SERENEIf she loses herself loving him, is it love at all?Growing up with Nolan, Serene had witnessed the rise and fall of his faith. When his talent shot them both to fame, Serene’s love for him made her stay. However, as he drifted further from the faith and pulled her along with him, Serene had to ask herself if he was worth losing it all. “Love others as you love yourself.” Could she truly … Could she truly love Nolan if she didn’t know who she was anymore?
NOLAN
He gained it all to lose it all, so he can find his way back to love.
Nolan Stone was born for the stage. Judged and rejected by the church, the only reason he had to keep the faith was Serene. When she abandoned him, his faith went with her. When circumstances intertwined their lives back together, was he using God to get to her? Or was God using her to get to him?
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I ended up reading most of this book in one sitting after putting my kids to bed one night; I just didn’t want to stop! I was engaged by the flow of the book not being chronological, and I just wanted to keep getting to know the characters. At times I felt that the childhood scenes were unrealistic in nature, but that certainly did not stop me from continuing to read or loving the book. (And I’d say the main characters are prodigies, so that’s a big factor!) The characters were captivating, and they grow in maturity and spirituality throughout the story. The One Who Rocked Away explores the importance of placing God first in your life, and Joanna did a beautiful job making that message relatable and thought-provoking. How refreshing to read a novel that both entertains and promotes personal growth! I received a complimentary copy of the book to review; all opinions are my own, and my review is honest. I will be reading this one again for sure!
A prodigal story
The One Who Rocked Away is a story of redemption. The prodigal returning home.
It is clearly evident that the author has a deep love for the Lord. The story of redemption comes through loud and clear, and is naturally integrated into this story.
Told with many flashbacks, we learn of Nolan and Serena’s history and the hurts that he allowed to draw him away from the Lord and into a downward spiral. Though there were so many, and though they each went back to a different point in Nolan and Serena’s lives, it was not difficult to follow and keep track of what happened when.
In his hurting and rebellious state, Nolan made many very poor choices. I loved Serena’s heart that saw the way he was becoming an idol to her and how she was walking away from the things she knew were right for him. And her determination to do what was right and make the hard and right choice. I admired her and wanted to cheer for her stand when she made it.
Nolan, on the other hand, was arrogant, deceitful and a bit self-centered. After being hurt by Serena leaving the tour, he determined to hurt her back – which he did. As he spiraled out of control, using his new singing partner and abusing alcohol, I had a hard time liking him. Yes, I did understand his pain and motivation; I just didn’t like watching him and had a little trouble seeing the good side of him. The side Serena loved.
The church Serena’s father pastored was very charismatic some elements were a stretch for me. If this is a concern for you, please take note.
The One Who Rocked Away was very difficult for me to rate. So much of what I’m thinking about it is very much personal preference and about what I like to read in books. Yet, the story was good and well written. While the details of Nolan’s turning back from the Lord covered a large portion of the story, it was not done inappropriately. I opted to rate it for its merit and not my emotional reaction and therefore the four stars. Readers who enjoy Christian fiction that deals with grittier issues will most likely enjoy this story.
Read my review of The One Who Rocked Away by Joanna Alonzo at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Funny story/Confession time: I read the first 100 pages, pried myself away from this book, started The One Who Wrote Away, finished it, and came back to this story. I regret nothing. 😉
This book! Oh wow. I’m just sitting here, wondering why I didn’t start this series sooner, but knowing that it all happens at the right timing (meaning I know I appreciate its message more today than if I had read it a few years before). Nolan and Serene’s story just grabbed me from the first pages, if not the blurb, and never let go. I definitely wondered about them whenever I had to put the book down, and just couldn’t read fast enough, though I didn’t want to reach the end at the same time.
If you think Christians are perfect and never doubt their faith, read this book. If you think you’re too far gone and there’s no way God could ever forgive all the things you’ve done in your past, read this book. I love that there’s a message for everyone, and how beautifully heartbreaking yet filled with God’s grace this story was, as well as how perfectly represented this is in Nolan’s and Serene’s lives.
Now, while I didn’t necessarily agree with everything that was presented in this book (mainly some of the testimonies at church) I can still say that I love this author’s way with words and how she weaves the necessary glimpses from the main characters’ pasts with the present-day threads. Her descriptions of both the music and art worlds were believable and definitely interesting to me, especially with how the creative process works for each artist.
Overall, this is a beautiful first in series that features the most adorable pair of childhood friends, as well as a talented artist and a rockstar who need to learn who God says they are, and that everything happens in His perfect time. Recommended to fans of the author, Clean/Sweet Romance, and Christian Fiction. ~ 4.5 stars
Content:
Sex: there’s sex before marriage, but it’s never painted in a positive light, and it’s always fade-to-black or presented in a tasteful, not-explicit way.
Other: there’s mention of drinking and drinking issues.
*sigh* This story.
Beautiful. Heartwarming. Powerful.
I didn’t expect to cry.
