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Customer Reviews for Multnomah Publishers, Inc. Splitting Harriet
Multnomah Publishers, Inc. Splitting Harriet
Once upon a time, I was a rebel. And I have the tattoo to prove it.Then there was the spiked hair-the shade of which changed monthly-"colorful" language that can't be found in your everyday sixteen-count crayon box, a pack-a-day habit, less-than-modest wardrobe, and an obsession with guitar-trashing, drum-bashing music.Did I mention I'm also a preacher's kid? That's right. And like the prodigal son after whom I modeled myself, I finally saw the error of my ways and returned to the fold.
Average Customer Rating:
(16 Reviews) 16
Rating Snapshot (16 reviews)
5 stars
15
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
1
2 out of 367%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Splitting Harriet
Review 1 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:September 14, 2012
Rachel
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Very enjoyable read. Would recommend this book and the author.
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Review 2 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Downer
Date:September 13, 2012
Proud2Read
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality:
1
out of
5
Value:
1
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
Did not like the book very poor judgment on the author’s part.
Why would anyone attend a church service where the need to entertain man was more important than God’s word ?????????????
The jelly bean think was way over done. I was hoping that Harriet would come to an understanding, for herself, that reading the bible and following God’s instruction are more important than how many days before you could buy more jelly beans or watch a TV program.
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Review 3 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:June 7, 2011
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This is the story of Harriet, a preacher's kid/prodigal daughter, who comes back to Christ after a few years of teenage-rebellion against her family and the congregation at which her father ministered.
Having promised God never to go back to the way she had been, Harri is now the director of women's ministry at her father's old church. She sets herself in a place and with people that will not lead her to temptation, ie. she lives in a senior's mobile home park, hangs out mostly with women three times her age, and keeps herself of all temptation by eating tons of jelly bellys.
For eight years, she is able to keep a routine that keeps her away from the old-Harri she had been, but when changes start happening at First Grace, her father's old church, when a new pastor arrives and a consultant (who drives a motorcycle and has a tattoo) is hired, Harri's world is turned upside down. Feeling threatened by these changes and fearing that her old ways will come back to the surface, as someone from her past said: "you can take them out of the bar, but you can't take the bar out of them", Harri struggles to keep the status quo.
This book is great for people who have had a rough and rebellious past, just as Harri's, and still struggle sometimes to realize that they have been fully forgiven, not by their actions, but simply by the Grace of God. It is also great for the kind of people who are fast to speak in their anger and who sometimes end up regretting what they say...just like Harri.
Great book. Really fun to read. Entertaining. Good message. Loved it!
Having promised God never to go back to the way she had been, Harri is now the director of women's ministry at her father's old church. She sets herself in a place and with people that will not lead her to temptation, ie. she lives in a senior's mobile home park, hangs out mostly with women three times her age, and keeps herself of all temptation by eating tons of jelly bellys.
For eight years, she is able to keep a routine that keeps her away from the old-Harri she had been, but when changes start happening at First Grace, her father's old church, when a new pastor arrives and a consultant (who drives a motorcycle and has a tattoo) is hired, Harri's world is turned upside down. Feeling threatened by these changes and fearing that her old ways will come back to the surface, as someone from her past said: "you can take them out of the bar, but you can't take the bar out of them", Harri struggles to keep the status quo.
This book is great for people who have had a rough and rebellious past, just as Harri's, and still struggle sometimes to realize that they have been fully forgiven, not by their actions, but simply by the Grace of God. It is also great for the kind of people who are fast to speak in their anger and who sometimes end up regretting what they say...just like Harri.
Great book. Really fun to read. Entertaining. Good message. Loved it!
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Review 4 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:June 23, 2009
Stephanie Torres
Very entertaining. A quick read. I've read another book by the author and enjoy her wit and style. The plot does mimic in some ways, the other novel, but is still very enjoyable. The author does a great job with character development.
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Review 5 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:March 8, 2009
I was never a rebel. However, I could identify strongly with Harriet because I am a recovering legalist who sometimes still uses religious rules to keep herself from God being "mad" at her. That's one of the reason I loved this book. Harriet is an engaging, funny, empathetic character who I don't have much in common with beyond the legalism thing, but who I loved getting to know. For instance, she made me want to try Jelly Bellies. :) Maddox is well-developed, too, and a true representation of the fact that all Christians don't, and shouldn't, look the same. I think he and Harriet make such a great couple! The senior citizen community sometimes stifled me as much as it did Harri, which I didn't like, but otherwise, this one was fabulous. I can't wait to read Tamara's next book.
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Review 6 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:May 30, 2008
Samantha
I could definately identify with Harriet! I am a PK,approx. her age... and though our situations have been different, I feel her pain and her laughter.Excellent read.
