Customer Reviews

Never Let You Go

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(52)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Never Let You Go is about a single mom, Lexi, and her nine year old daughter, Molly - in one week their world goes from a struggle to a survival situation. Lexi's husband reappears after many years. An old friend also appears and turns Lexi's life upside down. Lexi also makes a new friend in Angelo. We are introduced to Lexi's mother and father.

Never Let You Go is set in a small town, don't let a small town setting bother you - there is plenty of going ons in Craig's Nest. Lexi works two jobs to make ends meet for her and Molly.

Strange things slowly start to happen at the beginning of the story and I feel that this strange doings help to grab the reader right away. Each chapter was more suspenseful than the last. I was rooting for Lexi and her family through the entire story.

This was the first time I read a Christian inspired story and was thoroughly entertained by the book. This book had a very good message about good vs evil. After reading this book, more than likely you will stop and think about your life.

I highly recommend this book to other readers, this book delivers a very powerful message. I will be reading Erin Healy's other books in the near future.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

I was originally drawn to this book because it was about a mother fighting for her daughter. As a mother of two young daughters who has already been through quite a bit of fighting for them, I can relate. Once I got into the book, I was a bit put off partly because I was introduced to too many characters so soon into the plot and a lack of unique characterization made it difficult for me to keep up with the plot (and this is coming from someone who has read Sara Douglass). A second reason was that it somewhat reminded me of another book I read recently with the meth theme. Drugs are just not something that I purposely want to read about in my fiction. The only thing that really kept me reading was Lexi's relationship with her daughter, Molly. Along the way, I discovered that there actually is a fantasy-like aspect to the book that is difficult to see for at least half the book. This is probably as close as you can get to the fantasy genre without actually qualifying for the classification. I so badly wanted the book to come "out with it" over the supernatural aspect that I flew through the rest of the book. The ending was mostly satisfying in that the bad guy gets his just desserts and all the lose ends are tied up appropriately, but my fantasy-loving side wanted a more fantastical intervention than what actually occurred. At times, the plot felt like a soap-opera, with Lexi's affair and two other characters being convicts, as well as Ward's constant harrassments and almost reality-defying omnipresence. I would describe the book as high-intensity suspense combined with overdramatic reality and a dash of supernatural.

Erin Healy is extremely adept at taking the spiritual battles and manifesting on the written page. I was blown away by the parallelism, symbolism, and incredible characters she used for this book. If you've ever read a Ted Dekker novel, you will not be disappointed by Healy! I couldn't put the book down. Without giving away plot, I was most impressed by her grasp of the human condition and the spiritual forces. Her characters were deeply flawed humans but ones we can all identify with. She deftly guides the reader through her character, Lexi's outrage, indignation, guilt, regret, and finally unmerited grace. The descriptions were so vivid, I could imagine all that took place. Excellent book and well worth the read!

As a Christian fiction lover, I was excited to read Never Let You Go by Erin Healy. I thought the plot sounded interesting and I couldn't wait to begin reading.... I was sorely disappointed. At times, I had to make myself turn the page. The plot was unbelievable. Literally. The main character, Lexi, has more hardship in her life than anyone can imagine. Her husband left her years ago and she works two jobs to support herself and her daughter. Despite her efforts, her poverty is all to real. Lexi's sister was murdered just before her husband left her. Her father lost his mind after this incident, and her mother decided to become a world traveler. Just when you think Lexi is all alone, old friends reappear in her life. This, of course, leads to even more trouble.

Although the book is categorized as Christian fiction, the Christian part is hard to pinpoint. Spiritual would be a much better description. Never have I found any Biblical evidence in support of the dramatic, dark events that take place in this story. With such a focus on demonic presence, Healy would have done well to do some research in Scripture to find out what demonic presence really looks like. Her lack of correct doctrine on the issue was a huge turn-off for me. Honestly, the book would have been a much better read if it had not been labeled a Christian book. The inclusion of Scripture here and there felt forced and out of place. I would not recommend this book to anyone, especially without first telling them of all the incorrect information about spiritual issues. If Healy attempts another solo book, I hope it presents the Christian life in a true way. This book simply did not.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

I was hoping for good things from this solo project from Erin Healy. I have read her books coauthored with Ted Dekker and thought they were okay but not upto par with Dekkers books by himself. The story is interesting and does have some interesting characters. I like Lexi and her daughter Molly and you can relate to some of their struggles and problems instantly. You also have some great supporting characters that are drawn into this struggle of good and evil. I just thought it was lacking something to really bring it over the top and push this solo novel out there.

Never Let You Go is the story of Lexi Solomon. Tragedy had hit her family seven years ago and she had done her best to scrape out a living for herself and her 9-year-old daughter, Molly. Lexi thought that things were going well until an old, unsavory friend, Warden Pavo, decided to make an appearance and brought some surprising news for Lexi: her husband, who had walked out on his family, was back in town and wanted to see Molly. Among that news was that her sister's murderer, Norman Von Ruden was up for parole and Ward wanted Lexi to testify on Norm's behalf. From that point on, everything Lexi thought was under control was suddenly thrown into chaos.

