Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh

Read first chapter excerpt here.

 

Once upon a time, I was a rebel. And I have the tattoo to prove it.

Then there was the spiked hair–the shade of which changed monthly–“colorful” language that can’t be found in your everyday sixteen-count crayon box, a pack-a-day habit, less-than-modest wardrobe, and an obsession with guitar-trashing, drum-bashing music.

Did I mention I’m also a preacher’s kid? That’s right. And like the prodigal son after whom I modeled myself, I finally saw the error of my ways and returned to the fold.

Today my life is all about “lead me not into temptation.” When I’m not serving as Women’s Ministry Director at my father’s church, I’m working at Gloria’s Morning Café. I even have worthy goals, like saving enough money to buy the café, keep my Jelly Belly habit under control, and to never again hurt the people I love. No more parties. No more unsavory activities. And no more motorcycles! You’d think I was finally on the right track.

But since my dad’s replacement hired a hotshot church consultant to revive our “dying” church, things aren’t working out as planned. And now this “consultant” says I’m in need of a little reviving myself. Just who does this Maddox McCray think he is anyway? With his curly hair that could use a good clipping, tattoo that he makes no attempt to hide, and black leather pants, the man is downright dangerous. In fact, all that’s missing is a motorcycle. Or so I thought… But if he thinks he’s going to take me for a ride on that 1298cc machine of his, he can think again. Harriet Bisset is a reformed woman, and she’s going to stay that way. Even if it kills me!

Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh was a novel that I found both entertaining and personally challenging. The novel centers around Harriet Bisset and her personal growth after she returned from a period of rebellion. She has to rebuild relationships she has broken in the past and to understand how to make proper choices and live under grace in the present. The plot line is interesting and has unexpected obstacles and events that the characters have to face. The characters are very realistic and struggle with tough choices that are easy for readers to identify with. I love the interactions and struggles that Harriet and Maddox have as they learn about each other and have to understand the each other's different views. Overall, I thought Splitting Harriet was a enjoyable and convicting novel.

I received this novel for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review,