Never Saw You Coming by Erin Hahn | YOUNG ADULT BOOK REVIEW
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Raised by conservative parents, 18-year-old Meg Hennessey just found out her entire childhood was a lie. Instead of taking a gap year before college to find herself, she ends up traveling north to meet what’s left of the family she never knew existed.
While there, she meets Micah Allen, a former pastor’s kid whose dad ended up in prison, leaving Micah with his own complicated relationship about the church. The clock is ticking on Pastor Allen’s probation hearing and Micah, now 19, feels the pressure to forgive – even when he can’t possibly forget.
As Meg and Micah grow closer, they are confronted with the heavy flutterings of first love and all the complications it brings. Together, they must navigate the sometimes-painful process of cutting ties with childhood beliefs as they build toward something truer and straight from the heart.
In Erin Hahn’s Never Saw You Coming, sometimes it takes a leap of faith to find yourself.
Never Saw You Coming by Erin Hahn | YOUNG ADULT BOOK REVIEW
NEVER SAW YOU COMING BY ERIN HAHN
BOOK REVIEW
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Wow, this book is something different.
I must say, I didn’t expect the book to go the direction it did. I’m not religious, although I grew up in the evangelical, protestant, Lutheran church in Europe. And I would say that our church is one of the most liberal of all. I have no experience with more stricter churches and what is being described in this book is something I can not even wrap my mind around. Also I can see that there will be some readers who will feel very different about this book.
Two years ago I received the ARC for YOU’D BE MINE and it became an instant favorite of mine. I’m a big lover of YA contemporary and loved the author’s writing immediately. Last year’s MORE THAN MAYBE didn’t speak to me as much, but I knew I would want to continue reading her work. And wow, I am glad I did, because NEVER SAW YOU COMING was something special.
I’m just floored and impressed by the author, especially after reading the Author’s Note. The note brought it all together and put a personal stamp to the story.
I was hooked on the story, although I had some initial doubt. But I was soon pulled into the book and loved every minute. From the characters to the plot, the book was captivating.
Both Meg and Micah had such a unique and interesting background. Their connection to the church helped them get closer to each other, but also made their relationship, and also their relationship to the church much more complicated. They both struggled with their believes, and what it means to be part of a church. And how much they were willing to give, especially if what they got back from the church came with so many strings attached.
I adored Meg and Micah as a couple. They were so well matched. Genuine, likeable, and down to earth. Loved both their personalities. And they made me smile and chuckle. Their relationship warmed my heart, and the entire novel was one great read.
I thought the book was incredibly well done. And the story on its own will stay with me much longer than any other YA novel. Because in the end the book had heart, soul and substance.
NEVER SAW YOU COMING is a YA contemporary romance with all the swoon and first love excitement I expected, BUT it’s also so very different, even surprisingly different. I didn’t expect it to read like Christian fiction for teens. Nevertheless I loved it, and can only recommend it.
FOUR STARS
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Never Saw You Coming by Erin Hahn | YOUNG ADULT BOOK REVIEW
I also thought this book was well done. I grew up in a pretty liberal church. I have visited ones that were not. Messaging is very different there. I loved that Hahn did such a tasteful job tackling the subject. Great review.
I agree!!! I haven’t been inside a church for the last 20 years, but I loved how the author handled the topic and I still can’t believe how much I ended up enjoying the book. It was one of the biggest surprises this year.
Wow, I know there are churches out there that preach these things, but the church I attend and have since I was a child is not like that. We are relatively liberal, but I can imagine the damage done to people, especially young girls in that type of setting. The author’s note is sad, but I love that she used that experience to empower her. I was not interested in this book before, but I sure am now. Great review Corina.