Uplifting but Predictable

Christian fiction is a nice change from a lot of the mainstream works out there. It seems to be becoming more and more acceptable for sex and foul language to be added to books (I am even amazed at the content of some young adult books out there). So it is nice to read a good, wholesome story. But, as is often the case with Christian fiction, the plot lines are very predictable and formulaic. What Once was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer was just that–predictable.

Christina Willems loves her life running a poor farm in Kansas but when a fire uproots her and all of the residents of the farm, things get challenging. Christina quickly finds a place for everyone except for the young bling boy, Tommy. In a last ditch effort, Christina takes Tommy to the home of the reclusive mill owner, Levi Jonnson. While Levi agrees with reluctance, he is taken by surprise by how quickly he becomes attached to Tommy. When a former poor farm resident with a grudge returns to town, he is determined to undermine Christina. With all of the trials will Christina still cling to her God? Will Levi let go of the hurts of his past and open up to the others?

Now, I said this book was predictable but it was not a bad. I’m all for the Hallmark movie endings where everyone has gotten what they deserve in the end. There were a lot of characters to keep track of in this book but once you get to know the poor farm residents, it’s not too confusing.

I would say this book was pretty average and give it three out of five stars.

*****Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. I was not compensated in any way for either a negative or a positive review.