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My Father's House
Growing up, life is idyllic for Lily Rose Cates due to one constant – her father’s love. But in her sixteenth summer, all that changes without warning. There begins Lily’s struggle to find herself and the life she’s lost. . . .
Marriage promises fulfillment, but her happily-ever-after barely survives the honeymoon. Her husband’s sophisticated façade hides a brooding man with even darker secrets. When all illusions shatter, Lilly must make hard choices – abandon her husband or risk losing much more than her marriage. She flees their home in Detroit and sets out on a fearful journey to a house in Georgia that her husband knows nothing about. This is one woman’s compelling tale of love and survival as she finds her way back home to who she’s meant to be . . . in her father’s house.
Marriage promises fulfillment, but her happily-ever-after barely survives the honeymoon. Her husband’s sophisticated façade hides a brooding man with even darker secrets. When all illusions shatter, Lilly must make hard choices – abandon her husband or risk losing much more than her marriage. She flees their home in Detroit and sets out on a fearful journey to a house in Georgia that her husband knows nothing about. This is one woman’s compelling tale of love and survival as she finds her way back home to who she’s meant to be . . . in her father’s house.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2016
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September 2, 2016
My Father's House by Rose Chandler Johnson is a gripping Christian romance. It tackles some hard hitting topics but over it all there is love - the love of a Father for His children.
God's presence permeates the novel. He is what keeps Lily Rose going. Through all circumstances she looks to God. She talks to God and she thanks God. "Thank you God. Thank you so much." Lily Rose recognises God's hand on her life. "An angel was watching over me... Thank you Lord." Another character says "I never go nowhere without Him." Whatever we face in life, facing it with God makes the way bearable.
The novel shows the importance of being equally yoked in a marriage. "Does he know Jesus?" is the most important question to ask before embarking on a life together. God longs for His children to know Him and to include Him in their marriage.
There is the theme of money and power in the novel. The love of money is the root of all evil. "He worshipped the markets." When money and power is the number one goal in life, then one is pursuing the wrong goal.
There is the difficult topic of domestic abuse. It comes in the form of both physical and verbal assaults. Rose Chandler Johnson is sensitive in her portrayal of it. She shows that it is more complex than it appears to outsiders. "You never really tell by what things look like on the outside." The abuser is a mixture of love and hate. A real Jekyll and Hyde character. His victim is equally complex - trying to please him, trying to change him, wondering if the abuse is her fault. It isn't. The reader feels empathy and understands the turmoil.
A major theme in the novel is knowing where home is. "Do you know the way home?" Home may be a literal place or it may simply be with people who love us or it may be knowing who we are in God. Being home is more complex than just a building. 'Home' is where we belong, are comfortable and feel loved and secure. "I'd found a place of healing and hope." 'Home' is where we return to to feel safe. Life can throw all sorts at us but underneath "I'm just the same person I always was."
Within the novel there is the unconditional love given by God, Annie Ruth and a small dog called Peppy. "His [Peppy] unconditional love and acceptance melted my heart." Loving us for who we are and not what we can do or be, is a beautiful character trait.
There are some wonderful descriptions in the novel. I could really 'see' where Lily Rose lived as there was minute attention to detail given.
The novel is written in the first person from the point of view of Lily Rose. She was a likable character and easy to empathise with. I 'experienced' her highs and lows.
I really enjoyed My Father's House and got completely consumed by the story. It wasn't always pleasant reading but the world is not always a pleasant place. It did offer hope and was a beautiful work of fiction. I shall be seeking out more by Rose chandler Johnson.
I received this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review. No monetary compensation was received and all views expressed are my own.
God's presence permeates the novel. He is what keeps Lily Rose going. Through all circumstances she looks to God. She talks to God and she thanks God. "Thank you God. Thank you so much." Lily Rose recognises God's hand on her life. "An angel was watching over me... Thank you Lord." Another character says "I never go nowhere without Him." Whatever we face in life, facing it with God makes the way bearable.
The novel shows the importance of being equally yoked in a marriage. "Does he know Jesus?" is the most important question to ask before embarking on a life together. God longs for His children to know Him and to include Him in their marriage.
There is the theme of money and power in the novel. The love of money is the root of all evil. "He worshipped the markets." When money and power is the number one goal in life, then one is pursuing the wrong goal.
There is the difficult topic of domestic abuse. It comes in the form of both physical and verbal assaults. Rose Chandler Johnson is sensitive in her portrayal of it. She shows that it is more complex than it appears to outsiders. "You never really tell by what things look like on the outside." The abuser is a mixture of love and hate. A real Jekyll and Hyde character. His victim is equally complex - trying to please him, trying to change him, wondering if the abuse is her fault. It isn't. The reader feels empathy and understands the turmoil.
A major theme in the novel is knowing where home is. "Do you know the way home?" Home may be a literal place or it may simply be with people who love us or it may be knowing who we are in God. Being home is more complex than just a building. 'Home' is where we belong, are comfortable and feel loved and secure. "I'd found a place of healing and hope." 'Home' is where we return to to feel safe. Life can throw all sorts at us but underneath "I'm just the same person I always was."
Within the novel there is the unconditional love given by God, Annie Ruth and a small dog called Peppy. "His [Peppy] unconditional love and acceptance melted my heart." Loving us for who we are and not what we can do or be, is a beautiful character trait.
There are some wonderful descriptions in the novel. I could really 'see' where Lily Rose lived as there was minute attention to detail given.
The novel is written in the first person from the point of view of Lily Rose. She was a likable character and easy to empathise with. I 'experienced' her highs and lows.
I really enjoyed My Father's House and got completely consumed by the story. It wasn't always pleasant reading but the world is not always a pleasant place. It did offer hope and was a beautiful work of fiction. I shall be seeking out more by Rose chandler Johnson.
I received this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review. No monetary compensation was received and all views expressed are my own.
February 1, 2017
This is one of those stories that grips your heart and emotions from page one. Rose Chandler Johnson has written a tragically beautiful story of idyllic Lily Rose Cates. Lily has always thrived on her father’s love, but after he dies all that changes. Lily meets and marries rich lawyer Manuel Valenti, but after her marriage and her honeymoon, Lily’s world comes crashing down. With the help of a friend, Lily chooses to flee her abusive husband and to make a new life for herself using her inheritance and living in her “Father’s House.” Lily Rose and her story truly come to life in this well-crafted story and emotional journey. Readers will feel compelled to read this beautiful story cover to cover. Themes of love, loss, pain, and survival are prominent in this novel
Genre: Christian, Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Publication date: March 13, 2016
Number of pages: 314
Content Rating: PG, mentions of domestic abuse and spousal rape, divorce, nothing graphic
Book Rating: 5 stars
A review copy of this book was provided by LitFuse and SLB Tours.
Genre: Christian, Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Publication date: March 13, 2016
Number of pages: 314
Content Rating: PG, mentions of domestic abuse and spousal rape, divorce, nothing graphic
Book Rating: 5 stars
A review copy of this book was provided by LitFuse and SLB Tours.
