"I will never,
ever allow myself to fall in love. I won’t do to anyone what my father does to
these women. And to me. Never. Do you hear me, God? Make me single. Have me travel the world or work with
orphans or whatever. But don’t make me fall in love. I won’t do it. I can’t."
Genre: Adventure/Romance/Allegory
Target Audience: Girls 13-19
Subjects: Sharing your faith, missions,
loss, dating relationships, friendship
Summary: Her dad is getting his third
divorce so he can pursue fiancée #4. And Natalia has had enough of it! There’s
nothing wrong with her current wife. In fact, she’s the one who has told
Natalia about Jesus. Natalia is miserable over her father’s decision and knows
his wife, Maureen will be as well. Then she hits on a brilliant idea! Why not
leave Spain and join Maureen in her move back to her own country, The United
States? Natalia is ecstatic about all
the opportunities for spiritual growth this move brings. A Christian school
where she can meet Christian friends, a class that teaches her the Bible. What
more could she ask for? Well, there is one thing. Less attraction to Brian
Younger. After all, she’s swore off all dating forever. She’d rather be single
than go through what her father has done. But despite all her attempts, she
continually finds more and more reasons to be attracted to this boy, and he to
her. Why won’t God take away this desire? Surely dating isn’t in His plans for
her? Is it?
Notes: It’s the story of Ruth, but
from a modern day teenager perspective. But instead of it being a
mother-in-law, it’s a step mother that she follows. Maureen has told Natalia
all she knows about Jesus. And now that her father is divorcing her and moving
on to fiancée #4, Natalia decides that Maureen needs her and Natalia needs
Maureen. So she moves with her. The spiritual element comes in the struggles of
both characters. Maureen has to learn to trust that God hasn’t abandonded her
and still has a great plan for her, even if it’s quite different than what she
would have thought. Natalia has to trust God with her future – career and love
life both. After all the bad examples her dad has shown her, Natalia decides to
never date. But God leads a godly young man to her and puts a desire for a
relationship in both of them, despite their attempts to deny it. And He gives
her a passion for serving Him through teaching – not exactly the successful
business plan her parents had planned for her. The characters from the first
two stories in this series (First Date and Starring Me) by this author, are brought
back so we can see their continued growth and attempts to trust God with their
relationships as well.
Recommendation Scale: 5/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi
Ruth 1:16 – But Ruth replied,
“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go,
and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my
God.
Disclaimer:
This book was provided for free by Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.
“I will never, ever
allow myself to fall in love. I won’t do to anyone what my father does to these
women. And to me. Never. Do you hear me, God? Make me single. Have me travel
the world or work with orphans or whatever. But don’t make me fall in love. I won’t
do it. I can’t.”
Right where I belong, Krista McGee, Thomas Nelson, 2012
Genre: Realistic
Target Audience: 15-19 years old
Subjects: God’s plan for your life, family relationships,
dating relationships, missions.
Summary: Natalia Lopez will never date. That is what God
wants for her - to be single. Right?
Certainly, He doesn’t want her to create a family only to
mess it up later like her father
did. However, as Brian Younger comes into the scene,
Natalia’s resolution wavers.
He’s a Christian, a pastor’s son, a tall, fun boy who, more
than anything wants to serve
Jesus. Natalia won’t admit that she thinks about him all the
time. God wants her to be
single. Right? Little by little, Natalia comes to realize
God has placed her right where she
belongs…
Notes: Natalia struggles to understand that even though some
families might break, that does not mean having a family is bad. God has a plan
for her and He has her right where she belongs. The story is shown from two
people’s points of view as are the others in the series. This book is fully
centered on God. He helps the characters overcome
their difficulties and doubts. Right where I belong will
help you grow spiritually as well
as entertain you.
5/5
Sofia Marie
“For I know the plans
I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
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