Nora S. (biblegirl06) reviewed You're the One That I Want (Christiansen Family, Bk 6) on + 92 more book reviews
I cheered and felt sad when I finished reading this heart-felt, wonderful conclusion to an amazing series that answers questions like. What does a Christian family look like? How does a family put their faith into action? And was this really the last book in the series? LOL!
I like what the author said about the Christiansen's, "When I conceived this series, I wanted a story about real people dealing with real issues of faith and family. I didn't want to shy away from the mistakes but to tell a story about a family that faces its share of darkness...and discovers a God who is standing at the doorway." She achieved her goal as each book focuses on one of the Christiansen adult children and their struggles and triumphs.
I've waited to read Owen's story for five books now. I'm happy to report this author pulls out all the stops in showing his journey; I was spell bound enjoying every second of his adventure. This novel starts out on the stormy seas of Alaska. Owen has tried to run far from his former life and has become a fishermen on a crab ship. That's where he meets Scotty McFlynn Owen thinks, "Finally he met a girl who didn't see him for his past...she only saw a drifter, a hard worker, a guy trying to make sense of the cards life dealt him."
Scotty was solely raised by her father. She called him Red. He taught her everything she knew about fishing and life. She tells Owen, "You know what being Red's daughter has taught me? That there is no room for crying, Life happens. People die. There are no fairy tales or happy endings. It's the way it is, and if I want to survive, I can't let people get close enough to hurt me!"
She was rough and tough. She had to be to survive the sea and a boat load of young men on the ocean for a month. Owen is starting to stir things in hear heart she hasn't felt before. It's scares her and her ordered life.
Casper has set out on a mission to find his brother Owen. He has issues that need to be settled. His brother was the only thing standing in the way of him marrying Raina. His brother had no idea that Layla was his daughter. He'd already missed a few months of this little one's life tracking down Owen. Casper wanted to marry Layla's mother and be the father to this precious girl that stole his heart.
Things get messy when the brothers finally meet and start to head back to Evergreen (their family) Resort. Casper has had months to plan what he wanted to say to Owen. Owen is shocked to see his brother in Alaska. Casper meets Scotty who tells him a thing or two about his brother he finds hard to believe.
Casper, Owen and Scotty learn about faith and how to put it into practice as they lean on God's strength in the process. Owen says to Scotty, "Faith is reaching out, believing in what you can't see...When I first got hurt I wanted nothing to do with God. Later, I couldn't face the colossal mess I'd made of my life. But then I realized I couldn't fix myself, that I needed help (I realize)...I'm not a total screw up, or if I am God can help me fix it."
The author says, "God is a pursuer, and even as we push him away, he says, "You are not alone. If you will allow me, I will fix this...It's easier to endure the self-flogging, the shame, the guilt, because, we know we deserve it." She goes on to say, "Who am I beyond the Prodigal? How does someone face their past and move on to what God has for us....We are the redeemed. The forgiven. The sons and daughters of the king. Suddenly we can rise, look forward into a new dawn, glorious and rose gold, full of promise. And it is this view that changes everything." Amen!
I like this author's heart and her writing style. I wasn't raise in a Christian family. I found this family dynamic very interesting and insightful in how this family with adult children work together, were loyal to each other and how they tried to show unconditional love the best they could.
This novel can be read as a standalone but it's much more rewarding when you've read the whole series because you'd have seen Owen at his worst and realize how far he'd grown and how his family had grown along with him. I enjoyed hanging out with this loud, fun family that lives life large with each other and in their adventures. I loved how this story is not preachy but this author makes the reader think about their family challenges wondering how they'd react in that situation.
This author quickly makes you feel part of the Christenson family. You'll find yourself wanting to re-read this series just for fun. It's also a wonderful book club pick. This author includes 12 questions to help create lively discussions for your group. This novel and this series are ones you won't soon forget. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD Tyndale
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
I like what the author said about the Christiansen's, "When I conceived this series, I wanted a story about real people dealing with real issues of faith and family. I didn't want to shy away from the mistakes but to tell a story about a family that faces its share of darkness...and discovers a God who is standing at the doorway." She achieved her goal as each book focuses on one of the Christiansen adult children and their struggles and triumphs.
I've waited to read Owen's story for five books now. I'm happy to report this author pulls out all the stops in showing his journey; I was spell bound enjoying every second of his adventure. This novel starts out on the stormy seas of Alaska. Owen has tried to run far from his former life and has become a fishermen on a crab ship. That's where he meets Scotty McFlynn Owen thinks, "Finally he met a girl who didn't see him for his past...she only saw a drifter, a hard worker, a guy trying to make sense of the cards life dealt him."
Scotty was solely raised by her father. She called him Red. He taught her everything she knew about fishing and life. She tells Owen, "You know what being Red's daughter has taught me? That there is no room for crying, Life happens. People die. There are no fairy tales or happy endings. It's the way it is, and if I want to survive, I can't let people get close enough to hurt me!"
She was rough and tough. She had to be to survive the sea and a boat load of young men on the ocean for a month. Owen is starting to stir things in hear heart she hasn't felt before. It's scares her and her ordered life.