May 12, 2016
Simply Beautiful
Just the right of amount of drama and suspense. This book made my heart smile. A true chick flick kinda book.
Just the right of amount of drama and suspense. This book made my heart smile. A true chick flick kinda book.
June 3, 2016
About the Book:
My Father's House is at once a sweet romance and a page-turning thriller." --Ann Tatlock, award-winning novelist. Growing up, life is idyllic for Lily Rose Cates due to one constant - her father's love. But in her sixteenth summer, all that changes without warning. There begins Lily's struggle to find herself and the life she's lost. . . . Marriage promises fulfillment, but her happily-ever-after barely survives the honeymoon. Her husband's sophisticated facade hides a brooding man with even darker secrets. When all illusions shatter, Lily must make hard choices - abandon her husband or risk losing much more than her marriage.
She flees their home in Detroit and sets out on a fearful journey to a house in Georgia that her husband knows nothing about. This is one woman's compelling tale of love and survival as she finds her way back home to who she's meant to be . . . in her father's house. ..".had it not been for Annie Ruth, I would have ended up right there rocking on the front porch beside Mama. Annie Ruth took care of me. She and Mr. John drove up in his dusty pickup truck every morning at six o'clock. She got out and came in, bringing her life and soul into the house...We were her cherished charges, and I was like her own."
My Review:
Lily Rose Cates knew she wasn’t her mother’s favorite, of course everyone knew it was her younger brother. But when her brother moves off and gets married her mom is distraught. And the only source of happiness for Lily is her loving father. But that too changes when her father dies of a heart attack when Lily was just sixteen years old.
Her life seems to have forever changed the day he died. She has the hardest time finding happiness, so when she meets Manuel Valenti she believes her life is finally looking up. They soon marry and move to Detroit, all seems happy. But little does she know that her new husband has a few secrets to hide.
Lily must find herself and what she needs to move on. Now if Manuel is suppose to be in her lie, that’s something for her to decide.
My Father’s House was a wonderful book. This book had me stuck the moment I started reading it. I loved reading this book and hope to read many more from this author real soon.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.
My Father's House is at once a sweet romance and a page-turning thriller." --Ann Tatlock, award-winning novelist. Growing up, life is idyllic for Lily Rose Cates due to one constant - her father's love. But in her sixteenth summer, all that changes without warning. There begins Lily's struggle to find herself and the life she's lost. . . . Marriage promises fulfillment, but her happily-ever-after barely survives the honeymoon. Her husband's sophisticated facade hides a brooding man with even darker secrets. When all illusions shatter, Lily must make hard choices - abandon her husband or risk losing much more than her marriage.
She flees their home in Detroit and sets out on a fearful journey to a house in Georgia that her husband knows nothing about. This is one woman's compelling tale of love and survival as she finds her way back home to who she's meant to be . . . in her father's house. ..".had it not been for Annie Ruth, I would have ended up right there rocking on the front porch beside Mama. Annie Ruth took care of me. She and Mr. John drove up in his dusty pickup truck every morning at six o'clock. She got out and came in, bringing her life and soul into the house...We were her cherished charges, and I was like her own."
My Review:
Lily Rose Cates knew she wasn’t her mother’s favorite, of course everyone knew it was her younger brother. But when her brother moves off and gets married her mom is distraught. And the only source of happiness for Lily is her loving father. But that too changes when her father dies of a heart attack when Lily was just sixteen years old.
Her life seems to have forever changed the day he died. She has the hardest time finding happiness, so when she meets Manuel Valenti she believes her life is finally looking up. They soon marry and move to Detroit, all seems happy. But little does she know that her new husband has a few secrets to hide.
Lily must find herself and what she needs to move on. Now if Manuel is suppose to be in her lie, that’s something for her to decide.
My Father’s House was a wonderful book. This book had me stuck the moment I started reading it. I loved reading this book and hope to read many more from this author real soon.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.
June 12, 2016
My Father’s House was a story I didn’t want to end, the author drew me in and I never wanted to leave!
This is a family story, finding love, and not knowing the person before you commit, and finding out to late, but would you have done things differently? Lilly Rose is enchanted with Manny, and he sweeps her off her feet, but there is hidden danger here, and we hope for the best, but root for her to leave him.
We follow Lilly Rose from Detroit to finally ending up in Georgia, and from the descriptions in the book, this Northern girl is ready to move to this sweet town. I could picture the beautiful homes, and the gorgeous gardens, and these loving people on their rockers on the front porch.
Will Lilly ever be free of Manny? The violence seems to follow her, and you keep wondering the out come right to the end. Will there be a chance of happiness for this sweet girl? I was page turning and as I said I never wanted this book to end.
I received this book through Litfuse, and was not required to give a positive review.
This is a family story, finding love, and not knowing the person before you commit, and finding out to late, but would you have done things differently? Lilly Rose is enchanted with Manny, and he sweeps her off her feet, but there is hidden danger here, and we hope for the best, but root for her to leave him.
We follow Lilly Rose from Detroit to finally ending up in Georgia, and from the descriptions in the book, this Northern girl is ready to move to this sweet town. I could picture the beautiful homes, and the gorgeous gardens, and these loving people on their rockers on the front porch.
Will Lilly ever be free of Manny? The violence seems to follow her, and you keep wondering the out come right to the end. Will there be a chance of happiness for this sweet girl? I was page turning and as I said I never wanted this book to end.
I received this book through Litfuse, and was not required to give a positive review.
March 30, 2016
The charming, but innocent, narrator, Lily Rose Cates, shares her story in this well-paced, absorbing romance mostly set in the 1980's. Swept off her feet by the seemingly perfect man, Lily Rose must grow up quickly when she learns her man is not who she thought he was. The only problem with this book is that I had a hard time putting it down to go to sleep. I wanted to find out what would happen to Lily Rose. As you may recall, Rose is the author of a book of devotionals, "God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea."
June 25, 2016
First Fiction novel by Rose Chandler Johnson is a wowzer! First, she is definitely a risk taker and takes a topic of marriage that many authors don't take and deals with it in a fiction way. Second, this is a self-published book, which gives me even more respect for her writing because it was well edited in my opinion. This book is very engaging, it leaves the reader with asking a question about what they would do if they found themselves in this position and it also is a very unique read like any other. I highly recommend this read and give this 5/5 stars!
April 17, 2018
Rose Chandler Johnson's novel, My Father's House, is filled with lyrical prose, Southern charm, suspense and heartache. An impressive debut that tackles tough issues with grace and hope. Grab a glass of sweet iced tea and enjoy.
December 1, 2021
Sometimes I’m in the mood for a good, “clean” romance & this certainly fit the bill. There wasn’t any heavy sex scenes, hardly any cursing, etc. This is labeled as Christian-Fiction; however, in no way did it ever come across as over the top preachy. This was more like the female MC just prayed and asked God to answer her prayers/guide her to do what she needed to do. Trust me, if you were in Lily’s shoes, I’m sure you would be praying too.
