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Customer Reviews for Bethany House Amy Inspired
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Bethany House Amy Inspired
After countless rejection slips, aspiring writer Amy Gallagher settles for teaching English to pay the bills. She gets through a romantic breakup and a bout of creative self-doubt with the help of friends and family. But when secrets, tragedy, and poor decisions cause rifts in relationships, can she dare to hope for love . . . and more? 320 pages, softcover from Bethany.
Average Customer Rating:
(44 Reviews) 44
Rating Snapshot (44 reviews)
5 stars
5
4 stars
7
3 stars
11
2 stars
11
1 star
10
18 out of 4441%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Amy Inspired
Review 1 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
too mainstream
Date:October 17, 2012
Jeanne Marcoux
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality:
2
out of
5
Value:
2
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
There were too many pages of 'panties' 'bra' almost having sex, drinking guinness beer and questioning her male partner's choice of coke.
Not the kind of Christian book I am interersted in, a bit like Danielle Steele--a little zip of sexual inuendo to keep you interested.
I didn't finish the book.
Not the kind of Christian book I am interersted in, a bit like Danielle Steele--a little zip of sexual inuendo to keep you interested.
I didn't finish the book.
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Review 2 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
I do not recommend!!
Date:October 17, 2012
Mamaj
Location:California
Age:55-65
Gender:female
I tried for four days to read this book and a plot never developed. I was very disappointed and do not recommend anyone buying it. The author is not a good writer!
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Review 3 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
would not recommend
Date:July 5, 2012
aunt Di
Location:Oklahoma
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality:
3
out of
5
Value:
2
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
2
out of
5
this book was not really one I could recommend because it was difficult to read through to end . It did finally have a decent ending but it really just wasn't easy to follow the plot.
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Review 4 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Not as gripping as the picture on the cover
Date:April 30, 2012
God inspired Romantic
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality:
1
out of
5
Value:
1
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
Simply put: the author just couldn't make me care for this story or the main characters because of the way it was written.I just kept on skipping pages trying to finish the book. Just skip this one entirely.
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+3points
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Review 5 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Not my favorite!
Date:January 14, 2012
Quality:
2
out of
5
Value:
2
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
2
out of
5
I wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't. I like when I am reading a book and I hate to have to put it down. This book was hard for me to pick back up...I MADE myself finish it. Seemed long, tedious, and not inspiring in any way.
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Review 6 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Not Quite My Style
Date:December 8, 2011
Anonymous
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
1
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
This book at first looked interesting, a girl with my same name, aspiring writer
(my grandmother thought writing was my calling) so I figured I would enjoy reading it. Maybe it would inspire me. But... I'm sorry to say, I was disappointed. I didn't even read the whole book, because after reading a few chapters, my honest opinion was that there were many unnecessary things included in this "Christian" fiction. Not the kind of things that edify a Christian, or the kind of things I believe as a Christian we should "think on".
Yes, life at times, even for us as Christians can get tough, decisions can be hard, we make mistakes, and sometimes the fine line between black and white is a little hard to discover. In spite of that, I have read many good Christian novels that deal with real life issues, struggles, and reality, but edify at the same time. I believe a Christian novel should be distinctly different from other novels.
I would definitely suggest that you read various reviews before making a decision about reading this book. I personally wouldn't recommend this book.
*I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of my review. And I want to say that although this book was not appealing to my taste in literature, I have ready many books from Bethany House that I have thoroughly enjoyed.*
(my grandmother thought writing was my calling) so I figured I would enjoy reading it. Maybe it would inspire me. But... I'm sorry to say, I was disappointed. I didn't even read the whole book, because after reading a few chapters, my honest opinion was that there were many unnecessary things included in this "Christian" fiction. Not the kind of things that edify a Christian, or the kind of things I believe as a Christian we should "think on".
