The Healer

by Research Associate Donna Freitas

[Sam@WLABB]

At 18, Marlena had yet to attend school, go to a dance, or get her first kiss. She had been kept separate from the world and revered for her gift as a healer. Tired of living in her "saint" bubble, she rebelled, and began stretching her wings a little, as she attempted to discover who she was when not being The Healer.

• Pro: Freitas set this initial mood with her beautiful writing, which really captured the mystical quality of Marlena the Saint. I found myself fully absorbed in her world, and was enthralled by the mystery of her gift.

• Pro: I always love a cute romance, and the feelings and euphoria of first love was so well illustrated. Finn and Marlena made me smile and my heart pitter-pat. Their love and affection radiated off the page, and warmed me from the inside out.

• Pro: Marlena's struggle with her identity was quite interesting and sometimes painful. Marlena the Saint was someone crafted by her mother, but who was Marlena, and who did she want to be?

• Pro: The naivety Marlena displayed was believable, and it was sort of interesting seeing and experiencing so many things for the first time with her.

• Pro: Marlena's frustration at her lack of connection and feelings of exploitation were palpable. I felt so much empathy for her. And her guilt! My heart cracked in half, as Marlena dealt with her feelings of betrayal for abandoning her gifts, her responsibilities.

• Pro: Freitas left me a sobbing mess at the end of this book. The tears started flowing at 91%, and I pretty much couldn't stop. So, that is a testament to my connection to the characters and their story.

Overall: A heartwarming and heartbreaking coming-of-age story, which explored love and faith and the different ways one can fulfill their destiny.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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