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Book Recommendation – Turn to Me by Becky Wade

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Today I’m sharing my book recommendation for Turn to Me, Becky Wade’s new Misty River Romance book that’s releasing on May 3, 2022.

Here’s the Book Description:

His promise will cost him far more than he imagined.

Guilt has defined Luke Dempsey’s life, but it was self-destructiveness that landed him in prison. When his friend and fellow inmate lay dying shortly before Luke’s release, the older man revealed he left a string of clues for his daughter, Finley, that will lead her to the treasure he’s hidden. Worried that she won’t be the only one pursuing the treasure, he gains Luke’s promise to protect her until the end of her search.

Spunky and idealistic, Finley Sutherland is the owner of an animal rescue center and a defender of lost causes. She accepts Luke’s help on the treasure hunt while secretly planning to help him in return–by coaxing him to embrace the forgiveness he’s long denied himself.

As they draw closer to the final clue, their reasons for resisting each other begin to crumble, and Luke realizes his promise will push him to the limit in more ways than one. He’ll do his best to shield Finley from unseen threats, but who’s going to shield him from losing his heart?

Narelle’s Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading Turn to Me, book 3 in Becky Wade’s Misty River Romance series set in Georgia, despite my initial reservations. When I start reading a contemporary Christian romance (CCR), I’ll usually connect with and like one or both of the main characters. I’m in their head, seeing and experiencing the story world through their eyes.

I was intrigued by the story premise of Turn to Me and the mystery of the treasure hunt, but I didn’t initially warm to Finley or Luke. They both brought a great deal of sadness, angst, and emotional baggage from their complex pasts and family situations to the story. It took time to unpack their complicated history and backgrounds. As I read on and gained a greater understanding of their life circumstances and choices, I could empathise with their situation and cheer for them in the story.

Luke was recently released from prison after serving seven years for felony theft. Finley’s father passed away while he was serving a sentence for involuntary manslaughter. He was friends with Luke in prison and trusted Luke. Her father’s dying wish was for Luke to keep Finley safe while she undertook her birthday treasure hunt that her father had set up before he was incarcerated.

Finley is an animal loving, flower child vegan who runs the Furry Tails animal shelter in Misty River for abandoned dogs that need new forever homes. The puppies in the story are adorable. She’s a Christian who lost her beloved fiance in a car wreck five years ago, and she believes God’s plan for her is to stay single and care for her animals.

When Luke arrives in Finley’s life, and she learns he’s the reclusive one from the Miracle Five who survived the earthquake in El Salvador almost twenty years ago, she views him as a project to fix and bring back to faith. Finley provides Luke with a job at the animal shelter, and they work together to solve the treasure hunt clues.

Luke and Finley share an undeniable attraction, despite their many differences. Luke wants to finish the treasure hunt as soon as possible and leave behind his home town of Misty River. He’s wrestling with guilt from his life choices, and believes he’s not worthy of Finley. When circumstances in the story put them in danger, they’re forced to reconsider their future plans and feelings for each other.

I liked the fun romantic subplot featuring Ben, from the Miracle Five, and Akira, who works with Finley at Furry Tails. I recommend Turn to Me to contemporary romance readers who like romances with swoony kisses that address challenging topics and include strong faith and mystery elements woven into the story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House for the advanced reader copy.

Learn more about Becky Wade and her books at her website.

Questions for you: Have you read any CCR books with main characters who have spent time in prison? Do you like CCR books that include a mystery element in the story? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Narelle Atkins (199 Posts)

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.


Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing! That sounds like exactly the kind of romance I love to read: meaty with lots of emotional depth. I’ll look out for it.

  4. Yes, I recently read Shelley Shepard Gray Edgewater Road and it had men that had been in prison. Thank you for sharing.

  5. No I have not read any CCR books that have prison involvement. But than that is not saying much as I dont read a lot of CCR books. But I do like a book that not only has romance but also a little mystery to it. Thank you for your review.

  6. In Merrillee Whren’s CCR A Place to Call Home, the hero is just released from six years in prison. Valerie M Bodden’s Not Until You starts in a similar way, with the hero’s release from prison. It definitely isn’t the average character trope!

  7. I have a read a couple where one of the main characters has spent time in prison. I think it adds depth to the character, and I especially love how they show that ANYONE can turn to Christ and have their lives changed for the better! I do like mystery and/or suspense added in!

  8. Becky Wade is my automatic must-have/must-read contemporary author of all time!!! She always, always incorporates a generous sprinkling of faith in her stories & through her characters. One of my favorite things about her is she portrays flawed characters that become real in my mind & I connect with them every time. And that’s not just a cliche saying either! She has a way to speak into my own life through them & emotionally connecting me. I cheer, cry, celebrate & grieve with them. I don’t want perfect cookie cutter type characters because the story is too bland, I want characters who show the grace of God & their reliance on Him for their imperfect lives. I NEED that as a reader, it encourages me to do the same in my own life. Relying on God in hard times helps me get through the trials. I’ve always said, if you make me connect with your characters, you have a fan for life!!

    This book is already on my must-read list and I have the first two books in this series. My digital library has “Turn to Me” to borrow, so I’m putting my name on the list (which is WAY long, 24 people already!) for when it comes out in May.

  9. I have read some books that one of the characters was released from prison. It shows a lot of redemption and forgiveness that we all need.

  13. No, I have not read any books with a character that had been in prison. I do enjoy a mystery element. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.

  14. Hi Patty, If I lived in the US, I’d be taking advantage of the Baker Books paperback preorder deals, too! Happy reading when Becky’s book arrives. 😊

  15. Hi Leila, I recently came across Edgewater Road – I think it was an Amazon Editor’s pick in one of the emails I received. It looked like an interesting read. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  18. Hi Trudy, yes, the redemption aspect is powerful in these stories. We have an author in our Aussie Christian writing world who has written a book on his real life experiences in prison and his faith conversion. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  19. Hi Trixi, There’s definitely a lot of character growth in this story. You’re going to love Turn to Me, and I hope you won’t have to wait too long to read it! Thanks for commenting. 😊

  24. I’ve read different CCR stories & have had a few with someone in prison & like the mystery of the story.

  25. It sounds very interesting. I have read a a couple books like this just young CCR people in prison. I would like to read this.

  26. This book sounds good! Thanks for sharing about it! I read and enjoyed “Beyond Repair” by Rose Fresquez. I definitely enjoy it when authors add the mystery element but it’s not necessarily the main focus (or not until a certain part of the story).

  29. Hi Priscila, You’re very welcome, and I hope you’ll have a chance to read Turn to Me. I have a few of Rose’s book in my TBR and will look out for Beyond Repair. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  30. I love Becky’s books, and I have the first two in this series, but sadly haven’t gotten to them yet. Hopefully soon!

    I really loved Wildflower Road by Janine Rosche (I love all of her books!) and Shane, the hero in Wildflower Road is a former pastor who has just been released from prison at the start of the story!

  31. Hi Caitlyn, I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Becky’s series soon! I have Wildflower Road in my TBR, and I had forgotten the prison aspect of the hero’s backstory. I do want to read the book sometime soon. Thanks for commenting. 😊

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