The Selfless Act

Starred review from September 1, 2016

Returning home at Christmas, Joel Byler discovers that his sister's house has been destroyed by fire and that his nephew is in the hospital. The tragedy of the situation makes Joel wonder if there is more to life than money. His selfish and deceitful behavior has alienated his family and former girlfriend Kristi, and now he must choose between the affluent lifestyle he craves and letting God fill the hole in his heart. Joel knows he has to prove that he means what he says and that performing selfless acts isn't enough; he must also convince his family and himself that he's ready to change. The tension between Joel and his estranged family is palpable from the first page, and the leisurely pacing makes it even more unbearable for readers. VERDICT This final volume (after The Divided Family) in the Brunstetters' six-part serialized novel will enthrall Amish fiction devotees. Fans of the series will be lining up to see how the story ends.

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