Thicker than Blood by C.J. Darlington – Book Review

Pages: 389
Genre: Christian Fiction
Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis

(From Goodreads)

Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build her career as a buyer for a large used bookstore. So far she’s been able to keep her drinking problem at bay, but everything changes when she lands a DUI on her thirty-third birthday.

When she’s accused of a crime she didn’t commit at work, she has nowhere to turn. She yearns for her estranged family, especially her younger sister May whom she hasn’t seen for fifteen years. Now the owner of a failing cattle ranch in Elk Valley, Colorado, May couldn’t possibly want a relationship with the big sister who didn’t even say good-bye all those years ago, could she?

Soon Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her abusive ex-boyfriend, and God. Could the Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she’s searching for, or will May’s new-found faith give her even more reason to reject Christy?

Rating

5/5

My Thoughts

This story was a very inspirational story about family, love and forgiveness. It showed that even when you think life will never get better because of all the mistakes you’ve made, it eventually does…you just need to make the right and hard decisions. Darlington has an ‘easy to read’ writing style. She was straight forward and didn’t use big words to impress.

I was committed to the story fairly quickly. I wanted to know what drove Christy to be the way she is and what her story was. I know how alcohol can damage someone’s life and I wanted to see how she beats it. The storyline was intriguing and well written. I like the Christian story beat weaved in because she didn’t preach at the readers, she naturally incorporated God into the storyline. I enjoyed the danger elements, her wrong choices and her loving sister that was trying to forgive. Well done!

I feel that the Protagonist (Christy) was very relatable because we all make stupid mistakes that we wish we could change. I’m also sure that many women understood her need to get away from Vince. Darlington incorporated the dialogue into the story very naturally. I knew who was talking all the time and didn’t have to guess. She also kept it realistic.

I enjoyed the supporting characters because they each had a crucial role to play in the story. I liked how straight forward Jim was and how fun and loving Beth was. The Antagonist (Vince) was written so well that I severely disliked him. I believe the theme of the book is basically about forgiveness and redemption from past mistakes and Darlington kept true to this theme right through. She especially brought it through with the two sisters’ internal conflict.

The plot was believable because it happens to people a lot. Bad mistakes, abusive relationships, lost family ties, alcohol abuse and finding forgiveness and redemption. There are many people out there whose lives read the same way. Thicker than Blood kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next for most of the book. I didn’t want to stop reading because I wanted to know what happens.

This was a feel good book of a woman that overcame her faults and stood victorious at the end. She knew who she was by the end and that she is loved and forgiven. I wouldn’t say that I learnt anything new but I was reminded about how great God is and how He saves us from the bad in our lives if we allow Him to. He causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him. That is always a good reminder.

Have you heard about this book? Would you like to read it?
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