Chester's Miracle
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4 of 5 Stars Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own. Scripture Connection “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7-10, cited in the Devotional Moment Spiritual Themes One of my favorite parts of M. Jean Pike’s works is the Devotional Moment at the end of her writing. I really appreciate that she takes the opportunity to delve a little deeper into the message/key takeaway of the story, and also includes a prayer for readers to pray. This Author’s Note is especially delightful, due to its emphasis on “the lessons God teaches us through His creation.” Throughout the story, both main characters seek to trust the Lord and His plans, especially concerning their romantic prospects. What I Liked Chester I’ve been following author M. Jean Pike, for some time, on her blog. Months ago, she introduced her readers to a real dog named Chester, explaining that he would be the hero of a forthcoming book. From that time, Chester wriggled his way into my head and heart, and I looked forward to Chester’s story. It makes me so happy to know that Chester is based on a real dog with the same name. (You can see a photo of Chester dressed for the season here). I also had the blissful opportunity to get into the spirit of this quick read by sitting with our dog, Pollyanna, to read. I started reading in my room but migrated out into the living room so that I could pet her while reading. Highly recommended. Aimee’s Choice Aimee makes a swift, life-saving decision on Chester’s behalf, while recognizing that this choice could cost her her job. As she reflects on this (and before she’s heard the verdict from her employer), she states that, even with the risk to her employment, she would do the same thing all over again. Beautiful! Odds and Ends One of the characters talks about buying Christmas presents throughout the year as the Lord puts items on her heart. The fun thing is, she doesn’t know who she’s buying for, which comes into play in a neat way. I enjoyed the cozy, Christmasy elements, like hot cocoa and a plate of Christmas cookies on a bitterly cold evening. I like how Pike shows two sides of the coin as far as trust and human nature are concerned. At first, Aimee quickly throws her heart into a relationship with a man she’s never met. Later on, she’s forced to trust Marty and his mom, as an emergency situation leaves her stranded and helpless. We see that, while not everyone can be trusted, there are people who are willing to help. Pike paints a realistic portrait of the relationship between two sisters, with Aimee’s elder sister demonstrating some controlling behaviors — while truly wanting what is best for her little sister. Respectful Discussion Due to the brevity of the work, it makes sense that the romance would occupy a brief time period. While we do see Aimee proceeding with some degree of caution in the relationship, the characters develop strong feelings for each other very quickly. Recommendation Status Sweet and inspiring, Chester’s Miracle features a darling canine and a cute Christmas setting. Recommended as a quick, festive read for those who enjoy light romances and pup protagonists.