In the Still of Night

by Deborah Raney

With the busy years of motherhood and nurturing fulfilled and her daughters settled in college, Anna Marquette is now free to pursue her dream of a career in counseling. All is going splendidly when suddenly, a single event changes the lives of husband and wife forever. Their love for God and for each other faces the ultimate test as they face the unimaginable options before them. Would their love survive the heart-wrenching decision confronting them?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Romance, Drama, Contemporary, Audiobook

324 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1997

About the author

DEBORAH RANEY's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Twenty-five years, forty-plus books, and numerous awards later, she's still creating stories that touch hearts and lives. Her novels have won RWA's RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. Deb is a recent Missouri transplant, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard. Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com.

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel deals with the difficult topic of rape and the aftermath. At 45 years old, Anna is happily married with two young adult daughters when her life is tragically impacted. The author does a good job describing the emotions of several family members as they go through various stages following the rape.

[Robin Hatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Difficult situation delicately and compassionately told. I loved it. I listened to the audio version, and the narrator was terrific.

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of Deborah Raney's books. She was, is and will forever remain one of my all time favorite authors. This book was originally published as The Still of Night. It is my favorite of all Deborah's books. I have read it twice. It, in my opinion, is a wonderfully anointed book. I spent much of it in tears. Deborah creates characters that are down to earth, seemingly real life people. They have problems just like we all do. I have the original of this book on my shelf in a prominent place. I absolutely love it!

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deborah Raney takes on a topic that is rarely covered in fiction novels in Because of the Rain: rape and abortion. Anna Marquette and her husband are in Orlando, Florida while Paul is attending a business conference. She is to meet him for dinner across from the shopping mall; but as she walks across the mall on the dark, rainy night, she is accosted and raped.

The depth of feeling throughout this story was utterly amazing as Raney takes the Marquette family through the ups and downs of rape, it's aftermath, and then, especially, the myriad of feelings that arise when a pregnancy results and how in the heart of the moment can strongly held pro-life beliefs and Christian values be maintained. I loved how strong Anna was as she faced so many different decisions, along with her family especially Paul, in this journey into darkness while being faithful to God's light.

If I could give this novel more than a five, I definitely would. I would also recommend it to anyone who is not sure where they stand on the issue of unborn life.

[Kathryn Spurgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-rending

A well-written book that deals with a difficult topic seldom addressed. This godly approach by a great writer certainly touched my heart-strings.

[Star Shining Forever · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally never read the sappy Hallmark genre, but I picked this up to see how it handled the abortion scenario. It was heartwarming but a tad confusing. Some spoilers follow for discussion's sake.

Anna has 2 grown daughters and is back on her career track, which is interrupted by her rape (which is tastefully handled without any graphic description but still conveys the fright of the moment) and resulting pregnancy. She and her husband Paul must decide how to handle this, as it's known among their friends Paul can't have any more kids.The suspense builds and twists keep coming throughout the book, complications that force them to solidify what they believe, and rely fully on their Heavenly Father. It's one thing to advise against abortion but another to live it out when it completely changes your life as you know it and all the plans you may have had. But that's just the thing. Though they sacrifice a lot and God works out something amazing, Anna and Paul DON'T go all the way, they don't do the truly inconvenient thing.

Certainly not aborting a baby conceived in rape is the tremendous first step, and the most commendable. This is a hard enough decision for the couple to make, but they do, much to the disapproval of their oldest daughter who feels that if there was any justification for abortion, it would be in her mother's case. Anna's stated reason is that she doesn't feel right about that; of course the irrefutable reason is that a baby is a human being from the moment of conception and to end that life in abortion is murder, pure and simple. The confirmation of the conscience is God's way of imparting this gravity.

Once they decide to birth the baby, Anna goes into hiding with a friend of a friend in another town. Their initial plan for the baby's future is to give her up for adoption. And when, after more bumps along the road, they finally decide to keep the baby themselves, there's a way out of that too. Don't get me wrong, God's hand is seen in the strength He gave both Anna and Paul to see this ordeal through, and the way He brought certain people together to provide this baby a family. The love Anna has for the baby, the love Paul has to learn and choose due to the unfortunate circumstances of the baby's conception, blooms in God's leading and they really could've welcomed this baby into their home.

