Pre-Owned Married to a Stranger (Paperback)

This has been a very eye opening book because it talks about marriage and how God ordained it to be. Bethel is desperate to escape the man who her dad wants her to marry. When a horrible untruth is said about her and another man, she finds herself in a marriage to someone she hardly knows. My heart went out to Bethel because she really has little self confidence and thinks she is unworthy of a man loving her. Gideon is a preacher who has recently lost his wife during childbirth. He now has a newborn to raise and a new wife due to accusations that could destroy his reputation. It is a wonder that someone didn't speak up sooner to stop this sham of a marriage. I am upset that Bethel's father would believe a lie about his daughter. Does he think so little of her that he would believe someone else over his own flesh and blood? The words that the Bishop shares with Bethel and Gideon are exactly what they needed to hear. Forgiveness and grief are something they each need to deal with. It can't be easy for Gideon to have lost his wife and remarry so quickly. Bethel is struggling with forgiving her dad for not believing her. The story shares a marriage that begins without love, but will that change as Gideon and Bethel get to know each other better? The lesson I learned from this story is to never give up. It doesn't matter what your circumstances are, just trust that God has a plan. Bethel and Gideon show us what it means to truly forgive and learn to love with a joyful heart. I loved reading how they each grew in their faith and especially watching Bethel begin to believe in herself. The story has an element of suspense in it that I didn't see coming. It brings to light just how precious life is and how important it is to trust God. Misunderstandings can damage a relationship if we allow ourselves not to forgive. Enjoy this story about trust, pride. forgiving and marriage God's way. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.