Book Description:
Becoming a Christian is the best and worst thing that has ever happened to Sarah Hollenbeck. Best because, well, that’s obvious. Worst because, up to this point, she’s made her very comfortable living as a well-known, bestselling author of steamy romance novels that would leave the members of her new church blushing. Now Sarah is trying to reconcile her past with the future she’s chosen. She’s still under contract with her publisher and on the hook with her enormous fan base for the kind of book she’s not sure she can write anymore. She’s beginning to think that the church might frown on her tithing on royalties from a “scandalous” book. And the fact that she’s falling in love with her pastor doesn’t make things any easier.
With a powerful voice, penetrating insight, and plenty of wit, Bethany Turner explodes onto the scene with a debut that isn’t afraid to deal with the thorny realities of living the Christian life.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck, but I did initially have mixed feelings on whether or not I’d like the story.
At the start we meet Sarah and she comes across as a bit arrogant and self absorbed. Being in her head space (the book is written in first person point-of-view in an easy to read style reminiscent of chick lit) wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience. Sarah is the mean girl in her book club. She creates secret snide nicknames for the other attendees she looks down on, and she doesn’t actually know their real names.
Sarah’s ex-husband cheated on her, and Sarah’s way of coping with her divorce is to write a steamy romance novel. She hits the publishing jackpot and becomes a famous author with a lucrative book contract.
When Sarah becomes a Christian, her other life as a steamy romance author is a big problem. Her initial attraction to Ben is compelling, and they’re drawn to each other despite their differences. Ben is the widowed new pastor at her new church who has an adorable young daughter. He is taken aback by Sarah’s occupation, but he looks beyond the stereotypes of romance authors and the judgemental tendencies of church people to discover the real Sarah.
An aspect of the story I appreciated was Sarah’s struggle with her physical attraction to Ben. This fitted her background as a romance author who wrote raunchy scenes and an ex-wife who wasn’t loved and cherished by her former husband. Sarah’s emotional baggage is real and enormous, and it doesn’t instantly disappear when she becomes a Christian. Her life is messy and complicated and her impulsive nature leads her into trouble.
The last half of the book is where the story really takes off as secrets are revealed and Sarah is forced to confront the consequences of her life choices. Her faith and her relationship with Ben is tested, and we journey with Sarah and watch her change and mature during the story.
I recommend The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck to romance readers who enjoy fun and entertaining contemporary romances.
Do you prefer reading romances written in first person or third person? Do you like reading both the heroine and hero’s thoughts and feelings in the story? Or, do you enjoy reading romances irrespective of the viewpoint? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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.
Hi Narelle, happy new year:) Hope your Christmas break was peaceful and restful.
I have not read this book, so will go check it out. While I do read stories written in first person, I prefer third person. Generally, I just enjoy reading a good romance and have to exercise great patience waiting for new books to release:) (but I do re-read stories).
Blessings:)
I enjoy stories in the first person, but I haven’t read many of them. It is interesting to see both the hero & the heroine’s thoughts. But most books I’ve read are in the third person. I have noticed this book and it’s on my list to read.
Hi Narelle and Happy New Year! Thanks for sharing a new author, who writes from a different point of view. Personally I am not fond of reading first person. Need to concentrate more, than when I read third person. Enjoy your summer. Best wishes and happy writing.
I’m not a huge fan of first person myself. I don’t mind it in some genres (like dystopian YA) but I tend not to like romance written that way. I love to know both sides of the romance! :)
I’ve been eyeing this book since it came out though. I’m probably going to have to bite the bullet sooner than later.
I prefer 3rd person, sometimes I feel as if I have to force my reading of 1st person stories and like Renate said – concentrate more! That being said, I have read this after seeing so many positive reviews on it. I will be honest, it was interesting but not up there as a favorite for me. ? Sorry.
I don’t mind first person narrative if it is done well, but prefer third person. I have this on my want to read list. Thank you for the review. Blessings
I prefer third person but as long as the story holds my attention I can enjoy first person also.
well this sounds like a good book. I don’t like books where she becomes a Christian and then all is right with the world. when we become a Christian we actually have more difficulties to deal with, the only difference is we now have the Holy Spirit and like minded friends. I have liked both third person and first person stories. I prefer third person narrative but first person is sometimes good also.
I prefer third person, but if it is first person I enjoy going back and forth between the hero’s and the heroine’s viewpoints.
Excellent review.
Yes to all of the above :-) I just like to read!
I’m like Margaret N…..I just like to read! lol I did read this book; enjoyed it, but have to say it was different from what I usually read! I think Bethany is on her way to becoming a great author!
I generally prefer 3rd person but I read this book and absolutely adored it! I am stingy with 5 star ratings but gladly gave this book all 5. Generally speaking though, I like to know the thoughts in both minds of the H and h in romance novels.
I love romances in the first person because it helps me feel more apart of the story and I can feel there feelings.
Hi Wemble, Happy New Year :) My Christmas was lovely and we visited with family in Sydney. I hope you’re surviving all the hot weather. It’s supposed to be 35C here today with afternoon storms later. Prior to Kindle, and back in the days when my tbr print book pile was small or non-existant and new releases took months to land in Australia, I’d reread the previous books in a series while waiting for the next release. Blessings :)
Hi Becky, I hope you’ll have a chance to read Bethany’s book. I enjoy reading (and writing) the hero’s POV. The single first person POV works well in a romance when it’s the heroine’s story that’s the main focus. That said, I will read and wonder what the hero is really thinking and feeling if I’m not thoroughly immersed in the heroine’s story. Blessings :)
Hi Renate, Happy New Year :) You’re right, I hadn’t really thought about the need to concentrate more while reading first person. We’re having a hot (and so far bushfire-free) summer. My teenagers are enjoying their summer break. Blessings. :)
Hi Elizabeth, Yes, go read it! The story makes sense in single POV because Sarah’s conflict and story arc is bigger than Ben’s. Blessings :)
Hi Paula, No need to apologise. I’ve lost count of the books with glowing reviews that I have put aside before the end of Chapter One. I have friends who write general market romance, and I’ve spent time at conferences in the romance world. It was that aspect of the story – and knowing Sarah was going to become a Christian – that appealed to me and kept me reading. Sarah’s intense head space at the start nearly had me tossing the book aside, which is the risk an author takes in writing first person. Blessings :)
Hi Lucy, you’re very welcome, and I hope you’ll have the opportunity to read it soon. Blessings :)
Hi Diana, I share your thoughts and the story needs to hold my attention to keep me reading. Blessings :)
Hi Lori, I think you’ll like this book, and especially like Sarah’s best friend who’s her spiritual mentor in the story. Sarah’s decision to become a Christian initially makes her life more difficult on many levels. I hope you’ll have a chance to read it. Blessings :)
Hi Susan, I share your thoughts, and I like reading both viewpoints in the story. Blessings :)
Thanks, Walter. Blessings :)
Hi Margaret, lol, I’m glad to hear this. Blessings :)
Hi Jackie, I agree, it was different to the typical Christian romance and Bethany’s a great writer. Blessings :)
Hi Sherri, I’m glad to hear you loved the book and believed it was worthy of 5 stars. Thanks for blessing Bethany with your review. Blessings to you :)
Hi Linda, Last year a few of my favourite books were written in single first person POV. The deeper point of view with a character you love and connect with can almost make you, as a reader, feel like you’re living the story. Blessings :)
I usually prefer stories written from a third person perspective. I haven’t read many books that include the hero’s thoughts but I do enjoy that for a change.
Hi Jessica, I like being in the hero’s POV, too, and knowing what he’s thinking and feeling. Blessings :)