The Way It Should Be

THE WAY IT SHOULD BE by CHRISTINA SUZANN NELSON is a book that gives us hope even in the midst of harsh subject matter. It is well written, inspirational, and the Christian message is strong.
When newlyweds, Chad and Zara Mahoney, are asked to foster Zara's twin sister Eve's two children, their life takes on new meaning in more ways than one! Zara and Eve come from a dysfunctional family whereas Chad comes from a loving family. Zara is afraid she will not be a good mother and Eve seems to be going the same way as their mother, who is on drugs. The characters are very real and we are drawn into their fears and struggles. I particularly like the portrayal of Chad and Bruce, strong and caring men, as opposed to Joey and other men in Eve's life.
Tiff and Bruce Bradley have lost their daughter Lindsay to drugs and Tiff works among addicts, hoping that someone showed the same kind of unconditional love to her daughter when she lived on the streets. Tiff sees the mistakes she made as a mother and she and Bruce go the extra mile to help Eve get back on her feet.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling the read for you. It is a book about life and relationships, unselfishness and hard decisions, and in some instances second chances.
I highly recommend the Way It Should Be to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

SYNOPSIS:
This story focuses on the lives of three women seemingly disconnected at the start, but more connected than they can imagine. Newlyweds Zara and Chad Mahoney are asked to foster the children of Zara’s sister Eve after she ends up in the hospital. Zara, the product of a broken family has never met the children of her sister and is hesitant to say yes. Eve has been in an abusive relationship and has just connected with a woman named Tiff, who wants to help Eve make a better life for herself. Tiff and her husband Bruce’s daughter Lindsay struggled with an addiction to both heroin and meth in high school, which lead to a life on the streets and no contact with her parents, who believed her to be dead. For Tiff, Eve is a chance to do what she was not able to for her daughter and help her overcome what she is facing.

What follows is a wonderful story of forgiveness, strength, and courage necessary to make the changes needed for a better more fulfilling life.

REVIEW:
I was greatly struck by the way this story highlighted and embraced the realities of a woman struggling to leave an abusive relationship, while also struggling with drug abuse. My heart moved for Eve as she fought to gain her children back, struggling against the pull of her addiction and the desire to do what needs to be done to reunite her family. Her courage was moving and a beautiful part of this story and provided insight into the struggles of addiction and domestic abuse. I am truly impressed with the author’s ability to capture these moments.

Zara’s willingness despite her own insecurities and reservations to step up and take care of her sister’s children spoke to a desire to know her sister and be a part of her life. Zara’s thoughts of how life with her husband Chad will be are challenged and rather than succumb to the pressure, Zara steps up. Engaging with her sister’s children is an experience The interaction between Zara and Eve and Eve and Tiff highlights the various ways that relationships are tested by knowing someone who is struggling with drug addiction.

Tiff was a character it took me a little time to warm up to. Her strong desire to right previous wrongs with her daughter lead her to make impulsive choices that threatened her relationship with her husband and son. I questioned her motives, but as the story progressed, I came to realize she was making those choices for the right reasons.

This was such an uplifting read despite the heaviness of the topic. Eve, Zara, and Tiff showcase strength, courage, and vulnerability in the face of real and honest trials. I would highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a powerful story this is! I could not put it down once I started it.

The story centers around twin sisters who have had a difficult life. Zara is recently married to Chad and eve is a mom to Charlotte and Sammy, struggling with addictions.

The aspects of family, ministry and foster care are so strong in this book. I look forward to checking out more of this authors books.

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

I've read other books by this author and enjoyed them. She does a nice job of creating realistic characters and writing emotional storylines, and this one was no exception. It was easy to connect with the characters and stay engaged. Tiff is resilient and Zara is determined, and you can't help but root for them. I also enjoyed Eve's strength and conviction to overcome and provide a better life for herself and her kids. There are some difficult subject matters, and the author does a fine job of tackling them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book by this author I've read and it's very good. The writing flows well and the characters are likable. The story is definitely realistic and hits on several important topics that are quite common in today's world.

