Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Book Review: A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade


Book Details:
Title: A Love Like Ours (A Porter Family Novel #3)
Author: Becky Wade
2015, Bethany House
ISBN: 978-0764211096
Genre: Christian Contemporary Fiction

Book Summary:
Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake's childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion's reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake's will, Lyndie's sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he's built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he'd thought he'd lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?


My Review:
Becky Wade is becoming one of my favorite authors. I think I've enjoyed every book I've read by her and this one was no exception. This book is set in Holley, Texas and is told from the POV of both Lyndie and Jake.

Who doesn't love a novel with a setting surrounded by horses? And not just any horses - a Thoroughbred ranch! Lyndie's family has moved back to Holley,Texas after about 20 years of living in California. A lot has changed. Lyndie's once best friend, Jake Porter wants nothing to do with her - and is a shadow of himself. Lyndie is determined to make Jake like her even if they can't be friends like they were before.

This was a really interesting book. The author tackled both a main character with PTSD (and did a very admirable job, I thought) and gave Lyndie a sister with severe cerebral palsy. Each of these on their own are difficult subjects, but the author wove them together into a beautiful story of healing, coping, love and restoration.

Jake lives with guilt everyday over the IED that went off and killed his fellow soldiers under his command in Iraq - he being the lone survivor. Can Lyndie's gentle way finally bring him to a place where he can forgive himself and God?

Excellent story, well-written characters and a wonderful message. This book kept me entertained from cover to cover and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House publishers for my honest review. No other compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.



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