Today's read... The Samaritan's Patient by Chevron Ross

Happy Sunday! We're snuggling into our cozy home today with both fireplaces burning bright to fight the cold (6 degree high) and incoming snow storm (4 inches!) Lol! After growing up in Denver, I have to smile at this. But here in the Ozarks, this is pretty much as rough as it gets. And I'll admit that the ice and humidity (things which barely existed in Denver) do add their punch. I could do without either.

Today's read is one for a Sunday and circles into the arena of religious contemporary with thriller aspects. I adore the cover and found the blurb very intriguing. I'm very curious how this one will read because it's been getting wonderful reviews and promises tons of heart.

So off we go!

THE SAMARITAN'S PATIENT

by Chevron Ross

YA Religious Contemporary

352 pages

COMING...

JANUARY 25th!!!

Teenager Paige Abernathy awakens after a severe beating to find that she suffers from amnesia, and that everyone seems to hate her.

She has only flashes of memory until the night a grieving parent attacks her in her hospital room. Paige then remembers her role as creator of an online group where members talk about ways to commit suicide.

After recovering from the beating, Paige embarks on a journey of penance to atone for a disaster born of good intentions. Her odyssey launches her on a mission of mercy and into new danger.

The Samaritan’s Patient is a thought-provoking novel about navigating the treacherous waters of social media.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

With layers upon layers, this tale of guilt, penance, self-exploration, and hope delves deep into human nature and strives to find light in the darkness.

A teenage girl is mugged on a bridge but can't remember anything due to brain trauma. Although everyone else seems to know who she is, no one will tell her anything. Until she's attacked by a man in the hospital room. He's only one of an entire flood of people, who want to see her suffer retribution for others' misuse of a website, she'd hosted. Although she'd hoped to offer words of encouragement and support to teens, it ended in several death. In an attempt to flee her mother's dominance, to find penance, and to avoid those who want to kill her, she hides on the streets. If she only knew where to go from there.

This is a read packed full of heart, pain, tension, truth, and hope. There are so many valuable relationships, meetings, and situations, that it becomes a treasure chest of life's tribulations and continuing on. While it centers around Paige and her attempt to come to terms with what happened on her website, it's also a tale of those she meets along her journey to truth. 

This is a religious read, but it's not an 'in-your-face' type. Paige comes from a church-centered family and this, obviously, shines in her personality, thoughts, and actions. While there are a few Bible verses, it's really a handful and lets the story flow in other ways. The author concentrates on the very realistic problems various characters face or are trying to come to terms with. The harshness of life comes through clearly, never offering sunshine and roses. Life isn't that simple. Instead, it gives glimpses of hope and the goodness others can inspire, while weaving a thrilling tale.

While there is tons of goodness to this read (and I highly recommend it even to adult readers), I was a bit thrown by the timeline in the beginning and changes in perspective. I did find myself skipping paragraphs more than once, but then, I tend to have a shorter attention span. For those, who enjoy sinking into the emotional moments, this is a treat. It is a rich read with raw moments but tons of hope and heart.