Yes, life at times, even for us as Christians can get tough, decisions can be hard, we make mistakes, and sometimes the fine line between black and white is a little hard to discover. In spite of that, I have read many good Christian novels that deal with real life issues, struggles, and reality, but edify at the same time. I believe a Christian novel should be distinctly different from other novels.
I would definitely suggest that you read various reviews before making a decision about reading this book. I personally wouldn't recommend this book.
*I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of my review. And I want to say that although this book was not appealing to my taste in literature, I have ready many books from Bethany House that I have thoroughly enjoyed.*
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+4points
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Review 7 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Verbose, boring, non-Christian, non-inspirational
Date:May 23, 2011
Quality:
1
out of
5
Value:
1
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
I purchased the book at a Chrsitian outlet store on a reduced sale table. As my son-in-law often reminds me, there is a reason so many of those were left behind.
The leading line of the back cover blurb describes the book - she could use a little inspiration. After three chapters could not find a plot or a reason to care enough to finish the book. Character appeared to have little morals or to be seeking any - unsure of point of the story. Skipped to last chapter and even that was boring. Disappointed that Bethany house would print a book with such such non-inspirational value. Could not recommend or pass on as inspirational reading.
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Review 8 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Date:May 11, 2011
Jona
Location:Boise, Idaho
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
“Amy Inspired” by Bethany Pierce
This book is about a young woman named Amy Gallagher who is an aspiring writer yet never is able to get anything published. Her roommate, Zoe, seems to have more potential as a writer than Amy does. Zoe brings home a friend, Eli who Amy becomes interested in. It seems all these characters are continuing to look for something to change in their lives. There are things in this story that I would not consider Christian Fiction! I didn’t care for this book and I cannot recommend it. This book was given to me to review from Bethany House.
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+1point
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Review 9 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Date:April 4, 2011
Quality:
1
out of
5
Value:
1
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
I have a funny way of picking books. It’s a mix of half interest, half discernment. When I saw this book on the shelf at Borders, the cover caught my eye. I didn’t read the blurb on the back and touched it every time I saw it, but never bought it. So when I was offered an opportunity to review it, I jumped at the chance and soon found it that my discernment was working. It was trying to tell me that I wouldn’t like the book.
Amy Gallagher is an inspiring writer struggling with the fact that she’s unpublished. She meets Eli, a mysterious man that intrigues her. Through her relationship with him and her other family and friends, she tries to reconcile her dreams with what is going on around her.
My chief complaint, and the one on which all my other complaints hang on, was plot pacing. More than once, I wondered where the plot was going or if it was going anywhere at all. Amy seems to meander through life with no clear direction of what she wants. The book didn’t give the sense of a clear beginning, middle and end. It was more like a string of random events Amy’s life. I think random is the best way to describe this book
The fact that the plot was hard to determine threw everything else in the book off kilter. The characters were engaging enough, but after a while, I stopped caring about them. Especially since I had no way to judge which events in Amy’s and the other character’s lives were significant. And I didn’t really get a sense of Amy’s character arc. She seemed as confused and random at the end of the book as she was at the beginning.
Sadly, I think the thing I enjoyed the most about this book was the setting. Pierce did a good job of describing the college town setting. Other than that, this book was a hard read.
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Review 10 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Not all I wanted it to be.
Date:March 31, 2011
Cindy Sears
Location:Sherman, NY
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality:
2
out of
5
Value:
3
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
2
out of
5
Amy is a 30 year old single aspiring to be a writer. She did her graduate studies at the school she is now an associate professor at. When she got done with her graduate work the school affered her a position and she took it. All she wants to do with her life though is write. Since the time she has been a little girl thats all she has ever wanted to do. Amy's life isn't what she wants and there is nothing that inspires her to write. Until after one of her students shares a personal tradgedy, her rommate losses her mother to cancer, and Amy looses a love interest is she able to write a short story. It took the whole book to get to this point and I am not sure it was worth it. I didn't enjoy the sandness of the book but this is my own personal opinion.
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Review 11 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Amy Searching....