This book was absolutely amazing. It told the story of Lexi Solomon and what she did to make sure that Hell wouldn't loosen her grip on everything she held dear. With the help of a mysterious stranger, Angelo, who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, Lexi was hoping that everything would work out fine and that her life could get back to normal, and if possible, actually improve as well. Lexi was trying to hold onto everything she held dear, but Hell was trying to loosen her grip. Heaven was trying to tell Lexi that they would never let her go.

If you love the edge of your seat thrillers by Ted Dekker and the relational drama of Karen Kingsbury, then Never Let You Go by Erin Healy is definitely the book for you!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

This book caught my attention right from the start. One of the better suspense books I have read. Lexi Solomon's life has been totally turned upside down. Her past has caught up with her and she is having to fight for her life, along with her daughter, Molly's. In reading this book, the characters came to life. The creepy Warden who has come back into her life from long ago, to her imprisoned husband who has been released from prison, comes back into town claiming he has changed. But has he? Lexi has found the perfect town to live in. Her life has settled down to a normalcy she has always wanted. Working to take care of her daughter, she is unaware of the events that are going to change her life forever. There are numerous twists and turns in this book to keep you wondering what is going to happen next. Towards the end of the book, it gets so suspenseful, with riviting spiritual implications on who the dark characters really are. Are they demons? Is Molly's protecter, Angelo, really an Angel? You, the reader, need to discover this for yourself. A page turner from the first page, you will not be disappointed.

In an unnamed Midwestern city, Lexi Solomon is struggling to put her life back together. Ever since her husband Grant left her, she's barely made ends meet for her and her daughter. Suddenly, within a span of a few hours, everything she held dear threatens to fall apart. Erin Healy's first novel of her own, after co-authoring two with Ted Dekker, is a thrilling story about forgiveness, survival and spiritual warfare.

When Lexi's daughter, Molly, was only two, her drug addicted husband left her. Around that same time, a man named Norman Von Ruden murdered her sister. Now, seven years later, a low-life drug dealer gives Lexi an ultimatum. She must testify on Norman 's behalf at his parole hearing, or he'll harm her daughter. Then, Grant storms back into her life, trying to renew ties with his daughter. Further threatening Lexi's sanity is her father, who is in a mental institution, and her mother, who will have nothing to do with him.

Working two jobs and behind on utility payments, Lexi doesn't know if she'll make it. To make things worse, she's starting to see things and losing her grip on what is real and what isn't.

Knowing Healy's background with Dekker, I expected to there to be some sort of supernatural angle to NEVER LET YOU GO, and there is. It is powerful and gripping and gives you hope that good will ultimately prevail. My only complaint would be that some of the early hints of the supernatural elements were confusing.

Once the story gets rolling, it was hard to stop reading. Lexi's fight for Molly is both captivating and wrenching. The villains are pure evil, and the spiritual message is uplifting and hopeful. A must-read for Christian fiction fans who enjoy Dekker.

Never let you go is the story of a young single mother whose past catches up with her, when her ex husband, a former drug dealer, and a man she once had affair with all come crashing back into her life over the course of a few weeks, all hell is ready to break lose, but with the wrath of hell, comes the overwhelming power of God.

Personally I entered this book uncertain how it would work out, having previously only read Erin's work when co authoring with Ted Dekker, i was uncertain how much of it was Ted and how much was Erin, once i picked up Never let you go, i couldn't put it down reading the entire thing in a single day and loving every minute, the character of Angelo is a sure fire winner and I'd love to see an entire series based around him.

All in all an exceptionally good read

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Losing everything has made Lexi hold those she loves tightly. Hell is determined to loosen her grip.

Lexi lives in the shadow of choices her husband made. Especially Grant's choice to leave seven years ago, without a word. Her relationship with their daughter, Molly, is now the most important thing in her life. Lexi will do anything--work grueling hours, attend church on her only day off, sacrifice financially--just to see Molly smile.

When Grant shows up declaring his intent to re-enter their daughter's life, Lexi is skeptical of his motives. She soon determines not to let him near Molly. Then a drug dealer named Warden arrives on Lexi's doorstep, demanding payment of Grant's old debts.

But that's just the earthly perspective. Staggering supernatural events are spilling into her world in real and shocking ways. Hell's fury is great, but Heaven's power is greater still. In a novel that defies easy categorization, this has all the early buzz of the breakthrough read of 2010.

Erin Healy's solo book debut Never Let You Go is a page turner from start to finish. It's a non stop suspense thrill ride that keeps you hooked from the very first line of the book. I've read some of Erin's coauthoring work with Ted Dekker and to be honest her writing reminds me a lot of Ted's. While Healy is a bit more upfront with the elements of faith that arise within the store it's not a "cheesy Christian fiction" book. I know it may seem wrong of me to say that... but it's true. Until Dekker I hadn't read a Christian fiction author that could weave story and still point to faith in Christ and a God that is good and loves us and has a plan for all of us that wasn't cheesy. It's just my opinion you may not agree. I'm thankful that even with a Switchfoot concert reference and being more upfront with faith themes Erin does not sacrifice the story.

I received this book to read and review from [...]