Really sweet love story, sort of hallmark movie-ish, but in all the best ways. Loved the setting of royalty in Africa, loved how Bri’s and Mori’s relationship grew, the friendship Bri had with Iris, and the aspects that valued female leadership despite typical society push-back.

I liked the first half despite the quirky groundhog-day thing. But the second half tanked a bit for me. It was as if the repeat-day theme just faded into the background almost forgotten entirely. It felt like it was trying to do too many things. It would’ve just been better to ditch it and go without cuz it really wasn’t that vital to the story when it came down to it - the theme was really just not being afraid of being who you are but be honest about what you want. Also was more graphic than I care for in the 2nd half, and the “kids” seemed super childish for being all in their late 20’s.

I struggled thru the first half of the book but the second was excellent. The concept of a Prodigal Son (daughter) with so much truth and feeling about shame and forgiveness was relatable and inspiring. I liked the depression-era setting and running away from corrupt Hollywood, while Max fought for Mina.

The first half of the book though, I had a hard time staying interested. I think it was the way it kept relating small pieces of current timeline and then really long and drawn out backstory. You’d just barely start to get invested and then you’d be thrown back into another history of how we got here, so it felt like nothing was happening. Then I’d have to try to remember what was happening when we went down the rabbit hole. The second half was mostly constant and continuous which made it more enjoyable.

Maybe this just needed more transparent advertising but I didn’t realize I was going to listen to what felt like one giant sales pitch. If it was only what experiences helped her learn courage the book didn’t need that minute detail about her situation, business success, communication, etc. all that lended itself to feel like she was just pushing her business instead of a concept she learned. It was a DNF for me very quickly.

Engaging, hard to put down, and a beautiful story of courage, tenacity, friendship and finding God when it looks like he’s abandoned you. The 1930’s Dust Bowl made the perfect landscape (quite literally) for this and I loved the history in it, while the writing style was very well done.

The story looks at two very different sisters, from the outside appearing the complete opposite of circumstances, and yet fighting some of the same battles internally. I loved Melissa especially, figuring out how to have courage in very real fear, and her much needed, but unlikely, friendship with Annie. It was written in a way that you could feel what each of the sisters felt and faced.

The author does a fantastic job at working thru very difficult and heartbreaking circumstances, and our view of God. How easy it can become hopeless and despairing and the struggle to find him despite what we see in front of us. The character development of how both Melissa and Kathryn found him in their situation in the end was thoughtful, transparent, and compassionate, not minimizing or over-simplified. I loved the look at perspective and what that does to our situation and our faith.