MY REVIEW:
“A Broken Kind of Beautiful” is a beautifully written and poignant story that is filled with such insight into the human spirit. It is overflowing with grace that brings healing and more into the lives of two very broken people.
Ivy Clark, a very successful model since her mid-teens, has been manipulated and exploited for her entire career. She has experienced life in the fast lane when all she really desired was the love and acceptance of her father. Davis Knight, once an up-and-coming professional photographer has given up his profession to become a church caretaker. Ivy and Davis are brought together by Marilyn Olsen for a magazine spread featuring her line of wedding gowns. Davis immediately recognizes that there is more to Ivy than her flippant attitude and soon finds himself thinking about her constantly. Ivy resists his friendship initially but soon realizes how dependent on him she has become. With the help of Marilyn’s unconditional love and the Holy Spirit, Ivy and Davis manage to overcome their pasts and to anticipate a brighter future than either expected.
“A Broken Kind of Beautiful” was difficult to read at times because of the intense emotions experienced by the primary characters. I didn’t always like Ivy but nevertheless I could understand her actions because of her background. I did like Davis throughout the story although at times I wanted to tell him to “get over the guilt”. But despite the love interest between Ivy and Davis, I felt that Marilyn was the real star of this book. Her love for everyone, especially Ivy, was a beautiful and bright light that illuminated her faith in Christ.
I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to read this wonderful book. I enjoyed both Wildflowers From Winter and Wishing on Willows but I think Katie has taken “A Broken Kind of Beautiful” a step further. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for her readers next.
An advance reader copy of this book was provided for review by the author.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Sometimes everything you ever learned about yourself is wrong.
Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth—appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line—an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white.
If only her tenuous future didn’t rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the façade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her—a woman stained and broken by the world—yet wants her still?
Praise for A Broken Kind of Beautiful
“Both beautifully written and honestly told, A Broken Kind of Beautiful is captivating! Faith is the resounding heartbeat of this poignant story, but Ganshert also breathes to life a tender romantic tale and a powerful inner journey as soothing as sweet tea on a hot summer day.”
—Denise Hunter, best-selling author of Dancing with Fireflies
“In A Broken Kind of Beautiful, Katie Ganshert writes her most compelling novel yet, where imaginary characters seem to step off the pages. Readers will embrace both Ivy and Davis as they struggle with who they are and who they want to be. The story lingers with you after you close the book, like a melody you want to listen to again and again.”
—Beth K. Vogt, author of Catch a Falling Star and Somebody Like You
“A Broken Kind of Beautiful is beautifully written and populated with characters that tugged at my heart from the first page. This story is about The Story—the best story of history—that of God’s redeeming grace and pursuing love. I found it moving, inspiring, and wholly satisfying. Another Katie Ganshert novel for my keeper shelf!”
—Becky Wade, author of Meant to Be Mine
“Ganshert’s fresh, riveting novel of shattered dreams, second chances, and true love is one that will capture readers’ hearts and refuse to let them go. This story reveals the deep truth that we can trust our fractured hearts to the God who specializes in mosaic tiles—the One who formed the universe from words and man from dust, and who has no trouble figuring out how to bring beauty from the broken.”
—Betsy St. Amant, author of All’s Fair in Love and Cupcakes
“Katie Ganshert has created characters so real, my heart ached for them as I longed to know them more and soothe the hurts in their pasts. The truth threaded through the pages is one to savor, as is this story of a journey from brokenness to redeemed beauty.”
—Cara Putman, award-winning author of Shadowed by Grace
“Katie Ganshert’s A Broken Kind of Beautiful is poignant, heartfelt fiction at its finest—a gentle story of hope and healing wrapped in the kind of romance that keeps the reader turning pages. I love the emotional depth, lyrical writing, and strong sense of place. Most of all, I love that days after closing the book, the characters are still alive in my head.”
—Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Say
“With a setting that becomes its own kind of character, a tender romance and soul-stirring symbolism, A Broken Kind of Beautiful is a shining example of how God’s grace can restore the brokenness in our lives. Her gorgeous writing voice pulled me in from the first page and kept me thinking about her characters after the story ended. Katie’s novels are to be savored and enjoyed again and again.”
—Lisa Jordan, award-winning author of Lakeside Reunion and Lakeside Family
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Katie Ganshert graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education, and worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her husband and their young son. She is the author of Wildflowers from Winter and Wishing on Willows.
