reviewsbyerin | "A Fragile Hope" by Cynthia Ruchti

Josiah Chamberlain is a noted marriage author and speaker, and he is overjoyed to be finishing another manuscript that will hopefully bless thousands of couples. His own marriage seems on solid ground - or so he thought up until the day Karin decided to leave him. Josiah's devastation is compounded by the fact that she can't offer him any answers, because on her way out of town she was involved in a terrible accident and now lies unconscious and unresponsive in a hospital bed.

Caught off guard by the fact that she felt a separation was necessary and the medical crisis which shifts everything about his daily activities, Josiah is confused and heartbroken. How can he work at rebuilding their relationship when Karin can't wake up? Even if she does, he doesn't know if she even wants to be married anymore. There are so many more questions than there are answers.

With gripping writing, Cynthia Ruchti takes us alongside Josiah during his agonizing watch over Karin. Hope, love, uncertainty, determination, and fear quiver in his heart, taking their turn dominating his emotions the way the clock dominates the brief moments each hour he can spend at Karin's bedside. Everything he thought he knew about marriage is thrown out or tested, and no matter how his agent presses him to continue with his scheduled events and upcoming deadlines, Josiah's well is empty.

This character-driven book was hard to put down. I found Josiah and Karin's story touching and heart-stirring. How can one hope when the outcome of hope is so in doubt? Josiah can't even find voice for his deepest fears, yet he finds strength to persevere one dark moment at a time, wanting to know yet terrified to know the state of his wife's heart should she be able to communicate again.

I would recommend this novel for all who are in a dark night of their own. Often our own hopes seem uncertain and cloudy, whether or not life-threatening situations are involved. Cynthia does such an excellent job of showing how God can meet us in those moments.

I received my copy of this book from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.