While different from her other novels, Varina Denman did a wonderful job writing this book. I really thought the whole body image issue was written accurately and painfully true. Same goes with the struggle of porn and getting caught up in that whole world. At times I thought this book could have been written a tad different, it was a bit hard to totally get into. While I could relate to the difficulties I couldn't always see the connection with the characters. Otherwise this book was a great read dealing with difficult issues.

"Thanks to the author for offering me a free e book copy in exchange for an honest review."

Although difficult at times to read, Denman's latest is powerful and a novel that should be required reading for adults. Every woman, regardless of outward appearance, struggles with body image or self-esteem issues. This book reaches the heart and dares to go beneath the surface to explore the reasons why, yet doesn't offer trite platitude answers. Hope is revealed, but in a subtle way. This is edgy Christian fiction and may not be appropriate for every reader — it touches on some painful and messy situations and has some very mature themes.
A year after her divorce, Cecily Ross returns to her hometown in Texas to live with her father. She suffers from depression and self-harming behavior because she just can't bring herself to move forward after the way she was treated by her husband. Her father encourages her to talk with Graham, an old high school friend who is now a counselor. He suggests a support group, and as Cecily meets with the other women, she begins to explore her thoughts toward beauty and how it affects her. The road is not smooth, and as she makes some steps forward, there are also some steps back as she learns to love herself and others

I wanted to put this book down so many times, but I couldn't. I'm not just speaking figuratively, either. I would physically put the book down and then pick it right back up again. "One more chapter, one more chapter..."

This book is for every girl, everywhere, that has ever felt less than enough. Not smart enough. Not talented enough. Not popular enough. Not fit enough. Not pretty enough. Or even... not pretty at all.

Oh, that we could wear a sign around our neck that says, "Fragile spirit: proceed with caution." No one knows what's going on in the recesses of our mind; not everyone wears their inner demons on their sleeve for all to see. What kind of world would it be if we did?

One year post-divorce (the circumstances surrounding it revealed in brief snippets throughout the story), Cecily finds herself back home, living with her father in the town where she grew up. Unfortunately, her demons have followed her and if it weren't for the quirky, steadfast leader of her support group and an old acquaintance turned loved interest, her battle would be hard won.

Looking Glass Lies deals with the war between one's inner voice and the voices inside one's head that merely echo the world's distorted expectations of beauty. In it, our heroine is forced to ask herself, over and over and over again, "Is it my own voice I hear when I look in the mirror?" The answer, more often than not, is a resounding 'no'. So we are privy to the emotional workings of her journey as she struggles to discern between what is truth and what is a lie, the battle both inward and outward, discouraging and inspiring.

There are lots of areas where I would have loved to have had more of the story to chew through & digest. (view spoiler) And yet, to dwell on any of these points of the story would have been to detract from Cecily's story and the inner dialogue that has the power to speak to every reader on a deeply emotional, authentic level.

While it's a tough subject to read, the message within makes it worth every word. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy to finally be able to set the book down, but it's only a matter of time before I pick it up again. We could all stand to be reminded from time to time that things aren't always what they seem.

Today' s society is bombarded with images and no one is spared from being reminded that others are younger; others are prettier, others have more beautiful bodies, others are seemingly perfect. This causes people to feel inferior and the irony is that those who possess those seemingly perfect physical qualities are just as insecure about themselves. In 'Looking Glass Lies' Varina Denman has written a book that deals with the many emotions one woman feels: shame, insecurity, betrayal and hopelessness. The emotional abuse that Cecily Ross received from her husband during their marriage has left her very scarred and very vulnerable to low self-esteem.

These "perfect images" so readily available today have also created a monster by the name of Pornography. A website that is found accidentally or an innocent question that opens up visions almost beyond comprehension and suddenly, an addiction has been born! The discovery that one's mate is caught up in this activity then contributes to more doubts and insecurities. It also causes the person dealing with this addiction to feel both ashamed, helpless and out of control.

The subjects in 'Looking Glass Lies' make this a hard book to read and some may not be able to finish it. Most readers, however, will consider that this is a reminder that all of us are a creation of God and "God doesn't do ugly!" We can look at ourselves differently and receive affirmation that we ARE good enough. We can look in the mirror and never again let those images tell us those "looking glass lies"! Watching Cecily on her journey to peace and acceptance can feel the reader with hope!

I recommend this book and I thank Varina Denman for sharing the message that we do have value and we are loved.

I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the author.

