Saturday, June 11, 2016

Jaded

Jaded: A Novel 

Mended Hearts Series #1 

Paperback, ebook 

March 1, 2015

by Varina Denman

  • Paperback: 432 pages
  • Publisher: David C. Cook
  • ISBN-13: 978-1434708373

Winner of the ACFW Genesis Award for Romance, Jaded combines small town warmth with a coming of age love story.

As a child, Ruthie was shunned by the local congregation. Thirteen years later, Ruthie’s heart begins to stir when an attractive single preacher arrives. But their relationship is bitterly opposed—unearthing a string of secrets which threaten to turn the church, the town, and her world upside-down.

Jaded is the rare novel that is both love story between a woman and man ... and God and His church. Plunging deep into the waters of shame, forgiveness and restoration, it will resonate with every woman who’s experienced a loss of heart ... and a thirst for hope.

My thoughts:  Okay, I'll be honest here. I kind of dreaded starting this book because for one reason, it was THICK. And for another reason, someone said it was YA. Well, I don't remember who said it or how they got that impression, but they were wrong. 

Yes, JADED is thick. And even though the story is kind of slow and not really action-driven, it is very definitely character driven. Ruthie is an outcast in town and doesn't even know why. All she knows is that the church is to blame and when the new preacher shows an interest in her... well... that is not good. Not good at all. 

Written in first person (Ruthie's point of view) and third person (Dodd's point of view) this is a combination I've never seen before. At first it threw me and jarred me out of the story, but then I got used to it and didn't even notice. Well, hardly notice. I fell in love with Dodd, with Ruthie, with Gradie, with JohnScott and most of the residents of this quirky little town. The author has got small towns down pat and it was so real. 

I could guess some of the things that transpired, but only because I know how it works. I will not call this story predicable in any way. I highly recommend JADED and promise you that you will not notice the thickness once you get started reading it. 

I have to admire Ms. Denman's ability to write a slow romance that is still so full of tension it's amazing. Absolutely loved JADED. 5 stars. 

1 comment:

Varina Denman said...

Laura, thank you for such a kind review, and thank you for loving Ruthie and the others as much as I do. :)

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