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Cass Ewan #1
Mourning Becomes Cassandra
One wary young widow pairs up with one bent-on-disaster teenager... Whose brilliant idea was this? You think you've got issues. Meet Cass Ewan. After Plan A for her life falls to pieces, she moves in with single friends from church and reluctantly decides to mentor an at-risk adolescent. Never mind that Cass knows nothing about drugs, alcohol, or criminally-minded loser boyfriends. Once Nadina, the prickly, dog-whispering 15-year-old, enters Cass's life, everything is up for grabs. There's new employment at a video game company with a charming fellow mentor. There's the unlikely friendship with her womanizing, atheist housemate Daniel, because who else can she ask about sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll? And finally there's the epiphany about her own role in the universe. Where she once considered herself a cosmic unresolved plotline, Cass finds she still has a pivotal role to play.
432 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2009
29 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Christina Dudley
28 books266 followersChristina Hwang Dudley is the author of clean historical and contemporary romance.
Her historical romances include the Hapgoods of Bramleigh and Ellsworth Assortment series of Regency romances, including THE NATURALIST and TEMPTED BY FOLLY.
In contemporary romance, her forthcoming PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN (Third State Books, 2024) riffs on Austen, but this time the story is set in the San Francisco Bay Area, with Asian American protagonists who hail from different ends of the economic spectrum.
Her historical romances include the Hapgoods of Bramleigh and Ellsworth Assortment series of Regency romances, including THE NATURALIST and TEMPTED BY FOLLY.
In contemporary romance, her forthcoming PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN (Third State Books, 2024) riffs on Austen, but this time the story is set in the San Francisco Bay Area, with Asian American protagonists who hail from different ends of the economic spectrum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 9, 2011
While I would highly recommend reading this engaging story to anyone who enjoys a good, clean Christian romance. There are some definite good points and bad points.
The Good:
The character of Cassandra, her struggles to come to grips with the death of her husband and child then reinvent her life was beautifully portrayed. The subject was not glossed over in a sentence here or there but was woven into her life throughout the book - allowing people to see a more realistic view of grief and acceptance.
The relationship between Cassandra and Nadina, the troubled teenager whom Cass agrees to mentor is also written with both realism and compassion. That's a hard line to walk when dealing with issues such as substance abuse and teenage sex and pregnancy. Ms. Dudley tackles it with the perfect touch.
The interactions between Daniel and Cassandra are absolutely delightful! There is nothing more fun to read than the sexual tension that exits between the incredibly handsome lothario and the religiously conservative widow. Their banter and exchanges are at times hilarious and all the reason needed to enjoy this book!
The Bad:
Those wonderful interactions between Daniel and Cassandra are way to far and few between. The story was so centered around her relationship to James that we miss her growing relationship with Daniel and are completely left in the dark over their feelings!
Because of the limited interaction between Daniel and Cass, his declaration at the end was hard to believe. We needed to see how those feelings developed, not just be told what they were when it was all over. By not spending more time with these two characters, one of the best parts of the book was
overlooked.
The word "church" alone is used a total of 11 times within the first 180 words - that's one in every sixteen words for heaven's (hee, hee) sake! This heavy handed beginning would be distracting to even the most devout. Anyone who is not familiar and comfortable with Christian writing might be completely put off and give up before even giving this story a chance. That is really a shame, because as the story progresses and we watch Cass's struggle, the message becomes much more personal and poignant, leaving the avalanche behind and allowing the lessons to sink in quietly rather than the initial hammering.
The ending is totally left dangling. Big pet peeve. Enough said
Yes, I will read the sequel because I love the relationship between Daniel and Cass so much. Here's hoping it's worth the leap of faith in reading!
The Good:
The character of Cassandra, her struggles to come to grips with the death of her husband and child then reinvent her life was beautifully portrayed. The subject was not glossed over in a sentence here or there but was woven into her life throughout the book - allowing people to see a more realistic view of grief and acceptance.
