New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers returns to her romance roots with this unexpected and redemptive love story, a probing tale that reminds us that mercy can shape even the most broken among us into an imperfect yet stunning masterpiece.A successful LA artist, Roman Velasco appears to have everything he could possibly want–money, women, fame. Only Grace Moore, his reluctant, newly … his reluctant, newly hired personal assistant, knows how little he truly has. The demons of Roman’s past seem to echo through the halls of his empty mansion and out across his breathtaking Topanga Canyon view. But Grace doesn’t know how her boss secretly wrestles with those demons: by tagging buildings as the Bird, a notorious but unidentified graffiti artist–an alter ego that could destroy his career and land him in prison.
Like Roman, Grace is wrestling with ghosts and secrets of her own. After a disastrous marriage threw her life completely off course, she vowed never to let love steal her dreams again. But as she gets to know the enigmatic man behind the reputation, it’s as if the jagged pieces of both of their pasts slowly begin to fit together . . . until something so unexpected happens that it changes the course of their relationship–and both their lives–forever.
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First, what I didn’t like. While the book embraced several people with complicated background who had made poor choices, it came off as really judgmental at times towards others. Many negative references to drinking or going to a club to dance which felt super preachy. The one girl in their friend group who chose to live with a man outside of marriage was largely forgotten and overlooked.
In some ways, the main character Grace was a strong woman. She had survived childhood trauma, a poor marriage, and was planning to be a single mother to her son. Her people pleasing ways are annoying but actually quite characteristic of someone raised in a similar manner so while I wanted her to be more assertive, I could accept that she could often let people take advantage of her. However, her inability to make a good choice in light of ANY temptation whatsoever was just not realistic. The one time she goes to a club she gets drunk and has a one night stand. She cannot be around any man she finds attractive or she’ll throw her values out the window and have sex. It was just really hard to connect with her.
The quick view into inner city living, drugs, prostitution, foster care, and gang life was a little glossed over and rosy. It kind of made it seem like getting in and getting out of a gang was pretty easy. And that getting over a trauma required God only. I’m not saying that’s not possible, but the reality is that many, many people need a lot support and therapy to deal with childhood trauma.
The conversion experiences were a bit over the top for my taste, but I certainly don’t know everything so I overlooked that.
Having said all that, while this wasn’t my favorite Francine Rivers book, I still liked it. It was predictable but then so is the love of Christ. What Francine Rivers does well is to show that people need healing, love, and acceptance. I truly loved some of the supporting characters in this book (even more so than Grace and Roman). The group home parents, social worker, and youth pastor were shining examples that non-judgmental acceptance and agape love and commitment can go a long way towards helping someone heal from trauma and possibly sparking an interest in learning more about Jesus.
Wonderful book with a great story and characters.
Francine Rivers is a masterful writer. This well-woven story centered around how abandonment in childhood affects us even into adulthood, but how Christ can make all things new. I really enjoyed it.
Love this book, wonderful characters and story well told.
Not at all what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it!
This book was amazing! A bit of warning though for those who are sensitive on this issue, there is discussion of sex. The characters’ struggles are real and their past sexual sin is something they both have to face. But I felt that while the discussion was frank, Rivers handled it in a tasteful way. This is not a subject we can ignore. Christians struggle with this every day.
That being said, Rivers’s characters are rich and developed. They have pasts: successes, failures; wins, losses; high points and low points. They aren’t cardboard cutouts or poster children for perfect Christianity. They’re flawed beings in need of grace like the rest of us. And that is a large focus of the novel. We see how God works all things together for good. I also really appreciated that after the novel’s conversion scene, the characters don’t act like everything is now perfect and there are no obstacles between Grace and Roman. The characters have clear discussions about the difference between being saved by Christ and living for Him.
A beautiful story of a second chance at life…amazing descriptions. Another A+++++ book from Francine Rivers, one of only a few top notch exceptionally gifted Christian writers.
I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to read this book. Now I’m glad I did.
Wow, it touches so many places in my heart.
First off, is the pain and trauma of some children, what they go through when their life is shattered and left to fend for themselves. I have worked with children who are from sad, dysfunctional living situations. My heart goes out to them and yet I know I can’t fix all their issues.
Another place I was touched by this book, is in the fear of never being enough for someone to love. I’ve known what it’s like to doubt my own worth and seeing it played out in this book made me remember how it’s only through God’s love and grace I can have the confidence to hold my head high.
I loved hearing all about the artistry and colorful imageries. I’m sort of a closet artist so this was wonderful to experience. It made me want to pick up my paintbrushes again and start drawing and painting.
Francine Rivers is a wonderful storyteller. She knows how to cover current issues, the way she paints images in words truly brings the story to life and makes it real and relatable. Yet, she still delivers the hope which can only be found in Christ Jesus. I loved one of the quotes I picked up:
“We’re all God’s masterpieces, created anew in Christ.” Just like what God says in the Bible -Ephesians 2:10
I highly recommend you pick this book up and read it. It could change your life for the good!
This was a difficult book for me to get into. There were different time lines of the characters to sort out. The life style and art form was completely unknown to me although I have seen graffiti. Once I sorted out the characters and the life lines, I did not want to stop reading until the end. God’s mercy and grace shone through.
I loved this book. So inspiring!
I found my respect for graffiti artists grew exponentially while reading this book. Pulling me to look at what I see through a different lens. The story of the artist whose work is featured on the cover is so encouraging and lends credence to the story itself. I found the story heart breaking, realistic and gripping. Loved it!
Great book as all Francine Rives book are.
Francine Rivers has created a wonderfully inspirational book for readers who’ve ever wondered if God ever gives us second chances in life.
One of the best books I’ve ever read! It made me laugh ,cry and pray! I loved it!
The best book I have ever read.
Francine Rivers never disappoints! Such a creative story line, but also believable. I loved the transformations in the characters. Once I started I could not put it down!
Loved this book, heartache, love talent, forgiveness, strong characters. This is Ms. Rivers best ever.
Didn’t care for either of the characters. Her “tragic” story wasn’t all that tragic. Gave up half way through.
The Masterpiece stayed with my long after I finished reading. It’s one of those books where I fell in love with the characters and wanted to keep reading about them. Their choices and trials often resonated with me. Great read.
It started off very well and I thought I had found a really good author to follow. I enjoyed it very much and liked the character development. Towards the end of the book it shows how the Lord works in mysterious ways.