Category: Christian Fiction

Books that are clean, no spice, gentle reads.

Posted in Christian Fiction

The Way Back

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

by Heidi Chiavaroli

A Story About Scars, Healing, and Finding Your Way Back

About the Book:
Laney’s life has been shaped by painful memories, trauma, and scars she wishes she could leave behind. When she returns to a place connected to her past, she begins uncovering the pieces of her story that she has spent years trying to avoid. Through family secrets, unexpected connections, and the stories of those who came before her, Laney begins a journey toward healing and discovering where true hope can be found.

The Way Back is a story about facing the wounds we carry, learning to forgive, and discovering that our broken places do not disqualify us from being loved.

What I Loved

Some books are difficult because of the subject matter, but they are also important because of the way those subjects are handled. The Way Back is one of those books.

Heidi Chiavaroli approached the topics of trauma and self-harm with such tenderness and compassion. These moments were never written for shock value. Instead, they were handled with care, reminding readers that behind every scar is a story and behind every story is a person who deserves grace.

This book was especially meaningful to me because I have walked alongside someone I love through the struggle of self-harm. Seeing that journey represented with such sensitivity was incredibly powerful.

One of the most beautiful parts of Laney’s healing journey was the reminder that scars are not something we have to hide. We often see scars as evidence of something painful or broken, but Jesus’ scars tell a different story. His scars are reminders of love, sacrifice, and redemption.

Watching Laney begin to see herself through the eyes of Jesus was one of my favorite parts of the book. She slowly learns that her scars are not what define her. They are part of her story, but they are not the final chapter.

I also loved the supporting characters who helped guide Laney through her healing. Her mother’s story was heartbreaking and gave deeper understanding to the pain Laney carried. Her grandmother was one of my favorite characters because of her quiet strength. She did not need grand speeches or dramatic moments. Her love and wisdom spoke through the little things.

The story of Abbie Burgess was another beautiful piece of the puzzle. It helped bring the past and present together while reminding Laney that storms do not last forever.

For me, this book became a lighthouse. It was a reminder that even when we feel lost in the middle of our storms, God is still guiding us toward healing, hope, and home.

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Perfect for Readers Who Enjoy:

Christian fiction, emotional healing journeys, redemption stories, faith-filled contemporary fiction, and books about finding hope after hardship.

Cozy Sip Pairing:

Vanilla Honey Latte with Cinnamon

This story feels like sitting in a quiet corner with a warm drink in your hands while someone gently reminds you that healing takes time, grace is always available, and your story is not over yet.

Posted in Christian Fiction

Where Do I Go?

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

By Neta Jackson

There are some books that pull you in slowly, while others grab hold of you from the very first page. This one landed somewhere in the middle for me. Honestly, at first, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to finish it. But by the end, I was incredibly glad that I did.

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

First Impressions

I’m always searching for stories with strong female characters—women who feel real and relatable. So when this book popped up in my BookBub email as a freebie, I decided to take a chance on it.

After reading the synopsis, I felt sure I was going to love it before I even turned the first page. At the same time, I’m usually hesitant when it comes to book series. If I don’t connect with the first book, there’s still an entire unfinished story waiting in the remaining books, and that can feel overwhelming.

Still, something about this series made me immediately purchase the rest of the books before I had even finished the first one. Looking back now, I’m so glad I trusted that instinct.

What the Story Is About

(Spoiler Free)

Gabriela “Gabby” Fairfield has just moved to Chicago with her husband, who is determined to get his business off the ground. Living in a luxurious high-rise overlooking the city, Gabby’s life appears polished and comfortable from the outside.

But everything begins to shift after she encounters a homeless woman while walking along the lakeshore.

That single moment starts unraveling parts of Gabby’s life she can no longer ignore. As she begins hearing the call of God more clearly, she finds herself questioning everything—her marriage, her identity, her comfort, and the life she thought she wanted. The deeper she leans into that calling, the more she wonders what it may ultimately cost her.

What I Loved

This was not a cozy read for me. In many ways, it was the opposite.

Gabby’s relationship with her husband stirred up difficult memories from my own marriage. The emotional tension, the feeling of constantly trying to keep everything together while quietly falling apart inside—it all felt painfully familiar.

To me, that speaks to Neta Jackson’s gift as a writer. She captures the emotional exhaustion of a life slowly spinning out of control with honesty and depth. Gabby is a woman with so much to lose, and you can feel the crushing weight of trying to hold every piece of her world together.

What impacted me most, though, was the spiritual layer woven throughout the story. This book beautifully explores how God breaks down the walls we build around ourselves—the walls of comfort, control, and safety. Once He begins calling us into something deeper, those barriers start crumbling whether we’re ready or not.

At first, I worried the story would feel predictable. In some ways, it did follow familiar emotional beats. But emotionally, it surprised me more than once.

By the end of the book, I found myself crying not only for Gabby, but honestly, for myself too. It reminded me of seasons in my own life where God used painful circumstances to strip away my comfort and teach me to rely fully on Him.

The supporting characters also felt incredibly authentic. None of them came across as flat or overly polished. They were messy, emotional, sincere, and deeply human.

This is one of those stories that lingers long after you finish the final chapter.

The Cozy Vibes Check ☕📚

Read this one with a calming cup of chamomile tea. Trust me—you’re going to want both the warmth and the calm.

Keep a Bible nearby as well. Neta Jackson clearly knows Scripture deeply, and it naturally flows throughout the story without ever feeling forced.

This also feels like the kind of book that calls for:

  • your favorite chair
  • an emotional support blanket
  • a box of tissues
  • and a little quiet time afterward to process everything you just read

Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy:

  • clean Christian fiction
  • emotionally layered stories
  • strong character development
  • faith-centered journeys
  • stories about healing, identity, and spiritual growth

Content Notes

If you have experienced emotional or verbal abuse within a relationship, parts of this story may feel triggering. At the same time, I believe it is a deeply worthwhile read because of the hope, healing, and spiritual truth woven throughout the story.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this is the kind of book that stays with you.

Gabby became the kind of character I wanted to reach through the pages and sit beside. In many ways, I understood her heartbreak, confusion, and unraveling far more than I expected to.

This story handles pain, faith, and transformation with emotional honesty, and I’m genuinely looking forward to continuing the rest of the series.

Favorite Quote

“Come to me.” — God to Gabby