Zara is newly married when she receives a letter informing her that the niece and nephew she doesn’t even know need a place to live. Zara’s twin sister Eve hasn’t had it easy and is battling addiction.
Tiff is a woman on a mission, having lost her daughter to addiction.
These three will interact and change each other’s lives.
Written with such insight you can feel each women's pain, hope, past , scars and healing on every page
I had so many emotions reading this book, gratitude, blessings, sorrow, insight and compassion.
I think I’d like to be a combination of all these ladies when I grow up... Tiff’s resilience to try and make others not follow her daughters path, Zara’s determination to overcome her childhood and buy a farm and make seedlings into products and Eve’s grit to overcome her demons and her strength to fight for a better life for herself and her kids
While this is my first book by this author it definitely will not be my last. This one will stay with me for a long time
A huge thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!

"The Way it Should Be" is a story about twins, Zara and Eve, who grew up in the same house hold, with the same issues, and how each of them turned out. Zara, successful, recently married, and childless, struggles with her new life as a married woman wanting to be enough for her new husband, while Eve, a junkie with two kids, struggles to find where their next meal will come from. In a random twist of fate, these two estranged sisters end up interwined in one another's lives again. I loved this book and could not put it down. I wasn't sure who to root for through the whole story but was really satisfied with how it ended. I would definitely recommend this story to anyone.

What a powerful read, one that tugs your heart and doesn't want to let go.

Zara and Eve twin sisters had a difficult up bring and now we meet them when they are grown with what is now happening in their lives. One has just gotten married, she and her husband have bought a small farm and beginning their new life together. The other Eve has more or less followed in her mother's footstep, and is now clinging to life.

Add to this group a spunky 5 year old girl, and a toddler boy, and a dreaded illness hanging over their heads.

I loved how this story unfolded and kept giving, their was fear something would happen to these children, or one of these characters would end up dead.

I loved the epilogue, and now I want more information! A phone call?

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

This is a well written book that hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. It is full of emotions and you can feel every one of them. This books deals with real life problems and shows no matter how far you fall there is always hope. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Bethany House and Christina Suzann Nelson via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Captivating Women's Fiction Novel.

Three women, Tiff, Eve and Zara, are connected by substance abuse. Tiff mourns the loss of her teenage daughter by helping the homeless. Zara and Eve are identical twins. Eve is a drug addict.

As there paths converge, it's clear that life is messy and can be painful. Each of the women takes a risk to love others fearing the outcome.

The descriptions of men, whether an abuser or a loving husband, were well done. It was rewarding to see how the marriages of both Tiff and Zara were impacted by drug abuse and how they ultimately worked through those struggles.

This novel treats the topics of drug addiction and the foster system in a realistic rather than idealistic fashion. My heart goes out to those with family members addicted to drugs and my praise to those willing to give of their time and heart to be foster parents.

The cover is a perfect representation of Zara and Eve. Both beautiful. One has just fallen and will hopefully be able to sit upright again.

"God has a plan that is far outside of my own reach. And no matter what it looks like, I'm learning to see that His way is the way it should be."

Parenting a child in foster care system is rarely an ideal situation. Helping someone to recover from drug abuse takes a tremendous amount of fortitude. Moving on from poor life choices can feel impossible.

This is the story of three women. Zara is a newlywed who hopes to be a mom someday, but she discovers if she has a baby boy, he may die young like her brother. Due to family trauma and her twin's choices, she lost track of her sister. Little did she know that Eve already has two kids, but she is struggling to get out of the hold of drug addiction and her controlling boyfriend. Zara is asked to foster the two kids, but she is unsure. Tiffany suffers from guilt over the loss over her daughter who could not get out of drugs clutches, so she is doing everything she can to help other moms not to suffer the same fate. She steps in to help Eve and try to help the sisters.

Having three different story angles added such depth to the storyline. Zara is reluctant to only be a temporary solution - she knows she will come to care for the kids and be devastated when they are leave. To understand Eve's part of the story, the reader gets glimpses of her journal and begins to understand how she started down the road of drugs and how she is petrified of being stuck in her wrong choices. Tiffany and her husband have struggled to find their footing after the loss of their daughter. She puts herself in danger to try to help the homeless who are seeking out drugs. He feels like he is losing his wife too.

