From homeless to hopeful.How does a successful businessman end up with nothing but the clothes on his back and all his worldly possessions shoved into a bag? That’s the question Ben Tarbett asks himself time and again. When his world falls apart, Ben finds himself calling the banks of the Brisbane River home – a vastly different view to the one he had when working from the twenty-seventh floor of … twenty-seventh floor of a highrise in the heart of the city. Sheltering from the elements, and relying on food handouts, he longs for the day when he can once again have a roof over his head and be the father his daughter needs him to be.
All Natalie Allcroft wants to do is serve Jesus and bring hope to the less-fortunate and downtrodden who wander the streets of the city she now calls home. Volunteering with Hope Street Church, she is inexplicably drawn to the man who visits the breakfast van every morning. There’s something different about him. Something not quite as rugged and worn out as the other itinerants she meets. She’s seen the way he treats others – his gentle nature, the kindness in his eyes – and is curious about his story.
Natalie’s desire has always been to serve. But when it comes to matters of the heart, there’s a big difference between guarding and giving. There’s a big difference between compassion and attraction.
Is the line worth crossing?
River’s Edge is book one in the Hope Rising Series – a new series by Kristen M. Fraser, exploring hope in the midst of life’s darkest moments.
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4.5 Stars rounded up to 5 with the lovely cover.
(1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= Yes, it was Ok; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= A favorite, it was great!)
RIVER’S EDGE by Kristen Fraser is a touching, uplifting inspirational story that gently nudges the reader to re-examine their heart regarding their attitude toward the homeless, the downtrodden, and the forgotten (without being preachy or angst-filled), and it reminded me how blessed I truly am. It is also a story of hope for people who may feel they have lost everything – including themselves.
Ben Tarbett/MMC was once a successful businessman with a lovely wife, a family, and a bright future. Then his company downsizes and Ben suddenly loses his job. His family’s bills outspend his (now) nonexistent income, and before he knows it he’s lost everything – his home, his wife, his children, his reputation, and his self-respect. Ben finds himself on the streets before he can truly comprehend what happened. 9 months later the story begins with Natalie Allcroft/FMC, a young ER nurse new to the area, volunteering at a local food truck which prepares food in the park for the homeless and needy.
RIVER’S EDGE is Ben’s story of healing as he begins to find hope, trust, and take the small but necessary steps to regain his self-respect and a productive life. Ben doesn’t accomplished this entirely alone. He has the help and support of people who care and a God who can be trusted. I found RIVER’S EDGE a well written and thought provoking novel that pulled me out of my “bubble” and reminded me “But by the grace of God, there go I.”
READER CAUTIONS – The is an entirely Clean inspirational story suitable for any reader – YA and up. Touching and Reflective.
VIOLENCE – None.
PROFANITY – None.
INTIMACY – Sweet, simple kisses.
River’s Edge is written with honest insight as the reader looks into the lives of the homeless, the misconceptions people hold about them, and the connections they make with each other.
From the beginning I was invested in Ben’s life, and the outcome of his circumstances. I was brought to tears, as well as smiles as I followed him from regrets, to hope, to love.
Ben played well against Natalie’s giving heart, and her compassion. She brought out the best in him, as she saw him not as the failure he believed himself to be, but as the man God intended him to become.
The side characters were well written and memorable, each lending depth to the story.
I found this to be a very satisfying read, and recommend this book. I will be purchasing other books by this author.
I was given an ARC courtesy of the author through Interviews and Reviews, and this is my honest opinion.
“From homeless to hopeful.
How does a successful businessman end up with nothing but the clothes on his back and all his worldly possessions shoved into a bag?”
This is Ben Tarbett’s story as the reader journeys with him on his road of desperate despair to endless hope again! And the story of how God can take a broken down man & restore his faith in God and the kindness of human nature in the form of true Christian love shown through Sue & Graham. The selfless giving actions of a Natalie who never gave up on him also helped heal his heart and open it to the possibility of the kind of forever love he’s craved.
I enjoyed this so much that I was unwilling to put it down! Except lack of sleep had my eyes drooping way before I was ready to quit reading. Ben’s back story and the reasons he ended up living on the streets broke my heart. Coupled with the pain of divorce & never seeing his kids again plunged him to despair & pain. Feeling unworthy and unloved, he was willing to give it all up. I believe God put Natalie Allcroft in his path to show him the unconditional love everyone deserves. Her gentle caring ways reminded me of how God reaches out to every one of us at one time or another. The compassion, the whispered nudges to our soul reminding us that we matter to Him, in spite of our circumstances or lot in life. He never will leave us or forsake us, and His love is an overwhelming sense of belonging. I loved her heart to be the hands and feet of Christ! I think in some way or another we can too, reaching out to others in need, showing the love of God in our own actions & words.
“ All she wanted was to serve God and shine His light into the darkest corners of people’s lives. But wasn’t that what they were called to do as Christ-followers? To help the poor and oppressed? To not withhold good when they could do something about it?”
And, oh my, the gentle love blossoming between Ben and Natalie! All sweetness and pureness of what romance should be. The kind that makes me sigh at the end. Talking about the end, the way Fraser concluded this story was beautifully breath-taking and something to savor! What a wonderful, heartwarming scene that brought tears to my eyes. Makes me want to visit a particular spot in Australia with my own true love someday!
This is an absolutely beautiful love story with reminders of God’s own selfless love and caring for each one of us. The simple truth of His word flows over the reader and leaves them with a satisfying smile. I absolutely recommend this to readers who enjoy stories full of hope, love, and Christian faith!
*I received a complimentary copy from the author through Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to leave a favorable review. *
Kristen does a wonderful job of exploring one man’s journey into and out of homelessness. It definitely made me stop and evaluate some of my preconceived ideas and how little compassion I show to the homeless. This was a well written story about the path back to hope. I received a complimentary copy of this story, without obligation I have chosen to give my honest opinion of this book.
Wow! A book full of surprises, and helps us think about more than just what we perceive.
This book is a great look into how we view others, based on our perceptions, rather than considering the reality and offering hope. The story centers around Ben, who finds himself out of a job, and struggling to make his way. But, it also shows a group of people who are trying to alleviate homelessness, offering simple meals and other help, as they can. One of the helpers, Natalie, wants to serve Jesus, and helps in a free clinic, as a nurse, when she’s not working at the hospital. It’s a great story about being the hands and feet of Jesus!
A wonderful, well written story about God’s turning a life around. He was there all along, but one had to turn to Him and denounce his pride. A look at why one person fell into homelessness and what happened in the long run. Highly recommend. I received an advance reader copy from the author. Opinions are my own.
This is a wonderful story. It is very well written and is full of hope and the power of God turning a bad situation completely around. I can’t wait to read book two in this series.