Finding Faith

The Finding Home Series, Book 1

By: Bridget E. Baker

Narrated by: Jennifer Jill Araya

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

Two decades ago, Mary's mom walked out.

A few days later, her dad started drinking. He never stopped.

Mary swore off alcohol. She also decided she'd never have kids, just in case she took after her parents.

A year ago, Mary's boyfriend dumped her because she didn't want kids.

Yesterday, for the first time in a year, Mary met someone.

Someone hunky. Someone smart. Someone who made her goofy smile. Someone who sent a shiver up her spine.

Tomorrow, she's going on a first date.

She won't find out he's a widower with two kids for at least two more days. 

Then what?

©2018 Bridget E. Baker (P)2020 Bridget E. Baker

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.

Amazing

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

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.

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.

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 😉.

*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!

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.

Amazing book

Loved this book and the others in the series, nice easy listeners but with some depth, not to cheeses, actually has a story line and characters you become invested in, fully recommend.

Cute listen

This was just like a Hallmark Christmas movie in book form. This was not the season for it but it still was too cute. Probably a bit forgettable too.

Loved this beautiful story

This is such a beautiful sweet storyline. The characters are very likeable, the kids are the cutest!! Jennifer has given a brilliant performance, it’s heartfelt and emotional.

Brilliant book

I absolutely loved this story! It is a classic girl meets boy story however has a nice twist of characters. I definitely recommend listening to this.

I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.