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Book Review of The Sweet By and By (Songbird, Bk 1)

The Sweet By and By (Songbird, Bk 1)
sugarandgrits avatar reviewed on + 79 more book reviews


As some of you already know, I'm trying to branch out and read other genres besides just Romance. This was one of those instances. I'm happy to say that this was a great jaunt into a different "world"!

In my teens, country music was the music to listen to, here in my hometown...so, I grew up listening to Sara Evans' songs. A couple of them were among my favorites, i.e., I Could Not Ask For More, and No Place That Far, to name a couple. If you enjoy books revolving around music, hippies, heartache, forgiveness, and finding the way to Christ, all with a little bit of love thrown in...this book is definitely for you.

You will immediately be drawn into the heart-breaking journey that is Jade's life. Her whole adult life has revolved around a very hard decision she was forced to make when she was only sixteen. Her family became very dysfunctional when she was still really young, and she hasn't had a close relationship with her parents ever since. She has never felt safe, or truly loved, since that terrible day when she was 8-years-old.

As the story opens, we meet Jade after she's all grown up, and is about to be married. She is the owner of The Blue Umbrella, her vintage shop in Whisper Hollow, TN. She lives in the loft above her shop with her faithful, one-eyed companion, Roscoe. The whole town of Whisper Hollow is made up of unique and unusual characters, as well as cozy businesses, up and down Main Street, where Jade's shop is located.

When Jade and her fiance meet with the minister to plan the ceremony, tough questions come up concerning Jade's relationship with God. She feels unworthy of Christ's love, though she knows He exists. She just doesn't think He can forgive her for the horrible decisions/mistakes she's made in the past.

It's very easy to become immersed in the lives of the Fitzgerald family. By the time you get to end of this book, you're really sad to see them go...at least I was. I'm hoping this will turn out to be the start of a series. I would love to find out what happens to Jade's siblings: Aiden and Willow...maybe they will share there own stories with us at some point.