Book Review – Love of a Father (this story broke me)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 stars

I don’t know where to begin. This story deserves more than five stars. I looked at it once, planning to read just a few pages then set it aside for later…but I ended up reading the entire thing in a single sitting, and I don’t remember the last time that happened. It’s short enough read it in single sitting, and yet it’s a story I will remember for a long time to come.

It broke me. It’s painful, gritty, dark, and agonizing. How could such darkness exist? How could anyone bear under the weight of what Russell experiences? Yet it’s not far-fetched. Not by a long shot. And that’s what made this so painful. Anyone who’s slogged through heavy darkness, who’s struggled with mental illness, who’s been crushed by guilt, will find something that speaks to them in this story, and will find it healing.

Russell’s story isn’t pretty. It’s often ugly, in fact. The trauma memories that leave him with exhausting nightmares and splitting headaches and vomiting…I felt it all. It’s hard to read about. (That and the horrible racism, from both his past and from his present-day encounters. *sobs*) But he carries on in spite of it, driven by his overwhelming, sacrificial love for poor, sweet, darling Eliza. I love him, and even that sounds like an understatement. I LOVE HIM. AND HE DESERVES MORE HUGS. AND MORE PETER SHORTS IN HIS LIFE. (Really, though, Mr. Short was such a caring, sweet old guy. Agh! I hope he shows up again in the following books.) Going into it, I didn’t realize how young he would be in this prequel. *sobs some more* Too young to carry such heartache. And same with Eliza – the abuse she suffered at such a young age is absolutely heartbreaking. But healing is found in their relationship. Like Mr. Short said to Russell,

“I have been wanting to say this to you since the moment I met you: You’re a good father to her. I have never seen any man love a child the way you love her. Because God chose you to be her father, she’ll grow up right.”

On the technical side of things, each character felt so real. In fact, you’ll believe they ARE real by the time you finish reading Love of a Father. You can tell the author knows them perfectly.

As for how it was written, I think I could pinpoint Martinez’s writing anywhere. It’s simple and powerful, immersive and visceral. And though she didn’t sugarcoat the violence and ugliness with pretty, fluffy, vague prose, she treated it with the weight it merited. None of it is there for shock value, but to tell the story with honesty. That is a difficult task to carry out, but she did it. Amazingly, I might add. The story was told in the best way it could be told.

The plot was clear and I followed along with everything with surprising ease. Even though Love of a Father isn’t bursting with much action or plot twists, I didn’t skim a single paragraph. was so immersed in Russell’s internal conflict, in his heart. The story bursts with emotion and rich truth and a message of sacrificial, forgiving, radical love that you won’t be able to keep from washing straight into your soul. It’s the contrast that’s so memorable. Everywhere in the story, the mess and blood and darkness is contrasted – no, drowned out – by the purity, light, innocence, and Christ’s all-consuming love displayed through Eliza. It is a such beautiful thing.

Goodness, if the prequel hit this hard, I wonder what the full-length Russell & Eliza novels will do to me. *prepares tissue boxes for Where Faith Remains*

If you love gritty, raw stories awash with a theme of pure, tender, unconditional love, Joy Calle Martinez is an author you need to watch out for. I cannot wait to see what works she’ll share with us in the future.

FAVORITE QUOTES

His soul burned with the desire for her to understand . . . for her to know beyond a doubt that she was special, she was adopted, she was loved.

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The action was so unexpected and so Eliza that Russell had to laugh through his tears. Then he stopped and stared at her. That was the first time he had laughed since the last joke he had shared with Thomas.

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His heart was shattered, the pieces scattered. He was watching her pick up each piece, not looking at the sharp edges with disgust, but with love and tenderness healing what was broken. She voluntarily gave her small fingers for the task—but she regarded it as no task to love him.

Her love was whole for a broken man.

Her love was whole for him.

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Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author and 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.

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About Love of a Father

But he lives with debilitating shame over his sinful past, for which he fears he can never be forgiven. Believing he should have died at birth, he questions why God would give him the precious gift of his daughter when all he deserves is hell. Why, when he looks into Eliza’s eyes, does he see a man redeemed . . . and beloved? How can a man such as him ever be either of those things?

With themes of forgiveness and redemption, Love of a Father is a tender, heartbreaking story about the love between a broken young man and the little girl who teaches him his infinite worth. It’s the prequel to Russell & Eliza, a Christian family saga about the legacy of their love.

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About the Author

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Find the Novelette!

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If you’re not following Joy (WHICH YOU SHOULD BE), I suggest you check out this post where she introduces Love of a Father and tells the story of how it came to be! ❤

Have you read any fiction involving the Vietnam War? Do you ever read novelettes? (They’re underrated, in my opinion. XD) What’s a story that left a deep and lasting impression on you? What do you think about heavy stories that don’t shy away from the dark and ugly details, yet also offer hope and light? What’s a book that you wished had a prequel?