Shine Like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

After losing her mother, father, and older sister in a tragic accident, Maggie Lounsbury is determined to survive. Maggie works in her grandmother's shop, making hats and caring for her younger sister, Violet.

Before the accident she and her family were very close with Nathaniel Harcourt, who spent more time with their family that with his own. But after the tragedy he disappeared from their life. When Violet get's hit by a car, Nathaniel is there at the right time to help them out, but his re-entry into their life, brings up memories from the past and stirs up conflicts from the past.

When the shop burns down, Nate offers to let them stay at Harcourt Manor, she hesitantly accepts for her sister's sake, but will they be able to reconcile and re-establish their friendship?

Maggie is resilient, and through everything she has done her best to carry on and raise her younger sister, Violet. Maggie is spunky and clever, she struggles with the grief of her loss that still weighs her down.  Her grandmother is kind, and has much sage advice to offer, always pointing Maggie to Christ and forgiveness.

Nate hasn't been keeping his distance of his own accord, in fact he has been looking for Maggie and her sister to make amends for his absence and what his family did her family so long ago. But his Step-mother has gone to lengths to keep them apart, sending him on a goose chase to the wrong places. Nate is also an inventor, and heir tot his father's legacy, he wants to live up to his father's name, but rise above the legacy that he left behind, he works to treat people fairly. He takes his responsibilities seriously, and works hard to balance the load. He connects quickly with Violet, works to get to know his half-sister better.

There is actually quite alot going on in this book with the mystery of Maggie's parents, and of the mysterious man who seems to linger in the shadows. There are so many well written characters, and quite alot going on in all of their lives, especially for Nate. I really liked Maggie's journey of faith through this book and how she comes to terms with the tragedy that took a part of her family, her grandmother is a wonderful lady. It was a fast paced read and very hard to put down! I think I finished it in about two days. Definitely recommend this fantastic read, it has a little of everything, and makes for a 100% enjoyable read!


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