I honestly don't really know how to rate or review this book. There were parts of it I loved, and parts where I just wanted to throw the book across the room. I think I'll have to try something new, and do a review in bullet form.Things I Liked* The childhood friendship between Jade and Tanner. Very sweet.* Jade's reaction to meeting God. Brought tears to my eyes.* Jade and Tanner's friendship 'that summer'.* Jade and Ty's relationship* The 'conversations' with God. I always wish I could hear Him that clearly.Things I Disliked* The heavy, heavy, HEAVY forshadowing. It almost made me give up on the book already on page 70!* The blatant moralizing.* How the evil people were evil, with no remedying qualities.* The unrealistic judge and courtcase (at least I hope both were unrealistic!).* Worst of all - how things just got worse, and worse, and worse, and worse, and you could see that it was going to continue downhill (thanks to the lovely forshadowing mentioned above), until finally everything was resolved lickity-split and (as also mentioned above) in a very unrealistic manner. When you end up saying, "Oh, come ON!" as you read the final pages - it is not a good sign.I don't know if this is standard for Karen Kingsbury, or just specific to this book, so I am going to give her a second chance, because as cringe-worthy as the bad things were, I LOVED the good things, so did end up finding it slightly more good than bad.
What a fantastic book! Two young neighbors become best friends and decide they are going to marry when they grow up. Jade moves away, but never forgets Tanner. Tanner is determined to find Jade again someday. By chance they meet up again in Portland as young adults and start dating. Tanner is a Christian and takes Jade to church where she gives her life to Christ. The bond is so strong between them that they give in to passion and Jade becomes pregnant. While Tanner is away on a Religious Freedom Trip in Hungary, Jade goes to Tanner's mom for help and hears lies that she believes about Tanner. Jade reacts and makes an impulsive choice which changes her life for many years to come. In the end, truth prevails and forgiveness is given. A wonderful happy ending for all...
What do You think about A Moment Of Weakness (2000)?
Two childhood friends, Jade and Tanner are separated when Jade's family leaves town after her mother causes a scandel with a married man. Jade develps a deep hurt by her mother's abandonment and her father's alcoholism. Tanner although young, always said he would marry her and then their paths cross again 11years later when they are all grown up. The connection they have is still there and they decide to get married after Tanner finishes college. Plans change and they are separated again but his
—Chris
Very few times have I ever gotten real angry with some of the characters of a book, as I did in A Moment of Weakness. While I didn't read the first book in this series, I didn't feel as though I missed anything. Almost from the beginning, I could tell that childhood friends Jade Conner and Tanner Eastman were meant for each other. They reunited again as adults. They spend one wonderful summer together. But then they have a "moment of weakness" and somehow things change between them. It's not until 11 years later when they see one another again. All because Jade's selfish jerk of a husband for full parental custody of her son. There are many challenges Jade has to endure, but God is faithful and helps her get through them all. Secrets are revealed and Jade and Tanner's relationship is restored. I absolutely loved the ending! I can't wait to read the third installment in this series!
—Marissa
Well, I got about halfway through the book, and felt like the author was preaching at me. And I almost put it down. But I stuck it out, and it was 'eh'. I will probably never think of it again, but since I just finished it, I wanted to say a couple of things. I did enjoy the hero (mostly). The heroine was good for about the first half of the book, but then she was faced with a situation where she had a clear and easy out, and decided not to take it for some unknown, arbitrary reason. That kind of thinking doesn't make for believable characters. But the writing was mostly okay. I probably won't read another of her books, but I certainly wouldn't warn people away from her. For people whose tastes run toward this type of book, I'm sure they'll just love it. And probably skip over the glaring plot weaknesses, as well.
—R.L. Syme
