What do you do when the sins of your past rise from the dead? Ben Picoletti’s conversion astounded the little town of Chetham, Rhode Island – and no one more than the pastor’s daughter, whose heart Ben seeks to win… despite his shameful history. After all, the cross of Christ has removed Ben’s sins as far as the east is from the west, hasn’t it? Yet, as Christmas 1937 draws near, Ben’s past …
Yet, as Christmas 1937 draws near, Ben’s past returns to trouble him – and to force Ben to grapple with the practical meaning of forgiveness and grace in his own life… and in the lives of those around him.
A story for anyone who has ever been haunted by the consequences of choices they once made, Each Perfect Gift brings a message of the true redemption that is found in Christ alone.
Each Perfect Gift is the first story in the series A LEGACY OF GRACE, an off-shoot of the original A TIME OF GRACE series, featuring beloved Grace Picoletti and Paulie Giorgi. If you crave emotional, old-fashioned stories with strong spiritual heart, a reaffirmation of God’s continual work in everyday people’s lives and hearts, and memorable characters whose redemption is deep and realistic, you’ve come to the right place!
More from Christian historical fiction author Alicia G. Ruggieri:
- The Fragrance of Geraniums (A Time of Grace #1)
- All Our Empty Places (A Time of Grace #2)
- A Love to Come Home To (A Time of Grace #3)
- A Holy Passion: A Novel of David Brainerd and Jerusha Edwards
more
Each Perfect Gift kicks off a new series featuring the Picoletti and Giorgi families. While this can be easily understood and enjoyed as a standalone, I’d recommend reading A Time of Grace first, because I think you’ll better appreciate the new struggle we find Ben in if you knew more about where he came from.
The raw brokenness of Ben Picoletti made him an absolute favorite fictional character, so I was all too pleased to know that we’d see more from him. And I was no disappointed. Ben has been radically changed by the Lord and yet he’s still being changed. All throughout the story we see that in these characters: the change the Lord has already made and the changes He’s still in the process of making. There’s such a realness about how each of these characters feel and respond to their struggles.
One of my favorite things about the story, and really the previous series as well, is how the characters become living examples of God’s grace.
I highly recommend this moving Christmas story.
I love books that make me forget my surroundings and take me to somewhere else where I sympathize with the characters in a real way. Each Perfect Gift was one of those for me—it hit all the right points of a captivating plot and likable, engaging people who still have a few things wrong with them, which is worked on through the story.
The whole topic of a not-so-easy past life catching up with you after you are a Christian was quite intriguing. It was also encouraging to see what Ruggieri did with this book to show how Christ’s redemption work does make a difference, even when life seems to conspire against you. I loved Ben’s story, and watching him grow in here was fun and thought-provoking.
Would I take the high road, against my desires, if I had to make the choice? Would I try to do what was best, even if it would cost me everything? And how do we really know what God wants us to do?
In all, if you’re looking for an inspiring read with a great storyline, check this book out. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. It was one of my top favorites of the year!
I requested a free review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
What a fabulously told story! While this story does have a happily ever after, it is not easily come by. There are many twists and turns and unexpected happenings. Sometimes I felt the story was going in a predictable direction just to have it go entirely different than expected. This is a story that I absolutely could not put down! Ms. Ruggieri does a wonderful job of developing her characters and story setting.
I recommend this story for someone searching for a happily ever after, clean story, great character development, and enough time to enjoy a real page-turner!
This book was so good! It is very well written and holds your attention. This is a christian book that deals with sins of the past and how God’s redeeming grace turns Ben’s life around. This is a ‘Must Read’ book!! I received an ARC copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.