Not a Word

by Chautona Havig

[phyllish]

This is me reading the book:

Aww – he is so sweet (cue romantic music, birds singing)
Oh! She likes him too! Sigh…
Huh? What is she thinking? Wait! What? No Savvy!!
Oh, that is scary. What will she do now?
???!!!!!! (screech of needle on record as the music abruptly stops, birds go silent)
No no no no no no no no no no no!!!!!!!!! I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. How could she have done that?????
And that is just the first 25% of the story!
What might you be driven to do because of fear of what people will think of you? To cover your sin? What would you do if you were slandered by someone you love?

Chautona Havig’s books tend to be uncomfortable. They shine a light on the corners of your heart where you keep dark things hidden. Or dig at a wound that hasn’t quite healed over. Not with the intention of hurting you, but to allow healing to take place.

Not a Word does exactly that. It is a compelling story that has you cringing, smiling, snickering, sighing and thinking. With beautiful Spiritual truths shared in a compelling way, this story is possibly my very favorite of all books by this author. I really like Luke in the “Aggie” books, but seeing him here in this way, being a friend to the piranha, um, I mean pariah (read the story!), the way he is so thoughtful before speaking, and the way he doesn’t push in Spiritual matters just made me appreciate him all the more.

Of course, my favorite character in the book is Rory. Few authors create children characters like this author does. Rory is six and is feisty, funny and vulnerable. He will steal your heart! And then there is Mac. He is a broken hero who knows how to love in ways that not many do.

This was my second time reading this book. I think I loved it even more than the first time.

If you are looking for a romance book that is all about steamy kisses and sweet nothings shared, this is not the book for you. Though this is a love story, it is all about the relationships.

This book is not part of a series, but it does take place in the world that this author has created, the Greater Rockland area, and so there are characters who appear here from other stories she has written. There is no need to read the other books first, but if you felt so inclined, you might want to read the first three Aggie’s Inheritance books before this one.

There is a more mature topic in the story, but I wouldn’t hesitate to let my older teenaged niece read it.


This review was originally posted on Among the Reads