The Art of Losing Yourself


The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert is the first book of hers I've read. It sounded like a Karen Kingsbury-esqe type book, which are kind of hit-or-miss for me (some I love, some are just meh), but the plot sounded so intriguing, and the reviews were great, so I decided to give it a try. The back cover reads:

"Every morning, Carmen Hart pastes on her made-for-TV smile and broadcasts the weather. She’s the Florida panhandle’s favorite meteorologist, married to everyone’s favorite high school football coach. They’re the perfect-looking couple, live in a nice house, and attend church on Sundays. From the outside, she’s a woman who has it all together. But on the inside, Carmen Hart struggles with doubt. She wonders if she made a mistake when she married her husband. She wonders if God is as powerful as she once believed. Sometimes she wonders if He exists at all. After years of secret losses and empty arms, she’s not so sure anymore.

Until Carmen’s sister—seventeen year old runaway, Gracie Fisher—steps in and changes everything. Gracie is caught squatting at a boarded-up motel that belongs to Carmen’s aunt, and their mother is off on another one of her benders, which means Carmen has no other option but to take Gracie in. Is it possible for God to use a broken teenager and an abandoned motel to bring a woman’s faith and marriage back to life? Can two half-sisters make each other whole?"

I love Christian fiction that isn't afraid to tackle big, difficult issues. This one touches on many: infertility, miscarriage, alcoholism, runaway teenagers, and more. Katie deals with all of these real life issues sensitively, but unflinchingly. This is a slow and steady book that winds along to a satisfying conclusion. It isn't a gripping thriller, but you'll fall in love with the characters along the way and want to know how everything turns out in the end. I'll admit, this one is a bit of a tearjerker. Bring the kleenex! I wanted to stay with Carmen's family after the last page was turned. This book is a true joy to read and will bring hope to the hurting.

I received a copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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