The Kindness of Strangers
A young widow raising two boys, Sarah Laden is struggling to keep her family together. But when a shocking revelation rips apart the family of her closest friend, Sarah finds herself welcoming yet another troubled young boy into her already tumultuous life.
Jordan, a quiet, reclusive elementary school classmate of Sarah's son Danny, has survived a terrible ordeal. By agreeing to become Jordan's foster mother, Sarah will be forced to question the things she has long believed. And as the delicate threads that bind their family begin to unravel, all the Ladens will have to face difficult truths about themselves and one another—and discover the power of love necessary to forgive and to heal.
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Community Reviews
I don't know how to rate this book. I could not put it down, but the topic was so disturbing that it made my heart hurt the entire time I was reading. And I am just drained feeling for that poor boy and all the children that are abused in real life. The author did a good job portraying the feelings of all characters involved. I am just speechless. You can question so many decisions you make regarding the people you allow in the life of your children...
Well, I can't say that I loved this book but I was thinking about the characters when I wasn't reading. The subject matter was very disturbing and difficult to read-child sexual abuse and child pornography. What's even worse is that this poor sweet little boy is being abused by his own parents. But the story is about so much more more than that. I found myself rooting for Jordan. The story was written in 3rd person with each chapter telling a different point of view. I did not like that. I like different point of views written in 1st person. That may just be me. :).
I don't know if I would have wanted to know the subject matter before I started this - it's about pedophiles and sex abuse - but only because then I probably would have avoided this book like the plague. It was an intense book with lots of uncomfortable scenes but it was the characters that made me enjoy this book. It's weird to say I enjoyed it because it really was disturbing but the characters stuck with me and I'd think about them at odd times. Well written for such disturbing material. The web of characters was well thought out as wel hil. Q
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