The Wonder of You

Title: THE WONDER OF YOU

Author: Susan May Warren

Publisher: Tyndale

June 2015

ISBN:  978-1414378459

Genre: contemporary romance

Series: Christiansen Family #5

Mortified after her semester abroad is cut short, Amelia Christiansen returns to Deep Haven, certain she isn’t brave enough for the adventures she’s dreamed of. The last thing she expects is for the man who broke her heart to cross the Atlantic and beg forgiveness.

Heir to a European hotel dynasty, Roark St. John has trekked from one exotic locale to another, haunted by tragedy and the expectations that accompany his last name. Amelia is the first woman to give him a reason to stop running. He’ll do anything for a second chance―even contend with Amelia’s old flame, who is intent on sending Roark packing.

While one surprise after another leaves Amelia reeling, Roark’s continued presence only highlights the questions pursuing her. Like him, is she running from the life God has called her to? Could finding her new place mean leaving home behind?

THE WONDER OF YOU is Ms. Warren’s most recent books. I’ve been a long time fan—my favorite writer—of her stories so I was looking forward to reading this book. It is the fifth book in The Christiansen Family series, but it does stand alone, though the stories are intertwined some.

Amelia believes she is weak and a failure since she went home to Deep Haven. She felt betrayed by Roark and now trapped in Deep Haven, working as a maid for her brother at the family resort. Her high school boyfriend is waiting in the wings tempting her with an idyllic dream, complete with marriage and a bunch of children. But Roark isn’t so willing to give her up. He trails her across “the pond” and takes a job at the local coffee shop and is willing to do whatever it takes to show Amelia that he can fit in Deep Haven… even if it means making a fool of himself. 

I loved, loved, loved this story—except for at first. Amelia is the baby of the family and as such, immature. At first I wasn’t totally sure who Amelia would choose. Seth is a dear, too, if a bit territorial, and I hope Ms. Warren plans a story for him. I can’t wait to read the sixth—and final—book in The Christiansen Family, You’re the One I Want, coming in 2016. An excerpt is included at the end of THE WONDER OF YOU and I read it—something I rarely do. Discussion questions are included, too, making this ideal for a book club.

4.5 stars. Available in ebook and paperback. 416 pages.

I obtained this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.