It's Not about Him

Great "Real" Fiction

All I can say is what a terrific book! This isn't you're everyday "fluffy" romance! It's Not About Him deals with issues such as alcoholism, abortion, rape, and sex in a way that is relevant and real for today's young adults. I was truly captivated by this book from the very beginning and I stayed up preeeettty late and woke up early to see what happened next! You definitely won't be bored with this one and you might even cry!

Jeff is a sensitive, caring hero who as a new Christian is still dealing with temptations from his past and Susie who is also a new Christian is facing her past and consequences of it in a very real way. I felt sorry for Jeff at times, Susie was so reluctant to acknowledge her true feelings but I was really pleased with how everything worked out for both of them and baby Melissa. I'm really looking forward to reading Book 1, It's Not About Me (yeah I know I ALWAYS end up reading series books out of order) to learn more about the story behind Annie and Dan, two terrific secondary characters in It's Not About Him who are very important in Susie's and Jeff's lives.

If you are a lover of romance with strong Christian themes It's Not About Him is definitely a book you will want to pick up. If you're a parent of an older teen I really think this book (and probably the series) would be great to read and discuss together. It's Not About Him is definitely highly recommended.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Adoption?

When confronted with an unwanted pregnancy, the decision to abort is often the answer, but this book presents another solution: adoption and looks into the complexities of that decision. I like that the baby becomes a focus of the decision.

This easy-to-read Christian fiction is not just for young adults; this senior citizen enjoyed reading it. In addition to looking closely at an edgy problem, romance blooms, bringing a roller coaster of emotions. Although it is the second in the series, it can be read without having read the first title, It's Not About Me. Discussion questions are included.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Its Not About Him- this book will take your breath away!

From the first page l was reeled in like a fish that couldn't get away. My heart ached for Susie, but at the same time l was overjoyed at her decision to do the right thing. I got all choked up when Susie had a dream and came to terms that the Lord was doing good out of something evil... So l was crying for her joy and for her coming to peace with the fact that it was His will. In fact, I went through an entire box of tissues as I read this story nearly straight through! This book touches me in so many personal ways because l am an adoptive parent and I also have a bff who placed her child up for adoption when she was 16. So l was really able to connect with Susie and her stuggles. She had some hard decisions to make. The book is well written, and it is well worded for the mature teen to read. The author really has a way with words that just keeps you begging for more of the story.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Another Winner from Michelle Sutton.

Michelle Sutton does a fantastic job on this second book in her Second Glances Series. At times Susie drove me bonkers with her indecision. But you know what? It was accurate. With Susie's family history and what she was facing being a Christian, unwed, and pregnant . . . To see an accurate description of the struggles Christians face, because we are not a perfect people, was refreshing.

I loved watching how Jeff transformed throughout the novel as well. He came from a partying background and just because he became a Christian, it didn't make all that go away. Memories, temptations, etc. To see how he handled those and grew through setbacks and temptations was true to reality in my opinion.

And of course, the romance. Yes, I loved the romantic elements to this novel too. Some parts were pretty steamy, but I enjoyed how Michelle tastefully painted the word pictures.

So, yeah, go out and buy it

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

An author who isn't afraid to get real

I really enjoyed Michelle Sutton's first book, It's Not About Me, so I was thrilled to be able to read a review copy of the next book in the Second Glances series, It's Not About Him. Here is my review:

Review by Jill Williamson

Susie wakes up after a party knowing something isn't right. When she discovers she is pregnant but has no idea who the father is, she decides to place her baby for adoption with an infertile couple from church. Following through ends up being more challenging than she'd imagined. But she wants to do the right thing. If only Jeff would quit trying to marry her so she'll keep her baby! Why doesn't he understand? It's not about him; it's about what's best for her child. Meanwhile, a man shows up in her life that looks irritatingly familiar. Could he be the father?