Very disappointing
ByJM on May 4, 2017

Verified Purchase

I loved the Mended Heart series by this author and rated all of those books five stars. So, I was eager to read her latest. However, I was very disappointed.

This book lacked the Christian emphasis those books had. So, if you are expecting ANY of that(like I was), it is just not there. If I had known that, I would not have read it.

This book deals with very tough issues... I saw it as an opportunity for the author to shine Christ's light on dark subjects. I hoped the characters might gain hope, healing, and insight through Christian counseling, support of Christian friends who prayed with her, and through studying God's word. One of the main characters was even a counselor! It would have been the perfect opportunity. But, unfortunately, the author chose not to go that route.

I truly hope that readers who struggle with similar issues as the characters in this book will seek out Christian counseling and support. These are not issues that need to be addressed without it.

I struggled with writing this review. But, I think readers deserve to know what to expect, especially if they have read the other books by this author. I didn't want them to be disappointed like I was.

I also hope the author will choose to go back to the Christian emphasis that was so prevalent in her Mended Hearts series. When she does, I will be glad to read her again.

I received a copy of this book from the author. Opinions are my own.

Looking Glass Lies is one of the most powerful novels I've recently read. It's about the lies we see when we look in the mirror. The lies we feel must be true every time a relationship ends, we feel left out, or we compare ourselves to women who are prettier, skinnier, or more successful in love.

To say that I've agonized over what to say in this review would be an understatement. I think it's because I so wanted to say the right thing to convey just how important this book is. Though it's fiction, it contains such truth. It's also a powerful reminder that we never know what someone else is struggling with. That woman who intimidates you with her beauty and haughty attitude? She could be swimming in debt or grief or low self esteem. We just don't know, which is something clearly shown in Looking Glass Lies.

Looking Glass Lies is about Cecily, a woman whose husband was emotionally abusive (going so far as to try to mold her to fit into his pornography-fueled fantasies), and then he finally divorced her when she couldn't live up to his expectations. Her self-esteem in shreds, she moves back to her Texas hometown where she fights to regain her self-worth while making some pretty amazing friendships and perhaps even finding love.

The novel is told mainly from Cecily's perspective, though there are short portions interspersed throughout from the perspective of an unknown man. These sections show just how easily and sneakily pornography can get its hooks into someone and how this "private" sin can ruin lives.

Don't go into this book expecting a light romance: it deals with serious topics like pornography, infidelity, body-shaming, bullying, self-harm, and suicide. But it is an incredibly engaging novel that is 100% worth the read. 5 stars.

Note: While I think "trigger warnings" are often overrated, in this case, it's probably warranted. One of the characters is a cutter, and the passages regarding cutting go into some detail. It's not overly graphic, but I wonder if it might be a trigger for someone struggling with cutting.

I loved the first three books I read by Denman. Unfortunately this book left the exact opposite taste in my mouth. By the time I finished reading the book I actually felt incredibly depressed and discouraged. I felt the entire book lacked the Christian viewpoint I was hoping for. I know a lot of people loved this book, but unfortunately I can honestly say that I read the entire book with an open mind and in the end would not recommend it to anyone.

I love to read. It’s a great means of escape. I can get away. I can be who I want to be. I can giggle. I can laugh. I can sigh. I can put it down and forget it when I’m done.

Having read the synopsis, I had a general idea of what this book was about. Or, at least I thought I did. I think I had some preconceived notions: Cecily Ross was a victim of abuse. Eventually, she’d get away from her husband, get a life of her own, gain some strength and become a brand new woman.

My ideas sound ridiculously simple. And, as it turns out, they were.

Although I am single and not a victim of the abuse that Cecily experienced, I identified with her in more ways than one.

I too have struggled with low self-esteem and body image issues. I too have read Psalm 139:14 over and over. I memorized it. I committed it to memory. But, what I’ve learned, just like Cecily had to learn, it that it is a journey. No one knows your struggle better than the Lord your God, and only He can place the right people in your path to guide you. Even when you stumble or take five steps back for every progressive one, He’s right there, waiting to restore you to your proper place.

I cried while reading this. I repented while reading this. I realized that I needed some healing while reading this.

It’s a beautiful story...because it’s real. It’s one I’ll refer to again and again - particularly Shanty’s writing exercises. By the way, you’ll LOVE Shanty. In my mind, we’re the best of friends. I admired her courage in the face of adversity.

This book is highly recommended. Don’t expect too many fun and games and fairy tales. Expect a realistic experience - one that could definitely be rewarding in the long run.