I didn’t expect to be so emotionally moved (as a whole) like I was.
I didn’t expect to read it in two sittings.
If you have recently doubted your purpose or if God can redeem you from a path/life of bad choices, this story addresses that yes, God has a purpose for you and, yes, God can redeem you from a path/life of bad choices.
This story IS a romance, but there are underlying layers of hope, love, and forgiveness. Of second chances, new beginnings, and healing.
These characters are relatable and don’t make you feel that these kinds of things can only happen in fiction. I felt their decisions and actions were too life-like or uncanny to some of my own to deny that Serene and Nolan’s story of healing can be for anyone.
Highly recommend to those who enjoy clean Christian fiction romance and want strong messages of hope.
This book started out so sad and depressing I wanted to quit reading it, but I promised to give an honest review so I continued reading. Eventually I begin to get into it, but every time it switched to the past I cringed. But I’m glad I persevered because the last half of the book touched me in several ways and actually moved me to prayer for those I know fighting such battles. Thank you, Joanna. I qualify my remarks by confessing I battle with depression because of my fairly recent divorce, so I don’t handle sad relationship stories very well.
Two worlds collide; a talent for music and the other for dance. They started as childhood friends then it blossomed to romance. Growing up in church, they followed God. However, Nolan started to drift away pulling Serene along with him. I recommend this story for those who have chased their dreams but began to lose themselves along the way. Serene recognized quickly, it took Nolan a while. The character felt relatable, and the situations were handled well and clean.
To say I loved this captivating, heart warming story is an understatement. Nolan and Serene’s love story brings out every emotion. The present triggering memories of the past gives us the whole picture of their strong bond. One that realistically weakens and grows strong as each of them struggle with their fame as Fire and Ice, their relationship with each other and with God. A compelling Christian romance skillfully portraying the struggles of those who put their faith in God that I highly recommend. I am looking forward to reading more about the wonderful characters in Nolan and Serene’s life.
Serene and Nolan have been best friends since they were 5 years old. Over time, their relationship grow and shot them straight to rock star fame with their music. But things aren’t perfect as Serene begins to question her purpose and if this life aligns with God’s purposefor her. As things change for them, will their relationship survive?
This was my first book by Joanna Alonzo, and I absolutely loved it. It’s a story about friendship, love, forgiveness, and most importantly having a relationship with God and allowing Him to direct your path. It’s well written, and the characters are amazing. Even the secondary characters play pivotal roles in helping Serene and Nolan navigate their lives, individually and together. Great read!!
Joanna has crafted a beautiful story about a young girl whose love for a boy grows so much that she finds herself being sucked along in his orbit and away from God. Many of us who are Christians and have fallen in love have asked ourselves: is this the person that God has for me? And if it isn’t, can I walk away? Joanna explores this struggle with depth and heart.
Then there’s Nolan: prodigiously talented and charismatic, but damaged from a broken home, a painful legacy, and terrible treatment from holier-than-thou church members. His and Serene’s love story is beautiful and beautifully told.
Wow. This book was the best rock star book I have ever read and probably will ever read. It was clean and Christian – two wonderful things that you rarely find with this topic. I loved the way life was handled in this book – the ups and downs, the temptations, mistakes and redemption. I cannot wait to read more from this author and in this series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is a sweet clean romance that is full of emotions. It’s a story of second chances and hope. With a wonderful message about no matter how bad you have messed up God is waiting on you to turn to Him. I received an ARC copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
One thing this book sparked in my heart is with and in God there is always hope.
I find it difficult to write reviews for books like this. Not because this book wasn’t good but because it was great, heartwarming and inspiring. And I feel my review won’t do justice to it.
Meeting the reckless, daring and confident Nolan was enough to get me geared to finishing the book.
Life so far had been unfair to him and meeting the quiet and supportive Serene was a lifeline for him. He loved Music and Serene so much he was prepared and did everything he could for both. I loved reading how along the line he got to realize only God deserved such devotion.
Serene had been loved by Nolan since they were five. And she became his shadow. She got interesting to me when she knew she was loosing herself in Nolan’s life and stardom and she didn’t even know who she was or God’s purpose for her life.
The story of Red and Ice is a big tear jeeker but a great faith builder that God is not far from the prodigal. He has the heart of every man in his hands and he always brings them back home.
This book is appropriate for teens and young adults and indeed everyone who loves a great prodigal story with a beautiful dose of romance.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
I love how the story reflects the truth that little decisions/choices/compromises have a building & long-lasting effect. Also, it reminds us that God is a Father who forgives when we truly repent of our sin.
I so enjoyed getting to see Serene and Nolan’s story, from when they first met as children till they grew apart as young adults. All while reaching for their dreams. I loved how Serene always listened for God’s voice and the struggles they both had to face in their journeys. The way the author goes back in the past and then in the present to continue the story moving forward, was genius. If you love clean inspirational stories, I highly recommend The One Who Rocked Away.