Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Catching Hope by Kathy Cassel, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
MY REVIEW
Don’t you love when you pick up a book with lower expectations and are blown away with how much you enjoy it? I was seriously shocked with how much I loved Catching Hope! Rarely do I single out Teen & YA as my genre of choice, but in this instance I am so pleased that I did.
I instantly felt a connection to Lexi, and to the Michaels family, despite having nothing in common with them whatsoever. I’ve never had any part in adoption, though I have dealt with a blended family, and I have never traveled outside of the US, nor volunteered in a place that I did not know very well. I believe many would agree that these are traits that few can identify with, which makes this reading experience truly unique.
Kathy Cassel does an incredible job of giving the reader such an immersive experience. I felt the angst that Lexi deals with as far as adjusting to her new adopted reality, as well as dealing with the struggles of blending two families together, coping with a pessimistic family member, and all amid an environment that is different from our normal in every way possible.
Though young, the core characters show extreme maturity despite being in a terrifying situation that would frighten even the most seasoned adult. I loved seeing the strength of Lexi and her family despite such extreme adversity, faith playing an integral part of the plot. Despite the maturity in actions the language shows that these are in fact teenagers, with juvenile bickering and passive aggressive comments that tend to come out of teenage mouths.
I cannot imagine my children going through what Lexi and her siblings and cousin went through in Catching Hope. Though it is a slow burn, the build up helps you really connect with the characters, feeling like they are fully developed before the action and suspense kick into high gear. The imagery of the island is so vivid the setting is almost a character in and of itself, which I also enjoyed and appreciated.
Though this is geared towards younger readers, this is a novel that is perfect for all ages. It has a great balance of adventure, mystery and suspense that all readers will enjoy. The characters are believable, relatable and truly inspiring and I am so thankful that I took a chance on this wonderful novel.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathy Cassel is the author of eleven books for Christian preteens and girls and three Young Adult Fiction books.
Kathy grew up in northern Indiana, lived on three different continents while her husband was in the USAF, and now lives in the Florida Panhandle. She and her husband have eight children, five of whom are adopted, three from Haiti and two from the United States. They also have six grandchildren. Kathy’s favorite activities are those that involve traveling and adventures that include her children and grandchildren. In order to better relate to the characters in her stories, Kathy has done things such as whitewater rafting, certify in scuba diving, and get her motorcycle endorsement. She draws the line at sky diving.TOUR GIVEAWAY
(2) winners will receive a $25 BAM card gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 21, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 28, 2022. US only. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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**I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
Thank you for such a positive review of Catching Hope!
ReplyDeleteNice cover and Catching Hope sounds like a book that my granddaughter would like to read, thanks for sharing it with me! Thanks, Only By Grace Reviews, for sharing your review! Have an amazing TGIF!
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