Amy and Zach are work colleagues and have each liked each other for a while, but only now, as she recruits him to help with the holiday program, do they manage to start dating.(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)Plot and Setting: 4 -- Plot has unique elements and no major holes, but a few shaky bits. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline may be a bit hard to follow. I'm confused why they weren't dating sooner when they both were apparently interested. Also, pretty sure book 2 ended late October, but then this one starts after that one, but (confusingly) in early-mid October. And the name of Ben's organization from book 2, Bread of Heaven, is apparently given to the DC mission where Rebecca volunteers. ??Characters: 4.5 -- Main characters are mostly relatable, realistic, interesting, and dynamic. Even minor characters have depth. Good use of minor characters as sounding boards, etc. Her parents are particularly excellent, and honestly without them and their awareness of Amy's personality, I would like her a lot less. She's very pessimistic, and tends to jump in full steam ahead without waiting to make sure she's got all the facts. I actually started to wonder a bit at Zach continuing to love her with her repeated fits of upset. I do appreciate both Zach and Amy's genuine interest in the lives of their students, and all the ways they go beyond to help them out.Writing and Mechanics: 4.5 -- A handful of typos or continuity errors (Bread of Heaven thing), but nothing that seriously hinders understanding. Good use of alternating POV. Generally skillful writing. Great job of making sure we know what is going on without needing to actually show us every scene. Though skipping over scenes sometimes required some mental readjustment, it's mostly a great strategy.Redeeming Value: 5 -- Well-developed, central, uplifting themes. Hoping all things and believing all things, instead of assuming the worst, is a big theme. Also doing what you can to improve the lives of those around you in whatever situation God calls you to. Sex, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. We see a teen couple, pregnant and dealing with the responsibilities of caring for a baby, likely getting married; and Amy's own parents were that way, if a little older. Rough parts of town are mentioned, with passing reference to what makes them rough, but more focus is on the quality of the ones who are looking to make things better.Personal Enjoyment: 4 -- I liked it a lot. Highly enjoyable and very entertaining, with perhaps an issue or two that tempered my pleasure. I’d enjoy reading it again.
