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Dear Jane
The plan was to serve a mission, marry her boyfriend, and live happily ever after. But all of that changed when Quinn got a Dear Jane email. Now she's stuck at home with no boyfriend, no job, no major, and absolutely no social life. Will Quinn ever find the path that leads to her eternal happiness?
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2016
About the author
Rachel Ward
2 books32 followersRachel grew up reading every book she could get her hands on and spending time with her cat. At least, that was the report in every annual Christmas letter. The humiliation was enough to spur her into action, and she began writing. And she never stopped. Rachel studied English at Brigham Young University-Idaho and then wrote and blogged in between the births of her six children. She currently lives in West Jordan with her family, and while she no longer has a cat, she still reads every book she can get her hands on.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 9, 2017
This book completely surprised me. The book blurb really doesn't do it justice. I didn't expect the depth and difficult topics it included in Quinn's transition back to normal life after her church mission. She has an idealized view of the gospel, that following the commandments will keep you safe from certain types of hardship and trials. That bubble is quickly popped when she is faced with rejection, family secrets are revealed, and loved ones deal with divorce, infidelity, and suicide. In the midst of it all she finds comfort and understanding from an unlikely source, a coworker at her current job that she served with on her mission who was an inexplicable jerk. Nick is a different person now, and they develop a strong friendship. It's obvious to the reader that he has a case of unrequited love for Quinn, but their relationship is complicated by a rival suitor, regretful arguments, and family drama. I admired how Quinn didn't sit around waiting for life to happen, she quickly went and got a job to provide for herself and plan for an independent future. Even though she's a capable and strong young woman, her emotions at the struggles in her and her family's lives are skillfully brought to life and I was close to tears a couple times as she deals with grief and uncertainty. I felt like the spiritual thread was lacking, there's not much detail about Quinn's personal faith and relationship with God. However, I found that I couldn't put the book down as I was engrossed with the events unfolding in the lives of Nick and Quinn. So glad that I picked this one up and look forward to reading more by the author!
*This is an LDS fiction book, with some references that those unfamiliar with the Mormon faith may not understand. If you read it and have questions just leave me a message on Facebook or Goodreads and I'll try to help :)
(Thank you to Cedar Fort Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
*This is an LDS fiction book, with some references that those unfamiliar with the Mormon faith may not understand. If you read it and have questions just leave me a message on Facebook or Goodreads and I'll try to help :)
(Thank you to Cedar Fort Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
October 21, 2016
Elements of this really worked well. Others pulled me out enough I nearly stopped reading. In all, it's a good story and the ending was fantastic.
Quinn is having a really bad year. It starts with her boyfriend dumping her while she's on her LDS mission (prologues, ugh, but worse, one with an extended flashback, double ugh) but it goes downhill from there. It's remarkable (and kudos to Ward for this) that so much tragedy didn't feel piled-on or full of unnecessary drama. There's a lot that goes wrong, and it's very highly concentrated, but the level of drama is proportionate and the characters react exactly as they would given everything we know about them. The pitfalls of that much tragedy in a single book are legion and Ward handled it with such good grace that it never felt heavy while still providing an emotional catharsis that was extremely rewarding.
Key to that working is that Quinn and Nick are such well-drawn characters (except for sometimes, I'll get to that). I liked Quinn's courage and determination to do what's right. And I liked that she's able to respond generously when provoked. And Nick was even better in his honor and caring and I really loved how well Ward let us see his feelings for Quinn even as she, herself, remains oblivious. What didn't work so well were the occasions when Ward manipulated them to do stereotypical romance plot things that seemed otherwise completely out of character—like with . And with Nick when
What I didn't have a tough time with were some of the awful characters who surrounded Nick and Quinn. They were exceedingly awful, starting with her mom and his dad. I am so glad I never got the feeling that Ward meant for us to sympathize with the judgmental, completely unchristian actions of these "parents". Indeed, we see the trials their unbending and destructive disapproval bring to their children. Which opens the opportunities for good people to step up and help heal and comfort those so wounded. It was an excellent representation of faithful living among a church community full of flawed people, some of them awful, even as it shows the strength of those striving to live the spirit of their religion at the same time and in the same place. I thought this was a really strong aspect of the novel.
