I really felt for the two main characters, Violet and Nate. Violet was still hurting from the death of her husband, but was beginning to take a few steps small steps forward. It was interesting to watch as she began to develop feelings for Nate. The hope of life and love battled against guilt within her.
Nate was a character I liked a lot. I felt very sorry for him and wanted for him to find the forgiveness only possible through Jesus. His journey toward forgiving himself and falling in love with Violet was wonderful. I enjoyed this story from start to finish.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She clings to the past like a treasured antique. He’d rather toss it in the trash. But if they can learn to trust in the God of second chances, they might just discover a future together.
The past is all she has… After her husband’s death three years ago, Violet has struggled to keep their antique store afloat and her grief at bay. She’s not succeeding at either very well. Her best friend tells her it’s time to move on. But she knows that loving another man would be a betrayal of her husband and the life they had together. Even if her strong, silent new neighbor makes her heart do funny things.
The past haunts him… Nate’s star was rising in the world of Christian music. But all that was erased with a single, life-shattering mistake. One he doesn’t deserve to be forgiven for—ever. One that means he doesn’t deserve a future—and definitely not with the beautiful new neighbor who makes him feel things he shouldn’t be allowed to feel. Because if she knew about his past, she’d never be able to forgive him, either.
Can they have a future? As the two work together to save her store, neither can deny the feelings that are starting to develop. But when Nate’s secret is exposed, they have to decide if they should walk away—or trust that the God of second chances may just have a plan for their future.
Filled with faith, hope, and second chances, NOT UNTIL YOU will touch your heart and leave you breathless with the power of true love.
Purchase your own copy here.
Read on Kindle Unlimited.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Valerie Bodden has three great loves: Jesus, her family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). She is living out her happily ever after with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their four children. Her life wouldn’t make a terribly exciting book, as it has a happy beginning and middle, and someday when she goes to her heavenly home, it will have a happy end.
She was born and raised in Wisconsin, and aside from a short stint in Minnesota while her husband trained for the pastoral ministry, has lived there her entire life, in spite of an aversion to all things cold and snowy (except Christmas—a snowy Christmas is good). She periodically tries to coax her snow-loving husband and children to pack up and move to a warmer climate with her but so far has had no luck. So she tolerates the snow for them. That’s some kind of love, if you ask her.
Valerie writes emotion-filled Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. Her characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but true to her tendencies as a hopeless romantic, she will always give them a happy ending.
In addition to writing Christian fiction, she has written more than 250 children’s nonfiction books and also helps other authors perfect their stories with her editorial services. When she’s not wielding a pen or keyboard (can you wield a keyboard?), she enjoys time with her family, managing the church library, gardening, and, of course, reading.
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