Nicely done, Varina Denman.

I was given a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

This is probably one of the hardest books I've had to review. I had a love/hate relationship with it. Well, hate is probably too strong a word-maybe dislike is better. And I don't even know if dislike is the correct expression of how I feel?? I'm going to do my best to express my thoughts but forgive me if it comes across disconnected because honestly my thoughts are pretty scattered on this story.

First, let me say that I think Ms. Denman is a fabulous author. Her writing is gripping, eloquent, and she has the ability to dive into personal issues with grace. And she does it again in Looking Glass Lies. The topics covered in this story are: Hard. Personal. Touchy. And stuff most people don't openly talk about. So it's great when authors can bring these topics to the surface and open up a conversation so that those dealing with the issues might feel like they're not alone. We need more stories like that-offering grace, redemption, and hope. I guess it's that last part that gives me pause in this particular story.

We meet thirty-something Cecily Ross (at first I thought she was much older than she was until I was corrected several chapters in) who in the opening chapter is struggling with self-harm, self-deprecation, and self-loathing that seems to be the fault of her husband. A chapter later, a year has passed, and Cecily is divorced and back in her hometown.

There's authenticity in the struggle Cecily is facing and that it doesn't just go away if we think good thoughts, but the plot of the story seems to stall at her "therapy" almost like most of the book is about why she's stuck in her issues and for a time it felt like I was reading a non-fiction complete with advice and encouragement coming through secondary characters (a therapist and small group leader).

This story is heavy. As I mentioned before it touches on the harm caused by pornography and because the story is told primarily through Cecily's POV, it felt a little bias towards men. There were several occasions throughout the story most of the men are portrayed as having an issue with looking at women in degrading ways (I almost want to say all the men because there's even a part when the love interest looks at someone in a way that causes the main character to see him "lusting" after what she's not). I was desperate for a good man. A hero. And while there is a man who is good-the relationship didn't feel authentic to where the characters were at in their lives for me to believe in their love.

There's a tragic ending (or really, an almost ending) that hurt my heart more than anything because it diminished my empathy towards Cecily and left me unsure of where I was supposed to see the grace, redemption, and hope in this story.

I've seen and heard great response to this story and I can see where the open discussion regarding how women see themselves is distorted by what the world defines as beautiful is pertinent and important in this current day and age but this story left me wanting to see the characters discover and transform to overcome the issues brought up. By the last page I was like, "Wait, no. There has to be more." And maybe there will be?

I appreciate Ms. Denman's courage to engage readers with these tough issues and believe this is one of those books that might be best read in a book club where real discussions can take place in a safe setting where encouragement, help, and prayer can lead to the grace, redemption, and hope we all long for.

**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Review originally posted at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1966816142?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

This author deals with some very hard topics here with compassion and honesty.. This one will give you new perspective on mental health and counseling. Hard topics, gripping story! One that stays with you..

Looking Glass Lies is a brave, much-needed story. Cecily is broken woman and carries major baggage, still reeling from an emotionally abusive marriage. At its core, this story is about a woman who looked for affirmation and worth in another person, in this case a man, only to be let down terribly. As a woman who also struggles with self-worth, self-love and occasional strong emotions, I empathized with Cecily and discovered parts of my own self in her character.

The story is certainly character-driven, but the characters themselves are strong and make a huge impact. I read this in nearly a day because I found myself connecting on a heart-level to Cecily and her pain in such a way that it felt hard to take a break from the story. I truly applaud Varina Denman for tackling such a sensitive topic with compassion but also with an unflinching honesty. I will caution that this story may not be for every reader. This touches on some heavy emotions and destructive they can be if handled the wrong way. I admit there was a scene or two that were hard to read through, but it all felt key to Cecily’s character development.

Despite touching on heavier topics and mature themes, it is not without hopeful moments. Many of those come from Shanty Espinoza, one of my most favorite characters ever, hands down. Her heart for other women and her desire to promote self-esteem made me so grateful for the Shanty’s that I know. There are times that I’m Cecily and times that I’m Shanty; sometimes my emotions are upbeat and other days they bring me down. But one thing Looking Glass Lies shows is that it’s okay to have huge, uncontainable feelings in response to suffering – how you choose to let them manifest themselves is what is most important. Suffering can sow seeds of despair and lies about others and yourself, but it can also sow seeds of hope. Cecily didn’t realize that she could choose to say no to the lies that convinced her that she was unworthy of self-love and the love of others.

