Mommy Brain

(Return to Me by Robin Lee Hatcher was provided to me by the publisher for the purpose of review.)

The story of the prodigal son is one of the most well-known and best-loved of the parables Jesus told – and for good reason. Each of us can relate to at least one character in the parable – maybe even more than one at different times in our lives.

There is the loving Father, who longs for his wayward son to return to Him. When he does, his Father welcomes him with open arms and words of forgiveness.

The prodigal – a reckless, wasteful, pleasure-loving sinner. He takes his inheritance and squanders it on sinful living and is left begging for scraps from the pigs.

The older brother – righteous, steadfast. He stayed with his Father, always doing the right thing. When his younger brother comes home and is welcomed with open arms and a huge celebration, Older Brother is bitter and jealous. Why hasn’t he ever been honored that way? He was the one who stayed, after all!

In Return to Me, Robin Lee Hatcher takes this well-loved story and brings it to life in a new, modern way.

Roxy Burke left home seven years ago to become a star in Nashville. She was armed with her voice, her looks, and a sizable inheritance from her grandmother. Her father and older sister asked her not to go, recognizing in Roxy a recklessness that would lead to her destruction.

Now Roxy is destitute. She’s behind on the rent, hasn’t eaten in days, and has squandered her chance at stardom. With no choice but to go home to her father and sister, Roxy borrows enough money for a bus ticket and heads back to Boise.

Things have changed since Roxy left. Her older sister Elena is now a successful executive in her father’s company, and she is engaged – to Roxy’s old boyfriend, Wyatt, who is planning to enter full-time ministry.

Wyatt had become a Christian right before Roxy fled Boise for Nashville, and Roxy had wanted nothing more to do with him. He was no longer the partying, fun-loving man she had spent several years with. Wyatt had become just like her father and sister – a boring, self-righteous religious fanatic. Or so Roxy thought.

When Roxy arrives home, her father welcomes her back with love, grace, and forgiveness. Her sister Elena, though, is not so quick to forgive, nor so happy to see her.

Whether you have been a prodigal, an older brother or sister, or a parent waiting for your wayward child to come home, you will find someone to connect with in Return to Me. As Roxy learns to receive forgiveness and Elena learns to give grace, you will be reminded of how faithful God is to forgive us and make us new.

4 out of 5 stars