Book Review: Finding Hope by Katlyn Grace

Hope Lawson’s bakery has been a haven to Ethan Grey’s troubled soul ever since that horrible accident when Ethan lost everything. He lost his family, his faith, and his dignity. Now, he’s turned to alcohol to fill his voids, but is it really working? Problems seem more out of hand, and depression is slowly seeping in holes where there used to be joy. Hope’s compassion runs deep for the alcoholic whose lifeless eyes could use a sparkle of hope. When she steps out in faith to help Ethan, Ethan’s faced with the struggle of his intimidating past. Everything in him begs a second chance for a better life, but is it worth it? Is it worth giving up the alcohol that beckons him every waking second? Is it worth opening up about his past?Will Ethan begin to realize that he needs Someone better than himself to save him? Will Hope be able to help remove the blinders from Ethan’s eyes, so he can truly see his life for what it could be? And will it spark more than a friendly, Christ-like gesture between the two of them?

Series: The Lawson Series, #1

My rating:

 

*sigh* I really, really tried to like this book.

But, obviously, I didn't.

It was incredibly hard to get into this book. It took me literally weeks to get through it. I'd pick it up, read a few pages, and put it down for a few days.

The amount of pages overwhelmed me when I realized I had that many to get through before I was finished. But I pushed through, hoping that maybe it'll get better. Maybe the finale will be fantastic and breathtaking. 

Aaaaaand it's taken me over a month to talk myself into writing this review.

So, what didn't I like? *cries*

-The writing style was kinda amateurish, I could definitely tell that it was a debut novel. There was a lot of telling and less showing, and some of the scenes dragged on because of this. I'd just start to get sucked into a scene when the writing style would suddenly jerk and pull me out of it again.

-The romance. I knew that it was going to be a romance. But the COVER *heart eyes* is so adorable and from all I'd heard about it, the romance was super sweet. So I decided to give it a go. *deep breath* I...shouldn't have, honestly. This is the main thing I disliked. The first page of the book (please FORGIVE ME if I give out spoilers) has our heroine eyeing the town drunk, thinking how good-looking he is and that she'd consider marrying him...if he weren't a drunk. And our couple is constantly thinking about each other. Okay, fine, two people attracted to each other are gonna think about each other, I'll give you that. But when they insist upon just 'being friends' yet show up for each other when they're sick with soup and stay to watch a movie with them?? Not to mention forehead kissing and hair stroking when they're?? Just?? Friends?? *headesk* Oh, and let's not forget their first 'real' kiss! (they kissed once before but felt horrible about it and kept denying their feelings bc there's too many things between them...but they kissed anyway...like...no thx) Cute date, I suppose...but then a kiss and she's giggling and telling him how he tastes?? So he reciprocates?? *cough* sorry. Rant over. I'll move on.

-The plot was good enough, but cliche. Dude hits tragedy and becomes the town drunk. Finds sanctuary and stability in his daily trips to a bakery. Falls in love with the cute, sweet baker. She shows him what faith in action looks like. He has a rough journey but hopes to make it to where she is. Not bad, just...kinda meh. 

So what did I like?? (yes, there actually were a couple of things that I liked...surprised?)

-The characters were pretty good! I wouldn't say there's anything extra special about them...but they were still enjoyable. (Bri's character got on my nerves several times, but overall, she was a fun character) Mark was my favorite, though!

-The message was so good. Miss Grace brought out several excellent points and didn't shy away from the tough questions. I so appreciated this! She even gave me goosebumps a couple of times. ;)

So, yes, to say that my ride with this book was a rollercoaster would be an understatement...but I do believe that it's going to really touch someone someday! I...just am not that person.

*I received an e-copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.

Have you ever read a book that everyone loved and you didn't?