This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
She Makes It Look Easy
David C. Cook (June 1, 2011)
by
Marybeth Whalen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Marybeth Whalen is the wife of Curt and mom of six children. The family lives outside Charlotte, NC. Marybeth is a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries writing team and a regular contributor to their daily devotions. Her first novel,The Mailbox was released in June 2010. Her next novel, She Makes It Look Easy, will be released in June 2011. Additionally, she serves as director of She Reads, Proverbs 31 Ministries’ fiction division.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Ariel Baxter has just moved into the neighborhood of her dreams. The chaos of domestic life and the loneliness of motherhood, however, moved with her. Then she meets her neighbor, Justine Miller. Justine ushers Ariel into a world of clutter-free houses, fresh-baked bread, homemade crafts, neighborhood play dates, and organization techniques designed to make marriage better and parenting manageable. Soon Ariel realizes there is hope for peace, friendship, and clean kitchen counters. But when rumors start to circulate about Justine’s real home life, Ariel must choose whether to believe the best about the friend she admires or consider the possibility that “perfection” isn’t always what it seems to be.
If you would like to read an excerpt of She Makes It Look Easy, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
If there is one predominant message in She Makes It Look Easy, it is the scripture above. How much pain and heartache Justine could have avoided if she had just learned to be content instead of imagining her life away. She still had not learned that lesson by the end of the book. On the other hand, Ariel had many of the right answers from the beginning but didn’t know it. Fortunately she learned the truth before it was too late.
She Makes It Look Easy was an interesting if not entertaining story that brought home some very strong truths. This narrative was so realistic that I saw things about my own past through it. Not a comfortable feeling which detracted from its entertainment value. The story is told from two points of view – Ariel’s and Justine’s. I was never able to like or even empathize with Justine. She was manipulative and just never seemed to be genuine. I also became frustrated with Ariel’s naivete and wanted to shake her until she could see clearly how she was being used.
Well, as my grandma used to say, “It all came out in the wash.” Actions have consequences and everything that is hidden will be revealed. And that is the way She Makes It Look Easy concluded. Such a sad story yet it was so full of lessons in real life. Be aware that this book will challenge more than entertain. It’s not for a day when you need a light distraction.