Date:March 12, 2011
Quality:
2
out of
5
Value:
2
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
2
out of
5
Amy is an aspiring writer who keeps receiving rejection letters. She was even rejected by her boyfriend and co-worker. Here you have a woman of twenty-nine still trying to find herself. Amy is an English teacher and finds herself on the college campus most of the time. When she was little she made a list of what she wanted to become when she was older. Everything on the list was not to be. All she has left is writing and she feels as though she is failing at this also. We meet her roommate, Zoe, and other characters, but none of them really stuck with me. There was really nothing that ever stood out for me in this book. It left me wanting more. Questioning, "What did happen to, Amy?" We see Amy struggle to find herself, to find happiness. But she kept looking in all the wrong places. She was determined to find a man. She is accepting to allow her new friend, Eli, to move in with her. He too is searching. Amy is struggling with, Eli, so close because she is falling for him. But Eli has a girlfriend. She was looking everywhere for something to make her feel special, wanted and accepted. She had it all the time she just didn't choose to see it. For me, that is the message of this book. So, I would have liked to see more faith and more inspiration, but maybe that was just it, there wasn't any and that is what was missing. Amy was stuck in a rut. Just as we do in our lives. We search to something that completes us. The only One who will complete us is Jesus Christ. As Amy wanted acceptance from others, what she really needed was to accept herself.
When I read Christian Fiction I want to put the book down only to pick it back up again. I want to leave with a message and feel as though I just experienced God moving.
It is as though everyone in Amy's life is moving forward and finding blessings at every corner, except for her. I could see her struggle in that and the struggle of, Zoe, when she lost her mom. But this book held many things I didn't agree with on a Christian level. I so wanted to love this book as I too am an aspiring writer. I think Bethany Pierce is gifted in her writing. The reading did flow, but it just didn't flow into my heart as I wished it did. You may pick this book up and love it. I hope you do. I hope you give it a chance. Maybe you will find something inspiring and touching.
This book was a gift from Bethany House for it's review.
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Review 12 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Disappointing
Date:February 25, 2011
Brenda
Location:New Hampshire
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality:
2
out of
5
Value:
2
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
2
out of
5
The main character in the story, Amy, is on the search for who the "real Amy" is. . Amy is an aspiring writer who has fallen back on teaching English due to her mounting rejections. She is looking for a man who she can fall in love with, and feels like the rejections are piling up there too. It seems as though life all around her is moving forward and she is stuck. The author wrote a lot about mature matters, and was rather obsessive about body parts, in my view. Not what I expect when I read Christian fiction. Unmarried, unrelated, young men and women living in the same apartment go against my beliefs.
My Thoughts: I really did not care for this book. It did not keep my interest; I had to make myself read it. It was written in first person, and just did not grab me. I really did not understand why this was considered Christian Fiction. There were several things that went against Christian beliefs and this was disappointing to me. In my opinion it could pass as Secular Fiction.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
My Thoughts: I really did not care for this book. It did not keep my interest; I had to make myself read it. It was written in first person, and just did not grab me. I really did not understand why this was considered Christian Fiction. There were several things that went against Christian beliefs and this was disappointing to me. In my opinion it could pass as Secular Fiction.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Review 13 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Date:February 21, 2011
First of all I have to say, thank you to Bethany House for providing this book for review. Now on to the book, it was the first book I have read by Bethany Pierce, and it really pushed the envelope for Christian fiction. The author wrote alot about mature matters, and was rather obsessive about body parts, in my view. Not what I expect when I read Christian fiction.
The story line was interesting, but often hard to follow with examples of the fictional character's writing. Ms. Pierce did portray the true friendship between Amy and her roomate Zoe, and you felt the anguish of the loss of Zoe's mother. The friendship between the roomates was beautifully portrayed and you felt they were very real with each other, a true friendship, like you and I experience in our own lives. The need to fall in love and the need to be recognized for our accomplishments is something we all face, just as Amy Gallagher does in this story.