I thought this was well written (of course I love when a story is told from the MC’s POV), and the situation is something that I’m sure happens more often than one might think, given today’s society. All in all, an enjoyable read.
I thought this was well written (of course I love when a story is told from the MC’s POV), and the situation is something that I’m sure happens more often than one might think, given today’s society. All in all, an enjoyable read.
May 23, 2018
A good book if you just want to sit back and relax.
July 6, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
June 9, 2016
Sometimes when you read a novel, you are taken back by some similarities you may have seen in a movie or read in another novel. My Father's House by Rose Chandler Johnson is much like that in the sense as you read through it, I was taken back to such movies like Sleeping with the Enemy or Enough with Jennifer Lopez. Both deal with domestic abuse and so does this one from a Christian perspective. While the Bible clearly reminds us not to be unequally yoked, Lily Rose Cates has dealt with enough loss in her life, that when a man comes around that looks and acts like the part, she falls for him without really knowing who he is.
She is desperate for someone to come along and take care of her, despite the fact that she has been doing it for herself all along. Even her wise Annie Ruth gets a sense of evil from the man, Manuel Valenti, whom is brought to her home to meet Lily's family. While he appears one way to Lily outside of the eyes of others, he is withdrawn and sullen around others. Claiming he is busy with his job as an attorney in Detroit, he is often too busy to attend to other things like establishing a relationship with Lily and her family. Despite all the warnings Annie Ruth gives Lily, she still decides to get married to Manuel without telling her or inviting her to the wedding.
Now the piper has come to call when that fairy tale like romance Manuel puts on for Lily is suddenly unveiled for the true person he is. He has her move in with him in Detroit and sell off all her belongings because they would just not fit in his modern home. He also advises her to sell her car, since he will provide one when they move to Detroit, something he never does. Now he has complete control over where she is, what she can do, and how far she can go. But when Annie Ruth's dog comes up killed after their recent visit, Lily can't help but wonder, who has she really married and even worse, how can she ever leave?
I received My Father's House by Rose Chandler Johnson compliments of Create Space Independent Publishing and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this novel in exchange for my unbiased and personal evaluation. Even though the story line is familiar, I was captivated once things started down the dangerous path with Manuel. You would have thought that Lily would have learned a thing or two, but I can understand how desperate some become in search for love. This is truly a story of looking for love in all the wrong places. Even though her conscience tells her to run, she refuses to believe all the signs laid out in front of her from the beginning, especially advice from those she trusts the most until it is too late. I would rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars and while it is a Christian based novel, it isn't too over the top that readers might be turned off by the religious undertones. It's a lesson for all of us to be wise as serpents in the choice we make.
She is desperate for someone to come along and take care of her, despite the fact that she has been doing it for herself all along. Even her wise Annie Ruth gets a sense of evil from the man, Manuel Valenti, whom is brought to her home to meet Lily's family. While he appears one way to Lily outside of the eyes of others, he is withdrawn and sullen around others. Claiming he is busy with his job as an attorney in Detroit, he is often too busy to attend to other things like establishing a relationship with Lily and her family. Despite all the warnings Annie Ruth gives Lily, she still decides to get married to Manuel without telling her or inviting her to the wedding.
Now the piper has come to call when that fairy tale like romance Manuel puts on for Lily is suddenly unveiled for the true person he is. He has her move in with him in Detroit and sell off all her belongings because they would just not fit in his modern home. He also advises her to sell her car, since he will provide one when they move to Detroit, something he never does. Now he has complete control over where she is, what she can do, and how far she can go. But when Annie Ruth's dog comes up killed after their recent visit, Lily can't help but wonder, who has she really married and even worse, how can she ever leave?
I received My Father's House by Rose Chandler Johnson compliments of Create Space Independent Publishing and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this novel in exchange for my unbiased and personal evaluation. Even though the story line is familiar, I was captivated once things started down the dangerous path with Manuel. You would have thought that Lily would have learned a thing or two, but I can understand how desperate some become in search for love. This is truly a story of looking for love in all the wrong places. Even though her conscience tells her to run, she refuses to believe all the signs laid out in front of her from the beginning, especially advice from those she trusts the most until it is too late. I would rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars and while it is a Christian based novel, it isn't too over the top that readers might be turned off by the religious undertones. It's a lesson for all of us to be wise as serpents in the choice we make.
June 21, 2016
I received this book from Litfuse Publicity and the author for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Book Description:
Growing up, life is idyllic for Lily Rose Cates due to one constant – her father’s love.
But in her sixteenth summer, all that changes without warning. There begins Lily’s struggle to find herself and the life she’s lost. . . . Marriage promises fulfillment, but her happily-ever-after barely survives the honeymoon. Her husband’s sophisticated façade hides a brooding man with even darker secrets. When all illusions shatter, Lily must make hard choices – abandon her husband or risk losing much more than her marriage. She flees their home in Detroit and sets out on a fearful journey to a house in Georgia that her husband knows nothing about. This is one woman’s compelling tale of love and survival as she finds her way back home to who she’s meant to be . . . in her father’s house.
My Thoughts:
My Father's House is Rose Chandler Johnson's first book and it is just phenomenal. As a huge fan of debut authors I was excited to have the opportunity to read it. Rose Chandler Johnson writes with authority about Georgia past and present, Detroit, New York, writing, loss, alcoholism, domestic violence, and surviving tragedy and loss. From the first page until the last I could NOT put this book down. This book really spoke to me and touched me in a way that doesn't happen with a lot of books. The characters in this book are complex and well written. They all have not so perfect lives, making decisions good and bad, and try finding a way to survive. I have to say I really identified with Lily Rose Cates. A woman who finds out that things are NOT what they seem. When she thinks she can't find a way out, she finds the strength through God and her friends to do what she needs to, to save her life and make a new one. I also loved Annie Ruth, she is a strong woman who had a huge part in raising Lily, she sees people for who they are and says what she thinks. Her faith in God is strong and she shares her faith with everyone. Both of these women are fantastic. As I read Lily's story I really identified with her, her love for her Dad and his love for her and how it carried her through her life. Having a loving father like Lily's and losing him recently I really identified with her struggle. I found myself laughing in parts, holding my breath in others, and sobbing in others. The sharing of faith, leaning on that faith in midst of unrest really gave me much to think about. This book is one that will stay with me for a long time. I wish I could do the book justice with this review. Just fantastic. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I cannot wait to read more from Rose Chandler Johnson. She is on my top list of authors. I give this book 5+ STARS.
Book Description:
Growing up, life is idyllic for Lily Rose Cates due to one constant – her father’s love.
