Review: Redemption and a second chance at love
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 7, 2014
"We have such a short time to live, a breath, really, so why waste it on stuff that doesn't matter."At 23, Rylie Shepherd has seen a lot of heartache. Born into poverty and longing to escape she finds herself driving back to the trailer home of her childhood.  Her mother has just died so all the family has congregated back "home."Colton Ryder, Rylie's love from 4 years ago, is back home having "died" on the battlefield. Yes, he has the death certificate to prove it! Shot in the chest three times, he miraculously came back to life. His recovery was long and painful but he is ready to settle back into his home town of Richland.Rylie's, Uncle Cleavis is on his way home in a coffin from Vietnam so following the funeral of her mother, two days later will be the procession and official burial for Uncle Cleavis plus later in the day a tribute to Colton with the day being named Colton Ryder Day.Colton and Rylie had a love affair in High School. Rylie became pregnant with Bethany but had a late miscarriage. Rylie ran leaving Colton and his family to deal with the funeral etc. Naturally, his family is very bitter towards Rylie. Colton, on the other hand, has recommitted his life to the Lord and although still grieving for what could have been, has moved on. The one thing he wants more than anything is a second chance with Rylie, something he doesn't believe he deserves. Rylie, is totally against God, full of hurt and pain blaming God for it all. She is very surprised to hear that Colton is alive. She has never stopped loving him and when they meet for the first time again they both know the feelings are still there. Running scared and not wanting to face the people in the town, Colton asks Rylie for two weeks to prove to her that he's the one she wants and Richland is the town she needs.Tempted by memories of their previous intimate relationship Rylie asks Colton to make love to her but although he stays with her the first night he will not grant her request. He knows that doing so will not erase the memories. Only God can replace them. Colton wants Rylie to marry him.That Sunday, the last place Rylie wants to be is in church but she has promised Colton. She stays for a while but then totally overwhelmed, runs out crying. Colton goes to run after her but the minister stops him. It has to be Rylie's decision to turn to God. What is the only thing Colton can do? Pray!Rylie's siblings are with her during this story - each one different but Rylie comes to realize how much she has missed them. They bring humor to the story along with some beautiful moments, one of which is when her younger sister Prissy hands her a drawing of Colton, Rylie and Bethany in a field. Bethany is a little girl and Prissy tells them that God showed her what Bethany looked like in a dream. As Rylie struggles with the past and her non-relationship with God, she asks the question "How does God fit in?" Answer: He doesn't. We are the clay, He is the mold. We fit into Him!This is a beautiful story of love and redemption, where a couple having made some wrong decisions are being  given a second chance by God.Any cons? Due to the family and the people, you will read the words "God Almighty and God" taken in vain half a dozen times plus the words "bastard" and "dammit" occur a couple times each.At the beginning the author warns that "this story my contain graphic and/or sexual situations not suitable for younger readers, but are framed by Christian morals and solutions."  As an example at one point Rylie pulls down Colton's jeans as they are in bed, to have a good look. She tells him he's improved with age! Colton and Rylie do not give into temptation, knowing that God's best plan is to wait but they do admit that they are tempted so this is a very believable story!I, personally would not allow my teenagers to read this book. It is a great story BUT I am older and happily married.Just so you know, I was given this book to read with the understanding that I would write an honest review. That is exactly what I have done. The comments are my own and I am not affiliated with the author in any way.