Finding Faith

Finding Home, Book 2

By: B. E. Baker

Narrated by: Jennifer Jill Araya

Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

For years now, Christmas has been the only merry part of Mary’s life, but that’s all about to change…

When Mary’s mom walked out on them, her dad started drinking and never stopped. The one bright spot in her miserable childhood was a charity called Sub-for-Santa. It restored her faith in magic and brought hope and love into their home. She’s run the program as an adult for nearly a decade to bring the same joy to children all over Atlanta.

When the same man’s name pops up both the donor and the recipient list, she’s a little frustrated. How can she figure out where he belongs without hurting his feelings? After making the trek out to his address, she’s prepared to mark down ‘recipient.’ It is a trailer park, after all.

But when he answers the door, it’s the ridiculously handsome, polished man she met last week. He’s also the first man she’s agreed to go on a date with in more than a year. He definitely doesn’t need anyone to bring his children Christmas gifts—he travels for work, hence the trailer. But Mary made a vow to herself long ago that she would never have children. She didn’t want to risk being like her parents.

She knows she needs to walk away—he has two beautiful children, after all. But Luke doesn’t make it easy. Can Mary find enough faith in herself to do something she never thought possible?

©2018 Bridget E. Baker (P)2023 Bridget E. Baker

Critic reviews

"Despite the complexities [of] this tale, Finding Faith reads like the honeymoon stage of a relationship. It's filled with laughter, an idealized reality, and an endless craving for the story to continue. Luke's and Mary's love offers a temporary euphoria that shows romance is sometimes found where it is least expected." --Publishers Weekly

*sigh*

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Mary vowed never to have children, and Luke has two. He’s almost a billionaire, but lives in a travel trailer. Are they doomed from the start?

MY TAKE
I read this when it was titled Finding Santa and loved it then. When I saw it'd been retitled and made into an audiobook, I had to grab it. I loved it even more this time.

I loved Luke right away, and his kids are fun with a lot of personality. Mary really has issues from her childhood and refuses to be a mother because she says she won't be placed in a situation where she has to choose her career that she loves over her family--she's sure she'll be terrible just like her own mother and won't do that do kids.

Her character arc is enjoyable as she falls for Luke and his kids. The kids are adorable, especially Amy who decides she's going to stay with Mary when Luke moves on to his next job because Amy is tired of living in a house with wheels.

I enjoyed that Luke didn't live like an almost-billionaire. That didn't even show up until the end of the book. And what a lovely ending it was.

The narrator Jennifer Jill Araya did a great job!

Funny

it is well written by, B.E Baker. It comes to life by Jennifer Araya. this is the first I've heard and can't wait for the next.

Amazing

A well written holiday story. Such a heart warming story. Can't wait to read the next

Making new plans

This is the third book I have listened to by this author. While I still liked this story it didn’t appeal to me as much as the other series I have started. It was a clean, sweet, feel good romance. It was a more of a Christmas romance. While the romance took place at Christmas the focus wasn’t as much on the season as it was figuring out how to move on from past hurts and change what you think you want out of life. It bothered me that she focused on how her parents were the worst parents ever. And while being abandoned by one parent and having the other one abandon you emotionally while also neglecting your physical needs would be horrible I think there are too many children in worse conditions. It also bothered me that she couldn’t recognize that by refusing to date someone with kids was her right to do it did make her somewhat selfish. Those kids already existed and just wanted someone to love them. Over all I think it was a good story. I just think it was a little long. Too much focus on her wants. She like breaks up with him so many times even though she knows he plans to move. And her friends and sister wanting her to dump him in when he was leaving in a couple weeks really irritated me. Her sister and one of her friends have kids. It’s a little weird. With that said I wouldn’t write off the story. The underlying story was worth the listen. I really liked Luke even if I wasn’t in love with Mary.

Mary and Luke

I listened to the audio book of Finding Faith. The narrator was new to me, but Jennifer Jill Araya was fantastic. I thought she did a wonderful job with Mary's voice and character. I also really enjoyed her portrayal of Luke, Australian accent included. The story of Mary and Luke was set during Christmas time, and with the holidays right around the corner, it helped add to the mood of the season. Overall I really enjoyed this book. I'm looking forward to more in the series.

Cute, clean

I really enjoyed this book and it’s not even a genre I usually choose. I liked the characters and it had a happy ever after. The narrator did a great job as well. Her voice was pleasant to listen to.

Hurry! Release the rest of the series!

I had already read the book but I love having something to listen to when I am puttering around the house or running errands and this book is one I will listen to again and again. This author captures the innocence of childhood and the magic of Christmas, while also incorporating the complexities of life that arise from addiction, illness, death and loss. I love the message that love and faith conquer all! I can't wait for the other books in this series to be available as audio books so I don't have to listen to this one again and again 😉.

Be still my romantic heart!

Where has Bridget Baker been all my life! Finding Faith is my intro to Baker’s storytelling and I’ve got to say I’m a fan! This story is so sweet and the gave me such sense of goodness and most of all, love can win.

The connection to Christmas and Santa Claus was especially poignant to me. Even though my sons are now teenagers - we stress the importance of the belief in magic and love expressed in selfless giving - and that is the spirit of Santa.

I’m looking forward to more books by Baker

With regards to the narrator- this was a home run too! Araya was perfect for all the characters and her performance added much to my enjoyment of the story.