The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck Book Review

Product Details:

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595544895
• ISBN-13: 978-1595544896
  

The Sweet By and By is about a woman, Jade, who is still reliving events of her past.  After being away from her childhood life for a decade, she's about to marry Max Benson.  Her experiences past college has led to a successful career and a new life.

In spite of trying to rise above and move forward especially with her upcoming marriage, she finds it's not as easy to do when her hippie mother, Beryl, and wild-child younger sister arrives for the wedding.  Throughout the story, the reader catches glimpses of the life she's trying to forget which allows a basis for the story.  This Christian fictional novel touches on the need to forgive which is always a message anyone can use.  Even though Jade vows to leave the past in the past with her Fiance, she struggles throughout the story with fullfilling that promise.

The chapters flowed well and were not too long.  It was an easy to read book with great descriptive characters.  I particularly enjoyed reading how Sara and Rachel made God a character in the book.  The book is laced with possible lessons to learn and most likely, the reader will be able to relate to portions of the story with dysfunctional families.  I also liked the section Reading Group Guide that allows you  to explore the book's message in greater depth from certain chapter experiences.

Overall, I would recommend this heart warming book especially for women and more particularly, women who can relate to a troubled upbringing with less than stellar parents.

*Disclaimer:  I was provided this complimentary book by the Thomas Nelson Publishing Group in exchange for my review.