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Review 7 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:April 27, 2008
Jill Johnson
"Splitting Harriet" was a refreshing change for the genre of chick lit, which usually focuses on high name fashion and outlandish shopping. While I enjoy that for a light read, at times, I loved that Leigh's "Splitting Harriet," created characters that the common woman (and man) could relate to. As a woman struggling with church issues, I appreciated Harriet's struggles with change in the church...as well as her struggles to not return to her "old life." She had rebelled, come back, but was still trying to prove to herself (and her brother) that she had changed...and that she wasn't going back. Real life struggles like many of us have. Leigh's sense of humor had me cracking up, between Jelly Belly meltdowns and cat-caused chaos. The romantic tension between Harriet and bad-boy-redeemed Maddox had me cheering them on. But I also blame Leigh for my lack of sleep, as I couldn't turn off the light until I had finished the last page
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Review 8 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:February 28, 2008
This was my first book to read by Tamara Leigh. I loved it! In my opinion, 'chick lit' is sometimes too light and very superficial but in this book that was not so. I really enjoyed getting to know Harriet and her struggles. A definite must read! I'm off to read some more of Tamara Leigh!
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Review 9 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:January 10, 2008
J. M. Hochstetler
Tamara Leigh has become one of my favorite authors--and I typically don't like this genre very much, so that tells you something. But she really brings her characters to life in a way that makes you keep turning pages to see what happens next. And anyone who has grown up in a church can really, really relate to this story. Harriet's angst is completely believable, and I was rooting for Maddox to win her over from beginning to end! If you loved Stealing Adda and Perfecting Kate, you're going to love Splitting Harriet just as much!
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Review 10 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:December 27, 2007
k. Harris
Harriet Josephine Bisset was a rebellious PK (Preacher's Kid) and now struggles to find forgiveness for her scandalous past. The cast of characters who parade through her present life provide the seasoning for Harri's stew. Not the least of which are two potential suitors vying for her attention, two grumpy cats and a neighborhood of retirees who watch over her as if she were a member of their own families. Tamara Leigh provides a generous dose of romance, career challenges and familial friction for her protagonist to navigate throughout the tale. It's almost too much for twenty-seven year old Harri, who is floundering to find her true self. In the end, however, it's the real, if not predictable, Harri - a motorcycle riding, high-flying, risk-taker - who emerges victor in her schizophrenic tussle for peace of mind. If that sounds dangerous for a Christian fiction work, give Splitting Harriet a spin around the block. You will be reminded that forgiveness is by grace, servanthood can come from weakness and, when it comes to God, our plans are subject to change - for the better.
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Review 11 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:November 26, 2007
This is the first book I've ever read by Tamara Leigh, and I loved it! While it is written in a style that is now termed "chick-lit", it touches on some very real issues in the Christian walk. She does an outstanding job capturing the conflict between traditional and contemporary services going on in many churches today. Most importantly, Tamara shows the freedom that comes with accepting the forgiveness we receive through Christ and the awesome transformation our lives undergo when we learn to trust Him with our dreams!! I LOVED the book and highly recommend it to others!
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Review 12 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:November 12, 2007
Splitting Harriet not only has a catchy title, but it really fits the story. I am always impressed when an author comes up with a title that truly represents the book. And the cover captures the meat of the story as well. This is one awesome chick lit novel that has all of the ingredients you want to see in a Christian book. Romantic tension, first person internal dialog that flows naturally, tough decisions, and spiritual growth. Her fears were realistic given her past, but she needed to learn to trust in order to grow.Watching Harriet grow in the Lord was a beautiful thing to experience as I read this novel. I loved Harri's personality, her quirks, her issues with cats, her imperfect past, her striving to do the right thing, and fearing that the "old man" would return if she gave in to her passions. She was a fabulous and lovable character. I'm sad the story had to end. I read the book in less than three days, so you know it was awesome. The humor was LOL funny, especially when she started noticing the hero's flaws more when she was irritated with him. Example: Why did his nose suddenly seem longer?And Harri was never mean in her thoughts towards others. Honest, yes. But never mean. Even her own negative thoughts about herself were well done. Snappy, but not snippy. Great internal dialog. Harri is a lot like me. She wants to do the right thing, but sometimes selfishness blocks her progress. She's human after all. Wait, she's a fictional character. But she seemed so real! I highly recommend Splitting Harriet. Nothing forced or contrived in this story. NOT a thing!