The relationship between Cassandra and Nadina, the troubled teenager whom Cass agrees to mentor is also written with both realism and compassion. That's a hard line to walk when dealing with issues such as substance abuse and teenage sex and pregnancy. Ms. Dudley tackles it with the perfect touch.
The interactions between Daniel and Cassandra are absolutely delightful! There is nothing more fun to read than the sexual tension that exits between the incredibly handsome lothario and the religiously conservative widow. Their banter and exchanges are at times hilarious and all the reason needed to enjoy this book!
The Bad:
Those wonderful interactions between Daniel and Cassandra are way to far and few between. The story was so centered around her relationship to James that we miss her growing relationship with Daniel and are completely left in the dark over their feelings!
Because of the limited interaction between Daniel and Cass, his declaration at the end was hard to believe. We needed to see how those feelings developed, not just be told what they were when it was all over. By not spending more time with these two characters, one of the best parts of the book was
overlooked.
The word "church" alone is used a total of 11 times within the first 180 words - that's one in every sixteen words for heaven's (hee, hee) sake! This heavy handed beginning would be distracting to even the most devout. Anyone who is not familiar and comfortable with Christian writing might be completely put off and give up before even giving this story a chance. That is really a shame, because as the story progresses and we watch Cass's struggle, the message becomes much more personal and poignant, leaving the avalanche behind and allowing the lessons to sink in quietly rather than the initial hammering.
The ending is totally left dangling. Big pet peeve. Enough said
Yes, I will read the sequel because I love the relationship between Daniel and Cass so much. Here's hoping it's worth the leap of faith in reading!
August 30, 2010
Cass is a 30 year old, whose husband and 1-year-old daughter die unexpectedly. She goes dark for over a year. She begins to get a new life moving in with two other (fairly religious) women and one man. She joins a troubled-youth mentoring program connected to her church, working with a 15-year old girl. Several suitors come into play. I thought the book ended too suddenly – will one of those guys be the one, what about the 15 year old’s predicament?
I read this because my daughter Coco encouraged me. It was written by her friend, Christina, the highly educated wife of the senior pastor at her (large) church in Bellevue, WA. While names, places, and ages are masked, the underlying stories are real; e.g., Coco worked part time at the church-supported, small high school for troubled kids.
Christina does a marvelous job communicating the complex and confused thinking of Cass. The ratio of thoughts Cass is thinking/feeling per thought she expresses in conversing might be 3 or 4x, but when one considers a 32 year wounded-heart widow, re-entering the girl friend bonding as well as mildly entering the dating scene world – just dealing with how to move on without abandoning memories. No wonder. I look forward to the sequel.
I read this because my daughter Coco encouraged me. It was written by her friend, Christina, the highly educated wife of the senior pastor at her (large) church in Bellevue, WA. While names, places, and ages are masked, the underlying stories are real; e.g., Coco worked part time at the church-supported, small high school for troubled kids.
Christina does a marvelous job communicating the complex and confused thinking of Cass. The ratio of thoughts Cass is thinking/feeling per thought she expresses in conversing might be 3 or 4x, but when one considers a 32 year wounded-heart widow, re-entering the girl friend bonding as well as mildly entering the dating scene world – just dealing with how to move on without abandoning memories. No wonder. I look forward to the sequel.
October 22, 2015
Full disclosure: I'm the author. But I did love the book, since I took the time to write it. You already have the synopsis, so feel free to check other reviews on Amazon or at www.bellavitapress.com.
If you live in the Seattle area, I'd love to visit your book club! Check my website for local events: www.christinadudley.com.
Thanks for reading!
***Added 10/22/15. Weird to go back and read something from seven years ago. I'd probably edit about 5-10 pages out of it, but other than that I'm still willing to have my name on it...
If you live in the Seattle area, I'd love to visit your book club! Check my website for local events: www.christinadudley.com.
Thanks for reading!
