The Girl Who Could Read Hearts

This is by far the most special book that I've ever read, because the character in this book refers to a wonderful pleasant little girl who can read people hearts which is a rare gift for one to have in a world filled with so much error. When you read this book your heart will melt and you won't stop reading without smiling. I gave this book 5 stars because it's different and heart warming and a great way to pass time or change your mood especially if you're having a day. Enjoy !!!!🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

This book was inspired by some real life experiences of the author.

Themes of angels, precognition, being able to sense what's happening elsewhere prevail.

The story is told from the perspective of a 6 year old girl who is born into a family where these special abilities trend among the generations.

The family is also devoutly Christian.

Which made for an interesting mix of ideas and perspectives on religion and how it should be practiced. Spoiler alert: Should always be from a place of love. Not misery or guilt.

At times, the child's voice gets to be monotonous in a tired way. I'm still not sure if this is supposed to be a book for adults or one accessible by young readers as well. If I recall, there's not many themes or events that would be too much for 12+.

I tend to avoid books classified as Christian Fiction and when I requested it, it wasn't marked as so. It definitely is primarily Christian Fiction, magical realism second. I didn't mind the religious aspects because it came from genuine hearts.

In fact, one of my favorite bits was when the false & evil hearted man who was heavily involved in his church was described to be a practitioner of Churchiantity, not Christianity. Brilliant characterization of the hypocrits that ruin organized religious faiths.

Thank you to the publisher for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Six year old Katie loves her plastic angel doll named Etta Ebella. With Etta's magical help, Katie sees the light, vibrant colors and love in her family's hearts. She also sees the darkness and snakes in some other hearts outside her family. Born with red hair, just like her beloved "Grammy Mer," Katie is gifted with unexplainable talents.

Although religious belief plays a role in the book, Maysonave approaches faith from Katie's inclusionary standpoint: there is "Jesus-man," who is all things to every religion, and there is the Great Angel Mother who is the feminine side of God. Prejudice, the " pre-judging" of others, is taboo. Those that practice "churchianity" instead of Christianity are called out for being small-minded hypocrites, who are at times dangerous and evil.

"The Girl Who Could Read Hearts" is a delightful, inspiring novel. In a world that seems to be getting darker, Maysonave creates a little child to help us focus on the beauty of our planet, and to help us let the light in.

Before I start my review, I would like to thank NetGalley and Empowerment Productions with Balboa Press for allowing me to review The Girl Who Could Read Hearts by Sherry Maysonave.

**All opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone. I received The Girl Who Could Read Hearts from Empowerment Productions with Balboa Press through NetGalley as an ARC for my honest and unbiased review**

Now onto my review:

This book started off very slow. Slow to the point where I almost stopped reading it. But after the first couple of chapters (which were torture to read), the story started and it was a great one. When God, Jesus and angels are definitely discussed in this book, religion is not shoved down your throat. The author also shows the **bad** side of being a Christian too and she showcases it very well.

I loved Kate’s character. She is so innocent, so sweet that I wanted to give her a huge hug when the bad stuff started happening to her. Her ability to read hearts is something that was passed down from her grandmother. The descriptions of what people’s hearts looked like (one description had a heart that looked frozen with rain clouds) was eerie.

The one thing that I really didn’t like about the book was the names and how they always started with the same letter. Put it this way, her Aunt was Ruthie Renee. For some reason it bugged me.

The bad guy in this book was a legit bad guy who hid behind his wealth and Christianity. Everytime I read his scenes, I got a bad taste in my mouth and I legit wanted to swoop down into the book and smack him in the face. But, he did get what was coming to him in the end and I was glad.

The ending was very bittersweet. If I wasn’t sitting in a orthodontist office with Z, waiting to be called, I would have burst out into tears.

How many stars will I give The Girl Who Could Read Hearts? 3.5/4

Why? A very well written book that takes you on an emotional journey with a little girl who has a very rare, very special 7th sense of reading hearts. You get caught up in the story, after the slow start, and start rooting for people to make the right choices/decisions.

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age range? Teen

Why? No sex. Also there is an eating disorder portrayed, domestic abuse and child abuse. Also racism and medical misconduct are portrayed.