As someone who has never been a part of the drug scene or really known someone who struggles to overcome addiction, I can easily become judgmental. I can assume that a person could overcome their situations if they only "tried harder." The same is true for parents who have kids in the foster care system. I do not relate well. I appreciate how Eve is portrayed - we come to understand her decisions do not coincide with how much she truly wants to be with her children. This book reminded me of the importance of loving those who God puts into our path. We need not shy away from potentially tough situations. Being willing to step in to be a safe place for a child matters.

For anyone who is considering becoming a foster parent or who is supporting someone who is fostering, I highly recommend this book. I feel like it does not sugar coat the potential tough situations. But the book also shows that if the adults are trying to work for the best interests of the children, the system can work. This book appreciates the social workers and those who are trying to help. While maybe not a happy ending, this book did end on a hopeful note.

I really appreciate the author and Bethany House Publishers allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. This one will stick with me for a long time as I will continue to ponder how I can make a difference in the lives of those in my own community who may need a helping hand. To learn how to love my neighbor as myself can be hard. But I want to try. This review reflects my own experiences and opinions.

This is a wonderful, gut-wrenching book, but it's everything I've come to expect from this author. She has a way of getting to the heart of some complicated issues and dealing with them with utter grace.

Themes of addiction and foster parenting are woven throughout the story, and as life is much more complicated than we want to imagine, the ending is hopeful, yet not tied up with a nice bow. I ached for Zara as she learned to be an "instant" parent to her niece and nephew, and I was alternately angry with and compassionate for Eve as she attempted to get her life back on track. After reading this book I understand more clearly that recovery from addiction needs to come from within, a person cannot want to heal for someone else or it will never be enough. Even though Eve deeply desires to be reunited with her children, the motivation for her recovery had to be about her, not about them. That's a difficult thing for someone (like me) who has never dealt with addiction to reconcile.

There is a subtle yet pervasive faith message throughout the book, as the characters learn to rely on God for strength instead of themselves. I wonder if there will be a spin-off book, because there's a definite cliffhanger moment towards the end. Overall, another beautiful book by Christina Suzann Nelson.

I kept telling myself one more page, then I could put the book down, but I could not. I was hooked. The author has the readers emotional invested early on as she brilliantly weaves a tale that taking readers through lots of twists and turns, with several possible crazy paths the story could have ended with some happy, some tragic which would leave the reader an emotional wreck. I found myself glued to the page, tearing through the novel, because I had to know more.

The author masterfully tells this story through three POV’s allowing the reader to experience the story in a well-rounded way, having them to walk through addiction and how it affects family members, friends and the addict themselves. It is heartbreaking in so many ways.

I liked how the author effectively gives a peek at the inner struggle of Eve, the addict fighting for her life and that of her children. These characters and their situations pull at your heart strings as we read Eve’s diary and get a peek into her soul. Eve’s family life is in crisis. Charlotte 5 and her brother Sammy a toddler. Eve’s Diary, May 20th …” Maybe she had come through the beating with her life, but heroin was still in the fight!”– I know the worst is yet to come, but my children need me. I’m trying to focus on my kids. Already my body is screaming as if my muscles are wrenching…My bones. I want relief, but I’ve tried that before and nearly died from the cure. An addict with a methadone allergy is pathetic. I can die from the help or die from the withdrawal. Either way, I’m not sure I’m going to make it….And my kids. I have to make it…for them.”

Then there’s Eve’s twin sister Zara who lost track of her sister years ago. Zara and Chad are newlyweds excited about their life together. She did not know her sister Eve was an addict and had two small children Charlotte and Sammy, until they receive a call from foster care. I liked how the author includes well timed humor through this couple adventure into foster care. Zara and Chad want to help. Things are happening fast. Zara says to Chad …”I keep wondering what they’ll go over in that weekend class, and if it’s really a good idea to give us two young children without that information first.”…”We can’t even housebreak a puppy.”

Chad says to Zara, “We’ll figure it out. People have children all the time. They can’t all be experts before they start.”

Then there is the story from a ministry viewpoint showing the messy yet loving side of things. I liked the character Tiff Bradley and how she does her part in helping the women no one wants to talk to and/or look at. She feels by helping Eve she is getting a glimpse into her daughters’ addiction. By helping Eve, she is helping her, and her family heal from the loss of her daughter, Lindsay.

