Like many readers, I have been a fan of C.S. Lewis since I was a child, burying myself in his Chronicles of Narnia series. While those are certainly my favorite, I have read a few of his other works through the years as well. I must admit though, I really didn't know much (okay, anything at all) about his personal life. When I first heard about Becoming Mrs. Lewis over a year ago, I was intrigued. I'd added it to my TBR list, but had never actually gotten around to crossing it off. When I was that there was a new expanded edition out, I knew it was time to move it to the top of the list.

To be 100% honest, if this were a completely fictional story with made up characters, I likely wouldn't have enjoyed it quite as much. It's certainly not your typical Christian romance novel type of love story. When the story begins, Joy is married to someone else---and while he is far from a loving and devoted spouse himself, she did start to develop feelings for C.S. Lewis (whom she called Jack) while still married. Again, if this were an entirely fictional story, I perhaps wouldn't have read any further. But it's not. It is a fictionalized story of the real relationship between the two... and real life? Well, it's a lot more messy than fictional love stories. It might not be quite what I was expecting... but it is life.

Despite that rather rocky start, I must admit I really enjoyed reading their story. As I said, I didn't know the first thing about C.S. Lewis's personal life and nothing of Joy even by name, and so it was really interesting to get that little glimpse. I was drawn into their world thanks to the author's fantastic storytelling through Joy's perspective. Yes, it is fictional, but it was well researched, as the added resources in the expanded version allow us to see. More than anything, I enjoyed their great friendship and watching it grow slowly throughout the year until it would eventually become more.

I don't believe this will be everyone's cup of tea, as I have said it doesn't read like your typical book from the genre. It's clean in that there are no graphic descriptions, but still more implied than perhaps is typical in Christian works and again does deal with adultery and divorce. While I still enjoyed it myself, I can certainly see where some more conservative readers might not. Still, if you are a fan of C.S Lewis (or Joy Davidman, of course), this is one that is definitely worth checking out.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This doesn’t happen very often, but I’m not quite sure how I feel about this book. I found both Joy and C.S. (Jack) Lewis interesting, but I didn’t find any of the dialogue to be authentic. I can’t put my finger on what exactly was off, but the whole time I was reading it, I felt like something was missing in the story.

I struggled with this book. I am a fan of CS Lewis and I was looking for some depth and insight into his life. I thought the attempt to 'build' a relationship between Joy and Mr Lewis was distasteful. I understand she was attempting to weave bits of history but, I found the story line unbelievable and it tarnished CS Lewis's legacy.

I've been excited about this book since I first heard about it, and it did not disappoint. The characters sucked you into the story and the story kept you turning pages as fast as you could. I devoured it in a day. I loved it.

So many of my friends loved this book but for me it was just okay. Nothing really stood out and I feel like their story was average. I had to push myself to finish this book

Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis, is a thought-provoking and intriguing novel. This book is a combination of Historical Fiction and Fiction. The characters are complex and complicated.very believable. Patti Callahan It’s one of my favorite authors of all time and she cannot disappoint. So this book leans heavily on the religion of these people but it’s not overpowering and it doesn’t take over the story.

I requested this book based on recommendations from trusted Christian author friends and because it received the 2019 Book of the Year Christy Award. For me, however, it was a huge disappointment. The real-life story may have been romantic, but I found this fictional account to be more sordid than romantic. The story did not hold my interest; and although I really tried, I was unable to finish it because of questionable theology, objectionable language, and sexual references which I never expect to find in this genre. Obviously, I cannot recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

This was an exceptional book that kept me awake much later than I should have been! The writing and the characters and the absolutely lovely telling of friendship and more was absolutely perfect.

Full review to come!

Why did it take me so long to pick up this title? I started it Monday. The only reason I put it down was because my Kindle had to charge . I ho hummed around the house until I finally had enough battery life to continue before I had to force myself to go to sleep. Seriously, everyone in the house was asleep except me, and sleep is vital for work and such. I snuck in a few moments before going to work and straight back to my Kindle as soon as I could get to it after work. It's that good.

Joy has shared a life with Bill for quite sometime. They have two sons, Davy and Douglas. They have a picture perfect life, but it's all a facade. Bill is an emotionally abusive, alcoholic, and unfaithful husband and father. He works from home as a writer. Joy spends her days tending to the children, the house, cooking, cleaning, laundering, and mending with little time for her own passion of writing. She always falls short of being the wife that Bill expects her to be.

On one such night, when Bill has left the house on a binge and left her with a haunting call, threatening suicide, Joy finds herself broken with worry until she feels GOD around her. And in that moment, Joy is changed and hungry to know more about a GOD that she never believed in. It is during this time that she begins to delve into the works of C.S. Lewis. A mutual friend encourages Bill and Joy to write to C.S. Lewis to seek answers for their questions.

Months later, Bill and Joy receive a response, to which Bill has little interest in, and Joy can barely wait to rip open the letter. Joy and C.S. "Jack" become pen-friends. And despite his lack of interest, it is apparent that Bill resents the budding friendship.

Joy's health begins to decline, but Bill still has his expectations as to what his wife should be. But, rather than to be supportive and offer a helping hand in the day-to-day things as she recovers, Bill once again steps outside of his marriage to have his needs met...this is of course Joy's fault. And, Joy feels the shame in his faults as her own.

When Joy's cousin and children move in with the family temporarily, Joy is given the opportunity to find respite outside of the home, trusting her cousin to care for her world. And, this is where the story begins and ends and builds...can Joy find herself and become the wife and mother that is expected of her? Or, will she find that there is far more to her than Bill has ever allowed her to see?

It's a wonderful book and has quickly found a place in the favorites list.

From the moment you begin to read their story you will feel as though you have stepped inside the heart and soul of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis. Their story is fueled by a passion for knowledge.. a desire for faith related answers and their passion for each other. Their friendship begin across the distance in the form of letters... eventually leading to a total consumption of their feelings for each other leading to marriage. They lived their lives as one soul and Joy's illness and death nearly destroyed her husband forever.
For those who are a fan of C.S. Lewis's writings, this book is not to be missed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.