This was a sweet story, that I can tell was written with the best of intentions. However, I feel like it wasn’t written with the intent it strived for. The author says more than once that she is not writing to judge people for how they have lived their lives, but then speaks to only one narrow way of Christian living saying that it is the only way to prosper. As a lifelong Christian who has strived to love all people as God loves us, I feel we have a responsibility to accept our imperfections, knowing we cannot ever know the whole story in other peoples lives. The author speaks to purity culture, without acknowledging the harmful effects of it, (as one example) only saying that purity worked for her and her husband and therefore must be the best way to go. Being Christian means accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. That’s it. We are called to live a life in Christ, knowing we will never reach the perfect bar that is Lord, but being loving and accepting to all Gods children.
The author also gives the impression to me that she is only advocating for traditional marriage (only referring to partners to women as men and vice versa, & advocating only for marriage not other life partnerships), therefore excluding LGBTQ+ people, which I may be wrong about but I feel if the author wants to demonstrate the love on which she is speaking she should make clear love comes in many, diverse forms all of which are Holy and acceptable to God. Anything less is not Holy love. 1 Peter 4:8
I loved the premise of this book & I deeply appreciate the authors Godly intentions, advice, & perspective. I believe she is writing what she believes to be true, but this book would greatly benefit from acknowledging and accepting different ways Godly love may be achieved, found in others, aspired to, etc.
Thank you for the ARC