In addition to the topics addressed in the novel, I also felt the setting to be strong. Canyon, Texas came to life for me and truly felt like a real place. I loved the outdoor scenes and really got a feel for Palo Duro Canyon. In addition to Shanty, the secondary characters are endearing; I especially loved the relationship between Cecily and her dad, with all its bumps and sweet moments, as well as college student Nina’s search for self-worth. While there is a slight romantic thread, this is a journey of one heart, not two, thought a certain old classmate of Cecily’s definitely makes that element a beautiful one.

Just as Cecily has experienced change by the story’s end, I am changed after reading this story. I am like Cecily; I am like Shanty. And most of all, I am unapologetically myself, and I choose to celebrate that. And anyone that might read this review, no matter what baggage you may be carrying today, I hope you will celebrate your worthy, amazing self – in Cecliy’s words, “your life is worth living, and you are the only one who can live it.”

3.5 stars

I love to read, and I don't shy away from a book just because it deals with the darker side of life. But I also love a book with the hope-filled redemption & healing that can only come from relying on Christ to change us, Christian friends who can give us wise counsel on our journey, and can help steer us back to the Father's arms. I'm certainly not knocking non-believing friends or counselors, as they can be a valuable asset to our personal growth. To me, there's just something much deeper and more meaningful when you can look at a situation from a spiritual perspective.

I've read the Mending Heart series by this author and they more than met with my expectation. She dealt with tough issues with grace, forgiveness and faith-filled hope. This one was tougher for me to read, not because of the issues she dealt with, but because I would have liked to see things more from a Christian viewpoint and dealt with accordingly. No, that doesn't mean it makes life easy or the path smooth, it means that we have a hope in spite of our circumstances and Someone we can turn/run to when others reject us. I struggled with reading about the abuse from a spouse as I've been through that. All the ways they can make you feel like nothing, unloved and like the lowest human on earth. Only through the grace God extended to me, healing my deepest hurts and giving me love of a good man have I been able to see myself as worthy & beautiful inside. I've had to fight the demons of doubt, insecurity, worthlessness and the like and it's only through clinging to God's promises in His word that has gotten me through. I literally would not be the person I am today without finally realizing He loves me unconditionally!

So I say all that to say, I enjoyed the story. I think it has the power to touch women who have struggled or are struggling with the issues the author deals with within the pages of this book. I think it will make women take a second look at the person in the mirror and turn their thinking around. Since it didn't solely come from a Christian perspective, it was a bit disappointing to me, like it lacked something more to make it really meaningful for me personally. It's only through Christ that I was able to overcome these issues and self-viewpoints in my own life. I also see where the author wanted a farther outreach to those who would never intentionally pick up a “Christian” or “Inspirational” book. I have mixed feelings on this one and I want to be fair and honest in my review. There is value in this story and it has the power to change women's lives. For me personally, I just wished it would have been more faith-filled.

* Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing me with a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed here are strictly my own. *

I'm really not sure what to say about this book. I didn't write an "official" review, after emailing the author. I didn't enjoy this book. It was different, certainly. A unique storyline that dealt with difficult issues like self-image, pornography, self-harm, depression, etc. The characters were engaging, though I found myself disliking Cecily Ross and just feeling rather sorry for Graham Harper. There were several things I took issue with throughout the story - how the characters handled a situation, or some of the things that were/done. I also found it messing with my own perception of myself. I couldn't tolerate looking in mirrors for a couple days, without thinking of Cecily and her issues, and I found myself further pointing out my own flaws and worrying about my imperfections. This book didn't encourage my self-image, but rather brought me down. So no, I would not recommend this book and I have not shared my review on any other sites.

This novel deals with some difficult, heart-wrenching subject matter, but I’m sure that it will resonate with most readers. Distorted body image, low self-esteem, insecurities, comparisons with others, self-destructive thoughts, grief—these are not easy subjects to tackle, but Varina Denman deals with them all in a compelling and caring way. The characters are so carefully crafted and well-developed, that they seem real and tug at your heartstrings. The story gives a look inside others’ lives and hearts and shows that things may not be as they appear on the surface. Looking Glass Lies kept me reflecting for days after I finished it. It made me resolve to be more careful what I say to others, to be kinder and gentler to everyone, to try to make people feel good about themselves.

