The Pages of Her Life started off quite interesting. We are introduced to Alison an Architect who works with her best friend in their architectural firm. When a secret past is uncovered and a great amount of funds is needed… yesterday, a new job opportunity appears to be the answer to her prayers. While trying to get in tune with her new reality she receives a journal that is said to change lives and it leads her down a path of healing, reconciliation and uncovering her true identity. While I enjoyed it at the start, I started losing touch with the characters and wasn’t as drawn into the story at the end as I was at the beginning. I wanted Alison and her brother Parker and her Mother to overcome all the odds, which, spoiler alert, they did so I stuck with it even though my vested interest had waned drastically by the end. All in all, I don't think this book was for me.
Thanks to netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really struggled getting into this book so I'm marking it as DNF.
Christian fiction is not my thing and my not finishing it doesn't have to do with the book it itself but more my taste. I am just not getting along with it and know I wouldn't rate it fairly if I pushed through, so have decided to DNF it and just continue making my way down the list.

This book was amazing! I couldn’t put it down. This is an author that I have really come to love and can’t wait to read even more of his books. I would suggest to the readers to read Rooms, another one of James L. Rubart’s books because it is reference in this book; however, I am going to be reading it afterwards and it hasn’t taken away from this book at all.

The characters, storylines, and intrigue in this book drew me in with the first few pages and has kept me in suspense the entire time. I care as much for Allison as I do for Parker, and their mother. I can’t really say, though, I have even a smidgen of compassion for the antagonists in the book, and there are several.

I love even more the underlying message/theme that flows throughout the book. I love how the author speaks about dry bones, speaking to dead things and how important faith (belief) is. While Allison struggled with the meaning of that message, I also struggled and when she “got it,” I did too. Now to put it into practice in my own life as well as Allison did in hers.

Wonderful book – I think if you try it, you will fall in love too. I will be keeping my eye out for more books by this author. He is a breath of fresh air.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions were strictly my own.

Excellent story ARC with twist and turns that make this book a real page turner. Thought-provoking storyline and elements that will stay with you long after you read.

The Pages of Her Life
An imaginative story, it kept my attention. Could some of this really happen? Only God knows. He knows everything; He can do anything.

Great book! Interesting characters and plot. Thank you to Net galley for the opportunity to read it!

Jim has a way of making you soul search! His grip catching novel snatches you up until the very end.

Whenever I pick up on of James L. Rubart’s books, I know it will be a unique, thought-provoking read. The Pages of Her Life is no exception.

Life keeps going wrong for Allison Moore and her family. When she mysteriously receives a journal—with some unbelievable characteristics—it prompts her toward discovery, reconciling faith, hope, forgiveness in light of her current challenges.

Another one of Rubart’s novels, Rooms, does connect with Allison’s story—but if you haven’t read it yet, that’s okay; I haven’t read Rooms and still enjoyed The Pages of Her Life a lot. It’s an interesting story with plenty of surprises, and I was eager to see what would happen next, happily following the characters through all the drama. So, if you’re in need of a different sort of contemporary story this summer, definitely check out The Pages of Her Life.

I love the idea of a journal where the words written in it might change to show the writer a better truth.

You can find the review here: https://www.allmomdoes.com/2019/05/09/book-review-the-pages-of-her-life-by-james-l-rubart/

My Thoughts:
This is definitely a book like no other that I’ve read. James Rubart has a unique writing style that I’ve not encountered before. I’ve never read anything by him before or actually even heard of him before this book. This genre isn’t something that I’d normally pick up but it intrigued me with the description.

How does the Journal Allison keeps pouring her soul out into have words appear? Words that she did not write? Her mother thinks it’s supernatural. But her mother is a bit off and emotional these days thanks to what her dad did. Allison just cannot believe that. Who thought her life could fall apart just as she was getting it together?

Allison has made many mistakes in her life. She pours out her heart into her journal. But what is going on? This is a bit freaky. What can she do? Should she keep writing or start answering?

This was not a fast read for me. I think this genre is definitely not my cup of tea but it was well written and full of great characters. Strength through God rather than strength from within yourself might have been a nice addition. I can’t really pinpoint why it took me longer to read except maybe that it just isn’t the type of book that draws me in.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

The Pages of Her Life# NetGalley
James L. Rubart. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is my first novel to read by this author and I really did enjoy it. It has several different elements relating to being a Christian, but it will appeal to any audience. It touches on life’s issues that are very common in today’s world and all the trials and tribulations that go along with living your life to the fullest. The main character, Allison, and her brother have many things going on in their lives that many of us can identify with. It comes full circle and has a happy ending and leaves you wanting more. I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading about spiritual matters.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advance copy read of this book for an honest review.

