‘Just to See You Smile’ by Sally John
STORY: dedicated basketball coach and teacher, Britte Olafsson isn’t about to let her firm hand with students be upset by some overprotective, overbearing parent. New principal Joel Kingsley also rules with strict, orderly discipline on school grounds. As a former Marine, he is used to challenges but when it comes to backing up Britte in her coaching decisions, he may just have met his match.
Married seventeen years, Alec and Anne Sutton are experiencing some financial and emotional trials. They’ve just seen their best friends go through a divorce which shakes Anne’s beliefs to the core – if it could happen to her friend, can’t it happen to anyone? Amid job troubles and a tanking economy, Alec loses sight of his family – and his wife’s heart. Will he be able to win her back?
Just to See You Smile, by Sally John | Book Review
Review: The third installment in Sally John’s series is a story too comfortable in its own skin, really, and especially, for the characters. Too many seem to loose sight of what’s most important. The story does have a lot of good things to say, but I had a really difficult time getting “into” the book. During the portions of novel that tells Anne and Alec’s story, there’s a lot going on in their lives which shakes their faith; both in God and each other. I will say that by the time Alec realizes he’s “losing” his family, it seems too late in the novel to be properly examined.
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I really did want to like this book, especially since Britte is Brady’s sister (the hero from the first in the series). Britte and Joel make an interesting couple to have thrown together and their story explores an age difference in a relationship. The catalyst in is a threat to Britte’s life. This inspires both to see each other differently instead of the boss-employee type connection. I don’t think it’s the characters that bother me as they read as genuine; it just doesn’t fully hold my interest. It’s not that I wouldn’t recommend the book it’s just not my favorite.
If you’ve read the others, I would definitely suggest you read this one, too. It’s not directly connected, but still has common threads and revisits some previous characters. Something I am always up for since it is always a pleasure to see where beloved characters are in their lives: so many sequels disregard previous characters.
#FWArchives Book Review: ‘Just to See You Smile’ by Sally John. Reviewing the 2008 re-release from Harvest House Publishers. #BookTwitter #BookReviews #Bookish #Fiction Share on XAbout the book:
Author: Sally John
Publisher: Harvest House
Source: Purchase Publish Date: 2008 (re-release), 2002 (first printing)
Shop the Book: Goodreads
Series: The Other Way Home – Book 3
Rating: 3 out of 5
