It's Not About Him, by Michelle Sutton - Book Review

It's Not About Him is the second book in A Second Glances Novel series. This story is about two characters from the first book, Jeff and Susie. In this book they have given up their wild, party ways and have given their lives to God, but there is one thing that Susie can never change. She was raped at a party which resulted in a pregnancy. She decides to give her baby up for adoption. The couple are friends of hers, and it will be an open adoption. Jeff, however doesn't agree with that, and wants her to marry him. He loves her, but Susie refuses him. It's Not About Him, it's what's best for her baby.

Susie denies her own true feelings for Jeff, letting his motive for marrying her, just because of the baby, and his own issues, being an adopted child himself, cloud her thinking. The reality is that Jeff really loves her, and is trying hard to support her but Susie pushes him away. This hero tries so very hard to support her in this book, it is sad as well as sweet. He gives her the space she asks for after giving up the baby. It is so clear that he loves her, but Susie is trapped in her own depression.

Michelle brings up alcoholism, rape, straight in the face temptation as a Christian and premarital sex in the returning character of Tony, who's wildness only escalates from the previous book. I have a habit of finishing good books in one or two days. I finished this book in just two days. So what did I think? I obviously loved the book. Michelle's characters are very real, like the guy or girl next door. The situations are real. I think a lot of Christian people like to paint a 'shiny happy world' picture, but it isn't realistic.

Christian people fall into the same traps as everyone else does and she makes this clear, but also includes without being preachy that God does love you, and even if you are alone or feel alone he is always there for you. As much as I loved the book, I have to say that it left a bittersweet taste for me after completing it. Susie gave up her baby, but wanted an open adoption. There are a lot of people in this world that get pregnant whether by rape, or a one night stand, but don't give up their child.

That part of the book was a bitter pill to swallow for me, but as usual, there is a happy ending to her book and I really think that you should read it. Buy it for your own young adults, because this a book that you can definitely learn something from, and one that I think you will enjoy reading again from time to time.

Her next book in the series is It's Not About Her. The main character is Tony in this book. This guy is lovable but a definite train wreck. If you have read, It's Not About Me, and when you read It's Not About Him, then you are definitely going to have to pick up the next book!
It's Not About Her will be released September 2010, and I know I'm picking that one up.