"Perhaps simplicity is simply the ability to...to take pleasure in the eternity of the commonplace. Even if... things change."
It's sort of uncanny that this is the first book review here on this blog because its ancestor, (Is that what you call it?) the second book in the Veritas Chronicles, was my first book review over on my old blog. Now, this is also my first time giving a review in exchange for a copy of the book. (How exciting!! 🥳) As you may know, I already raved about the previous book in the series without any compensation, so you can be assured this is also going to be my honest, heartfelt review. I've been meaning to purchase this book for a while (even before it came out, really) but I'm just so bad at purchasing online for myself. 😅
Let's start off with the Amazon synopsis again, shall we?
The final installment in The Veritas Chronicles that has been compared to the writing of L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)!
And then, just like that, it happened.
Twenty-four-year-old Rebecca Veritas is a clinical psychologist, quickly establishing herself as a young success with her own thriving practice in a comfortable area of town. Reeling from the painful reality of recent events, she settles into her new life with neat precision, a practical choice conveniently removed from memories that her childlike nature and romantic heart might otherwise indulge. When an unexpected visit from an old friend one fateful summer sends Rebecca on a journey almost 2,000 miles from home, she will discover that the greatest change of all may be recalling who you truly are. Yet, as she begins to find healing in this idyllic setting, malevolent forces threaten the quiet serenity of its majestic landscape. As they calculate their revenge, the paradigm shifts, bringing it full circle, to the very beginning of the story.
Readers will delight in their encounter with characters old and new in this suspenseful conclusion to The Veritas Chronicles, a story of humanity, forgiveness, and healing that serves as a timeless reminder that the simple intermissions that give life meaning may never be cast aside.
Now you must read the first two books in the series before touching this one. It may not make very much sense otherwise or at least you won't be getting the entire picture. It was so good to revisit the dear characters and Gina's poetic style. It truly is like a breath of fresh air because not many people seem to understand my sometimes whimsical and romantically simple way of viewing the world. But Rebecca Veritas is like that even more so than me with a dash of zany thrown in. 😄 I once again related to Rebecca in many ways, some different than before because I've had new experiences in my life. Rebecca fell in love and I had fallen in love. Rebecca was hurt and I was hurting. Rebecca was healing and I am learning to heal. But if you're wondering if I say "dude" next to a line of Shakespeare-like words... I'm sorry to disappoint. That is one small way Rebecca and I are not alike. 😂
Do you know who else is a kindred spirit? Little Dan. Ugh... he is just The. Sweetest. Ever. I think I might be a little upset he doesn't exist in real life. If I ever have my own children someday, I pray at least one of them can be like Danny. He would fit right in with the children of Rainbow Valley. (In a bonus interview at the back of the book, Gina mentions her plan to eventually write a Veritas Chronicles Christmas novella or novelette which would revisit Little Dan as a twenty-year-old and I am just soooo excited for that. Please don't let it be an actual ten years away though. 💗 I'm just so interested by the thought of a young man of Dan's personality and temperament. We have plenty of books like Anne of Green Gables that have romantic leading ladies but to have a tenderhearted leading young man who is faithful and pious would be delightful. But enough of my imagining... back to the review.)
As for the storyline, it was marvelously written! I was happy and contented to journey along with Rebecca and Peter experiencing the beauty, family life, and shenanigans of it all. But then, when I thought I should be nearing the end of the book, I realized things were just getting started. An unexpected turn was taken and I could no longer put the book down. Then, when I thought, ok, the book has to be coming to its nice happy conclusion, WHAM!! Oh no! Here we go again! This time I was not sure what was going to happen but I wasn't hopeful. It looked pretty bleak. At the risk of being annoyingly vague but not wanting to give away the conclusion entirely, I'll just say that I was very pleased with the ending and felt so many emotions throughout the concluding chapters.
Once again, although not as prominent through the book as in the earlier installments, the Catholic Faith still supports our beloved characters and this is the aspect that I love most about this trilogy. I have lots of quotes from the book I'd like to share with you but here is one of my favorites,
"Well," Peter said with a thin smile, his voice measured, "as I see it, we have two options: The Divine Mercy Chaplet or the Rosary."
In moments of trial, anxiety, or uncertainty, where secular literature characters would be despairing or rely on human strength and affection, Rebecca, Peter, and the whole cast rely on God.
Cue mild spoilers warning...
Ok, spoilers over...
Peter and his brother have a beautiful relationship too and Rebecca sees this but instead of swooning like any normal romance leading lady, that thought doesn't seem to be first in her mind. Instead, she appreciates the charity and sacrifices Peter gives to his brother. It's just that plain and simple; unadulterated fraternal charity. And Peter and Dan invite Rebecca into that. I just loved the relationship between the three of them.
Of course, there is plenty of sappy romance in this book if you're worried about that. Like I said, Rebecca loves and she loves deeply, as do I. Memories are made, lessons are learned, seasons change, and hurts take hold. But there is healing and grace too. I was honored to begin to learn that alongside Rebecca.
As much as I could keep rambling in awe of this book, let's get to some quotes I saved. I sometimes forget I can save quotes on my kindle so this is not a complete list of my favorites but just some of them that stuck out that will hopefully spark your interest in reading the series.
"It was nearly 9PM, and a wintery lull had settled over the landscape, yet it was not an icy coldness, but a refreshing chill, wafting through the air, enhancing it, making it more alive and real. I breathed it in."
"And guitar, piano, and cello raised themselves upward, soared in the lament of a lost love. In echoes of a heart that used to laugh freely, smile without shadow, speak without the broken mask of sorrow. I had told Adriana, long ago, that one day the broken pieces would become a beautiful mosaic. One day. But not today."
"Pain enlarges the heart, increasing its capacity to understand and care. Joy enters the heart bathing it anew."
"...the rays of the sun finally returned home, clouds moving to cover them with a lullaby of sleep."
There are more quotes I highlighted but they just seem too sacred to retype here. I'll let them reveal themselves to you as you read this book. All in all, I must say I was so happy with this third installment in The Veritas Chronicles and I wasn't even upset it was over! That's uncommon. The author just wrapped it up so lovingly and neatly not rushing the ending or leaving anything to be desired. She even put a nice little bow on it. 😉 So, thank you for reading my review and I hope you get a chance to enjoy The Veritas Chronicles! I highly recommend them to 17+ young adults who also like Anne of Green Gables, poetry, Catholic contemporary fiction, lighthouses, nature, sentimentality, adventure, suspense, and friendship.
If you'd like to get a copy of Peter you can find it on Amazon! HERE!!
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