And the ending was fantastic. Tears flowed as Nick and Quinn began figuring things out and finally drew together (but then, I'm a noted soft touch in these things). The strength they find with each other in the midst of so much trauma was outstanding. I fell for them both by the end and that is no small thing. If it hadn't been for the authorial manipulations and the couple times I nearly stopped reading altogether, this would have been a solid four star read. As is, I can stand confidently behind the three. I look forward to more from Ward. There's a lot of talent here, even if some of the character actions nearly threw me out of the story entirely.
A note about LDS: This is a deeply and completely LDS story. It's steeped in Mormon culture and is unabashed about doing so. There are numerous elements likely to be opaque and possibly confusing to outsiders. Which was exactly right for this story, I think.
Quinn is having a really bad year. It starts with her boyfriend dumping her while she's on her LDS mission (prologues, ugh, but worse, one with an extended flashback, double ugh) but it goes downhill from there. It's remarkable (and kudos to Ward for this) that so much tragedy didn't feel piled-on or full of unnecessary drama. There's a lot that goes wrong, and it's very highly concentrated, but the level of drama is proportionate and the characters react exactly as they would given everything we know about them. The pitfalls of that much tragedy in a single book are legion and Ward handled it with such good grace that it never felt heavy while still providing an emotional catharsis that was extremely rewarding.
Key to that working is that Quinn and Nick are such well-drawn characters (except for sometimes, I'll get to that). I liked Quinn's courage and determination to do what's right. And I liked that she's able to respond generously when provoked. And Nick was even better in his honor and caring and I really loved how well Ward let us see his feelings for Quinn even as she, herself, remains oblivious. What didn't work so well were the occasions when Ward manipulated them to do stereotypical romance plot things that seemed otherwise completely out of character—like with . And with Nick when
What I didn't have a tough time with were some of the awful characters who surrounded Nick and Quinn. They were exceedingly awful, starting with her mom and his dad. I am so glad I never got the feeling that Ward meant for us to sympathize with the judgmental, completely unchristian actions of these "parents". Indeed, we see the trials their unbending and destructive disapproval bring to their children. Which opens the opportunities for good people to step up and help heal and comfort those so wounded. It was an excellent representation of faithful living among a church community full of flawed people, some of them awful, even as it shows the strength of those striving to live the spirit of their religion at the same time and in the same place. I thought this was a really strong aspect of the novel.
And the ending was fantastic. Tears flowed as Nick and Quinn began figuring things out and finally drew together (but then, I'm a noted soft touch in these things). The strength they find with each other in the midst of so much trauma was outstanding. I fell for them both by the end and that is no small thing. If it hadn't been for the authorial manipulations and the couple times I nearly stopped reading altogether, this would have been a solid four star read. As is, I can stand confidently behind the three. I look forward to more from Ward. There's a lot of talent here, even if some of the character actions nearly threw me out of the story entirely.
A note about LDS: This is a deeply and completely LDS story. It's steeped in Mormon culture and is unabashed about doing so. There are numerous elements likely to be opaque and possibly confusing to outsiders. Which was exactly right for this story, I think.
August 26, 2016
(4.5 Stars) I really loved this book on so many levels. This story is specific to the LDS (Mormon) faith and while not preachy, there are many references that those who are not of the faith won't understand.
Quinn has always been in love with her best friend's brother and after they finally get together, she decides to serve a mission. Shortly before she comes home, she receives an email that changes her life--she's been dumped. After coming home, she struggles to figure life out and as she slowly begins to put the pieces together, she finds that what she thought she wanted might not be what she really needs.
I think most people can understand and relate to Quinn to some degree. Transitioning into adulthood is difficult, at best, and it's hard to find the "right" path to take--the path that will bring the most happiness. Quinn is fairly humble and oblivious, which leads to some tricky situations. She doesn't always make the best choices and those decisions lead to a little reader frustration. I wanted her to come around and fix things. It's hard to see people make "mistakes" but they do have to resolve things in their time, as did Quinn.
