Book Review: A New Thing

*I received this book as an e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Lydia Lucas had me at, "The person you thought was truly "the one" may have turned out to be heartache" and when I saw that she was writing it from a faith-based perspective, I knew I had to request a copy for myself.  This book was an easy read that had me nodding along in agreement from time to time.  When I finished, I wanted to be her friend!  (Is that weird..?)

A New Thing was just what I needed to start 2021 off right.  It reiterated how important and perfect God's timing is, reminded me of how beautiful a deep relationship with God can be, and helped fuel my fire of passion for Him.  Lucas is vulnerable throughout the book, but is able to keep it light.  She's real and authentic, but not whiny nor does she complain about her hardships.  She's encouraging without being so in-your-face about how to change your life.

Towards the end of the book, I couldn't stop highlighting her words of wisdom.  Here are some of my favorites: 

* "Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die."

* "The God we serve is not a God of 'almost good enough.'"

* "... stop speaking so negatively and making long-term decisions based on temporary feelings."

Don't tell me those aren't straight fire!  Speaking of fire, one of Lucas' themes throughout her story is being in the refiner's fire having her faith tested, but coming out of the fire as pure gold.  She encourages the reader to stay in the fire, trust the process, and strive to become the gold God designed you to be.  Because of this, my Bible verse of the year to focus on, pray about, and reflect on is 1 Peter 1:7 (thank you, Lydia)!

I would recommend this book to Christian women in their teens and twenties and I also think it could be used as Bible study content for young women as there are reflection/discussion questions at the end of each chapter.  This is why I give it 4 leaves!

A New Thing was released December 1, 2020.  It is available to purchase through major retailers, or my personal favorite book distributor, Bookshop.  Buy through Bookshop, support local bookstores!