But in her sixteenth summer, all that changes without warning. There begins Lily’s struggle to find herself and the life she’s lost. . . . Marriage promises fulfillment, but her happily-ever-after barely survives the honeymoon. Her husband’s sophisticated façade hides a brooding man with even darker secrets. When all illusions shatter, Lily must make hard choices – abandon her husband or risk losing much more than her marriage. She flees their home in Detroit and sets out on a fearful journey to a house in Georgia that her husband knows nothing about. This is one woman’s compelling tale of love and survival as she finds her way back home to who she’s meant to be . . . in her father’s house.
My Thoughts:
My Father's House is Rose Chandler Johnson's first book and it is just phenomenal. As a huge fan of debut authors I was excited to have the opportunity to read it. Rose Chandler Johnson writes with authority about Georgia past and present, Detroit, New York, writing, loss, alcoholism, domestic violence, and surviving tragedy and loss. From the first page until the last I could NOT put this book down. This book really spoke to me and touched me in a way that doesn't happen with a lot of books. The characters in this book are complex and well written. They all have not so perfect lives, making decisions good and bad, and try finding a way to survive. I have to say I really identified with Lily Rose Cates. A woman who finds out that things are NOT what they seem. When she thinks she can't find a way out, she finds the strength through God and her friends to do what she needs to, to save her life and make a new one. I also loved Annie Ruth, she is a strong woman who had a huge part in raising Lily, she sees people for who they are and says what she thinks. Her faith in God is strong and she shares her faith with everyone. Both of these women are fantastic. As I read Lily's story I really identified with her, her love for her Dad and his love for her and how it carried her through her life. Having a loving father like Lily's and losing him recently I really identified with her struggle. I found myself laughing in parts, holding my breath in others, and sobbing in others. The sharing of faith, leaning on that faith in midst of unrest really gave me much to think about. This book is one that will stay with me for a long time. I wish I could do the book justice with this review. Just fantastic. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I cannot wait to read more from Rose Chandler Johnson. She is on my top list of authors. I give this book 5+ STARS.
June 27, 2016
A little about the book . . .
"My Father's House is at once a sweet romance and a page-turning thriller." --Ann Tatlock, award-winning novelist. Growing up, life is idyllic for Lily Rose Cates due to one constant – her father’s love. But in her sixteenth summer, all that changes without warning. There begins Lily’s struggle to find herself and the life she’s lost. . . . Marriage promises fulfillment, but her happily-ever-after barely survives the honeymoon. Her husband’s sophisticated façade hides a brooding man with even darker secrets. When all illusions shatter, Lily must make hard choices – abandon her husband or risk losing much more than her marriage. She flees their home in Detroit and sets out on a fearful journey to a house in Georgia that her husband knows nothing about. This is one woman’s compelling tale of love and survival as she finds her way back home to who she’s meant to be . . . in her father’s house. "...had it not been for Annie Ruth, I would have ended up right there rocking on the front porch beside Mama. Annie Ruth took care of me. She and Mr. John drove up in his dusty pickup truck every morning at six o'clock. She got out and came in, bringing her life and soul into the house...We were her cherished charges, and I was like her own." --My Father's House
What I thought . . .
After first few chapters I really got into the story. I was for me a little confusing at first going from present to the past. And a little slow going reading through the backstory of college years and romance leading to the main story line.
The main story line of the book is about Lily Rose and her attempts to turn her life around after going through and emotionally and abusive marriage. Miss Chandler did an excellent job of bringing a hard subject to life without being graphic or overly violent. However this is a story for a mature reader. Although it is not graphic the topic is for adults.
It truly is a book of facing ones circumstances and struggling through to survive and thrive.
There is a little romance too. And a happy ending.
I enjoyed reading My Father's House and gladly give it my 5 star rating.
I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.
This review is posted on Amazon, CBC, Barnes and Noble and Good Reads.
This review is also posted at My Reading Journeys for more information about my rating system and additional labels and categories for this book visit my book blog.
"My Father's House is at once a sweet romance and a page-turning thriller." --Ann Tatlock, award-winning novelist. Growing up, life is idyllic for Lily Rose Cates due to one constant – her father’s love. But in her sixteenth summer, all that changes without warning. There begins Lily’s struggle to find herself and the life she’s lost. . . . Marriage promises fulfillment, but her happily-ever-after barely survives the honeymoon. Her husband’s sophisticated façade hides a brooding man with even darker secrets. When all illusions shatter, Lily must make hard choices – abandon her husband or risk losing much more than her marriage. She flees their home in Detroit and sets out on a fearful journey to a house in Georgia that her husband knows nothing about. This is one woman’s compelling tale of love and survival as she finds her way back home to who she’s meant to be . . . in her father’s house. "...had it not been for Annie Ruth, I would have ended up right there rocking on the front porch beside Mama. Annie Ruth took care of me. She and Mr. John drove up in his dusty pickup truck every morning at six o'clock. She got out and came in, bringing her life and soul into the house...We were her cherished charges, and I was like her own." --My Father's House
What I thought . . .
After first few chapters I really got into the story. I was for me a little confusing at first going from present to the past. And a little slow going reading through the backstory of college years and romance leading to the main story line.
The main story line of the book is about Lily Rose and her attempts to turn her life around after going through and emotionally and abusive marriage. Miss Chandler did an excellent job of bringing a hard subject to life without being graphic or overly violent. However this is a story for a mature reader. Although it is not graphic the topic is for adults.
It truly is a book of facing ones circumstances and struggling through to survive and thrive.
There is a little romance too. And a happy ending.
I enjoyed reading My Father's House and gladly give it my 5 star rating.
I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.
This review is posted on Amazon, CBC, Barnes and Noble and Good Reads.
This review is also posted at My Reading Journeys for more information about my rating system and additional labels and categories for this book visit my book blog.
June 22, 2016
My Father’s House, though a novel, reads like a memoir. The first person narrative of main character Lily Rose explores how a life can veer off track when looking for love and a place to belong. More than suspense, more than a coming-of-age story, this novel is filled with heart. So come along with Lily as she travels from Georgia to Detroit and back again to Georgia to find out just where she belongs.
The opening pages set the stage for a reminiscent look at Lily Rose Cates’ life. A picture perfect childhood is overshadowed by her mother’s depression and her father’s death. As Lily matures she looks to others to fulfill her needs, first friends, then a man. Swept off her feet, Lily soon realizes her mistake in rushing headlong into a relationship without thought.
Characterization is the strong point of My Father’s House. Lily is an interesting character who has the foundations to make wise decisions — a faith in God and a strong mentor in her life. But she chooses with her emotions, refusing to listen to wise counsel or even her own misgivings. Rushing headlong into a relationship with a man she barely knows proves to be disastrous. At first, Lily seems like a meek and docile character, but her strength and courage soon emerge. Her first person voice is honest, never making excuses for her actions, and offers an inside look at her life and relationships. Other characters will capture your heart, especially Sam and Annie Ruth. Although the novel had a slow start for me, it soon picked up and turned suspenseful. With a definite Sleeping with The Enemy vibe, I was never sure where the author was taking Lily or when the other shoe would drop. Lily’s husband is abusive, both emotionally and physically, and that was portrayed realistically, but not too graphically. Also, this novel contains elements not always found in Christian fiction (alcohol use and language) but I was never offended.