The author isn’t afraid to say the hard things through her characters like Tiff Bradley who says this to her husband Bruce, “Listen, life isn’t safe. I used to do all the safe things, and I missed what was really happening in the world.”

Her husband Bruce replies, “Lindsay is gone. I thought you just needed to do this so you could accept that, but it keeps going, and I don’t understand. Do we need to lose you too?”

The author says, “I hope you walk away from this book with the realization that addiction does not define a person. I hope that when you see someone battling drug dependency, you will stop and pray for healing. There are miraculous stories of men and women who’ve turned their lives around. I count it as an honor to know a few of those people.”

This is a book that will open your eyes, pull at your heart and have you look at things with fresh eyes. This book would make for a great book club pick. There is so much to discuss. This is a must read. If I could give the author five stars or more I would.

I don’t know what it would be like to be an identical twin, nor have I lived in a dysfunctional family where there are so many hurts and pains. However, I do know that the author, Christina Suzann Nelson has written a beautifully touching story of healing, forgiveness, love, and hope.
This book was so captivating and deeply moving. It was a story of three women’s lives and how they all connected. It’s also a story that portrays what the use of drugs and its never-ending pull, can do to individuals and their families.
The whole world of foster-parenting, all the ins and outs, fears, and struggles, are foreign to me. I believe it takes a tender-hearted person or people, to be a foster parent. The author truly presents all aspects of this difficult and yet, what could be a rewarding, process.
The thing I love about Christina Suzann Nelson’s writings is that she brings such realness and depth to all her characters. I also appreciate the way she writes about some tough issues and how others deal with them. She doesn’t sugar-coat the pain and hurts her characters experience, yet she brings beautiful and poignant resolutions and makes it just The Way It Should Be.
I hope you too will pick up this book and read it, it might open your eyes like it did mine.
I was given this book by the publisher and in no way did it influences my review, all opinions are my own

An amazing book showing the courage of family, the effects of drugs and street living. It reminded me that each little act of kindness makes a huge difference. Also the importance of following God's calling even in grief.

I was hooked from the first line. "The most beautiful things are those that survive a storm and find their glory in the restoration." This heartbreaking and heartwarming story has themes of addiction and foster parenting woven throughout. Author Christina Suzann Nelson has a way of getting to the heart of the matter without sugar-coating it, yet with compassion and grace. Estranged twin sisters are brought into contact again with all the honest feelings addiction in families bring up. This story gave me a greater appreciation for what an addict can go through, and all who help them from volunteers to case managers, to people willing to hire former addicts to help them get their lives back on track, and to those who love them and their children along the way. And the children of addicts! "How did a child with such a tiny body carry around so much painful baggage?" "Addiction didn't come with an easy path. But hope still existed." The sister Zara who escaped a painful childhood truly has a prince of a husband. They are newlyweds, and together they explore foster parenting with a niece and nephew they didn't know existed. Zara has anxiety when her past comes crashing into her present, she and her sister Eve (in varying degrees) learn to lean on newfound faith.

I highly recommend The Way It Should Be!

Thank you to the author, publisher, & Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely LOVED ThIS BOOK!!! It's told from the different perspectives of each of the main characters - women that you can easily fall in love with and have true empathy for. It covers several hot topics - drug addiction, loss of a child, dysfunctional upbringing, loss of a sibling, foster care, terminal illness - holy moly - thats A LOT to pack into one book!! So much so, that I wish there were a sequel - I really need to know what happened after "the end". Great book - new to me author - I've already reserved all of her other books from the library based on this one alone!! VERY strongly recommend - great Christian fiction <3 Thanks to Netgalley for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

Zara and Eve Brookes haven’t seen each other in years, and for all of those years, Zara has felt the guilt of having abandoned her twin. And the pain of abandonment. But with a new name, courtesy of her husband Chad Mahoney, and a new farm, Zara feels ready to put the past behind her and create a home.

Eve and her two children, Charlotte and Sammy, live with Eve’s abusive boyfriend. Eve never knows if he’ll show up in time to pay the rent, or if she’ll have to resort to alternative methods of paying the rent…and feeding her habit.