The thing that's so great about Michelle Sutton is that she isn't afraid to be real. It's Not About Him is a gripping story about two people struggling to make right choices despite their past mistakes. The plot is filled with tough topics of rape, drinking, premarital sex, and murder, but Michelle deals with each scenario in a realistic way that proclaims Christ as the answer to all sin and reminds readers that He can work through any tragedy. Michelle weaves a series of plots that both break and warm the heart. It's Not About Him is the perfect sequel. Michelle has written another honest look into the world young Christians struggle to live in every day. I praise God for the way she shows her readers that they can stay pure if they lean on Christ and make good choices. I pray these books will change lives. I'm so looking forward to book three.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

No sophomore slump here!

Sutton has hit her stride with book two in the Second Glances series! Written in the same gritty, authentic style as her debut novel, fans will delight in the continuation of Susie's story . There's no sophomore slump here! Filled with finely drawn characters colliding with timeless truths, the prose is taut and rife with tension. Sutton proposes her signature honest answers to heart-wrenching questions. Not to be attempted without a box of tissues. Well worth the read! You won't put this one down until you finish the last page.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Well done story that addresses timely issues with sensitivity.

Ms. Sutton's done it again with another poignant story for today's youth in It's Not About Him. With great finesse and sensitivity, Ms. Sutton addresses timely issues such as abortion, date rape, abuse, alcoholism, and sexual temptation all wrapped up in a colorful and heart-rending story of two young lovers who must not only battle their own abusive pasts and insecurities as they struggle to maintain a strong faith in God, but learn to open their hearts to love again, despite many obstacles and temptations. With a sight surprise at the end, Ms. Sutton brings the story full circle, leaving the reader more than satisfied.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Michelle Sutton writes another spellbinder!

Michelle Sutton does not disappoint with her most recent novel, It's Not About Him, another great read from Sheaf House. She makes each character come to life and every situation seem so realistic. Sutton writes what readers have come to call "edgy" Christian fiction - not to be confused with racy or inappropriate, but, rather, portraying life's situations in a most accurate, true-to-life manner. Too often Christian fiction paints too rosy a picture, making its characters appear almost super-human and without fault. Sutton gives her readers a view of what it truly means to battle temptation, and sometimes even succumb to it, while leading us to the One who can heal, forgive, and bring hope to otherwise hopeless situations. Don't miss Sutton's Second Glances series. It most definitely deserves a spot on your keeper shelf.

Sharlene MacLaren
Little Hickman Creek Series
The Daughters of Jacob Kane Series
(Whitaker House Publishers)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Cautionary and Hopeful

In It's Not About Him, Michelle Sutton addresses the harsh realities and sometimes graphic temptations with which today's young Christians often struggle. As in her debut novel, It's Not About Me, Sutton loves her lead characters enough to let them make mistakes and bad decisions. But the lessons learned are numerous and edifying. One would expect teen readers to see the book as both a cautionary tale and a message of hope when circumstances seem too dark to overcome.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Second in Second Glances series is first rate read

It's Not About Him by Michelle Sutton is the second book in the Second Glances series. Susie Ziglar is trying to make the best of the horrific situation she's found herself in. After passing out drunk at a party, she was raped and ended up pregnant. While at first she was determined to abort the baby, she instead ending up giving her life to God and decided to put the baby up for adoption. She just wants to do what's right for a change, and that means keeping her distance from Jeff, despite his insistence that he loves her and wants to marry her. Jeff also recently gave up his hard-partying ways and turned to God, and now he wants to make a life with the beautiful woman Susie has become. Sutton depiction of a woman's decision to put her child up for adoption with exquisite attention to detail: Susie's gut-wrenching pain, occasional worries that she made the wrong decision, and fierce determination to do what's right for her child are brilliantly rendered. Susie and Jeff's romance happens in stutters and leaps and huge steps backwards, making it realistic and sweet. Sutton has a special talent for dialogue; she doesn't keep it squeaky clean, but keeps it real. I could easily hear the characters talking to each other. She also portrays well the struggle that men have with the temptation women present with revealing clothing. It's a gritty, realistic view of twenty-somethings, but with a message of hope.