***Added 10/22/15. Weird to go back and read something from seven years ago. I'd probably edit about 5-10 pages out of it, but other than that I'm still willing to have my name on it...
April 8, 2010
I enjoyed this light christian fiction, more realistic than most. More of a real book due than is usual for the genre, I am curious to know what you thought of the end--our main character gets her man, as it were, but what about the other decisions?
As an LDS teetoler person, I'm still shocked by the amount of drinking (alcohol), since that's not a part of my life, in a book about religious people I can otherwise relate to it really stands out.
I read this book about a year ago now I think. Mostly now what I remember is how much I enjoyed it. Go read it! Unless, you're my teenager daughter, in which case I'm too uptight about perfectly normal descriptions of drinking.
As an LDS teetoler person, I'm still shocked by the amount of drinking (alcohol), since that's not a part of my life, in a book about religious people I can otherwise relate to it really stands out.
I read this book about a year ago now I think. Mostly now what I remember is how much I enjoyed it. Go read it! Unless, you're my teenager daughter, in which case I'm too uptight about perfectly normal descriptions of drinking.
June 21, 2009
I loved this book! Knowing the author, Christina who is our senior pastor's wife and great leader at our church, and having the book be written about our own area makes it all the more fun! Think it would make a great book club choice--wish my group had not just chosen all their books for the next year--and that only a week ago.
December 21, 2010
Finally a Christian book where the characters have personalities! I liked this because it read like a story about real people who happen to be religious rather than a religious book that happens to contain people.
April 9, 2010
This was a fun book - great character development, I find myself still thinking about them
July 17, 2012
Didn't realize it was Christian Fiction. Still read it, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Just a little preachy.
January 6, 2023
a superb read
I’ve only read Ms Dudley’s regencies, up to now, and I’m not usually a great fan of modern day relationship novels. However… I thought I’d give this a go, as Ms Dudley is a superlative writer, and how glad I am that I did. What a book! It gripped me from the first, despite being written in the first person, which I don’t normally like at all. From Cassandra first giving her thoughts on her devastating loss; on her inability to move past the tragedy; to how things gradually change; and on the wonderful relationship she shares with two female friends, I was drawn into her life. There’s sadness; unexpected joy and discovery; and comfort in those she knows - despite a sometimes uneasy friendship with her dear friend’s philandering brother - and the budding romance with a man she works with. Ms Dudley makes you care about the people who live in her books, and in this particular one, I certainly care enough to want to know more - so I’m about to read the follow-up about Cass and her friends.
I’ve only read Ms Dudley’s regencies, up to now, and I’m not usually a great fan of modern day relationship novels. However… I thought I’d give this a go, as Ms Dudley is a superlative writer, and how glad I am that I did. What a book! It gripped me from the first, despite being written in the first person, which I don’t normally like at all. From Cassandra first giving her thoughts on her devastating loss; on her inability to move past the tragedy; to how things gradually change; and on the wonderful relationship she shares with two female friends, I was drawn into her life. There’s sadness; unexpected joy and discovery; and comfort in those she knows - despite a sometimes uneasy friendship with her dear friend’s philandering brother - and the budding romance with a man she works with. Ms Dudley makes you care about the people who live in her books, and in this particular one, I certainly care enough to want to know more - so I’m about to read the follow-up about Cass and her friends.
June 26, 2019
Feel good read
This is a feel good easy read. The only part I didn’t like was the needless and sporadic foreshadowing. Perfect for the summer.
This is a feel good easy read. The only part I didn’t like was the needless and sporadic foreshadowing. Perfect for the summer.
February 28, 2011
Mourning Becomes Cassandra is a book about a 31-year-old woman whose husband and toddler die in a car accident and she must pick up the pieces of her life. And it’s funny.
It’s Christian fiction about believers who go to church and share the gospel with their friends. And use swear words.
We featured this book on Daily Cheap Reads and after contact from author Christina Dudley, I decided to read it.
