Act of Faith

by Erica James

Ali Anderson is determined to stand on her own two feet—even if it means spending Christmas alone. Because for Ali, Christmas is not the season of good cheer, but a poignant reminder of the tragedy that not long ago tore her life apart and destroyed her once-happy marriage to Elliot. But an invitation to spend the holidays at the home of her best friend will change her life in ways she never imagined.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Womens Fiction

560 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

With an insatiable appetite for other people's business, Erica James will readily strike up conversation with strangers in the hope of unearthing a useful gem for her writing. She finds it the best way to write authentic characters for her novels, although her two grown-up sons claim they will never recover from a childhood spent in a perpetual state of embarrassment at their mother's compulsion.

The author of nineteen bestselling novels, and the winner of the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award, Erica divides her time between Suffolk and Lake Como in Italy.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book.

Loved Elliott from the beginning. Such a nice guy. Glad Sarah finally saw sense.

The blurb for this book really didn't do it justice - much darker than what I was led to believe.

Five stars.

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ali has lost her son, which led to her and her husband getting divorced. Despite her grief she still tries to rescue her best friend, Sarah, from her miserable marriage with Trevor.

This book was ok- when I got into it I enjoyed it but I always found it difficult to pick up and read. It was a bit boring in places.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the plot idea was very good and whilst some aspects of the story were predictable there were others that came as a surprise. Lots of description and some repetitive scenes meant this book did drag on and I was relieved to finish it!

[Ciiku · Rating 3 out of 5]

It could have been shorter.... I felt like it dragged on forever! But it was an ok read

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3.
Trebalo mi je dugo da završim, ali priča s potencijalom se pretvorila u malo čudnu priču...

✖️Razumim Alinu frustraciju s prijateljičin mužem, ali baš odglumit da si spavala s njenim mužem kako bi prekinila mi je previše.
✔️Opis kako patnja zbog gubitka djeteta dovede do mržnje među supružnicima koje se vole.
✔️Kako je oprost jedini put k zacjeljenju.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the start of this book but then the bit about the affair was just really weird for me. It seemed out of step with the rest of the book.

[Soumanta Das · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first encounter with a novel that demanded a certain level of emotional maturity,at-least regarding close family relations. Henceforth, majority readers might not completely feel the same way I do about this novel.
I must,however,appreciate Erica James' attempt to illustrate how an act fueled by over-confident impetuosity can lead to permanent damages. The simple prose,and the lucid yet meaningful conversations are an definite attraction. And if you are looking for a serious,unexpected,completely out-of-the-blue dramatic twist,you may certainly consider picking up a copy. Although a few parts may come across as excessive/superfluous build-up, the author manages to make the characters confront the worst of grief,insensitivity and blunt audacity and the best of fortitude,patience friendship and forgiveness.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 2 out of 5]

Middling english chook-lit set in a Cheshire village. Sarah and Ali have been friends since school. Ali has a successful career but lost her marriage when her son died as a toddler and can't get past her grief which makes her a complete cow. Sarah is married to an odious heavily religious idiot she married at Uni because she got pregnant and is a complete doormat. Not much happens until Ali decides to try and get Sarah out of her marriage by doing something incredibly stupid and arrogant - which made me want to stop reading it was so cringe-worthy.
She writes well and you want to know how things turn out (exactly as you predict they will) but I would only read this if you really like the author or the genre.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am dithering between giving this book 3.5 or 4 stars, but decided that it was well written, dealt with issues in a sensitive way, and I felt invested in the characters and what happened to them.
They are all strong characters in their own way and each had a very unique personality, fleshed out to make them feel real. The two main characters are lifelong friends, Ali and Sarah. Tragically, Ali's son has died and her marriage collapsed as a result of this. Sarah's marriage is governed by her faith and her husband's increasing desire to become more and more immersed in it. He and Ali do not get along and there are plenty of amusing as well as serious parts to this story.
For the normally more lightweight genre of women's fiction, this story will remain with me for quite a while.

[Irina Pekausiene · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I liked this book, first 150 pages were with bit of mystery what have happened with heroes os story but the deeper it went the more obvious it was that all story is wrapped in 100 layers of papers and at the end I got bored t unwrap them to find quite obvious and not surprising details. Almost everyone know at least one person having life like in this novel, but you just call it life. You do not learn nothing from it, you do not inspire and at the end of the day, putting your head on the pillow you do not spend 3 minutes thinking about the story and how it has changed you cos it didnt.

[Marion · Rating 2 out of 5]

A long and detailed story of love and loss, and how we hurt others while trying to protect ourselves from the loss. I am not a fan of any religious fanatic storylines, no matter the author, and so I did not enjoy the Sarah and Trevor storyline in this book. Sarah made herself into a martyr and dug herself into a situation she could not conceive of leaving. While I can see Ali did what she had to do in different parts of the story, she did not think through the consequents of her actions. I usually love Erica James stories, but this in not one I will read again.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I spent 3/4 of this book disliking Ali tremendously - even taking into account the loss of her child. She is an abrasive character to say the least. My favorite characters were Elliot, Daniel and Sam. I didn't feel Ali deserved the love of any of these people. It was a hard book for me to love although I enjoy most of E.James books, this wasn't a favourite of mine.

[Donnavinyard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, very predictable.

[Kristen Golson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my favourite of this author. I've read others of hers that I have enjoyed more.

