There You'll Find Me in Christian rom coms and romances

Jan 02, 2013 Rissi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: review, favorites

I haven’t gotten this excited about any one author’s works since discovering the sparkling wit that is Jenny B. Jones. If any of you have read Jenny’s novels before – and laughed your head off, or until the tears rolled down your cheeks – then you’ll “get” just how much I was looking forward to her latest release. The first, and only novel I'd read from her, was Save the Date (although I do have Just Between You and Me waiting in the wings). Following the delightful RomCom that was Save the Date I haven’t gotten this excited about any one author’s works since discovering the sparkling wit that is Jenny B. Jones. If any of you have read Jenny’s novels before – and laughed your head off, or until the tears rolled down your cheeks – then you’ll “get” just how much I was looking forward to her latest release. The first, and only novel I'd read from her, was Save the Date (although I do have Just Between You and Me waiting in the wings). Following the delightful RomCom that was Save the Date, I was keen to read Finley’s story rather than something with unfamiliar characters.

You may remember Finley as the little sister of Alex Sinclair – ex-NFL superstar and budding politician – whose story was told in Save the Date. Finley was something of a rebel in Alex’s story whose life had become mundane after the loss of one brother and being ignored by the other. In this young adult novel, Finley is a troubled teenager who has been protected from the harsher realities of life thanks to her elder sibling and the privileges she’s enjoyed. She is just coming off of a bad relationship and in need of a quiet, hopeful Christ-centered season.

At only 18, Finley is confused in the wake of grief. This kind of genuine character portrayal makes her a complex, well written character. Despite being written in the first person (not my favorite prose), Jenny writes a compelling story. Even more so given this story is about such a young hero and heroine. Writing that genre can sometimes lend itself to being “cutesy” or too immature for readers who are interested ni a solid story, but are not in the targeted age bracket. Finley, for all her faults, is a surprisingly mature leading lady that could be a role model for any young girl in many facets of her life. Partially because she is a girl with principals, but mostly it stems from her recognition that she does have “issues” and needs healing. Her body image struggles, and the destructive behavior that results from that is a front to cover up her depression and hurt.

First impressions of Beckett may suggest he is a little bit of a jerk; he proved me very wrong. He is nothing less than a gentleman. Some of his morals are a little skewed yet he learns from Finley’s example and friendship, and it’s through his entrance in her life that Finley becomes a better person. As an author, Jenny spins a touching, beautiful story that is not to be missed – by anyone, whether you’re a teen or adult. Jenny captured this she struggled in a beautiful prism of reality. Finley isn’t all together, but somehow her head is on right. She takes the initiative to seek God out, to re-connect with Him, and that details a wonderful character structure. Along the way, there are comic mishaps and lovely reflections. (If I’d ever get serious about writing fiction, I’d like to think Jenny’s natural talent in writing laugh-out-loud banter would be my own inspiration.)

The relationship that blossoms between these two is written to perfection, and with great endearment. I adored the way Beckett treated Finley and how she responded to him. The scenes of them exploring together (especially the "graveyard" scene nearer the end) and quiet moments are written with the utmost care. As the reader, we can tell that these character’s emotions and their story have been genuinely thought out and artfully plotted. Perhaps in part this is thanks to an Irish setting. That Irish brogue as Finley continues to meet a host of interesting natives practically leaps off the page. Everyone from the cantankerous Mrs. Sweeny to her adorably-lovable host family enters her life.

Whether you are a teenage reader or not, I’d highly recommend this novel. It’s heart-warming. It’s humorous. It’s challenging. It’s adventurous, and above all, it offers some insightful realistic struggles that we all may have wrestled with, and if we let it, that can – and should be, an inspiration.

...more

3 likes · Like · see review