Christian marriage counsellor and writer Josiah's world has been turned upside down completely by a call from hospital. His wife has been in a car accident and is at hospital at critical state. He had never know about the car ride at the first place. And there is even more of the unknown, impactful things for him to realize.
Shocked, anxious, feeling betrayed...and knowing that his wife might never wake up from her deep brain trauma-related coma, Josiah needs to look deep into his heart to look for the true love. And for all the signs he has never made time for to give his true attention to.

I find this being a best novel I have read from this authoress! The topic is spot-on (even in the Christian circles, or maybe especially on them, because we also tend to take certain people, their goodness and the way they behave (or should behave) as granted. Very good wake-up call!

The journey Josiah needs to go through is SO hard. The authoress is never shy to show the impact on him, the stress, the anxiety, the desperate looking for hope. And I find it very helpful that she also creates a place for growing up, for the generosity and the goodness of stranges. Nancy especially is a very loving character with a heart of size of a skyscraper.

I would love for some attention to be given to Josiah's deep character flaw - he is unable of true, honest communication. He feels deeply, but he finds it very hard to ask difficult question, to confront his own fears and others. That's why (or one of the whys) he have stayed so long under some of his misconceptions. Ever thought of simply ask Janelle? His saving grace here is the enormous stress he is under and also the deep scars given to him by his father's cruel words. But I would love to see some more light to be shed at this particular issue.

So why 4 stars? Because of Karin's character, which is obvious practically from the start. I would love to see even deeper conflict here, more true mess, so to say.
Also, some subplots are tied loosely at the ending. Like - how about some truth and healing for Karin's colleague?

But otherwise - this is a very fine novel and I think that everybody should read it. There is much food for thought and very real situations to learn about and from. And so much grace.

I really like that the author writes this book from the "self-absorbed" & clueless husband's PoV, not the neglected & unappreciated wife's PoV. Genius! I felt the story's pace was slow in parts. But I kept reading to find out if the hero was the baby's biological Father.

I'm glad I persevered. When God spotlights an area of denial in my life, I've emotionally reacted, like the hero does: going on & on in anger, self righteousness, & justification. But it's only when I turn to God for help, do I emotionally grow! I Highly Recommend this "true life" Christian Tragedy-2-Healing story!

Wow. This book will do a number on your heart. Josiah Chamberlain certainly didn’t win any awards for husband of the year at the beginning of this novel, but his journey of re-evaluation—of awakening, really—was a powerful read.

The story begins with one chapter from Karin’s point of view, giving us a window into her state of mind in the lead-up to the event that sets the rest of this book in motion. From chapter two onward, Josiah’s point of view carries the story, and despite the glimpse the first chapter affords us, it soon becomes clear we’re as much in the dark as he is. Unanswered questions abound, but the bare facts that confront him when he’s called to his wife’s side are enough to shatter his world. In the months that follow, as Karin lies in a coma barely hanging on to life and Josiah’s life becomes a pattern of ten minutes in, fifty minutes out (of her room), he takes a good, hard look at himself and doesn’t much like what he sees.

It’s testament to the strength of Cynthia Ruchti’s narrative style that she can make such an introverted story a truly gripping read. Karin’s parents, a fellow ICU veteran, and various other minor characters all play a role in shaping Josiah’s journey, but at its core, this is the story of a man who searches the depths of his soul to nurture a love that sacrifices self, even as Christ did ‘on the night He was betrayed...’  With heart-gripping results.

Although I anticipated the way some parts of this story would resolve, it didn’t take away from the emotional impact of those scenes when they came. A fantastic read if you're looking for a story that reaches right into the heart.

This is an incredibly touching, heart wrenching story.
A story of love, assumptions, questions, betrayal, forgiveness, and so much more.
It will tug at my heart strings for a long time.
"Where would we be if we hadn't discovered that seeds of hope can grow in mud?"

I LOVED A Fragile Hope. Josiah teaches others how to have a successful marriage and is quite good at it. BUT he can’t seem to realize when his own marriage is falling apart and what his wife needs and wants from him. Their marriage is falling apart and yet neither of them can talk to each other and work through it.

One moment changes everything for them and turns their whole world upside down. Josiah is forced to examine his life, his marriage and his own faults. We are able to view pieces of their married life from both Josiah and his wife’s views. What we get is this picture is of a couple pulling apart as their careers evolve and priorities change. This is extremely difficult for Josiah and he has to decide whether he has the strength both mentally and physically to build back his relationship.

An incredible story of hope, marriage and the strength of love. It had my angry at times (how could Josiah not see what he was doing?) and crying at other times. It was honest and real, you can relate to how this couple was being pulled apart and also how they struggled to find a way back together. It is a truly beautiful book from start to finish.

I was unsure what to expect with this book. It was interesting to read, I was curious about Josiah Chamberlain' and his family. The male perspective was unique and set a great pace through out the book. I felt as though it had to be so hard to want and feel the need to fix your life while trying to help others. It was a good lesson in being present in all parts of your life.