[Sarah Hills · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Erica's writing and thoroughly enjoy her books. This is one of her earlier ones that I've not read so thought I would give it a go.
It's interesting to see how she has honed her craft over the years and I felt it showed in this particular book.
I found it hard going at times, people who are religious I can find very trying, so to hide behind it annoys me.
The characters were well written and I loved our hero Elliot and the insights into his world and how he held his pain were beautifully written.
I don't give spoilers as we know so I'll say no more about the bitter sweet plot.
Trevor with his evangelical zeal really annoyed me that he couldn't see real life without having something spiritual to spout, the worse kind of 'christian' going, foisting their beliefs upon you.
I'm glad that Sarah and Ali ended up where they did but I'll not forget Isaac in a very long time.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audio book and absolutely loved it. Quite surprised at some of the reviews.......yes the characters were not always loveable but Erica Janes is the ultimate storyteller and she certainly weaves an impelling story. I honestly didn't want it to end.
The narrator was first class and absolutely made the book memorable for me.

[Cheryll · Rating 2 out of 5]

OMG! 536 pages! Far too long for what the book was about. I've picked it up and put it down... The characters and theme were believable but the overly religious Trevor annoyed me so much! I feel as though I've wasted a lot of my precious time reading this book :(

[Juliet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I trouble reading this one of Erica's

[Donna Linton-Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging story by a British author that I like, however parts of the storyline I found to be a little far-fetched. But overall for a good read I enjoyed this book.

[Sharon Coyle]

Another from the library discards sale. I found some parts cringy, but overall interesting.

[KK · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh my lord! What a load of absolute drivel. Both Sarah and Ali drove me mad. Are they 10? Dreadful book. I usually love EJ but this book is simply AWFUL

[Lucy McLaurin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the characters and my heart ached for some of them; whilst disliking others.

Probably more of a reflection on me - but I found the religious fanatics a bit too much - although I understand this is a huge theme of the book!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character is Ali, a young, motivated and successful accountant who was very happily married until a terrible tragedy happened a couple of years before the novel opens; we learn what it was in the first chapter, although details are not filled in until later in the book.

Erica James has quite a gift of characterisation, and despite quite a big cast, it was easy for me to keep track. Sam, Ali's father-in-law, is particularly likeable person; a voice of common sense and wisdom.

It’s a character-based novel, and as such there are lots of different subplots, including a low-key teenage romance, stresses with an overly-religious and somewhat self-righteous man, and some workplace issues.

But most of all the story is about Ali, and the way she slowly tries to come to terms with what’s happened in the past. She’s a complex and interesting character, with plenty of self-confidence.

If I have a criticism of the novel, it’s that it’s rather too long with more introspection than necessary. I felt it could have done with some significant editing in places. I had forgotten just how big a part religion plays in this novel, too; it’s a pity that Trevor and his cronies are portrayed so negatively; but there's a more balanced viewpoint from one of Ali's neighbours.

Overall, though, the writing is good, the people believable, the situations and subplots cleverly woven together into an enjoyable whole. Ideal for anyone who likes thoughtful women’s fiction with some emotional depth. Re-reading after fifteen years - and again after another nine - I had almost entirely forgotten the story and found it very moving in places.

Latest longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still relatively new to Erica James work, having previously only read 'Paradise House' - which, by the way, was a lovely story. Act of Faith deals with the multitude of emotions caused by life situations which many of us have had to experience. The writer deals with the circumstances and emotions felt by the characters in an educated and empathetic way, and the religious aspects of the story which illustrate the disagreements, confusion and conflict which is all too common in our everyday lives felt very well researched and authentic.

This was a book which from the very beginning drew me in and I wanted changes for both female characters and hoped as the book ended this would be the case. What followed was a rollercoaster ride full of emotion and it became one of those books which I struggled to put down. At times it made me laugh out loud and at others I was holding back the odd tear. I like reading fiction by a woman for women where it is clear the author is well educated - like chick lit but with advanced vocabulary! The one very small issue I had is that it was a little drawn out in places and I'd have liked an edit which would have made for a more concise read - most especially in the second half of the book. I'm still giving it 5 stars though and am on the look out for more Erica James books as I type!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the others that I have read by Erica James. I did up to a certain point until the main character did something so unspeakably stupid and hurtful that it felt like I was part of the story and was a character who was part of the consequence of this stupid act. The again, that is part of the skill of Erica James' writing, she always draws you in so you are completely involved with the story.

[Lynda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a book reading over lots of emotions..how a toddlers death can break up a marriage.
Then how long friendships can lead to you wanting to help that person change their life for the better.

I was not at all taken in by the main person in this story..she was very sure of her self..a bit too sure!

How the best friend and ex husband put up with her was a mystery?
Sad in places but unbelievable in others.

[S. L Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book to read from a family member and when I started it, I was surprised I was gripped. Not my usual type of read but it is well written, the characters are so engaging and with so many themes and issues thrown in from each character, you never have time to get bored. With grief, real life situations and showing how far a relationship can be tested, this is a must read!

[Ceh · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first i struggled to read this book. I couldnt wrap my head round all her bad vibe despite the knowledge that shed lost her child. i trudged on and empathised and was able to get through the first 2 chapters of negativity. I could tell she was intentionally being mean to her hubby and honestly it almost put me off the book. once past that however, i enjoyed the book

[Victoria Kator · Rating 2 out of 5]

really slow, really long, just two sad/heavy subjects. i had to read/skim to the end though to see how it ended. i felt so bad and sorry for all these characters. and just when i thought it would be an "okay" book it went WACKY and i hated the twist. glad the ending sort of revived it all. not a fan of this one.

[Andrea Howarth-Salazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always with Erica James's novels, the characters come alive and make you care about what happens to them. The characters and their emotions are skilfully drawn throughout the novel, eliciting an empathetic response from the reader.