Review of Always You by Jennifer Rodewald

Review of Always You by Jennifer Rodewald

Wow! What a meeting. I can’t call it a meet-cute, because it’s far from cute. Maybe a meet-humiliation? Is that a thing?

Whatever you call it, the first meeting of Lauren and Matt is one those of us who tend to be more socially awkward or klutzy fear. I mean, okay, I’ve never feared this particular meeting. I don’t know that I’d ever even dreamed that a meeting like this could happen. And it really makes me wonder if the author has some experience with this situation in her life. As horrifyingly embarrassing as meeting in this way would be, it is the perfect springboard to start a friendship between Matt and Lauren.

The fact that they stuck together after this event makes even more realistic their questioning the “what if” in relation to each other. It would take some a pretty powerful attraction and connection to keep me from running and hiding forever, hoping to never meet that person again.

But this unique meeting also gives levity to pretty serious situations. And Matt and Lauren are both struggling with big feelings about life, family, and love. The lightheartedness is perfectly placed to keep the story from being overly heavy.

I loved the characters (all of them, not just Matt and Lauren), and I can’t wait to meet more of them through the rest of the series. And, as with each book I’ve read from Jennifer Rodewald, I enjoyed the way the faith element was woven in. Characters span the spectrum of very dedicated to their faith to growing to questioning. Very much like life itself.

And that bed and breakfast? Idyllic. Made me want to spend a week there seeing the sites by day and snuggling up by the fire with a good book at night. My review of Always You? This story gets a full five stars. It’s one you don’t want to miss.