Casper has set out on a mission to find his brother Owen. He has issues that need to be settled. His brother was the only thing standing in the way of him marrying Raina. His brother had no idea that Layla was his daughter. He'd already missed a few months of this little one's life tracking down Owen. Casper wanted to marry Layla's mother and be the father to this precious girl that stole his heart.
Things get messy when the brothers finally meet and start to head back to Evergreen (their family) Resort. Casper has had months to plan what he wanted to say to Owen. Owen is shocked to see his brother in Alaska. Casper meets Scotty who tells him a thing or two about his brother he finds hard to believe.
Casper, Owen and Scotty learn about faith and how to put it into practice as they lean on God's strength in the process. Owen says to Scotty, "Faith is reaching out, believing in what you can't see...When I first got hurt I wanted nothing to do with God. Later, I couldn't face the colossal mess I'd made of my life. But then I realized I couldn't fix myself, that I needed help (I realize)...I'm not a total screw up, or if I am God can help me fix it."
The author says, "God is a pursuer, and even as we push him away, he says, "You are not alone. If you will allow me, I will fix this...It's easier to endure the self-flogging, the shame, the guilt, because, we know we deserve it." She goes on to say, "Who am I beyond the Prodigal? How does someone face their past and move on to what God has for us....We are the redeemed. The forgiven. The sons and daughters of the king. Suddenly we can rise, look forward into a new dawn, glorious and rose gold, full of promise. And it is this view that changes everything." Amen!
I like this author's heart and her writing style. I wasn't raise in a Christian family. I found this family dynamic very interesting and insightful in how this family with adult children work together, were loyal to each other and how they tried to show unconditional love the best they could.
This novel can be read as a standalone but it's much more rewarding when you've read the whole series because you'd have seen Owen at his worst and realize how far he'd grown and how his family had grown along with him. I enjoyed hanging out with this loud, fun family that lives life large with each other and in their adventures. I loved how this story is not preachy but this author makes the reader think about their family challenges wondering how they'd react in that situation.
This author quickly makes you feel part of the Christenson family. You'll find yourself wanting to re-read this series just for fun. It's also a wonderful book club pick. This author includes 12 questions to help create lively discussions for your group. This novel and this series are ones you won't soon forget. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD Tyndale
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
Virginia P. (virginiajeanne) reviewed You're the One That I Want (Christiansen Family, Bk 6) on + 207 more book reviews
Former hockey player Owen Christiansen works on a fishing boat and is interested in the captain's daughter, Scotty. When the two get an opportunity to visit Owen's family in Minnesota and solve a crime, Scotty falls in love with not only Owen, but his large family was well. I thought this book was very good, and a nice conclusion to the series.
Cindy J. (cindyj) -
Christiansen Family series finale
You're the One That I Want wraps up the Christiansen Family series by Susan May Warren. Family black sheep Owen Christiansen has run about as far as possible, now working on an Alaskan crabbing boat. He has made plenty of mistakes in his life and isn't aware of the extent of the chaos he left behind after a one-night stand which, unknown to Owen, resulted in the birth of his daughter. Casper, Owen's brother, wants to marry Raina who is the mother of Owen's daughter. (This is not a book spoiler.) Casper tracks Owen to Alaska and the hospital where Owen is recovering after a boating accident which included Scotty McFlynn, the boat's first mate.
The reunion between Owen and Casper in the hospital was incredibly awkward, in my opinion, but I can't imagine how it could be anything else given the situation. There was another awkward scene near the end of the book, which I won't elaborate about to prevent spoilers. Overall, though, the book was about living life to the fullest and with enthusiasm, which can often lead to stupendous wipeouts but can also be richly rewarding. The book was generally well written, and I don't recall any repetitious dialogue or commentary.
If you have followed the Christiansen family through this series, I would recommend you read this final installment. If this is your first Christiansen family story, I would probably recommend you start elsewhere. While this was not my favorite story, it was well crafted, in my opinion.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.
You're the One That I Want wraps up the Christiansen Family series by Susan May Warren. Family black sheep Owen Christiansen has run about as far as possible, now working on an Alaskan crabbing boat. He has made plenty of mistakes in his life and isn't aware of the extent of the chaos he left behind after a one-night stand which, unknown to Owen, resulted in the birth of his daughter. Casper, Owen's brother, wants to marry Raina who is the mother of Owen's daughter. (This is not a book spoiler.) Casper tracks Owen to Alaska and the hospital where Owen is recovering after a boating accident which included Scotty McFlynn, the boat's first mate.
The reunion between Owen and Casper in the hospital was incredibly awkward, in my opinion, but I can't imagine how it could be anything else given the situation. There was another awkward scene near the end of the book, which I won't elaborate about to prevent spoilers. Overall, though, the book was about living life to the fullest and with enthusiasm, which can often lead to stupendous wipeouts but can also be richly rewarding. The book was generally well written, and I don't recall any repetitious dialogue or commentary.
If you have followed the Christiansen family through this series, I would recommend you read this final installment. If this is your first Christiansen family story, I would probably recommend you start elsewhere. While this was not my favorite story, it was well crafted, in my opinion.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.
