I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

As a baby, Leanne Strong received a church-verified miracle healing on June 8th. Now, Leanne hates that date as thousands of people flock to her house every year to celebrate her miracle and hope it might rub off on them. Braeden Dalisay and his family move into the house across the street from Leanne, and he seems to dislike Leanne because of her miracle. Eventually, Leanne discovers Braeden's youngest sister, Emeline, recently died and understands Braeden's reaction: his family didn't get a miracle. Now, the two are stuck working together for the summer at Leanne's dad's law firm. Leanne and Braeden slowly get closer as they get to know each other over the summer, but suddenly, Braeden pulls away again.

This was a sweet young adult novel with a focus more on personal growth than the potential romance between Leanne and Braeden. They were both good for each other, helping each other grow in stagnant areas. The book was not as religious as I expected, given that it was marketed as a Christian book. There are obviously religions themes, given Leanne's miracle, but Leanne herself admits to struggling with her faith. I enjoyed reading this story and would look for books by this author again.

Miracle Girl
by Jennifer DiGiovanni

Vinspire Publishing

Christian , Teens & YA

Pub Date 30 Nov 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Miracle Girl through Vinspire Publishing and Netgalley:

Leanne Strongs hates June 8th even though it should be a day of celebration, fifteen years prior in June 8th Baby Leanne was miraculously healed from a spinal cord defect after her Mother prayed to a Religious Mystic who was elevated to Sainthood. Since Leanne’s unexplained
cure, people by the thousands gather around her small town every year to celebrate her miracle. A miracle she does not remember but most of the time accepts as real.

After teen pitching phenomenon Braeden Dalisay moves into the house across from Leanne, he has a chip on his shoulder even bigger than his athletic talent. When they are forced to spend Summer in the same law office he and Leanne develop a working relationship that goes from stormy to silent. After Leanne learns Braden’s sister Emeline died making it clear to Leanne why Braden acts the way he does, Emeline Dalisay didn’t get a miracle.

Braeden starts to soften in time and he and Leanne grow closer, but after his family is hit by another traumatic event, he pulls away, the unfairness of a life of deep wound. Leanne wants to help Braden and his family heal as much as she wants a relationship with him. More than that, she wants a miracle for Braeden.

I give Miracle Girl five out of five stars!

What I love most about this book is the relatability of it all.

We Meet Leanne, a young, yet mature girl fight for clarity and a sense of self. We see a girl known as the "Miracle Girl." Leanne is thrown into an unspoken responsibility to be this light, this source of inspiration. We see a girl that has a hard time trusting not only those around her but herself. She can't remember why she's considered the "Miracle Girl", she hates what comes with it, and she feels guilty for feeling the way she does.

This book deals a lot with Faith. It shows a lot of questions that come with testing your Faith throughout this book. We all have been there once or twice in our lifetime, doubting whatever plan God has in store for us. We may even ask ourselves why do things happen to those the way they do or why it has or hasn't happened to ourselves yet, I know I am guilty of it. Sometimes it's ok to not understand but still trust.

It has Christian fiction written all over without it being in your face and I appreciate that. This book was rather enjoyable, and I highly recommend it.

This book was received as an ARC from Vinspire Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have read a few books that have a miracle based plot but none of them hit deep like Miracle Girl. For the first time ever, when finished i burst into tears. This heartwarming story will take you away to the livelihood of Ava and young Braeden moves across the street and with a chip on his shoulder, Braeden is not too fond of Ava since the whole town knows her as the Miracle Girl with a miraculous spinal chord healing. Hate turns into curiosity which turns into warmth until chaos breaks loose and Braeden keeps distant from Ava and all Ava wants to do is help him and his family and wishes a miracle for him. I will be super shocked if this is not a Hallmark movie and I know everyone will be wanting to read this book right at the start.

We will consider adding this title to our Christian Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

A sweet tale about young love, growing up and the tortuous and full of doubts paths of faith, “Miracle Girl”, by Jennifer DiGiovanni (Vinspire Publishing) is an entertaining read with great characters and an original subject.
Leanne, the miracle girl, is an amazingly level-headed teenager, sometimes too wise for her young years. Her doubts and the aversion to celebrity are realistic; I enjoyed watching her spiritual journey to acceptance and to her own truth.
Braeden is a young man destined to success, yet tortured by guilt. What an unassuming boy he is, torn by grief and sadness, yet so tender and protective with his sister and Leanne.
I really liked the way the author wrote about a miracle girl, who is a very wise, honest person, dealing with public exposure and celebrity.
The dialogue sometimes seemed a bit contrived, for example that involving Sami, with the kind of content/vocabulary one would expect from more mature people.

June eight brings media requests and fences to block out crowds of people.Leann was born with a spinal defect that drs said would cause her constant problems. Leann is known for how well she is coping with her illness and the cure.it is said Leanne was cured after her mother prayed to a religious figure.All I could think is that Jesus cured Leanne not the now saint.Braeden the new neighbor is upset because his family has not received a miracle. I do believe in the power of prayer I thought describing how June and Braeden helped out in the law office was boring.

This was a very sweet book. A young girl blessed by a healing miracle overcomes her doubts and finds friendship, faith, and love.
Very nice start to the book but as you get towards the middle it feels like it's dragging on. But, the ending of this vooknwas so super sweet and well worth a read.