A habit that has chipped away at her sanity, her self-worth, and her very soul. When she meets Tiff Bradley, her life takes an unexpected turn.

Ever since hearing of her daughter’s murder, Tiff Bradley has struggled to make sense of where she and her husband Bruce went wrong. Why did their daughter, Lindsay, turn to heroin? What was so bad about their affluent life that could cause their precious girl to turn her back on those who loved her?

Night after night Tiff drives the streets of Canyon Ridge in her old Toyota, longing to bring hope to those in need. Longing to do for some lost soul what she wishes someone had done for their Lindsay. Her need to serve puts her marriage in jeopardy, but how can she pretend life is whole when it feels so broken.

When the state takes Charlotte and Sammy away from Eve, they call newlyweds Zara and Chad to step in as temporary foster parents.

Three women, three stories of grief and longing intertwined into a beautiful mosaic of hope.

Why I Loved this Book

As a parent, one of the most difficult things to understand is why our children make the decisions they do. I could spend endless hours reviewing the highlights of my children’s lives, wondering where I went wrong or where I could have done better.

The author paints a beautiful, authentic picture of how different people cope with grief, abandonment, challenges, and stress. In doing so, she highlights and reality of addiction, recovery, and the stark realities of the foster care system in the United States.

While not a light weekend read, it is a book every parent should read. We can’t make decisions for our adult children. We can make a choice to make a difference in their world, and the world at large, though. This is a book of hope despite the circumstances.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were real and I was drawn into the story immediately. It does deal with a difficult subject (addiction) and it's affects from multiple points of view. It is also a story of family, love, redemption, and growth.

When Eve loses custody of her two young children, Zara and her husband step in to help as foster parents. The story is well written and very sad, dealing with issues of abuse and drug dependency. Tiffany lost her kids to addiction and now works to help other mothers in her situation. I love that the author kept it real and it really relates to real life. Great book!

Wow. This is an AMAZING book. It is not neat and tidy but real.

The ending was conflicting for me. It didn’t really end the way I wanted it to, yet it did end the way I wanted it to. If you read it you will understand what I mean.

The relationship between the two sisters reminded me a lot of my relationship with my sister, not so much now but in the past so I could relate to the feelings Zara had.

I can’t imagine dealing with an addition like this, the need to have it and feeling like you will die without the drug. But the author does a wonderful job of making the reader feel the conflict.

She also did a great job bringing Jesus into the book without being preachy. So many “Christian” books leave him out or the characters don’t even go to church but these characters did, or had the real life situation of struggling to get to church and dealing with kids when you get there.

If you haven’t read a book by Christina I highly recommend this one.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Bethany House for the free book.
After reading Nelson's book last year and this one now, I am learning that she likes to tackle tough topics, and I am here for it. One of the main character's in this book is suffering from a heroin addiction. This is a tough topic to write about and get right. Nelson wrote Eve and showed how addiction affects thought processes. She wrote Tiff to show the grace and dignity that all people suffering from addiction deserve. This book is tough. Zara and Eve are twins. Zara gets a letter asking her to foster Eve's kids - and she knew nothing about them. Tiff wants to help those on the streets because of personal events in her life - which is how she gets connected with Eve. I liked how the issues weren't glazed over. The author dug deep into all of the character's thoughts and feelings. She showed how marriages change, children are affected by trauma, and the work that is involved with the foster system. I appreciated how she ended the story. Not everything was wrapped up neatly, though I wasn't a fan of Tiff's ending because it did seem easy and there wasn't enough time for a follow through. This book really shows the ministry of Jesus, and I hope others can read and understand more about the disease that addiction is.

Christina Suzann Nelson has written a powerful, emotionally engaging story full of compelling characters. She did a great job of telling the story from the perspectives of three different women. The variety of viewpoints and the range of emotions all of the characters felt gave the story authenticity. The book doesn’t shy away from the gritty parts of life, but tackles topics like addiction, domestic violence, and foster care with honesty and grace.