But what ends up happening is that Anna hides out while the baby grows, they give the child to a loving family who wants her, and she and Paul return to their home. No baby. Visibly none the worse for wear except for the trauma they've been through and sleepless nights they've endured. But life returns to normal and they're able to keep the careers, schedules, lives they've had and planned. And all this, 100% for the benefit of their friends, acquaintances, and co-workers. They'd keep the baby if it was up to them, but people will talk so they won't. And their potentially shining witness lies extinguished. I understand the need for privacy, the reluctance to relive memories related to the baby whenever they see her, the shame that would accompany every reception of a charity visit. But if you trust the Creator of yourselves and this baby, if you feel His presence with you in this dark valley you've walked through, and if you love your baby WHY would you let what others think about the whole thing prevent you from being a family??? They took a convenient way out that belied the tremendously meaningful walk God accompanied them on. The outs written into the book defeated its purpose.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

44 years old Anna is attacked and raped. Then she finds out she is pregnant. Her family faces difficult decisions -- should she have an abortion? Is ending the pregnancy justified? Or do they give up the child for adoption? Or does she keep the baby and raise it herself? It is a good book that tackles very sensitive questions. Warning : It is rated K (Kleenex required)!

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sensitive and powerful story!

Deborah Raney has written a sensitive and powerful story dealing with rape and adoption. I applauded her portrayal of a couple acting out faith in God and the conviction that all lives are sacred. This book will grip your heart and keep you reading.

[Cynthia Dalton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Violently raped married woman in her forties refuses morning after pill and is pregnant from the rape. Much sanctimonious deliberation on whether to continue the pregnancy. This supposedly faithful Christian couple never goes to church or asks counsel from their pastor. I had to stop reading because this book made me feel angry.

[Leonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heel aangrijpend! Pakkend en om een traantje bij weg te pinken. Lees deze graag nog een keertje :)

[Alicia Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reason I wanted to read this book was because I sell books and I was at an event where I was selling books and the owner who I sell books through was also there and she was telling us (the other lady who was also selling books and I) about this book and she had been talking with someone about this book and that person said they hated the book and she asked them why and they said because it made the feel like a horrible Christian because they wanted Anna to end the pregnancy and the owner said, that’s the point of the book, to teach us to be less judgemental about other people and what they’re going through and the choices that they make. And I just think that is so true because I believe that everyone has an opinion on this topic so to read a story like this, it can open your eyes to want to know someone’s whole story and understand the choices that someone is making (regardless of pregnancy or something completely different) before you just make a passing judgment from a little section of their life that you might see. This was such a heartbreaking story, but yet so redeeming! ❤️

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heavy, yet hopeful story. As a survivor of sexual assault, I do feel a need to note that Anna's assault is documented in a way that, while not being explicit, can definitely be triggering, so reader beware.
That said, I appreciated the grace and nuance that was given to Anna and Paul's story. I feel like the reaction of their daughters was also very true-to-life. Most of all, I really appreciated both Anna and Paul's desire to do what God wanted them to do.
4.5 stars

[Dawn Mccordic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is well written with a predictable ending but because of the subject matter and the way she covered it, it is an important and worthwhile read! She describes the emotions and difficult decisions in a clear manner as well as options available to manage the crisis. Clearly and carefully also narrates how the various paths are impacting families and communities. A worthwhile read.

[Lauri Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

When God makes beauty from ashes. Difficult beginning (physical assault). Tough decisions. Heartwarming ending.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the cover of this book and the story sounded so good however I couldn’t get past 15%. It was just too ridiculous to me. Wife is assaulted. Doesn’t want to report it to the police. Doesn’t want photos taken. Husband continually blames himself although he had absolutely nothing to do with it and couldn’t possibly have prevented it. Husband sits and then sleeps in hotel room overnight doing nothing even though his wife has been missing for 10 hours. Husband calls his daughters (in another state) and tells them their mom has been raped and beaten. Really? So causally over the phone. Dr in the hospital immediately tells husband “no worries, your wife will FULLy recover” even though she’s been through a rape and beating. Utterly ridiculous and I just couldn’t continue on

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy topic - a road less journeyed

This book is full of triggers for those who have gone through attacks or rape. A trigger warning would be good at the opening pages.

