Nor Forsake

“Elena, get the bleach.”

Let me start by saying, I'm not much of a fan of romance novels, Christian or otherwise. But I first became familiar with Julie Presley's work when I read Stones of Remembrance. It was so good, I knew I had to read Nor Forsake. Billed as “not your mama's Christian fiction,” this book delivers. It's got situations that people can relate to - real life, not situations that seem so contrived they could never happen outside the pages of fiction. Julie Presley writes about the brokenness and difficulty that comes to us all at some point, and she does it in such a way that you want to reach into the pages and hug the characters (or shake them, or punch them, depending). And then she shows us how God can - and does - work in those very situations. It isn't heavy-handed with the Christian focus. You won't feel like you've been thumped on the head with a King James Bible. But God is part of this book, and He's clearly interested in the lives of the regular people who are its citizens.

I started Nor Forsake and could barely stand to put down because I wanted to know what was going to happen. Get it, read it - even if you don't think Christian fiction is your thing, you may just be surprised.

And don't you want to know who Elena is and why she needs to get the bleach? You know you do!

I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm just going to be honest - Christian romance as a genre is not my jam. The storylines are so predictable - the main characters so sweet and pure I need a trip to the dentist - and the romance? Well, let's just say it's generally as sterile as a bottle of hand sanitizer. Like I said.....not my jam.

So imagine how thrilled I am to discover an author who write romance novels with real romance - like, the kind the gives a girl more than a few butterflies in her stomach - with characters I actually LIKE, stories that surprise me as I turn the pages - and in the Christian genre??? It's almost unbelievable - and yet, it's completely real.

Nor Forsake is the second novel I've read by Julie Presley, and with it she has cemented her spot as my favorite Christian fiction writer. Libby is an absolute delight of a character - warm, funny, smart, but with just enough insecurity and sass to make her feel real and authentic. I am already a sucker for a good novel set in the literary/publishing world, and Nor Forsake adds the romance of New York City as a backdrop for Libby's story. And the romance - yep, it has heat, which is sadly missing in so many Christian romance novels, but it's still a book you don't have to feel bad about recommending to your mom, or your 16-year-old daughter.

I'm such a fan of this author. Her books feel like a breath of fresh air, a cozy blanket on a chilly evening, a good conversation with a trusted friend. I cannot recommend her work enough.

(I received an advance copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.)