Jennifer Mathieu by Jennifer Mathieu

Jennifer Mathieu

by Jennifer Mathieu

From Jennifer Mathieu, the author of The Truth About Alice comes a novel about the courage to believe and what it means to be truly devoted.

Rachel Walker is devoted to God. She prays every day, attends Calvary Christian Church with her family, helps care for her five younger siblings, dresses modestly, and prepares herself to be a wife and mother who serves the Lord with joy. But Rachel is curious about the world her family has turned away from, and increasingly finds that neither the church nor her homeschool education has the answers she craves. Rachel has always found solace in her beliefs, but now she can't shake the feeling that her devotion might destroy her soul.

Reviewed by Angie on

4 of 5 stars

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I received an ARC through NetGalley.

I am completely drawn to books like Devoted, where religion is examined from a "real life" perspective rather than an academic one. I'm agnostic, but grew up in a Christian school where essentially everything was evil in some way. It was by no means even close to what Rachel is living though. She's not even allowed to go to school. She was homeschooled, but now she just helps her younger siblings, since her mother won't order her more advanced lessons (what does a housewife need with math and chemistry?!). But life is changing for Rachel as she starts questioning what her church preaches and what she actually wants out of life.

Devoted was kind of scary. Rachel's community could be described as being full of religious fanatics. Every single, little thing is about God. No one seems to have thoughts of their own. I swear they have conversations just using Bible verses. No one discusses feelings or their problems. Just recite some scripture and move on! It's no wonder Rachel is so confused. I felt sooo sad for her! She has no one to go to for answers, because she knows if she asks the questions she'll be judged, preached at, and possible sent to Journey of Faith (Christian work/brainwash camp). The only person Rachel feels comfortable talking to is Lauren, a girl who one day walked out and didn't return for six years. It's Lauren who ultimately saves Rachel from her oppressive community and from herself.

I really don't know what else I can say about Devoted. Rachel's story was sad, but in the end it was very hopeful. I also liked that the author had Rachel remain religious (as opposed to Lauren who scoffs at it all). She just found a new way to connect with God. The community she grew up in believed there was only one way to be Christian, which was their way. There are so many ways to serve God, or be religious in general, so that hive mentality is scary and sad. I'm just glad Rachel was able to get out of there and discover her true self, while holding onto the pieces of home that did work for her.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 20 February, 2015: Finished reading
  • 20 February, 2015: Reviewed