The story of survival and love through trials most would collapse under is beautifully woven in Anna’s story. God’s goodness is not always from our perspective.

[Teri · Rating 1 out of 5]

It should have been good, but it was too sappy.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully moving story of how God can take even the vilest of circumstance and turn it into a blessing. This is one of the finest novels I've read by Raney!

[David B Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will register some disquiet with this book in a moment, but first, it is very, very well-written. Raney is a fine writer; the story is compelling and told well and with eloquence. I voraciously read books from a strongly Christian POV, and her spiritual tone throughout is good: not preachy or overly pious. Most books of this genre are just a little twinkly, and this book does have this too, but all of us who are in the community of faith writers are trying to portray the church as an optimistic force, so that’s an understandable foible.
Here are my three gentle complaints.
First, in the aftermath of the rape, this couple quickly and – to me – rigidly spurns the practical offer of a morning-after pill. I realize that without the pill, there’s no story and no book. So perhaps that’s a necessary plot point. But the choice does nudge this whole story toward a somewhat doctrinaire stance on what ought to be a more nuanced and painful issue.
Two: to imply that a woman who anguishes, and then chooses to have an abortion following a rape, needs to seek God’s forgiveness . . . wow, that is really tough theology. I’m a man; I can’t comprehend even a shadow of the angst a woman is enduring with such a wrenching choice. But to imply that she and her husband are sinning if they have an abortion under those circumstances – I’m not sure what to say, but for me that was this story’s absolute low point.
Much later in the story Anna is sequestered with friends three hours away. She and her husband find themselves repeatedly sort-of-lying to their many friends. So in the eyes of God, they have dodged one sinful pit only to fall into another one. When her grandmother dies, of course, Anna can’t attend because they are still hiding and prevaricating about this sad secret. Can they obfuscate and tell everyone (yet again) that she is really ill? Lo and behold, the day of the funeral she wakes up in the throes of agonizing illness. What wonderful news! God has kindly made her deathly sick so she won’t have to lie some more. Really? Is this the sort of cynical gamesmanship our heavenly Father resorts to on behalf of His disciples?
Thirdly, let me carefully make this point. Anna and Paul make all the right decisions, and it works out very well. The baby is precious and adorable, as every innocent baby is. The adoption details fall into place. But keep in mind this endless string of serendipitous built-in advantages. They are a wealthy white couple. Anna has the luxury of being a stay-at-home mom. They shop a lot. The daughters fly here and there at the drop of a hat. They are godly, devout people whose lives are buttressed by Scripture, their faith, and their church. They experience the natural advantage of a strong, committed marriage, each backing up the other. Their best friends open up a rent-free home to her for four months. They have great health-care coverage. When it turns out the baby is mixed-race, what a lucky coincidence that her best friend and college professor is African-American, and that their daughter and son are hoping to adopt another baby.
I guess I’m saying this, really. That’s a lot of nice plus points all lined up. And this couple made a deeply courageous and godly choice. I applaud it and I resonate with it. But to bring this baby to term was the holy and sacred CHOICE they made. It’s a core principle of the pro-life movement that everyone up and down the block, Christian or not, advantaged or not, blessed or not, Republican or not, intact domestic life or not . . . ought to be required to law to carry a rapist’s baby for the whole nine months. And yes, I get and affirm that little Anna was an innocent. She was a beautiful gift. But the singular fact that makes this story noble is that Anna and Paul, two American citizens who enjoy the liberty of having options and could have detoured away from this nightmare, prayerfully choose to have the baby. Take away their choice and there’s no book here.
In closing, there’s fiction and there’s reality. I will say that this couple, imaginary though they are, do a truly admirable thing. Deborah Raney, who is a very real and gifted author, has done so as well. Her book is gracious and winsome fodder for deep thought, and for that I salute her.

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to begin…

How about the title and the book cover? Maybe in this updated version something is missing, but no where in this book does that scene appear. No where is anyone walking in the rain with an umbrella. I did a search for rain and nope…not there, except at the end when the main character was glad the recent rain caused the ground to soften so she could work the soil for the garden she'd be putting in soon.

