Review: The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Lucy Hansson was ready for a perfect summer with her boyfriend, working at her childhood Bible camp on the lake and spending quality time with her parents. But when her mom’s cancer reappears, Lucy falters-in her faith and in her ability to cope. When her boyfriend “pauses” their relationship and her summer job switches to a different camp-one for troubled kids-Lucy isn’t sure how much more she can handle. Attempting to accept a new normal, Lucy slowly regains footing among her vibrant, diverse coworkers, Sundays with her mom, and a crush on a fellow counselor. But when long-hidden family secrets emerge, can Lucy set aside her problems and discover what grace really means?

Emotionally-charged and unforgettable, Emery Lord’s storytelling shines with the promise of new love and true friendship, even in the face of life’s biggest challenges.

I received an E-ARC from Bloomsbury on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:
★★★

Lucy is gearing up for a summer with her boyfriend and summer bible camp with her parents when she finds out her mums cancer has come back. As a result Lucy begins to doubt her faith while her boyfriend puts their relationship on pause. Instead of going to bible camp, Lucy goes to a neighbouring camp called Daybreak at her mums wishes to work as a counsellor. Lucy struggles to accept these changes in her life. As time goes on at Daybreak, surrounded by her co-workers and friends Lucy begins to find her faith in God again.
The Names They Gave Us is heart-breaking and heart-warming in equal measure.

I have to be honest, I don’t think this book was for me. The Names They Gave Us is well written with fantastic character and plot development if this is your kind of book. I will admit contemporary fiction is very hit and miss for me. I found it hard to relate to Lucy after a while. I also found the end a little rushed and abrupt.

I don’t want to put anyone off reading it, if this is the kind of book you like to read then you’ll love it, It just wasn’t for me.

The Names They Gave Us is published by Bloomsbury June 1 (UK)

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