I'm a big believer that people are constantly changing and our experiences play a big part in that. If a couple isn't morphing together, it's easy to find themselves on completely different paths. What might be "right" at one time, isn't necessarily "right" later. This theme is very evident throughout the story in many ways. I love watching the different relationships progress--from friendships, to family, to romance. There are so many great characters and circumstances. It was easy to feel a part of the story, since these things felt so familiar. There are some sensitive, difficult issues found within these pages and they are handled well. They don't drag the story down. I've found another new author to watch!
Content: moderate religious elements (not preachy); mild romance (some innuendo and implied situations). Clean!
*I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Quinn has always been in love with her best friend's brother and after they finally get together, she decides to serve a mission. Shortly before she comes home, she receives an email that changes her life--she's been dumped. After coming home, she struggles to figure life out and as she slowly begins to put the pieces together, she finds that what she thought she wanted might not be what she really needs.
I think most people can understand and relate to Quinn to some degree. Transitioning into adulthood is difficult, at best, and it's hard to find the "right" path to take--the path that will bring the most happiness. Quinn is fairly humble and oblivious, which leads to some tricky situations. She doesn't always make the best choices and those decisions lead to a little reader frustration. I wanted her to come around and fix things. It's hard to see people make "mistakes" but they do have to resolve things in their time, as did Quinn.
I'm a big believer that people are constantly changing and our experiences play a big part in that. If a couple isn't morphing together, it's easy to find themselves on completely different paths. What might be "right" at one time, isn't necessarily "right" later. This theme is very evident throughout the story in many ways. I love watching the different relationships progress--from friendships, to family, to romance. There are so many great characters and circumstances. It was easy to feel a part of the story, since these things felt so familiar. There are some sensitive, difficult issues found within these pages and they are handled well. They don't drag the story down. I've found another new author to watch!
Content: moderate religious elements (not preachy); mild romance (some innuendo and implied situations). Clean!
*I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
August 26, 2016
First off, I need to mention that this is an LDS fiction book. References specific to the LDS religion are made. There is nothing preachy, but some not familiar with this religion may not understand the references.
I really enjoyed this book. I read through it quickly and it made me smile. The characters were well defined and I could picture the scenes and places so easily. It's hard to say much without giving away the content of the book which the blurb doesn't really mention.
Quinn is a good, solid character. I really liked her. Her family was flawed and imperfect but hers. There was love with that imperfection and it was a good representation of most families. There is always struggle and hard things in life. Always. Things rarely go as we expect them to. People disappoint us, we make mistakes, we lose people we love. Sometimes we just don't understand. That is life. Messy and hard. I guess that was what I loved most about this book- even though all of those things were happening, there was still love and joy, forgiveness and hope. That is life too.
The author did a good job of balancing the weightier things with happy things so that as a reader I never felt bogged down or overwhelmed. It was good!
Content: Some weightier issues- suicide, drug addiction, mental illness, divorce, abandonment
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I read through it quickly and it made me smile. The characters were well defined and I could picture the scenes and places so easily. It's hard to say much without giving away the content of the book which the blurb doesn't really mention.
Quinn is a good, solid character. I really liked her. Her family was flawed and imperfect but hers. There was love with that imperfection and it was a good representation of most families. There is always struggle and hard things in life. Always. Things rarely go as we expect them to. People disappoint us, we make mistakes, we lose people we love. Sometimes we just don't understand. That is life. Messy and hard. I guess that was what I loved most about this book- even though all of those things were happening, there was still love and joy, forgiveness and hope. That is life too.
The author did a good job of balancing the weightier things with happy things so that as a reader I never felt bogged down or overwhelmed. It was good!
Content: Some weightier issues- suicide, drug addiction, mental illness, divorce, abandonment
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 20, 2016
First off, I need to mention that this is an LDS fiction book. References specific to the LDS religion are made. There is nothing preachy, but some not familiar with this religion may not understand the references.
