About the Book

Had it all truly been ~ MEANT FOR HER?

Kidnapped, raped, brutally beaten, and left for dead, Candi Reynolds becomes a prisoner of fear. Faced also with the impact of the unexpected break-up with her fiancé, and an unwanted pregnancy resulting from the attacks, she believes God has forsaken her. Choosing to move back to the Michigan horse farm, owned by her older brother, Dr. Cam Reynolds, Candi essentially goes into seclusion.

Dr. Patrick (Mack) MacKevon, long-time friend of Cam’s, watches from the sidelines at the farm, where his horses are stabled, while Candi struggles to regain a sense of normalcy. His own big-brother tendencies develop into a much deeper emotion over the months he prays for her.

Is it possible for Candi to put all the pain and trauma behind her and renew her former relationship with the Lord? Will she allow her heart to open enough to discover authentic love, while making decisions of victory on her personal journey to joy?

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In My Opinion

Let me start by saying, assault and abuse are real issues and I appreciate when authors tackle the difficult subject in an understanding and gentle manner without diminishing the horrors that victims go through or the internal struggle that goes on for sometimes years after the crime. In Meant for Her, Joy Avery Melville does exactly that. From Candi’s fear at sudden noises, her refusal to leave the property, and even her ex’s reaction to her trauma, Melville lovingly details the journey from brokenness to healing in a victim’s life.

Not only does she give the reader the victim’s perspective but also the perspective of the people around her. In this case, Candi’s brother and his best friend. Their helplessness in their ability to heal her, their pain at what this young woman had to suffer through, and their constant prayers for her are well documented.

That said, there was a lot of repetitive everyday detail in this story. In fact, it dragged the first half of the book. Sometimes less brings across the point better. This is also the case with Mack’s Irish accent. It’s heavy handed throughout the book, making all conversations involving him laborious to read (and it’s not explained at all until sixty percent of the way through the book).

Overall, Meant for Her is a book that’s, unfortunately, needed in today’s world. The journey Candi goes on is emotional, physical, and spiritual and ends with the promise of hope because friends and family loved her through her healing. There are a few hints at what’s to come in the next book too.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.