The strengths of Slattery's novel are in the spiritual and character development and the theme of restoration woven throughout. Angela and Bianca's faith journeys are not straightforward; they mirror real life with its ups and downs, and readers will be able to relate to them. The weaknesses are in the contrived, predictable nature of certain plot elements and in the romance storyline. For example, it is impossible to believe that Angela actually went through student teaching and getting hired for a job and no one mentioned her inappropriate wardrobe. Although the friendship between Mitch and Angela is sweet, the jump to the ending was strange and forced. This is a pleasant novel, even with its flaws.
A neighborhood in the Midwest brings together different people, each experiencing their own trials and tribulations. Mitch is a property and house flipper who is working on a house across from a family that has difficulty making ends meet. Bianca is married to Reid, who has been in jail and is giving lip-service to changing his ways. Unfortunately, Bianca's job is the only one keeping their family afloat, and their three children are suffering in the meantime. Angela is new to the neighborhood, recently hired on with the school district after turning her life around, trying to figure out her "new normal." As the three get to know each other, they need to learn how to let the others into their lives.

This is a very good series, I'm just not a fan of women's fiction. I would compare this author's style to Karen Kingsbury.

this was a great read. very well written and really kept my attention! I will be buying a copy for the store!!! Thanks so much!

Angela has just moved into the neighbourhood. She’s in her mid-forties, and is just starting to get her life straightened out. She’s graduated college, become a Christian, and is about to start her first job in a new town. Mitch is a house-flipper currently restoring a house across the street. And Bianca is another neighbour—one with no patience for do-gooders—but whose life gradually becomes more and more connected with Mitch and Angela.

I’ve read several of Jennifer Slattery’s books, and have enjoyed some more than others. This is definitely one I’ve enjoyed more, both for the realism of the characters and for their spiritual journeys.

Restoring Love has a cast of imperfect characters (on that note, I have to disagree with the reviewer who compared Jennifer Slattery’s writing to that of Karen Kingsbury. Karen’s characters are all too close to perfect for my taste, and I find her writing melodramatic. I prefer Slattery's broken world). Mitch is a Christian, but someone who became a Christian well into his adult years and who still faces challenges from decisions made before he became a Christian.



Angela is a new Christian with a lot to learn, and we see her change as she grows up throughout the course of the novel. Yes, she’s about to become a grandmother, but there are ways in which her daughter is more mature than she is. And then there are the non-Christian characters who … but that would be telling.

I did get frustrated with Angela and her inappropriate wardrobe choices. Even without getting into the whole ‘Christian modesty’ argument, I thought someone could have taken her aside and said the 1980's are over, and the styles look even worse on a middle-aged woman. Someone, anyone. Her daughter, a work colleague, a teacher, a church member … someone. But someone who could say it in love, not in judgement (I remember 1980's fashion. It hasn't aged well).

One thing that impressed me was the way Christian love was shown. When one minor character did act in a judgemental manner towards Angela, it was shown as inappropriate—even though many Christians might not see it as such. I was also intrigued by the relationship between Mitch and his business partner, which showed another side to the old Christian adage about not being unequally yoked with unbelievers.

The one thing that didn’t quite fit was, oddly, the title. I suppose “restoring” is partly a reference to Mitch’s occupation of restoring and flipping old houses, and love is obviously finding love (yes, there are romantic elements). But I thought the book was going to be about restoring an old relationship, whereas it was more creating new relationships, with God and with people. No matter. That didn't affect my enjoyment of the novel.

Recommended for those looking for Christian fiction with a heavy dose of real life.

Thanks to New Hope Publishers and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

A truly lovely story about starting over, believing in one’s self and hope for the future. Both of our main characters, Mitch and Angela have had difficult lives. They have tried over and over again but they always seem to be faced with just one more obstacle. Angela is a beautiful woman on the inside and out but is sometimes viewed as odd for her style of clothing, carefree spirit and sometimes bad cooking! She has also made some pretty bad mistakes in her past, these mistakes are what she lets guide her and sometimes stop her from stepping forward in life. Mitch has had a different type of difficult times more so with his son and ex-wife. Both have been scarred and changed by these moments in life and can sometimes stop them from moving forward.

