One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling was such a good book for me. She writes Christian fiction and until now I had never read any of her other novels. You can be sure I will be now. I love her style of writing, the story just seems to flow so well. I also love how her writing took me on an emotional journey.
This novel is about two families who are impacted in different ways by one very tragic event-one is impacted in a good way, the other bad. The story is weaved around the two mothers in the story, Nora and Jenna. Nora wants nothing more than the perfect Christmas this year. Her twins are still home but they’re going to be off to school the next year and she just knows that everything will change after that. She just didn’t plan on it changing long before then. Jenna is a nurse with a daughter who has a bad heart-she has been on a heart transplant list for a long time and she is getting continually worse. While Nora is planning for a perfect Christmas, Jenna is wondering if this will be her last with her daughter Heather. Then, a miracle. A heart is available for Heather but as Jenna finds out sometimes a miracle isn’t as easy to accept as you would think it would be.
This novel affected me so much. I cried and I laughed. There are parts that tear at your heart and others that leave you so hopeful and full of thanks for what some people sacrifice for others in terms of organ donation. It’s a difficult situation all around. The family that loses their loved one is devastated and suffering and on the other hand the family that gets the life saving organ is overjoyed and thankful but often feel grief for the family that made the sacrifice.
I would recommend this novel especially for anyone who enjoys Christian fiction but even just for anyone who loves an emotional, heart tugging story. You can visit Lauraine Snelling’s website here. Many thanks to Miriam at Hachette Books for sending me this wonderful novel. While it is sad at times, it is also hopeful and for me that makes a very good book.
It sounds lovely. I have never read Christian Fiction. But your review is lovely, I would love to read it 🙂
Sounds like a good book, Dar. Nice review.
I’m so glad this was a great read for you. I love the title and the cover. 🙂 How’s your dad?
This sounds like a terrific book and right before the holidays too. I wouldn’t have known about this book without reading your post, so thank you for sharing.
Aa real tear-jerker, it sounds like! I’m guessing one of the twins dies!
An excellent review, as usual!
“This novel affected me so much. I cried and I laughed.” Sounds like my kind of novel! While sometimes these books are difficult for me to read, especially too many in a short period of time, they are the ones that end up sticking with me. Thanks for sharing such a great review, Dar! Glad you liked it.
I am so glad that you reviewed a “Christian Fiction” book! Probably one third of the books I read are Christian. I have not read this one yet, I will put it on my list.
This sounds wonderful. I’ve never read Christian fiction either but a lot of the books being talked about these days fall into that category.
Dar, you know I have this one waiting in the TBR stack, so I’ll be back later to read your review.
One sentence caught my eye, about how you laughed and cried. So I need to have tissues handy, I guess!
Shana
Literarily
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Veens, thanks 🙂 I did really like it.
Mary, thank you 🙂
Joy, I really liked the cover too-simple but with meaning in regards to the book. Dad is doing pretty good. Still in pain of course, but home and getting around. Thanks for asking.
Lisa, your welcome. It is a really good story of faith.
Linda, I can’t tell you that. lol. When I do my reviews I really try not to give away any more than the synopsis on the book does. I don’t want to spoil it for those that may read it.
Trish, that’s exactly how I feel. When a story is emotional like this I don’t forget it. It’s still so clear in my mind and so are the feelings it evoked.
Wendy, I really enjoy Christian fiction as part of all that I read. I find most of them are such good emotional stories. You’d likely really like this one.
Ti, yes there is a lot of Christian fiction out there lately. My book lists just keep growing and growing.
Shana, I strongly recommend the kleenex box. I still get shivers remembering the book.
Great review…glad that despite it being a sad read at times…it was still a good read.
Oh wow! This sure sounds like a good book. I’m adding it to my TBR list and thanks for the review!
Yasmin, I’m one who does like a sad book once in a while-you know the kind that even though they may be sad hey still offer you hope. I love those.
Samantha, your welcome. It can’t hurt to have yet one more for the list right.
This sounds like something I’d like to read, too. Thanks for a great review!
Karen, thanks. It was a really good book. If you do read it I’d be curious to see what you’d think.
Great review! Crying, laughing…sounds like my kind of book. I’m always looking for good Christian fiction.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Anna, I really enjoy good Christian fiction too. This one was so good. I’ve passed it onto my mom.
Oh Dar… It really sounds like a heartwarming story. I love books that can evoke tears and emotion. I like to mix it up a bit but I always appreciate a moving story. Your recommendations always shoot to the top of my tbr pile…. (I confess to having about three piles right now… ) I am sure you know what I mean. I am just reading a lot right now and it feels great. Reading your blog really feeds my obsession!
Toni, I think you’d like the book but it would really hit you emotionally. Reading the blogs definitely fuels my obsession too. It’s like I want to read everything but I know that’s impossible.