Two couples in love. Two sets of impossible circumstances. One powerful God of grace.
After a devastating tailspin in her late teens, Lauren Anderson’s life is finally back on track. Then a chance meeting with Carter Douglas, her first love and the man who broke her heart, threatens to throw her well-balanced world out of control.
Now a TV meteorologist, Carter is determined to make amends with Lauren. After all, she still owns his heart. But his old demons are forcing him toward the same decision he faced in the past. Is he courageous enough to make a different choice this time around?
When Lauren’s elderly grandmother, Rosie, begins having nightmares about a man named Ephraim--a name her family has never heard before—a fascinating and forbidden past love comes to light. As Lauren and Carter work to uncover the untold stories of Rosie’s past in 1950s Wichita, they embark on a journey of forgiveness and second chances that will change their lives—and Rosie’s—forever. Along the way they’ll learn that God wastes nothing, his timing is perfect, and nothing is beyond his grace and redemption.
Now a TV meteorologist, Carter is determined to make amends with Lauren. After all, she still owns his heart. But his old demons are forcing him toward the same decision he faced in the past. Is he courageous enough to make a different choice this time around?
When Lauren’s elderly grandmother, Rosie, begins having nightmares about a man named Ephraim--a name her family has never heard before—a fascinating and forbidden past love comes to light. As Lauren and Carter work to uncover the untold stories of Rosie’s past in 1950s Wichita, they embark on a journey of forgiveness and second chances that will change their lives—and Rosie’s—forever. Along the way they’ll learn that God wastes nothing, his timing is perfect, and nothing is beyond his grace and redemption.
“A reading experience both heartfelt and heart-tugging, a timeless exploration of young and enduring love and the grace found in second chances. Amanda Wen is a rare and remarkable storyteller, and this is a novel I will not soon forget.” –Amanda Barratt, Christy Award-winning author of The White Rose Resists
“A stunning journey of loss, love, and yearning. . . . Past and present are deftly woven together in this dual-timeline narrative that will leave readers flying through the pages.” – Amanda Cox, author of the 2021 Christy Award Book of the Year, The Edge of Belonging
My Review
When the time is right secrets can come to light...
The Songs That Could Have Been was something of a surprise for me. Having read the first Sedgwick County Chronicles novel I knew to expect a bittersweet romance and that Amanda Wen would give equal care to both historical and contemporary threads of this dual timeline novel. I also knew that it would be a thought provoking read. And all of that held true, but, there were still some unexpected detours along the way.
I actually chose to read The Songs That Could Have Been based on the fact that I had enjoyed the previous book in the Sedwick County Chronicles. Amanda Wen's reality based storytelling has been quite fascinating. Her stories are definitely no boy meets girl and after a couple of misunderstandings they get their sweet happily ever after. Nope, these characters come from messed up families, they have problems and make mistakes, they disappoint each other, and not every single aspect is tied up in a white Hallmark wedding bow. This book had all of that, in spades...
One of the aspects that I really appreciated about The Songs That Could Have Been was the first-person POV of Rosie (Grandma) that was scattered throughout the book. Amanda Wen couldn't have been more kind and sensitive in her portrayal of a woman coping with dementia – a woman who hangs onto her faith through every stage of her life.
If you enjoy stories that take on difficult topics, where happy endings are hard won, and faith is celebrated, look no further than the Sedgwick County Chronicles series...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Songs That Could Have Been by Amanda Wen a 4 Bark rating.
The Songs That Could Have Been was something of a surprise for me. Having read the first Sedgwick County Chronicles novel I knew to expect a bittersweet romance and that Amanda Wen would give equal care to both historical and contemporary threads of this dual timeline novel. I also knew that it would be a thought provoking read. And all of that held true, but, there were still some unexpected detours along the way.
I actually chose to read The Songs That Could Have Been based on the fact that I had enjoyed the previous book in the Sedwick County Chronicles. Amanda Wen's reality based storytelling has been quite fascinating. Her stories are definitely no boy meets girl and after a couple of misunderstandings they get their sweet happily ever after. Nope, these characters come from messed up families, they have problems and make mistakes, they disappoint each other, and not every single aspect is tied up in a white Hallmark wedding bow. This book had all of that, in spades...
One of the aspects that I really appreciated about The Songs That Could Have Been was the first-person POV of Rosie (Grandma) that was scattered throughout the book. Amanda Wen couldn't have been more kind and sensitive in her portrayal of a woman coping with dementia – a woman who hangs onto her faith through every stage of her life.
If you enjoy stories that take on difficult topics, where happy endings are hard won, and faith is celebrated, look no further than the Sedgwick County Chronicles series...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Songs That Could Have Been by Amanda Wen a 4 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Amanda Wen
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Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction. She has placed first in multiple writing contests, including the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity, the 2017 Phoenix Rattler, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions contests. She was also a 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest finalist. Her debut novel was a 2021 Christy Award First Novel finalist.
Wen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She also frequently interviews authors for her blog and is a contributor to the God Is Love blog. She is the author of Roots of Wood and Stone and The Songs That Could Have Been. |
In addition to her writing, Wen is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras,
chamber groups, and her church’s worship team. She serves as a choral accompanist as well. A lifelong denizen of the
flatlands, Wen lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly
Siamese cat. To find Amanda Wen’s blog and short stories, visit www.amandawen.com. Readers can also follower her
on Facebook (@AuthorAmandaWen), Twitter (@AuthorAmandaWen), and Instagram (@authoramandawen).
chamber groups, and her church’s worship team. She serves as a choral accompanist as well. A lifelong denizen of the
flatlands, Wen lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly
Siamese cat. To find Amanda Wen’s blog and short stories, visit www.amandawen.com. Readers can also follower her
on Facebook (@AuthorAmandaWen), Twitter (@AuthorAmandaWen), and Instagram (@authoramandawen).
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