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Finding Joy
Where does joy come from? That is the question Paige Martin faces when life’s challenges threaten to overwhelm her. Her husband is out of work, a longed-for baby has been lost through a miscarriage, and now they are moving far away from all that is familiar. Struggling to cope with these frightening changes, Paige slowly walks through the Lord’s lessons on finding joy.
390 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2017
2 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Rebekah A. Morris
120 books271 followersRebekah A. Morris has lived her entire life (as of now) in Missouri. Being home educated during her school years was great, except for writing. That was the worst subject (along with math) that she had to do. It wasn't until after she graduated that she discovered the joys and wonder of writing. Now she can't write enough. After spending six years in research and writing, she completed her first book, "Home Fires of the Great War," a 500+ page, historical fiction about home life in the United States and Canada during the First World War. Since then, she has been an avid writer and always has more than one story going on at once because only one story at a time got tiring and dull.
Get a free collection of stories here: https://sendfox.com/lp/3ezo5k
Get a free collection of stories here: https://sendfox.com/lp/3ezo5k
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 14, 2024
I didn't like this near as much the more I thought about it.
Honestly, I wasn't sure quite what to expect with this book. I mean, I'm a young adult who hasn't even really hung around kids, so I don't really understand Paige's longing for a child. But once I got into the book, I realized it didn't really matter. I could sympathizes in other ways, and I really understood her lack of joy (though my mom sometimes called that a plain old bad attitude).
I've got a soft spot for remodeling, so when Paige's family moves into a house that needed to be completely redone, I was thrilled! On a personal note, I got a little tired of off white paint, but other then that, I loved her decorating!
Paige's struggle with finding joy was portrayed so perfectly. The timing was so realistic. Sometimes I wanted to grab Paige by the shoulders and shake her, but I think I was supposed to. I've struggled so many times with choosing joy in times when I don't feel like it. This book was a beautiful reminder that it is always worth it.
I fell in love with all the supporting characters, they just popped off the page! Zach and Gina were awesome. I wanted to hug Gina sometimes; just watch out, shes a chatterbox! Zach was an amazing guy. I loved how worried he got for Paige sometimes, it was so sweet.
Also, that ending. <3
This was a very impactful book that will stay with me for a long time to come.
*I was given this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.
Honestly, I wasn't sure quite what to expect with this book. I mean, I'm a young adult who hasn't even really hung around kids, so I don't really understand Paige's longing for a child. But once I got into the book, I realized it didn't really matter. I could sympathizes in other ways, and I really understood her lack of joy (though my mom sometimes called that a plain old bad attitude).
I've got a soft spot for remodeling, so when Paige's family moves into a house that needed to be completely redone, I was thrilled! On a personal note, I got a little tired of off white paint, but other then that, I loved her decorating!
Paige's struggle with finding joy was portrayed so perfectly. The timing was so realistic. Sometimes I wanted to grab Paige by the shoulders and shake her, but I think I was supposed to. I've struggled so many times with choosing joy in times when I don't feel like it. This book was a beautiful reminder that it is always worth it.
I fell in love with all the supporting characters, they just popped off the page! Zach and Gina were awesome. I wanted to hug Gina sometimes; just watch out, shes a chatterbox! Zach was an amazing guy. I loved how worried he got for Paige sometimes, it was so sweet.
Also, that ending. <3
This was a very impactful book that will stay with me for a long time to come.
*I was given this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.
August 4, 2018
Read on Kindle Unlimited
I’ve wanted to read this book for a while, and when I had had Kindle Unlimited, it was one of the first books I borrowed.
Rebekah Morris has a dependable style. She writes books that feel old-fashioned in their content. You won’t find awkward scenes, swear words or euphemisms, no romantic elements, and no subject matter where parents will have to explain about sinful behavior to their children.
This story is about a family what is in a tight spot financially that is given an opportunity to renovate a house as they live in it, giving them a job and a place to stay. Paige isn’t taking joy in it, even though she knows she should.
This book was an authentic look at what joy is and isn’t. It’s also a good look at how one finds joy. The process for Paige isn’t instant. It takes time, has setbacks, victories, and hardships. I also love how the feelings are often wrapped into the housework they are doing.
I had three small things that added up making this story only four stars. The first was I didn’t feel like Zach affirmed Paige’s reasons for hurting. This doesn’t mean that he had to agree with how she was handling it, but I would have liked to see some more sympathy on his part or at least someone in the story. Sometimes, in order to find joy, we first have to acknowledge how deep our pain runs. The story did drag in a couple of places, and I found myself skimming. It wasn’t during the renovations; it was more during repetitive moments. Also, as with most Morris books, it’s hard to tell when the book is set. If I were guessing, I would say the late 1990’s. However, it could be a modern story.
Gina was a realistic little chatterbox. I loved her obsession with the piano. The other side characters were great. Morris did a great job building a town and characters to populate it that were nice to be around and felt real too.
I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy feel-good stories, are searching for joy, and like home renovation stories.
I’ve wanted to read this book for a while, and when I had had Kindle Unlimited, it was one of the first books I borrowed.
