I’ll Stand By You by Sharon Sala
Contemporary Romance
June 2, 2015
Sourcebooks
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “I’m just getting a dose of the Christian charity the town of Blessings is so good at handing out. If you belong to the right social circles, they can’t do enough. But if you’re unfortunate enough to have committed a sin in their good Christian eyes, they conveniently forget God didn’t set them up as judge and jury.”
No one is alone
Dori Grant is no stranger to hardship. As a young single mother in the gossip-fueled town of Blessings, Georgia, she’s weathered the storm of small-town disapproval most of her life. But when Dori loses everything within the span of an evening, she realizes she has no choice but to turn to her neighbors.
As long as there is love to give
Everyone says the Pine boys are no good, but Johnny Pine has been proving the gossips wrong ever since his mother died and he took over raising his brothers. His heart goes out to the young mother and child abandoned by the good people of Blessings. Maybe he can be the one to change all that. (Goodreads)
Adorable-no, I’m not kidding- Grant (Dori) is a seventeen year old mother who lives with her grandfather and works to support her 7 month old baby boy, Luther Joe. Her parents passed when she was nine and all Dori has known was the love and care of her grandparents. She has always refused to name the father for fear her that grandfather would go after him and she would lose him too. When a fire takes everything from Dori, she learns quickly who her friends are in Blessings and find a good one in Johnny Pine.
Johnny Pine has been raising his younger brothers since their mother passed away and their father was sentenced to life in prison. He fought social services to keep them and now does everything he can to keep them happy and healthy. Like Dori, he feels the town’s disapproval over his circumstances but chooses to look the other way and live his life to the best of his ability. When he sees Dori’s so called “Christian” neighbors all turn their back on her when she and Luther have no place to stay…he opens up his home and heart to her little family.
I’ll Stand By You is the second book set in Sharon Sala’s fictional town of Blessings, Georgia. This small town contemporary is light on the romance and uses the misfortune of two residents to examine the town’s values; looking beneath its pious nature to show the judgemental attitudes that exists within it. An engaging story that flows smoothly and evenly; addressing the expected and unexpected. The emotionally based characterization is deeply rooted in humor and sorrow. There is a strong inspirational tone to it with Sala gently poking at the morality of religion and the easy way people are able to justify their bigotry towards those less fortunate or considered different.
At times I wasn’t sure exactly what theme this book as striving for. Some scenes were melodramatic, serious, and long-winded while others were short, snarky, and dipped in sarcasm. There is an overblown sense of outrageousness and exaggeration that further hints to Sala’s enjoyment of poking at this town and its residents. I also had some issues with the abrupt POV changes. There are multiple characters and Sala seems to get in all their heads at least once or twice. The age of the protagonists gives the story a new adult feeling though that is not a detriment.
I absolutely adored Johnny, Dori, and the boys. All of them are sweet, sensitive, and genuinely nice people who despite their shaky circumstances in life, remain strong and relatively cheerful. That’s not to say they are doormats because all of them are more than able to stand their own and vocalize their displeasure in the face of injustice. They are the traditional underdogs we all love to cheer and there is plenty to sympathize and cheer for in here.
Watching this little group grow into a family will totally give you all the feels as you get to know them. Sala does a fabulous job with the developing characterizations and allowing them to progress into their designated relationships at their own pace. Nothing feels manipulated or forced. I found the boys actions and thoughts completely realistic for small children and the baby was hilarious.
An eccentric and gregarious group of secondary characters adds depth and realism to this small gossipy town. I loved that no one was able to hold their tongues and that Dori and Johnny did have those who wished them well in their corners. Dori’s “windfall” was an eye roller and seemed opportunistic but as I stated earlier, the story is built upon outrageousness.
Fans of Sharon Sala and the town of Blessings, GA is sure to enjoy their visit back. Plenty of laughs, tears, head shakings, and a few ‘bless your hearts’ are guaranteed as this ready made family learns that the town that seemed to shun them is more than willing to support them when times call for it.
RATING: C+
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