Return to Me [Kindle Edition]

(My review as seen in ACFW's E-zine, the August edition.)

Return to Me by Robin Lee Hatcher is a powerful example of the ideal Christian fiction novel. It parallels the story of the prodigal son and was so engaging that I finished the story in one day. I just couldn't put it down. I identified with Roxy despite her many flaws.

Roxy's change of heart when she discovered Christ in an unlikely setting reminded me of my own personal experience. I remember the same still, small voice calling out to me until I finally gave my heart to the Lord. Of course, Roxy's older sister Elena decided Roxy needed to experience additional consequences for her sin. Like what Roxy had naturally suffered as a result of squandering her inheritance hadn't been painful enough, and not realizing, of course, all that her sister had already lost because of her poor choices. I've never seen a better example of how self-righteousness wounds new believers and destroys relationships and trust.

Return to Me is also a wonderful illustration of the emotional and spiritual fallout resulting from manipulative rejection, and the believer's need for a close walk with the Lord in order to resist pride and jealousy when new Christians succeed where they may have struggled. Thus the spiritual arc of the characters comes across as very genuine, especially when it comes to the older sister's attitude.

There are some gritty situations in this story, but nothing I wouldn't let my teenager read. Overall, it's a fabulous example of the regrets people experience as the result of poor choices, and the subsequent struggle to forgive one's self. The author concludes by portraying the Scripture that refers to all things being possible through Christ Jesus. I highly recommend this story because of the life-changing lessons within.

Robin Lee Hatcher has once again crawled into my heart in her latest novel Return to Me. Roxy is a prodigal daughter and sister. There's no way to excuse the life she lived away from her family, and now she's come home out of desperation. Her father welcomes her with open arms, but her sister isn't quite so happy, especially when she is now engaged to Roxy's ex boyfriend. Roxy needs to find love and be accepted not only by God but by her family. This novel brings to mind how all of us are to model unconditional love. An outstanding novel.

Meet Roxy Burke, a wanna-be Nashville star who squandered her grandmother's inheritance and her one chance at stardom on fast living.
We join Roxy when she arrives on her father's doorstep broken-hearted, beaten and penniless.

Sound like a typical prodigal story to you? Not hardly.

Add in Robin's flare for romance along with a generous dose of sibling rivalry, unforgiveness, rejection and a love triangle to confound the most astute and what you'll have far surpasses a predictable prodigal story.

I especially enjoyed watching Roxy's transformation as she enters back into the life she left so many years ago. Robin knows how to make her characters come alive in all of their struggles and raw emotions. Expect the unexpected.

Add this one to your summer reading list, and you won't regret it!