job reaching out to young girls and touching on issues I’m sure many are familiar with. I believe even adults would be able to relate and feel inspired by this book. My Refuge is a tear-jerker and will make your heart ache, but it will also bring a smile to your face to see how God is faithful no matter the situation.
(Style 4/5)
My Refuge was written well, with plots and emotional situations that were easy to get lost in. The only issue I had was with the two POVs that would clash from time to time. It changed from third to first person, enabling the characters to share their thoughts instead of being referred to in third person. I loved reading what they were thinking, but the clarity was a bit fuzzy and didn’t separate the two POVs all the time, apart from a few thoughts being in the classic italics. Even so, I barely noticed this because the story was so intriguing and held my attention in a firm grasp. I’m only mentioning this because it did cause a bit of confusion. Other than the POVs, this book was excellent, and I quickly absorbed the captivating points Ashley aimed to get across.
(Cleanliness 5/5)
This book was almost entirely clean, apart from a brief indication of inappropriate photos. These photos, however, were not detailed at all. War is mentioned, as well as some dramatic scenes that may be sensitive to some readers, but still PG. Ashley tackles anxiety, despair, and loneliness in the most lovely way. My Refuge is undoubtedly the perfect atmosphere for the age group it’s geared towards.
(Conclusion 4/5)
I didn’t think I’d cry as much as I did while reading My Refuge. The best word to describe this book is powerful. Ashley excelled at handling daunting and challenging situations, and she did a wonderful job of keeping each story intriguing. I’m a little bummed with how it ended because there’s still so much left to be told of all four stories. However, I saw the mention of a possible second book in the future, so I’m thrilled about that. I was sad when it ended because I didn’t want to stop reading.
My Refuge was an incredible read and makes you think about other people’s sufferings and how even the most minor acts of kindness and compassion can make a huge difference. We may not always see this difference, but God certainly does, and I believe He uses our small acts of love to further His kingdom in so many ways. I highly recommend this book to everyone, but especially teenagers and young adults.
Genres: fiction, Christian, young adult, contemporary
!Trigger Warnings!
War, violence, emotional, anxiety, despair, loneliness, mentions of inappropriate content online
Thank you, Ashley, for sharing a copy of your book with me. I feel so blessed to have been able to read and review your book. It will no doubt impact the lives of the teenage girls you are aiming to reach. I will look forward to reading your next book!
Follow Ashley on Instagram!: @ashleyalsalibywrites
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
January 23, 2024
What I Thought About the Book:
I adored it! I loved this book so much. I loved the theme of depending on God and trusting Him amidst trial and despair. The author brought up tough topics with great sensitivity.
I am so thankful for receiving a free ebook from the author. But I am buying a paperback copy because I want my girls to read it when they are older.
I am excited for the next book in this series!
What Stood Out:
The book showed the importance of community and relationships in our walk with Christ. God created us for connection. I loved how each character had someone in their life to remind them of the truth of God's word.
"She was finally weeping at the sheer grief and loss and weight of it all."
This quote in the book stood out. It demonstrated that weeping for what is lost is nothing to be ashamed of. We can cry while still holding onto our joy and hope in Christ.
"But He did suffer, Eden. He is not a Savior, He is not a God, who is far from our pain. He came here and experienced it."
This was a beautiful reminder that Jesus is not a stranger to our pain.
"...nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:39
This scripture used in the book was a beautiful reminder that no matter what is lost, the love of God is forever.
I adored it! I loved this book so much. I loved the theme of depending on God and trusting Him amidst trial and despair. The author brought up tough topics with great sensitivity.
I am so thankful for receiving a free ebook from the author. But I am buying a paperback copy because I want my girls to read it when they are older.
I am excited for the next book in this series!
What Stood Out:
The book showed the importance of community and relationships in our walk with Christ. God created us for connection. I loved how each character had someone in their life to remind them of the truth of God's word.
"She was finally weeping at the sheer grief and loss and weight of it all."
This quote in the book stood out. It demonstrated that weeping for what is lost is nothing to be ashamed of. We can cry while still holding onto our joy and hope in Christ.
"But He did suffer, Eden. He is not a Savior, He is not a God, who is far from our pain. He came here and experienced it."
This was a beautiful reminder that Jesus is not a stranger to our pain.
"...nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:39
This scripture used in the book was a beautiful reminder that no matter what is lost, the love of God is forever.
