Amanda Cox is one of the few authors whose books I always pre-order. Her stories deal with themes of healing, hope, restoration and bring a sense of peace, a feeling that you belong. In each new book her writing is consistently fresh, emotionally honest and never predicable.
If women's fiction isn't typically a genre you read, I guarantee you after picking up one of her books you won't be able to image your life without it. It's hard to pick a favorite novel because her writing is so exceptional. All her stories have a poignancy and truth that will tug at your heartstrings.
For the record, if you're keeping score Amanda is now six for six. Meaning I've cried at least once in all of her stories. (You'd think I'd mentally be prepared for this now) Part of her gift and genus as a storyteller is I have no idea when that will be. The tears never arrive when I expect them. She has the ability to emotionally build a beautifully written scene that catches me off guard.
Tess Holcomb has built a new life in Alabama restoring priceless family heirlooms and living vicariously through their stories. It's fitting that her profession revolves around restoration because she is someone who has spent years trying to repair the pieces of her own life.
Eighteen years later Elliot Sullivan's appearance at her doorstep brings up the past. A past she'd rather forget. Elliot quickly became one of my favorite Amanda Cox heroes. His kindness isn't loud or dramatic; it's found in the way he truly sees people. He listens well, offers grace freely, and creates space for others to be themselves. In a world where so many people long to feel noticed, that quality makes him unforgettable.
Tess and Elliot go on a journey to reunite an heirloom watch and along the way get more than they bargained for. The search becomes an opportunity to confront old wounds, rediscover hope, and consider whether broken relationships and broken hearts can also be restored.
One of Amanda Cox's greatest strengths is her ability to write meaningful relationships. Romance is certainly part of the story, but it never overshadows the importance of friendship, family, and community. I especially loved the relationship between Tess and Amos. Their interactions brought warmth, wisdom, and moments of genuine tenderness that grounded the novel's emotional journey.
The theme that resonated with me most was God's ability to restore what seems permanently lost. Throughout the novel, restoration is more than the repair of beautiful antiques or treasured heirlooms. It's a picture of how God patiently works in people's lives, redeeming painful memories, fractured relationships, and broken dreams. Amanda doesn't present restoration as quick or easy. Instead, she shows that healing often requires courage, forgiveness, and the willingness to trust God with the pieces we cannot mend ourselves.
That message deeply resonated with me because everyone carries losses they wish they could undo. Things We Cannot Keep is a gentle reminder that while we can't change the past, God can bring beauty, purpose, and hope from even our deepest hurts. It's a theme that feels both timeless and deeply encouraging.
I'd rate Things We Cannot Keep 4.5 out of 5 stars. My only reservation was the ending. After such a beautifully paced, emotionally rich journey, I found myself wishing the conclusion had been given a little more room to breathe. Even so, it doesn't diminish what is ultimately a thoughtful, moving, and memorable novel.
If you've never read Amanda Cox before, this is another excellent place to start. If you're already a fan, I think you'll find that Things We Cannot Keep continues her remarkable tradition of writing stories that point readers toward hope, healing, and the quiet beauty of restoration.
