When Susie discovers she is pregnant, she has no idea who the father is. She considers having an abortion, but decides to place her baby for adoption instead. Following through ends up being more wrenching than she'd imagined, but she's determined to do the right thing for her baby.
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 19 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jennifer AlLee (Las Vegas, NV), October 30, 2009
In It's Not About Him, Susie must deal not only with the heartbreaking decision to give her baby up for adoption, but the aftermath of that choice. Meanwhile, Jeff feels guilty for not protecting her. Adopted himself and longing to find his birth mother, Jeff doesn't want to see another child go through what he has and tries to convince Susie not to go through with it. In the end, Susie and Jeff discover it's not about either one of them. It's about what's best for the baby. And through their sacrifice, God works all things to good in their own lives.
Michelle Sutton creates real characters who act the way real people would. She doesn't shy away from the ugly truths or the cold hard facts. Young people can relate to her characters, because they speak from the heart.
Michelle dedicates this book to mothers who have recognized the needs of their children and chosen adoption over abortion. As one of those women, I'd like to thank Michelle for addressing such a sensitive subject with such honesty and compasion.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Christy Lockstein (Oconto Falls, WIsconsin), October 01, 2009
It's Not About Him by Michelle Sutton is the second book in the Second Glances series. Susie Ziglar is trying to make the best of the horrific situation she's found herself in. After passing out drunk at a party, she was raped and ended up pregnant. While at first she was determined to abort the baby, she instead ending up giving her life to God and decided to put the baby up for adoption. She just wants to do what's right for a change, and that means keeping her distance from Jeff, despite his insistence that he loves her and wants to marry her. Jeff also recently gave up his hard-partying ways and turned to God, and now he wants to make a life with the beautiful woman Susie has become. Sutton depiction of a woman's decision to put her child up for adoption with exquisite attention to detail: Susie's gut-wrenching pain, occasional worries that she made the wrong decision, and fierce determination to do what's right for her child are brilliantly rendered. Susie and Jeff's romance happens in stutters and leaps and huge steps backwards, making it realistic and sweet. Sutton has a special talent for dialogue; she doesn't keep it squeaky clean, but keeps it real. I could easily hear the characters talking to each other. She also portrays well the struggle that men have with the temptation women present with revealing clothing. It's a gritty, realistic view of twenty-somethings, but with a message of hope.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sally (Odessa, FL), September 30, 2009
When confronted with an unwanted pregnancy, the decision to abort is often the answer, but this book presents another solution: adoption and looks into the complexities of that decision. I like that the baby becomes a focus of the decision.
This easy-to-read Christian fiction is not just for young adults; this senior citizen enjoyed reading it. In addition to looking closely at an edgy problem, romance blooms, bringing a roller coaster of emotions. Although it is the second in the series, it can be read without having read the first title, It's Not About Me. Discussion questions are included.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Priscilla McCarthy (Largo, FL), September 26, 2009
From the first page l was reeled in like a fish that couldn't get away. My heart ached for Susie, but at the same time l was overjoyed at her decision to do the right thing. I got all choked up when Susie had a dream and came to terms that the Lord was doing good out of something evil... So l was crying for her joy and for her coming to peace with the fact that it was His will. In fact, I went through an entire box of tissues as I read this story nearly straight through! This book touches me in so many personal ways because l am an adoptive parent and I also have a bff who placed her child up for adoption when she was 16. So l was really able to connect with Susie and her stuggles. She had some hard decisions to make. The book is well written, and it is well worded for the mature teen to read. The author really has a way with words that just keeps you begging for more of the story.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jason Jarvis (Sierra Vista, AZ), September 06, 2009
Michelle Sutton did it again-after "It's not about me" I was left wanting more. This call was answered with "It's not about him." Just when you think you figured out how the story is going to go, Sutton surprises the reader with a different twist. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it only took me a day to finish. I wish I had these books back when I was still teaching Sunday School, they would have come in handy, I'm sure. Great Job!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lynn Rush (Arizona), September 04, 2009
Michelle Sutton does a fantastic job on this second book in her Second Glances Series. At times Susie drove me bonkers with her indecision. But you know what? It was accurate. With Susie's family history and what she was facing being a Christian, unwed, and pregnant . . . To see an accurate description of the struggles Christians face, because we are not a perfect people, was refreshing.
I loved watching how Jeff transformed throughout the novel as well. He came from a partying background and just because he became a Christian, it didn't make all that go away. Memories, temptations, etc. To see how he handled those and grew through setbacks and temptations was true to reality in my opinion.
And of course, the romance. Yes, I loved the romantic elements to this novel too. Some parts were pretty steamy, but I enjoyed how Michelle tastefully painted the word pictures.
So, yeah, go out and buy it
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kathi Macias (Homeland, CA), September 01, 2009
Way to go, Michelle! Once again you've written to teens and young people right where they're at, and It's Not About Him is the perfect follow-up to It's Not About Me. I appreciate authors who aren't afraid to tackle real-life issues, and this "not about" series certainly qualifies. Congratulations!
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Rel Mollet (Australia), June 29, 2009
Authentic and confronting, emotive and compelling, Michelle Sutton's It's Not About Him takes the reader on a journey of heartache and hope as Susie and Jeff battle fear, temptation and despair. Michelle vividly exposes the frailties of the human heart with a frankness rarely seen as her characters struggle with rape, alcoholism, promiscuity and failing God's call on their lives. Susie, Jeff and Tony experience the painful consequences of their choices, grappling with the true meaning of living by faith and the sacrifices love demands. Despite the difficult subject matter, hope and forgiveness lie at the heart of this novel, offering today's young adults the promise of a restored heart and mind through a relationship with Jesus. It's Not About Him is a brave and riveting story.
View all 19 Reviews
Write a review of #2: It's Not About Him
Catalog Shopping
Membership