I really enjoyed this book. I read through it quickly and it made me smile. The characters were well defined and I could picture the scenes and places so easily. It's hard to say much without giving away the content of the book which the blurb doesn't really mention.
Quinn is a good, solid character. I really liked her. Her family was flawed and imperfect but hers. There was love with that imperfection and it was a good representation of most families. There is always struggle and hard things in life. Always. Things rarely go as we expect them to. People disappoint us, we make mistakes, we lose people we love. Sometimes we just don't understand. That is life. Messy and hard. I guess that was what I loved most about this book- even though all of those things were happening, there was still love and joy, forgiveness and hope. That is life too.
The author did a good job of balancing the weightier things with happy things so that as a reader I never felt bogged down or overwhelmed. It was good!
Content: Some weightier issues- suicide, drug addiction, mental illness, divorce, abandonment
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I read through it quickly and it made me smile. The characters were well defined and I could picture the scenes and places so easily. It's hard to say much without giving away the content of the book which the blurb doesn't really mention.
Quinn is a good, solid character. I really liked her. Her family was flawed and imperfect but hers. There was love with that imperfection and it was a good representation of most families. There is always struggle and hard things in life. Always. Things rarely go as we expect them to. People disappoint us, we make mistakes, we lose people we love. Sometimes we just don't understand. That is life. Messy and hard. I guess that was what I loved most about this book- even though all of those things were happening, there was still love and joy, forgiveness and hope. That is life too.
The author did a good job of balancing the weightier things with happy things so that as a reader I never felt bogged down or overwhelmed. It was good!
Content: Some weightier issues- suicide, drug addiction, mental illness, divorce, abandonment
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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July 18, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/18/2019)! 🎁
September 10, 2016
This was a quick fun read. I look forward to more books by Rachel Ward.
July 26, 2019
Quinn is finishing up her mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when she gets a letter from her boyfriend breaking up with her and letting her know that he is engaged (typically called a "Dear Jane" or "Dear John" letter). She gets home and is trying to figure out what she will do now that the expectation she had has changed and real life hits her hard. She has a really rough time transitioning to life after her mission and the book gets more and more interesting from there. (That all happens in the first little bit of the book).
September 20, 2017
Fun read! Great perspective of a sister missionary coming home from her mission, getting a dear jane, finding that her family isn't perfect despite doing all the right things, bad choices still have consequences. I loved the relationships between Quinn and her sister and the realistic on off relationship with her mom. Absolutely loved the ending!
August 25, 2016
Dear Jane, by Rachel Ward, was one of those books I wasn't super excited to read. The book cover and book description didn't sound very complex or interesting, but rather kind of cheesy and uncomplicated.
If you read the book cover and think the same thing, read this book anyway, because the actual book is absolutely amazing. It really, truly is.
Now, if you aren't LDS, you probably would find this book confusing. The author does not explain anything about LDS culture or beliefs, but rather assumes that the reader is LDS. There is nothing wrong with that, but just know that if you aren't LDS, you probably won't understand the book unless you have a very close LDS friend who can fill you in. The author also completely engulfs the reader into the state of Utah - from its weather to its geography to its restaurants. It helps to be familiar with Utah when reading this book, but not a requirement to enjoy it.
In the beginning of Dear Jane, Quinn Matthews is in her last few months of her LDS mission in Florida, when she receives a "Dear Jane" letter from the love of her life, Joshua, which basically says that he has gotten engaged to someone else and doesn't think they were meant to be. This, of course, breaks Quinn's heart.
Once she comes home from her mission, she isn't motivated to do much and isn't sure of her future. But, through the gentle prodding of her father, she ends up getting a job at a local realtor's office. Through this new job, a missionary she knew in Florida comes back into her life, much to her dismay.
I won't tell you anymore details other than to promise you that this book reads as if it is a true story. Every detail is brought before your eyes. You are with Quinn from start to finish, experiencing her annoyances, anxieties, fears, tragedies, confusions, loves, and joys.
