Review: Child of Mine by David and Beverly Lewis

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Looking at the beautiful cover, Miss 16 thought Child of Mine would be too sentimental, but it turns out that both of us enjoyed it very much and recommend it.

You see, while there is plenty of sentiment in Child of Mine, it is a solid book, with real characters who grow and change, a convoluted plot that we did not anticipate, and deep struggles about truth, forgiveness, and trust.  It is so gripping that I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it, something that almost never happens.

Eight years ago, Kelly Maines’s baby was kidnapped and she has been looking for her ever since, developing quite a repertoire of skills to identify her but losing her own health, self-respect, and future in the process.  When she was almost ready to give up, her private investigator suggested a brown-haired girl living nearby, Natalie, might be her long-lost daughter.  To be certain, all she needed to do was sample some of Natalie’s DNA….

Just four years ago, pilot Jack Livingston had been called home at the death of his sister and her husband.  He had not been back for years and was understandably shocked to be named legal guardian of their adopted daughter.  However, within just a few hours little Natalie had won his heart and he adjusted his irresponsible lifestyle to care for her.  Together with Laura, the little girl’s Amish nanny, he made a stable home for her but now, at eight years old, Natalie was having nightmares and crying spells.

Some, including Jack’s bossy sister San who was Natalie’s favorite aunt, suggested that she really needed a mother.  For Natalie’s sake and with San’s practical help, Jack began to date.  Natalie, however, wanted him to marry her nanny Laura. 

And then Kelly started to take flying lessons from Jack….   

Easy-to-read but not fluffy, Christian but not preachy, and long enough to satisfy any book lover, Child of Mine is a wonderful story of growth and hope.  Its characters still live on in my mind, and I’ll be sure to read any future book written by David and Beverly Lewis.

This is yet another book in the in the 2014 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge and is also linked to Saturday Reviews and Booknificent Thursdays.

Disclosure: This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and is available at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.