They are drawn together by a young mother who is doing everything she can to survive. They make it their mission to help her and her children see that they are loved and that there are people in this world that truly want to help others. Their hopes for this young family draw them together in many ways, and at times they both want to let go of their past but find it hard to do so. They both have so many things about each other that they love and respect but are afraid to let go of their past and move forward.

Restoring Love is a well written, thought out novel of hope, faith and moving forward in life. We all mistakes that feel like they haunt us but we shouldn’t let them stop us from seeking happiness. We are loved by the people around us, by God and our community and it is so important to recognize and accept this love. It is even more important to forgive ourselves and move forward. We watch as our main characters learn to forgive themselves, learn to let love in and find happiness again. A truly beautiful story!

Make sure you have a box of tissues nearby because this book will pull at your heartstrings! I was blown away by the constant reminder of God’s amazing grace and how He can turn us into a new person. There is so much hope for us, as shown in these characters. We just have to trust in Him!

This book took a little longer to read than I thought it would, but it’s because I didn’t want to miss a thing. Every component was essential to the big picture as well as character growth. The characters easily jumped off the pages and entered my mind. I could vividly see Angela in her loud clothing and high heels trying to find her way. And sweet Bianca – she had a good heart, but had just been given a bad deck of cards and wasn’t sure how to manage life. My heart went out to her as she stumbled and tried to survive.

Restoring Love was ultimately about our relationship with God for me. This was a wonderful story for anyone to read, but felt it may be especially for those who are struggling and need a little hope. It’d be a great asset for you and your church to have to share with others! It truly inspired me and reminded me of how God can change lives – no matter what our past is! Thank you Ms. Slattery for this touching story!

Restoring Love is the first book I have read written by Jennifer Slattery. This is a picture of the Christian life with all the flaws that people bring to it. Without apology, this is a Christian book which is made clear by the publishers and synopsis of the story. I was pleased to be able to read it.

I loved that the people were not perfect but still were able to be used by God. His love and power came through in the story so very clearly. I appreciate that while Mitch and Angela have a blossoming relationship but the true love story in this book is the one of God’s love and care. The contrast between Mitch and Angela are so well done; their pasts, where they are in life, and what their personal struggles are. Still they fit together so well.

There is a strong second story in the book as Mitch and Angela reach out to help Bianca, a young mother struggling in life. There is a strong sense of allowing God to use you where you are, and as you are right now. That is the grace of God. This is inspiration, making Restoring Love a poignant but also heartwarming story.

This was my very first book written by Jennifer Slattery. What a thoughtfully and carefully crafted book. Every chapter and event had God's grace and mercy threaded into it.

The first half of the book was emotionally difficult for me. The abject poverty and hopelessness of the poor are something I'm not unfamiliar with; however, it was difficult and emotionally draining to attempt to empathize with Bianca and her family. It especially rubbed me raw that Bianca didn't fault herself for lying to get off work and being consistently late for work. However, middle of the book was the turning point of the plot and, as Bianca's attitude and perceptions changed, my feelings toward her changed as well.

Angela is such an admirable woman. And perhaps her character is supposed to foreshadow whom Bianca would become, only with God's grace. Angela's past trials are so real and tangible. And her daughter and son-in-law who bring her to Christ are role models for us all who have relatives who are not yet believers.

Now Mitch is a noteworthy hero. He's the epitome of a true believer and though he's the quintessential contractor who doesn't verbalize or process his feelings well, his relentless effort and prayer are touching and heartfelt. I loved the deep, sweet romance between the two fifty-something year olds. Not too many books address this type of second-chance romance of middle-aged couples and it made this book unique.

The book also addressed many tough issues like the cycle of poverty and drug use, abortion, and even gossip/backstabbing seen in our church cliques and circles.