I found myself really relating to her - maybe not her fear of public speaking, addiction to cotton candy, or her love of running - but I felt that if I were in her shoes, I probably would react very similarly to her. Her character was so real. Her reactions from every trial and moment she went through were completely authentic and human.
The author was full of surprises. Just when I thought something in the story was predictable, Ward threw in something to completely prove me wrong. The story definitely had me guessing, and kept me yearning for more. I couldn't drink it up fast enough.
A true test of a good book is when you want to read a particular part more than once so you can experience it again. Another true test is whether or not the book makes you cry. I gasped and burst into tears more than once in the book. No, nothing about Quinn's story (and the stories of those around her) is superficial or easy. She lived a life of real problems, imperfections, and trials. Darkness seeped into the light of her life through much of the book, but how she endured - and how she helped others endure - really solidified the uplifting factor of this work of art.
This will be a book I keep on my shelf forever. It was absolutely beautiful. Well done, Rachel Ward!
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
ablisscomplete.com
If you read the book cover and think the same thing, read this book anyway, because the actual book is absolutely amazing. It really, truly is.
Now, if you aren't LDS, you probably would find this book confusing. The author does not explain anything about LDS culture or beliefs, but rather assumes that the reader is LDS. There is nothing wrong with that, but just know that if you aren't LDS, you probably won't understand the book unless you have a very close LDS friend who can fill you in. The author also completely engulfs the reader into the state of Utah - from its weather to its geography to its restaurants. It helps to be familiar with Utah when reading this book, but not a requirement to enjoy it.
In the beginning of Dear Jane, Quinn Matthews is in her last few months of her LDS mission in Florida, when she receives a "Dear Jane" letter from the love of her life, Joshua, which basically says that he has gotten engaged to someone else and doesn't think they were meant to be. This, of course, breaks Quinn's heart.
Once she comes home from her mission, she isn't motivated to do much and isn't sure of her future. But, through the gentle prodding of her father, she ends up getting a job at a local realtor's office. Through this new job, a missionary she knew in Florida comes back into her life, much to her dismay.
I won't tell you anymore details other than to promise you that this book reads as if it is a true story. Every detail is brought before your eyes. You are with Quinn from start to finish, experiencing her annoyances, anxieties, fears, tragedies, confusions, loves, and joys.
I found myself really relating to her - maybe not her fear of public speaking, addiction to cotton candy, or her love of running - but I felt that if I were in her shoes, I probably would react very similarly to her. Her character was so real. Her reactions from every trial and moment she went through were completely authentic and human.
The author was full of surprises. Just when I thought something in the story was predictable, Ward threw in something to completely prove me wrong. The story definitely had me guessing, and kept me yearning for more. I couldn't drink it up fast enough.
A true test of a good book is when you want to read a particular part more than once so you can experience it again. Another true test is whether or not the book makes you cry. I gasped and burst into tears more than once in the book. No, nothing about Quinn's story (and the stories of those around her) is superficial or easy. She lived a life of real problems, imperfections, and trials. Darkness seeped into the light of her life through much of the book, but how she endured - and how she helped others endure - really solidified the uplifting factor of this work of art.
This will be a book I keep on my shelf forever. It was absolutely beautiful. Well done, Rachel Ward!
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
ablisscomplete.com
August 31, 2016
Quinn had her life all planned out. After her mission, she was going to marry her perfect boyfriend and live a perfect life. However, three months before she came home, he broke up with her so she needed to quickly change her plans.
I loved this book! The story starts with Quinn's boyfriend, Josh, breaking up with her three months before the end of her mission. She's understandably upset but pulls herself together, determined that it won't destroy the time she has left. Then the story picks up six months later, when Quinn's been home for a few months. Life is very different than she had imagined it would be. She's adjusting to post-mission life: living at home, taking online classes and trying to find a steady job so she can buy a car.
