My Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 stars

My poor heart. Vanessa Hall has done it yet again! She’s given the world another epic, heartrending, suspenseful, truth-filled masterpiece that will make you both cry and laugh. To say I enjoyed it would be an understatement. Picking up from where Unworthy left off, this brand-new story follows Molly, a pianist from Tennessee, and Nick, an ex-CIA officer in Russia.

Characters

First off, I physically could not wipe that silly grin off my face when all the familiar beloved characters from the previous books popped up. I DIDN’T REALIZE HOW MUCH I HAD MISSED THEM! They really are like old friends. 🙂 Gabe, Sofia, the adorable couple Evgeny and Sasha, Daniil, etc. They’re all so distinct and lovable. A whole family I would read anything about just because I love them.

By the way, Evgeny from Unworthy is still my all-time favorite hero from the Grace Sufficient series. I took notes while reading the story to give me an outlet for ranting AND to help me write the review once I finished so that all my thoughts were fresh. And this was one of my notes: “I ALSO freaked out when MY DARLING EVGENY CAME ONTO THE SCENE!!!! I LOVE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

*coughs* See what I mean?

Molly. A pianist, very introverted, adorably awkward, sweet and compassionate, from Tennessee… what wasn’t to love? I connected with her and found her fully relatable and beautifully conflicted (from a writer’s perspective, mind you 😉 ). In the fiction I read, heroines like her are underrepresented. Maybe it’s because the quiet, rather reclusive characters aren’t as prone to heartstopping, thrilling drama that fiery and outgoing characters produce. But you know what? Untold proved wrong the idea that quiet, slightly awkward characters can’t kick butt. Molly’s spiritual arc was also impeccable. So moving and impactful. She’s just precious. ❤

And going along with that, I LOOOOVED how prevalent her passion for piano was in the story, and how she even reacted to things by thinking of classical pieces that fit the mood. I think all musician readers will appreciate that. 😀

Now for Nick. Can I give him a hug?!!!! I love him endlessly. He was so heartbreakingly tormented. The PTSD he struggled with felt painfully believable, and I know it was all too realistic how suddenly he was triggered by things that jolted him back to the traumatic memories at any moment of the day. It didn’t define him, praise be – it’s easy to have a mental disorder define characters, have it be the sole “unique” trait about them. But the amazing Vanessa Hall nailed it; his conflict wasn’t forced at all. Nick’s such a sweet, caring, average kind of guy in the best way possible. And I don’t mean average as in boring. I mean average as in he seemed so real he could be someone from everyday life. (Tell me that makes sense!!!) It was heartaching how he was so desperate to hide his past from Molly, tried to pretend like everything was fine. All that is to say is, the darkness in his life made the subsequent light and healing he finds in God so much more satisfying and powerful.

And Gregor… Untold would not have been the same without this lovable, incorrigible guy. An unexpected friend of Nick’s, he brings a different side out of Nick that just cracks me up. I’m not gonna give away any spoilers, but his arc was gold. (Maybe it felt a little rushed or sudden, but not when you consider the circumstances and the events leading up to his… *coughs* “aha” moment.) And Gregor’s quips provided so much awesome comic relief! And I don’t think he’s even trying to be funny! (Wow, here I go again, thinking that the characters are real. 😂)

Plot

I was hopelessly hooked from PAGE ONE. Oh my goodness. It was so showing and not telling, immersing me in the scene, giving little details that were just enough to paint a vivid picture, to make me feel the main characters’ pains and desires. The whole plot was gripping (seriously; I was on the edge of my seat many times) and I was able to follow pretty much everything well. And the suspense! I can’t even. And yet, even with all the drama and suspense, Vanessa Hall managed to make everything feel so realistic. Like, if the story was happening in real life (which, if it was, God bless the poor people involved), that’s how it would happen.

Romance

The sweetest slowburn romance you’ll ever read. It positively melted me. I thought it pretty brilliant how we were introduced to Nick and Molly and yet they didn’t meet until a little later on. The building suspense from waiting till they finally “meet” (if you read it, you’ll know why I put that in air quotes *winks*) made the actual first interaction so rewarding and satisfying. I just love their whole dynamic. I love how real it felt. (Dude, that really is a theme through this whole review – how real everything felt!) No long, flowery, saccharine speeches and showy romantic gestures, just a real, gentle love between two people. Like, some of my favorite moments were (don’t worry, no spoilers) when Nick just tried to be friendly, attempting to engage poor Molly in conversation. I don’t know why that was so swoon-worthy, BUT IT WAS. Okay, I’ll stop the *coughs* fangirl rambling, but just know I loved it and if you read it, I bet you will too! 😀

Writing Style

The prose is gorgeous and so subtle, if that makes any sense. I savored every word and couldn’t help reading some passages slowly just because the writer in me admires it so much. But it’s not overly flowery where the usual reader will be bogged down. Also, I absolutely love how for each POV it’s in (Nick’s and Molly’s), the narrative is so immersed their thoughts, reactions, and memories. It’s such beautiful deep POV.

And side note: I like how, since this was written in an American’s POV, the Russian accents stood out more. That felt very realistic!

Themes

As I expected, the themes in this hit hard. The main theme is perfectly summed up in the hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” which shows up frequently through Untold thanks to Nick and Molly’s mutual love of it. God’s grace is sufficient. Which is literally what the series is called – “Grace Sufficient” – and that’s for a reason! This truth is beautifully and naturally demonstrated in the broken and flawed characters. Two other themes I have to mention was how true healing is found only in God, and the importance of following God’s lead, no matter where He sends you or how impossible it seems. He will be with you through it all.