The story picks up a year after tragedy tears apart Cass Ewan’s world. She moves in with two friends and earns her keep preparing meals for her friend’s brother – the womanizing atheist who owns the house. As Cass walks through her grief, the toughest thing for her to deal with are family and friends who insist on reminding her of her loss.
But her single, fun-loving friends are just the ticket to starting over. She also takes on a mentoring project to a drug-using, overweight teenager who lives with her 21-year-old boyfriend. Cass also picks up a job with a video game company with a cute fellow mentor.
Cass is refreshingly honest — in her grieving, her anger at God and the peculiar culture of church singles groups. This is a character-driven novel where all the characters come to life and are true to form throughout the story. It is a bit long, but once the plot takes off, it moves at a good pace.
The book has a chick lit tone. It is certainly Christian fiction, but beware that some language is crass. I found it worked well in most cases to add to the story. One thing that bothered me: It is set in progressive Washington, but two of the male characters were named Roy and Wayne. It just seemed out of place.
Overall, this was a great read and I enjoyed it.
It’s Christian fiction about believers who go to church and share the gospel with their friends. And use swear words.
We featured this book on Daily Cheap Reads and after contact from author Christina Dudley, I decided to read it.
The story picks up a year after tragedy tears apart Cass Ewan’s world. She moves in with two friends and earns her keep preparing meals for her friend’s brother – the womanizing atheist who owns the house. As Cass walks through her grief, the toughest thing for her to deal with are family and friends who insist on reminding her of her loss.
But her single, fun-loving friends are just the ticket to starting over. She also takes on a mentoring project to a drug-using, overweight teenager who lives with her 21-year-old boyfriend. Cass also picks up a job with a video game company with a cute fellow mentor.
Cass is refreshingly honest — in her grieving, her anger at God and the peculiar culture of church singles groups. This is a character-driven novel where all the characters come to life and are true to form throughout the story. It is a bit long, but once the plot takes off, it moves at a good pace.
The book has a chick lit tone. It is certainly Christian fiction, but beware that some language is crass. I found it worked well in most cases to add to the story. One thing that bothered me: It is set in progressive Washington, but two of the male characters were named Roy and Wayne. It just seemed out of place.
Overall, this was a great read and I enjoyed it.
August 11, 2012
Despite the fact that I got this for free via Pixel of Ink, I was very impressed by the book. I honestly think it is one of the few Christian fiction books I have read which portrays people as more than one-dimensional and split between believers and non-believers. There is a fair amount of swearing, but I felt it made sense within the characters and situations it was being used.
Basically, Cassandra lost her husband and young daughter in a car accident over a year before the story begins and is still barely functional in her grief. One of her friends convinces her to move into a house with her, her brother, and another friend, which starts her on the path of rejoining life. In the course of the book, she continues to examine her faith, becomes a mentor to a troubled teen, finds a job, and even starts to date again.
This was definitely a cut above most Christian fiction, having a more literary feel to it and not so much of following a formulaic plot line like you often see in this genre.
Basically, Cassandra lost her husband and young daughter in a car accident over a year before the story begins and is still barely functional in her grief. One of her friends convinces her to move into a house with her, her brother, and another friend, which starts her on the path of rejoining life. In the course of the book, she continues to examine her faith, becomes a mentor to a troubled teen, finds a job, and even starts to date again.
This was definitely a cut above most Christian fiction, having a more literary feel to it and not so much of following a formulaic plot line like you often see in this genre.
July 26, 2012
Now that I've read reviews touting this as a the "top beach read of the Christian fiction scene" I'm horrified that I enjoyed it at all, let alone enjoyed it as much as I did--those being two categories of fiction that I typically loathe.
But Dudley seems to possess a rare quality that most contributors to the Christian fiction genre lack: she can write.
Although some of the more conservative among the Christian world would raise an eyebrow at the author's decision to color the dialogue and lace the speeches of her more rough-around-the-edges characters with profanity, I found the realism refreshing. The church-going characters themselves are spot-on, especially Phyl, whose reactions to life make me laugh aloud, because every church has a Phyl.