While the book does deal with serious issues, there are still light-hearted moments throughout. Ultimately it is a story of hope, healing, and forgiveness, as each woman experiences transformation in her own unique way. While you might see yourself more in one than the others, Eve, Zara, and Tiff are all characters we can relate to in some way. All of the loose ends were not tied up with a bow at the end, and I thought that made the ending realistic and true to the story. This story tugged at my heartstrings and made me think - it will stick with me for a long time! I definitely recommended this book, especially for fans of Beth Vogt, Amanda Cox, and Rachel Linden.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Newlyweds Zara and Chad Mahoney have big plans - ones that are set aside when Zara's niece and nephew (her estranged twin sister Eve's kids) are in need of emergency foster care. Desperate to be a mother, but terrified of her genetic risks, Zara agrees to take in the kids and hopes it will ultimately be a path to healing some of her broken places.

Tiff Bradley's drug addicted daughter is long gone and presumed dead. She is committed that if there is anything she can do to help another family avoid the same devastating loss, she will do it - even at great personal risk. When she meets Eve on one of her "ministry" nights out on the streets, Tiff sees something she can't ignore and becomes involved far deeper than seems wise. But is that level of commitment and consistency what Eve really needs to break free for good this time?

This was such a challenging story to read - but very good, and so worth it. The author uses Eve's journal entries to give a peek into her struggles and thought process, and it is both effective and enlightening. The journey they all make as a family, along with the unexpected ending, was satisfying and also left me wanting more. I truly enjoyed this book!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

From the very first word of The Way It Should Be by Christina Suzanna Nelson, I was completely hooked!! I could barely put the book down to go to bed the first night, and eagerly picked it up the second night to finish it! WOW!

Christina took a situation (no spoilers) that so many people face in real life and showed us the best and some of the worst of it! I love that she doesn’t try to sugarcoat the situation in the book and she writes very real emotions into the pages. She also doesn’t only write about the ugly but also about the redemption and the process that it takes to bring a person out of that despair (but she also shows how easy it could be for the person to fall back into that despair).

This book truly will take you on an emotional roller coaster and you will truly feel that you are living the lives of the characters right along with them.

I am very hopeful that there will be a sequel to this, maybe even a series!

This was a heart wrenching book to read, but so well done and necessary in my opinion. The subjects are hard and heart wrenching in their own. Abuse, Drug Addiction, Foster Care, Abandonment. The author did a fantastic job of telling this story. I was filled with empathy for the characters in this story. I learned something also. I can highly recommend this book. It’s informative and relevant to today. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated here are my own.

This is a book that hooks you in from the first page and keeps the momentum more or less constant right till the end.

The story tells us of twins Eve and Zara, who though having shared a common womb, have nothing in common in their adulthood as their ways have long diverged. Zara has uprooted herself from her struggling background with sheer grit and determination and has recently married Chad. She now looks forward to settling with her new husband in their new farm where she can work on her organic products business.

Eve, on the other hand, has not been able to get rid of childhood emotional struggles. She is an inveterate drug abuser, in spite of having two young children, and lives with her on-off boyfriend though he keeps abusing her physically.

Once when the abuse goes out of hand and Eve finds herself in hospital, a good Samaritan -- Tiff Bradley, who is dealing with personal issues of her own -- steps in to help. Zara finds herself forced to accept guardianship of the young children of her long lost twin. Will she able to manage these unexpected duties? Will Eve be able to win the battle against her addiction to drugs? Will Tiff be able to make her peace with her past though her actions of the present? Read the book to find out.

As a women's fiction, this book checks all the requirements. It has family and friends, emotions and struggles, separations and reunions. You will stay invested in each of the three main ladies throughout their varying journeys. Eve with her struggles of drug usage and trying to be a good mother, Zara with her struggles of trying to be a family to children she's never met before while managing her business and new marriage, Tiff trying to make good for earlier parenting mistakes by going all out to help the needy though her marriage seems to be bearing the repercussions of her charity... The way these three arcs are intertwined makes the book an engrossing read.

I particularly enjoyed how the author details out the struggles of foster parents. It was an inspiring eye-opener to see the requirements of the DHS to ensure child safety.