While it was the first story I have read by this author, and even though this story was not one I favored, I will read her again. There is a group discussion at the end of the book. 318 pages 3 stars. $14.99
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Review 14 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Somewhat Uninspiring
Date:February 20, 2011
Quality:
3
out of
5
Value:
3
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
2
out of
5
I have to confess that I have struggled more with this book review than any other I have written thus far and, consequently, have dragged my feet about posting my review. I have read many glowing reviews of Amy Inspired, but I have to say that I just don't feel the same way. I really struggled to read and become engrossed in the story line. The characters just didn't seem to come alive to me and the interaction between them seemed artificial.
There were elements in this book that just don't coincide with my perception of right and wrong. Unmarried, unrelated, young men and women living in the same apartment goes against my sense of propriety. The Bible admonishes us, in 1 Thessalonians 5:22, to "abstain from all appearance of evil." (KJV) We are also cautioned, in Romans 14:16, to "let not then your good be evil spoken of." In light of these two scriptures, I felt conflict over some elements of the story and that detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book. Perhaps I must chalk it up to my advanced age and the fact that I am extremely conservative in my views.
I am vastly outnumbered in my opinion of Amy Inspired and that is fine because we all know that a book that one person loves, another will detest, and vice versa.
A copy of this book was provided to me for review purposes. I was in no way obligated to provide a positive review and all statements contained herein are my honest opinion. I received no compensation in any form for providing my review.
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Review 15 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Good Book
Date:February 9, 2011
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
I really enjoyed this book. The writing was fresh and original, and, though not my normal taste, I really liked it. I could relate to Amy on many points, and looked forward to seeing her grow throughout the book. However, although her character did grow, it was very subtle and in some instances I didn’t feel she had a strong conclusion. It was more like a small piece of a person’s life than a changed character by the end of the book. She still had a lot of growing to do, and I felt like there wasn’t a solid resolution to some of her questions about her faith.
The writing was very frank, and I liked the tell-it-like-it-is approach she took to things. (However on some issues, I know this will make people uncomfortable, especially younger readers.) The book had what I call an “open” ending. It leaves the reader with the option of imagining the specifics of the ending, rather than tying up all the loose ends itself. I think readers who tend to like chick-lit type books will find this story best to their liking.
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Review 16 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Okay Read
Date:January 24, 2011
Amy Inspired is a contemporary fiction novel, written by Bethany Pierce. The main character in the story, Amy, is on the search for who the "real Amy" is. She is an inspiring writer who has piled up the rejection letters. She is looking for a man who she can fall in love with, and feels like the rejections are piling up there too. It seems as though life all around her is moving forward and she is stuck. No movement at all.
This book features witty and charming characters, such as Amy's roommate Zoe. A mysterious, yet unavailable, Eli and a coworker named Everett. However, even with the fun cast of characters, the story seemed to be missing something for me. Perhaps it was too cliched (the almost 30 year old trying to find herself before her 30th birthday ). And the ending left me hoping for more. I would have liked it to be a more definitive ending. Where did Amy end up?
This is an easy and quick read. I didn't struggle to get through it. The writing was done well and it was only when I got to the end of the book and reflected on it that I felt it was a bit to cliche and lacked an ending. It would be a perfect book for when you are looking for a quick read or a book you can get lost in (but be able to put down to make supper!).
This book is published by Bethany House. This is Pierce's debut novel, and I expect to see more of her in the future.
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Review 17 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Would not consider this Christian fiction
Date:January 18, 2011
Denny
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality:
1
out of
5
Value:
1
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
Very disappointing. I fail to see what makes this Christian Fiction.
When I read Christian fiction, I expect to be drawn closer to Christ by the author or at least see how the author uses the story to show a Christian perspection. There was very little of this in the book in my opinion. I actually thought it pulled more away from Christian ideals. So sorry to give such a negative review but I think it would have been enjoyable had it not been for my expectations that it would be Christian fiction.
