What a perfectly delightful contemporary Christian fiction read! I absolutely loved this gem by Vanessa Miller. In this story we see a group of friends going back to their home town to discover a hidden treasure, but what the reader gets is so much more. This is a story of complex family relationships and dynamics, tragedy and struggle, growth and healing, and all wound together it made for an absolutely beautiful read! I truly couldn't put this book down as I became so invested the characters lives. I really came to love each of the characters and was sad to leave them by the end, which is always a mark of an excellent book for me. A highlight for me that I thought was so well done was the faith element in the story. It was inspiring and really struck me how the characters relied on their faith and prayer to help them get through whatever they were facing. We see an ultimate theme here honoring God through our relationships and that regardless of what we're walking through, God is always present and answering our prayers.

I cannot wait of read more from this author! Her wonderful writing and storytelling really blew me away here. I highly recommend this book to my fellow lovers of the Christian fiction genre!

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy!

A feel-good women's fiction story featuring three strong Black women who not only weather turbulent real-life storms but also the upheaval in their own personal lives. Perfect for fans of feel-good mother-daughter stories and stories about strong female friendships. This is a great beach read perfect for fans of authors like Sunny Hostin. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. The writing style didn't work for me or capture my attention. There's a really good premise that got me interested, but I didn't finish reading this book.

This is an honest opinion but I still appreciate the author, publisher and Netgalley for granting me a free copy prior to publication.

'What We Found in Hallelujah' by Vanessa Miller is a solid story that offers an okay reading experience. While it has its merits, it falls short in certain areas.

The book's premise is intriguing, with a group of friends returning to their hometown to uncover a hidden treasure. The concept of revisiting one's past and discovering buried secrets is engaging and sets the stage for an interesting plot.

Vanessa Miller's writing style is modern and easy to follow, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. The narrative flows smoothly, and the dialogues are natural, which adds to the overall readability of the book.

However, the characters, while relatable, lack depth and complexity. They often conform to familiar stereotypes, which can make it difficult to fully connect with their experiences and motivations. Greater character development could have added more layers to the story.

The pacing of the book is somewhat uneven, with certain sections feeling slow and others rushed. This inconsistency in pacing can disrupt the flow of the story and impact the reader's engagement.

In summary, 'What We Found in Hallelujah' is a decent read that explores themes of rediscovery and hidden secrets. While it has an intriguing premise and accessible writing, it struggles with character depth and pacing. It's a book that may appeal to those looking for a straightforward and easygoing story, but it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more complex and immersive reading experience.

This was such an enjoyable, beautiful and well written story. It will keep your interest from start to finish. It will also remind you on how secrets can be a bad thing in families and how it can affect the future of the family. NGL, Faith Irritated me a lot and at times I wanted to knock some sense into her. My favorite part was the healing for the family, the truths told and the growth of the characters. Very good job.

I recieved a copy of the book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions.

What We Found in Hallelujah is the followup novel for Vanessa Miller. This was such a nice read. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys contemporary Christian fiction with a depth of characters, diversity, and a strong setting.

I loved these realistic characters. This was a true escape read for me.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

What We Found in Hallelujah by Vanessa Miller is a novel about complicated family dynamics, tragedy, and the things that being us together. This novel is moving and full of emotions. It vividly paints a setting as dynamic as the characters. I love the importance of a place, as depicted in this novel. I think it was a great read overall. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This book was alot and I loved it! The Reynold's Family was going through it, marital affairs, family secrets, the whole bit. But what I loved about this book was the presence of God, prayer and faith being the help that got them through it. As a Christian woman of faith I really enjoyed this read.

This book is a good read on many levels. First and foremost, it is a reminder that God is always with us,even if His answers to prayer are not what we expect. Secondly, it reminds women that when God is honored, relationships can be restored.
I like novels that are not predictable. This one was not.

This book's writing style was not for me, unfortunately. I found it repetitive (please give the reader credit to remember what was said just a few pages--or paragraphs!--before!) and overly descriptive, and the characters unrelatable.

It unfortunately quickly became a DNF read.

I I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

WHAT WE FOUND IN HALLELUJAH is an inspirational novel about the Reynolds’s family, the secrets they keep, the grief they hold on to, and their transformation of restored faith and forgiveness. This unique story gracefully tackles death, colorism, fertility, and eating disorders and seamlessly layers humor and levity within the character’s vulnerability. If you are a faith based reader or are curious to add faith based books to your bookshelf, this one is a great read to add to your bookshelves!

