Book Review: The Thornbearer by Pepper D. Basham

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Synopsis of the book:

From the decks of the ill-fated Lusitania to the smoke-filled trenches of France, Ashleigh must choose between the forgiveness of her past, life in the present, and a Savior who can rescue her from them all.

When her fiancé leaves her eight months before their wedding, the unexpected blow ignites a battalion of insecurities stemming from her father’s intimate betrayal. Her worst fears are confirmed – who could ever love a soiled woman?

In an attempt to escape the shame and disappointment of her past, Ashleigh boards the ill-fated Lusitania to cross the war-torn waters of Europe. Much to her dismay, she isn’t traveling alone.

Sam Miller is always making up for his best friend’s mistakes. Determined to help Ashleigh, he offers his compassion and protection as she ventures across a perilous sea. With the faint hope of renewing his lost love for Ashleigh’s sister, Sam never expects to find the woman of his dreams in his best friend’s former fiancé and his own childhood companion.

As they travel across the Atlantic, neither is prepared for the life-altering and heart-breaking journey of their friendship.

When the truth of Ashleigh’s past explodes in the middle of war and Sam rejects her, Ashleigh must decide if God is enough – or if the double weight of her betrayal and past will crush her life forever.

My review:

This is truly a story of God’s redemption and a lesson in how God is enough. It was more of a love story between Ashleigh and God rather than between her and Sam. I enjoyed watching her begin to heal from the bitterness and disappointments that her past left her with.

Ashleigh’s struggle with her past and forgiving those who had sinned against her is something that I could really relate to. I really liked how she tried to look past herself to the needs of others.

Sam started off as her friend and somewhere along the line, fell in love with her. Even though he also struggled to forgive those who had wronged him, I found him to be a little too judgmental.

I did find this story to be more on the heavier side of inspirational but I really enjoyed Ashleigh’s sister’s experience with finding God.

What I enjoyed most about this book:

The secondary characters were attention getting. I loved Ashleigh’s friend Jessica and her brother.

What I didn’t like about this book:

Even though the romance between Ashleigh and Sam was sweet (and swoony) at times, the depth of introspection about God did take me away from the action in the story.

My rating:  3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Would I recommend this book to others?  I would definitely recommend this story to the reader who likes Christian fiction that emphasizes the human relationship with God. Inspirational with a side of romance. This is the first book in the series.

Note: I received this book in a giveaway. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Where can I learn more about this author and their books?

Pepper Basham, author website

The Thornbearer by Pepper D. Basham (3 1/2 out of 5 stars) #BookReview #amreading

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