Salvaged by Stefne Miller (We Love YA!)

Perfect Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Tate Publishing (May 18, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1616630280
ISBN-13: 978-1616630287

'My body was being torn apart, and my stomach felt as if it exploded. The pain was excruciating, and I was aware that I was dying... 'Mom?' My vision was murky, but I could see her face. It was bloody, and her eyes were large and full of fear. Her voice calmed. 'Get out of the car, Attie.' Her words sounded crisp and clear. I looked into the backseat in search of Melody and found her lying covered in blood in a twisted heap on the floor. I turned my attention back to my mother and out of the corner of my eye saw fire. 'Get out, Attie!' 'Mom?' Everything went dark.' Attie Reed should have died in the wreck that stole the lives of her mother and best friend. But her life was spared. Why? When Attie moves to Oklahoma to stay with the Bennetts for the summer, she hopes she has left her nightmares behind. But her battle is far from over, and Riley Bennett steps forward to help her fight the nighttime monsters. As the battle wears on, Riley begins fighting monsters of his own: his feelings for Attie. And Attie realizes she must begin to face the monsters of the night herself if she wants to conquer them for good. Can Attie's life be Salvaged?

Review:

From New York to Oklahoma where she was raised, Atticus Reed had returned to the family she'll be staying with for the summer; the Bennetts. With the help of Jesus Christ, Attie was able to find a new path after the tragedy had struck the people she loved most. With her mother and best friend gone, she's had more nightmares than is adequate, and daily encounters with JC himself; advising on the obstacles to come and the love they bring, too. Throughout the summer of her seventeenth birthday, Attie heeds the help of the caring family that surrounds her in understanding, helpfulness, and patience. When the Bennetts--in particular Riley Bennett--are there for Attie when she needs them the most, will she muster up enough strength to see her new journey all the way through? Can she be salvaged?

When I first read the synopsis above about Salvaged, I was immediately intrigued.Getting to know Attie and the way her life was after the tragedy struck was enthralling and at most points in the dialogue quite humorous. While following Jesus after having sacrificed so much unwillingly, the religious aspect of Salvaged was a delightful surprise. New friends and old acquantices are introduced throughout the first half and rocky adventures with cries and laughs are exhibited through the rest. The romance element between Riley and Attie is no surprise to the people around them but seems to be only blossoming between the couple before their very eyes. Sometimes the dialogue was a bit corny and somethings that happened seemed a bit too convenient but it did not take away from Salvaged's overall endearing appeal. I believe it had a beautiful ending and two of my favorite things were the fantastic bunch of characters and underlying funny dialogue.

Recommended to all ages who love a fictional christian romance laced with the hardship of forgiveness.

Grade: B+

LiLi