When I read Christian fiction, I expect to be drawn closer to Christ by the author or at least see how the author uses the story to show a Christian perspection. There was very little of this in the book in my opinion. I actually thought it pulled more away from Christian ideals. So sorry to give such a negative review but I think it would have been enjoyable had it not been for my expectations that it would be Christian fiction.
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Review 18 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
I was quite disappointed in this novel.
Date:January 12, 2011
Quality:
2
out of
5
Value:
2
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
“Amy Inspired” by Bethany Pierce is a novel about a young 29-year-old lady by the name of Amy Gallagher set mostly on the college campus. Amy is an aspiring writer who has fallen back on teaching English due to her mounting rejections. Amy likes to be in control and likes to be organized. There is a plan and purpose to everything and she keeps notes on all of it, but her life seems to be going nowhere.
Her brother has wedding plans, her mom has a new boyfriend and Amy is still alone. Her best friend Zoe has no problems with writing stories everyday with several of them being published, but not Amy, she has a notebook of rejections.
Eli, one of Zoe’s friends needing a place to land moves in with Amy and Zoe. He tends to go against Amy’s upbringing and she resists a lot of interaction with Eli until he is gone and she realizes how much she misses him, how she is tired of the safe route.
My Thoughts: I really did not care for this book. It did not keep my interest; I had to make myself read it. It was written in first person, and just did not grab me. I really did not understand why this was considered Christian Fiction. There were several things that went against Christian beliefs and this was disappointing to me. In my opinion it could pass as Secular Fiction.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Review 19 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Not What I Expected...Great Book!
Date:January 11, 2011
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Wow! When I was given the opportunity to review this book for Bethany House Publishers, I hesitantly chose this one as one of the ones I wanted to review. To be completely honest, the book didn't intrigue me because the cover wasn't that pretty or telling of the book. Because of that reason, I put off reading this book and now I wish that I had picked it up right away. It was such a good book to read and I could see a little bit of myself in Amy. Amy makes lists and then lists of lists and then lists of lists of lists. She has hit 30, has not been published, has no boyfriend, and now Zoe (her roommate and friend), her mother, brother, and even co-workers are moving on without her. She isn't for sure about her purpose and gets stuck in the monotonous routine. When Eli moves in with them because of his place being infested with bedbugs, she realizes that she likes him. However, he is dating Zoe's former roommate, Jillian. When they do admit their feelings to each other, Amy gets scared because he resembles some things of her past, or so she thinks. The big question is whether or not she will allow herself to change, not just physically and emotionally, but also spiritually. She has to first come to realize how deep her faith in God really is.
________________
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers to review.
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Review 20 for Amy Inspired
Overall Rating:
Debut novel with identity crisis
Date:January 11, 2011
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
3
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
2
out of
5
Amy Inspired by Bethany Pierce is a quirky debut novel. Amy Gallagher has long desired to be a writer, but she has settled for teaching courses at a college and trying to write in her spare time. Her roommate Zoe has no trouble with writer's block, and Amy admires her faith in God and insistence in living life on her terms. When Zoe allows a friend, Eli a struggling artist, to move in to their apartment until he can find a job. Amy tries to fight her attraction to Eli because of his girlfriend, but also because he represents everything she hates in men: he's tattooed, scruffy, has long hair, and doesn't have a job. Meanwhile, her writing and her life have something in common: both are going nowhere. Pierce's writing is nearly impossible to define or describe. Amy's character is very real; she knows what she wants but has absolutely no idea how to get there, and she feels like something is missing from her life. Zoe is a crunchy Christian who eats vegan, recycles, and takes care of those around her, whether they want her help or not, but she's hiding the terrible pain and fear of losing her mother to breast cancer. The two best friends fight each other and God as they try to figure out what it really means to be a Christian. Pierce has done a remarkable job accurately rendering the state of Gen X Christians, but the book is hard to qualify as a romance, drama, or chick lit. It has aspects of each, but they are a bit muddled. The story is worth the read however to watch Amy travel from completely lost to Amy Inspired
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