Customer Reviews

Never Without Hope

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"Never without Hope" was the first book I've read in the edgy, Christian, romance genre. I was not disappointed. In the first half of the book I got lost in a juicy story and the lives of the three, somehow all likeable, main characters - Hope, her husband James, and lover Tony. The illicit romance culminates with a heart-pounding and frighteningly realistic confrontation. An especially disturbing aspect was the complete disregard for physical and emotional well-being of their child, in that moment. After this incredible scene, the book shifts. There continues to be many story lines, e.g., the interaction between Hope and the vengeful wife (awesome!). But additionally there are many scriptural references and messages of encouragement, not only to Hope but to a reader in her predicament as well. Since I was reading the book mainly for enjoyment, and not counsel, these at times took me out of the story. I could see however their value for a self or group bible study (there are even pages of discussion questions for those wanting to use the book as a study guide).

Michelle Sutton did an amazing job of getting inside the heads of three people and their roles in this extramarital affair in an engaging story of why good people do bad things. I read this book in three after-work evenings straight and look forward to reading more by this author, including the sequel.

Under normal circumstances, I don't buy books about a woman cheating on her husband. I've rejected well-known authors simply because I didn't want to "go there" in a book. But I'm glad I did!

I was sucked in immediately. I thought of all the people I have counseled and am currently counseling who have been led into adultery. How the other man/woman suddenly becomes a fixation...like an addiction. The heady sensation of losing yourself to something you know is wrong, but which feels so good (at least in the moment).

Michelle went the extra mile and demonstrated how sex is an emotional connection to someone else. It would have been easy to leave that part out (and no doubt easier to get this puppy published), but I'm so glad she didn't. I've counseled so many women whose guilt overwhelms them....because even though they know what they did was wrong, they still have an emotional connection to the person they cheated on their spouse with. Yes, even love them.

I also appreciated Michelle showing how a man's problem with erectile dysfunction can lead to significant problems in marriage when pride is allowed to run rampant. I just sighed when I read the parts with Hope's husband because it was so true to real life. Men don't want to admit they "have a problem," and many are willing to let their wives' sexual needs go unmet rather than seek medical attention for such a taboo subject.

Really, this is an incredible book that I'd recommend to any woman (Christian or not) in my practice who has had an adulterous encounter or is considering one. I think Michelle's book lays it out in pretty stark terms what can happen to a marriage, even one with Christ in it. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series already.

Okay, I admit it. At one point in this book, I actually caught myself saying a quick prayer for this family and then realized how ridiculous that was; these are fictional people, I reminded myself. But that sort of reaction tells you how wrapped up a reader can get into this story. Beyond that, this is a very fast read with wonderful hooks at the end of many chapters, making it hard to put down. The daring premise of illustrating how a Christian woman might get caught up in an affair and how she could find spiritual healing after was well done. A warning: the first half of this book has so much sexual content that one might begin to wonder if there really will be a Christian element at all; there is. In fact, one of the surprising style points in Sutton's writing is her ability to blend subtley into all of her characters while maintaining a pulse-pounding pace of action.

Never Without Hope is Christian romance with a difference. Hope has it all--husband, son, an agent, even, almost, a publisher. She's part of an active church family. She goes to women's Bible studies. She's happy, and there's just that one thing worrying her; her husband's love, so consistent, so deep, seems somewhat less physical than it used to be.

Hope is beautiful, the sort of woman men's eyes might follow in a crowd, and she likes to be looked at. She likes to flirt, just a little, and knows she'll never stray... until that one man temps her just a little too far, when she's just a little too disappointed, just a little too eager for the comfort of somebody's touch. Then Hope's life begins to fall apart, and all the good intentions in the world can't help when temptation returns.

James is a good man, a gentle man, devoted father and husband, with just one little problem. So who's to blame? Young Jimmie points out that we all have choices, whoever's wounded us. And out of the mouths of children, pastors and friends, come the prayers a family needs--while out of the mouths of others come accusations and reminders of guilt.

Michelle Sutton creates some very believable, and believably flawed characters in her tale. Christians do stray, do hurt each other, do scream and shout and behave like hypocrites. But they also have hope. In this tale, even Hope will learn that God never lets her down. And the reader learns sympathy and forgiveness in a surprisingly powerful tale.

Disclosure: I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book as a Christmas gift from a Christian website, an I'm posting a review because I enjoyed it.

Michelle Sutton's Never Without Hope is not your stereotypical tale of betrayal in a marriage that glosses over the inner turmoil of everyone involved to get right to the sheets. First off it isn't the husband that strays, it's the wife (Hope) that is torn between the passion she feels and the rejection she receives at home from her husband James. Not willing to seek help, James unwittingly leaves Hope vulnerable to her own desires and limited in the way in which she can express it. Then she meets Tony on the return flight home that speaks to her need to adored and appreciated physically. The character's physical descriptions and the seductions scenes themselves are not sketched out to fit a formula of a romance. The sensuality we are all gifted with is raw and in your face real, but not gratuitous.
There is no character - major or minor that you aren't given a glimpse inside their soul throughout the phases of this affair which proves that adultery may involve two people, but it affects many. I love this author's delicate approach to humanity that runs the gamut of great resolve to extreme weakness, redemption and self-condemnation. Hope and James are real people that live in your town, and, yes, go to your church. From the friends that Hope confides in that have to bare her secret in prayer without judgment to Hope and James' son, Jimmy ,who is exposed to the ugliness in the aftermath, you can help but become invested. I especially love the woman scorned, Tony's wife. Her rage and entitled bitterness is palpable. As a reader you can see the contrast between the couples and the potential for their healing.
Never Without Hope was a refreshingly honest read. These characters are not done telling their story, and this author has left room to revisit them. I look forward to reading more works by this author.

