🌅🌄 "Facing The Dawn" (2021) - Book Review 🌄🌅

 

MY REVIEW

 

Paperback: 320 pages 

Publisher:  Revell (March 2, 2021) 

Language: English

ISBN 10: 0800737296

ISBN-13: 978-0800737290

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“While her humanitarian husband Liam has been digging wells in Africa, Mara Jacobs has been struggling. She knows she's supposed to feel a warm glow that her husband is nine time zones away, caring for widows and orphans. But the reality is that she is exhausted, working a demanding yet unrewarding job, trying to manage their three detention-prone kids, failing at her to-repair list, and fading like a garment left too long in the sun.

 Then Liam's three-year absence turns into something more, changing everything and plunging her into a sunless grief. As Mara struggles to find her footing, she discovers that even when hope is tenuous, faith is fragile, and the future is unknown, we can be sure we are not forgotten . . . or unloved.”

 

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books) for providing a complimentary review copy through their Revell Reads program. A positive review was not requested or required, and all words are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by the author and I was very impressed. But, I would like to note – this isn’t one of those “feel good” when you get done kind of reads. It is an emotionally gripping read that tackles the subjects of loss, grief, depression, teen pre-marital sex, miscarriage, drug use, and suicide. These could be triggers for some readers, so caution is highly advised.

With that said …

The cover demonstrates a range – gorgeous, beautiful, haunting, lonely, and calm. Like the cover, the premise of Facing the Dawn has a decidedly “movie” quality, like one you’d see on the Lifetime Channel. The author tackles the story with a sad, but realistic tone in this standalone read.

The premise is devastatingly realistic, gut-wrenching, heart-breaking in a rarely seen reality of grief.

Ruchti’s characters are realistic, brutally honest. I absolutely loved Sol and his calming presence. He truly was the quintessential gentleman – supporting Mara by being there or helping her without being pushy. Ashlee, her friend, doesn’t give up on her and pushes her to move forward. Not move away from her grief, but move forward through it.

Mara’s kids – Dylan, Chelsea, and Jeremy are reeling from their father’s 3-year absence while he was doing humanitarian work in Africa. And, it is reflecting on their attitudes, which at one point is directed at their mother. And, to say that Mara is overwhelmed is at best inadequate – even more so with her job at a cheese factory. I will give it up for the author; that was an interesting job to give a character.

As the story progresses so too do the characters in a natural manner that doesn’t seem contrived or unreal. The biggest character development is with Dylan and Chelsea, more so after multiple tragedies strike the family. It is the second tragedy some readers might take issue with. Mara’s development is the least impactful, though in some ways, understandable.

Using short chapters, a visceral and vivid prose, and loads of narrative; the reader is plunged into Mara’s turmoil almost immediately as the story begins. Some of it is repetitive, mostly in the way of Mara’s thoughts, though by about halfway in the repetition ends.

While I do understand the work that humanitarians do, it is this work that is difficult on the families at home – such as Mara’s. In this situation, it didn’t seem like a good idea. Right off the reader sees Mara being overwhelmed; she doesn’t expect sympathy from anyone, though it would be nice. There’s even an issue about “school treats” which is almost commonplace due to all the regulations. The house is in disrepair and needs work that Mara doesn’t have money or time for.

At first, the children seem like they’re ready for “detention” – Chelsea is bratty, Dylan is almost a criminal, and Jeremy isn’t much better.

During their tragedies, they watch as their grief becomes everyone else’s through social media. And, I’m sure we’ve all seen that play out with celebrities and those we know. But, the author makes us think about the impact that public grief has on the family, in addition the family’s sacrifice for a greater good.

Mara starts going through her bible using “bible roulette”. And, her long-time friend shows up to “rescue” her. Ashlee does nothing more than force Mara forward – not over, but through the grief. Ashlee at first doesn’t approve of her friend’s “bible-study” method, but it eventually does help Mara.

However two enemies of Mara’s are her cynicism and wandering mind. Still, she is torn between carrying the ache and carrying on with life. She apologizes for “laughing” in the middle of her “mourning” period.

Chelsea becomes close with her older brother’s peer counselor, and there is a secret she hasn’t shared – a painful one.  

Halfway through, Mara deals with another setback with Dylan, but it is the result of the second tragedy. Sol is there with nothing more than “love”. Love holds on.  And, he tells her to have faith when it comes to Dylan.

Something Ashlee says is quite poignant – “beauty and love are what heals us”. And, she learns out that what gets Dylan into trouble turns out to be a blessing for someone else – that he ended up saving a young man and his mother.

Mara, thinking she is on her way, is dealt another setback. After getting treatment and into therapy, Ashlee takes her on a vacation.

Ashlee reminds Mara that like a book – chapters build on each other.

The ending is beautiful, poignant, and endearing. It is definitely a story of God’s grace in our messy lives.

Despite the content and subject, I found this difficult to put down. Though, to be honest, this does give off sad vibes and can easily bum someone out. I wanted to keep reading through it to find the “light”, but definitely needed breaks. It was difficult to read. Why did I choose it? It was part of the selection for the month and the premise sounded interesting. It was also a bit out of my comfort range. But, I am certainly glad I read it.

This is written more for fans of the author, and if future books aren’t so sad, I would be inclined to read them.

As this is distributed by Revell, a predominately Christian publisher, there are themes of hope, salvation, bible quotes, God’s word and promises. These are very pivotal to the story.

 

 

RATING:

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

 

Cynthia Ruchti is the award-winning author of more than 30 books, including the novels Miles from Where We Started, A Fragile Hope, Song of Silence, When the Morning Glory Blooms, and They Almost Always Come Home. Her books have been honored with more than 40 awards, including Romantic Times' Inspirational Novel of the Year, two Selah Awards, and three Christian Retailing's BEST Awards, and she has been a finalist for many others, including the Carol and the Christy. Former president of and current professional relations liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Cynthia lives in Wisconsin and can be found online at www.cynthiaruchti.com.

 

 

You can find her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaRuchtiReaderPage

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthiaruchti1994/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cynthiaruchti

 

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