Journey to Faithful

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I struggled with the rating for this book, and even more so with the review. I used to rate everything 5 stars and say how great it was, because I never wanted to hurt someone's feelings, but that doesn't help the author grow, I still don't want to hurt feelings, especially Anna's because she is a lovely person that I consider a friend, however, I need to be honest. And let me just say here, before I get started that I know my opinion isn't going to be popular, I've seen reviews from people that fell in love with this book. When you read on please remember this is just one person's opinion. You may take something different from this book than I did.

“No two persons ever read the same book.” (Edmund Wilson)

I thoroughly enjoyed Anna Bishop Barker's first book, Going Under and really wanted to fall in love with Journey to Faithful but it just didn't happen for me, I'm afraid. I felt that there were too many POVs, it would have read better if it was just from Jake and Laura's - it was their story to tell, after all. It was a good storyline but I felt like it was missing the suspense that it could have had. Part of that, I think, was the Brotherhood POV, it wasn't necessary and took away some of the suspense of the story.

It truly was a book of two halves, the first half was the escape, that we know about but don't actually see, and the journey cross-country to Faithful, it was kind of slow and I found myself getting distracted easily. The second half was more about the romance and Jake and Laura's relationship, which was much better for holding my attention, I really liked them as a couple, even though, that L bomb was a little premature for my tastes. Seeing the relationship grow and finding out more about them was sweet. Again, personally, I would have liked to have experienced them getting to know each other a little more, rather than Sam telling each of them about the other in what I'm calling ‘flashbacks', I just don't think it was necessary and messed with the flow of the story.

I enjoyed the supporting character interactions, Mercy is a hoot and I adored Kyle, but the less said about him the better because I am very, very upset. I'm not joking, Anna, how could you?!?!

The writing is great, Anna knows how to tell a beautiful love story, like I said, I just wish there was more of it. She definitely knows how to hit me in the feels department...Kyle (insert angry emoticon here) and I'm not ashamed to say she had me in tears...that takes talent, which she definitely has in abundance.

There are a few little inconsistencies in the book, that although small, took me out of the story. I really wish they had been caught, as I think it makes it harder to fully immerse yourself in a story when you stop and say to yourself, ‘what? But I thought....'

With all this being said, Journey to Faithful is only Anna's second book and I feel she is still honing her craft, I will read the next book in the series.


*Warning: I know I'm normally pretty strict about spoilers, however, I know some people need a warning to prepare themselves. This book insinuates child rape.