I could really feel for Quinn because I found myself in a similar circumstance when I returned home from my mission. There were some tough adjustments to make and new realities to face. She's a likable character and handled things well. There's one situation that was a little bit frustrating but I understood her decisions there, too, and hoped she'd figure things out. There were twists and turns, and definitely some drama, along the way to her happy ending.
The author also takes on some heavier topics with a certain character and his family issues. She did a great job keeping a balance so that it didn't take over but helped bring the characters closer together. There are some specific LDS references but it's not preachy at all. I devoured this book and look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
I loved this book! The story starts with Quinn's boyfriend, Josh, breaking up with her three months before the end of her mission. She's understandably upset but pulls herself together, determined that it won't destroy the time she has left. Then the story picks up six months later, when Quinn's been home for a few months. Life is very different than she had imagined it would be. She's adjusting to post-mission life: living at home, taking online classes and trying to find a steady job so she can buy a car.
I could really feel for Quinn because I found myself in a similar circumstance when I returned home from my mission. There were some tough adjustments to make and new realities to face. She's a likable character and handled things well. There's one situation that was a little bit frustrating but I understood her decisions there, too, and hoped she'd figure things out. There were twists and turns, and definitely some drama, along the way to her happy ending.
The author also takes on some heavier topics with a certain character and his family issues. She did a great job keeping a balance so that it didn't take over but helped bring the characters closer together. There are some specific LDS references but it's not preachy at all. I devoured this book and look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
December 3, 2016
I really loved this story. However, not being a huge fan of love triangles, I wasn't a fan of the whole Quinn, Josh, Nick thing. Josh was a jerk and I have NO IDEA why he came back. I would have just loved the story to be between Quinn and Nick. But I guess maybe for closure? But couldn't she have just told him no at the beginning instead of dating him and having feelings for Nick? Just a side note. It didn't bug me enough to not really enjoy it!
November 19, 2016
Sweet LDS romance. Quinn's life took a few huge twists that brought reality too close to home and thankfully made her love triangle resolve itself carefully. I would have loved to see more of Quinn and Nick's love develop together, but appreciated a story that showed how when life throws you lemons your true soul mate will help you make lemonade.
July 21, 2018
It was nice to read an LDS book that wasn’t filled with Peter Priesthood and Molly Mormon characters, and wasn’t overly preachy. That being said, Quinn was just a generic clueless girl, and her total inability to see anything clearly really made the book drag. The author threw in so much melodrama to keep driving Quinn and Nick apart that it just grew tiresome.
August 15, 2016
Very well written, loved the plot twists. Thanks for a quick, light, happy reading experience.
January 15, 2017
One of the best LDS fiction I've read. Not preachy or cheesy. The book's description doesn't do it justice. It's much deeper and covers some difficult topics. Worth the read.
August 14, 2019
This was my first read from this author. I stumbled upon her through one of the "listopia" lists here in Goodreads. And I'm glad I came across her work because I like her style. In the LDS community, a dear John letter is not uncommon and i'm sure a dear Jane one is not that unusual either but we go beyond our heroine's mission time. We also see her through our post mission life where things are up in the air and the plans that she had set prior to her mission is not quite the same life she is living. Add to that a missionary that seemed to be a jerk only to find that he's not that bad after all.
What surprised me about this story was all of the hard things that can test one's faith. There's drug addiction, suicide, shot gun weddings, failed marriages and a few more things that sometimes gets swept under the rug of a normal LDS family because of the fear of being known as the ones that couldn't endure to the end or stay steadfast to the iron rod. I appreciated how this book tackled all of that hard stuff that are more common now that we expect. It reminded me that everyone's dealing with something and we don't really know what goes on inside people's homes/families.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
What surprised me about this story was all of the hard things that can test one's faith. There's drug addiction, suicide, shot gun weddings, failed marriages and a few more things that sometimes gets swept under the rug of a normal LDS family because of the fear of being known as the ones that couldn't endure to the end or stay steadfast to the iron rod. I appreciated how this book tackled all of that hard stuff that are more common now that we expect. It reminded me that everyone's dealing with something and we don't really know what goes on inside people's homes/families.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
February 7, 2018
This one started out really good, but it got bogged down with life. That was probably the point, but it seemed like everything that could happen did happen and I started to think- What next? Quinn's mom was crazy. I had a really hard time with her. I also had a hard time with all the shouting and yelling. They all need counseling for their anger issues. I worried that Nick and Quinn's relationship wouldn't last because they were always screaming when issues arose between them. That being said, I liked Quinn's relationship with her siblings. And I liked Quinn and her father's relationship. He was the only sane one of the bunch. Poor guy. I liked how selfless Nick was and I think his enabling behavior with his brother is common. The author wrote like people speak today. I like her writing style. This one was clean with talk of suicide and intimacy before marriage. It dealt with some really difficult issues. I would recommend it for older teens on up. I probably wouldn't read it again, but I will look for other books by this author.