I anticipate seeing the where Dudley decides to take the story in the sequel. The wrap-up for this book is just about satisfying enough for a sequel not even to be needed; hence my curiosity.
But Dudley seems to possess a rare quality that most contributors to the Christian fiction genre lack: she can write.
Although some of the more conservative among the Christian world would raise an eyebrow at the author's decision to color the dialogue and lace the speeches of her more rough-around-the-edges characters with profanity, I found the realism refreshing. The church-going characters themselves are spot-on, especially Phyl, whose reactions to life make me laugh aloud, because every church has a Phyl.
I anticipate seeing the where Dudley decides to take the story in the sequel. The wrap-up for this book is just about satisfying enough for a sequel not even to be needed; hence my curiosity.
May 2, 2013
There should be a way to give a book 3-1/2 stars. The only reason I didn't go for 4 is that there are some cuss words, etc but the general message of the book is based on how Cassandra deals with her grief by praying and following the feelings she receives. Her answer was to get outside herself and help someone else. There are some very quotable bits of wisdom. One of my favorite parts is when Cass is talking with Nadina in a cafe. "I have five things to say to you...1. your life matters, 2 your life matters, 3 your life matters, 4 your life matters and 5 your life matters.
"Your life matters.....in my passionate desire for Nadina to know that she was loved, that she mattered, I had a glimpse of God's heart. This was h ow He felt for her. This was how He felt for that little child growing, unwanted, inside her. This was how He felt for me."
What an important discovery for each of us to make! It's worth a re-read one day. Thanks Connie!
"Your life matters.....in my passionate desire for Nadina to know that she was loved, that she mattered, I had a glimpse of God's heart. This was h ow He felt for her. This was how He felt for that little child growing, unwanted, inside her. This was how He felt for me."
What an important discovery for each of us to make! It's worth a re-read one day. Thanks Connie!
March 18, 2011
This was a believable and entertaining story about what a young widow does to move on with her life. Her thoughts and inner struggles are real. As an avid fan of Christian fiction, the only thing I had a problem with was the large amount of F-bombs in the book. Yes, I understand that a troubled teen would really talk that way. I just think if the target market is Christian readers, more will be turned off by this. And because of this, I probably would not recommend it to my friends, at least not without a word of caution.
Language aside, the story was very good and very difficult to put down. I particularly liked how the author used little one sentence snippets to give you a glimpse of something to come. This was a fantastically creative way to move the story forward.
So, readers, if you can stomach some offensive language, the story is worth it.
Language aside, the story was very good and very difficult to put down. I particularly liked how the author used little one sentence snippets to give you a glimpse of something to come. This was a fantastically creative way to move the story forward.
So, readers, if you can stomach some offensive language, the story is worth it.
September 15, 2011
I bought Mourning Becomes Cassandra because it was a 2.99 book to add to my Kindle. I thought is was going to be a quick read about women with some little melodrama to resolve; the stereotypical chick lit. I was surprised to find that this was not the case. The book introduced me to a woman who was angry at God but still recognized His influence in her life. She made the decision to do what God wanted her to do instead of following her immediate emotional responses. The book made me laugh and get teary eyed and wanting to read more about Cassandra, her friends and family. I'm looking forward to reading The Littlest Doubts
February 19, 2012
Although I'm not fond of "people of faith" using foul language and using their recreational time entertaining themselves with the latest cocktail drinks, the main character is very believable and so are her friends. There is definitely depth of character as the author delves into real issues that face Cassandra Ewan, namely the tragic loss of her husband and baby daughter. I love the fact that she reaches out despite her pain and allows God to use her to love a hurting teenager. I do like the way she makes all of her characters with flaws because it's convincing and they seem like people you've known or met before. The evolution of the plot is natural and the story doesn't
have a predictable ending, which I liked! I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's works.
have a predictable ending, which I liked! I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's works.
