This book really is a series of unveiling various secrets and lies, from the first chapter through the ending.

I really did not care much for how the plot developed, either. As for our heroine, attracted to two men is understandable, but waffling between them to such an extent that even she begins to lament that her indecision will cost her both of them just left me feeling everyone would be better off going separate ways. I know real life works that way sometimes, but for both of the potential heroes to act this way left me frustrated.

Just when I thought we were getting somewhere and one or the other of them said or did something wonderful, he would immediately undo all of my goodwill by behaving hurtfully again. The heroine is caught between two men, both of whom are taciturn and unpleasant fellows the majority of the time. The prose is always well done and the dialogue sounds natural, but I found that I struggled to like the characters in this particular novel. I love Klassen’s writing and that remains the case in this book, at least as far as the writing itself goes. I credit the publisher and author for not feeling as if God must be stricken from her writing. It’s never called grace, not necessarily lauded, but it is there as a strong witness to those who may question why she would do such a thing. There is also a scene towards the end of incredible grace and forgiveness, completely undeserved, that was the best part of the novel in my opinion. Didn’t see that coming, even from a secondary character.

But about 70 percent of the way through, we get a Gospel presentation and Jesus is how we obtain forgiveness for the sin we commit. At first, most of the references were similar to the one in the back cover blurb, prayers uttered quickly, references to God, but little depth or content. I expected a toned-down spiritual component but was pleasantly surprised to find that wasn’t the case. What, if anything, changes with the storyline, characters or situations? I know there has been some backlash in the past for those who have done so, but I personally don’t feel as if the author is abandoning her faith or core audience simply because they publish with a secular printer-it’s about the writing. I knew when I requested this novel that it was published by Berkley Trade, but was hoping Klassen was simply doing as many before her have done: broadening her reach into mainstream romance. Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors, among the best in the Regency genre, a trusted name on my “automatic buy” list.

Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen