Take a Chance on Me (#01 in Christiansen Family Series)

A great story about forgiving others and yourself. It's about grace and redemption. The story and relationships did moveA a little fast for me, the story was go, go, go from the beginning which can be great however in this story I would've liked it to have just slowed down a little in order to get to know the characters more and ease into the story. It's going to be a wonderful series following the Christiansen family and I will be reading the next book in the series.

I actually read the 2nd book first which is totally an accident on my part. Then a friend told me there was 'Take a Chance on me' and I have just finished it and am going back to book 2 so that I can read book 3 :). \\r\\nWhat a gift Susan May Warren has with words and putting language around real situations. Grief can be such a personal thing but also very similar for many. The Stages of Grief and the way we process those and allow God into our pain is where the healing begins. \\r\\nI love that Darek, Ivy, Claire and Jensen are able to work through the issues they each have and let God work forgiveness, friendship and support for each other in a beautiful and solid way. \\r\\n\\r\\nSusan also well portrays the emotion of 'spite' """"if I can't have it neither can they"""". It's gently and heartfully worded and the result is healing and release for Nan. \\r\\n\\r\\nI'm looking forward to reading """"It had to be you"""" and getting to know the Christiansen Family more. \\r\\nYou'll love it. \\r\\n

There is something about Susan's writing that makes you feel whole. I felt involved and integrated into Deep Haven and all their problems. The characters and all the situations were so well rounded!! Something will probably stir my memory some time later, making me believe that I have actually physically met these characters, and believe me, this happens often. \\r\\nDarek. Handsomescary. Lovingintolerable. Grievingwounded. Forgiveness. Enter Ivy Madison. Beautifulvulnerable. Caringadaptable. Scarredjustice. LovingTiger (Theo). There couldn't be any two people better suited!! They sparked right from the beginning, when Ivy, much to the town's amazement, bought Darek at the bachelor's auction. And the kisses, well couldn't go wrong there ;)\\r\\nWhat I loved the most about this novel, was that there were 4 main characters: Darek, Ivy, Jensen and Claire, where I got to understand the situation as a whole like some foreign bystander, hurting when they hurt; laughed when they laughed; forgave when they forgave. I grew to love each one of them which is completely contrary to my initial thoughts and judgements. And it happened so subtly as well!! Then come all of the supporting characters, who all feel like family. \\r\\nForgiveness. That is the underlying message of the story. And the symbolism gave it so much more meaning!! The book definitely won't disappoint!!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was hard not to fall in love with the whole Christiansen family from the first moment you meet them. They're such a fun, supportive family who really love each other. The romance is beautiful and doesn't come easy. Like all Susan May Warren's books, this was brilliantly written with well-developed characters and a very real dose of reality, despite being fiction. She also manages to weave some very important truths about God and the importance of family into the story, and does it so well that it doesn't feel at all contrived. A beautiful story of grace, forgiveness and second chances. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!