October 5, 2023
This author is new to me, and I was eager to read her work after seeing her posts on Instagram. I was impressed by the depth of the characters’ stories and the relevance and relatability of their struggles. The book follows four teenage girls around the world as they face completely different trials. Whether it’s online bullying, life as a refugee, waiting for a heart transplant, or living in a bomb shelter for weeks on end and wondering where Mom is, the characters each learn about leaning on God, trusting the Bible, and choosing to do right. The author deals with weighty issues with sensitivity and grace, making this a wonderful choice for girls as young as 10-11. I recommend My Refuge for middle grade and YA readers of Christian fiction who want inspiring and realistic characters. It would be a great choice for a book club or youth group to read and study together. I look forward to future books by this author.
September 1, 2024
Very powerful stories of four teen girls struggling with different issues, but who learned to turn to Jesus as their refuge. I wasn't sure how it feel about four different stories about four different girls who had no connection, besides their need to trust in Jesus. This book was like four short stories in one book, but we alternated between the girls stories. I ended up really liking this format.
These girls were struggling with some heavy topics. I love how the author brought each girl hope, some who already knew Jesus but struggled, but also one who was just discovering Him for the first time.
Yes, very powerful and emotional, and uplifting A reminder to look to God in all circumstances, to praise Him, to be open in prayer.
I can't wait to read their continuing stories
These girls were struggling with some heavy topics. I love how the author brought each girl hope, some who already knew Jesus but struggled, but also one who was just discovering Him for the first time.
Yes, very powerful and emotional, and uplifting A reminder to look to God in all circumstances, to praise Him, to be open in prayer.
I can't wait to read their continuing stories
April 3, 2025
This follows four girls who are all isolated in some way (war, health issues, COVID) and their daily struggles even as they slowly start to deepen their Christian faith. It is all very realistic and cleanly written, even as some tough topics are covered.
I didn't really see the need for the footnotes in a fiction story, also the ending was super abrupt.
The stories don't connect or overlap, so in some ways it might have been better to just have four short stories instead of alternating chapters. However, I was very engaged in all the stories and didn't really feel like any of them slowed the pace down.
A good recommendation for Christian teens who like contemporary or social issues fiction.
I didn't really see the need for the footnotes in a fiction story, also the ending was super abrupt.
The stories don't connect or overlap, so in some ways it might have been better to just have four short stories instead of alternating chapters. However, I was very engaged in all the stories and didn't really feel like any of them slowed the pace down.
A good recommendation for Christian teens who like contemporary or social issues fiction.
August 27, 2023
Through the stories of 4 girls whose struggles are much harder than mine, I find a deep connection through the emotions they are feeling. The journey they go through deeply resonates with what I've felt and still feel in life. How they discover God's goodness is a reminder to me in my hardships to rely on Him.
Each girls has a different personality I can relate to in different scenarios and the vivid writing trasports me to their world. This is an easy read and gives such deep connections to God without the cringe that often gets written into fiction.
I can't wait for the next one
Each girls has a different personality I can relate to in different scenarios and the vivid writing trasports me to their world. This is an easy read and gives such deep connections to God without the cringe that often gets written into fiction.
I can't wait for the next one
June 28, 2024
This book was a total surprise for me, tracking several girls for a chapter each, you get to come back every few chapters and see how they handling their difficult situation. Each girl is searching for something in the midst of their heartache and the hope that they find is in Jesus. A beautiful reminder that even in the darkest of moments Jesus is there and is making a way for each of us. There are some more adult topics so I wouldn't recommend this for readers younger that a mature tween.
July 7, 2024
Must read for Christians
Having grown up with the author, I bought the book to support her and it sat unread in my kindle library for too long. As someone who ministers to JH and HS girls regularly, in addition to my own 4 daughters, I wanted to read this before handing to them.
This book incited empathy and biblical encouragement as I read and I was moved to tears twice. I can't wait to read the next one
Having grown up with the author, I bought the book to support her and it sat unread in my kindle library for too long. As someone who ministers to JH and HS girls regularly, in addition to my own 4 daughters, I wanted to read this before handing to them.
This book incited empathy and biblical encouragement as I read and I was moved to tears twice. I can't wait to read the next one
July 1, 2024
Read this for my kiddo (13F). Sweet and encouraging for young teens. I appreciated the multi-ethnic focus and willingness to tell complex stories. My one critique is that everything tied up nicely at the end, which is not necessarily realistic and can create some unmet expectations is young readers. Otherwise, nicely done!
