This novel is the third installment of the Dixon Brothers Series.

I won’t hide it, I enjoy reading Hallee Brigdeman’s Christian fiction novels. Many Christian fiction books I read mentioned God but gave little insight on living with a relationship with God or next to no examples of what it is like to follow God, to live by faith, and to love God and one’s neighbors. Too many stories string words nicely while providing little food through its content; reading the story doesn’t feed the reader anything. I  read too many stories that left no impact on my heart or on my understanding of God or on my understanding of what is godly.

In this installment, Hallee tells the story of a young Jewish woman and a Christian guy who make poor choices in a momentary lapse of judgment yet with enough maturity to deal with the consequences of their choices, and then choose God’s ways for their lives.

My likes

Jonathan and Alexandra’s story struck a chord in me on more than one occasion. I felt what the characters felt and cried and smiled with them. In a way, I think the story and the characters strike a chord in everyone because hurts and wounds—whichever means created them—find everyone.

Hallee Bridgeman delivered, once again, a beautifully written and inspiring story. If it weren’t for worrying about giving away spoilers, I would have so much more to say. All I will say is, read it. It is that good!

The most exciting part of this story is that there are gems of wisdom in it about redemption, marriage, and the Christian life. The steps in their lives are a chain of events that makes it obvious God is involved in the characters’ lives. It thrilled me to find all of this in one story.

While reading Alexandra’s Appeal, I found myself saying out loud, “Wow!” She left me flabbergasted at the gems she weaved into the story; lessons and teachings that I don’t hear in sermons. Our mess is where God meets us simply because this is where we are when we cry out to Him for help.

This book does what every Christian fiction novels should do: touch the reader; teach about the love of God, repentance, and redemption; edify (propose the right behavior according to God); remind us there is a purpose for everything (our mess, our troubles, our experiences).

Hallee chose to redeem one of her villains, likely because he was still redeemable, and used him to remind people that this is ultimately God’s will. Some are destined for salvation; they are led to it by their life’s circumstances and “wake-up calls.” God is patient so that none would perish; many are called, but they still have free will.

My dislikes

I dislike nothing about this novel, except something that bothered me because the story required it.

All stories have villains, and their presence is necessary. Hallee’s choices of villains were spot-on; I am not arguing against her choices. What bothers me is that it was not fiction. These villains are legions in our fallen world; parents without love for their children and loveless relationships are found far too frequently where love should be. That’s what bothers me.