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Release date: December 4, 2018

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Blurb:

No longer tolerating her husband’s borderline abuse, Faith escapes to her parents’ California beach house to plan her next move. She never dreamed her new chapter would involve befriending Sarah, a fourteen-year-old on the run from her father and reeling from her mother’s sudden and suspicious death.

While Sarah’s grandmother scrambles to get custody, Faith is charged with spiriting the girl away on a journey that will restore her hope: Sarah implores Faith to take her to Falkner’s Midnight Sun, the prized black mare that her father sold out from under her. Sarah shares an unbreakable bond with Midnight and can’t bear to be apart from her. Throughout the sweltering summer, as they follow Midnight from show to show, Sarah comes to terms with what she witnessed on the terrible night her mother died.

But the journey is far from over. Faith must learn the value of trusting her instincts—and realize that the key to her future, and Sarah’s, is in her hands.

Review:

I swear there is no other author who writes about unlikely friendships quite as authentically as CRH does, many of her novels showcase new relationships between a young person and someone older but each new book sheds light on various themes and issues making them unique. I don’t often use the term page turner in WF but her books really are, once you enter the world she creates it’s hard to step back into reality.

This follows Faith, a woman who just left her husband and Sarah a young teenager whose mother just died. All of CRH’s books are perfect for animal lovers, but if you love horses this is a must read. The entire book centers on Sarah’s magical relationship with her horse Midnight and it highlights the special bond between human and animal. It was really beautiful and as Faith helps Sarah through her grief and pain she finds her own inner strength that she didn’t even realize that she possessed.

This one gave me all the feels, it was an emotional read with plenty of highs and lows. Per usual, my faith in humanity was restored by the end. It’s full of memorable characters and amazing life lessons but it’s not so heavy as to be depressing. Another solid read from one of my favorite authors!

Just After Midnight in three words: Tender, Uplifting and Moving.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: November 27, 2018

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Blurb:

When Sadie Harlan visits her daughter, Lauren, at her summer internship in Yosemite National Park, it seems like the perfect way to forget about her empty nest and failing marriage back home. But when the two women get lost on what’s meant to be a short hike, they suddenly find themselves fighting for their lives.

As they search for food, water, and civilization, they battle injury, exhaustion, and natural predators. Sadie, however, is assaulted by more than just the unforgiving elements. She lost her first child years earlier in a tragic accident, and in her sorrow, she’s pushed everyone away—including her husband. Now, Sadie must face her past through a journey of love, loss, and learning to forgive herself if she and Lauren are to stand a chance at getting out of Yosemite alive. Will a mother’s courage be enough to save them both?

Review:

I think one of my worst fears is being lost in the wilderness, I am so ill equipped as I’m not the outdoorsy type at all and I’m sure I would have a panic attack. Bratt taps into that fear in this novel and takes both the characters and the reader on an unforgettable journey that shook me to my core.

Sadie and Lauren share a typical mother and daughter bond, the kind where things aren’t always easy and there is plenty of strife. With Lauren in college now Sadie is feeling the loss of her child and Lauren is trying to break free, gain independence and grow into a mature adult. I felt so much empathy for Sadie as a mom, she just wants to protect her daughter and being lost in a national park makes this difficult to say the least. Both women were extremely well developed and both undergo a pretty serious transformation throughout the book which is always a pleasure to witness.

There were so many great themes here, it explored the love between a mother and daughter, loss, grief and how to find inner strength when you’re just beyond hope. It was so beautifully and was a true story of survival and relentless resilience in the face of extreme adversity.

Dancing With the Sun in three words: Inspired, Poignant and Emotional.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy