Review: Choices
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 28, 2013
We are all faced with choices.  As we mature and grow older, these choices, whether good or bad, can affect the rest of our lives.  It is up to us how these choices are made.  Do we make them and try to remain true to ourselves and God or do we let the world pressure us into taking THE EASY WAY OUT.Thankfully, Staci Stallings chose to continue the story of Drew and Charity in the second book of The Friendship Series. At the end of the first book, hints are dropped of a possible relationship. The second book begins with Drew and Charity in Harmony and Aaron's wedding, the two main characters in the first book,  Eternity.  Both are fulfilling their duty to friends and family but they both realize each can't wait till the day is over.  Hurts and heartaches from the past overshadow their day and their lives.  As the story continues, Drew and Charity's friendship and feelings for each other grow.From the first pages, I was pulling for these two to simply confess their love and live happily ever after.  However, it's never that simple.  Life happens for Drew and Charity.  Choices are made.  And consequences must be dealt with.  Drew and Charity make some good choices and some bad that will totally redirect their lives. Together, they navigate these difficult choices one day at a time, one hour at a time and even during a very difficult time, one moment at a time.  Most importantly, they learn during the bad, friends don't run and take THE EASY WAY OUT!I think my favorite scene and maybe the most heartbreaking is when Drew asks Charity to take her lunch break with him and he tells her he will always be there for her.The wonderful thing about this book is the choice of characters and their development.  I love how they are just average, every day people.  They are not fancy.  They are not rich.  They are just common every day people who must get up and go to work every morning to simply pay the bills.  Both Drew and Charity have problems with family, jobs, finances and each other but they learn to talk with each other, ask for help from each other and simply trust God to show them the next step.  And sometimes, the hardest lesson of all is to simply just wait on God and not take THE EASY WAY OUT.It's a wonderful story of a love that has grown and blossoms between two friends and with God.  I received a copy of this book for an honest review.  And as usual, you will not be disappointed with the latest Stallings' novel!