Tuesday, May 19, 2015

My Bookshelf: Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter

        Growing up in the Midwestern river town of Chapel Springs, Indiana, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden. When she left, she thought she’d never look back. Now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.
        The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost nonexistent, Daniel fit right in with the boisterous McKinley family. He’s loved Jade for years, but she always thought of him as a big brother. Now that she’s back, his feelings are stronger than ever.
        As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she’s hiding secrets from her family, and she’s strangely attracted to the man who’s always called her “squirt”. Returning home may prove difficult—and more wonderful—than she ever imagined.
  


        When Jade McKinley left Chapel Springs a year ago, she thought she would never go back. After she finds herself pregnant and alone, with an almost empty bank account, she knows she has to return to her family. She finds it difficult, however, to tell them her secret, and ends up leaning more on her honorary brother Daniel. But as her problems bring them closer together, she starts to wonder if she loves him like a brother after all.
        Daniel has been in love with Jade forever. Though he has always called her squirt and teased her like any other older brother would, his feelings for her have been anything but brotherly. He’s just always been too scared to tell her. Now that she’s back, and in need of his help, his feelings continue to grow, but can he tell her the truth without scaring her away?
        Dancing with Fireflies was absolutely amazing. With its constantly surprising story, it was completely impossible to put down. While I never knew what was coming, almost every scene was perfect. Just perfect. I loved the way Jade and Daniel interacted with each other, I loved how wonderful Daniel always was (why are there no men like him in real life?), and I loved every unexpected minute. Clearly this really is one of my favorite novels, because of what I have said and because of the things I loved about it that I’m finding hard to describe.
        I cannot help but give Dancing with Fireflies all five bookmarks because I didn’t find any stylistic issues that bothered me, because it is a book to remember, and because of how great the characters were. While Daniel was always kind, sympathetic, compassionate, and a good friend to Jade, you still could see the areas where he struggled. But, most of the time, he didn’t sin because of it, and when he did, he hastily made up for it. On the other hand, Jade was so strong. She loved her unborn baby almost as soon as she found out about it, even though it through her life upside down. She was continually fighting to give her child the life she wanted it to have, and she never gave up no matter how hard it got. Fortunately, it wasn’t always difficult.
        Anyway, I would recommend this book for so many reasons. It’s hilarious, not predictable at all for those who are tired of too many versions of the same old story, super sweet, and touching. With its cliffhanger chapters, you won’t be able to put it down for a second, but every wonderful moment will make it worth it. Read this book, and then get ready, because I’ve finished the third book—The Wishing Season—which was wonderful as well, and will be reviewing it on Thursday. And then, the fourth—Married Til Monday—comes out next month! I’m so excited to hear Ryan’s story. I’ll write a little about it in my New Releases post. Also, it’s on sale on Amazon if you pre-order, so now would be a great time to decide to get that one.
        Happy reading!

Photo creds go to my amazing sister Allie who is a wonderful photographer! Check out her blog here!


All credit for the italized synopsis goes to Denise Hunter and her publishers.

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