I wish I could give this book 10 stars! This book will leave you pondering the fragility of life. There is such an important message here. Do not wait until it's too late to tell the one's you love that you love them and show them it as well, daily. You never know what tomorrow may bring, spend time with your loved ones, talk, really talk and tell them what's on your heart.Such a beautiful story I know this will be an eye opener for a lot of people. I recommend this to everyone!
Publish date April 4,2017.
Thank you to NetGalley and Abington Press for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book will grow on the reader as Josiah, a well known author of 'how to improve your marriage' books faces his own marriage crisis. When his wife becomes comatose after being involved in a wreck while leaving him, Josiah has to take a hard look at his marriage. This book is both a journey back to the important things in life and relying fully on God. Highly recommended.

This is the second book I’ve read by Cynthia Ruchti, and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite Christian Fiction authors. I love her writer’s voice, her ability to suck me in within the first page or two and grab my heart and not let go.

A Fragile Hope is a touching and soul-piercing read. It’s far from a mainstream love story. The couple in this book is married. I really like this aspect, for I rarely find fiction that focuses on this level of relationships. And let’s talk about emotional! Wow. I was pulled through a gambit of emotions from beginning to end.

Though the first chapter begins from Karin’s point of view, the majority of the story is told from the eyes and heart of her husband, Josiah. Through his trials, faults, hurts, and insight, he showed me a bit of myself. There were times I wanted to shake some sense into him, moments I yearned to hug him, but through it all I battled alongside him as he struggled along.

I love that each of Ms. Ruchti’s stories are “hemmed in hope.” Without hope, we have nothing. The Lord is our hope, and in Him we always have something to cling to.

This beautifully and skillfully told story deals with acceptance, perseverance, and hope. I’m sad the story has ended, for Josiah, Karin, Stan, and many other characters are now my friends and I’ll miss them terribly.

5 Stars!


Cover: Love
Title: Love
Pages: 320
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 978-1426791505
First Line: She punched the blender’s Off button hard enough to rock the unit.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to post a review.

Josiah is a famous writer of books about relationships, but his primary relationship, his marriage, is very broken, and he doesn't even realize it. One night his wife has had enough, and she is found in a coma in a car with her best friend's husband, who is dead. Josiah has reason to believe she has been unfaithful and is, of course, hurt by this. It takes him a long time to realize that he is the one who has been unfaithful--no he has never been with another woman but he hasn't given himself to his wife in a long time.

Josiah's wife is in a coma for a long time and there are serious doubts that she will ever recover. In the end, she does and so does their marriage. In realizing what he has to lose, Josiah learns how hard it is to forgive, and how necessary it is.

The book is Christian fiction, but Josiah isn't the most religious guy on the planet. He and his wife belong to a church and the church members help them through the ordeal but there are no sermons in the book and faith doesn't solve all the problems in the world.

I like Cynthia Ruchti's writing and I really enjoyed the book Maybe the happily ever after was a tad unrealistic, but I'd much rather be left smiling at the end of a book than crying. Grade: B+

Thanks to the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.

Fabulous writing draws the reader in to walk alongside a husband's struggle in the midst of a traumatic medical crisis. Watching him be transformed with a front row view to his thoughts and emotions, this heartfelt story touches on deep issues: dealing with grief, anger, bitterness, negative thinking, the need to forgive and be forgiven, and learning how to really love people. A beautiful reminder of God's constant love for us too. The author accurately describes the medical scenes, yet draws attention to the human story in the midst it. Loved watching Josiah's growth from the beginning to the end. Great reminder to hang onto hope, with all the lovely quotes from Karin's cards added in. Hope definitely grows here.
Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a realistic, character driven story with a thread of faith. Solid 5 Stars!