Overall

A beautiful, emotionally high-strung, and yet satisfying story, Untold is a novel I know I’ll be rereading sometime! And I’m already dying to read Book 4 in the series! 😀 I’ll just leave you here with a few of my favorite quotes from Untold.

FAVORITE QUOTES

The bench, chipped and a bit wobbly, creaked under her weight. But there were the same eighty-eight keys, unchanged by thousands of miles and harsh languages and impossible tasks.
_

A smile tugged at Molly’s lips. Romance novels were cute, but simple, everyday love was so much sweeter.

_

“Where is it?” Molly bit out the words, her arm vibrating under his touch.

Gregor parroted off an address as if it were his own name.

Useless in this huge city. “Where’s that?”

Gregor grinned. “I know.”

_

The familiar land rolled before him, covered in darkness, swathed in midnight, yet morning would uncloak beauty.

Yeah, it was pretty dark right now.

A shaky breath eased out.

But morning would come.

Disclosure: I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

---

Untold Blurb

You can only run for so long …

Two years hasn’t erased the sting of betrayal and the shadow of the past, but Nikolai Alexandrov has finally found a way to live. Moscow, Russia, is the last place anyone would look for a rogue ex-CIA officer, and the members of Grace Baptist Church see beyond his past to the man he is now.

Molly Baird never wanted to be a missionary, but due to her father’s wishes, she lands in Moscow to aid her missionary cousin, Gabe Kelly. All is foreign in the massive city, though, rendering her unable to serve. Only the few English speakers in Grace Baptist’s congregation hold a trace of familiarity—including Nikolai, whose kindness she can’t deny.

Yet when a sniper’s bullet strikes far too close, Nikolai and Molly are thrown together in a desperate race against untold threats. When time runs out, will Nikolai and Molly be able to trust God with the past—and with the future?

Book Links

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61167481-untold

Ebook and Hard Copy: https://books2read.com/u/m0vp77 

Sale Info for Unknown (Grace Sufficient, #1)

Unknown on sale for $.99! Be sure to go grab your copy, because if you wanna read Untold, you don’t want to miss on the opening to the series!

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58357517-unknown 

Purchase link: https://books2read.com/u/49nnDk 

Blurb: 

He knew there was a cost. He just didn’t know how great it’d be.

Gabriel Kelly returned to Russia for one reason—to bury his parents. After ten years in the United States, he hadn’t expected to return to his childhood home in the face of tragedy. However, after short days in Moscow, he begins to consider if the same call that cost his parents’ lives is now upon him.

Sofia Rykova’s dreams finally came true when she became a principal soloist with the Bolshoi Ballet. One night, though, an old crush walks back into her life, making her wonder if there is more to life than ballet. Gabe Kelly is just as she remembered, just as she longed for—yet religion stands between them.

Unknown to Gabe and Sofia, danger lurks closer than either would have guessed. The deaths of Gabe’s parents grow more suspicious by the day, and Gabe and Sofia are drawn into the midst of a plot neither can escape. Will obedience to God’s call—in spite of their fears and desires—result in a price too steep to bear?

Giveaway Info!!!

One winner will receive free e-copies (epub or pdf) of Unworthy and Untold. Winner will be announced on Saturday, October 1, on Vanessa’s blog and will be contacted via email. Giveaway open to all entrants over 18. 

Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b768bf280/

(Don’t miss out on this because trust me, both books will utterly steal your heart!!! And that’s a good thing! 😉 )

About the Author

Follow the Author!

Website/Blog: https://vanessahallauthor.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21596469.Vanessa_Hall

Newsletter: https://vanessahall.ck.page/ 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Vanessa-Hall/e/B09D5FK28P/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/vanessa-hall-76d55a60-3f49-4ac3-8e43-d64014ae4c55 

---

Blog Tour Schedule

Friday, September 23 

Kristina Hall – Spotlight

Rachel  – Spotlight

Emma – Review

Rachel Anne English – Spotlight and Author Interview

Vanessa Hall – Tour Kickoff + Giveaway Announcement!

Saturday, September 24

 Kristina Hall – Review

 Anna – Review

Vanessa Hall – An Author’s Perspective: What Do I Love Most About My Characters?

 Lorelai Angelo – Spotlight

Sunday, September 25

 Jolene @ Beauty in the Binding – Spotlight

Monday, September 26 

Kristina Hall – Character Questionnaire (Daniil, Evgeny, and Gregor)

Grace A. Johnson – Spotlight 

Kirby @ The Preppy Book Princess  – Review

Tuesday, September 27 

Stephanie @ Books Less Travelled – Review

Lillian Keith – Spotlight

Charity Henico – Review

Wednesday, September 28

Lillian Keith – Author Interview

Saraina Whitney – Review (You’re here!)

Issabelle Perry – Review

Thursday, September 29

Stephanie @ Books Less Travelled – Author Interview

Madisyn Carlin @ Madi’s Musings – Spotlight and Author Interview

Vanessa Hall – Music of Untold (In Which I Gift You with A Playlist!)

Friday, September 30

Katja L. @ Old-Fashioned Book Love – Spotlight and Review

Rachel Anne English – Review and Character Questionnaire (Nikolai)

Abby Burrus – Review

Issabelle Perry – Author Interview

Saturday, October 1

Saraina Whitney – Character Questionnaire (Molly)

Kayti – Review?

Vanessa Hall – Wrapup + Giveaway Winners!

---

Have you read Untold by Vanessa Hall? Are you an introvert or a pianist like Molly? (Stay tuned for October 1st, by the way, because I’m doing a super fun character questionnaire with Molly!) Do you like comic relief characters? And for a random question, what is one book you’ve reread the most?

Side note: I’m doing a giveaway in my newsletter, coming very soon, so make sure you’re subscribed to not miss out on it!!!! 😉 ❤️