October 6, 2011
Cass is a 32 year old widow. who lost her husband and daughter in a car accident. After a year of mourning she moves in with two friends from church. Her friend's brother is the landlord. She becomes a mentor for Nadia and the story develops around the girls dating, the tutoring and the obvious attraction for the womanizing lawyer brother. Faith is discussed, the meaning of sacrificial love, and honesty. Set in Clyde Hill, the Northwest theme works. Some characters are underdeveloped. Daniel's change is a bit hard to believe and Jame's rejection does not seem true to his character. The adoption story line is especially hard to believe. A sequel is in the works.
December 30, 2012
It was an interesting book. I was flad foe the recomendation, however like the other reviews I felt as though this book still left a lot out in the open. One was Cass relationship status with Daniel when six months pass and the other was on Nadina and the child being born. I know that the author gives you a glilmps that the adoption will be okay, but the whole Mike issue gives you the thought that there will be a lot of problems to the point in which the adoption could turn nasty. Other then that, I enjoyed reading the book and I would recomend this book.
May 17, 2012
I love the title and cover, the beginning and those parts where Cassandra grieved (during those parts, I thought of giving this book four stars.) I also liked Nadina's character, the mentoring, and the clever humor,
The last drawn-out chapter left a lot hanging (I know there's a sequel, but still...) and even though this is Christian fiction, there is language throughout.
The book is well written: grammatically correct, smooth, and not full of amateur writing "tics".
The last drawn-out chapter left a lot hanging (I know there's a sequel, but still...) and even though this is Christian fiction, there is language throughout.
The book is well written: grammatically correct, smooth, and not full of amateur writing "tics".
June 7, 2013
I loved this book and its sequel. I read them both in two days while on vacation. I'm trying to decide whether to add this to our church library or not...it's a Christian book and has a Christian message. The characters are very real and a couple of them use language that you don't normally hear in church. I didn't mind it because I could hear a few teenagers that I know say the same things.
So I recommend these books highly.
So I recommend these books highly.
March 17, 2011
This book is a christian beach read, do I need to say more? :) I enjoy reading a local book every once in a while, but this book set in Bellevue, WA was just too close to home. This could have been written about my nabors, and I already know what they are doing and thinking. The one and only surprise is on page 375... Good title.
May 21, 2012
I thought the storyline had a lot of potential, but it just never went anywhere as far as Daniel and Cass were concerned. I felt cheated. Also, I was not impressed with the way Daniel goes from Atheist to a believer on the turn of a dime. It wasn't believable. I did enjoy a lot of the dialog between Cass and Nadina though.
July 17, 2013
I read this book from cover to cover and didn't want to put it down!! I would have given it 4 stars because Christina Dudley left a huge cliffhanger that made me download the next "The Littlest Doubts" right away!! The author visited our Book Club to discuss the books and loved her down to earth sense of humor. Thank you Christina for sharing your books and the Seattle area.
August 5, 2010
I enjoyed this book not only because of the characters but because it was told from such an honest perspective. If you have every lost anyone close to you, you will be right there with Cass as she tries to keep functioning after losing her husband and daughter in a car accident.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2010
One of my favorite new books! I love how real the characters are and how you become attached to them as the story progresses. I have read it twice now and have passed it and it's sequel around to friends.
November 8, 2012
It was very well done - I like how real the characters were (rare in Christian Fiction) and it was a nice escape to get to be part of their lives for a while. Christina (the author) has described it as a "beach read" and that is pretty appropriate - it is a quick read and enjoyable.
January 19, 2013
It was a cute romantic story. It was written well, though the author used some uncommon words. I found myself looking some of them up. I found that distracted from the story. The plot was very predictable, but it was an overall entertaining read.
September 12, 2011
Great story of live unfolding blessings if we will follow God's leading
March 7, 2012
Funny, clever, and the characters draw you in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews