Beauty in the Bittersweet by Jessica Stone ~ Book Review

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Beauty in the Bittersweet by Jessica Stone, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Beauty in the Bittersweet
 Series: A Thornbush and Juniper Story
 Author: Jessica Stone
 Publisher: Story Architect
 Release Date: May 5, 2025
 Genre: Women's Contemporary Fiction (Christian) with romance

 If checking off lists were all it took, Elle Reed could keep   her  life from crumbling around her. But her husband betrays   her trust, her best friend’s recent diagnosis reveals a hidden   trauma, and a secret Elle has been keeping from her mother   has wrecked their Gilmore Girls-esque relationship. Her   career may be the one thing she has control over, and she   holds it tightly with both hands. 

 Then she gets a call she never expects—her mother has   passed away suddenly, taking any hope of reconciliation with her. Discovering Catherine’s collection of devotional journals while packing up her home provides an opportunity to glean the wisdom she so desperately misses. But the journals reveal that her mother had secrets of her own, leaving Elle wondering if anyone in her life is who they say. 

When an upheaval at work rips away the only stability Elle has left, she has to face her biggest fear. What will it take for her to surrender control to The One who’s had it all along?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Jessica Stone Stories | Amazon

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My Thoughts

This was my first book by this author and it was such a treat to read. Honestly the cover didn't draw me in but the summary of the book and the words Gilmore-esque  phrase definitely had me hooked and I knew this was something I wanted to read and I am so glad I did. The story completely drew me in but the characters were written so well. The many layers they had unfolded and we saw the issues they were going through. These characters were relatable and I have to say the emotions were so real. Maybe I am speaking because I have the experience of loss with losing my mom last year so I definitely could relate toe Elle and her grief. For me I definitely had to have tissues nearby and seeing Elle and and Micah fighting for their marriage on top of all of this definitely adds to the heightened emotions. 

The plot was great and truly moved at a great pace. Overall I really enjoyed the story and can't wait to see what the author pens next!

 

About the Author

Despite her start as a journalist for a faith-based news publication two decades ago, Jessica Stone has always loved fiction. She believes that her testimony and message come most clearly through storytelling, and she loves the process of developing deep—and deeply flawed—characters who find redemption and learn to accept grace, just as she is herself. Jessica and her husband reside in Raleigh, North Carolina, near her parents and other family. This story—and her confidence to write it—were inspired by her own Gilmore Girls-esque relationship with her daughter, who is living out her dreams as a fashion designer in Paris. Beauty in the Bittersweet is Jessica’s debut novel and the first in her A Thornbush and Juniper Story series.

Connect with Jessica by visiting jessicastonestories.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will receive a print copy of Beauty in the Bittersweet plus a sticker/bookmark, journal and pen set!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 29, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 6, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!