One of my ‘rules’ for reading and reviewing is that I have to like the main character—it’s hard to like a book (especially a romance) if you can’t stand the hero.

A Fragile Hope is the exception to that rule.

Josiah Chamberlain is one of the most self-absorbed men you could ever hope to meet. He’s a Christian relationship counsellor who has given up counselling in favour of writing best-selling self-help books while his wife dabbles in some little hobby ‘business’, selling home-made greeting cards.

But he’s forced to re-evaluate his life when Karin is involved in a fatal car accident, and ends up in ICU, unconscious. And she’s apparently pregnant … after they’ve been told Josiah can’t have children. This is the slightly frustrating cause of the Big Misundertanding, something that could have been sorted out early in the novel. But Josiah is the man who always has the right answer so it never occurs to him that he hasn’t.

I didn’t like Josiah, but I kept reading out of some kind of macabre fascination. Would Mr Intelligent get a clue? And when?

The other reason I kept reading was because of the writing. There were so much great writing, so many great lines. I appreciated the way the Christian themes were woven in, strong but not overwhelming or out of place. Overall, recommended for the outstanding writing, thought-provoking Christian themes, and a great character-driven story.

Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

What pops into your head when we hear the word FRAGILE? Delicate, breakable, dainty, flimsy, and scores of other adjectives. Since I had two preemie babies, I think of a preemie baby as fragile. In Ms. Ruchti's new book A Fragile Hope, Hope is anything but fragile, it is resilient, strong, and unbreakable. Hope is all that Josiah has to hang onto, even when hope seems far off he finds ways to hang on. Karin doesn't physically speak in this book, but I found out about her through Josiah and her dad, Stan. The pain was real and difficult to watch. I'm a daddy's girl and just the thought that I could cause him pain breaks my heart.
There are many layers in this novel and each layer touched me on an emotional level. I cried, I got angry, I even laughed. I finished this book three days ago and I am still thinking about these characters.
Highly recommended!

This book is an emotional, heartfelt, and long journey to seeing the truth. I was very impressed with Josiah. Here is a man that helps others with their marriage , yet ironically his is falling apart before his eyes. It's funny how we sometimes are oblivious to things in our life. We think we have a good marriage and then bam, like Josiah, our world gets turned upside down. I loved how Josiah struggled with his faith and along the way, God placed people in his path that helped him call out to God. It is a very emotional book that I had a hard time keeping my tears in check.

I will say that at first I thought the book was so biased and without remorse from Josiah that I didn't want to finish it. However with the brilliant writing the author opens up deep pockets of Josiah's life and let's him walk through pain and examine himself. I loved the scenes in the hospital when he was with his wife. His life has just been shattered with the injuries his wife sustained , but the author throws in a complete surprise. I wonder how many of us would walk away when we suspect our spouse of wrongdoing? I can't express enough how powerful this book is. The journey is sometimes dark, depressing, heartbreaking and overwhelming. Josiah encounters people who share their story to give him hope. I loved how the author keeps us on the edge not knowing if Josiah will hold on to hope or walk away.

Life is fragile and in a blink of an eye, everything can change. I really loved Josiah's father-in-law. His love for his daughter was so real and I loved how he and Josiah had a relationship that was genuine . It was nice to see them support each other and continue to believe the impossible. The author did an amazing job of taking Josiah on a roller coaster ride of emotions and realize that his wife is worth fighting for. I encourage everyone to grab a copy of this book. It really made me think of my life and how I have taken things for granted. The author has written a book that will stay with you long after the last page is finished. Life is fragile , but there is always hope.

I received a copy of this book from LitFuse. And Netgalley. The review is my own opinion.

Absolutely love Cynthia's novels....Read this one in one sitting. Have shared it w/ many...and have recommended it (highly) to my three local libraries.

A wonderful story of hope and belief. As Josiah has to put to practice what he does for others, he must depend on his faith, love, and hope to make things as they need to be with his wife. He must depend on his belief that things can be repaired to keep trying.
I liked seeing how Josiah persevered even when things did not go the way he wanted. How he realized that things that might work for others might not work for him and how he worked to find other ways.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, The review is entirely my own,

Wow! Just wow!

Cynthia Ruchti is an amazing author. Her books are so powerful and inspiring, I never really know how to review them. I know no review I will ever write will do them justice.

Her latest, A Fragile Hope, is no exception. To be honest, the synopsis doesn't give much detail about the plot and the story surprised me a bit. But I was glad I didn't know what it really was about from the start. I really didn't know what was going to happen or how it would all unfold.

The characters are realistic and amazingly inspiring. Their story is heartbreaking and yet full of hope! I love every little thought at the beginning of each chapter. This is the kind of story that stays with you for quite some time after you're done reading.

A highly recommended read for everyone!

A big thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy! It did not affect my review in any way.

Such a beautiful love story! Josiah and Karen are married yet living apart emotionally. A tragic car accident forces arrogant and work focused Josiah to self examine himself and his commitment to Karin and their marriage.

A Fragile Hope is about loving when it's not easy, learning to let others be a true part of your life, humility and having faith in Christ.

