This was such a powerful story! It is part of the Murphy Brothers series, of which I have LOVED each book. I definitely recommend reading the whole series because it is so good, however, you can also just jump in and read this emotionally rich tale and enjoy Connor and Sadie’s story.
The title, Everything Behind Us, illustrated to me the vast hurt that these characters experienced in their past. They had things that they both regretted and felt guilty about and they had to learn to leave that guilt in the past and realize that they have been forgiven.
From there, this beautiful modern marriage of convenience story explored what it means to make a commitment to love someone sacrificially. Connor knew that God wanted him to be a husband to Sadie and a father to Reid. I loved how devoted he was to them and how God grew his devotion into an all encompassing love.
The author did such a good job of showing all of the emotions that Sadie was battling. She dealt with sadness and fear over the cancer she was trying to beat, yet she kept her eyes focused on knowing that God loved her. She tried to notice all she had to be grateful for, yet her heart yearned to actually be loved by Connor and not to be just a responsibility. There were so many emotions running through these characters and they felt so very real to me.
I absolutely loved this novel and I have loved the other two books that come in the series before this one. I highly recommend the Murphy Brothers novels, which are part of The Potter’s House books.
(5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book, however, I also purchased my own copy. All opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Neither wants to relive the past, but they need each other to face the future.
Connor Murphy lives by a code of honor and service. Dignified, duty-bound, and responsible, he’s spent the past eight years as a single enlisted airman, determined never to mess up another person’s life the way he did Sadie’s. As long as he follows orders, does his job well, and avoids romantic entanglements, he’ll do just fine. Of course, that last part was easier before Sadie rolled back into town.
Sadie Allen never intended to return to Sugar Pine—her hometown hosts too much regret—but she can’t face her health crisis alone. Not with a four-year-old depending on her. Even so, Connor Murphy’s proposal of a marriage of convenience wasn’t exactly what she had in mind. She can’t fault his reasoning—her prognosis is grim and her son could use a father—but her heart aches at the thought of a marriage without romance. Especially to the one man she’s never gotten over.
The day-to-day challenges of Sadie’s illness are enough to strain the strongest relationships, let alone one hastily conceived in the shadow of past mistakes. Will the pressure be too much for their marriage to withstand, or will they allow God to forge something beautiful through their pain?
Everything Behind Us, Book 21 in The Potter’s House Books Series (Two), is an uplifting and inspiring story of hope, redemption and second chances. It is also book three in Jennifer Rodewald’s Murphy Brother Stories (book One is Always You). Grab your copy and be encouraged today.
Purchase your own copy here.
Also available in Kindle Unlimited.
Murphy Brothers Stories:
Always You
In Spite of Ourselves
Everything Behind Us
This Life (Coming in March 2021)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer Rodewald is a Christian author of fiction who is passionate about the Word of God and the power of story. Four kids and her own personal superman make her home in southwestern Nebraska delightfully chaotic.
Born in Colorado, she experienced both the seclusion of rugged mountain living and the busy streets of a Denver suburb during her growing up years. Somewhere in the middle of college, she married a Husker and found her way back to the quiet lifestyle of a rural area, which suits just fine.
Blessed with a robust curiosity, Jen loves to research. Whether she’s investigating the history of a given area, the biography of a Christian icon, or how nature declares the glory of God, her daily goal is to learn something new. Aiming to live with boundless enthusiasm, her creed is vision, pursuit, and excellence, and she incorporates that pursuit as a Christian writer.
Jen lives and writes in a lovely speck of a town where she watches with amazement while her children grow up way too fast, gardens, and marvels at God’s mighty hand in everyday life.
Britt Reads Fiction 