Spring Into Reading with The Joy of Falling

Hello reader friends! Welcome to my Spring Into Reading Event! Every day this month I’m going to feature a new release (or will be released) book for you to add to your TBR. There will be guest posts, giveaways, book excerpts, and more! So make sure you come back daily and see what book is in the spotlight next! And if you’ve missed any, be sure to click on the “Spring Into Reading” tab and look at the other posts!

Today I’m sharing my thoughts on Lindsay Harrel’s new novel, The Joy of Falling. In addition, Lindsay has graciously offered to give a copy away to one US resident! WOOHOO!! I just adore her books. They are full of emotion, have powerful messages, and just speak straight to your heart. If you haven’t read any of her novels, well then you better jump on this bandwagon!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Eva and Angela must learn to live again. One step at a time.

It has been fifteen months since Eva and Angela lost their thrill-seeking husbands in a scuba diving accident. Both women are trying to navigate their way through the grief, but neither one is making much progress. Angela is barely making ends meet, angry at her husband for leaving her to raise three children on her own. Meanwhile, Eva is stuck, unable to move forward after losing the love of her life and her source of inspiration.

But then Eva gets a life-changing phone call. Before Brent and Wes died, they had signed up for a race of a lifetime—an ultra-marathon in beautiful New Zealand. Eva begs Angela to run the race with her in their husbands’ place, and Angela finally agrees, hoping to finally understand her husband’s choices.

Training is exhausting, and the race is even more demanding. Their journey grows more complicated by the presence of two men—Marc is Brent’s best friend who is running the race with Eva and Angela, and Simon King is a writer who is covering their inspiring story. With every step, Eva and Angela must ask themselves questions that they haven’t had the courage to ask before. As the women literally put one foot in front of the other, they wonder: Is it possible to find their way forward in hope?

MY PERSPECTIVE

Harrel gives readers a story of hope, second chances, healing, and restoration in The Joy of Falling. With beautiful settings, broken characters, and a secondary character to adore, this is another winner in my book. There were a few moments that I teared up a little bit and reached for my tissues, as the characters had to come to some realizations about their past and what that meant for their future. And really, it got me thinking about myself and my own story. That’s what Harrel’s books always do to me – make me reflect. It’s also why I am so drawn to them. I want to read a book that is going to entertain for sure, but I also want a book that is going to make me dive deep into my soul, and perhaps work on a thing or two!

Probably the thing I gravitated to the most in this novel, was the relationship between Eva and Angela. Yes they were sister-in-laws, but they weren’t really that close. In my opinion, the loss of their husbands should have brought them closer, but then everyone grieves in their own way, and has their own demons to deal with. But throughout this book, on their path to healing, you see them slowly come together. Their journey from in-laws to friends was such an emotional part of the story, but one I found necessary and I appreciated. I don’t always need romance in a good book (I know some of you are gasping). And while there is romance here, to me it’s more of a secondary story instead of the main one.

Speaking of secondary, I really liked the secondary character in this story. Eva and Angela’s mother-in-law was a fantastic character. She was reserved at times, but a constant in their story. She instilled words of wisdom to both Eva and Angela that really spoke to my heart. Don’t you just love it when a secondary character shines!? She really was a bright spot in this story with her grace and wisdom.

Harrel fans will enjoy reading The Joy of Falling. And if you’re not a fan yet, perhaps this book will make you one! I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd with a B.A. in journalism and M.A. in English. She lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. Lindsay has held a variety of jobs, including curriculum editor for two universities, medical and business writer, and copywriter for a digital marketing agency. Now she juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with working freelance jobs, teaching college English courses online, and—of course—writing novels.

When she actually has time to do other things, she loves to sing, read, and sip passion iced teas from Starbucks. She loves to watch God work in ordinary lives to create something extraordinary, and she writes to bring hope to those who may have lost it along the way. Connect with her at www.LindsayHarrel.com and any other place she hangs out online, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What interests you most about this book? Don’t forget to stop back every day this month for more great reads, and if you’ve missed any days, go back and check them out!