Book Description:
What do you do when your world is turned upside down?
Ella Glade has chosen never to compete with her beautiful, talented half-sister Verity. Unfortunately, Verity spends their childhood and teenage years turning sibling rivalry into a sport that Verity must win at all costs.
When loss and disappointment leave Ella broken-hearted, she chooses to move forward, using her creative gifts to help others, and finding her own way in life, far away from her sister.
A decade later, Ella’s world is turned upside down when a grieving child is placed into her care. Ella is forced to question her values, deal with her childhood trauma, and place her life and safety in the hands of others.
In the face of danger, will Ella need to sacrifice herself and her dreams again? Or can she trust that a loving God has the world in His hands and her best interests at heart?
AN AUSTRALIAN COMING OF AGE STORY OF LOVE, FRIENDSHIP, FAMILY, FAITH AND FORGIVENESS.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading How the World Turns, and read it quickly because I had to keep turning the page to find out what happens next. The story opens when Ella is in high school and trying to survive living in her dysfunctional family. Her father is switched off and Ella feels responsible for the well-being of her younger half-sister, Verity. Ella’s mother passed away when Ella was very young. Verity’s mother abandoned their family to chase dreams of fame and stardom.
The sibling rivalry between Verity and Ella is extreme, and Verity seems to delight in being selfish and taking away everything that Ella holds dear. Ella is emotionally scarred by her childhood but she’s resilient and leaves the family drama behind to follow her own path.
Fast forward ten years and Ella can no longer avoid her past. A tragedy has rocked her world, a child is in danger, and Ella is caught up in a desperate situation that forces her to deal with old wounds. Ella must question everything she believes, including if it’s possible for a loving God to care and want a personal relationship with someone like her. She’s challenged to choose forgiveness over holding grudges and to consider the possibility of second chances and restored relationships.
I recommend How the World Turns to contemporary fiction readers who like gritty coming of age novels with second chances, suspense, romantic elements and a strong faith thread woven through the story.
