A great, heart-wrenching read
930417
Reading this book won't take much of your time, but it will rock your safe little world if you let it! Laura Parker does a great job of being real and honest as she recounts the experience of sending her husband to investigate and witness human trafficking first-hand. No longer is it seen as a problem "over there" ... they are face-to-face with this sickening reality. Compelled by their faith and their own children, the Parkers know they must act. However, nothing about this situation is easy. Motivated by a love for people, especially the least of these, they take the challenge and try to penetrate the darkness. They labor tirelessly so that the Exodus Road motto is true: Rescue is Coming. Get the book, let it impact your life, and join in the efforts to rescue modern-day slaves.
2237741
As members of the human race, we all need reminders from time to time of the value of human life.  This is a wonderful, heart-wrenching, yet liberating account of a mother's journey to freedom.  It has opened my eyes to my own prejudices and judgments towards others.  I read it in one sitting and am now reading it again.  So touching!
3204054
What a wonderful and heart wrenching story!!  Little Maggie is sure to capture your heart with her curiosity and inquisitiveness about things.  This story takes you through the raw emotion of a family who is faced with a life altering diagnosis...and how in 1 day, your lives can change forever.  It definitely tugs at the heart strings and gives you an inside look to what a family faces when dealing with a child who is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.  I hope the author writes more books, maybe a series on little Maggie's life : )!!
2565493
When she becomes caught between her children, with one the victim and the other the enemy, Kate Rose has to make the hardest decision of her life. The legal system is not her friend as she fights to protect both of her children.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this one up. My heart broke as I learned what a twelve year old boy did, more than once, to his autistic sister. The idea of a family fracturing so badly, and a mother forced to go through such heartache made for a compelling read that I did not want to put down.

At times, the writing style of the author seemed to be more telling instead of showing but overall it was an enjoyable read.

This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a contemporary story of family conflict.

I was given a free copy of this novel as part of the Loving the Book tour.
4318522
I knew what I was getting into before starting this book from the synopsis, but the feels got to me, and this book made me weep! This was such a heartfelt story, not only about the loving relationship between human, and dog, but with family dynamics and relationships. I was smiling 95% of this book, and then crying the other 5%. There are also many life lessons that are taught by the author, and I am always happy to read a book that can make me think, and open my eyes to how I live my life. I would recommend this book to any dog lover, or just anyone who loves animals, but once again, be warned you will cry if you are a ball of emotional mess, like myself.
1850113
Wonderfully written not only from a mother's day-to-day experiences, but also from Jeff's input as he lived his addiction.  One attempts to understand both sides of this story. I highly recommend reading this book multiple times to comprehend the impact and consequences of this illness which consumes family and friends. This story was extremely painful and difficult to live, and it seems equally painful and difficult to put into words so others may learn.  Much praise for this heart-wrenching story!!
462465
This was a very heavy read. I purchased and read the book within a couple of hours. It's heartbreaking to read--and frustrating at times that she doesn't just leave--but left a tear in my eye.

A very eye-opening book of struggle and abuse. I think it's a great read for anyone.
2500712
Roman and Leo's story is, at times, heartrending to read, whether it be Roman's back story or how in love and hopeful they had been as teenagers only to have everything ripped apart. This book comes with trigger warning, specifically those having to do with homophobia and familial violence. Without giving too much away, one of the main characters suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and repressed emotions and memories. For a great deal of the book, the intensity is there but right beneath the surface, almost as if the reader is waiting for everything to come to a head. The author deserves kudos for taking this story in a direction that I wasn't expecting, and the resolution, while a long-time coming given it was all set into motion when Roman and Leo weren't even adults, played out in what I felt was the best possible and most realistic manner. This is a book that I won't soon forget and I hope you experience the same when you discover His Truth. Five-plus stars.
4828419
As someone who has dealt with depression and is also a huge lover of Golden Retrievers, I was very interested in reading this book. It was better than I expected. Julie writes beautifully, pulling you into her world immediately. It was heartbreaking often, uplifting at times and truly heartfelt. I really enjoyed reading this book, so much so that I read it in only two days. It brings to light two things that we should talk about more: depression and the healing power of animals. And I loved the title and cover photo. A great, honest, universally relatable, moving read.
4124456
I really enjoyed this book - it is probably my favorite JoJo Moyes book.  It is extremely heart-wrenching in that the overall subject matter is a tough one.  I have recommended it to several friends as it is a book that makes you think 'what would I do in that situation' and I cannot wait for one of them to read it so we can further discuss.
2155739
I really enjoyed this book. At first, I wanted to kick Ben's butt, however, as the story continued, I fell in love with just as Sam did. The tumultuous journey these two take was so heart-breaking, yet beautiful. Many tears of joy and sadness were shed by me while reading. Thanks to the authors for providing me an ARC.
1771863
This isn't a light, easy read; it deals with some very difficult and heart-wrenching subject matter. But I could not put it down, and while it does wring the heart out, it warms it as well.
4902068
I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't really sure at first if I wanted to get it; it deals with a very painful subject, but it was put forth thoughtfully, sensitively. I enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters, and there were a couple of scenes that almost brought me to tears. The subject matter is hard to deal with, but the writer handled it very well and turned out a very emotionally satisfying, well-developed book. I also appreciate the care that was taken in researching the book, since it is historical fiction based on fact. The author did a very good job in not only character development, but also in world building. You felt like you were actually THERE witnessing all these events with the characters. Well done!
3985403
Such a beautiful, moving story, and well-written to boot. Having lost many family members myself to illness and violence, and wanting to feel their presence when they were gone, I was touched by this story. It brought me to tears with the struggles those who have already passed on have in letting their family pass into the light. SPOILER: At first I couldn't understand why a main character was written out of the story halfway through, but the author resolved the matter.

You're not only in for tears, but laughter as you watch the Deadlines interact with each other. I highly recommend this story.
3257131
Oh. My. Goodness.  I could not put this book down!  It was one of the quickest reads while also being one of the most difficult.  It is hard to read about such atrocities especially when they involve children.  My heart broke time and again, as I read about the stark reality of Grubb's upbringing.  To know that poverty and abuse exist is one thing, to read a first-hand account of it is another thing entirely.  To see the strength and spirit that Grubb exhibited was inspiring and also reassuring--- if she can make it through all of that and lead a productive, positive life, then what am I doing complaining about seemingly insignificant things?

Though, I am giving this book 5 stars, I will say I was left wondering what happened to a few of the people in Grubb's life.  Perhaps she doesn't know or there was no way to fit it in to the book.  Even with a few unanswered questions, I whole-heartedly recommend this book.
2863827
Well written, interesting style, heart-wrenching subject matter
4555986
This book encompassed heart-wrenching, soul-stirring agony, pain, joy, fear, redemption, and hope. I could not put this book down and was just astonished at the two stories that became one as they unfolded in this read. I cried tears of sadness at the suicide, the brutal murders, and the beatings, but I also cried tears of joy at the births, the freedoms, the reunions, the happiness. I've never seen Afghanistan in the way I saw it in this book. Through this read, I was able to see the life through the eyes of two middle-eastern girls who became women and how they changed the course of their lives, despite the almost unescapable odds...Absolutely Amazing!