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reviewsbyerin
Matt Buchanan couldn't be more excited about his new job as a worship pastor at Pursuer's Church. He's now working underneath his mentor, the man who led him to Christ. Everything about this is a dream come true.
An accident with his grandmother's violin causes him to seek out a local luthier. He doesn't play, but the violin holds sentimental value. Though worried the violin will never be playable, luthier Siobhan agrees to restore it as best she can as a keepsake.
As Matt and Siobhan get to know each other as friends, Matt doesn't understand why Siobhan is resistant to going to church. As he unravels her story, he discovers that she has been harmed by the church—specifically his church, his pastor. She was used, abused, and shamed. No wonder she's hesitant to have anything to do with God.
The second half of this split-time story weaves a tale from the author's own family history. Deborah Caldwell survived a scalping as a child, but her life has been forever marred not only by scars but by terrible headaches and awkward stares from those around her. Will she ever be able to feel at home with anyone besides her father and sister? What of finding love and establishing a home of her own? And when she comes face to face with one from the scalping party all those years ago, how could she even begin to think about forgiving him?
Siobhan wrestles with coming to terms with her past, Matt questions what to do with the knowledge that his mentor is a predator, and Deborah seeks a grace deeper than any she could have imagined. This novel takes a square look at abuse in the church and deep wounds of the soul.
Amanda Wen tackles all these topics with such grace. Your skin will crawl with the realistic portrayal of those who are wolves in sheep's clothing, and your heart will soar through the sweet romance. The themes of this novel are woven skillfully through every thread. I highly recommend The Rhythm of Fractured Grace and hope you will be as blessed by it as I was!
I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.
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Date: 2024-03-19 07:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-03-21 03:34 am (UTC)