Review: Home Another Way by Christa Parrish

About the Book: After her mother’s death and her father’s abandonment, tiny infant Sarah Graham was left to be raised by her emotionally distant grandmother. As a child she turned to music for solace and even gained entrance to Juilliard. But her potentially brilliant music career ended with an unplanned pregnancy and the stillborn birth of her child.

In an attempt to escape the past, Sarah, now twenty-seven, is living life hard and fast–and she is flat broke. When her estranged father dies, she travels to the tiny mountain hamlet of Jonah, New York to claim her inheritance. Once there, she learns her father’s will stipulates a six-month stay before she can receive the money. Fueled by hate and desperation, Sarah settles in for the bitter mountain winter, and as the weeks pass, she finds her life intertwining with the lives of the simple, gracious townsfolk. Can these strangers teach Sarah how to forgive and find peace?

My Review: Well, the buzz for this book certainly proceeded it by a mile! I was really excited to read it, especially when bloggers like Anna said they loved it. Plus, I was hearing comparisons between Lisa Samson and Christa Parrish and since I love Lisa Samson's work, I was especially excited.

Home Another Way is a brilliant debut. The characterization is rich (though Sarah is not particularly likeable!), the prose is lovely, the story is true to itself. Despite the fact that Sarah is a bit of a prickly character, as the hard walls of ice around her heart begin to thaw, so does she worm her way into your heart! The cast of characters is fantastic...a small town where there is love in abundance as well as secrets and hurt. While Sarah may experience the most profound character growth, there is plenty for each character of significance.

The ending is even a bit unexpected. I think Christa Parrish has penned a fantastic debut that is an exploration into the heart...a place where hope can exist but there are no easy, safe answers. Life as it really is is displayed on the pages and the reader is taken along for the ride. I look forward to what Christa brings us in the future.