After a traumatic early life, Faith's marriage to Perry offers the safety she craves and a chance to support her troubled brother, Sam. However, navigating her future mother-in-law's control over the wedding plans proves challenging. In her quest for independence, Faith discovers Grace Chapel, where she finds solace in a unique choir that changes her life. The character development is outstanding, with Faith's journey and her friendship with Marilyn being particularly poignant. The choir, led by the remarkable Hester, provides a bond for the women as they confront their pasts and find their true selves. Despite dark moments, the story is filled with laughter, family, friendship, and community, creating an uplifting and emotionally resonant read. With beautiful writing and engaging storytelling, this book is truly unforgettable and highly recommended.

Beth Moran writes some of the most heartfelt books. This one is full of heartache, bad decisions made with good intentions, a brother battling mental illness, and a choir.

One of my favorite things in this book is the women’s choir. It is a mix of women from different backgrounds who have their own struggles but are there to support each other through hard times. They become Faith’s chosen family.

Faith has had a hard life filled with trauma. From loosing her mother to now trying to help her brother battle addiction and mental illness. She doesn’t like asking for help but is now making the biggest sacrifice of her life to help her brother.

I hope you pick up this book and enjoy the amazing cast of characters with the best personalities. I was laughing and crying and heart broken but above all this book was uplifting. .

As a lover of Beth Moran’s books, I was excited to come across this one

Once again, it was read in a day, as I just couldn’t put it down.

Faith is soon to be wed into a prestige upper class family. Worlds apart, from Faith's upbringing.

Whilst trying to fit in, Faith also has battles from her past.

On accident, Faith becomes part of a church choir.

This story, deals with lots of issues eg mental health addiction. The way Beth captures it all in words is amazing.

This is another great read from Beth Moran with interesting characters, a lovely setting, and an emotional rollercoaster of a story. I was intrigued to find out about Faith's back story. I adored the choir and Hester and would love to belong to such a group. The friendships and sisterhood in the novel are really powerful. Faith's relationship with Sam and their shared history are heartbreaking and really well written. There's a good mix of tension and emotion as well as some fun. I was rooting for Faith as well as some of the other characters, and I loved the outcome. This book is great if you like strong, well developed characters; secret pasts; women supporting each other, and sexy vicars! Great for fans of Jenny Colgan, Rachel Marks, and Jill Mansell.

This author is one of my favorites and although I loved the book I was a bit surprised too. The books I have read by Beth Moran have typically been whimsical and somewhat of a fairy tale. Lean on Me definitely checks the fairy tale box but it is not at all whimsical. In fact it’s pretty gritty at times with themes of murder, mental health, addiction and so much more. It took me a while to really get involved with the story. By about the half way mark I realized that the important messages are about found families, love, friendship and grief. I wound up very involved in the storylines and I surprised myself by loving the book.

I have enjoyed Beth Moran's books in the past, and Lean on Me sounded good. The plot is simple: Sam and Faith have had difficult pasts and I was curious about their lives. The church and choir were original and fun. I took a little time to feel like I got to know the characters, but once I did I enjoyed the story more..

Thanks to Beth Moran, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Amazing, brilliantly written masterpiece from Beth Moran. I couldn’t put this down. Had me engrossed from the beginning.

The subject matter was researched extremely well. So believable. A book to make you laugh as well as having some parts of wanting to scream and cry. Adored the characterisation. I would like many of Faiths friends to be mine.

Shows that you should always have hope and faith even during your darkest journey. Abuse should never be swept under the carpet. There is still a stigma surrounding it, however the victim should not be made to hide it.

Thank you Beth Moran for such a dramatic story.

This was such a heartwarming book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. there appeared to be such a lot of characters but they quickly all seem to have their own place and importance in the story. I havent read Beth Moran books before but I have discovered a new author and I will definitely look out for more books by her. This was a really entertaining read with tear jerking moments too, highly recommended x

This was such an emotional read and I struggled to put it down – waiting to know how Faith’s story ended.

Faith who had a tough childhood and she continues to look after her older brother, Sam, who is addicted to drugs.

Even though she is not really in love with her millionaire boyfriend, Perry, his offer to support Sam’s treatment, makes her agree to marry him.

But, fiercely independent, Faith, continues to work as a waitress. She is however overwhelmed with the wedding Perry’s snooty mother wants them to have.

Faith’s friend Marilyn helps her stand up for herself, and they join a choir led by Hester, who wants each woman to feel good about herself.

How each woman in this choir finds themselves and supports each other is a beautiful tale by itself.

Faith’s bravery is put to the test when a terrifying figure from her and Sam’s past comes back to haunt them.