As a Christian fiction too, this book works nicely. Though a Christian, I'm not a big fan of this genre because many books in this genre simply quote biblical phrases to make a point or they sound fatalistic by having trite remarks such as "God will take care of everything" or "God is watching you" and so on. Both approaches don't click with me. I'm a firm believer in "God helps those who help themselves", no matter which God one prays to. This book follows the same approach. While the characters seem to put their faith in God, all of them don't just rely on prayers or hope. They focus on deeds rather than words and use their beliefs to make a difference in society by helping those in need. I loved this aspect of putting religion in practice and wish all Christian fiction books would follow this approach.

All in all, “The Way It Should Be” is a very powerful and emotional story. The writing is very compelling. Though a couple of characters are too good to be realistic, the way it depicts the struggles of addiction and foster families makes it worth a read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bethany Publishing House, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A 4.5 from me.

Trigger warnings: Domestic abuse, drug abuse, child trauma

Another powerful journey into difficult topics, but ones addressed deftly by the author. Addiction, homelessness,,grief as well as a foster care journey----this book is heartwarming as it is hopeful. Characters that are multifaceted and affecting, with messages of redemption and second chances.
Do not miss this book! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I was an early reader. All opinions are my own.

Wow! Wow! Wow! This is a page-turning, do not put down until finished family drama kind of book! Christina Suzann Nelson had me enthralled from the beginning of the book right up until the end. This is the kind of story that when it does end you want more!

The Way It Should Be is a heartfelt, beautiful story of twin sisters, long drifted apart, and an unexpected reunion following a dramatic event. Lots of love, regret, addictions, good deeds, charity, child fostering and forgiveness elements in this book, woven into a lovely story. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the copy for review. All opinions are my own.

Christina Suzann Nelson has such a way of pulling at a reader's heartstrings and getting them emotionally invested in the story she tells. The Way It Should Be was absolutely no exception. This book takes on a lot of tough topics and doesn't seem to sugar coat things (such as the challenges of fostering a child), but it was done so beautifully that readers cannot help but feel for the characters--- each and every one. This is only the second book that I have read by the author but with her fantastic storytelling skills, I know it will certainly not be the last. If you love a heartfelt story, grab the tissues and check this one out.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

Addiction does not just affect the addict, it also affects the family. This book is a punch in the gut but in a good way. It is dirty and raw but it is also about family, live and redemption.

This is an emotional, beautifully written book. I loved the message of faith throughout the pages.
Many thanks to Bethany House and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was a spiritually genuine book of womanhood!!!!!!!! I enjoyed the sisters characters and the sisterhood between these women characters. I recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Christina Suzann Nelson and Bethany House Publishers for an early read of this book, for an honest review.

I had never heard of this author before, but she's one I won't forget. What a great storyline and the true emotions of sisters and how they do/don't get along at times.

This was an excellent read and I would recommend it highly for anyone who is looking for a great read.

As I read the final page in this tear-jerker of a story, my heart was in my throat. And yes, my eyes were suspiciously damp.
Christina Suzann Nelson has written a story that shows the realities of addictions.
It shows us the gritty, raw effects of dealing with those addictions.
The heartbreak that some kids have to go through, when, thru absolutely no fault of their own, they are caught in the middle of this really hard stuff.
Eve and Zara are twin sisters that haven't seen each other in a very long time.
Eve is badly beaten, and her kids are quite traumatized.
Zara and her husband are asked to take in Eve's two little kids and give them a safe home.

This story really gripped my heart. It opened my eyes to things I hadn't thought of before. It makes me want to do something to reach out and help those less fortunate.
This is a book that you will NOT want to miss.
Be prepared to leave part of your heart in its pages.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

This is my first book by Suzanne Nelson that I have read.

This was in fact a very good story and a lovely book to read. I couldn’t warm up to the main character to begin with, but started to like her slowly as the story went on. I absolutely loved her husband’s character - I mean, who wouldn’t? He was so supportive, loving and thoughtful.

The author has done an absolutely great job of how addiction affects people in different ways and how understanding (and even learning from) those who are having trouble with addiction could help us to help them… rather than neglect them. I love how the troubled sister’s life is given a second chance and I love how the book teaches the readers that everyone (whether good or bad) deserve a second chance.

I would have loved to know more about the girls’ relationship with their mother or more of their background as the book was completely silent on this and left me with many questions.

It’s certainly a book that I would recommend and thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for giving me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.