Lydia: Paper Dolls (Habakkuk Series) in The Reading Room with Kara R. Hunt

Oct 04, 2023 Rosalyn Leigh rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4.5 whopping stars

“She wanted to talk to her best friend, but how could she? How could she tell Eve that she’d failed at the simple assignment the Lord had given her? All she’d had to do was pray for Neta.”

A page-turner that made my heart swell as I swiped to the last page of this book, “Paper Dolls: Lydia” is the 4th installation of the “Habakkuk Series” by award-winning Christian author Kara R. Hunt and I found it to be perfectly twisty with savvy plausibility between the plot and characters. 4.5 whopping stars

“She wanted to talk to her best friend, but how could she? How could she tell Eve that she’d failed at the simple assignment the Lord had given her? All she’d had to do was pray for Neta.”

A page-turner that made my heart swell as I swiped to the last page of this book, “Paper Dolls: Lydia” is the 4th installation of the “Habakkuk Series” by award-winning Christian author Kara R. Hunt and I found it to be perfectly twisty with savvy plausibility between the plot and characters. Indeed, this story can stand alone and I’m certain I’ll be acquiring copies of the rest of the series, especially because of the timeless lesson I’ve taken from this book: tomorrow is not promised to any of us, so much so that you don't misplace energy trying to figure out when YOU think is the right time to do the right thing. Do it, first and foremost, because God is telling you to, for the more you lean into Him, the more you will hear Him.

That being said, I enjoyed the balance of emotion and suspense in this story, all underlined by Lydia’s rampant, bold, loving faith in God. There was this unfailing light at the end of the tunnel as Lydia actively worked to avoid temptations, wrath, and her struggles to forgive deceitful, deliberately murderous antagonists who plot to ruin her life. The author does a wonderful job at demonstrating the drama and reality of making mistakes and that while it isn't easy for everyone(or every Christian, rather) to flee from temptation, there is always that unwaveringly solid, golden answer: Jesus. In this case, this story contains plenty of angsty interactions between the characters and without grotesque and gritty means, Hunt writes a tasteful and humbling tale.

I love the pacing, the easy chemistry that develops between Lydia and her love-interest Steady, and the way they mold to one another in a sweet, wholesome, Christ-centered way; not that Greco-Roman all-consuming-if-you-don’t-love-me-I’ll-destroy-myself way. Overall, as I read, I eagerly rooted for their journey and their destination, and I realized that what they have is something I'd wish upon any of my own friends and family.

But what is more touching about this story than any of the love and trust between Lydia and Steady as well as the closeness and coziness evident among her and her four daughters, is Lydia's faithfulness to God as seen not only in her everyday interactions with friends, family and the town, but in the consistency in her loving, longing and loyal visits to her prayer closet. This feature in the book is so prominent and visceral, from beginning to end, it was important to me to not feel like this was being forced upon me. Instead, I felt welcomed! I look forward to exploring the previous books in this series and the future three to come.

I thank the author and Winged Publications for the eARC copy of this book. ...more

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Oct 09, 2023 Jess rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Kara Hunt has done it again!! What a beautiful tale of unexpected love, redemption, forgiveness, and God’s goodness! From page 1, I couldn’t put the book down! Watching Lydia’s God-centered romance bloom and walking along with her as she is convicted to pray for an enemy shows us just how connected to God Lydia was. The closet that she turned into a prayer room should be inspiring to all Christians to deepen our prayer life and take everything to Jesus. The glimpse into Lydia’s past, the joys an ...more

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Oct 27, 2023 Duezette rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The first chapter of the book will keep you engaged until the very last chapter. Community relationships are tested, new relationships are found. This is such a great read as are the other books in this series. This book does carry over some of the other characters and places from the series but there are new characters introduced as well. This is so good, just wait until you meet Lydia and Neta.

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Jun 25, 2024 Cheri Swalwell rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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