Her Father’s House is a good first novel, and I look forward to more from Rose Chandler Johnson.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to LitFuse for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
The opening pages set the stage for a reminiscent look at Lily Rose Cates’ life. A picture perfect childhood is overshadowed by her mother’s depression and her father’s death. As Lily matures she looks to others to fulfill her needs, first friends, then a man. Swept off her feet, Lily soon realizes her mistake in rushing headlong into a relationship without thought.
Characterization is the strong point of My Father’s House. Lily is an interesting character who has the foundations to make wise decisions — a faith in God and a strong mentor in her life. But she chooses with her emotions, refusing to listen to wise counsel or even her own misgivings. Rushing headlong into a relationship with a man she barely knows proves to be disastrous. At first, Lily seems like a meek and docile character, but her strength and courage soon emerge. Her first person voice is honest, never making excuses for her actions, and offers an inside look at her life and relationships. Other characters will capture your heart, especially Sam and Annie Ruth. Although the novel had a slow start for me, it soon picked up and turned suspenseful. With a definite Sleeping with The Enemy vibe, I was never sure where the author was taking Lily or when the other shoe would drop. Lily’s husband is abusive, both emotionally and physically, and that was portrayed realistically, but not too graphically. Also, this novel contains elements not always found in Christian fiction (alcohol use and language) but I was never offended.
Her Father’s House is a good first novel, and I look forward to more from Rose Chandler Johnson.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to LitFuse for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
June 10, 2016
Okay, I'm going to start off with a warning about this book. DO NOT start reading it before going to bed because you will not be sleeping. Seriously! I started reading this book at 11:00 pm one night and literally stayed up until I finished it, which was 6:30 AM! I just could not put this book down!!!
Lily Rose has grown up with a daddy who loves her and makes her feel cherished. When he dies suddenly, her world is turned upside down. Her mother, who hasn't been the same since her older brother moved away, is in her own world, but Lily is fortunate. She has a wonderful caregiver in Annie Ruth - a wise, loving woman who instills wisdom in Lily Rose's life to later be recalled.
On a trip to New York to meet up with her best friend, Julie, Lily Rose meets a waiter who turns her world upside down! She ends up in a whirl-wind relationship and makes hasty decisions that she later learns to regret. She doesn't listen to the only woman who gives her wisdom, Annie Ruth, and goes against her gut feeling (never a good thing!).
She goes to an elaborate plan to start her life over and go back to her father's house. She meets her people again, makes a new life, and meets a kind, gentle man. There are some scary times she has to deal with and she is always looking over her shoulder. However, I love her growth during this time and her realization that she needs God in her life and to listen to Him. I really loved her little dog that she adopts and he becomes a very special and important part of her life, too.
The author is a detailed writer and at first this was hard for me to get used to, but after the first couple of chapters, I grew to really enjoy all the little details that she included. We live Lily Rose's life with her and it made me feel as though I was right there with her. It always endeared the characters to my heart and I won't soon be forgetting any of them.
This was such a good book and definitely worth the lack of sleep! I highly recommend it not only for the excellent story but for the fact that it's different from anything I've ever read before. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group
Lily Rose has grown up with a daddy who loves her and makes her feel cherished. When he dies suddenly, her world is turned upside down. Her mother, who hasn't been the same since her older brother moved away, is in her own world, but Lily is fortunate. She has a wonderful caregiver in Annie Ruth - a wise, loving woman who instills wisdom in Lily Rose's life to later be recalled.
On a trip to New York to meet up with her best friend, Julie, Lily Rose meets a waiter who turns her world upside down! She ends up in a whirl-wind relationship and makes hasty decisions that she later learns to regret. She doesn't listen to the only woman who gives her wisdom, Annie Ruth, and goes against her gut feeling (never a good thing!).
She goes to an elaborate plan to start her life over and go back to her father's house. She meets her people again, makes a new life, and meets a kind, gentle man. There are some scary times she has to deal with and she is always looking over her shoulder. However, I love her growth during this time and her realization that she needs God in her life and to listen to Him. I really loved her little dog that she adopts and he becomes a very special and important part of her life, too.
The author is a detailed writer and at first this was hard for me to get used to, but after the first couple of chapters, I grew to really enjoy all the little details that she included. We live Lily Rose's life with her and it made me feel as though I was right there with her. It always endeared the characters to my heart and I won't soon be forgetting any of them.
This was such a good book and definitely worth the lack of sleep! I highly recommend it not only for the excellent story but for the fact that it's different from anything I've ever read before. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group
June 15, 2016
My Father's House by Rose Chandler Johnson is about Lily Rose Cates, who has the perfect childhood that includes a fantastic relationship with her father. Her father adored her and she loved him so much. Lily's father unexpectedly passes away when Lily is sixteen and it leaves her to emotionally flounder throughout the rest of high school and into college.
As Lily heads off to college, she sees her friends marrying off or falling in love. On a trip to New York City to meet up with her best friend, Lily meets Manuel Valenti. He seems charming and sophisticated and Lily is captivated by his attention. He sweeps her off her feet and promises her the world. She falls into a whirlwind romance and totally falls for him even though there are signals - warning signs - she fails (or chooses) to recognize. Even her wise Annie Ruth feels that Manny Lily brings him home to meet her family.
Lily moves forward with marriage, but not surprisingly, soon afterward their marriage begins to fall apart. Her husband is a dark, abusive man and Lily soon realizes that she must make the hard choice of leaving Manny - of running from her husband - or possibly risk even more than the marriage. Once Lily gets away from her horrible marriage, Lily starts to take the necessary steps of healing her heart from her past and from her marriage so that she can move forward. We readers standby (and read on) as Lily slowly begins the process of healing and returning to her father's house.
I felt that this story was written to remind us all that there is always hope, even in our darkest hours and our deepest pain. I loved Ms. Johnson's writing and this is one of those books you can definitely get caught up in, and if you're anything like me, you'll read it cover to cover in one sitting. (Pray that I make it through work tomorrow without falling asleep!!)
I received a copy of this book without cost from the publisher through the litfuse bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
As Lily heads off to college, she sees her friends marrying off or falling in love. On a trip to New York City to meet up with her best friend, Lily meets Manuel Valenti. He seems charming and sophisticated and Lily is captivated by his attention. He sweeps her off her feet and promises her the world. She falls into a whirlwind romance and totally falls for him even though there are signals - warning signs - she fails (or chooses) to recognize. Even her wise Annie Ruth feels that Manny Lily brings him home to meet her family.
Lily moves forward with marriage, but not surprisingly, soon afterward their marriage begins to fall apart. Her husband is a dark, abusive man and Lily soon realizes that she must make the hard choice of leaving Manny - of running from her husband - or possibly risk even more than the marriage. Once Lily gets away from her horrible marriage, Lily starts to take the necessary steps of healing her heart from her past and from her marriage so that she can move forward. We readers standby (and read on) as Lily slowly begins the process of healing and returning to her father's house.
I felt that this story was written to remind us all that there is always hope, even in our darkest hours and our deepest pain. I loved Ms. Johnson's writing and this is one of those books you can definitely get caught up in, and if you're anything like me, you'll read it cover to cover in one sitting. (Pray that I make it through work tomorrow without falling asleep!!)
I received a copy of this book without cost from the publisher through the litfuse bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
June 10, 2016
I enjoyed this novel that is sort of of a coming of age story of a young southern woman. It also explored the themes of spousal abuse, divorce, and restoration.
Lily Rose had an idyllic childhood in the south. Her father doted on her and she glowed under his attention. But then he died when she was sixteen and her life was in shambles. A handsome man promised the attention she craved. His facade soon fell to pieces, as did the marriage. Abused and broken hearted, Lily Rose has a decision to make.
Lily Rose is an interesting young woman. She is naive and is forced to face a situation she never dreamed of. I was disappointed in her character growth. She is able to make a difficult decision and escape the harmful marriage but it was really others who saw her through to a better life. Even at the end of the novel I did not think Lily Rose was a mature character. She still needed the strong support of others.
Although there was no discussion guide included in this book there would be much to discuss. One topic is spousal abuse and how it relates to divorce. Lily Rose has a brother who thinks divorce is never allowed according to Scripture. Considering Lily Rose's situation, that would make for some lively discussion.
Another topic for discussion would include honesty. Lily Rose is less than honest about her situation when she lands in a safe place. When a man shows interest in her, she does not tell him she is married. I lost some respect for Lily Rose, especially when she allowed the man's interest to continue.
The plot is perhaps a bit predictable. There is a little suspense as we anticipate the abusing husband finding out where Lily Rose has escaped to. How that aspect of the plot worked its way out to a resolution I thought was a bit unrealistic.
In general, I enjoyed the book. I recommend it to those who like a novel taking place in the south a generation ago. You'll be entertained and given some weighty subjects to think about.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Litfuse for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
Lily Rose had an idyllic childhood in the south. Her father doted on her and she glowed under his attention. But then he died when she was sixteen and her life was in shambles. A handsome man promised the attention she craved. His facade soon fell to pieces, as did the marriage. Abused and broken hearted, Lily Rose has a decision to make.
Lily Rose is an interesting young woman. She is naive and is forced to face a situation she never dreamed of. I was disappointed in her character growth. She is able to make a difficult decision and escape the harmful marriage but it was really others who saw her through to a better life. Even at the end of the novel I did not think Lily Rose was a mature character. She still needed the strong support of others.
Although there was no discussion guide included in this book there would be much to discuss. One topic is spousal abuse and how it relates to divorce. Lily Rose has a brother who thinks divorce is never allowed according to Scripture. Considering Lily Rose's situation, that would make for some lively discussion.
Another topic for discussion would include honesty. Lily Rose is less than honest about her situation when she lands in a safe place. When a man shows interest in her, she does not tell him she is married. I lost some respect for Lily Rose, especially when she allowed the man's interest to continue.
The plot is perhaps a bit predictable. There is a little suspense as we anticipate the abusing husband finding out where Lily Rose has escaped to. How that aspect of the plot worked its way out to a resolution I thought was a bit unrealistic.
In general, I enjoyed the book. I recommend it to those who like a novel taking place in the south a generation ago. You'll be entertained and given some weighty subjects to think about.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Litfuse for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
June 17, 2016
3.5 Stars
My Father’s House by Rose Chandler Johnson is captivating in its Southern gentility. Words lilt across the page, iced with a Georgia drawl that makes you wish for a wraparound porch and a tall cool glass of lemonade. (I had neither the porch nor the lemonade at hand, but I made do.)
Family beats at the heart of My Father’s House – those we’re born into and those we gather around us. In Lily Rose Cate’s case, it’s the family she’s gathered around her that makes for the most compelling characters. Annie Ruth, Sugar, Aunt Mae, Julie, Sam. Each are brimming with quiet wisdom and personalities you want to hug. With lines like “There ain’t no roads back to yesterday”, Annie Ruth was my favorite character of the bunch!
Lily Cate herself is young and almost painfully naive and quite often I found myself shaking my head at her. But like most Southern gently-bred women, she is made of stronger stuff than she appears to be at first glance. Though she makes some rash decisions at the beginning – and then some decisions I didn’t quite understand in the middle – the fact remains that she’s a survivor. She had the courage to get help when she needed it, and she knew where to go to find safety.
Side note: This book will make you hungry for some good completely-unhealthy Southern food. I’m just sayin’.
Southern fiction meets domestic drama meets a coming of age story in Rose Chandler Johnson’s debut novel, My Father’s House. Johnson has a gift for setting, and each scene leaps vibrantly off the page. At times the prose takes on an almost memoir-quality, as though Lily Rose herself is sitting in a rocking chair next to you on the front porch, recounting the events in her smooth Georgia drawl.
Reviewer’s Note: I would classify this novel as Christian fiction. That said, there are a very few instances of profanity, some uses of God’s name in a non-reverent manner, and the addressing of more mature themes such as domestic abuse and spousal rape. These themes are part of Lily Rose’s story and are handled frankly but with grace.
My Father’s House by Rose Chandler Johnson is captivating in its Southern gentility. Words lilt across the page, iced with a Georgia drawl that makes you wish for a wraparound porch and a tall cool glass of lemonade. (I had neither the porch nor the lemonade at hand, but I made do.)
Family beats at the heart of My Father’s House – those we’re born into and those we gather around us. In Lily Rose Cate’s case, it’s the family she’s gathered around her that makes for the most compelling characters. Annie Ruth, Sugar, Aunt Mae, Julie, Sam. Each are brimming with quiet wisdom and personalities you want to hug. With lines like “There ain’t no roads back to yesterday”, Annie Ruth was my favorite character of the bunch!
Lily Cate herself is young and almost painfully naive and quite often I found myself shaking my head at her. But like most Southern gently-bred women, she is made of stronger stuff than she appears to be at first glance. Though she makes some rash decisions at the beginning – and then some decisions I didn’t quite understand in the middle – the fact remains that she’s a survivor. She had the courage to get help when she needed it, and she knew where to go to find safety.
Side note: This book will make you hungry for some good completely-unhealthy Southern food. I’m just sayin’.
Southern fiction meets domestic drama meets a coming of age story in Rose Chandler Johnson’s debut novel, My Father’s House. Johnson has a gift for setting, and each scene leaps vibrantly off the page. At times the prose takes on an almost memoir-quality, as though Lily Rose herself is sitting in a rocking chair next to you on the front porch, recounting the events in her smooth Georgia drawl.
Reviewer’s Note: I would classify this novel as Christian fiction. That said, there are a very few instances of profanity, some uses of God’s name in a non-reverent manner, and the addressing of more mature themes such as domestic abuse and spousal rape. These themes are part of Lily Rose’s story and are handled frankly but with grace.