I loved that the author sprinkled in humor throughout. This helped lighten the dire circumstances and bring perspective. My favorite bit of humor was "my church is so conservative we can't raise our hands on a roller coaster" (paraphrased).

A Fragile Hope was a lovely journey and I look forward to reading additional novels by this talented author.

What a riveting and touching novel!

Karin and Josiah’s story captivated me from the very first scene, and I could not put it down until I’d reached the last word. Though most of the novel is seen from Josiah’s perspective, I felt as though I knew Karin just as well – if not better. The exquisitely-talented way in which Cynthia Ruchti crafted their interactions, their thoughts, their stories – in light of their current situation – it all burrowed in my heart and refuses even now to let go.

Bottom Line: Don’t let the title fool you. This story is anything but fragile. It’s a picture of vulnerability, yes, but even more so of strength. Of having everything you thought you knew ripped out from under you and struggling to stand under the onslaught. It’s not knowing how the story will turn out (for the characters or the reader) until the last pages. It’s learning how to truly love, how to truly forgive, and how to truly move past the past. Highly highly recommended.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

A very emotional look at a marriage that's in trouble unbeknownst to the husband, who only realizes it after his wife is in a serious accident while in the process of leaving him. With his eyes opened to the fact that his wife was not happy, he struggles to be there for his wife while working through the feelings of guilt and betrayal.

Although it is well written and has a happy ending, I had a hard time getting through the first part of the book because of the way that Josiah is operating off an assumption that's not true. It was just frustrating to me for some reason. I did appreciate, however, the fact that Josiah had some major character growth through the story because of the circumstances. And I loved the secondary characters like his in-laws (who were awesome), the waiting room lady, and the second doctor who helped him not give up.

All in all, a good book with themes of forgiveness, hope, and learning to have a faith in God that will see you through.

*Thanks to Litfuse for a complimentary copy of this book. I was not paid or required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*

I have read a few of Cynthia Ruchti's novels. And loved every one of them. So when I saw that her newest release, A Fragile Hope, was scheduled to be released, I knew I wanted to read it.

This novel begins differently than the other books of hers that I have read. Other novels start with characters in the routine of life, which has been interrupted by unexpected difficulties. This novel begins with turmoil. Turmoil in a marriage.

The husband in this marriage is a successful author. He writes books on marriage. And of course the stark irony is that he doesn't realize that his own marriage is in trouble. The startling truth hits him after a phone call from the hospital. And it's not good news.

One of the interesting techniques that Ruchti uses in this novel is that she gives the unconscious patient a voice. No one in the room can hear her, but her voice is screaming in the novel. The lines that she thinks are italicizes to separate them from the rest of the novel. I found this approach very effective. You sense her frustration, and you are desperate for the other characters, and medical personnel to hear her. Simply writing what she was thinking would seem like an interruption, and would not have helped develop her character as effectively as this technique does.

The story is stirring. I think it is more dramatic when you see someone desperate to fight for something he didn't realize he had lost. The fact that he must reflect on this relationship that he had taken for granted is revealing. As a reader, you find yourself asking probing questions about your own relationships.

Watching people who looked like they "had it all together" struggle for answers, and for hope, is startling. And reconnecting with their faith is the only path to make a real life out of the shallow one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Posted Yesterday by Mel

Ruchti has created an interesting novel that is a sort of adult coming of age story. Josiah, the main character, is a successful marriage counselor whose career skyrocketed. He is a popular seminar leader and bestselling author. He has been totally oblivious to the fact that his own marriage has been in trouble. When his wife is in an automobile accident, we are along with Josiah as he spends time in the hospital waiting room. His wife is unresponsive but he has interactions with others that shed light on his own marriage, especially how he has treated his wife.

I find it interesting when an author writes a novel with the main character of the opposite sex, as is the case here. I have no idea if the thoughts and actions of Josiah truly represent those of a male in this situation or if they are what we women desire a male would think and do.

I felt the novel got off to a rough start. The first chapter focuses on the jumbled thoughts of the wife before the accident. It seemed so jumbled and cryptic it was hard to follow. Facts come to light as the novel progresses that help explain that first chapter but I would have rather had it initially clearer. Otherwise, the first chapter could have been skipped all together and we readers find out the truth along with Josiah. Either way, I think I would have enjoyed the rest of the novel more.

Most of the novel consists of Josiah's thoughts and the transformation that results. Sometimes I felt the material was repetitive while at other times I was captivated. I found myself skimming paragraphs at times to see if his thoughts moved the plot forward or not.

I recommend this novel to those who like reading about the character transformation a husband goes through when he is forced to face the reality of his attitude toward his marriage and his wife. I am not sure it is a novel men would enjoy but I think women would find it a different yet satisfying romance. We women like to see this kind of transformation in a man who initially had his wife as part of a successful career, not as a friend and lover. There is a strong Christian message in the novel as faith becomes an important element in Josiah's transformation. Discussion questions are included so this novel would be a good choice for a reading group.

I received a complimentary egalley of this novel through Litfuse. My comments are an independent and honest review.