5-Star Review of "Justified"

Review of Justified (Mended Hearts #2)

by Varina Denman

In a small Texas town ruled by gossip, Fawn Blaylock believes others are justified in condemning her untimely pregnancy. Stifled by guilt, she yearns for grace while the local football coach treats her with gentle respect.

Justified perfectly captures the rhythm and romance of life in a small town, telling the unforgettable story of a woman searching for renewal, a man looking beyond what others see, and a community torn between judgment and love. It is the unforgettable story of broken dreams, second chances, and relentless hope.

MY REVIEW:    Gossip, judgment, and everyone knows your business!   That's small town life at its worst and Fawn, the little rich girl, finds herself pregnant, unmarried, and thrown out of her parents' mansion.   The whole town is talking and pointing fingers and the high school coach who taught her in the recent past is one of the few people treating her with kindness.   Fawn finds herself befriended by an unlikely checkout girl at the local grocery store.....Ruthie, someone she would normally have spent her days talking about and certainly not hanging out with!   Fawn and Ruthie both struggle with wondering where God fits in the scheme of their lives and trying to discern God's plan for their lives while still wondering if God can forgive them and love them just as they are.  
           Fawn is determined to make it on her own and show her parents that she does not need them and that she does not need the baby's father, Tyler, another little rich boy gone bad.  Tyler tries to drown his sorrows in liquor while Fawn drowns hers in homemade iced coffees.  
           I found myself reading and thinking that maybe things would settle down for the characters when along came a new storm for them to weather!   Having grown up in a very small town in Virginia myself, I could certainly relate to that aspect of life for Fawn and her family and friends.   I empathized with them as my heart broke for them at the same time.   I found myself caught up in their stories and eager for things to work out with a happy ending for them!   
        I rated this book 5 stars and can hardly wait to read the third book in the series.   
        I received a free kindle version of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.   All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author:


Varina Denman is a native Texan who spent her high school years in a small Texas town. Now she lives near Fort Worth with her husband and her five mostly-grown children. Jaded is her debut novel.