September 1, 2017
Love
I loved this book. Having been divorced and not having known what a good marriage is really like , it made me feel good.
The characters are so real that you feel like you're right there with them.
I loved this book. Having been divorced and not having known what a good marriage is really like , it made me feel good.
The characters are so real that you feel like you're right there with them.
June 27, 2016
Lily struggles to face the world after her father's death, but there's something compelling about her journey that makes My Father's House fascinating. Characters make or break a story for me, and I have little patience for them when they seem to be continually making poor choices, as Lily often seemed to do in the beginning of the book; but Lily charmed me such that I turned page after page, reading quickly, intent on finding out her fate.
There's something likeable about Lily. Part of it is her inherent kindness and innocence, I think, but I also admire the way that she works hard and is a good friend. Family is important to her and she listens to the lessons they teach her, although it doesn't always 'stick' at first.
Johnson's writing style is clear and concise but pulls you write into the story. It flows a bit differently than most books popular now, but it's clear that the plot is well-planned and the author brilliant. Johnson penned Lily's story almost like a memoir, and it has a different feel than your typical off-the-shelf fiction story. The pace is a bit slower, and it's set back in time just a little, but it has a this-is-important kind of feel to it. The focus is clearly on people and relationships, not material things, and that theme comes through well.
I enjoyed the lessons that Lily learns throughout the story, as well. Lessons like the importance of patience, of doing things right, of listening to elders and making relationships a high priority. Lily's story was never preachy but felt as if you were sitting on Grandma's front porch, learning from the best.
My Father's House is Johnson's debut novel, but I hope she keeps writing.
I received a free copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.
There's something likeable about Lily. Part of it is her inherent kindness and innocence, I think, but I also admire the way that she works hard and is a good friend. Family is important to her and she listens to the lessons they teach her, although it doesn't always 'stick' at first.
Johnson's writing style is clear and concise but pulls you write into the story. It flows a bit differently than most books popular now, but it's clear that the plot is well-planned and the author brilliant. Johnson penned Lily's story almost like a memoir, and it has a different feel than your typical off-the-shelf fiction story. The pace is a bit slower, and it's set back in time just a little, but it has a this-is-important kind of feel to it. The focus is clearly on people and relationships, not material things, and that theme comes through well.
I enjoyed the lessons that Lily learns throughout the story, as well. Lessons like the importance of patience, of doing things right, of listening to elders and making relationships a high priority. Lily's story was never preachy but felt as if you were sitting on Grandma's front porch, learning from the best.
My Father's House is Johnson's debut novel, but I hope she keeps writing.
I received a free copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2016
This book starts out with an overview of the life of Lily Rose Cates. She has great memories of her father and is devastated by his death. After graduating from college, she takes a trip to New York City to visit her cousin Maggie and meets Manuel Valenti, a handsome Italian waiter. They have a whirlwind romance and get married but she quickly realizes that she made a mistake. She loves him, though, and is willing to work things out with him, but she has some tough decisions to make.
This book started out slow but then picked up and held my interest until the end. I became invested in Lily. Her life was full of sadness and disappointment so I wanted her to have a happy ending. There was one point that Manuel's behavior baffled me and wasn't consistent with the type of character he was portrayed to be. For Lily's sake, though, I was glad that the situation resolved quickly and fairly easily.
I liked Lily but she didn't always make great decisions. She was a bit lost after the death of her father, though, and had to learn some things the hard way. There are mature situations in this book, like spousal abuse and rape (nothing graphic) and divorce. Overall, I enjoyed Lily's story and how she was able to thrive despite the hardships and trials she endured along the way.
I received a copy via Singing Librarian Books for an honest review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
This book started out slow but then picked up and held my interest until the end. I became invested in Lily. Her life was full of sadness and disappointment so I wanted her to have a happy ending. There was one point that Manuel's behavior baffled me and wasn't consistent with the type of character he was portrayed to be. For Lily's sake, though, I was glad that the situation resolved quickly and fairly easily.
I liked Lily but she didn't always make great decisions. She was a bit lost after the death of her father, though, and had to learn some things the hard way. There are mature situations in this book, like spousal abuse and rape (nothing graphic) and divorce. Overall, I enjoyed Lily's story and how she was able to thrive despite the hardships and trials she endured along the way.
I received a copy via Singing Librarian Books for an honest review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
June 21, 2016
My Father’s House by debut author Rose Chandler Johnson is an emotional, heartwarming, read with an underlying threat and a bit of mystery all wrapped up in a pretty little package. I was pulled into the story of Lily Rose Cates and her life, sometimes wonderful, oftentimes filled with turmoil, and watched how this heroine tried to navigate the problems facing her. This book left me pondering long after I finished the last page and is a story I will not soon forget.
Lily Rose has a lot stacked up against her and at the tender age of 16 her world completely turns upside down. Like most of us, she did not like change and I felt for her for the loss of a most beloved family member and the sickness of another. We watch as she goes off to college and eventually meets the man of her dreams, or so she thinks. Her marriage was very difficult to watch unfold. Her husband was a bit unhinged and we were never sure, along with Lily Rose, which Manny was going to show up. This is a story of mistakes, abuse, and questions of what should be done and what would you do. This was a satisfying read and I definitely look forward to more of this author’s stories. The only little niggle I had was that I needed a bit more clarity about a certain outcome. Other than that, be prepared to be taken on an emotional roller coaster.
I was provided with a copy for an honest review from Litfuse Publicity and the opinions are my own.
Lily Rose has a lot stacked up against her and at the tender age of 16 her world completely turns upside down. Like most of us, she did not like change and I felt for her for the loss of a most beloved family member and the sickness of another. We watch as she goes off to college and eventually meets the man of her dreams, or so she thinks. Her marriage was very difficult to watch unfold. Her husband was a bit unhinged and we were never sure, along with Lily Rose, which Manny was going to show up. This is a story of mistakes, abuse, and questions of what should be done and what would you do. This was a satisfying read and I definitely look forward to more of this author’s stories. The only little niggle I had was that I needed a bit more clarity about a certain outcome. Other than that, be prepared to be taken on an emotional roller coaster.
I was provided with a copy for an honest review from Litfuse Publicity and the opinions are my own.
June 10, 2016
My Thoughts On The Book: I took my book on a beach vacation. I wanted something to read while sitting under an umbrella listening to the surf. I almost put the book down because the story started out a bit slow but then when I least expected it the sweet little romance became a thriller and the pace picked up and I could not put it down. The honest truth was I didn't want to put it down! I was quickly drawn into the idyllic small town life in the South. The reader finds themselves in a place where you know your neighbors, invest in your neighbors, spend time on your front porch, look out after each other. Because it is written in first person it reads just like an autobiography and you feel as if Lily Rose is telling you her story. It was an absolutely captivating story and a must read!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publishing and Create Space Independent Publishing Platform as part of their Blogging Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publishing and Create Space Independent Publishing Platform as part of their Blogging Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
August 10, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It is a young woman's journey of coming into adulthood and discovering what she's made of. The author was very good at setting the scene and developing the characters. It almost felt like a cautionary tale against jumping into a relationship too quickly.
