(Review) Who I Am With You

Who I am With You by Robin Lee Hatcher

Publication Date: December 11th, 2018

Pages:  318 (kindle)

Genre: Christian Fiction

My Goodreads Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:
For these two broken hearts, the first step toward love will be a huge leap of faith.
Jessica Mason isn’t looking for love when she meets Ridley Chesterfield. Instead she is still reeling from the tragic, unexpected loss of her husband and daughter—and awaiting the arrival of her unborn child. Harboring the secret of her husband’s betrayal, her pain is deeper than anyone knows.

Ridley Chesterfield is hiding out in Hope Springs, Idaho, avoiding a political scandal and the barrage of false media headlines that have tarnished his good name. The last thing Ridley wants is a relationship—but when fate leads Ridley to form a friendship with his reclusive and pregnant neighbor, he wonders if this small-town hideout might be more of a long-term destination.

When Jessica begins to read her great-grandfather’s Bible, she finds a connection with a man she never knew. Somehow the verses he marked and the words he wrote in the margins open her heart to healing. And as Ridley and Jessica help each other forgive the people who have wronged them, they must decide if the past will define them or if they will choose to love again.

Who I Am With You weaves together a modern-day romance with Jessica’s great-grandfather’s story from the 1930s, reminding us that some truths can cross generations and that faith has the power to transform families forever.

My Review:

I never really know what to expect when I pick up a Christian fiction book and I'm always a little wary when I read one. It's not usually my genre of choice and I kind of stumbled upon this review site by accident. 

With that being said, this book really exceeded my expectations. I liked both the main characters right away, which hardly never happens. Though Jessica seems a bit hardheaded, she's also been through a lot and, honestly, I don't blame her. Ridley is a different story. He's obviously been burned, but his faith is still strong and there's something to appreciate in that. 

Their meeting is innocent and sweet and so is the friendship that grows between them. I love how gentle and kind Ridley is with Jessica and how Jessica doesn't realize how she's falling for Ridley. 

Everything about their relationship is easy and uncomplicated (minus the pregnancy and Ridley hiding out from the press), even the exploration of their faith. I love that Ridley brings Jessica out of her shell, back into her life and into the world. 

The flashbacks to Andrew's life were a nice addition and the scripture incorporated was instrumental in helping Jessica to heal. Her reaction to finding out the truth about her husband was a true testament to her growth and growth is pretty much one of my favorite things in a book. 

Oh, and the sweet romance. 

This was a lovely book and I'm looking forward to reading the next ones in the series. 

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy.