MAXHe wants to correct the past by doing for her what he was unable to do for his sister.When Jenna Marquez dances her way back to Max Owens’ life, her presence triggers memories of his secret past. Pressured by his new position as youth pastor of their church, Jenna’s vulnerability as she deals with her father’s sickness awakens in him a protectiveness for her that he had only ever felt for one … ever felt for one other person in his life. Will his care and conviction draw her to him or push her away?
JENNA
She wants nothing to do with religion, but this pastor makes her want to believe in True Love.
After Max discovers her passed out in somebody else’s front lawn, he awakens a yearning in her to believe that love may not be safe, but if it exists, it is worth pursuing. He coaxes her to return to her childhood home to look after her father, and somehow, makes her want love even if she can’t see herself falling for him. Will she remain blind to their chemistry or will she free fall — like she does with her aerial hoops — and find herself caught by the arms of Love?
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I loved this story, just as I loved book 1. (They are independent reads, but the main characters from each have small parts in the other.) This is a clean, Christian romance, but it is just as much a story of faith-building journeys and conversion. Christian community and fellowship play such an important role, too. There are many characters in the book, and I could see the potential to get a little confused. However, I think having so many named characters is essential to the messages of the book. The author reveals bits about the main characters as needed, and it is quite dynamic. I love how each chapter is titled “The One Who” fill-in-the-blank. The author also jumps around chronologically in a very intentional way, but she clearly marks this for the reader when needed (e.g., “Five Years Ago”). I received a free copy in exchange for my review, and all opinions are my own. If you enjoy faith, romance, and a story that is not just fluff, this should be a great choice for you!
They started off as acquaintances first, then later became friends. Before they even knew it a romance began. Both have a broken past and was able to find healing at last.
This story was originally titled: Crazy Jenna (a short story). It was a nice linear story. I’m glad the author gave it more substance. She expanded upon the story and made it all the more wonderful. I laughed, I cried, rinse, and repeat. There is a stigma within the church that you have act a certain way. People may think you’re weird, but God doesn’t. We all have different ways of communicating with God. Embrace what makes you, you. The past as painful as it might need to be addressed to move forward. Both Jenna and Max had to learn to heal in their own way. I enjoyed the friendship between Rachel and Jenna, and Max and Jeremy. Neither of them gave up on their friends when the others pushed them away.
This book is part of an interconnected stand-alone series. You get sprinklings of the other charters from the novels and more story expansion. I recommend this for those who like friends to lovers story, slow-burning, and clean reads with heavy topics.
I’m excited to read the next book: The One Who Wrote Away (Nova’s and Caleb’s story
Love, love love. It was so good to get caught up with these wonderful characters. I was so happy to see Max and Jenna’s story. The journey these two took from childhood to adulthood was so inspiring. This book had me crying and laughing . If you like clean stories full of heart and faith, I highly recommend ‘The One Who Danced Away’. I received this book from the publisher. The thoughts and comments are my own.
This is a well written book that holds your attention. It’s a wonderful story about how God can change people, if they will let him. I enjoyed reading Max and Jenna’s story and look forward to the next book in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed are my own.
The One Who Danced Away by Joanna Alonso.
This is the third book I am reading by the author,Joanna Alonso.
I love the three major characters, Max,Rachel and Jenna (Crazy Jenna). Each person made this book so interesting.
One thing that struck me while reading this book is that nobody is beyond redemption. I understood Jenna’s reaction at bad boy Max suddenly saved and becoming a campus pastor. I totally understand that! I will repeat it again,nobody is too big or small to get redeemed by God.
This book has some good dose of humour and flashbacks to years when the characters were younger.
Some scenes is this book were emotional. I could handle them because they had an element of human reality in them.
The words are easy to understand. Simple and well written.
The author has a good amount of balance between the past years and the present year of her book characters. I commend her for that.
I love how the people in the church rallied round to help each other. That’s what true Christianity is all about. Being there for the other person in trying times.
This is a good book you won’t want to miss.
Isn’t the title catchy? You really need to read to know who actually danced away!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This was a good second installment in the Prodigals series. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and watch their journey from the past to hope and a future. I appreciated seeing the characters from the first book sprinkled through and I’m excited for the next book to see how Nova and Grant got to where they are.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I loved this book. It is part of a series, but it can stand alone and make perfect sense. I liked how Max and Jenna become friends, but don’t see each other THAT way. Together, they grow as they overcome hurts of the past. People CAN change, and this book shows nothing but proof of that. God is the Great Healer!
Beautiful Christ-Centered Fiction
This book is the second in a series. I read this book a couple of years ago. It was good then, but the author has reworked the series into a thing of greatness. This is a Christ-centered story of love and forgiveness on both the human level and the Divine. It pushes the fact that all of our sins have been erased in the blood of the lamb and we are all, once again, innocent and pure. Several of the main characters have heartbreaking home lives and find support in families that belong to the local church. The story takes the reader on quite the emotional rollercoaster. I love what the author has done to make this series new and plan on reading all of the episodes. I received this ARC for free from the author and this is my honest opinion.