I liked that the story was realistic...the main character, Lily, marries a controlling, abusive man. He uses profanity at times, but it made the story realistic and wasn't sugar coated as I have seen at times in Christian fiction.
Reading about the town that Lily returns to was like spending a day with family. As someone who has lived in the Northeast all my life, it was a lot of fun to experience the Southern hospitality of Georgia.
The romance in the story is sweet and felt genuine. I'm not always a fan of romance in books but I liked how this one developed.
This book reminded me a bit of the movie Sleeping With the Enemy but it had it's own unique twists that set it apart.
All in all, this was an enjoyable, fast paced read that I recommend to all fans of comfort reads.
I received this book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for an honest review.
I liked that the story was realistic...the main character, Lily, marries a controlling, abusive man. He uses profanity at times, but it made the story realistic and wasn't sugar coated as I have seen at times in Christian fiction.
Reading about the town that Lily returns to was like spending a day with family. As someone who has lived in the Northeast all my life, it was a lot of fun to experience the Southern hospitality of Georgia.
The romance in the story is sweet and felt genuine. I'm not always a fan of romance in books but I liked how this one developed.
This book reminded me a bit of the movie Sleeping With the Enemy but it had it's own unique twists that set it apart.
All in all, this was an enjoyable, fast paced read that I recommend to all fans of comfort reads.
I received this book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for an honest review.
November 21, 2017
A powerful story of love, hurt, forgiveness and survival. When Lily lost her Father, she lost so much more. She was constantly on the search of that replacement love. She thinks she has found this in her husband, a man she sees as perfect. But under this façade is more hiding, which she quickly learns. The man she thought was perfect and who would love her forever is as far from this as possible. It doesn't take her long to realize she needs to leave and with some help from an old family friend, she escapes her terrifying present life to relocate to the house she had inherited from her Father.
Once she is away from her harmful marriage, Lily must take the steps to healing her heart from her past and her marriage in order to move forward. With the help of some heart warming characters, Lily begins the slow process of healing her heart and her mind. She reminds us all that there is always hope, even when we are hurting the most we can still find hope.
I loved every moment of this suspenseful and heart warming novel. You will fall in love with her writing, her characters and the hope that is sprung from this novel. An excellent read from start to finish!
Once she is away from her harmful marriage, Lily must take the steps to healing her heart from her past and her marriage in order to move forward. With the help of some heart warming characters, Lily begins the slow process of healing her heart and her mind. She reminds us all that there is always hope, even when we are hurting the most we can still find hope.
I loved every moment of this suspenseful and heart warming novel. You will fall in love with her writing, her characters and the hope that is sprung from this novel. An excellent read from start to finish!
June 19, 2016
FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.
My Father’s House by Rose Chandler Johnson was a book I wasn’t sure if I was going to like when I started it. I always hate when I am not certain if I will like because I hate forcing myself to read books that I don’t like but let’s get on to this book. By the end of the first chapter, I didn’t want to put the book down. I did feel so sorry for Lily, and I had to keep reading because I had to know how things worked out for her in the book. I love that this book covered a good amount of time, but it wasn’t super long and didn’t leave me feeling like things were rushed or as if things were missing in the story. I have read other books that they cut things out to keep the book shorter, but they didn’t in this book, and I loved that about it. I felt terrible for Lily most of the book, and I think that is because I can see a lot of myself in her. If you love books that seem like they are real stories than you need to pick this book up because it is one that I could see happening.
My Father’s House by Rose Chandler Johnson was a book I wasn’t sure if I was going to like when I started it. I always hate when I am not certain if I will like because I hate forcing myself to read books that I don’t like but let’s get on to this book. By the end of the first chapter, I didn’t want to put the book down. I did feel so sorry for Lily, and I had to keep reading because I had to know how things worked out for her in the book. I love that this book covered a good amount of time, but it wasn’t super long and didn’t leave me feeling like things were rushed or as if things were missing in the story. I have read other books that they cut things out to keep the book shorter, but they didn’t in this book, and I loved that about it. I felt terrible for Lily most of the book, and I think that is because I can see a lot of myself in her. If you love books that seem like they are real stories than you need to pick this book up because it is one that I could see happening.
May 16, 2016
Lily Rose Cates had a mostly idyllic, small-town childhood: an older brother who was a ready playmate and with whom she was extremely close to, a loving and protective father, and a mother who suffered from unrelenting grief and depression. Lily's father unexpectedly passes away leaving Lily to emotionally flounder throughout the rest of high school and into college. Unfortunately Lily's sweet nature and sheltered childhood do not prepare her for the harsh realities of the world. She falls head over heels with the first man (Manny) who showers her with charm, attention and romance. Despite warnings from Annie Ruth, the caregiver for Lily's mother and the adopted family matriarch, Lily marries him and eventually regrets it. After suffering Manny's abuse for 2 1/2 years, Lily (with the help of a friend) escapes from Manny, and returns to Georgia, to the house she inherited from her father. With the help of her friends, neighbors, her writing, her faith, and a handsome veterinarian, Lily rebuilds her life. A nice clean read that is not too preachy or too sappy.
June 28, 2016
Hmm, this one was a very different and somewhat difficult read for me. The story starts off slow and at times I was tempted to put the book down but something kept me reading. About chapter 5 or 6 it really started to pick up. Though fiction novels are my favorite, this one almost sounded more like a memoir, but definitely a good one. Lily Rose is such a good character. At times making you want to tell her where to go or how to respond, while at other times she has such a strength. It made me realize that we can't always control how others respond, but only ourselves. Again, this book deals with a difficult subject of an abusive marriage so please, if that bothers you at all, do not pick this up. The author does a great job at being tactful but sometimes things hurt so I would caution readers to be careful if that might be an issue for you.
May 23, 2016
A story of sweet memories, Southern charm, and a young woman’s loss of innocence. “My Father’s House” takes the reader on an emotional journey with Lily Rose Cates from heartbreaking loss, coming of age, and the terror she faces when she realizes the man she married isn’t who she thought he was. Driven by fear and desperation, she runs to the only place she feels safe, the home of her late father. There she finds acceptance, love and a new beginning when she returns to the faith and family she knew long ago.
Despite the slow start, the story draws the reader in. Keep reading, don’t stop after the first few chapters. Fix a cup of tea and prepare to get lost in the story. You won’t want to put it down!
Eileen K Parsons, Award-winning author of “The First Rose of Summer”
Despite the slow start, the story draws the reader in. Keep reading, don’t stop after the first few chapters. Fix a cup of tea and prepare to get lost in the story. You won’t want to put it down!
Eileen K Parsons, Award-winning author of “The First Rose of Summer”
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