All Faith Harp wants is a quiet life—to take care of her troubled brother, Sam, earn enough money to stop the poverty wolves snapping at her heels, and to keep her past buried as deep as possible. And after years of upheaval, she might have just about managed it: Sam's latest treatment seems to actually be working, Faith is holding down a job, and she's engaged to the gorgeous and successful Perry.
But, for Faith, things never seem to stay simple for long. Her domineering mother-in-law-to-be is planning a nightmare wedding, including the wedding dress from hell. And the man who killed her mother is released from prison, sending her brother tumbling back into mental illness.
When secretly planning the wedding she really wants, Faith stumbles across a church choir that challenges far more than her ability to hold a tune. She ends up joining the choir, led by the fierce choir-mistress Hester, who is determined to do whatever it takes to turn the group of ragtag women into something spectacular. She also meets Dylan, the church's vicar, who is different than any man she has ever met before...
Somehow, the fact that I was supposed to review The Name I Call Myself this week totally escaped me until I got a reminder email. So Sunday afternoon, I settled in with the novel and immediately found myself swept into this beautiful story.
When Faith and her best friend Marilyn accidentally join a church choir, they have no idea their lives are about to change for the better. The choir, led by the outwardly stern Hester, is comprised of a diverse group of women who come to realize how much they need each other ... and they go through many adventures in the process.
Though Moran deals with serious themes in The Name I Call Myself—physical and sexual abuse, drug addiction, and death—the novel never feels heavy. There's a lightness to the story that makes it a delight to read, even as Moran realistically portrays these issues.
The story is told in first person from Faith's perspective. Faith's voice, her hesitancy, her desire to care for everyone but herself is part of what makes this novel great. As a reader, I couldn't help but cheer Faith on, especially as she began to find her courage. And I absolutely loved her burgeoning relationship with Dylan (their "meet cute" was totally adorable and funny), though the novel is much more about Faith finding herself than finding love.
The Name I Call Myself is at turns hilarious, heartbreaking, and romantic. It really is chick lit at its finest. 5 stars.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Moran's Making Marion (4 stars) and I Hope You Dance (4-1/2 stars).
Beth Moran has a background as a research scientist and adult educator. She now concentrates on church work and is part of the national leadership team of the UK women's network Free Range Chicks. She is married with three children and lives in Nottingham, England.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Kregel Publications. 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.”
When Faith and her best friend Marilyn accidentally join a church choir, they have no idea their lives are about to change for the better. The choir, led by the outwardly stern Hester, is comprised of a diverse group of women who come to realize how much they need each other ... and they go through many adventures in the process.
Though Moran deals with serious themes in The Name I Call Myself—physical and sexual abuse, drug addiction, and death—the novel never feels heavy. There's a lightness to the story that makes it a delight to read, even as Moran realistically portrays these issues.
The story is told in first person from Faith's perspective. Faith's voice, her hesitancy, her desire to care for everyone but herself is part of what makes this novel great. As a reader, I couldn't help but cheer Faith on, especially as she began to find her courage. And I absolutely loved her burgeoning relationship with Dylan (their "meet cute" was totally adorable and funny), though the novel is much more about Faith finding herself than finding love.
The Name I Call Myself is at turns hilarious, heartbreaking, and romantic. It really is chick lit at its finest. 5 stars.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Moran's Making Marion (4 stars) and I Hope You Dance (4-1/2 stars).
Beth Moran has a background as a research scientist and adult educator. She now concentrates on church work and is part of the national leadership team of the UK women's network Free Range Chicks. She is married with three children and lives in Nottingham, England.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Kregel Publications. 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.”
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awesome as always
ReplyDeleteThanks! If you haven't read any of Moran's books, you should really check them out!
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