Just as Wonderful as the First! Review and Giveaway of 'The Songs That Could Have Been' - Sedgwick County Chronicles 2 - by Amanda Wen

About the book:

 Two couples in love. Two sets of impossible circumstances. One powerful God of grace.

After a devastating tailspin in her late teens, Lauren Anderson’s life is finally back on track. Then a chance meeting with Carter Douglas, her first love and the man who broke her heart, threatens to throw her well-balanced world out of control.
 
Now a TV meteorologist, Carter is determined to make amends with Lauren. After all, she still owns his heart. But his old demons are forcing him toward the same decision he faced in the past. Is he courageous enough to make a different choice this time around?
 
When Lauren’s elderly grandmother, Rosie, begins having nightmares about a man named Ephraim--a name her family has never heard before—a fascinating and forbidden past love comes to light. As Lauren and Carter work to uncover the untold stories of Rosie’s past in 1950s Wichita, they embark on a journey of forgiveness and second chances that will change their lives—and Rosie’s—forever. Along the way they’ll learn that God wastes nothing, his timing is perfect, and nothing is beyond his grace and redemption.

The Songs That Could Have Been is full of the same deftly handled, resonant writing that readers and critics alike enjoyed in Amanda Wen's first book in the series, Roots of Wood and Stone. Fans of Lisa Wingate and Rachel Hauck will add Amanda Wen to their must-read shelves.

Click here to read an excerpt.

My review:

This was such a wonderful story, just as amazing as the first in the series!  I loved the dual timeline of modern-day and the 1950s.  It was especially touching that the grandchildren are trying to unearth memories that their grandmother with dementia has and can't remember.  This was a sweet love story of second chances as Lauren and Carter reconnect and she decides if she can trust him with her heart again after he broke it.  They both have some baggage from family issues and past bad decisions and struggle with forgiving themselves and believing they can move on from them.  They're both Christians but struggle to accept God's grace and give Him control of their lives and futures.  The past love story was especially interesting as their love's forbidden and even dangerous.  The struggles of both couples are written so well and touch on addiction, food disorders, racial issues, dementia and abuse but not in a heavy or overwhelming way.  I loved the hope that's portrayed, both in God and in a brighter future!  It was great seeing characters from the first book and it's not required to read the first one to enjoy this one but it's wonderful and you don't want to miss out!  I highly recommend this book and I can't wait for her next one!

I received this book free from Kregel Publications and Read with Audra.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

About the author:  Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction. She has placed first in multiple writing contests, including the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity, the 2017 Phoenix Rattler, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions contests. She was also a 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest finalist. Her debut novel was a 2021 Christy Award First Novel finalist.   Wen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She also frequently interviews authors for her blog and is a contributor to the God Is Love blog. She is the author of Roots of Wood and Stone and The Songs That Could Have Been.   In addition to her writing, Wen is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team. She serves as a choral accompanist as well. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Wen lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat.   To find Amanda Wen’s blog and short stories, visit www.amandawen.com. Readers can also follower her on Facebook (@AuthorAmandaWen), Twitter (@AuthorAmandaWen), and Instagram (@authoramandawen).

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