Discover Faith and Love in OFFBEAT by Jen Lowry

INTRODUCTION

There is so much to love about this novel. The characters, the story, the themes…

REVIEW

Mary Bella is famous. Everyone loves her, and everyone loves her voice. But despite the fame, the awards, and the glory, Mary knows that something is missing…she just can’t place her finger on what. Then she meets Presley. Her world—and her heart—changes.

First, the story. From the very first sentence, the reader is led out onto the stage, beneath the blazing lights, and set straight into Mary’s shoes. “December glittered around Mary Bella like stage lights and sequins, but none of it could warm the hollow place beneath her ribs.” From there, we are carried along with the characters throughout this stunning story. From the stage, to the hotel, to her daddy’s old truck, every bit of the novel tugs on your heartstrings. It’s engaging, beautiful, and at times a tad bittersweet. 

And then we have the characters. Mary: music star, twenty-one years old, and a little bit lost. Her heart for the hurting, her struggle to find herself, and her desire for her songs to reach those who need them most…it’s amazing. She has her flaws, as any human does, but the way she works towards being a light once she recognizes that very thing is beautiful. Presley—sweet, thoughtful, faithful Presley. Who wouldn’t adore the way cares, the way he forgives, the way he guides her closer to Christ? Mark. Fatherly, hilarious, manager Mark. All I can say is he is incredible. And Lydia! She’s a kind mother-figure to Mary, a girl who needs someone that loves her like that.

There is romance, but it is all sweet and clean. Mary and Presley fall in love rather quickly, but that connection is tried again and again, showing that while love isn’t easy, it is good. 

Throughout OFFBEAT, the themes of finding who you are and whose you are arise. Mary is lost and doesn’t really know who she is anymore, until she finds her faith. It’s a long road, one filled with mistakes and stumbling, but eventually she discovers who she is in Christ, and that is such a beautiful thing. Additionally, there is a message of forgiveness that weaves through the pages of this novel, and a hope that we are forgiven. 

OFFBEAT by Jen Lowry is a stunning, heartwarming novel about finding yourself and your faith. Although short, it packs an emotional punch, and leaves you turning pages long into the night. Thank you to Jen Lowry for writing such an incredible novel, and for sharing it with the world. 

You can enjoy the book trailer by clicking here.

Jen Lowry lives outside of Raleigh, North Carolina and is a proud native of Robeson County. She is the author of a YA contemporary fiction novel, Sweet Potato Jones (2020 with Swoon Romance) and a list of other bestselling novels. She’s published over thirty books and counting. You’ll find her enjoying every second of life spent with her family (preferably in pajamas), all things horror, and UFC. Jen also opened up a traditional publishing company, Monarch Educational Services, representing high-quality clean fiction for MG and YA readers (www.monarcheducationalservices.com). If you ask her what she’s reading it’s probably more than one book. Learn more about Jen at http://www.jenlowrywrites.com and follow her online @jenlowrywrites.

Meet My New Guest Blogger: Lola Mae

Lola Mae is a home-schooled (for her whole life until high school) military brat with a love for wolves, writing, and Jesus. Most importantly, she’s a Child of God, and she writes with the prayer that her stories will be a light for Christ. Telling tales of faith and hope is her passion, and she’s never lived a moment without something brewing in her imagination. When she’s not scribbling in a notebook under a tree, playing with her (spoiled-with-love) dog, running on trails, laughing with her delightful family, or hiking somewhere in the woods, you can find her rambling about writing, wolves, and worship on her website or up in the clouds, tucked away in her imagination.

You can find Lola Mae’s review of Half-Truths, here. (scroll down to the third link).