September 10, 2024
A Beautiful story that Can be a living testimony for others
I loved how the author was able to shine light on the girls individual stories and struggles all while keeping the reader invested. Even though I haven't in-depthly gone through what they've gone through I was able to feel what they felt and truly connect with them.
I loved how the author was able to shine light on the girls individual stories and struggles all while keeping the reader invested. Even though I haven't in-depthly gone through what they've gone through I was able to feel what they felt and truly connect with them.
March 14, 2024
Okay, simple read.
It was a good read but very simple. I can see why it’s targeted to you guys girls. They probably would like it. Sweet stories for young girls.
It was a good read but very simple. I can see why it’s targeted to you guys girls. They probably would like it. Sweet stories for young girls.
June 10, 2024
I loved this book so much! It is so hard to find wholesome contemporary books for teens and tweens with compelling stories and strong faith, and this one checks all of those boxes. My Refuge tells the stories of 4 girls living around the world. While their stories seem unrelated, they all face trials, feel isolation, and find encouragement through faith in Jesus.
- Eden is confined to ICU in Texas while she waits for a new heart.
- Mei is locked down in her apartment in Toronto during COVID-19, dealing with online classes and peer pressure.
- Katya and her brother are in the middle of the war in Ukraine, separated from their mother while in a bomb shelter.
- Zahra is a Syrian refugee living in a tent with her family and learning about Jesus for the first time.
I think this book is going to impact so many girls that have faced or are facing trials and feelings of anxiety, loneliness, peer pressure, and fear.
I was sad when this book was over and felt that there was an abrupt ending, but I’m so glad their stories will continue and hopefully find resolution in book 2 this fall!
Thank you so much @ashleyalsalibywrites for this gifted copy of My Refuge! All opinions expressed are my own.
📖 CW/TW: Young adult contemporary Christian fiction. No language. One girl is pressured to send photos of herself online, and is sent a photo that is not described but can be inferred that it is lewd. This is handled delicately and teaches an excellent lesson in online dangers and how to handle them. War, bombing, and anxiety attacks are also mentioned.
- Eden is confined to ICU in Texas while she waits for a new heart.
- Mei is locked down in her apartment in Toronto during COVID-19, dealing with online classes and peer pressure.
- Katya and her brother are in the middle of the war in Ukraine, separated from their mother while in a bomb shelter.
- Zahra is a Syrian refugee living in a tent with her family and learning about Jesus for the first time.
I think this book is going to impact so many girls that have faced or are facing trials and feelings of anxiety, loneliness, peer pressure, and fear.
I was sad when this book was over and felt that there was an abrupt ending, but I’m so glad their stories will continue and hopefully find resolution in book 2 this fall!
Thank you so much @ashleyalsalibywrites for this gifted copy of My Refuge! All opinions expressed are my own.
📖 CW/TW: Young adult contemporary Christian fiction. No language. One girl is pressured to send photos of herself online, and is sent a photo that is not described but can be inferred that it is lewd. This is handled delicately and teaches an excellent lesson in online dangers and how to handle them. War, bombing, and anxiety attacks are also mentioned.
March 23, 2025
9/10
I stumbled upon this book & decided to give it a try.
The stories & circumstances in these 4 stories were portrayed so real & relatable, & yet done in a way to protect younger readers very well.
The timing of reading this for me was good as well, while dealing with much more trivial problems like appliances breaking down. It helped me to be grateful for how good I really have it when people all around the world have to deal with lockdowns, their entire homes flooding, death, etc.
Still, such a cool way of writing & experiencing four places & four stories at the same time. I look forward to the continuation of these stories!
I stumbled upon this book & decided to give it a try.
The stories & circumstances in these 4 stories were portrayed so real & relatable, & yet done in a way to protect younger readers very well.
The timing of reading this for me was good as well, while dealing with much more trivial problems like appliances breaking down. It helped me to be grateful for how good I really have it when people all around the world have to deal with lockdowns, their entire homes flooding, death, etc.
Still, such a cool way of writing & experiencing four places & four stories at the same time. I look forward to the continuation of these stories!
July 13, 2024
Good teen fiction. I felt it ended very abruptly and was very disappointed until I realised that a sequel is coming. 🙂
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