Allison Moore has a lot on her plate. Her architecture firm is struggling, her mother is drowning in a sea of debt left by the death of Allison's father, her brother who for most her life was her closest friend is now estranged and she cannot find the answers to her problems. Just when life is overwhelming her, she is gifted with a beautiful leather journal from a stranger.

As she starts writing out her feelings and frustrations in the journal, a miracle occurs. Her pessimistic words are replaced by positive ones. Reading them, she starts to realize that her attitudes towards life are making her life more difficult than it needs to be.

While I enjoyed this book, I felt that the author didn't give enough guidance to his main character (or to the reader) instead leaving it all up to "digging deep" and "finding your true self". As a Christian, I would have appreciated more scriptural references and examples of how she "found herself" by studying the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

I always look forward to James Rubart's book releases! I can always count on a wild ride that makes me think outside the box that I've put God in. 

I'm looking forward to his next book!


I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Yep, the title got my attention. This book is about deep introspection and perspectives. The characters are struggling with so many issues like we do in real life. Pain, loss, self-worth, hopelessness, to name a few. I like the supernatural elements. I liked the characters pretty well too. There are some gaps, but "what happens now" kept me moving through them. I love the message that's the core of this book, seeing ourselves through God's eyes and not our own or anyone else's. That's a message we need to hear, sometimes daily.

Do you ever read a book and stop to wonder if it was written just for you (but you know it wasn’t)?

I can’t count many times I did that with this book. I was sitting there, absorbing the story and thinking about how real and just amazingly deep this story was.

You have several characters in the book, the sibling pair along with their mother. I hardly have words to describe it, other than this story brings to life how sometimes totally confusing life can be, when you think you are doing the right thing and maybe you are, yet things are just going worse and worse.

Do you get down to the nitty gritty and just write/talk or look to God for the true guidance in your life?

I just went through a tough year, and it is not likely to get easier. But reading books like this with deep spiritual encouragement, along with just the love of God seeping through every page really just brightened my whole life. I was refreshed and ready to keep going. I am thankful to authors that take the time to create stories that inspire.

It is so hard for me to stand up for myself, and when you know you can lose everything if you do? Wow. It is even harder. I related so much to Allison and wanted to just be her best friend when I was done.

I highly recommend this book.

I will read anything that James Rubart will put out. His writing is so contagious. What I love about the way he writes is that you will get done with a chapter, and he has left you hanging and so you have to move on to the next chapter...and then the next chapter....and so on. You get done with the book and you are convinced that you watched a movie in your mind. This book was no let down, especially the journal. I love how the story was built around it. It is a good read, so pick it up.

The Pages of Her Life is an engaging story with relatable, down-to-earth characters. The mysterious journal and Allison’s struggles really drew me in. I’m more of a fantasy kind of gal, but this one was book was good enough that I stuck with it till the end.
The message of this book is one well-needed. That sometimes, we need to stand up for ourselves and our beliefs, no matter the cost.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. I freely give this positive review.

What an amazing book! Allison and her brother Parker struggle with identity. Their father worshiped their brother who could do no wrong. The reckless acts of the brother got him killed while in his prime. Even after their father's death, they discovered a VCR tape where their father extolled the brother and said he was glad to be in heaven with him. That just added to their low self esteem. Allison goes to work for a fellow architect who offers her a partnership in his company. He claims to be a Christian and plays the "God" card a lot. I could really relate to Allison in her situation with that company. I used to be a part of a company where the owner's meetings were a lot of preaching and little about business. Her "preaching" and her actions were as far apart as Allison's boss. It's hard to believe that there are companies out there like that, but there are. Sometimes they are the most dangerous.

The theme of this book is to find your true self and to recognize when the truth is not being told to you. We must all believe in ourselves and be a warrior for that self. The instrument that the author uses to enlighten Allison is a journal that transforms her entries into what she really needs to read. Some have said that is impossible. Come on! It's fiction. But if you are a true believer in God, you know that nothing is impossible for Him nor is anything out of His realm of possibility. This is the kind of book that you feel that the time was well spent in reading it.

Here’s the thing –

I love books that have unique stories. I love reading from an author that I’ve not read from before, much less heard of. And I love when a book captures my imagination, staying in my thoughts long after I’ve closed the last page. Which is why I’m so disappointed that I didn’t fall in love with The Pages Of Her Life, because this novel held the promise of everything that makes a good story.

The beginning of this story jumped right into the depth of what this novel was all about; Finding ones inner strength while overcoming great obstacles. And it’s not a overstatement when I say that that lesson was showcased in a very different and unique way. It took some time for me to get into the flow of the characters, just because of how different the story was, but I eventually got the hang of it. Kinda. 😉 I wouldn't say that I’m over the moon with this novel, but I enjoyed the time spent reading it.

In summary, The Pages Of Her Life is a standout novel.