I'm pretty sure the author meant something, but what it was is just a guess on my part. Brings me back to my college literature classes where we picked apart a book or poem to find intriguing syntax or rhythm or meaning throughout. So, to me rain can be good or maybe not so good — good for the moisture the soil needs (and people need), and bad if it’s in such abundance (hurricanes or damaging storms) that the ground is flooded and washed away, leaving devastation as we recently saw in North Carolina during Helene.

In this book, the symbolic rain was both. There was devastation — so much devastation that family members questioned God. Not His existence, but why on earth He allowed this devastation, and what possible good could come from this horrific event. Then with the aftermath of floods people have to decide where to start first, how to pick up the pieces, and how to heal, and what that would look like. Can something new and beautiful come from any of it?

The opposite of bringing back some sort of normal or beauty is for the devastated people to chuck it all, try to forget it and move away.

Well, I’ll let you find out for yourself what everyone did and how the fabric of so many lives were forever altered.

Now, I must warn you…and I’m not giving anything away that isn’t already in the blurb which mentions an assault that lead to pregnancy…but it’s clear there’s a rape. There is some detail during that event, somewhat hazy, then she blacks out. So, this could be a trigger book for some people. But it could also be a healing book because of the way God is sought and honored all the way through.

As I read it I wondered why I would read about something like this. I didn’t read the blurb before I started since it looked so serene it seemed safe. I was just reading through all the Deborah Raney books I own which I had not finished. I got to that part and I gasped and actually cried out, "No!"

I considered putting it down, but Ms. Raney has, in every book I’ve read of hers, always glorified God. I just had to find out what she would do to make that happen, so I continued to read, and read. I couldn’t put it down all day. Even as I travelled to Savannah, I bluetoothed my Kindle to the car, put it in text to speech, and continued "reading". Walking through Costco and Macy’s I continued "reading", okay, listening. But that’s how absorbing this book is.

Thought provoking. I liked it. It may not be for everyone, but it’s a book that will stick with me a long time.

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was so much I liked about this book, but there were other things that bothered me. The subject matter is very difficult and thought provoking and Raney handled it in a very compassionate and appropriate way. The subsequent circumstance is one most of us never truly consider. We have opinions on it and are often quick to toss them out, but to stop and consider if we were in those shoes.. or someone we love.. that causes us to think out our opinions and really consider where we stand. I also hope it causes us to have compassion for those who believe differently in this circumstance.

This book seems to be fraught with turmoil and decisions and new obstacles every step of the way. It seems a bit unbelievable at times. And some of that ties in with things that bothered me.

First.. I have trouble with the fact that at no time did the woman who was attacked, not her husband, seek any form of counseling... whether from a professional counselor, a rape support group or even their own pastor. And it was never suggested by anyone that they do so. Can God bring healing without this kind of help? Certainly He can but it seems implausible that no one would suggest it and, honestly, I believe He uses counseling especially in a traumatic situation like this.

Secondly.. and I need to stop and say that this gives some details that others might see as a spoiler, so feel free to stop reading here.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
OK.. Secondly... the race issue is a real problem for me. First of all, the woman, who doesn't see her attacker, assumes he is white and wants a white couple to adopt a baby because that would be best. Then later when she learns the attacker was black, the white couple backs out (Their reasoning does make sense but is sad and I would have liked to have seen then stand up to the prejudice in their family.) and the birth mother feels this is best.. that the child should be placed with a black family. As one who has seen transracial adoption work, I really had problems with this. I could say more, but I don't want to complete give away the ending, so I will leave it at this. Raney's handling of the baby's ethnicity (There is only 1 race -- human -- skin color is due to issues in ethnicity.. a pet peeve of mine) and how it relates to adoption was almost enough to make me stop reading the book.

I am a big fan of the books I have read by the author up until this one. And I will read more of her books. I just think she missed the mark here and that saddens me.

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than four decades ago, someone close to me became pregnant when she and her husband already had two healthy children and one severely handicapped baby. She was under great pressure to abort because doctors didn't know what had caused her daughter's handicaps, and they thought this baby might also be disabled. This was in the days before ultrasounds and all the medical tests that are available now. The young mother was overwhelmed with the thought of having two handicapped children in diapers, but she could not take the life of her unborn baby. Thanks to be to God, the child was perfectly normal.