If you’re looking for a light, fluffy read, this is not the book for you, but if you’re looking for a thought-provoking and moving story that will have you thinking about it for days, grab this one.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Christian fiction needs more stories like this! Authentic, vulnerable, and at times uncomfortable, Looking Glass Lies takes readers deep into the heart of several core issues fueling harmful patterns of low self-esteem and unhealthy body image.

Being married to an emotionally abusive husband for several years would knock just about any woman down a few notches on the confidence tree. It’s no wonder Cecily has trouble getting back on her feet yet her perception of beauty and her self-worth are all tangled up in a painful knot.

Like most women, I’ve experienced my share of body insecurity yet reading about Cecily’s struggle, depression, and desperation pulled on my heartstrings and opened my eyes to the extreme soul-deep heartache of the many women who feel ashamed of their bodies.

My favorite takeaway from this story is that women from all walks of life, all body shapes and sizes, and all ages can be encouraging and supportive of one another. We all have struggles and insecurities but together we can overcome them with the Truth!

I requested the opportunity to read this book through the author. The opinions expressed are my own.

The book opens with Cecily married and sleeping in the walk-in closet, and by the end of the first chapter I was frustrated with her for staying married to such a life-sucking object lesson in how not to be a man or a husband. (In case you think I’m being unfair, I disliked him even more by the end.)

Fortunately, Chapter Two started with Cecily newly divorced and returning to her home town where she meets up with the new town hero, football star Michael Devins (who owns a coffee shop), and an old friend Graham Harper (who is now a therapist). It’s a book full of broken characters, and there are no easy answers in the journey to healing.

Looking Glass Lies isn’t Christian fiction, and there were a few times where I just wanted to shout at the characters and tell them to get to a church, or to start praying (especially given Varina Denman’s earlier books, which were based around a church community).

But I can see why it’s been written from a general market point of view, because the book touches on several issues that affect many people: pornography (although this was understated in comparison to, say, One Last Thing by Nancy Rue), and a range of mental health issues including self-harm. And these are issues that touch many women, Christian and non-Christian.

The main issue was around body image and body shaming—especially the way we judge others based on their looks at the same time as feeling bad about the way we look. It’s an intensely personal book, both in the way it was written and in the way different people will read it.

This makes it a difficult book to read, and to review. I didn’t connect with any of the characters (in this case, that’s probably a good thing), and there were some writing glitches which caught my attention once too often. It’s definitely worth reading, but it’s a long way from light and entertaining.

Thanks to ARCBA and Waterfall Press for providing a free ebook for review.

Last year I read three of Varina Denman's books in the Mended series. I reviewed the third book in that series, Jilted. I really enjoyed those books and read them very quickly. When Varina e-mailed me and asked if I would be interested in reading her latest book, Looking Glass Lies, that releases today, I was very interested!

Looking Glass Lies is the story of Cecily Ross. She is recently divorced and moves back to her small hometown in Texas. She finds herself with lots of emotional pain and just trying to figure out how to manage her life. Cecily reunites with friends from years before and many things are much different than she remembered. She experiences many different things including an intense tragedy on her journey to healing.

Just as I enjoyed the Mended series by Denman, I really enjoyed Looking Glass Lies as well. The story was a page turner and easy to follow along with. The twists and turns were often unexpected but so good! I enjoyed the development of the characters throughout the book, too. This was a great fiction book and I highly recommend it!

Thanks, Varina, for trusting me to read your book!

This novel resonated deeply with me, as it likely will with any woman who picks it up. Who among us hasn’t compared herself to other women at some time or other—whether it be in physical appearance, intelligence, housekeeping or mothering skills, or a host of other areas—and come up short? For women who have suffered emotional and/or physical abuse, like Cecily, these comparisons can be debilitating.

My heart ached for Cecily from the opening pages of this book. Although the first chapter only hints at the reasons for her poor self-image, it’s enough for us to understand that the lies she believes have been subtly and not-so-subtly reinforced by her husband over and over again. We gain a better understanding of what Cecily endured in her marriage as the story progresses, and although Denman is tactful in the way she imparts the information, she still allows the reader to grasp the full, ugly truth.

Part of that truth is the destructive power of pornography—on both men and women. Denman handles the topic with grace, sensitivity, and purpose, and while this doesn’t make the topic any more palatable, it does give the reader courage to confront it. And we do need to confront it. We need to realise how ubiquitous the temptation is, and that it can sink its talons into the willing and unwilling alike.

