June's Group Read - Softly and Tenderly by Sara Evans

[Diane U]

Jade Fitzgerald's hope for a perfect marriage shatters when her husband confesses he has an illegitimate son. What's more, he wants to raise the boy in their home.

Hurting and confused, Jade embarks on a road trip to Iowa to take her sick mother to her childhood home. In the comfort of the old homeplace, Jade struggles with her fears and the tug of her first love. With the help of her family and her faith, she comes to understand her future doesn't rest on the power of her past, but in the goodness of God's mercy.

Please remember to label your post with ** SPOILER** to warn those of us that have not read it yet that you may be giving something away about the book.

[Kelly]

I LOVED this book :) So many beautiful scenes. I wish I could discuss them but they would defiantly spoil things.

[Rachel]

I just finished this book today! It was such an emotional rollercoaster, and it's hard to say that I enjoyed a book in which the characters suffer so many different trials. Definitely will be interesting to discuss once we're all finished. I still don't know what I would have done if I were in Jade's situation...this book resulted in many interesting discussions with my fiance!

[Barbara]

Did anyone else need tissues as you read? My hubby thought something was wrong -- he hadn't noticed I was reading.

[Kelly]

Barbara Ann wrote: "Did anyone else need tissues as you read? My hubby thought something was wrong -- he hadn't noticed I was reading."

I cried really hard too at a certain point in the book, dont want to say yet for fear of spoiling. It was just so beautiful it was hard not to.

[Rachel]

I have to admit, I didn't cry at all! Which I'm glad about as I was mainly reading on the bus and in the canteen at work. To be honest, I think I ended up bring more angry and frustrated than upset.

[Rachel]

Jodie wrote: "Oh, I cried for sure. At one point, I had to put the book down and walk away for a little. Reminded a little too much of when my mom was sick and all those emotions you go through!

Rachel - I thi..."

I definitely cry a lot more when I'm reading at home, maybe I was being subconsciously restrained? The emotions in this book were really strong and I too had to put it down in places as so many things were going on with the characters. Sometimes it felt like, really, could anything get any worse? Such strong female characters in this book, I don't know how I would have coped if I were Jade or June. I did get so mad at the male characters in this book.