Abandoned Not Broken

Having been adopted myself and becoming a Christian in 2009, I was immediately attracted to the synopsis of this title. If this makes you think “well, I’m not adopted or a Christian so this book isn’t for me” can I please ask you to think again. This book is for everyone, it’s a truly remarkable life story of bravery, courage, determination and belief. Often, adopted people feel abandoned, have little self worth and that they have no purpose in life. In the telling of his life story, Rob shows us that this shouldn’t be the case, how God has perfect plan for all of our lives and that we should never let our past dictate our future.

This book was a delight to read, I am so grateful to Rob for sharing his story and I pray that it brings comfort and encouragement to all that read it. Highly recommend this to anyone, especially if you have questions about how God can work in your life and what a faith led life can be like if you accept Christ into it. Life isn’t easy, being a Christian isn’t easy, but living a Christian life is a wonderous adventure each and every day.

Thank you to Net Galley, Xulon Press and Rob Johnson for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting read. It was highly recommended by someone on social media who told me that this book didn't need to be read by Christians to be enjoyed. I have to disagree. Whilst I agreed with some of the sentiments throughout the book "believe in yourself and you can achieve anytihing", the Christian angle was much stronger and I felt a little put off every time it was mentioned.
Nevertheless, it was a quick story about someone who achieved so much even when dealt a poor hand, and I have a lot of admiration for him.

This is an autobiographical book about a boy who is adopted and his life. He harbors no bad feelings to his biological mother. In fact, he’s grateful that she realized she couldn’t give him a good life. As with most adoptees, he had a desire to find out more about his family history. He is able to connect with his biological parents and develop a relationship with them.

The author, Rob, is an amazing individual in his constant display of gratitude to everyone in his life. His adoptive, single mother, Pat, had two children of her own, took him into her home, and treated him as one of her own. He gives heart-wrenching insight into his childhood: “We were living in a two-bedroom apartment, driving around in used cars, living week-to-week, paycheck-to-paycheck, but to us life was perfect.” While Pat had struggled with money and health, she still gave him the same love and care as her own children. She sounds like an amazing woman. His “brother”, Brian, became involved in the dealing of drugs to help the family’s finances.

The author is given a positive influence through church, Bridgeton Assembly of God. He was a “van kid” (picked up to go to church) and his life benefited tremendously by the grace of God. The Youth group was a strongly positive influence. The network of friends and mentors that were involved in his life was extremely influential in his successful life. He becomes a husband, father, businessowner of several businesses, and a community role model. He was a committed, hardworking individual and openly shares the good and bad in his life. “Life can and will get tough from time to time, that’s just the way it is.”

While his story was touching, the writing style was mediocre. He shared his story adequately, but deeper character development would have been appreciated. Hence, the three stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Xulon Press Elite, for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#Rob Johnson ,# NetGally.
Abandoned Not Broken. , This is a autobiographical. Its about a boy who is adopted and his life. He has a desire to meet and find out more about his birth family and history. He connects with his biological parents and he develops a relationship with them.