Review of JC's Hope by Joyce Byers Hill

 

I wrote this review for Clean Fiction Magazine: Clean Fiction Magazine Spring 2025

First impression:

JC’s Hope is written old school in Omniscient Point of View, so the reader is back and forth in different characters perspective in any given scene. The Preface (forward) of why Joyce Hill wrote the story is heart wrenching and the Prologue is cute with the twins climbing on the bobcat like little monkeys.  

Action:

The first scene in the hospital is the basis for the story and the action from there is steady in a comfortable storyline. There are points of tension scattered throughout the story to give it that pull. They resolve in a comfortable yet predictable way.

Adventure:

The story centers on Josh and his amazing family. Josh has had a desire for a long time to help teens. After his fateful accident, he knows he needs to do something big for God and decides to open a center for teens close to the high school. His heart is to help kids from falling into the cracks of society. He desires for them to have a positive influence in their lives. He mentions this to his family and like dominos things fall into place. An amazing prosperous entrepreneur, Mike, funds most of everything needed. It starts with the gift of a warehouse and grounds, with the help of family, and more gifting from Mike, those quickly transform into a gymnasium, classrooms, music room, kitchen, and office. His generosity is over the top at times. I still don’t know where the running capital comes from supporting Josh and paid employees as well as food and snacks available.

Amy and her brother Matt don’t have a good family life with alcoholic parents. The father is abusive. Amy tries her best to shield and protect her bother and encourages him to excel in baseball and spend most of his free time at the Center.

Another teen, Brandon, is musically inclined. Josh cultivates that and in turn, Brandon helps Josh regain his musical talents that were buried deep inside from the accident.

Good-hearted Mike is always around, bringing a smile as he lavishes gifts upon everyone.   

 Romance:

Josh (JC) is instantly drawn to Amelia (Amy) an older sister of one of the kids, Matthew (Matt) who comes to the center. Their romance blossoms throughout the story to a high climax at the end. There is hand holding which leads to chaste kissing.

Religion:

Josh’s father is a pastor giving Bible studies and councils some of the kids in the center. There are many spoken prayers in the story and a common phrase is repeated: “God is Good,” followed by, “All the time.” The characters try to honor God in everything they do.

Art:

Music plays a major role in the character’s lives. The sport of baseball hits it out of the park as well in this story.  

 Final Thoughts:

JC’s Hope is a story of discovery and transformation and is very heartwarming at times. If you like cozy stories with Christian themes, strong family influence, and extremely happy endings, you will love this story.

On a personal note: I'm not a fan of Omniscient Point of View and I prefer tighter writing with no head hoping. I give this a 3.5 star rating.

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