Heart of Belonging - by C J Darlington (Paperback)

About the Book

"Heart of Belonging is the sixth book in a series that travels alongside four friends as they deal with teen life in Riverbend, Indiana. The novel inspires young women to deepen their relationships with God as they face real-life issues and solve their problems in God-honoring ways. Shay desperately wants to feel loved and wanted to be part of a real family. She thought that finally meeting her real father, a famous horse trainer, might change her life for the better. And it did. Sort of. She's more inspired to work with horses now, for sure, but a normal family like her friends talk about doesn't seem like it's in her future. Living with her aunt and working with horses every day doesn't seem to give her the love and acceptance that she longs for. So Shay finds looks herself looking for acceptance elsewhere on the internet, looking at stuff she doesn't think she can ever tell anyone about. She's ashamed of where this takes her, and she suspects her friends, especially Izzy, would reject her if they found out. Can Shay begin to recognize the blessings she already has that God's true love, the acceptance of her friends, and the kindness of her aunt might just be enough?"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Heart of Belonging is the sixth book in a series that travels alongside four friends as they deal with teen life in Riverbend, Indiana. The novel inspires young women to deepen their relationships with God as they face real-life issues and solve their problems in God-honoring ways.

Shay desperately wants to feel loved and wanted--to be part of a real family. She thought that finally meeting her real father, a famous horse trainer, might change her life for the better. And it did. Sort of. She's more inspired to work with horses now, for sure, but a "normal" family--like her friends talk about--doesn't seem like it's in her future. Living with her aunt and working with horses every day doesn't seem to give her the love and acceptance that she longs for.

So Shay finds looks herself looking for acceptance elsewhere--on the internet, looking at stuff she doesn't think she can ever tell anyone about. She's ashamed of where this takes her, and she suspects her friends, especially Izzy, would reject her if they found out.

Can Shay begin to recognize the blessings she already has--that God's true love, the acceptance of her friends, and the kindness of her aunt might just be enough?

From the Back Cover

"Shay, tell us the truth. Were you looking at this stuff?"

Shay has a dream, one that doesn't feel unreasonable for a good girl in a small town. She wants to be part of a normal family, to experience genuine love and acceptance. She thought that finally meeting her real father, a famous horse trainer, might change her life. And it did. Sort of. She is more inspired to work with horses. And while she mostly enjoys living with her aunt and hanging out with her friends, it doesn't feel like the kind of "normal" everyone else gets to have.

Shay is tired of being the good, quiet girl, the one who sits in a corner and takes whatever comes her way. She wants to get away, to escape to a place where everything else--the sadness, the loneliness, the loss--fades away.

Review Quotes

Of special interest to young readers... with an interest in Christian values and peer pressure, "Heart of Belonging" is highly recommended for middle school, high school, and community library teenage fiction collections.--Midwest Book Review