Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Book Review: Bittersweet Surrender


Author: Diann Hunt
Title: Bittersweet Surrender
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publish Date: Dec 20, 2011
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Booksneeze
Book Blurb: 
The last few years have been tough, but now Carly Westlake’s life seems picture perfect. Business at her spa is up thanks to her famous chocolate facials. And Jake Mitchell—her dreamy, teenage crush—has moved back to Spring Creek, Vermont, with his daughter in tow. Carly’s nearly floored to learn that Jake has his sights set on winning her heart.

But when long-buried secrets threaten her business—and her friendship with her best friend and business-partner, Scott—Carly has to fight like crazy to keep her plans afloat. Can it be that her dream of marrying Jake Mitchell isn’t the plan God has for her life? What if God’s plan requires something totally unexpected . . . a bittersweet surrender that Carly must make before she can discover true love?

Review: Bittersweet Surrender is a book that really shows how one heroine can really be the Queen of Hard Knocks. She's a breast cancer survivor, a divorcee, with a step mother who is moving in with her, a brother that has gambling problems and a new romance on the horizon. All that is really the tip of the iceberg.

The poor thing is trying to lose weight too, while running a chocolate spa!

Nothing seems to go right for Carly and at times, the book, while funny can be a bit of a downer. I mean, it really is hard to believe that all of this bad stuff can happen. It doesn't help matters that some of the people she trusts the most let her down.

All this aside, Diann, has made a story that feels very real. The characters, are quirky and fun and very human. They have faults and flaws, many of them. Even Scott, isn't as perfect has he seems, but he is so lovable, and you'll be glad for the outcome of the book.

I have to admit, Carly choices aren't always good ones. Jake, the guy she's dreaming of a future with is a jerk and treats his daughter terribly. All of her friends have secrets and there are some of those secrets that they really shouldn't be keeping. Many times while reading I wanted to scream, tell her what's going on, for crying out loud! It made things frustrating at times.

The other thing that bothered me was how "God" just didn't seem to fit in all of this. This is a Christian romance, and while the romance was sweet as it should be in these types of books, Carly's spiritual relationship didn't feel sincere.

I did enjoy the story, mostly because it is nice to read something that isn't about a wealthy girl falling madly in love with a super gorgeous wealthy guy.

Rating:  4 flowers


1 comments:

My Recent Favorite Books said...

I enjoyed reading your review.

Im currently reading this book and I think its so cute, the way that Carly thinks sometimes.. =)
but she has had her share of troubles.

 
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