Monday Musings: Book Review of Charity's Child by Rosalie Warren

(I don't normally post two reviews in a day, but this is FREE on Kindle today and tomorrow so wanted to get it out there quickly to encourage people to grab it!)

(Please note: This book was received free of charge from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

Joanne can't believe Charity's pregnant. She thought they were in love and were happy together - so why would Charity have sex with a man? Except Charity swears she hasn't had sex with anyone and thinks that the father is God himself. Could it be true? Or is the real dad rather more earthly than heavenly, possibly in the shape of one of the men from the Christian group both girls attend?

This is an intense psychological drama which deals with some really heavy issues. However, it's still enjoyable reading as Warren skilfully crafts a great plot - which was really unpredictable - and a host of sympathetic characters, most notably narrator Joanne and pastor Tom, whose diary entries form an important part of the book. The voices of both these characters are extremely vivid, and there's a great supporting cast as well.

After reading it, I wondered slightly about the decision to class it as YA. It doesn't 'feel' particularly like YA to me. I'm not sure why - it's perhaps partly because Tom's diary is such an important part of it. I think it's definitely one that adults, as well as mature teens, will enjoy reading, and it deserves real praise for the way it handles so many thought-provoking issues, particularly teen sexuality, with Joanne and Charity's relationship being portrayed very well, and the realistic way in which it shows arguments within the Christian group they belong to without being critical of any beliefs.

Recommended to both mature teens and to adults.

It's currently FREE on Kindle, by the way! Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th only, though, so hurry!