When I began reading this book it reminded me of a book I read this summer where the Carolinas and hurricanes featured prominently. Miller quickly differentiated her writing with three well developed female characters coming to gather to save their home and try to put their past to rest. Hope Reynolds never wanted to leave her hometown of Hallelujah, South Caroline, until betrayal sent her away. Faith Reynolds-Phillips's attempts to run away from her past put up barriers that even those closest to her could not get through. One phone call from their mother Ruby brought them all together again. Miller slowly reveals the truth behind all of the past secrets as the sisters try to create a safe environment for their aging mother. The sisters and their mother are drawn back to their faith throughout the many obstacles and realize what is ultimately most important.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson -- Fiction for accepting my request to read and review what We Found in Hallelujah.

Author: Vanessa Miller
Published: 11/29/22
Genre: General Fiction (Adult)--Multicultural Interest--Women's Fiction

Nicely done. Hindsight, this is a big mug of coffee, your favorite chair in comfy clothes read. Imagine spending a couple weeks with people while you are on vacation, and their life goes on. A mother calls her adult children for help and issues from their childhood reappear. I felt like a third wheel.

There were aspects of color, light versus dark, discussed. There was mixed dating talked about. Hints of an eating disorder, marital affairs, and a missing person. All this was done beautifully. The story flowed seamlessly.

Of note, the cultural aspects (light vs dark skin) are not explained. This is written with the assumption that the reader knows. I had one exception. The mother insisted and regardless of what was going on demanded that her daughter respect her. This came across as law not earned. And, inappropriate is an understatement to how I felt.

All-in-all a nice read. Kudos to the author for no profanity and not mocking prayer or God.

I am very happy I was recommended this book. As a new reader I'm always fond of fiction books that pull you into the stories of each and every character. I'm a huge fan of Christian Fiction as well. This novel was right up my alley. The author Ms. Vanessa Miller did not come to play. I recommend this book to those who are in the church but know what we as Christians face and make it through. The characters were amazingly developed and some I could relate to.

I was intrigued by the title and cover design for this novel, as well as the family saga element and the use of a natural disaster as a plot device. The characters are complex and well-developed. I found Ruby to be an interesting unreliable narrator. There are plenty of twists and turns as secrets are brought into the light. Sadly, the quality of the writing is not what I've come to expect from a Thomas Nelson novel. In some scenes, the writing is excellent and in others, I felt like I was reading a rough draft. I had a hard time staying engaged in the story because of the melodrama and on-the-nose dialog. Thanks for the opportunity to read What We Found in Hallelujah. This one is not for me.

This book is filled with secrets as the Reynolds women keep most things to themselves. As everything begins to unravel, more secrets are revealed. The characters show a fierce loyalty to each other despite the storms and the secrets that come their way. I really enjoyed my time in Hallelujah and I'm sure you will too!

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The opinions are my own.

so beautifully, the redemption in it all was what did it for me. So much truths that had to come out of these ladies but the faith and the unity in family was just beautiful. really loved this story.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I wanted to love this one so much, but pieces of it fell a little flat for me. From the description and the reviews I thought I was going to give it five stars but unfortunately I didn’t. I really loved Vanessa Millers writing style and her character development! I just wanted a little more from the story.

From the moment we meet the matriarch of the Reynold's family, it is hard not to be completely drawn in by Ruby. Though she's far from an honest character, with plenty of secrets she's keeping and lies told even to those she loves, you can see that she's a woman who loves with everything she has... even if her methods are a bit flawed. In fact, all of the women (and the men too) are flawed and frustrating at times, but it helps to make them all the more relatable.

At the beginning I really thought this was going to be a bit lighter of a read... what with Ruby's quirky character and all. While there were certainly plenty of laughable moments too, it really did take on some more emotional themes as the story went on. I found myself unable to walk away. It was such a good story about family relationships, and the toll that secrets can take. As a fan of romance, I appreciated that there was a hint of that, but it definitely leaned more towards women's fiction (with a whole lot of faith).

Overall, I thought this was a great read. Fans of small towns and southern fiction are sure to want to check it out.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.