Grace Alone is a story for anyone who's ever made a mistake. This debut novel from Ruth Meyer is a story about forgiveness, hope, and grace in the midst of a messy life, because God specializes in new beginnings.
Grace Williams isn't looking for complications because, really, isn't life complicated enough? She's a single mom with four children. She has unresolved issues with her ex-husband. Her sister nags her about going to church. Her kids are not perfect. And neither is Grace – she has hang-ups about organized religion, she is overwhelmed by suppressed guilt and grief, she is judgmental, and she can't control her hair.
When a man shows up on Grace's doorstep, her life is turned upside down. David is terrific with her kids, she loves his family, and her sister thinks he's perfect. But he's a little too pushy. And he wants her to change.
Check out this review from an Amazon customer, posted on March 18, 2017:
I thought this book was SO GOOD that I want to encourage the author to write another fiction book. I can't believe that it doesn't have more reviews. By the way, I am a “straight”, married, middle-aged man, so if I thought it was good, then I think the book will definitely appeal to others in other age/gender groups.
Funny parts, sad parts, many happy parts. Enough suspense to keep you interested, but not enough that it is too stressful for a nice relaxing read.
Grace Neunaber has finally found happiness. After struggling for years as a single mother of four, she's thrilled about her newfound faith and her marriage to a strong Christian man. But as David is added to their family of five, her enthusiasm is quickly dampened by her older children's open hostility and resentment toward their new father.
For Grace's daughter, Faith, having a principal for a step-dad is only one of the downsides. Her parents are nosy, restrictive, and most of all embarrassing. But Faith's issues with her parents are quickly shoved aside when she's faced with a decision that will change the course of her future.
Each member of the Neunaber family will have to rely on their faith in God if their strained relationships are going to knit them closer together instead of tear their family apart.
Grace Neunaber may have everything she's ever dreamed of, but sometimes it's too much. With an infinite to-do list and not enough sleep, she can't even get out of survival mode. Her struggles dim, however, in light of the challenges of her oldest daughter.
Thanks to a supportive family and boyfriend, Faith Williams is managing single motherhood on top of college plans. But when the father of her child re-enters her life, her carefully scheduled world is rocked. She can hardly blame him for wanting to spend time with their son, but making her boyfriend jealous and claiming to be Christian is going a bit far.
Despite Faith's best intentions to keep everyone happy, disaster after disaster strikes, and school is suddenly the least of her worries. Grace must set aside her own difficulties so she can be there for her daughter. And in order to survive the uncertainties, Faith must loosen her grip on her grudges and cling to the hope that God is the only one in her life who hasn't changed.
Check out this five-star review from Reader's Favorite:
Hope Alone by Ruth Meyer is an amazing read. It features easily relatable characters that have been through difficult and tumultuous moments but whose faith serves as an anchor even in the worst of times. Faith's family has been through it all - from abandonment by a spouse to dealing with teen pregnancy and a devastating accident. Their lives are far from perfect and sometimes they make mistakes. Still, their story offers a strong lesson on the liberating power of forgiveness and the unwavering presence of God even in the darkest of moments. The novel also contains themes of restoration and growth through overcoming trials by the power of God. It also speaks to Christians to shine God's love on other people. Adeptly written, Hope Alone by Ruth Meyer is an encouraging and eye-opening read.
Grace Neunaber has entered a new phase of life. With two grandchildren and her second child college-bound, she's rethinking what to do with her quiet days while the kids are at school. But she's not the only one with decisions to make.
Thanks to a football injury, Jackson Williams' college plans have been turned upside down. His confidence and ego have been shattered along with his dream of a football scholarship. Yet he's challenged to grow both by his accident and by his best friend, Sam.
With so many uncertainties for the whole family, Grace will have to muster her self-confidence in the face of change. And Jackson will have to choose what kind of person he wants to become—a man who shirks responsibility and caves to circumstance or a man who stands up for what's right when life knocks him down. Even when it means standing alone.
When I pick up a book by Ruth Meyer, her characters draw me into their hearts and homes. I love following members of the Neunaber family and their friends through the joys and struggles in life. Through her books, Ruth has connected readers with characters of all ages. In Stand Alone, we walk through the excitement and temptations that Jackson experiences as he transitions to college life. This book provides encouragement for all families to look to God and His unchanging Word for love and forgiveness. It is refreshing to see how a family can live their Christian faith out loud and be witnesses for Christ in all situations. Share this book with a friend!
TruthNotes is a devotional of timeless truth in a changing world. From the blogger who brought you posts like “Why I Would Never Force My Kids to Go to Church,” join TruthNotes author Ruth Meyer as she leads you through the best of her blog. This devotional will take you through the year on a faith-filled journey that includes all the blog posts you know and love, plus a few bonus posts never published before, all in one convenient book. Enjoy classics like “The Secret to Church Growth” and “Life on the Plain,” as well as new posts such as “The Tree of Life” and “Be Still.” Travel with Ruth as she applies biblical lessons and truth to everyday life in areas like parenting, witnessing, Christian living, and growing in faith. Glean new insights from Scripture, and even pick up some Greek along the way! You will enjoy Ruth's signature conversational style and her illustrations from real life, depicted with candor, some humor, and a whole lot of grace. The world is constantly changing, but God's Word is unchangeable, His truth absolute, and His Word remains forever. You can count on it.
