Genre

General Fiction

Audience

Highschool & Up

Author’s Worldview

Catholic

Year Published

2020

Themes

Substance abuse, family struggle, loss, relationships with God and others

 

Reviewed by

Tiffany Buck

If God loves me then why did He let this happen? This question has been asked the world over. It is the question Aurora Fabron asks after the death of her boyfriend, Tom. While they were together it seemed as if he was her world, and then he died. She told herself and others that he took the best of her with him. This explained her descent into depression and drugs. Distraught over his daughter’s depression, her father sets up counseling sessions between Fr. Sebastian, a young priest, and Aurora.

Subscribe to our Newsletter & Get Weekly Catholic Books for as little as $1

Fr. Sebastian proves to be good for Aurora. Her depression subsides, and her relationships with others improve. Readers learn after a few chapters that Aurora is a gifted photographer. Fr. Sebastian fosters this interest and encourages her to share her God-given talent. Aurora’s journey is inspiring I found myself going from frustration with Aurora to cheering her on and delighting in her achievement.

The relationship between Aurora and Fr. Sebastian advances beyond therapy. Fr. Sebastian becomes best friend, confidant, and a shoulder to cry on. It is obvious to everyone around that the two have feelings for each other. Although the feelings are there, they do not act on them. Their love for God is greater. Fr. Sebastian is a priest, and Aurora has respect for his vocation. Instead, Aurora prays to God that the right man be put in her path.

Aurora is not the only one who has benefitted from Fr. Sebastian. Aurora has a twin sister, Julia. From the outside Julia seems to have it all together. She and her fiancé, Noah are expecting twins. Everyone is excited except Aurora. It is clear from the beginning that Aurora and Noah have a real disdain for each other. As the novel progresses, the reader learns that Aurora’s intuition when it comes to Noah is correct. Noah causes Julia pain and stress. Julia responds with drinking after the babies are born. With her newfound God-given strength, awakened by Fr. Sebastian, Aurora does her best to protect Julia and the babies.

Subscribe to our Newsletter & Get Weekly Catholic Books for as little as $1

So many people fall into disbelief or distrust in God when things don’t go according to their plan. In the novel Aurora and God, we learn that sometimes things happen to us so that we can grow closer to God Despite the tragedy of Tom’s early death, Aurora finds that God is still working for good. Our pain strengthens us and will bring us closer to God if we allow it. Although it is a Catholic novel, I recommend this book to all Christians for its universal themes.

Join Here for FREE to Never Miss a Deal

Find new favorites & Support Catholic Authors

Most Highly Favored Daughter by Janice Palko

Her perfect life hides her city’s darkest secrets. Can Cara face the light of truth and come to understand real love?

The Grace Crasher by Mara Faro

The Grace Crasher is the ecumenical romantic dramedy that everyone who has ever had family members in split churches needs to read.

The City Mother By Maya Sinha

She didn’t believe in good and evil, until she became a mother…

Infinite Regress by Joshua Hren

Poetic justice when the victim of a predator priest finds freedom from his seducer.

Three Last Things or The Hounding of Carl Jarrold, Soulless Assassin by Corinna Turner

The last day of a convicted murderer’s life: Can he save his soul in time?

Everything Old: Love in Anadauk Book 1 by Amanda Hamm

Two youth group leaders rekindle their friendship and find love with each other along the way.

Bullet Proof Vestments by Jane Lebak

Fr. Jay left his criminal past behind him, but it’s coming back for vengeance and it might take his parish down with him.

Sydney and Calvin Have a Baby by Adrienne Thorn

Sydney writes romances but living her own romance will require more courage than anything yet required of her.

A Hero for the People by Arthur Powers

Stories from the front lines of the Church’s mission to protect Brazilians farmers from theft and greed.

Island of Miracles by Amy Schisler

When she finds out her husband had a whole other set of wife and kids Kate starts over in a small beach town.

Rachel’s Contrition by Michelle Buckman

After the loss of her child, Rachel goes insane but she must pull her mind back together to solve a murder and save her own life.

The Book of Jotham by Arthur Powers

Experience Christ through the eyes of Jotham, his disabled disciple.

Lying Awake by Mark Salzman

A cloistered nun confronts her faith when she realizes that the private revelations she has been given might be the product of epilepsy.

Bread from Home by Fr. Stephen Siniari

We all hunger for the same food from heaven. A collection of short stories exploring an Albanian Orthodox church community, their Catholic and Evangelical neighbors, and the hunger for heaven that unites them all.

Hold Fast By Spencer K.M. Brown

Will a small rowboat on Lake Superior awaken the stalled lives of a father and son?

Absence by Kaye Park Hinckley

Absence will chill you with the stark reminder that human beings are not just bodies, but souls whose spiritual influence cannot be suppressed, even when the bodies have gone missing.

Best Books of 2022

Our favorite book finds of the year!

Calling All Booklovers! – Editor Positions Open

Do you love reading books and getting other people to read them? Join our team and make your mark on today’s Catholic literary revival.

The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene

“Virtue, the good life, tempted him in the dark like a sin.”