Finding support from friends and friends turned family, Faith, finds a way to deal with her past and move forward.

The author dealt with serious issues like domestic and child abuse, drug addiction, homelessness etc in a very real and compassionate way. The value of community and friendship in helping people redeem themselves came shining through

Another winner from Beth Moran.

Beth Moran is a great writer and this new novel is no exception. Lean on me is a story which at the heart of it is all about community, friendship and family. The main character Faith grows so much from the start of the book when she has no trust to someone who trusts and loves herself.

BOOK REVIEW: Lean On Me by Beth Moran
2024 Publication Date: March 4

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Trauma Romance Books
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2024

T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW:
In Beth Moran's latest page-turner, Lean On Me, readers are swept into a poignant tapestry of trauma, romance, and the rejuvenating power of community. Faith's story unfolds with gripping authenticity as she juggles the looming presence of a haunting past with preparations for a future that promises security but trembles with unspoken fears.

The book skillfully weaves a compelling narrative where the threads of family and friendship intertwine to offer a sanctuary against life's storms. Through the vibrant dynamics of the Grace Chapel choir and the tenacious spirit of choir leader Hester, Faith — along with the reader — is guided on a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing.

Beth Moran has once again struck a chord with contemporary romance readers in the realm of trauma romance books, creating a symphony of characters whose vulnerabilities resonate with us all and whose triumphs inspire a chorus of hope.

Lean On Me is a testament to the resilient beat of the human heart and a celebration of the melodies that unite us in our quest for love and belonging... ✨😎✨

Pages: 371
Genre: Contemporary Romance Book
Sub-Genre: Trauma Romance Books
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ Closed Door Romance
Time Period: Contemporary
Location: Sherwood Forest (Nottinghamshire, England)
Publisher: Boldwood Books

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: Take Me Home by Beth Moran ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
TV: Lessons In Chemistry ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION:
• The power of community and friendship in overcoming trauma and healing
• The importance of self-discovery and acceptance in finding true love and happiness
• The dangers of suppressing emotions and hiding from the past... And the freedom that comes with facing them head on

BOOK QUOTE:
"I made a decision not to keep trying to carry my load alone... It wasn't heroic. It was stupid..." — Lean On Me by Beth Moran

--------------------

All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. It was funny, heartwarming and heart wrenching all at the same time.

The main character, Faith was someone who you rooted for right from the start and willed her to get her happy ending.

Themes of love, friendship and sisterhood were heavily featured in this book and I wanted to keep reading.

One of the author’s best books in my opinion.

I have enjoyed Beth Moran’s books previously; all have been well written, interesting, and often culminate in a story with deep, meaningful themes alongside moments of light relief. Quite a combination to pull together but Beth Moran does so successfully every time. Also helps they are set locally too.

Lean on Me was a good read, interesting characters, descriptive settings that really triggered my imagination.

Faith’s history was tough to learn about, so much hurt and pain, coupled with the difficulties and support she needed to provide for her brother. No wonder she sought out stability, someone that could be solid and dependable. I enjoyed her friendship with Marilyn – everyone needs a Marilyn – but also the blossoming friendships formed via the choir; for me that was the best part of the story, more so than any romantic element. Everyone in the choir was in need of something, some support or a way of empowering themselves and together as a unit they discovered was the best way of doing that.

There are some awfully sad times within this story which I don’t think I was prepared for but there are some funny, lighter hearted moments thanks to the choir’s antics that provide some balance.

Including themes of addiction, abuse and violence, this is book that explores types of relationships, family we have and family we choose, it incorporates grief, love and being true to yourself.

An eye opening, heartachingly difficult read that will take you through many emotions. Would recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my copy of Lean On Me by Beth Moran in exchange for an honest review. It published March 4, 2024.
As always, Beth Moran delivers a heart-wrenching, inspiring, beautiful book. You will laugh, you will cry, your heart will grow a few sizes reading this book, (in the best way possible)! The character development was very sweet, and I was so impressed as the reality and humanity of these characters shone through. No one was cookie-cutter perfect, and I adored the fact. The conflicts in this book made me hold my breath throughout, especially the big one, and the way everything went down, was impossible to stop reading during!
I promise, you won't regret reading this book! There is some drug use and sexual abuse, along with domestic abuse, however, it does not glamorize it, or go too far into detail.

Beth Moran - Lean On Me.

#LeanOnMe is an outstanding book that has so much to offer.

