Dogwood

Title: Dogwood

Author: Chris Fabry

Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

Publisher:Tyndale Publishing

Source: Own

Challenges: 23 in 23, Literary Escapes 2022, Read Your Bookshelf Challenge by Chantel, Oceana's Christian Fiction Romance Challenge,

My review:

Dogwood is the first book I have read by Chris Fabry. I picked it up at a used bookstore last year and this year I am trying to read more from my own bookshelves. I also want to give more male authors a try. 

I struggled getting into Dogwood for several reasons. First, there is a lot of description, the beginning especially is very plot driven, which makes it harder for me to stay engaged. Second, each chapter shifts to a different person as the author introduces us to the characters. Every time I started to feel like I was understanding what was going on, there would be another shift (four main characters plus the ones introduced with them, family/friends). Third, I had a hard time connecting with Karin or even liking her very much.

There are so many things I want to say about this book, but I won't because they would be spoilers. There was a lot going on in this book and the author did bring all the pieces together in the end. However, I did not see the ending coming, and I hated it. Yep, you read that right. I do not normally have that strong of feelings about an ending, but I was like "are you kidding me?!" If you want to take it in a positive light, it is a memorable ending.

Challenges:

 West Virginia and

Synopsis (Goodreads): 

In the small town of Dogwood, West Virginia, Karin has buried her shattered dreams by settling for a faithful husband whose emotional distance from her deep passions and conflicts leaves her isolated. Loaded with guilt, she tries to raise three small children and "do life" the best she can. Will returns to Dogwood intent on pursuing the only woman he has ever loved--only to find there is far more standing in his way than lost years in prison. The secrets of Will and Karin's past begin to emerge through Danny Boyd, a young boy who wishes he hadn't survived the tragedy that knit those two together as well as tore them apart. The trigger that will lay their pain bare and force them to face it rather than flee is the unlikely figure of Ruthie Bowles, a withered, wiry old woman who leads Karin so deep into her anger against God that it forces unexpected consequences.