More Than Meets the Eye (2018)

More Than Meets the Eye (2018) by Karen Witemeyer is the first book in her Patchwork Family series. This book recently published on June 5th by Bethany House Publishers, and can be purchased wherever books are sold. This novel comes in all forms including eBook, and is 352 pages in length. With a full-time job and quite the rambunctious six-year old at home, More Than Meets the Eye took me three days to read. I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give More Than Meets the Eye 5+++++ STARS. This story is a Christian Historical Romance.

About the Book

Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes–one bright blue, the other dark brown–Eva has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world’s judgments, and Eva has two–Seth and Zach, two former orphans she now counts as brothers. 

Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father’s death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. When Zach’s sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time their paths cross, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?

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My Thoughts

More Than Meets the Eye is an AMAZING story. I loved every minute of this book. From the heartbreaking prologue to the final paragraph of the epilogue, I was completely hooked. The storytelling in this book is stellar. There’s a debt that needs paying, an attempted murder, a mystery to be solved, creepy villains, and a friendship that blossoms into a very sweet romance. This book has everything a reader could want in a great book!

Evangeline Hamilton is the main character, and she is excellent. I adore her personality, and wish I could be more like her. She is like sunshine, and it’s consistent. She is always able to see the best in people, and she never judges others. Because of her mismatched eyes, the people in her community treat her like she is a leper. At best, many ignore her as if she doesn’t exist. At worst, some say really awful and hurtful things about her just loud enough so she can hear. They accuse Evangeline of being a witch. They call her names. They are just plain awful. BUT, she never lets it get her down. Yes, this treatment pains her deeply, and she is so lonely being an outcast, but Evangeline never lets the meanness make her dark or blacken her soul. I found Evangeline’s character refreshing, and a great model for how a Christian should behave especially in the rougher times.

Another aspect I especially love about this book is when Logan realizes God’s Truth. There is a fabulous “unveiling” moment when the scales fall from Logan’s eyes. I promise not to spoil a single thing — suffice it to say, it’s a really significant moment and one of the best parts of the story. Witemeyer is able to perfectly capture that moment when one is at his/her weakest and lowest point — that pivotal moment when God reaches into our hearts and we finally realize His Truth. This scene is a great reminder of what Paul discusses in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (ESV):

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

It is at our weakest moments that we are actually our strongest IF we go to God. When we go to God, we have God’s power and presence surrounding us. There is no safer or stronger place to be than with God. And, that is exactly what Logan does. Once he realizes his grave error, Logan turns to God. He asks for forgiveness and help. And, wouldn’t you know it, God totally delivers! It’s a fantastic moment in the book, and it’s a great reminder for me.

More Than Meets the Eye is a great read. I enjoyed every moment of this story, and I am really sad my time with Evangeline and Logan is over. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series. If you are looking for a highly engaging, fast-paced novel filled with excellent characters, a fantastic story line, and very timely lessons than this book is definitely the one for you!