"home run" by travis thrasher: review + giveaway

Note: There will be spoilers in this review because I don't know how to talk about it effectively without giving away a few things. But trust me when I say I'm not giving anything major away. Cory will become a Christian ... but isn't that what you would expect once you read the back cover?

About the book (from the back cover): Baseball star Cory Brand knows how to win. But off the field, he’s spiraling out of control. Haunted by old wounds and regrets, his future seems as hopeless as his past.

Until one moment—one mistake—changes everything. To save his career, Cory must go back to the town where it all began. His plan is simple: coach the local baseball team, complete a recovery program, and get out as fast as possible. Instead, he runs headfirst into memories he can't escape ... and the love he left behind.

Faced with a second chance he never expected, Cory embarks on a journey of faith, transformation and redemption. And along the way, he discovers a powerful truth: no one is beyond the healing of God.

A novel based on the major motion picture starring Vivica A. Fox and Scott Elrod, Home Run is an inspirational story of the hope and freedom God offers each of us.

My take: Home Run is the story of a man who comes to the end of himself and must reach out to God for help. While the details vary, Cory's story could be any Christian's story. It is when we come to the end of ourselves that we realize how badly we need a Savior.

Throughout most of the book, Cory is a rather unsympathetic character, which makes his conversion that much more powerful. I especially appreciated that Cory's problems didn't magically end once he cried out to God for help—he still had to face his addiction, but he didn't have to do it on his own. Celebrate Recovery (a biblically-based recovery program found in many churches throughout the country) is featured prominently throughout the book, as that's the recovery program Cory has to attend. I think that seeing how the program works might prompt some people who are leery of recovery programs to give it a try.

The narrative is incredibly compelling, and I devoured the book. The one aspect I didn't particularly appreciate was the chapter dividers, which are flashes of Cory's life. While these flashes give background, they really served to pull me out of the story, and I came to the point where I just quickly skimmed over them. But overall, I really enjoyed Home Run, and now I can't wait to watch the movie, which hits theaters April 19. 4 stars.

Buy the book.
Watch the movie trailer.

About the author: Travis Thrasher is the author of more than twenty works of fiction, including the Solitary Tales series, Broken, and Sky Blue. His writing is known for its honesty, depth, and surprising twists. Thrasher lives with his wife and daughters in Chicago. Visit him at http://travisthrasher.com/.



About the giveaway: The publisher has generously given me an extra copy of the book to give to one of my readers! Enter via the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway ends at midnight on Sunday, April 14.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from David C. Cook. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."