Between the Wild Branches (The Covenant House #2)
By: Connilyn Cossette
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: July 6th, 2021
Genres: Biblical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance
Pages: 352 pages
Where You Can Buy It: Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Christian Book, Lifeway, and everywhere else books are sold!
Add On: Goodreads
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
~~~
Ten years ago Lukio fled Kiryat-Yearim, where he’d been adopted by the Levite family who guarded the Ark of the Covenant. Feeling betrayed by everyone, he returned to his birthplace in Philistia to become a famous fighter. Now the champion of Ashdod, Lukio has achieved every goal with the help of his ruthless cousin. But just as he is set to claim the biggest prize of all, the daughter of the king, his past collides with his present in the form of Shoshana.
After a heartbreaking end to her secret friendship with Lukio, Shoshana thought to never see the boy with the dual-colored eyes and the troubled soul again. But when she is captured in a Philistine raid and enslaved in Ashdod, she is surprised to find that the brutal fighter known as Demon-Eyes is Lukio himself.
With explosive secrets and unbreakable vows standing between them, finding a way to freedom for both may cost them everything.
My Review
This book not only hit every single one of my expectations, but it blew them out of the ballpark. I literally was drawn in from page one and I still feel like I could read more and never get bored. Although I loved the first book in this duology, this book definitely is my favorite. I loved the found family trope in To Dwell Among Cedars, but Mrs. Cossette truly blew me away with the trope in this book. Towards the end of the book, I was nearly in tears because of the theme of forgiveness that was so beautifully portrayed in this book. I will refrain myself from gushing anymore over the last 20% of the book only so I do not spoil anything for anyone!
I had really enjoyed Lukio’s complex character in TDAC and was anxious to see where Mrs. Cossette took him in this book. I honestly fell in love with his character. I loved watching him go from this ruthless fighter to this compassionate, fearless, selfish man that we got a slight glimpse of in book one. Lukio was so protective of both Shoshana and all the other wonderful side characters that he came in contact with. I loved how Mrs. Cossette wrote his redemption arc, because it truly has to be hands down one of my favorite. I know that this is just a work of fiction, but it truly amazes me that we serve a God who can turn someone like Lukio into His child because that is not a work of fiction, but something that He does on a daily basis!
Shoshana was such a darling main character. I had loved her character in book one, and I only feel further in love with her in this book. My heart ached for her when we learned about her past and what she had gone through to get where she in this book. She had such a sensitive, kind heart that there were many times that I wanted to wrap her up in a massive hug. She also was so fearless and bold in the best ways. I seriously just love her so, so much!
The side characters in this book were AMAZING! It would take me forever to go over them all, but if you read this book then you would know exactly who I am talking about!! I also LOVED being able to see Lukio’s family again. I literally almost started crying when some of his brothers were brought into a scene, it literally was so enduring!
This book, as I slightly mentioned above, had so many deep and beautiful messages. I literally am still in awe at how beautifully written this book was. This book has touched my heart in ways that I cannot even put into words. All I can say is that you MUST read this book!! Yes, it will stress you out and maybe even give you a mini panic attack, it is all worth it to read the beautiful message that God has clearly given Mrs. Cossette to share with the world. You really do not want to miss this book!!
Favorite Quote:
“We’re bringing him home.”
Although I could probably have chosen a dozen quotes or so, this part literally almost made me start sobbing at 12am. This probably has to be one of my favorite scenes from this entire book! 😍
*I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own. I was NOT required to write a positive review.*
About the Author
Connilyn Cossette is a Christy Award and Carol Award winning author whose books have been found on both ECPA and CBA bestseller lists. When she is not engulfed in the happy chaos of homeschooling two teenagers, devouring books whole, or avoiding housework, she can be found digging into the rich ancient world of the Bible to discover gems of grace that point to Jesus and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience. Although she and her husband have lived all over the country in their twenty-plus years of marriage, they currently call a little town south of Dallas, Texas their home.
Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – Pinterest – Goodreads – Website
Books, Life, and Christ 