I love second-chance stories. Josh and Lily meet again as volunteers at the Garden Tomb in the Holy Land, and get a chance to see if they can rekindle their romance that started at university. The story is told in flashbacks to show how they got to where they are. While the two desire to please God in their choices, they battle to overcome their past hurts and disappointments.
Both feel the weight of parental expectations as far as their education and careers are concerned. Throw in cultural and political pressures, and family interference, and they have a mountain to climb. The scars of their upbringing shaped both Lily and Josh into the people they are and impact their interactions with one another.
It’s encouraging to see their character grow as they grasp for a second chance in love. You cannot help but root for them, and the support from their friends goes a long way as they chase their dreams.
The story is told against the backdrop of a historic and religious site, the Garden Tomb. The author does an excellent job in bringing the vivid setting to life. There are a lot of Christian references as the characters come to grips with their struggles in their faith and relationship. This can be too much for some, even though it is done in an easy-to-read way.
I enjoyed this story from an author who is new to me, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
You can find more details about the book here:
Author information: www.ruthforchrist.com