Reviewed by: Jenni Koehler, blogger

Introduction

Title: We Hope for Better Things

Author: Erin Bartels

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: 2019

Format: Paperback

Length: 393 pages

OVERVIEW

We Hope for Better Things delivers masterful storytelling, weaving fascinating characters throughout a gripping tale of race relations in Detroit from the Underground Railroad to the present day. The Detroit Free Press cuts ties with journalist Elizabeth Balsam after some of her unscrupulous investigation goes awry. With nothing but time on her hands, Elizabeth agrees to a mysterious yet uninspiring request from a stranger – to deliver a simple camera and box of photos to a distant aunt she never even knew she had.

Elizabeth’s time at her great-aunt’s secluded, timeworn farmhouse is anything but uneventful. The house holds generations of secrets, and Elizabeth begins to unravel family stories of sweet romance, forbidden love, and tragedy. Elizabeth finds answers to her journalistic questions, but more importantly, she finds redemption and deep roots in a most unexpected place. I found it hard to put the book down as the story unfolded and satisfyingly came full circle. Highly recommend.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

5

Suggested Audience

Fans of Christian fiction, historical fiction and mystery

Christian Impact

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