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Review 13 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:November 12, 2007
Harriet Bisset is trapped by the guilt of her past, forever trying to make amends for the grief her rebellion caused her family and church community. Terrified of falling from grace once again, Harriet has immersed herself in doing good, socializing only with the elderly community in which she lives, addicted to Jelly Bellies rather than cigarettes and staying well clear of the opposite sex, at any cost.Maddox McCray is a church consultant hired to bring Harri's declining church into the 21st century. A former bad boy himself, Maddox has experienced God's grace in his life and hopes to share that forgiveness and freedom with others. As Maddox gently makes changes to First Grace, Harri and her older friends are soon in uproar over the discarding of the creaking organ, allowing scrap bookers to come alongside quilters and the horrific suggestion of dual services!Splitting Harriet is a wonderfully entertaining read with a message of deep spiritual importance. Tamara's characterization is exquisite from Harriet to Maddox, the uncompromising Bea and the floundering pastor's kid, Anna. I was invested in each of their stories as the tension arising from the changing of traditions and incorporation of new ideas inspires some at First Grace and terrifies others. The attraction between Maddox and Harri is captivating as Harri's fears of returning to her past poor choices torment her and impact on her relationship with Maddox and her long suffering brother Tyler. The dialog is so authentic, I ached for Harri, cheered for Maddox and felt deeply for Bea. While peppered with humor and wonderful characters, it is the lasting message of God's grace and forgiveness that has stayed with me. You don't want to miss all that Splitting Harriet has to offer!
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Review 14 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:November 12, 2007
This book started off with a drunken PK throwing up in a bar. Not your typical opening for a Christian fiction book. Normally when you read about churches who face potential splits due to a younger pastor trying to change things, the ones against change are always older members. So it was a twist to have the lead protester be a 27 year old. Writing books about churches trying to modernize can be a touchy subject. The reader might not agree with the way the author is trying to make her main character side. Harriet seemed though only to want to stay with the older traditional church because it was safe and wouldn't tempt her back to her old ways. Never mind that her faith wasn't actually growing. I liked how she was portrayed as reading a Bible a year but never fully grasped what she was actually reading. I understand that she was scared of slipping back to being a rebel but at the same time she was hurting herself. I love Maddox's character because he was a wonderful portrayal of a Christian who is fully committed yet is ok with being outside of the box. The protesters' attempts to stop the church from changing drove me nuts at first especially a certain organ player. But when you read about why they're against the change, it makes you feel more sympathetically for them. I appreciated the mentions that we shouldn't put Pastor's Kids on a higher pedestal. It's hard for them to grow up in an atmosphere where everyone judges them for what they do and then criticize their parents for the way they act. I also love all the Jelly Bellys in this book! Being a huge Jelly Belly fan myself, I envied Harriet and her big tub. I know I keep declaring books "best of the year" but this one definately deserves to be at the top of the list. It's a fun, fast, witty read with engaging characters, hilarious moments, and been there down that situations. Perfect chick lit read to enjoy during these cold winter months.
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Review 15 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:November 2, 2007
Harriet Bisset is a reformed rebel. The only thing worse than being a rebel is being one when you were a preacher's kid. While she knows (in her head) she's forgiven, she's been unable to truly accept it and is living a tightly constructed life eight years later.The only problem is that life is getting ready to change. The church her dad founded has hired a church consultant, and he's shaking things up. And Harriet, when she's honest with herself.Harriet is a character who is trying so hard to do all the right things in her own strength. She lives with the reality of the depths she fell to eight years earlier, and is determined not to get one millimeter close to that line again. The problem is she wants to. Who can't relate to that?!?! The knowing where we should be, but the longing to explore while crippled by fear that if we start, we won't be able to stop!Tamara Leigh does a masterful job of walking her character through the needed evolution without becoming preachy. And the book is made more powerful for it. Now don't get me wrong, she works in a church and her life revolves around God. But she's fully human with quirks and foilables I loved.
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Review 16 for Splitting Harriet
Overall Rating:
Date:October 21, 2007
As the daughter of a minister in Franklin, Tennessee, Harriet Bisset was expected to behave with utmost decorum. Instead as a teen she was the poster child for open rebellion.Now twenty-seven years old, the former running wild as a child displays prim and proper behavior even working part-time as the women's ministry director at her fathers church First Grace. She also earns money as a waitress at Gloria's Morning Caf, which she hopes to one day own. Her church hires reformed bad boy Maddox McCray to help bring new members to the congregation. As he brings in innovative ideas like music and computers, Harriet worries about the impact his changes will make on her. Worse he pushes her buttons as he wants more of the bad girl persona that he senses underneath her image. He is attracted to the woman who is addicted to jelly belly and detests the ministers daughter running from a jelly belly.This interestring chick lit inspirational romance argues that the way to bring young people into the Church is through modern technology like computer access and music; this is not a new assertion, but makes a strong case that contemporary marketing is needed before more of the next generation seeks a different Word in the electronics. Harriet is terrific as she feels split between her rebellious youth that Maddox encourages and her prime and proper adult behavior that her dad supports. SPLITTING HARRIET between the men in her life leads to a humorous with a serious metaphoric geometric leap in her addiction to jelly beans. With a deep look at this young woman caught between traditionalism and modernization, Tamara Leigh provides an enjoyable tale; of course her first name doesnt hurt her rating.Harriet Klausner
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