I wasn't yet a writer, but I came up with an idea for a novel about a single woman who became pregnant as a result of rape. Years later, when I started writing, I wrote part of that novel. But when I entered it in a contest, the judges told me I wasn't mature enough as a writer to handle such a serious subject, so I put the book aside and moved on to something else.

That book still remains partially written, so I was intrigued when I read in the description of this book that it is about a woman who became pregnant as a result of rape. In this case, the woman was older, married, and the mother of two grown daughters.

Although Anna and Paul prayed and relied on God, they didn't talk to anyone else--not even their pastor--about the rape and pregnancy. I would think that spiritual counseling would be beneficial, and the fact that they didn't trust their minister enough to talk to him about this raises questions about their relationship to their church.

Although I appreciate the stand for life and felt the final resolution was good, I was a little disappointed in the way the pregnancy was handled. Anna moved away and hid the pregnancy, like girls did in the days before Roe v Wade. Although she and Paul made the decision not to abort the baby--praise God for that, they acted like the rape and subsequent pregnancy were something Anna should be ashamed of. They had an opportunity to live a powerful witness on the sanctity of life but failed to do so. My disappointment in that was why I rated the book 4 stars instead of 5.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

E-Reader. Christian Fiction

Anna & Paul have two daughters, Kara & Kassandra. Their daughters live away while going to college. Anna Paul live Chicago.


Paul has a conference to attend in Orlando & Anna is able go with Paul.


When they arrive to their hotel Anna decides she's going to go shopping.  Paul made a reservation at an Italian restaurant & he wrote the time and address for Anna.


She took taxi to a large mall near their hotel.  She needed buy more cooler clothers to wear in heat.  


When she's done shopping instead of going into the mall to get to the same door where taxi driver let her get out.  She decided she knew a short cut.  But she was very wrong.  When she down a small alley a man with accent put cloth bag over her head, brutally abused & raped her. He even picked her head high & let drop on concrete, when she became unconscious.  If it wasn't for faith in God she would have died.


She's found in the early morning by trash man coming take trash from dumpster.  He left pocket book so they her name and that lived in Chicago.


Paul calls 911 to report Anna is missing.  They tell him to file a missing person report in 48 hours.  He drives around for hours trying to find Anna.  Eventually he calls the Sheriff's department  and tells them what happened.


He gets an urgent call from a hospital that Anna was taken to.  He arrives & she's still unconscious.  He sleeps when can in chair next to.  He's been praying to God help his wife to open her eyes & to get better.


I am not going to say more about this book.  There many more characters in this book.  


Will faith be enough to keep them together?


I enjoyed this book!  

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deborah took hard events and turned it into a beautiful story! Anna and Paul has a great marriage. Two grown girls and they were enjoying just being together. They took a trip to Orlando for Paul’s work. Anna was bored sitting in the hotel room so went shopping and was to meet up with Paul at a restaurant that was within walking distance, Anna thought. So as she headed to the restaurant she was attacked by a man. He put a bag over her head so she couldn’t see him. He then raped her and left her for dead. Anna lay unconscious, meanwhile, Paul is at the restaurant, then frantic as he tries to figure out where Anna would be. She is never late. He goes to the police, calls hospitals and no one has seen her. As morning arrives he’s crazy with worry. The police call him to report that Anna is in the hospital and that she was assaulted. Paul is so distraught and then learns the truth of the rape. He is devastated, upset, he wasn’t there to protect his wife. They leave to go home as soon as they have clearance.
They lean on each other and learn to love through this hard event. Until, they find out Anna is pregnant. They know it’s from the rape, because a Paul has previously had a vasectomy. What to do? Their faith says abortion isn’t an option. Hard choices, hard events, beautifully written!

