Book Review

Have you ever known a bully? Ever been bullied? Then you know the kind of hurt a bully can inflict on a person's heart.

But have you ever dug down to understand why someone would want to be a bully. To act like they are better than others? A Chance at Forever by Melissa Jagears is a story about a young man who was the school bully growing up. Yet when he returns to his hometown, trying to make restitution for the way he treated his childhood classmates, he finds that people's memory are very long.

Mercy McClain works in the local orphanage and serves on the school board. When Aaron Firebrook seeks a position as a teacher, Mercy remembers him as the boy who tormented her and made fun of her disability during their school years. Although Aaron seeks forgiveness for those he has wronged, Mercy does not believe he has changed.  Her mistrust blocks his acquiring the position, but in a twist of circumstances, Mercy is forced to examine Aaron and discovers that maybe people do change.

The characters in this book were developed and well thought out. Sometimes God says "no" to our requests, but in the end it is usually for our good and His glory. What we learn by our past mistakes can help others who may be on the same path. Learning to forgive when we've been hurt is sometimes hard, yet it brings peace.

Melissa Jagears did an excellent job of conveying deep feelings and emotions of her characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.