Until Then
4.7
3
5
1
Paperback
USD
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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781516847372 |
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| Publisher: | CreateSpace Publishing |
| Publication date: | 05/02/2016 |
| Pages: | 274 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.58(d) |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Until Then
4.8 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
4 reviews.
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Thank you to the author, Krista Noorman, for gifting me with a copy of Until Then in exchange for an honest review!
This is the second book in the series. The first is titled Goodbye, Magnolia which I have reviewed. To see my review, click HERE.
1. The religious undertones (pretty prominent ones). One thing I wanted to mention before I get too far into this review is that this is a pretty religious (Christian) book and one of the main plot points is significantly religious so you have to keep that in mind and, if you're like me and aren't terribly religious, you have to keep an open mind. I was tempted to scoff at some points but it was because of my thoughts towards the religion and not towards the book.
2. The characters. That being said, the characters are positively delightful. Their interactions with each other are just perfect. We (the reader) get enough backstory on each of them that it's as if I knew them all in the real world. I really connected with Michelle as she always felt like she would be the second choice and she wasn't as good as everyone else that she knew and I'm not a stranger to that feeling. The one thing I do have to say is the consistent use of 'gonna' and 'wanna' and those types of contractions. While I don't hate them, it's not something I hear in regular conversation (although it could be part of an accent).
3. The plot. Continuing with that line of thought, I really liked how the book was mainly focused on Michelle finding herself and finding something that she really wanted to do that would help other people. Another fabulous thing about the plot: it gives us a little insight into Michelle and Maggie's college experience from the first book. In the first book, Goodbye, Magnolia, the college years are sort of glossed over but this book overlaps that one a bit and takes it from Michelle's perspective which I thought was really cool and worked out really well. It made it seem like a more complete story and really connected the two together. It also allows you to see all sides of what was happening and reasons behind some previous actions.
4. The romance. And finally, the romance. I think the best aspect of the romance plotline was how it was integrated into Michelle finding herself. While she was happy on her own, she also wants to share her life with someone. The story of how she found that person and worked through feelings of her own and how she dated several people is really realistic and I appreciated how it wasn't just meet one person and that's it.
The Final Verdict:
This is such a wonderfully realistic book with grounded characters and a solid plot line. I loved it from start to finish.
4.5 stars
Quotes:
“She trusted God, and she believed His plan for her life was far greater than anything she could dream up for herself.”
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Until Then is a coming of age story of forgiveness and redemption. As a fan of Book 1, Goodbye, Magnolia, I delighted in the opportunity to turn back the clock and delve into Michelle’s backstory. Getting to know her past allowed a greater insight into her character and the relationships she cultivated. I enjoyed reading Michelle’s emotional journey and was pleased with the overlap between the two Cornerstone novels.
Because Until Then addresses mature themes, the author gives the story a PG-13 rating.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.
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No one likes goodbyes.
Perhaps because it sends a message of finality along with it. It is why so many that are on their death beds hate that word. It means the end in coming and with it, the end of life as they know it. It seems that goodbyes are like that, an ending of something, like a period at the end of a sentence. It's a chapter in our lives that is closing so another one can begin.
Michelle understood all too well those words. When her father walked out on her and her mother, she knew what that meant, but it didn't mean it didn't hurt the girl she was on the inside even though she learned to adapt and hide it on the outside. In fact that left such an emptiness she didn't even know how to communicate it to her mother who now was dealing with being a single mother and coping with the loss in her own way. So she rebelled like most teenagers her age and found solace in the company of young teenage boys who were too willing to help her deal with being wanted and loved in their own selfish ways. She found she could relate to them better than girls so that is where she ran to until her parents and grandparents gave her an ultimatum.
Pick one of three Christian colleges and they would pay for the entire tuition. Michelle understood it was in an effort to control her wild behavior and perhaps had her best intentions in mind, but being underage still meant her parents could insist on what she did, her only choice in this was picking a college to attend. She opted for Cornerstone and would learn that sometimes life can turned around on a dime when you least expect it. Now she would be exposed to a different life than one she had been living and the relationships she would form with her roommates and the guys at college would last her forever if she was willing to see what God could do. Only how do you let go of all those bad habits that become your life, that sustain you and in your own mind protect you? How do you go from being a bad girl and change that kind of reputation in a place where rules abound? Will she ever find a man who can love her for who she is, faults and all, or will she continue to spiral out of control?
Until Then by Krista Noorman is a different kind of coming of age novel that showcases the life of Michelle who is about to get a rude awakening and a calling from God on her life. It is one she won't respond to right away and takes to falling back on what has worked for her in the past. The message behind it is wonderful and shows that while our plans may not work out the way we want them, God has a different one in mind that is always far better than the one we wanted if we are only willing to give Him a chance. Until Then takes readers of Goodbye Magnolia, the first novel in the Cornerstone series, into the life of Michelle, a character whom we briefly met in the first novel and gives a better backstory of their relationship and how it developed when the two friends met in college and wound up where they are at today.
I received Until Then by Krista Noorman compliments of the author for my honest review of this novel. While for some it might not fall into the "Christian" category because of Michelle's promiscuous lifestyle at first, it does show that where we all begin in our Christian walk is far from perfect and creates a genuine sense of realism that readers can get behind. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this novel in exchange for my heartfelt and unbiased personal o
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Until Then was a book that I didn’t want to set down! I found myself completely immersed in Michelle’s story. I first met Michelle in Goodbye, Magnolia, which is book one in the Cornerstone Series. I really did not like her in that book because of her behavior and some actions that she took. Until Then goes back in time and takes the reader through Michelle’s life. It was eye opening to see things from her perspective in Until Then. Even though I hurt for her in some situations and wanted to yell at her in others, I came to really care about what happened to her.
I definitely recommend reading the books in order. It will make Michelle’s story that much more special. Plus, it was fun to see conversations and events that overlapped in both novels, but were told from different perspectives.
The author rates this book as PG-13. There are some instances of sex in the story, however, the deed is never described, but the reader knows it occurred. I would still consider this story a very clean book, yet for a slightly more mature audience.
I just loved this story and was so surprised at how much I ended up liking Michelle. The trials she went through, her growth in Christ, the family and boyfriend drama…it all added up to a wonderful novel!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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