⛪✝️💗 "Lost and Found Faith" (Cedar Ridge #3) (2021) 💗✝️⛪ - Blog + Review Tour
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Lost and Found Faith by Laurel Blount, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Author: Laurel Blount
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: August 24, 2021
Genre: Christian, Contemporary Romance
ALSO AVAILABLE
MY REVIEW
Thank you in advance to the author, Laurel Blount, for providing a complimentary review copy of the book through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was definitely not required or requested in any way; all words are my own.
I have been eagerly awaiting another Laurel Blount book since reading Hometown Hope and A Rancher to Trust. After reading those two books, I did manage to snag copies of A Family for the Farmer and A Baby for the Minister. Both are still on the eternal TBR list.
Lost and Found Faith is the first book in a new series by Blount. And, as such – this really packs quite the emotional punch.
With sensitive topics such as spousal (and child) loss, drug use/addiction, realities of foster kids, as well as a texting while driving fatality.
The cover is actually stunning, inspiring, full of awe and wonder. It reminds me of a scene from Touched by an Angel.
Blount didn’t shy away from anything here. Her realistic and often heart-breaking plot is also sprinkled with hope, honesty, redemption, humor, and sweet moments that uplift the soul.
Neil has been widowed for about three (3) years, and in as much time has become disengaged from his students who’ve nicknamed him Iceman. He is also a bit absentminded, thus the “absent-minded professor” stereotype. But, his lack of engagement has cost him something else – his ability to teach and a few assignments.
Maggie is trying to foster and adopt her friend’s barely 3-year-old son, Oliver. Oliver is barely potty-trained and has a tendency to run off from Maggie who he isn’t attaching to which is problematic in his “placement” as nobody wanted a Pre-K kid who isn’t potty-trained.
Oliver is found by Neil and immediately attaches to hi despite little kids not being his specialty. Neil, not knowing the situation, tells Maggie he is a mandated reporter. He’s required by law to report cases of neglect or abuse to the authorities. Maggie is well aware of it. He knows something is up when Maggie refers to herself as Ruby’s daughter.
Maggie is upset by Oliver’s attachment to Neil, though Ruby – having fostered kids included Maggie that were HTP (hard to place) – says it will take time. Though Maggie doesn’t think it is fair to move forward if Oliver can’t.
The principal at the current school wants the old award-winning, engaging, and extraordinary teacher – but, Neil isn’t him anymore.
Maggie asks Neil to help her with the student lunches. It is during the lunch drive that Neil is told about a former student’s tragedy – one almost exactly like Neil’s. Since Neil wasn’t paying attention, he ended up flunking the kids which cost him a shot at college ball.
Dex definitely has nothing nice to say about Neil. The other students barely engage with him but adore and hug Maggie. Yet Oliver tries to ignore Maggie. It is clear that Neil can’t continue teaching.
After a stressful day, Maggie eventually goes to Neil for help with an inconsolable Oliver. Though his attachment to Neil means that perhaps the social worker was right – Oliver would do better in a 2-parent home rather than the single parent home he is in, similar to the one he was in with his mother. [Honestly this is what came to mind as I read his difficulties].
Maggie had once wanted to attend cooking school, but for her, food is more about feeding people than dressing it up. Food is also a central theme in this story.
Despite Maggie’s good intentions, Oliver might not thrive with her.
The author makes a solid point about moving kids around thus affecting their ability to attach and thrive in a home. And, that is the fear Maggie has – she knows first-hand. This leads to an unlikely “partnership” with Neil to transfer the attachment Oliver has built with him to Maggie. Neil is willing to help despite not knowing where to start or how.
Neil does “melt” a bit and offers Dex a second shot. The teen is wary, but accepts given what is at stake.
The longer Neil is with Maggie, the more he relaxes and begins to melt the icy façade he has built up. It even results in a kiss between the two. However, they differ, severely, on their relationship with God. Neil finally tells Maggie what happened with his wife.
Maggie’s faith is essential to who she is as it salvaged her. Neil can’t budge as he feels betrayed, that is until Ruby confronts him over a class for Oliver. And, it is Oliver’s sweetness that seemingly turns Neil around, slowly though. I loved the “gots God in a box” quote from Oliver.
Blount has a short, but effective scene when it comes to foster kids and food. Maggie gets angry at Neil over taking some cookies from Oliver. She later explains the issue. And, it is definitely heart-breaking, if not at the very least sad. Yet, Neil takes the incident in stride.
Blount’s even pacing, slightly short chapters (less than about 15 pages per chapter), and engaging dialogue kept me reading and turning each page hoping Oliver would turn a page as well. There were some tense moments towards the end that kept me engaged.
This is definitely a day read despite how long it took me to read it (2 days). There were times I needed to walk away because of the “feels”, and other times I just couldn’t put it down. There were times I laughed, such as the period type costumes Neil would wear; along with Maggie and Neil’s experience with a “tent” that is advertised as a 1-person job and ends up needing 3. Who hasn’t had an experience like that? I think we all can relate. And, who hasn’t mentioned leaving a bad review on Amazon or other retail site?
As this is distributed through the Christian/faith-themed Love Inspired line from Harlequin; there will be references to God, bible quotes, as well as Christian/faith themes throughout. These are highly connected to the plot.
Fans of the author or genre are sure to enjoy and treasure this one!
I can’t wait to see what Blount has planned for
the next visit to Cedar Ridge.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – BookBub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ –
Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive an embroidered dishtowel with Maggie’s favorite saying “The kitchen is the heart of the home” and a $25 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 23, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 30, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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