The Familiar Stranger

Title: THE FAMILIAR STRANGER
Author: Christina Berry
Publisher: Moody Publishers
September 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8024-4731-9
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction

Sunday, and Denise Littleton is getting ready to go to church. But her husband, Craig, drops a bombshell on her. He is stressed out, and urgently needs to get out. He’s planning on going hiking, even skipping the deacon’s meeting following church. Denise is a bit put out, but she agrees to make Craig’s excuses, and she takes her boys and goes to church.

In the middle of the service, the phone rings, and Denise is informed that her husband has been in an accident, and she needs to report to the hospital. When Denise arrives, she discovers Craig is in a drug-induced coma to give his body a chance to heal. When Craig finally wakes up, Denise is thrilled Craig is alive, but she doesn’t understand why Craig doesn’t remember her—or her sons. The doctor assures her that he will regain his memory in time.

But as time goes by, Denise and Craig begin to learn horrible things about the man Craig was. Craig is very apologetic for all the hurt he’s caused Denise, but as the truth emerges, is Denise going to be strong enough to handle it?

I am totally impressed. THE FAMILIAR STRANGER is Christina Berry’s debut novel and it is wonderful! I totally loved how the whole book is written in first person, both in His and Her points of view – though they are clearly differentiated so you know who’s side of the story you are reading. And even though I got totally angry at the man Craig was, I couldn’t bring myself to hate him, the man he was after the coma, was so different, better, loveable. And Denise is a wonderful heroine. Strong, yet weak.

Christina Berry is definitely a writer to keep an eye on. She’s going to go far. THE FAMILIAR STRANGER is a book you will not want to miss. I am still in awe. This book is going on my keeper shelf, and I am looking forward to reading subsequent works by this very talented author. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $13.99. 336 pages.