Book Description:
Ava Larson is going to bring all the other brides to tears.
Engaged to a wealthy NYC socialite’s son, Ava is ready to set the city abuzz with her glamorous wedding. At least until she realizes her relationship isn’t what it should be. Then, in a move as daring as a red satin dress, she does the unthinkable–she calls it all off and makes a promise to God that from now on, she’ll save sex for marriage.
She’s convinced the future is hers for the taking, especially when an undercover cop promises a new romance…and an unexpected friendship with the homeless guy under her stoop brightens her days.
But when her carefully balanced life teeters out of control, weddings aren’t the only thing to make her cry. Ava has to figure out what life she really wants to live…and what in the world love really means.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I Always Cry at Weddings is Sara Goff’s delightful debut novel set in New York City. The story is a contemporary romantic comedy that’s different to many other books in the Christian fiction genre. Ava comes across as a little shallow at the start of the story. She has spoiled princess moments, and she takes for granted the privileges that accompany her glamourous New York City lifestyle. We see Ava evolve and grow as the story progresses and her life circumstances become more challenging.
Ava has everything she could want from a financial perspective, and a bright future with a fiance who can provide a life of luxury and comfort. Her future mother-in-law adores her, and she is forced to deal with a very personal crisis as her wedding day draws closer.
We journey with Ava as she calls off the wedding and deals with the aftermath. Her life is no longer mapped out for her, and she struggles to regain her feet and find purpose. The urban setting is brought alive in the story, and the sensory detail draws the reader into the vibrant New York City setting. Ava’s dating escapades have a realistic edge. We see the city through her eyes, including the good, the bad and the ugly.
Ava’s faith journey is not really apparent until later in the story. The spiritual content is subtle, and Christian themes of social justice are infused in the story. The large majority of the characters don’t hold Christian values and beliefs. As a result, the story includes situations that we don’t often see in Christian fiction stories that are populated with Christian characters. Conservative readers may be offended by some of these situations. The characters make mistakes and have to live with the consequences of their poor judgment. Ava is at times naive, and she’s also determined to take some big risks to achieve her goals.
The characterisation is excellent and the story contains strong romantic elements. The minor characters add additional layers to the story. I was intrigued by Chris, a homeless man who slept outside Ava’s apartment complex on a flat cardboard box with his dog for company. The story has humorous moments and twists and turns that kept me guessing and led to a satisfying ending. I highly recommend this book to readers who are looking for realistic and entertaining contemporary Christian fiction in an urban setting that tackles social issues.
Learn more about Sara Goff and her books at her website.
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
Narelle, I’m truly grateful for your review and recommendation. My hope for I Always Cry at Weddings is to reach young women who are struggling to regain their feet and find purpose, as you so beautifully stated. Thank you.
Hi Sara, You’re very welcome. It was an absolute pleasure to read your book, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to share my thoughts on your story with our Inspy Romance readers. :)
Sounds like a book to put on my list. Thanks for sharing your review.
Hi Kaleen, I’m glad to hear you’ve added Sara’s book to your list. I hope you’ll have a chance to read it soon :)
Kaleen, I hope I Always Cry at Weddings speaks to you. Many themes come up throughout Ava’s journey, from self-discovery to recognizing unconditional love. Thanks for your comment. I’d love to hear what you think of the book!
It sounds good. I look forward to reading it. Thanks for the review!
Hi Kathy, I read the book within 36 hours because I just couldn’t put it down! That doesn’t happen to me very often, and I hope you’ll enjoy the story :)
Narelle, how exciting that you couldn’t put I Always Cry at Weddings down!! :)
Thanks, again, Narelle! It has been so much fun connecting with readers.
Kathy, I hope you enjoy Ava’s story! This is a book I’ve spent many years writing…and contemplating!
Sounds like a great read. Will have to put it on my wish list.
Hi Beth, I’m glad to hear you’ve added the book to your wish list, and I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read it :)
Thanks, Beth! I wanted Ava’s story to be both entertaining and thought-provoking. From the feedback I’m getting so far, I think I’ve achieved my goal! Happy reading!
Narelle, thanks for sharing this new-to-me author, Sara Goff. I think it’s great that there is a wide variety of Christian fiction available, and sometimes I enjoy the edgier books. I also think that’s what is likely to reach young readers and those who are unsure about their faith.