A Fragile Hope by Cynthia Ruchti is a contemporary Christian novel. It is the most beautiful book. Once again, Cynthia Ruchti has washed over my soul with her words. A Fragile Hope will make you cry but it is so beautiful that it will leave you feeling calm and with a peace that can only come from an intimate acquaintance with the God who loves you.
A Fragile Hope has many themes including steadfast love from God who "never says 'go away.' " God's presence permeates the novel. He shines through Cynthia Ruchti's word and His love pierces my heart. God's love has no boundaries. Jesus went to the cross "on the night He was betrayed" for everyone of us. "A Man deciding - choosing - to love."
Within the novel there is also the steadfast love of a family who refuse to give up on hope. They press on. They push on. They have a hope in the One who can heal. "No matter how high your problems mount, remember the One who scales the mountains."
This theme of hope resides on every page. "Hope doesn't have an expiration date." To fan hope into life sometimes just "needs a little oxygen." We can all have hope inside us because of Jesus, because of His sacrifice, because He never gives up. "Jesus... he knew he really had no other hope."
The novel also has the theme of grief, a grief that continually washes over one. "Grief doesn't know how to tell the time." A grief for the 'what-if's.' "what-if's stung him like fire ants." As well as the 'oh no's.' But not a grief that is without hope because of Jesus.
The power of prayer is revealed in the novel. "God leans forward... when He hears a gutsy prayer." Sometimes all we can do pray is "Oh Lord God." God always hears us and He always answers and He always draws near. " 'I didn't think He'd answer'... 'He always answers.' " Prayer may be silent from the heart or it may be from a prayer team. "I'll get the prayer team mobilised." Prayer is always powerful because it is sent to God.
A Fragile Hope is a book that will soothe your soul. Tears can be healing. Tears will fall. The novel is just the most beautiful book ever. Cynthia Ruchti's books are always powerful. I am always deeply affected by her words. A Fragile Hope has penetrated my very being as Cynthia Ruchti's words have come from her heart and from her Maker, straight to my heart.
A Fragile Hope is just so beautiful that I am at a loss to adequately describe it. You need to experience the beauty for yourself. Please read A Fragile Hope and let Cynthia Ruchti's inspiring words wash over you and calm your soul.
Bless you Cynthia Ruchti for your beautiful, heartfelt book.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Every now and again when I review a book on Amazon, the site will ask me my impression of the plot--was it light, dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking, etc. A Fragile Hope is ponderous. Karin Carrington is leaving her husband (at least for a time), but before she gets to the airport, her car crashes into a tree. Josiah gets a call late at night telling him that his wife is in the hospital in the next town over.

Josiah is a marriage health guru who writes books on keeping your marriage in prime condition. He can't see that his marriage is crumbling around his ears. The rest of A Fragile Hope details the angst and deep thinking Josiah does to find out how his marriage got to the condition it is in. Cynthia Ruchti has done a masterful job in looking into the lives of those with deep brain trauma, and all that goes into the recovery of a DBT. I love the fact that Cynthia brought in two different doctors with two different philosophies of treating these traumas.

This is a five-star book, two thumbs up, and an autographed book.

My thanks to Abingdon Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

Josiah Chamberlain's world turns upside down when he's called to the hospital after his wife is in a car accident.  Josiah hasn't had much time for his wife in the past 5 or more years.  He's too busy writing on how to save marriages and relationships.  Ironic that his wife needs his full attention to survive the accident.  And, there's a twist as we learn straight away at the hospital that Karin is pregnant.  What a struggle for Josiah as he's certain he's not the father. 

There's another twist when we learn who was driving the car in the accident...and that he didn't survive. 
Karin's parents are important in the story as pillars of faith, even when circumstances could easily drag them down.
This was a fantastic story about God providing an opportunity for self-examination and the bettering of one's self, in the midst of great pain.

Every couple has its problems, but sometimes they seems to be insurmountable - here we have a husband so busy with his success he doesn't find the time for his wife. After a car accident leaves his wife seriously injured Josiah learns his wife is also pregnant. The descriptions of the hospital, smells, noises and atmosphere. all ring true. One can feel Josiah's exhaustion, confusion, concerns and worry throughout. A very moving powerful book, with some really great quotes!

If you do not know Cynthia Ruchti - you should. She is a hidden gem of an author with a knack for telling a story that both resonates deeply and has you laughing at the same time. Her crackling dialog and true-to-life situations that her characters face are wonderful choices for fans of Debbie Macomber and even Frederick Backman's "Britt Marie was Here."