Firstborn, by Robin Lee Hatcher

Review by Jen Nofziger

If you read last month's installment of "Coffee and a Book," you know that this month I was going to try to find a wholesome story to enjoy - and hopefully recommend to you! Firstborn, by Robin Lee Hatcher, fit the bill rather well. This was a nice contemporary fiction book to curl up with and enjoy a nice warm salted caramel mocha (to which I may be addicted).

Erika Welby has quite the idyllic life in Idaho. She has married her high school sweetheart and together they have raised their son as they lived their “happily ever after." That's a great place to start, now isn't it?

Erika and Steven have been Christians for about ten years and have done a pretty good job of raising their son, Ethan. Steven's best friend since forever, Dallas, and his wife find the Welbys' faith a crazy idea that may work for others, but just is not for them. Except for Erika's cantankerous father and their shaky relationship, everyone is cruising right along and enjoying their smooth life. Until . . .  Erika gets a letter. 

Erika has managed to hide quite the secret for over 20 years, and now things are going to get interesting. Erika and Steven's marriage faces a crises when Erika receives the letter from the daughter she gave up for adoption 22 years ago. Kirsten is on her way to Boise from Philly to start a new job (Interesting side note: she makes a stop near South Bend while on her way). Not surprisingly, as everyone has to come to terms with what is happening and how they are going to deal with it, Steven and Erika's marriage is tested and revealed for what it really is.

I did enjoy reading this book. The story was a little formulaic, which may have been comforting after the last book, but not usually a characteristic I enjoy.  So, I wouldn't say it was “can't put down” good, (though I wish I had found that was the case, because then maybe writing this wouldn't have been so last minute!), but more “that was a heartfelt, well-written story” good. Hatcher clearly communicates to the reader everyone's thoughts and feelings as they work through an incredibly trying time. The author tells the tale of betrayal through the eyes of the Christian whose faith is tested, the Christian who "fails," the unbeliever who is drawn to God, the “baby” Christian who shows maturity beyond his years and a God who is always faithful. There is incredible trauma, great triumph and improbable forgiveness in this book, and gives you the opportunity to ask what you would do.