I received a digital advance reader copy from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to publish a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Restoring Love by Jennifer Slattery

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Jennifer Slattery's latest book is one of hope and forgiveness born out of tragedies which have consequences that encroach on her two main character's every sides.

Oh my goodness, Ms. Slattery's main characters of this book are both, for lack of better words, disasters at life! Everything that could possibly go wrong for a person has happened to one or the other of them and they are living with the aftereffects of tragedies that can make or break you depending on where you have placed your faith and trust. Thankfully, Ms Slattery had her characters placing their faith in God, although, like many people, they are finding out that its still hard to deal with the consequences of actions that were taken before one allows God to direct one's path. I know that the point of this book was for Ms. Slattery to show that there is forgiveness and hope to be found in God but there was so much that had gone wrong for these characters that it was going to be difficult for her to have the story come out with a good and complete ending. And while she did a fairly good job at portraying the road to recovery, I felt that the ending was too rushed and wrapped up too neatly for the numerous circumstances that were described in the story. Her main character Angela would be the "poster-child" of what not to do with your life as a woman - but Ms. Slattery further made Angela the "ideal person" when one thinks of those who need of the grace and mercy of God. I'm not a big supporter of having your stories only be about those who "appear" to need the most help from God but Ms. Slattery handled that well in her story. It was wonderful to see how Ms. Slattery had Angela living her faith and new life daily by choosing to keep her relationships with any man strictly friendship and even coming off as slightly cold towards men to ensure she didn't fall into her old habit of constantly hunting for a new boyfriend. And her struggle with dressing in modest, age appropriate attire was laugh out loud funny at times while truly saddening at others - often giving me a sense of true compassion for her dilemma. I was really thrilled to see that Ms. Slattery allowed Angela to have a true journey towards achieving her new life in the pages of this story, making the sense of success at her finding an ideal job and paycheck very real and satisfying to read. Ms. Slattery's other main character Mitch has all kinds of trouble raining down on him, from his partner looking to dissolve their company, to trying to help one of his renter's keep a roof over her family's heads, to his drug and alcohol addicted son and enabling ex-wife, and trying to figure out Angela and her quirky ways. For about 70% of the book, nothing goes right for him and every turn for him is more problems and heartache. Granted, the majority of his troubles came from his own bad decisions in years past but I really felt sorry for him and the load of trouble he had to carry throughout the story. And even though the ending brought about resolution to most of his problems, it was so rushed I had to read the last pages twice to understand everything that was resolved too quickly/neatly for my liking. Therefore, I feel that while this book had many redeeming qualities and good lessons to be taught, there was so many terrible situations and problems that the entire story seemed a mess. Ms. Slattery wrote it well, with the exception of the rushed ending, and encouraged the reader to feel sympathy and compassion for her characters. However, when a story carries so much trouble I feel like the ending needs to be as well developed as the problems that were being faced. Having not read this author before I will be more cautious in the future when considering her work but believe that given other story plots I would better enjoy Ms. Slattery's writing. It is possible that I might suggest this book to others but it will not be one of my top favorites to share.

I received this E-book free of charge from New Hope Publisher's via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review

You watch God’s hand working in this story, people end up in the right spot at the right time, and don’t even realize, or do they, that they are serving.
Angela was a broken woman but with the help of her daughter and her husband she has earned a college degree and is really, finally putting her life together. Where across the street from where she has landed is a family in crisis, a mother and children fighting to survive, and evil is lurking to pull them to the other side. Then there is a Christian man, he has a broken son, and tries to help others, will he be able to help his own, or will he fall while he is trying.
This story shows how God is working, through others, to help those he needs in his flock, and how nothing is too much for him.
I loved how broken people were able to come together to try and help someone who was even more in need, yes this is what we are meant to do.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher New Hope, and was not required to give a positive review.