There are a lot of characters to get to grips with, but they all find their place quite quickly.
Faith is the main character and she has been through hell in her life. You’d need a heart of stone to not feel for Faith.
There were times where I wanted to shake her, but I did grow to like her.
The other characters were many, but oh so brilliant. They all brought something special to the story.

When Faith’s past threatened to catch up with her, I felt a genuine knot in my stomach. The tension felt so real.

I honestly couldn’t put this book down. I was so invested in the story.

#LeanOnMe is an incredibly emotional read. I laughed, I cried real tears, and felt genuine anxiety at what was potentially going to happen.

Beautifully written, with many twists and turns and every emotion under the sun is captured.

I was quite honestly blown away by this book. I loved it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a digital arc of this title.

Lean On Me by Beth Moran is a beautifully written, life affirming read that drew me in from the very first page and didn’t let go until the final page had been turned. With a cast of warm and quirky characters that stole my heart, this is a warm and moving book about family, community and the importance of friendship.

Faith is about to marry Perry, a kind and generous man who can offer her the security and stability that she craves. Faith and her brother Sam survived a traumatic childhood that has left them scarred and broken, so when she meets Perry, son of a well to do family, she feels that all her dreams have come true. But is marrying Perry what she really wants? Or is she just being blinded by her need to look after her troubled brother and keep him safe?

It isn’t until she meets the Grace Chapel choir, a group of strong, extraordinary women led by the no nonsense Hester, that she begins to finally see her own worth. With her best friend Marilyn in tow, Faith starts to learn the importance of female friendship and how the support of your friends can help you find the strength you need to lift yourself up and carry on.

As always, there is a warmth to Beth Moran’s writing that made me fall in love with this story and its larger than life cast of characters from the outset. A beautifully written, heartwarming story that I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end, Lean On Me is a book about love, family, friendship and community that left me with a warm glow as I turned the final page.

Beth Moran has written a surprising, moving and at times laugh out loud funny story that I would highly recommend.

Lean On Me is another gorgeous, heartwarming read from the pen of Moran - I've always adored her books as you're always left with a smile on your face and that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

Faith was so lovely and selfless wasn't she? She wanted nothing but the best for her brother - their upbringing wasn't always the easiest - and she's not had time to heal herself from the past.

The characters throughout were real, somewhat relatable and absolutely wonderful. Their stories were so easy to invest in, as were they.

Emotional, enjoyable and my favourite Moran release to date.

You better have the tissues handy when reading this book. Faith had a hard childhood which we know left her with physical scars and emotional scars. She deeply loves her brother, Sam, and will do anything to take care of him. I loved how the author slowly revealed Faith and Sam’s past as you know horrible things happened but you don’t know what. I can’t imagine what Faith went through in her past and present. This is a story about Faith finding herself and learning to love others and let them move her. This amazing book will pull on your emotions in the best way.

I have read many of Beth Moran’s books and Lean on Me is another great successful story of hers. Although I would say it is a step darker and deeper than previous novels.
The story follows Faith as she is about to launch herself into marriage however stumbles across a choir which she joins, which helps her navigate her past. This book doesn’t shirk away from some difficult topics like death, drug abuse, toxic relationships but does so in an empathetic way.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend

Lean on Me by Beth Moran

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

As Faith tries on her future mother-in-law’s wedding dress in preparation for her own wedding, her tears are not of joy. The hideous frock is nicknamed ‘The Ghost Web’ by Faith’s best friend Marilyn, who can’t understand why Faith would even consider wearing it. But there’s a lot Marilyn doesn’t know about Faith – not the least of which is that Faith is just the latest of the names she has called herself.

Faith and her brother Sam survived a traumatic childhood which included having to change their names to hide from the past, but surviving has left scars. Faith’s generous fiancé Perry doesn’t just promise to be a partner, he offers freedom and security, and enough kindness to keep Faith squashing down any doubts on what ‘being in love’ really means.

It’s not until she meets an extraordinary group of women at the Grace Chapel choir, that things start to become crystal clear. As choir-leader extraordinaire, the indomitable Hester, holds a mirror up to her ragtag group of singers, all with their own burdens and insecurities, and teaches them to see how magnificent they are, so Faith can dare to dream of a future where she and Sam can stop running and she might even be ready to accept the love that she deserves.

My Opinion

Beth Moran has yet to write a book that I have been disappointed by. This was one of those books that I read in one sitting. It was just so difficult to put down. Faith is trying to make ends meet, whilst also looking out for her brother who is an addict with mental health problems following a traumatic childhood - the last thing she needs is the judgement from Perry's family.

Faith is such a relatable character and this was such a beautifully written book. I would recommend that everyone gives this book a chance, you will not be disappointed.

Rating 4/5