A Mini Review of One Woman Falling by Melanie Campbell | A Christian, Contemporary Fiction Novel
Note: This post contains affiliate links. I received an e-copy of this book from the author and JustRead Publicity tours in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.
One Woman Falling is beautiful, heartbreaking, inspiring and redemptive...
Author Melanie Campbell has created a story that isn’t just read, but rather experienced with the heart. I found One Woman Calling to be a truly inspiring story of one woman’s brave, tremendous love for her daughter paralleled with the love the Heavenly Father has for her and the freedom only He can offer.
★★★★★ | I was captivated by this story from the start and had trouble putting the book down. As Cassie realizes that she needs to break away from the verbally and physically abusive relationship with her husband, the brevity of the first hand experience was deeply felt. Campbell writes in the first person, which is an aspect that attributes to the integrity of the story, thus allowing readers a look into the heart and mind of the main character, Cassie. More than once I felt my own mother’s heart breaking for her as she ached for her child and for resolution from conflict.
There’s vulnerability, poignancy and so much depth to this novel. It was riveting and heartwarming without being overly heavy or sad…
Through the hardships of a separation, custody battle and subsequent divorce, Cassie finds meaning and light in her weekend treks to various waterfalls. It is there that God speaks to her heart in the stillness and opens her mind to what He has in store for her life. In addition, Cassie begins to see the way God placed people in her life at various intervals for a reason, confirming the fact that God works all things, even the hardest times, together for the good of those that love Him and pursue Him.
The faith based elements aren’t overwhelming but significant. Without them, the beauty in the redemption of the pain Cassie walks through wouldn’t be possible. There is no making light of the reality in these hard and very real experiences, but it doesn’t consume the novel... It’s portrayed tastefully and expertly. At the end, in the author’s note, Campbell shares this novel was based on her own real life experiences and her testimony, something I give her immense credit for. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy contemporary fiction as well as mature, older teens.
Trigger Warnings include alcoholism, divorce, verbal and physical abuse, and contemplation of suicide. It is my opinion that these matters are handled with excellent care and are not overly in depth or heavy. The author handles each with grace and Biblical application.
