Ember

Ladies of Garfield, Book 16

De: Sharon Srock

Narrado por: Eliza Kiss

A different sort of love:

At 22, college student Ember Monroe thought she’d found her happily-ever-after in Quinn Abbott. All it took was one ill-fated night and the worst betrayal imaginable to rip those dreams to shreds. Now, almost a decade later, Ember’s happily-ever-after has a new look as she raises the two daughters of her deceased best friend. With a business she loves, and a family she never expected, Ember has all she wants...until Quinn comes back into her life determined to break her heart a second time.

He only wants his family back:

Quinn went to prison for a crime he didn’t commit and it cost him every good thing in his life. When new evidence sets him free, all Quinn wants is a fresh chance with his children. Unfortunately the only way to repair his family is to tear Ember’s apart.

God has his work cut out for him:

Can Ember find the forgiveness required to embrace the blessings God has for her? Can Quinn rebuild the family that was taken from him? It’ll take a miracle...Maybe God has one.

©2021 Sharon Srock (P)2021 Sharon Srock

Second chances and forgiveness

A good story about a second chance at love and forgiveness. Ember's first chance at extending forgiveness comes when she visits a friend she hasn't seen in almost a decade. Various hints are dropped about what caused the rift, but isn't elaborated upon until later in the book. After that scene, the timeline fast forwards eighteen months where Ember finds herself at another crossroad where she has to choose between offering forgiveness or dwelling on the past when her former love interest, Quin, re-enters her life.
Aside from a few things I felt were left unanswered, Quinn and Ember's journey was relatable, and there was just enough humor sprinkled throughout to lighten the heavier moments, It's an enjoyable contemporary romance with a bit of a surprise twist near the end.

I received a complimentary audio book code from the author. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed this audiobook!

I enjoyed listening to the excellent book. The narrator, Eliza Kiss, was easy to listen to, and changed voices for various characters, which I like. Best friends, Ember and Amanda, had falling out 10 years ago. The story starts with Ember coming to Amanda’s house for an emergency. Amanda has two little girls and she is dying. She wants Ember to be their guardian because their dad is in prison. The story picks up 18 months later. Dad gets exonerated, is out of prison and moves in next door to Ember and the girls who have become a close family.

What happens next makes a great story that is fun to listen to as well!

Themes of forgiveness, second chances, struggling with God’s will.

Emotions run high and a surprise near the end kept me listening past midnight! I really enjoyed this book!

I received a complementary audio book code from the author, and I’m so glad! I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A great second chance novel

Ember is the first book that I have read by Sharon Srock. She has written over two dozen books and this is the first book in the Crafted with Love series.
A narrator can make or break an audio book. When I first started the book I was not happy with the narrator because she was reading so slow. Once I adjusted the speed that I was listening I was completely content to listen to her voice. I was able to listen to the entire book in the same day.
When the story begins Ember is driving into the driveway of her best friend's house. It almost felt like you were walking into the middle of the story. After a bit it makes sense, but from the introductory scene, there is a jump of eighteen months. This left me with questions that were never answered and I understand not wanting to linger in a sadder scene, but I felt there should have been more here. I don't want to say more because I don't want to spoil anything.
Ember is an admirable character. From her unique name to her willingness to care for her best friend's girls, to owning her own business, she just exudes professionalism and love. She is strong in her faith, yet is not perfect, making her completely relatable.
Kira and Kasey are also fascinating characters. I love how strong their voices are in the story. It adds another element and a sweetness level that you won't find in most books. I adore the humor they add as well. 
Quinn's life is rocked twice, once when he is sent to prison, and again when he is released. After being released and given a clean slate, he grabs hold of this opportunity and pursues it for all he is worth. I admire his tenacity and his faith.
I enjoyed this story but felt it was too short and there could have been more to it. Mostly at the beginning and the end. This is a story of second chances, love, loss, betrayal, forgiveness, with a strong faith element woven throughout.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys contemporary, second chance novels. Fans of Denise Hunter, Karen Kingsbury, and Lisa Wingate will enjoy this author as well.
I received a complimentary audio book code from the author. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ember - A lovely story of restoration

I've loved the Garfield ladies, and Ember was another beautiful flower in the bouquet. It is an absolute delight to have audio books of the series. Eliza Kiss was new to me, but I've thoroughly enjoyed this narrator's wonderful performance of a very touching story of restoration after an unspeakable loss of time, and very sad loss of a relationship. Loved how Sharon Srock brought the hero and heroine back together, adding 2 sweet girls and a dog to the mix. How can you go wrong with such a constellation? I recommend this Garfield installment, as well as the series. Beautiful, inspirational, faith-based entertainment. Well-written, well-told.

Betrayal by a friend is heartbreaking.

I enjoyed listening to this book. The narration was excellent and the story had depth and will tug at your heart. Ember is an amazing friend to the friend who betrayed her. A wonderful story.

Heartwarming

The story follows Ember, who has been betrayed by her best friend and also by her fiancé, Quinn. They got married, had a family, he ended up in jail, and she got cancer. Ember is called and asked to look after the two girls upon the death of her friend. She wants nothing to do with Quinn. He is unexpectedly exonerated and set free. What will this mean for Ember’s new family? Quinn wants his family back … But at what cost to Ember? I really enjoyed this Christian romance. It’s a clean read, and realistically portrays what one could imagine happening in such a situation. I received a free copy of this audiobook, with no obligation.

Omniscient narration of deliciously glowing story

Ember turns out to be very descriptive of the main character’s personality. So happy that I won this book!

Normally I read actual books during the day and electronic books at night, when using a light could disturb my spouse. My Mom listens to audible books due to her eyesight and several new librarians have mentioned listening to audible books while commuting or doing housework. Happy that this book was my introduction to audible.

At first I was a bit concerned that I would be starting a series with book 16, but it pulled me in immediately and never made me feel like an outsider. There were definitely several unexpected moments that held my interest and helped to give the story more depth but without getting “preachy”. Definitely looking forward to reading more from Sharon Srock.

I do have a tendency to prefer books that take me into the inner workings of the characters’ minds and motivation instead of just superficial characters and fashion choices. There was just enough balance to lighten the mood and make you smile when needed and still help you feel like you really got to get to know the characters. My biggest delight was the voice of the five year old and her older sister and their interactions with Ember and Quinn. Love and friendship, misunderstandings and patience twine throughout this story, While wanting to share this book with as many readers as possible, I am reluctant to say anything that may spoil the delightful experience of this book.

Heart stirring

I really loved the book and each of it characters. The audio was really good as well. The voice was very calming. I would recommend this audio book to any one who enjoys romance.

An amazing story!

Ms. Srock writes amazing stories that touch your heart right down to the core! It has been a little while since I have read one of her books but listening to this one pulled me right back into the series. The women that who are in this series are awesome! They are not perfect human beings but they know a perfect God! And they know that they can trust Him with the beauty and chaos of life. This book revolves around Ember, as the title suggests. Ember was hurt very badly in her life by the two people she should have been able to trust. Ten years later and she is asked to do something that will change her life. This story had me almost in tears right from the start it is such a beautiful story. I don't want to take away anything from your total enjoyment so I won't say anything more but be guaranteed I totally recommend this book or any by this author. I also have to say that the narrator does an amazing job of taking on the various characters and making you come to care for them especially Keira and Kasey the two little girls in this book.
I received a free code for this book from the publisher to listen to on audible.com. This review is totally my own honest opinion.