Publisher:  Zondervan 

There is just something about The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck that pulled me in from the very first page and continues until the last. I'll get right to it. The earlier part of the novel did drag a bit for me, but it was because I didn't understand, but the neat thing was it still held onto me without letting go. Or rather, I held onto it like I was mesmerized by the words and by the emotions of two very different, yet similar characters. Both Birdie and Tenley strive to find themselves in different times. Both strong female characters in their own way, but also a certain vulnerability that readers can relate to. 

"Birdie felt instantly a child again, ruled by a demanding if not harsh mama whose approval she desperately sought." 

"The writing, the process, the emotional mining of words proved to be her therapy, her way of commanding grief. . . but now that grief and pain were in her rearview mirror, Tenley found writing a chore. A strain. Void of creativity and inspiration." 

"Are we going to be good friends, desk?"

I love the humor we get in spurts from the characters. From Tenley, to Blanche and to each of the Sullivans, one can't get enough. "The Sullivans are the place to be on Wednesday night." And trust me, you want to join in on the fun.

"We've got potato salad here and, oh, my grandmother's baked beans recipe. It's better than kissing."

"'Got something in your eye?' 'No. I just can't wink.' 'Stop. Watch.' He stepped around in front of her, gazing down, smiling, then slowly, almost seductively, winked. Heart. Be. Still. 'Like that.'"

"Why must duty require me to break my own heart?"

"Those things fade. Glory fades. The excitement of a new love, of success, fades. Then what do you have? People come and go. They forget about you faster than they befriended you. All that matters at the end of your life is whether you loved others, gave generously, and had a faith that will carry you through to the next life." 

In all, The Writing Desk is a story of dreams, of life, of hope, but also of seeking without understanding. Trying to find who you are. There are stories to unfold, to discover and to make. Rachel Hauck gave us not only romance, which was fabulous by the way, but also a message of trusting in His mercy, of togetherness and of not being afraid of what the future holds.  Reading can be so subjective, and my thoughts and what I take from a story may not be the same as the next person. But I do hope that certain words will penetrate our hearts the same, and that each of us will pray these same words, "I'm yours, Lord. Even if I don't understand."  However way, do remember that "God's mercy cannot be quantified or understood. Just receive it."