Given Cecily’s emotional state and the weighty topics included, it would be easy for this novel to become mired in negativity, but Denman never lets us dwell there. Instead, she's created a cast of characters who bring much needed dimension, colour, and occasionally even levity to the story, particularly Shanty Espinosa—loud and extroverted support group leader.

Former school friend and counsellor Graham ‘Cracker’ Harper is another character who connects with Cecily, on both a professional and non-professional level. It is in this relationship that the reader can clearly see the way in which Cecily’s wounds not only blind her to the truth about herself, but also colour the way she sees and interprets everyone around her.

This is a novel that asks us to become vulnerable on behalf of its characters so that we can share their pain and grow with them. It doesn’t provide pat answers, quick-fixes, or one-size-fits-all solutions, but it does encourage us to look beyond the lies and take control where we can: in our response to the lies and the amount of power we give them.

It’s not an easy read, but it is a powerful one that will stay with me for a long time to come.

Before I share my thoughts, I need to mention some trigger warnings. This is not a feel good or light read. If you’re looking for that kind of read, then I suggest you look elsewhere. However, self-image and body-shaming is something every woman struggles with and therefore, I think this is a must read. Cecily Ross is the main character who has a ton going on which only worsen her view of her self-image. She is so far gone in her problems and negative thinking that she often thinks about hurting herself physically. Cutting, depression, grief, suicide, pornography addiction, cheating, and divorce all appear in the novel. Do keep in mind that not all of these pertain to our main character, but some of the other characters in the novel. We’re dealing with some heavy stuff that I’m glad Varina Denman has decided to cover. We need to raise more awareness in this area. If you’re looking for a novel that deals with real issues, broken people trying to put the puzzle pieces back together, and a sense of hope, then you’ll want to pick this novel up.

Cecily has come a long way. I love when authors give us a character who has major struggles and learns to become victorious. I also loved that Mrs. Denman doesn’t automatically make her life go back to being perfect. Body-shaming will be something that she will struggle with for the rest of her life, but she finds hope and becomes a healthier person through it. Shanty and Nina were awesome side characters as well. I don’t want to give too much about the story away so I’ll just it leave it at that.

Then there’s Graham, the small town’s counselor. His character was one of my favorites. I studied counseling in college so this is always something I find fascinating. I loved that he was the kind of person who would take the time out of his personal schedule to sit down and listen to someone vent, offer the resources and advice that he can, and help them become victorious over their battles.

I loved traveling to small town Canyon, Texas. The descriptions made me feel as if I were there sight-seeing with the characters. I could smell, taste, feel the canyon rock and the natural breeze of the air. Oh and you can’t forget about the super cute romance.

Varina Denman did a beautiful job with this novel. She made it real, raw, and emotional. If you want to be challenged and not read another novel that doesn’t encourage you to reach for victory in your own lives, then this is for you.

The only thing that I would have liked to see more of is the faith element. Mrs. Denman shares a scripture or two and sometimes mentions God, but there was very little of that in the novel.

Overall, I highly recommend this novel to women everywhere and all ages. This would be the perfect book club pick as there are so many things you can discuss. Perhaps even support groups and counselors can use this with their clients.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

"It's a good thing to have all the props pulled out from under us occasionally. It gives us some sense of what is rock under our feet and what is sand." - Madeleine L'Engle

Cecily Ross has been mired in sand for years; married to an emotionally abusive husband whose unrealistic expectations nearly destroyed her, even after their divorce. Having arrived back in her hometown, she finds a measure of solace living with her father in Canyon, Texas while trying to place the pieces of her life in some semblance of order. Even still, the sinister whispers of her heart tantalize Cecily towards patterned self-destructive behavior , daring her to mar the beautiful young woman that she views in the mirror.

Graham Harper always admired Cecily Ross from a distance even in high school, watching her marry a narcissistic high school sweetheart, Brett; however, the young woman who has returned home is but a hollow shell of the Cecily that he once knew. Following the urging of Cecily's father, Graham makes a friendly overture, knowing that his counseling skills can help Cecily gain positive ground, never expecting the spark of attraction between them to re-ignite. Graham cautiously hopes that giving her a job and leading her towards supportive friends, can help to put all the pieces that were once Cecily Ross, back together again.

Reading this book is like peeling off layers; layers of insecurity that nearly every woman experiences on some level, feelings that have her fighting to measure up to the expectations of those who seem to matter the most, often resulting in utter emotional implosion. Will hitting rock bottom destroy or redeem? Cecily Ross is about to find out.

I am grateful to the author and publisher for a copy of this book. The opinions stated are entirely my own.