This story is not your typical love story, this story is a story of love for neighbors who seem down and out, for kid who just don't seem to fit, for a child who's choices are destroying those around him and himself, for the broken women who seemed to have screw up her life and she it set to fix it, and for the man who has a big heart but need to work on a few things as well. I truly enjoyed this book, I really loved how with the topics that were dealt with in this book this biggest thing was grace and forgiveness. I really enjoyed how the author did a good job and talking through some tough things with the characters. I think the only thing I really hoped was that there was one relationship i hoped would go different but who know maybe the author is writing more. There is a romance in this story to, please don't get me wrong, and it seemed to flow and work with the story line very authentic. Seriously you can not go wrong with this book the perfect clean read that I had a hard time putting down. I can't wait to read more from Jennifer. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

From the publisher’s blurb, it’s tempting to assume that Restoring Love is Mitch and Angela’s story. That’s not really true, however – not at the core of the novel. It’s not even a romance, though that does play a sweet role in Mitch and Angela’s aspect of the story.

At its heart, Restoring Love is Bianca’s story. It’s a novel about a young mom, suddenly single for all intents and purposes, struggling to make ends meet and fighting to make sure in the midst of all the crazy that her kids don’t lose sight of her love for them. Jesus isn’t even on her radar. At least, He isn’t until He places three separate people in her path. Besides her compassionate landlord who does what he can to overlook the fact that she’s hopelessly behind in the rent and her crazy neighbor lady who doesn’t seem fazed by the figurative walls Bianca has firmly in place, there’s also the sweet resident at the assisted living home where Bianca works. Each of these individuals loves Jesus and wants Bianca to know that He loves her, too.

So… you see… while there IS a delightfully sweet romance thread and while Mitch and Angela ARE major parts of the plot, Restoring Love is really the story of how Jesus draws a hurting young woman to Himself. It is at once convicting and inspiring, opening my own heart to how often I avert my eyes to the needs of people I pass by everyday. It’s a challenge to get a little uncomfortable, to feel a little awkward, for the sake of extending a hand of rescue to someone who needs to know that Jesus loves her. It’s about pressing on, even when initial attempts are rejected. And it’s about leaning on the only One who can bring about true restoration.

Bottom Line: While Restoring Love builds off the characters introduced in Beyond I Do, it’s fine as a standalone, and Jennifer Slattery’s compassionate heart for people shines brightly from the pages. Moments of humor walk hand-in-hand with the sweet and the sorrowful, providing the right amount of each so none overwhelms the mood. I’ve read (and loved) several of this author’s books now, but Restoring Love is my favorite… so far!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

This is wonderfully crafted Christian romance with several layers delving into the lives of those around us. The characters are rich in their personalities, their caring for others and their deep faith. The author has done a remarkable job of creating characters that are relatable, you may even be able to see a bit if yourself in them. This was one book I had a hard time putting down once I started reading it...now that I've been introduced to this author, I know I'll look for more of her books in the future.

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Slattery has crafted a heart tugging novel that invites us into the very real world of Christians struggling to live out their Christian lives.

The main character is Angela, a recent Christian with a dark past. She had been down and out, the result of a number of poor choices. With the help of her godly daughter and son-in-law, Angela managed to finish her degree and was looking forward to a belated career in education.

Angela is a great character study, a new Christian without much knowledge about living in her new Christian environment. Most startling were her clothes. Angela wore her old clothes until she finally figured out they were no longer appropriate for a woman her age nor for her work.

Angela encounters the troubled family across the street. Bianca and her children are trying to make do with less than enough money to live on. I liked how Angela tentatively reached out to the family. There is a lesson there for us all.

Angela also encounters a man, the source of the bit of romance in the novel. While a committed Christian, he also has his problems. Like Angela, Mitch is a well crafted character, a Christian with problems from his past that must be worked out today.

The only aspect of the novel I thought was less than what I expected was the end. Relationships and living conditions were suddenly fixed without going through the messy work necessary for such a resolution.

I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy a character driven novel, concentrating on character growth. You'll be reminded of those who may live across the street from you, desperately needing the gospel wrapped in a helping hand.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.