Review: Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate

Title: Never Say Never
Author: Lisa Wingate



Publisher: Bethany House
Date released: February 1st 2010
ISBN-10: 0764204920

Stars (out of 5): *** 1/2
Age rating: 11 & up

Back cover (from Goodreads): Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves. She's never put down roots in any one place--and she doesn't plan to. But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily, Texas, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence. And when she meets hometown-boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily--until she discovers he may be promised to someone else. Daily has always been a place of refuge for those the wind blows in, but for Kai, it looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store--especially when Aunt Donetta has cooked up a scheme.

My Thoughts:
Filled with romance, troubled pasts and lots of blue hair, Never Say Never is my first encounter with author, Lisa Wingate. Never Say Never is the story of 2 woman, different in almost every way but, one, The Liberation ocean liner and dead-beat fathers (okay, I guess that's actually two). 27 yr. old Kai Miller, has been all over with her gypsy family, and finally has a somewhat steady job working for a cruise line and an apartment to call "home". Donetta Bradford, 70 yrs. old and feeling every bite like it, finally gets the nerve to plan a cruise with her 2 best friends. Then along comes hurricane Gloretta, tearing apart Texas her residence, apart.

Although this is the third book in the Daily Texas series, I didn't feel like I missing anything by not reading the two preceding books, and I think that NSN can definitely be read as a stand alone novel. The relationship between Kia and Kemp was interesting but, towards the end, I found Donetta and Ronald's so sweet and romantic, I got a little misty eyed. I think the only reason, Kia and Kemp weren't a real dazzling couple (and also the reason I gave this book only 3 1/2 stars) was due to the story switching from Donetta's POV to Kai's, and visa-versa. So, when it came to some romantic outings with Kai and Kemp, you only got to read it from Donetta's point of view, which made for a unromantic affect for me. But, overall, I found the first person POV, refreshing and well written, making the story flow nicely. Never Say Never and was even very funny at points but, a biblical message of trust and taking leaps of faith, is laced throughout it. Which definitely add depth and emotion, to the story. All-in-all, I liked it, and if your looking for a great beach read (well.........maybe not), then Never Say Never should be packed right along side the beach ball!:)

*Thank to Jim Hart @ Bethany House for providing me with a free review copy of Never Say Never*


To learn more about Lisa Wingate or her books go to:

HER WEBSITE

HER BOOK

Have a great week, guys!!

Love Y'all,

Ashley