Hi Lee, I agree, it’s great to see the Christian fiction genre is providing a wide range of stories for readers. I Always Cry at Wedding is definitely edgy, and has the potential to reach younger readers who can identify with the contemporary urban setting.
Lee, I’ve spent time with many lost souls while living in Manhattan, and there were times, when I felt lost myself. I couldn’t write the book without being true to that feeling of not knowing where to turn and grabbing for the first extended hand to come along. Ava needs to hit bottom before she reaches for God’s hand and truly believes His love will fulfill her. I hope you enjoy her journey and would love to hear what you think!
This sounds like a book I would love to read.
Hi Linda, I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Sara’s book and enjoy the story :)
Linda, I’m so happy to hear it! I’m sure you’ll see that I’ve put my heart into Ava’s story.
I also enjoy the edgier books. I am looking forward to reading this book. The NYC setting really has me interested too.
Hi Nancy, I’ve always been fascinated by NYC and I loved the setting! I hope you’ll enjoy reading Sara’s book :)
Nancy, the city is practically a character in the story! :) You feel it every step of the way, through good times, romantic times, and a few scary times when Ava gets herself into uncertain situations. Thank you for your comment!
I’d enjoy reading this romantic comedy! Thanks for the review :)
Hi D, There were many LOL moments in the story and a fun tone that I enjoy reading, too. :)
Thank you for your comment! The themes are poignant, and the story is true to life, but that doesn’t mean I don’t go for a chuckle here and there. :)
This book sounds right up my alley. In fact, it sounds like something I would write. I’ll definitely have to pick it up! Thanks for the recommendation.
Hi Christina, I like discovering books that are similar to what I write, too :)
Christina, how exciting that we have similar tastes in reading and writing Christian fiction. I’ll check out your books!
Thanks for this honest review, Narelle. I enjoy characters who aren’t perfect and make mistakes. After all, none of us are perfect, but the important thing is we learn from those mistakes.
Hi Jill, I agree, and I really liked how Ava learned from her mistakes, eventually. In real life we can be sometimes be slow or unwilling to change our ways and learn the lessons from our poor decisions. The characters are far from perfect, which can make them more likeable and true to life :)
None of us are perfect. That’s so true, Jill. If I had surrounded Ava with moral, Christian characters, then readers who struggle with faith and love would not be able to relate to the story. They wouldn’t believe in Ava’s journey to finding faith. Thanks for your comment. I hope you enjoy the book. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I usually enjoy reading romance books with the Christian worldview that are “different”. Thank you for your review, Narelle. This is definitely one now on my too large “want to read” list.
Hi Mary, I know your reading tastes and I think you’ll enjoy this story. I won’t apologise for adding another book to your “want to read” list, lol. Thanks for stopping by :)
Hi, Mary! I’m so happy I Always Cry at Weddings made it onto your reading list. I took a risk writing a “different” Christian novel, and it took time for me to reach the truths I weave throughout Ava’s story. I hope you like it and will be able to read it soon! :)
I read it this week and didn’t want it to end. I loved it.
Hi Suzie, I know that feeling! I was glad I had the time available to read it quickly. I’m glad you loved the story :)
Thank you, Suzie!!! :)
It sounds like a woman who has made mistakes and wants to rectify those & turn her life around to live for God! I’ve been there and done that, so dealing with real life situations and people in stories makes it a good read for me! I do draw certain lines in what I read, but this sounds like it’s all in context and something I would enjoy reading for myself. Thanks for the honest review, really appreciate that so as not to be surprised by some content I’d rather not read about :-) Guess I’ll also be adding this to my want-to-read list!
Hi Trixi, I’m glad my review has helped you to decide whether or not this book is for you :) I understand why many readers prefer sweet stories that don’t touch on the seedier side of life, and my own books fall into that category. I wouldn’t define Ava as the good Christian girl who makes Biblically correct decisions, and her decisions are a reflection of where she’s at in her faith journey.
Trixi, I’m the same way. I’ve faced challenges in life and have put myself in situations where as a Christian, I’m the minority. It isn’t easy and I wanted to make that clear in the story. I see the beauty in all humanity, and I would say especially in those who have had to work for their faith in God. The books I most admire give a voice to these people and do it tastefully. I hope you feel I’ve achieved that. If you decide to read I Always Cry at Weddings, I’d love to hear your thoughts.