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot could be captivating, but is not. The book is riddled with unforgivable medical errors, the dialogue is stilted, and the characters lack depth. They do nothing that is unpredictable. The villain as a Black man is groan-worthy, and the treatment of racial issues is laced with weird attitudes plucked right out of the 1950s. Anna is painted as a saint for continuing the pregnancy, but seems to care nothing for the fractured relationship with her elder daughter. For a supposed masters student in counselling, she has profoundly little insight into her own need for it. A lot of Raney’s books feature inappropriate relationships, and this is no exception—under almost no circumstances is it appropriate for a professor to offer Cher student housing with her own family. The cover paints the book as a test of marital fidelity, and a more insightful treatment of the plot could have lived up to this claim, but I found Anna and Paul’s near-instant recovery quite unrealistic. I applaud the author for trying to work through the big ideas she hints at in the novel, but she fails to flesh them out in relatable characters with any depth at all.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because of the Rain by Deborah Raney is an amazing book that takes the reader on a thought-provoking journey through a book that tackles a sensitive and tragic situation. The author does a fantastic job of portraying the emotions and actions of a wife who has been assaulted and the aftermath that ensues. Fear, anger, disbelief, distrust, disgust all are depicted so well and as the healing begins, the other side of those emotions are shown just as vividly--faith in God who does all things well, continued love and care for and from her family and friends. Anna is such a strong character, able to withstand each blow that comes at her. Reactions, her own and those around her, are not all positive and yet she holds to her convictions because the God she loves has given her a miraculous measure of trust in His timing and sovereignty. Because of the Rain is a poignant, captivating story that tells a story of overcoming tragedy and recognizing that sometimes wrongs can be made right. I received a copy of the book through a contest.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I was dismayed when I discovered the rape upon Anna, when she was in her mid 40's. The family seemed so bonded and enjoying their life when this rape happened. It brought out so many issues that they had to resolve which the husband and wife seemed to do successfully. THEN the impossible occurred, Anna is pregnant and her husband has had a vasectomy several years ago. Their two daughters are grown and no longer living at home, although neither of them have married as yet. How does this family deal wih this - with friends, family and church?

I am a mother of five grown children and as I tried to put myself into her situation, I was dismayed to find that I did not have a solid foundation as to how I would have reacted to this if it had been me.

I think this book would make an excellent book for a ladies book club. I know I would like to hear the comments from different women.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because of the Rain is a powerful, beautiful story of how a woman and her husband cope with her becoming pregnant after she is raped. I don't want to go any further into the storyline to avoid spoiling it for others.
This is a Christian fiction novel and it has a very strong message about trusting God in the worst circumstances and waiting on God to show the way through the pain and challenges those circumstances bring about.. Raney presents a strong message for pro-life beliefs in this novel but does so in a way that shows how God can turn a horrible situation into a blessing.
I felt Raney portrayed a realistic struggle on the part of Anne and her husband Paul in grappling with the issues facing them.
Although I thought the solution which occurred near the end of the novel was a little too convenient to be realistic, this did not detract from my view of the novel as a whole.
I read this novel as a Kindle edition and it was a short read---short but powerful!

[Wintermote · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have NEVER been so conflicted about a book in my life. This book was well written and had a touching ending but I had some major major issues with it in the messages it conveyed. Rape is NEVER a women’s shame to be hidden. A survivor controls her story and can decide who she wishes to tell and how and why. But she doesn’t need to get the stomach flu to miss a grandparent’s funeral. This isn’t your shame!! You decide to keep the baby or not, that is YOUR decision (yours and a spouse if you have one). You don’t have to hide ANYTHING or come up with excuses and you certainly don’t owe anyone an explanation of any kind!! Finally, what kind of woman studying to be a counselor DOESNT SEEK COUNSELING WHEN SHES CLEARLY EXPERIENCING PTSD????? I am really concerned about the messages this book sends and how many women might be harmed by seeing this way of responding to a rape as the “Godly” choice.

[Marcy Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked it, but it wasn't great.

CONS:

The dialogue was pretty stilted and fake. Characters did a lot of "oh (name)."

I also wished that there'd been a bigger struggle. They faced challenges, but the problems were solved fairly easily. I would have liked to see the daughter who didn't approve of Anna's decision cause bigger problems. Or it would have been interesting had other people found out what was going on.

PROS:

I loved how these characters leaned on their faith and tried to figure out how the practical elements and their faith should interact. It was good to see characters standing up for what was right despite all the practical objections and who chose to live their faith regardless of what people might think.

I listened to this on audiobook.