Jaded
A Novel
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5.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Winner of the ACFW Genesis Award for Romance, Jaded combines small town warmth with a coming of age love story.
As a child, Ruthie was shunned by the local congregation. Thirteen years later, Ruthie’s heart begins to stir when an attractive single preacher arrives. But their relationship is bitterly opposed—unearthing a string of secrets which threaten to turn the church, the town, and her world upside-down.
Jaded is the rare novel that is both love story between a woman and man ... and God and His church. Plunging deep into the waters of shame, forgiveness and restoration, it will resonate with every woman who’s experienced a loss of heart ... and a thirst for hope.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this capable debut novel, home educator and Bible study teacher Denman offers a glimpse into the complexities of life and romance in a tightly knit west Texas town. Years after the Turner family is caught in a scandal and ostracized, Ruthie Turner develops a romantic interest in Dodd Cunningham, the new local minister, setting the stage for the revelation of a string of secrets. Trapp, Tex., is no bucolic escape: it s characterized by closed-mindedness, grudges, secrets, and distrust of outsiders. Denman refreshes an oft-told tale by adding variations to familiar character types. The cast is large, but the characters are well developed, making it easier for readers to follow their interactions. Although ostensibly a romance between Ruthie and Dodd, Denman s novel is ambitious and multilayered, reading more like women s fiction as it focuses on the issues of shame and forgiveness. Ruthie and Dodd alternate narration, which can be jarring at times. Denman offers an engaging tale of forgiveness and acceptance with memorable characters, and to her credit, she avoids a predictable ending.
Customer Reviews
Beautiful - a great read
This book was really enjoyable and surprisingly moving. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book - from the synopsis it really could have been a historical for all I knew. Well, it's actually a well-written contemporary that is beautiful, transporting and hopeful.
Let me tell you about Ruthie. Living in the small town of Trapp has both its good sides, like her cousin, who is more like a brother and best friend in one, and its hardships, working two jobs to stay afloat and the ever-present rejection from the church and its members. Ever since she and her mother were asked to leave the congregation, Ruthie hasn't wanted to have anything to do with the church or the disapproval of its members. But a new family in town, a young pastor, his younger brother and mother, has the small community of Trapp abuzz. Ruthie is determined to keep her distance - all Christians are alike in her mind, not to be trusted thank you very much - but Dodd, the pastor, is captivated from the moment he sees Ruthie. As Dodd and his brother work their way into the fabric of Ruthie's life, they promise to challenge all of Ruthie's protective walls and maybe even her beliefs about God's role in her life.
I enjoyed Ruthie's strength, resilience and wit. I loved her relationship and banter with her cousin. And the romance - so sweet and yet realistic as Ruthie and Dodd face many challenges. The storyline is very relatable, the harm caused by the church is so very diverse and widespread, yet the book is hopeful and healing. The setting is perfect, I could almost taste the Texan dust, and the story kept me captive enough that I read it in one sitting. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, which will follow one of the secondary characters.
Fiction. Christian. Contemporary. Romance.
The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.