August 18, 2017
Just finished this book and I highly recommend it to my LDS women friends! It has a really good message. The plot is about a returned sister missionary who learns how to deal with hardships in life, and finds love along the way. The writing is a little cheesy, but I enjoyed it. I think it's so important to have LDS books that show sometimes life doesn't go the way you plan, it's not all rainbows and butterflies. I also liked how they touched on anxiety, because I have anxiety myself and it's important not to push people to far out of their comfort zone.
February 11, 2022
At a certain point, I found myself skimming along and just continued to skim until the end. The relationships in this were generally problematic, the characters who supposedly were at marrying age had much maturing to do, and the serious topics that were brought up felt so brief that they just were thrown in for the sake of having conflict. The book was more shallow than I would have hoped for with some of what was discussed. But some of the dialogue was engaging and some parts I did want to read in their entirety. Overall not a book I’d choose to read again, but it had promise in spots.
November 13, 2016
Pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I'm generally very leary of lds fiction for many reasons and while this is definitely an LDS novel, it wasn't heavy handed or crazy cheesy and I thoroughly enjoyed it- stayed up late to finish it and I was sad when it was over. Plus I love the main character's name: Quinn: all told from her perspective.
July 6, 2018
Really cute story! Felt connecting during different chapters. Clean and easy read! :)
My favorite part was this at the very end: "I knew that the gospel was true, but it wasn't a band-aid. It wasn't a magical wall that would keep me safe from the bad stuff. It's faith and it's strength, and it's a little, tiny light in the darkness that keeps me going." ←← So good!!
My favorite part was this at the very end: "I knew that the gospel was true, but it wasn't a band-aid. It wasn't a magical wall that would keep me safe from the bad stuff. It's faith and it's strength, and it's a little, tiny light in the darkness that keeps me going." ←← So good!!
August 22, 2019
I really need to start getting on here more often to do my reviews. I've read a few books in-between this one and I remember enjoying it but not too much details to give here. While there were some heavy issues I don't feel like it pulled the book too far down.
Moral Note: Some innuendos, discussions and talk of suicide, drug addiction, mental illness, divorce and abandonment
Moral Note: Some innuendos, discussions and talk of suicide, drug addiction, mental illness, divorce and abandonment
July 22, 2019
Surprise
This was a nice surprise. I really enjoyed this emotional rollercoaster. In life, things happen and having your best friend beside you makes it all bearable. No one is without trials.
This was a nice surprise. I really enjoyed this emotional rollercoaster. In life, things happen and having your best friend beside you makes it all bearable. No one is without trials.
July 4, 2017
It was cute, but it seemed just a little bit over the top in terms of hard things happening to the main characters.
July 8, 2017
Cute little lds romance. An easy read.
May 1, 2018
WT book group. Good. Read. We need to listen to the spirit not just follow what we think our dreams are
February 18, 2019
Quinn's best-laid plans may not have worked out with Joshua, but Nick Ryan is so....... worth it. Some real family issues (suicide, drug addition, estrangement) are treated along the way.
July 24, 2019
Read prologue & quit reading during first chapter. Not quite my cup of tea.
January 8, 2020
Cute read! Really fun when you know an author is from your home town
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