Since You've Been Gone

This is Christian fiction, and is fascinating for the two views of Christianity it presents: faith vs works. Doing the right thing vs being seen to do the right thing. Displaying God's love in action vs . . . not. Scarlett, Olivia's mother, is like too many people in church: not prepared to do what most people would think was right because of how it might reflect on her. Ruthie, Scarlett's mother and Olivia's grandmother, doesn't care what people think. \\r\\n\\r\\nBehind the awkward relationship between Olivia and her mother is the even more awkward situation regarding Wyatt . . . which her parents initially hid from her, a decision which provokes even more fractures in an already-fragile relationship. Why was he heading away from town? Where was he going? Who was the gift for? And does Olivia really want to know? \\r\\n\\r\\nOkay, so the plot is obviously full of questions which hooked me immediately as a reader. The characters were fascinating, especially the contrast between Ruthie and Scarlett (and with Olivia's poor father pulled between the twin loves of his wife and his daughter). \\r\\n\\r\\nAnd the writing was outstanding. There were so many good lines, so many truths, Christian truths and life truths. Olivia has a lot to learn in both areas, and she does. \\r\\n\\r\\nRecommended. \\r\\n\\r\\nThanks to Waterfall Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.