Review: Age Before Beauty by Virginia Smith

About the Book: Desperate to stay home with her baby, Allie Harrod launches a new career. Sure, she dropped out of Girl Scouts because she was lousy at cookie sales, but makeup is different, right? She'll do anything to make enough money to cover her share of the household bills, but how can she focus on her business when her list of problems is growing? None of her pre-baby clothes fit, her checking account is dwindling, and her mother-in-law has decided to move in! To top it off, her husband's attractive coworker suddenly needs his help every weekend. Middle sister Joan insists that God has the answers to all her problems, but Allie isn't so sure. Can she really trust him?

My Review: I really loved Virginia Smith's books about Mayla, the purple haired girl who came to faith in Jesus. Those books were VERY MUCH Christian chick lit, but they shone with authenticity and heart. So I was eager to read her new series, Sister-to-Sister.

Age Before Beauty is the second book in the series, and is the story of the oldest of three sisters Allie, who is a new mom attempting to juggle many things in her life. Allie is really likeable as she strives to meet new goals while raising her daughter, dealing with her mother-in-law, battling the baby fat, and keeping an eye on her husband! I found this book to be immensely readable, once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down and I enjoyed every second!

This is classic Christian fiction in that it contains conversions of the main characters, however, their lives are very much in crisis point up to the conversions so it's believable. I loved spending time with the sisters, I always think of my three nieces in books like this! I hope they are as close as the Sanderson sisters. There are some fun lighthearted moments, but Allie is also dealing with very real issues throughout the book.

Overall, Virginia Smith has become an author I look forward to reading in Christian fiction. Her books are fun, filled with heart, and shine with authenticity. If you enjoy chick lit, this book is recommended.

Rating: 4/5