Review and Giveaway: Summer of Joy Ann H. Gabhart

Summer of Joy

by

Ann H. Gabhart

About:

As summer draws to a close Jocie’s world seems serene–but is it just the calm before a storm?

Unbeknownst to Jocie Brooke and her family, two people are making their way to the small town of Hollyhill, Kentucky. One everyone thought was gone for good and the other no one’s ever heard of. Still, one thing is sure–they promise trouble. The past is coming to call, threatening to destroy strong relationships that everyone has simply taken for granted.
The summer of 1964 may be winding down, but the controversy in this little community where nothing ever seems to change is just heating up.
Bestselling author Ann Gabhart invites you to Hollyhill for a story both exciting and enduring that will stick with you long after you turn the last page.

My thoughts and giveaway:

This is a book that took me a few chapters to really get into but once the book grabbed me I didn’t want it to let me go.

There are many different characters in this story and you will be in the head of a lot of them. It think that’s why it took me a while to get into it, the first few chapters I was in a different person’s head and didn’t connect with any of them right away.

This is the third book in a series and there are a few references to things that took place in the other books but once I got a grasp on what was happening in this book I had no problem absorbing this charming set of characters and the intriguing plot.

I really liked the mystery behind Mr. Hammond who is Jocie’s English teacher and seems to have it out for her and have a thing for Leigh, David’s (Jocie’s dad) girlfriend/fiancé. What’s going on with him?  Why does he seem to be targeting Jocie and her family?

Then there are people from the past who have the potential to show up in Hollyhill and shake things up. What will happen to the characters we have come to love once they come and bring their baggage with them?

This story is full of broken people who need a Savior. God’s grace is all over this book and great example of how each of us need to  extend that grace to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Visit Ann’s website here.

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.