Customer Reviews

It's Not About Him (A Second Glances Novel, #2)

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I am adopted and this is the first book that I have read with the point of view focused on the birth mother and the couple adopting the baby. All of the emotions in the story were real and raw. I felt everyone of them. What is great about what Michelle Sutton is that she isn't afraid to write about what is real. This stuff is really going on in our YA today and she writes about it honestly and right in your face! I didn't want to put the book down! This is an absolutely beautiful story. It shows that an birth mother and the adopted family can work together for the good of the child. This is a definite must read, it's one of my top 10 for the year!

It's Not About Him by Michelle Sutton picks up with two of the characters we were introduced to in Michelle's YA novel, It's Not About Me.

Both Jeff and Susie are young, struggling Christians with serious issues to face. Susie, who is pregnant when the story begins, has decided to give her baby up for adoption. Jeff, though not the father, wants to take care of Susie and her baby. Having been given up for adoption himself, and plagued with his need to know why, he believes that Susie is making the wrong choice. In the midst of this conflict is a burgeoning romance.

There's not a subject this book doesn't approach. Alcoholism, rape, sexual temptation, death; Michelle takes on each of these, and shows how her characters overcome their pain and temptation with God's help.

My favorite part about this book was the completeness of the journey, starting with Susie's decision to give up her baby, and ending with the resolution Jeff finds at the book's conclusion. I don't want to give anymore away than that.

Next fall the third book in the It's Not About series comes out and it picks up with Tony. I'm glad, because I like and sympathize with his character, and look forward to seeing him conquer his struggles through Christ.
Good job, Michelle!

In It's Not About Him, Susie must deal not only with the heartbreaking decision to give her baby up for adoption, but the aftermath of that choice. Meanwhile, Jeff feels guilty for not protecting her. Adopted himself and longing to find his birth mother, Jeff doesn't want to see another child go through what he has and tries to convince Susie not to go through with it. In the end, Susie and Jeff discover it's not about either one of them. It's about what's best for the baby. And through their sacrifice, God works all things to good in their own lives.

Michelle Sutton creates real characters who act the way real people would. She doesn't shy away from the ugly truths or the cold hard facts. Young people can relate to her characters, because they speak from the heart.

Michelle dedicates this book to mothers who have recognized the needs of their children and chosen adoption over abortion. As one of those women, I'd like to thank Michelle for addressing such a sensitive subject with such honesty and compasion.

In the second in the Second Glances series Michelle Sutton powers up the romance and the intense themes. With a solid Christian worldview that doesn't excuse poor choices nor pretend that they don't exist, Sutton tackles rape, pregnancy, sexuality, alcohol and the consequences of those choices/scenarios.

When the world feeds our kids and teens the fast food menu board of sex without disease, pregnancy, heartbreak and cynicism, we occasionally need a little help getting the truth across. Sutton does this with her drama-infused, angst-driven characters. Adults can talk all they want to about why teens might want to consider thinking and waiting before jumping into the deep end of the pool with everyone else, but sometimes teens need to be able to hear it from someone, even a fictional someone, who's been there.

I recommend this book with some reservation. Nothing in the book is heavier than what can be found on television, but if your teen is sheltered and used to reading gentler novels, you may want to read it first. However, if you want to fight back against the sex-saturated culture teens are immersed in, this is a great place to start.

Sutton has hit her stride with book two in the Second Glances series! Written in the same gritty, authentic style as her debut novel, fans will delight in the continuation of Susie's story. There's no sophomore slump here! Filled with finely drawn characters colliding with timeless truths, the prose is taut and rife with tension. Sutton proposes her signature honest answers to heart-wrenching questions. Not to be attempted without a box of tissues. Well worth the read! You won't put this one down until you finish the last page.

Susie wakes up after a party knowing something isn't right. When she discovers she is pregnant but has no idea who the father is, she decides to place her baby for adoption with an infertile couple from church. Following through ends up being more challenging than she'd imagined. But she wants to do the right thing. If only Jeff would quit trying to marry her so she can keep her baby! Why doesn't he understand? It's not about him; it's about what's best for her child. Meanwhile, a man shows up in her life that looks irritatingly familiar. Could he be the father?

The thing that's so great about Michelle Sutton is that she isn't afraid to be real. It's Not About Him is a gripping story about two people struggling to make right choices despite their past mistakes. The plot is filled with tough topics of rape, drinking, premarital sex, and murder, but Michelle deals with each scenario in a realistic way that proclaims Christ as the answer to all sin and reminds readers that He can work through any tragedy. Michelle weaves a series of plots that both break and warm the heart.

It's Not About Him is the perfect sequel. Michelle has written another honest look into the world young Christians struggle to live in every day. I praise God for the way she shows her readers that they can stay pure if they lean on Christ and make good choices. I pray these books will change lives. I'm so looking forward to book three.

Michelle Sutton has done it again -- captured me with a novel so edgy and compelling, it was one of the fastest reads I've read this year, which is not always a good thing when you don't want it to end. But, the good news is that Michelle Sutton is such a gifted writer and her characters are so fresh and real, that the story stays with you long after you turn the last page.

It's Not About Him is book 2 in the Second Glances series, a wonderfully written trilogy that captures the essence of the moral dilemmas that young people face today in a society where anything goes. It begins with two characters we met in book 1, It's Not About Me, Susie Ziglar, a young woman who finds herself pregnant after getting drunk at a party and Jeff Rhodes, the boy who gave the party and has now fallen for Susie and wants to marry her. Throughout this unique and engaging story, Ms. Sutton draws her readers in with a tale of regret and guilt deftly woven with true love and healing, making you care for these flesh-and-blood characters as much as they care for each other. An absolutely wonderful sequel to a wonderful series. Cannot wait for book 3!

Another great read!! After reading It's Not About Me, I had no compassion for Susie whatsoever for the things that she had pulled in the first book in the series. Michelle had assured me that I would change my mind about her in this story. Indeed the woman was right. My heart went out to Susie. The things that poor girl had gone through broke my heart. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Susie and Jeff's story. The challenges they had to face. And seeing their relationship unfold. Michelle kept me reading late into the night. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. The ending truly was perfect. Jeff got the closure he needed and Susie got closure too. Michelle did an excellent job writing about the subject of open adoption. And the view of adoption from the birth mother. The emotions that she goes through. The struggles she faces. Susie's story was both moving and heartbreaking. Another wonderful read from, Michelle!

I LOVED this book!
It was so sad, and heart-breaking.
I felt like I was really there, experiencing exactly what the characters were.
I cried right along with Susie.
All I have to say is that Its Not About Him was an AMAZING book,
and I think everyone should read it!

Michelle Sutton is well known for writing about true life. She holds nothing back as she gives an honest portrayal of how the decisions we make every day affect our future. This book would be an excellent read for any young person struggling with love, pregnancy, adoption, substance abuse, and too many other issues to list that Ms. Sutton brought to light. We can't always talk to our kids because they listen to almost anyone but parents in some cases. Ms. Sutton's books will young people them face-to-face with how decisions they make today will determine the life they live tomorrow.

The author does such an excellent job of developing these characters that they become like friends and you can't wait to see what happens next. I would recommend this book for anyone of any age.