Jennifer Rodewald

If you are in search of an author who digs into the messiness of life, look no further. Jennifer Rodewald continuously delivers gut-wrenching emotions in each book she writes, and the Murphy Brothers series has held my heart through each book.

Morning by Morning is Connor Murphy’s second book. If you’re new to the series, you won’t be lost picking up this one, but you will understand so much more about the man Connor is if you read Everything Behind Us. Dubbed Constant Connor by his brothers, he is the dependable, do the right thing brother.

But Connor has suffered a devastating loss and, two years later, he’s still grieving. The last thing he wants is more change in his life. Enter Jade Beck and her daughter and son. Jade is also grieving a loss, but in a much different way than Connor is. Yet, the two are in the midst of exactly what Connor wants least—change.

I was happy to see Matt and Lauren (from book one in the series) again. And appreciated how Matt spoke truth into Connor’s life when he most needed it, helping Connor to see where his resistance to Jade was coming from. The bond the brothers have cultivated over the years through this series is one of the strengths of Rodewald’s writing.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.… (meer)

Who You Are by Jennifer Rodewald is the second to last book in the Murphy Brothers series. We’re down to the two youngest brothers.

When Brandon chooses to accept an arranged engagement, he doesn’t anticipate a stubborn, angry, and immature fiancée. She’s not the woman he hoped to meet. But he also acknowledges he’s got some areas to work on in his life.

Brandon’s serious nature and high standards are hard for even his family to live up to (as we saw in the previous book), and it may take some one exactly like Megan to shine the light on the areas he needs to improve on.

There is some great banter between these two as they are at odds with each other. And I appreciated how their initial dislike grows to acceptance to appreciation to more. Even when it seems everything has gone wrong for these two, God’s working His good in their lives.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.… (meer)

The Murphy family returns, and this time, one of the middles is in the spotlight. Jennifer Rodewald never fails to bring an emotionally wrenching and compelling story filled with messages of faith and healing to the page.

Tyler has his future planned out—graduate from college, work with his dad, and marry the girl he loves. An accident and addiction change all of that. Rodewald handles Tyler’s addiction to pain killers with truth but also compassion. Readers see the change in Tyler—the excuses, the ugliness of attitude, the pushing people away—but also the pain and disillusion his injury brings him. And the heartbreak.

And then comes the healing. Not only of Tyler’s body but of his soul as he leans into God. Becca is also healing as she charts a new course for her future.

There was so much to love about this book, from Lauren and Becca’s friendship to little Fiona to the romance. But the absolute best, most beautiful part of this book was Tyler’s changed outlook and response to difficulties. As he learns to praise God in gratitude, this faith grows, he becomes an inspiration to others and a better man than he was before his accident. Stubborn Love is a testament to how God can take what we view as the worst event in our lives and turn it into the greatest gift He gives us because it brings us closer to Him.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.… (meer)

I have not met a book written by Jennifer Rodewald that I have not liked, but if there was going to be one, This Life is that book. Yet, that was not at all the case with the fourth book in the Murphy Brothers series.

Readers have met Jacob and Kate through the family’s eyes in the previous books, but we haven’t gotten to know them at all until now. There is definitely more than meets the eye here.
As Jacob and Kate trade their luxury condo for a skoolie and meet just the right people, their history is revealed, and I just could not help but root for these two broken and hurting people who felt so alone in their pain and brokenness.

With deep and complex characters, you cannot help but be drawn to, this moving and emotional story about how being stripped of everything we hold important in life opens our eyes to what really matters, to the truest blessings in our lives resonated with me. It’s about finding ourselves and leaning on God when all hope seems lost. About healing.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.… (meer)