Do you like Edgy Christian Fiction? The kind that takes you "there" but in a discreet manner? I wasn't sure if I would like this book or not but decided to give it a try and let me tell you that I absolutely LOVED it! Michelle has written a wonderful story that incorporates temptation, forbidden love, consequences and most of all God's unfailing love.

Hope meets Tony on the airplane ride home from a writer's conference. He invites her to lunch after she lands in his lap trying to get by to go to the restroom! She figures she's married, everyone has to eat, and "we'll never see each other again after we leave the airport". She tells him she's a writer and he wants to read her manuscript. She doesn't have one with her, it was left with her editor, so she gives him her business card and says she can email him chapters. She tells him she would like to write an Italian man with Tony's gorgeous eyes into her next book. One thing leads to another and they end up in a passionate affair. Hope feels very guilty but just can't stop. She is getting what she needs from Tony because her husband doesn't fulfill her needs.

James is Hope's husband. He seems to have lost his "drive" and nothing Hope does can make a difference. She suggests help from either counseling or from a visit to his doctor. James refuses to discuss his "problem" with anyone. Hope is left frustrated and feeling like she isn't wanted. Tony is there making her feel loved and wanted. And at the same time, guilty.
How could she do this to her husband? How could she do this to their 9 year old son? What is her church going to say if they find out? What about her friends?

Hope wants to confess her infidelity to James but the time is just never right. When he finally does find out, what happens? Does he forgive his wife? What about Tony's wife? How does she react?
You won't want to pass this book by! It's not just about infidelity but about God's amazing grace and His unconditional love. He loves us even at our worst, when we can't even love ourselves.

This book has no vulgarity in it but does contain adult themes. I would recommend "Never Without Hope" for adults. I was not compensated in any way for this review.

I wish I'd had this book to encourage me when I was struggling in a prior marriage. Michelle Sutton's novel Never Without Hope is another great book that I loved reading! This one will keep you on the edge of your seat yearning to know what is going to happen next. It's hard to stop reading because I was worried about the characters. I'm a slow reader, but read this book fast. This story reminds us that Christians are not perfect, and that we all sin and we can all be forgiven. No one is without Hope. l can see this book being used as a great tool in marriage counseling sessions.

I have read all of Michelle's published books to-date and I love her writing style. Never Without Hope is definitely her edgiest book. I thought it was fabulous. I think Michelle did an amazing job of portraying all the emotions and ramifications of an affair. She didn't shy away from telling it like it is- the good and the bad. I really appreciated the fact that the main character knew what she was doing was wrong but did it anyway- it is just so true to life.

Personally I did not find the more graphic details of the book offensive. The details were relevant and necessary to the storyline. By showing lust and sin and adultery in their true forms Michelle was also able to show just how amazing God's grace and mercy are and how you can never stray too far to receive His forgiveness.

Most inspirational novels that I read shy away from showing the true depths of sin- even in the lives of Christians- and I really respect Michelle's willingness to write TRUTH. Never Without Hope addresses a "taboo" topic in most Christian circles but one that we all know happens and therefore really needs to be addressed. I think this book has the potential to give a lot of women who are struggling in their marriages real hope.

Well done Michelle!

I absolutely LOVED Never Without Hope!! Michelle Sutton does not disappoint. She kept me up reading until 5am. Twice. I just couldn't stop. I had to find out what was going to happen next. If you're looking for a book with lots of passion and desire, I'd highly recommend Never Without Hope. I may not be a married woman, but I did get a lot out of this novel. Things that will stay with me even after I'm married. I applaud Michelle for writing about what happens when you are tempted and then end up having an affair. How it doesn't just effect the people having it, but everyone. Spouses, children, family and friends. No one goes untouched. I like how she shows the importence of having God in your life and in your marriage. How only He can restore that which has been broken and make it like new. With God in your life, you are Never without Hope. Awesome job, Michelle!!

Never Without Hope is wonderfully crafted fiction novel written in the style of a memoir. We follow the emotional and physical journey of Hope as she falls into sexual temptation when her husband begins to neglected her physical needs for intimacy. Hope is a complex character whose struggles and feelings are real and relevant and will have you grabbing for the tissues as you feel the sting of her husbands rejection, the cesspool of emotions when in the throes of an affair, and the turmoil surrounding the aftermath. This is a wonderful book for anyone who has ever felt that their marriage is without hope and the grass is beginning to look greener on the other side of the fence. Ms. Sutton tells it like it is in all it's glorious, sometimes graphic, details; meanwhile, an inspirational message of hope and forgiveness is meticulously integrated into the story. It will keep you turning pages as Hope's story unfolds and you glean marital counsel and an understanding of divine acceptance and forgiveness. As a fan of Ms. Sutton's prior work, I was not disappointed. This novel exceeded my expectations and has me waiting on edge for the sequel.