Doesn't She Look Natural?

Jennifer Graham was working as an aid for one of the top senators in the country. But her life is soon changed when her husband divorces her and she has to take custody of their two sons and move in with her mother. Funds are getting low without the support from her ex-husband. Just when Jennifer's about to give up, she learns that she's the recipient of the most unusual inheritance. A distant relative has left her the Fairlawn Funeral Home in small town Florida. Jennifer uproots her family from the big city to go see what she can salvage from this deal. Once they get to their new destination, they soon learn how their lives will be changed forever. This was one of the most interesting concepts I had heard for a book. A story set in a funeral home? Two things came to mind: "My Girl" and every horror movie about dead people. Luckily this book was more the former than the latter. Jennifer was definitely more braver than I ever would be about living in a funeral home. Not that I have anything against the dead, but sharing my living space with them is not an ideal situation. I also love the cover for this book. It's very unique and really catches your eye. I think it's a book that you can't help but notice on the shelf because of the cover. It looks whimsical and chick lit-like but the story is more intense and serious. Many Christian novels do not portray those who are divorced in a positive light. It seems that the thinking of "forgive and forget" is still prevalent in a lot of people. Never mind that people were unfaithful or abusive, wives especially seem to be shown as being the one at fault. So it was refreshing in this story to see that the main character is divorced but not because she wants it. The novel is also written uniquely: both in first person from Jennifer's POV and from the other character's viewpoints as well. That way you could see things from everyone's perspective. The ending of this story is very shocking and really affects the reader as well as the characters. The characters are very memorable, each with their own quirks that will captivate the reader. This story is typical Angela Hunt: wonderfully written, a unique storyline and a message that will have an effect on you long after you finish the book. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Until then, I shall continue to ponder over what I learned from this book. Highly recommended.

Doesn't She Look Natural lives up to Angela Hunt's "Expect the Unexpected" reputation. Not only did this story entertain and pull me into the lives of a family in the midst of a huge season of testing and trial -- it also challenged me spiritually and twisted my heart. The novel cover feels very Chick-Lit and the story is full of quirky characters behaving quirkily, but "Natural" is not a syrupy read. Set in a dilapidated funeral home in muggy Florida, there are elements of downright creepiness. Several moments of suspense had me holding my breath and turning pages. I find death and forensics fascinating and loved all the interesting details provided by Angie for my vicarious pleasure. Family issues brought on by pain and sin were heartbreakingly real. But light moments and bittersweet tenderness peppered the narrative. I raised a son, so the scenes with the boys brought smiles or tears as Angie described boy-behavior spot-on. Jennifer and her mother, Joella, were a little more difficult for me to embrace. Both sprouted some prickly exteriors and pricklier attitudes, but the changes within their relationship as they sorted out the details of Jennifer's devastation, made me almost stand up and cheer for them. The women at the conclusion of the final satisfying page were women I'd choose as friends. This grown-up Chick-Lit is a delightful and thought-provoking read. I highly recommend it. Although the subject matter of divorce, infidelity and death is handled with dignity,those who are extremely squeamish or sensitive should be aware that Natural is not pure escapism. Fans of Angie Hunt should not be disappointed. Nor should fans of solid, honest, gut-level well-written fiction that just happens to contain abundant grace and hope.

Jennifer Graham never expected to be a single mom, but that's exactly what happens when her husband leaves her for their nanny and serves her with divorce papers. Left reeling and clinging to a faint hope for reconciliation, she quits her high profile job on Capitol Hill in order to re-group and care for her two sons. While the divorce is being finalized, Jennifer and her boys move in with her mother -- a temporary fix that puts additional strain on their already often-volatile relationship. When the job hunt yields no leads, Jennifer is thrilled to learn that a great-uncle she never knew existed names her as his sole heir. However, when the inheritance turns out to be a dilapidated funeral home, and the prospects for flipping it with a profit on the real estate market are nil unless she undertakes major renovations, Jennifer's life takes a turn she never saw coming. Though the cover has a wonderfully retro, chick-lit feel to it, the first Fairlawn novel is anything but easily dismissed "fluff." Doesn't She Look Natural? is a completely engrossing novel, the poignant and often funny story of Jennifer's journey to yield her will to God's greater plan for her life. She's an entirely relatable heroine -- a believer whose life has gotten so busy she's forgotten how to be still and listen for that still, small voice of God. Every character and relationship in this novel is so well-drawn they practically leap living and breathing from the page. Hunt outdoes herself in the creation of Mt. Dora -- the town and its people possess an undeniable quirky charm, but they never fall into the realm of caricatures. And Jennifer's rather prickly relationship with her mother is one that I think will ring true for a lot of women. Their journey towards a greater understanding and appreciation of each other is one of the novel's greatest strengths. Hunt's use of a mortuary as the catalyst for Jennifer's turning point is a stroke of genius. She not only gives readers fascinating tidbits of information about the "mechanics" of the funeral industry, but she also paints a heartfelt picture of how a business that deals in death can truly be a ministry to the living. Jennifer must learn to surrender and bury her broken dreams before she can begin living life anew. What she learns at Fairlawn is a powerful reminder that for believers, death is not something to be feared - in fact, everything Jennifer learns about dying teaches her how to really live. Most of the novel is written from Jennifer's perspective using first person, present tense. I can't think of another novel offhand that I've read which uses this point of view combination. If a first person point of view isn't believable and relatable, I have trouble getting "into" the story. Happily this isn't the case with Hunt's latest release. Her strong characterizations and storytelling abilities shine so strongly in Doesn't She Look Natural? that I couldn't help being utterly absorbed by Jennifer's story. Jennifer's ad

I loved this book. I had to get past the whole concept which was easy the moment I started reading the book. I did not want to put it down. My emotions were involved. I understand more now about funeral homes and dying. The ending has several unexpected twists. I wanted to cry towards the end because I was feeling what the characters were feeling. Angela Hunt is truly a versatile author who has a great talent. Expect the Unexpected is her motto for her books. It is def. true in a great way. The characters are well developed and the concept unique. I highly recommend this book.