I feel like I need to preface this review by saying I've read everything Bethany Turner has written. While it doesn't make me an authority, I'm familiar with her author voice. That being said, I'm upset and crestfallen to be writing this review. Honest reviews are the backbone of my blog, and I will continue uphold this truth even if it's not a popular opinion. (In fact, this might be my most candid review. I don't hold anything back.) I needed to write this review for the Christian Fiction Community. Readers need to make up their own minds and use discernment if this is a book you want to be reading. I usually try not to give spoilers in my book reviews; however, the nature of this plot twist needs to be revealed.
Wes and Addie Had Their Chance marks the third book in Ms. Turner's first series. She has created a hilarious quirky small-town with characters you fall in love with and a town you don't want to leave. Laughter and clever pop culture references that are humorous and relatable are the hallmark of Bethany's books.
I enjoyed Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other and Cole and Laila Are Just Friends and had high hopes for Wes and Addie's story.
Wesley "Wes" Hobbes and Adelaide "Addie" Atwater were childhood sweethearts. He left her at the altar at eighteen. Wes became a senator and is running for President of the United States. Addie joined the CIA. Twenty-two years later they are both back in Adelaide Springs. Both have been married and lost their spouses.
If you don't like reading spoilers stop here.
Spoiler: Wes reveals to Addie that his wife Wray was a lesbian. Not only that, but the subsequent conversation that followed strongly suggested that Wray should have been accepted for who she is.
After reading this, I groaned in frustration, ready to throw the book across the room. The message in this book is disastrous because it condones sin. To condone sin of any kind is wrong. Scripture is clear: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). We are indeed called to love others as Jesus did (John 13:34), but biblical love never means celebrating or affirming what God has called sin. Jesus loved people by meeting them with compassion and calling them to repentance (John 8:11). To say that people should simply be “accepted as they are” without any call to transformation through Christ is contrary to the gospel. The Bible teaches that in Christ we are made new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) and that continuing in unrepentant sin leads to death (Romans 6:23). True love does not ignore sin—it points people to the Savior who forgives and transforms.
Worse yet, she was willing to marry a man who was willing to participate in a lie. That alone reveals his character, and there is nothing healthy about ending up with a man who is morally unethical and even celebrated for it. Addy doesn’t deserve someone like him, nor should she settle for someone like him. This factor alone made the book even more unlikeable. Sadly, many secular stories celebrate women ending up with unhealthy men, and this book is no exception. Yet marriage is meant to reflect Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:25–27), built on love, truth, and sacrifice. To encourage women to accept less is not only poor storytelling, it is spiritually dangerous. On top of that, I felt that the timeline for Wes and Addie's second chance romance was a little unbelievable. They don't see each other for twenty-two years and three days later they are picking up where they left off? Yet another red flag.
I understand this comes from my Christian perspective, and worldly people will disagree. But Scripture is clear that we are not called to seek the world’s approval: “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? … If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). My responsibility is not to make the world happy but to point people to Christ, who alone brings forgiveness, truth, and lasting hope.
I'd rate Wes and Addie Had Their Chance as 1 and a 1/2 stars. Publisher Thomas Nelson labels this book Christian fiction, but I wholeheartedly disagree.
I'm sorry dear readers, I can't recommend this book, and it will not be staying on my bookshelf. Since this author has betrayed my trust in her as a reader, I'm going to be very cautious with her future books moving forward.
