The Best We've Been
(Thatcher Sisters #3)
By Beth K. Vogt
Christian Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 464 Pages
May 5th 2020 by Tyndale House Publishers
Summary
How can you choose what is right for you when your decision will break the heart of someone you love?
Having abandoned her childhood dream years ago, Johanna Thatcher knows what she wants from life. Discovering that her fiancé was cheating on her only convinces Johanna it’s best to maintain control and protect her heart.
Despite years of distance and friction, Johanna and her sisters, Jillian and Payton, have moved from a truce toward a fragile friendship. But then Johanna reveals she has the one thing Jillian wants most and may never have—and Johanna doesn’t want it. As Johanna wrestles with a choice that will change her life and her relationships with her sisters forever, the cracks in Jillian’s marriage and faith deepen. Through it all, the Thatcher sisters must decide once and for all what it means to be family.
(Affiliate links included.)
My Review
THE BEST WE'VE BEEN is the last book in this series about three sisters, but not the last in their journey as they have much of their lives ahead of them. The relationships are so rich in this story. Not only between the sisters who are still reconnecting, but also between them and their parents, spouses, a boyfriend, friends, a doctor, and a co-worker. Each relationship brought depth to this story, making for a heartfelt and relatable read. Definitely recommended to Christian fiction and women's fiction readers.
In the last book, MOMENTS WE FORGET, I loved Jillian and slightly despised Johanna. In this book, those were reversed for me. I understood both of their positions and opinions, but I had some difficulty with Jillian and her stubborn resolution as well as her rudeness. I wanted her to deal with things in a much more mature way, and one inclusive of those around her. At the same time, her situation was definitely rough as she was trying to figure out how to work something very personal out with her husband. It is so hard when dreams are lost. Johanna, on the other hand, was still a bit cold but as her story unfolded I began to understand her. Her story really tugged on my heart. Payton was very much stuck in the middle as usual. Her part was very sweet, although I wanted a bit more discussion from her husband so she was prepared more to be a social Christian. I kind of felt like ringing his neck, honestly. I was so proud of Payton pushing through. I also appreciated that the author didn't tie everything off with a nice, perfect bow, but left some things in the works and some things unresolved, while still bringing a happily-ever-after ending.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a story of family, friendship, faith, and love. It was about making hard choices, fighting for what is important, the bonds of sisters, and opening your heart. I'm looking forward to seeing what Vogt writes next!
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a story of family, friendship, faith, and love. It was about making hard choices, fighting for what is important, the bonds of sisters, and opening your heart. I'm looking forward to seeing what Vogt writes next!
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Other Books in the Series
(Linked to an Amazon affiliate link and my review.)
About the Author
Beth K. Vogt is a nonfiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind doors marked Never. The Best We’ve Been is the final book in Beth’s Thatcher Sisters series with Tyndale House Publishers, following Things I Never Told You, which won the 2019 AWSA Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year, and Moments We Forget.Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA Award finalist. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2014. A November Bride was part of the Year of Weddings series by Zondervan. Having authored ten contemporary romance novels or novellas, Beth believes there’s more to happily ever after than the fairy tales tell us.
An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Novel Academy and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers’ groups and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband, Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.
You can check out the author interview I posted earlier this month here. Have you read this one yet?
No comments
Post a Comment
I love comments! I try to read and reply to them all. Feel free to agree or disagree and generally share your thoughts with me.