Rebekah Morris has a dependable style. She writes books that feel old-fashioned in their content. You won’t find awkward scenes, swear words or euphemisms, no romantic elements, and no subject matter where parents will have to explain about sinful behavior to their children.
This story is about a family what is in a tight spot financially that is given an opportunity to renovate a house as they live in it, giving them a job and a place to stay. Paige isn’t taking joy in it, even though she knows she should.
This book was an authentic look at what joy is and isn’t. It’s also a good look at how one finds joy. The process for Paige isn’t instant. It takes time, has setbacks, victories, and hardships. I also love how the feelings are often wrapped into the housework they are doing.
I had three small things that added up making this story only four stars. The first was I didn’t feel like Zach affirmed Paige’s reasons for hurting. This doesn’t mean that he had to agree with how she was handling it, but I would have liked to see some more sympathy on his part or at least someone in the story. Sometimes, in order to find joy, we first have to acknowledge how deep our pain runs. The story did drag in a couple of places, and I found myself skimming. It wasn’t during the renovations; it was more during repetitive moments. Also, as with most Morris books, it’s hard to tell when the book is set. If I were guessing, I would say the late 1990’s. However, it could be a modern story.
Gina was a realistic little chatterbox. I loved her obsession with the piano. The other side characters were great. Morris did a great job building a town and characters to populate it that were nice to be around and felt real too.
I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy feel-good stories, are searching for joy, and like home renovation stories.
March 1, 2019
Loved it! <3 The characters especially--which surprised and delighted me! Let me explain...
I was a little hesitant to start this because I often struggle with stories where characters are stuck in sadness and discouragement and usually just want to shake them before the book is over. But I didn't feel like that with Paige at all. Her reactions and fears and struggles were so realistic and understandable that she never came across as unsympathetic, even though I was rooting for her to change and grow. I especially sympathized with the hurt and fear of her threatened dreams, which went much deeper than the surface issues of the house, the move, etc. And I really liked that even when she was struggling, she wasn't down every single moment. There were still smiles and small victories and nice afternoons even when Paige wasn't consciously choosing joy, which felt so true to life.
Mmm-kay, can I also just gush over Zach for a minute?!? He was amazing! Such a great husband! <3<3<3 And Gina the chatterbox was just adorable. :D Also loved the close-knit rural community that enfolded them... Oh, and Mark! We didn't get to see him much, but just the way they talked about him made me certain he was amazing. ;)
My only small complaint is that a couple of questions that had been prominent through most of the book weren't totally resolved in the end. I think the point was supposed to be that joy lasts even through uncertainty, but I still would have liked a bit more resolution.
Content--some quick, non-descriptive kisses between a married couple; mentions of miscarriages and deaths
I was a little hesitant to start this because I often struggle with stories where characters are stuck in sadness and discouragement and usually just want to shake them before the book is over. But I didn't feel like that with Paige at all. Her reactions and fears and struggles were so realistic and understandable that she never came across as unsympathetic, even though I was rooting for her to change and grow. I especially sympathized with the hurt and fear of her threatened dreams, which went much deeper than the surface issues of the house, the move, etc. And I really liked that even when she was struggling, she wasn't down every single moment. There were still smiles and small victories and nice afternoons even when Paige wasn't consciously choosing joy, which felt so true to life.
Mmm-kay, can I also just gush over Zach for a minute?!? He was amazing! Such a great husband! <3<3<3 And Gina the chatterbox was just adorable. :D Also loved the close-knit rural community that enfolded them... Oh, and Mark! We didn't get to see him much, but just the way they talked about him made me certain he was amazing. ;)
My only small complaint is that a couple of questions that had been prominent through most of the book weren't totally resolved in the end. I think the point was supposed to be that joy lasts even through uncertainty, but I still would have liked a bit more resolution.
Content--some quick, non-descriptive kisses between a married couple; mentions of miscarriages and deaths
May 5, 2018
Sweet story!
This was a very sweet story. To me it dragged in places, but overall I loved it. The characters were great, but my biggest beef is that there is NO WAY the daughter is older than 4 or 5. Sooo immature and annoying! I'd spank the snot out of her if I was her mom. ;)
This was a very sweet story. To me it dragged in places, but overall I loved it. The characters were great, but my biggest beef is that there is NO WAY the daughter is older than 4 or 5. Sooo immature and annoying! I'd spank the snot out of her if I was her mom. ;)
December 29, 2020
I usually really like Rebekah Morris's books... as in all the other ones I have read, but this one just wasn't me. It really dragged in some places. I could feel sorry for Paige, but she drove me crazy most of the time. But I usually don't enjoy books that the MC is (sort of) depressed. I also felt like there was a lot of repetitive scenes...
On a good note, Zach was really nice, and the family that helped them out were really sweet. :)
On a good note, Zach was really nice, and the family that helped them out were really sweet. :)
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September 17, 2025Fun to reread this story. It wasn't the story I had planned to write, and now and then I would remember that. I enjoyed visiting with Paige, Zach, and Gina, as well as all their friends once again.
May 10, 2021
Super awesome book! I love Gina's energy! The story is full of all different emotions. I cried at some points, then laughed at others. You definitely need to read this book!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews