Janis Thomas

What Remains True is a novel that drops you into the middle of a family in crisis. It is told from multiple points of view, even including the family dog, and the poor little boy who lost his life far too soon. Normally I would say too many cooks spoil the pot but in this case I think it was a brilliant way to express what every family member went through after Jonah's death. The only thing I really didn't care for was the therapist's point of view. It felt like a break in the real story, which I didn't want to be distracted from. It was hard to care about her personal life since I was so wrapped up in what was happening with the grieving family that I didn't want to be interrupted.


I received a complimentary copy for review.… (meer)

People, relationships, perspectives, secrets

“Finding Grace” is the story of three women Grace, Louise, and Melanie. The story opens with an event filled with apprehension and mystery. Grace is found on the George Washington Bridge, disoriented and troubled. Authorities call a number from her phonebook, her long estranged daughter, Louise. And then there is Melanie, a girl who needs help, a girl with a secret, a girl in danger. The paths of these characters intersect, and each person is changed by that connection.

The narrative goes back and forth in time to give readers insight into the past experiences that shaped these characters. Readers are pulled into the events and become both observers and confidantes. Sections are appropriately labeled with name and time period, and each account is distinctive and unique. Characters talk to others, talk to themselves, and talk directly to readers sharing thoughts, apprehensions, hopes. They also have secrets, big important secrets that must eventually be resolved.

As the drama unfolds, readers gain insight into each character. The relationships are multifaceted and complex. Some events are foreseeable and typical while others are unanticipated and surprising; all are compelling and illuminating.

“Finding Grace” is an account of refurbishing relationships, overcoming pain, rebuilding trust, and gaining a new perspective. I received a review copy of “Finding Grace” from Janis Thomas and Blackstone Publishing. “Finding Grace” is now available at independent bookstores, retail outlets, online booksellers, and public libraries in print, as an e-book, and as an audiobook.… (meer)

This book starts out completely different than any other book I've read! You start out on the first page, with the horrible tragedy and immediately feel anguish and turmoil in the characters. So badly heartbroken, I almost didn't want to keep reading. The first part is just so gut retching, but then you have to keep reading to find out WHY everyone is hurting so bad, and finally make sure they end up feeling better and moving forward.

I've never read a book where I've cried at the very beginning and immediately felt the characters emotions..........to Janis Thomas, excellent job there.… (meer)

There was way too much going on in this one. We had 7 POVs and we barely stay with anyone long enough to even get settled in to what is going on. I think the author did this in order to get to the ending that we did that was just confusing and not heart-warming to me. This book was just a mess to me.

"What Remains True" follows the Davenport family a month after the family has lost their young son (Jonah). The family is fractured with the mother in a drug induced haze (Rachel), the father hiding at work (Sam), the daughter feeling lost and alone (Eden) and Rachel's sister feeling as if she is the only one who can fix it (Ruth). We even get to see Jonah's POV along with the family dog.

I wish that Thomas had allowed us to just read the story straight through. We are left in the dark a good portion of the book which made it hard to keep reading this. When things get revealed you end up feeling a bit fed up (at least I did) and just wish things would wrap up fast.

I can't even say that I liked anyone character's POV the most. Including the therapist POV's was a mistake to me. She had enough going on that it distracted from the book. I really disliked Ruth's POV though. I didn't have a lot of sympathy for her.

The writing was just okay, I didn't get a sense of different voices in this one. It just felt endless after a while. The flow was shot too. I think it would have been better to flip the book to show what happened via everyone's POV first, then the aftemath a month later, them at the therapist, then what really happened via Jonah's POV.

The ending was not good though. It just forced a happy ending where the book seemed to be heading somewhere else. Maybe it would have been ugly what happened afterwards, but at least it would have been more realistic.… (meer)