Tamara has a habit of running away from her problems or when she starts to feel uncomfortable. She also has a superstition about the number 99. She even found a job at the 99th St Diner. She met Joe there, whom she wanted to have a more than just a friendship with - but he has a girlfriend Sarah. She believes the 99's are leading her to a better life, but after meeting Joe and him not falling for her - she starts to doubt that - so she starts to feel like she wants to go back to her old stand by - running away - but then she hears about this JESUS and something specific about JESUS - I am not going to tell you what it is - because one - it will give you the chills - at least it did me - and two - it will touch your heart. you have to read this book to find out - it is so touching and worth it.

Intense and riveting... Be ready to lose sleep for this title.

When I requested this book from Netgalley, I was thinking it was a completely different type of genre. I thought it was more of a thriller with possibly a stalker, hence seeing the number '99' everywhere. I was completely wrong, and somewhat pleasantly surprised. It turned out to be a Christian-Fiction book that I ended up enjoying. Normally I read darker psychological thriller and I never read Christian books. I'm not sure why that is, but maybe because I always keep my religion and faith private and within the surroundings of my family.

This book was about the struggles a person has, but not regarding faith (or at least it seems that way). Tamara comes from a broken family. She is in her early 20s and going nowhere fast, blaring the radio to Prince's "Party Like It's 1999", escaping her cheating boyfriend, when her car suddenly breaks down. Out comes Joe, a very handsome gentleman, who fixes her car and refuses to accept any payment in return. She is about to drive off when she notices the diner across the street where Joe came from...99 Diner, on Highway 99. She takes these signs as an omen and decides to live in the small town. Fast forward a year later and she is a waitress at the diner with Joe, and they have become very close friends.

Tamara struggles every day to overcome her past from her abusive father, and failing relationships with boyfriends. She has a constant gloomy cloud above her head. One very bad decision causes her life to take a downward turn. However, throughout all of the pain and agony, she fights to move forward.

Although I found the book to be predictable (the reason for the 4 stars), it was an enjoyable read. The characters are very likable. Tamara has dealt with pain, but strives to move past it. I enjoyed watching her grow and become a stronger woman. The Christian aspects weren't 'in your face' preaching. It was very subtle, and just enough to have me reflect on my own faith at times.

This was an interesting little book. I like Christian fiction, and I quite liked this one. Tamara felt like a relatable character, someone who's life is a mess, partly through circumstance and partly through her own choices. She's struggling to get by, and feels like there's something missing. The number 99 seems to be popping up everywhere in her life, especially when she's on the verge of a major choice in her life. Whether or not it's for good or for evil, Tamara has no idea.

I'm normally not a big fan of first person that goes between more than one character, it worked for this book and how it was structured. We got to see things from Joe's point of view, and understand his actions and choices. I think Levi's point of view was a bit superfluous, but the writing was good nonetheless.

I had forgotten this was a Christian novel until partway through, considering several choices the two main characters made that aren't usually seen in Inspirational fiction. This isn't really a bad thing, as their choices are shown to have clear consequences. And some choices are shown to not be all that they seem later on. And when I did remember it was Christian, the faith elements were handled quite well and, to my experience, pretty naturally. All in all, I'd be interested in reading more from this author, and I very much enjoyed getting to know these characters.