Love Starts With Elle by Rachel Hauck

(Image courtesy of Google)

My first Rachel Hauck book.

Let me start by saying, I love the title, and the cover is super cute (does the woman on the cover remind anyone else of Renee Zellwegger?). And the idea of any book  being set in the South is definitely a selling point for me--love how it says Lowcountry Romance right on the cover. I'm one of those super-bad, oughta-know-better people who judge a book, at least partially, by its cover. (I have a book on my shelf right now that I haven't started yet because the cover seems super outdated...)

But, okay, let's get to the story. Elle Garvey is dating Jeremiah, a young pastor with big dreams of pastoring a mega-church. After giving up just about everything to support egotistical Jeremiah, her future with him collapses. And boy is she hurt.

I'm not into contemporary churches so automatically Jeremiah got on my last nerve, raving about how he would do this and that with his humongous new church. He seemed more into himself than the Lord. I would've liked to punch him ;)

 The beginning of the book lagged for me--maybe I was sidetracked with other things. But I kept going and got caught up in Elle's world. This story almost made me want to paint! (And I have no artistic ability whatsoever, can barely draw a stick figure.) Knowing that God is enough is a major theme, and one that I know I need to get ahold of. God isn't a spare tire, and He sure doesn't want to be treated like one. Elle's spiritual growth was inspiring.

I'd say more except then I'd be giving away too much :)

This wasn't my favorite story, but the spiritual lessons were sooo there. I'll have to add another Rachel Hauck to my Amazon wishlist. She deserves a second go.