Book Review (and a Giveaway!): A Fragile Hope by Cynthia Ruchti

Hope grows when seeds are planted-even in the muddy middle of life.

Josiah Chamberlain’s life’s work revolves around repairing other people’s marriages. When his own is threatened by his wife’s unexplained distance, and then threatened further when she’s unexpectedly plunged into an unending fog, Josiah finds his expertise, quick wit and clever quips are no match for a relationship that is clearly broken.

Feeling betrayed, confused, and ill-equipped for a crisis this crippling, he reexamines everything he knows about the fragility of hope and the strength of his faith and love. Love seems to have failed him.

Will what’s left of his faith fail him, too? Or will it be the one thing that holds him together and sears through the impenetrable wall that separates them?

GENRE: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction
PUBLISHER: Abingdon Press
RELEASE DATE: April 4, 2017
PAGES: 320

“Hope doesn’t have an expiration date.”

My friend Beth over at Faithfully Bookish has a word for trying to “squeeze words out of feelings” – SWOOF. I will be swoofing throughout this entire review. What a riveting and touching novel!

Karin and Josiah’s story captivated me from the very first scene, and I could not put it down until I’d reached the last word.  Though most of the novel is seen from Josiah’s perspective, I felt as though I knew Karin just as well – if not better. The exquisitely-talented way in which Cynthia Ruchti crafted their interactions, their thoughts, their stories – in light of their current situation – it all burrowed in my heart and refuses even now to let go.

Josiah begins as a character whom I’d like to purse whomp several times over, but his growth throughout the novel is both touching and authentic. Karin is someone you’ll want to gingerly hug more than once, and your heart will break for her pain. And for Josiah’s.

And Stan … oh be still my daddy’s-girl heart. Stan. He’s the one who made me cry and smile the most – sometimes both at once. He’s the first character I’d love to sit down with for a chat. The second would be Dr. Moore and/or Nancy Drew (yes, you read that right). Each are considered secondary (or even more minor) characters, perhaps, but for me they framed the main story with humor and humanity.

Bottom Line: Don’t let the title fool you. This story is anything but fragile. It’s a picture of vulnerability, yes, but even more so of strength. Of having everything you thought you knew ripped out from under you and struggling to stand under the onslaught. It’s not knowing how the story will turn out (for the characters or the reader) until the last pages. It’s learning how to truly love, how to truly forgive, and how to truly move past the past. Highly highly recommended.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 5 stars / In a class by itself

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Cynthia Ruchti tells stories-hemmed-in-hope through her award-winning novels, novellas, nonfiction, devotions, and speaking events for women and writers. She currently serves as professional relations liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), connecting the organization with retailers, libraries, book clubs, and readers. Cynthia and grade-school sweetheart husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five (to date) grandchildren.

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More Books by Cynthia Ruchti

When your life’s work revolves around repairing other people’s marriages, what happens when your own marriage begins to fall apart? Find out what happens to Josiah Chamberlain in Cynthia Ruchti’s new book, A Fragile Hope. Feeling betrayed, confused, and ill-equipped for a crisis this crippling, he reexamines everything he knows about the fragility of hope and the strength of his faith and love. Love seems to have failed him. Will what’s left of his faith fail him, too? Or will it be the one thing that holds him together and sears through the impenetrable wall that separates them?

Celebrate the release of A Fragile Hope by entering to win Cynthia’s Sign of Hope Giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of A Fragile Hope
• A metal wall scripture hanging

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on May 3. The winner will be announced May 4 on the Litfuse blog.