THis book had a very interesting and novel plot. Jana's mother's is what compelled me to continue reading this book.However, for me, there became a point at which I found that too many things had happened to one charachter to be believable. I also really had trouble with some of the reactions or lack there of, of the aunt.At the end of the book, I got so tired of the preachy feel of the novel that I did not feel it was really worth finishing. There has to be a way to make a point in a novel without forcing one's pespective down the throat of the reader! If someone had told Eleanor's story without all of the heavy handed preachy feel, I would have liked this book.There is also a place in here when Jana has to face a truly vile person from her past and I am just sorry, I do not believe that the situation would have resolved itself the way that it did here, pardon me but I rolled my eyes sooooo many times while reading certain portions of this book I don't know why I don't have a headache.I began this book really interested in what the author had to say, by the end I no longer cared and did not believe ANY of her charachters.
Jana returns from a church missions trip to find her world turned completely inside out. Everything she thought was secure in her life has been ripped away by her pastor-husband who had used Jana's absence to take off with the church secretary and all the couple's money. Jana has no choice but to turn to her own mother for help, a choice she would never have made if circumstances had not forced her. But now that Jana and her mother find themselves living in the same house, all the hurt and rejection of both lifetimes create a tsunami that can either drown the women or make them fight for their very lives. Delicate subjects are dealt with compassionately. I took a couple of messages from this book: forgiveness is a powerful tool that changes the forgiver whether the forgiven acknowledges the change or not, and God is bigger than the most awful things human beings can think or do to each other.
What do You think about What She Left For Me (2005)?
I commend Tracie for tackling subjects that could easily be avoided, especially within the Christian fiction genre. She has a note in the beginning of her book, however, that she wouldn't recommend it for everyone as there could be triggers- and I have to agree. This is a book that addresses deep-seated issues and disturbing traumatic events that could possibly not sit well with some. Tracie's captivating writing style and well-developed characters drew me in to the point where I felt like I knew them. She also did a wonderful job creating back-stories and revealing them in a very unique way. In the end, a thought-provoking novel that is a little out of my usual style but worth it in the end.
—Jolene
A review from my old blog...I found myself pleasantly surprised by this book. I used to absolutely love all of Peterson's book but after taking a long break from reading her books I picked up one a few months ago and found the entire book entirely distasteful.Judging from that experience I did not know what to expect when I started reading this book. I enjoyed the book. I found it on one of the shelves at my grandmother's house and she gave it to me. Originally I had decided to sell it as soon as I read it but I'm actually considering keeping it.Although Peterson utilized a couple of techniques that separated me from the story momentarily she told a story that spanned three generations and thirty years in a way that made me come to love the characters.
—Jeni Enjaian
This is another well written Tracie Peterson book. The topic is a lot heavier than some though as it tackles rape and adultery in the lives of three women (great-aunt, mother, and daughter). There are no lewd details or anything but if you are considering letting a younger reader read this I would recommend reading it first to be sure you are comfortable with the book. This is a delicate topic and the author handles it well and shows the devasation that can be caused along with the freedom of forgivness. I would recommend this book.
—Brooke
