A Broken Kind of Beautiful: A Novel

by Katie Ganshert

Paperback, 2014

Status

Available

Call number

813.6

Publication

WaterBrook (2014), 320 pages

Description

"In an attempt to save her career, Ivy Clark heads to the quaint, island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to model wedding dresses at the request of her stepmother"--

User reviews

LibraryThing member SusanGibsonSnodgrss
I was blessed to have an advanced reader copy of this book. I have read both of Katie Ganshert's books prior to this novel and both have been absolutely wonderful.

This one, A Broken Kind Of Beautiful, really impacted me deep, way down deep. What can I say that would adequately tell what this book
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meant to me and how it made me feel?

Ivy Clark has been a fashion model for 10 years. She has learned that appearance is top; nobody cares about anything else, how she's been hurt and broken. They just want her to look good in her camera shots. However, the fashion industry doesn't want models after a certain age, so 24 year old Ivy goes back to Greenbrier, SC to work with her stepmother in her bridal shop, being her new model. Ivy could never wear a white bridal gown, though, because she's too damaged.

Davis Knight is her photographer, only he doesn't want to photograph Ivy or anyone else. He feels as if his photography has caused too much pain to him and his family. He now works in church maintenance.

But Davis treats Ivy different than she's ever been treated. It's as if he can see past the front she puts on for everyone else and sees all the brokenness inside. Ivy doesn't want his pity, though.

Is it possible that Ivy can truly be cared for by someone who is not looking for something in return? Is it even remotely possible that God might want her?

Katie creates characters in this book that seem as if they are real, live, breathing people in the next room, people you actually know. They are so well written that they do not seem like characters on the page of a book. The reader actually feels their pain and unhappiness.

Marilyn, Ivy's stepmother, is a character whose story figures prominently in this book. Marilyn has trusted God for so long and has borne such hurt and pain, but yet she continues to trust God and walk in faith. Will her heart ever heal? Will she realize the love she's placed in Ivy all these years? Marilyn's part of this story touched me as deepy as Ivy's and Davis's.

When I read the first paragraph, I knew this was not going to be a fluffy, feel good Christian novel. It wasn't. It was at times gritty, heart rending and difficult to read. In fact, there were times I put off picking the book up again because I knew I was going to suffer right along with these characters.

This book deals with serious problems and deep emotional trauma. But throughout the entire book the theme of redemption runs clear. "Fear not. I have called you by name. I have redeemed you." God can redeem even the worst of sinners. He loves us with an everlasting love. Even those who feel like there's nothing in them for anyone to love.

There is healing here and hope and grace and mercy. God is close to those who are broken hearted and He waits lovingly to redeem them.

This book had me weeping, literally, in many places. Then it again caused me to recall how very precious and good our God is to His children.

Ordinarily when I finish a book, I pick up another one right away to begin reading. I'm a book addict. But not this one. It is not a book that the reader can put down and just read something else. I have to ponder on this book, remember scenes from it, reread them. I've dog eared paged, underlined whole passages and made notes in the back of the book. It is not a book I will ever forget.

A Broken Kind Of Beautiful reminds me greatly of Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love. It's a book destined to be a classic in Christian fiction.

Every Christian should read this book. I firmly believe that Katie Ganshert wrote this book under the direction and anointing of the Holy Spirit. If you do not read this book, you are missing a huge blessing.(less)





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LibraryThing member tmurrell
Ivy is an older model at twenty-four. She's quickly finding out how brutal the modeling industry is to its older models. Her past is tearing her up inside and making her feel unworthy of love. Even her closest relatives are proving to her that she's worthless. But a return trip to the south may
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just show her that someone out there can love her unconditionally.

Beautiful, heartbreaking, redeeming, and amazing all came to mind when I put this book down. I was so completely into the book that I finished it in one afternoon. I've said it before, but I'm going to say it again. This author has a way of writing that can reach into your soul and make you feel emotions that you didn't realize you had. She can write the story of redemption so beautifully that it will bring you to tears. It has all the elements of a great story for me - Romance, charming characters, stunning imagery, artistically crafted plot, and the message of salvation & unconditional love. This book will definitely be in my top list for 2014.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.
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LibraryThing member inspiremichelle
Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert
Ivy Clark has been a model from the young age of fourteen. She was raised to believe her looks are everything because that is how she has found her value. Her hurts run deep, from abandonment, to being used, and feelings of unworthiness. She was beautiful
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but empty. The closer Ivy got to being twenty five the less jobs she received. Having no where else to turn she takes a modeling job in Greenbrier, South Carolina, for her stepmother’s bridal shop Something New. Ivy does not believe she could ever be worthy of the white bridal gown, picket fence, happy ever after. She thinks she is to damaged. Davis Knight is now the church handyman and a photographer at heart. He stopped snapping pictures because he felt extreme guilt for his sisters injury. He feels he does not deserve better because of the hurt and pain he has caused. As Davis and Ivy work together to help his Aunt Marilyn with a fashion show they grow closer.
Because of the way Ivy is treated in this small town, she questions her beliefs. Is it possible God could want her, is she really worthy? She has watched her step mother carry deep hurts and still trust in God. Can Ivy be forgiven, redeemed and found worthy in God’s sight?
The author Katie Ganshert did an outstanding job of brining these characters to life. They experienced some of the same feeling me and you experience in our lifetime. I found Broken Kind of Beautiful to be thought provoking and pulled at the heartstrings. I highly recommend this 5 star book and any other by this author. A big thank you goes out to author Katie Ganshert and publisher for bringing thought provoking and compelling Christian books to readers like me. Books that are full of faith, clean and inspire me with hope. Blogging for Books provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and I am so grateful for their, the authors and publishers generosity.
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LibraryThing member JoyAnne
I really like Katie Ganshert's books, this is her third and each is better than than the last. Very well written with intriguing characters (each have a story) and a great setting. The effects modeling has on young girls is saddening and the dejection as they age can be devastating.

A heartwarming
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story yet kind of heartbreaking at the same time. Ganshert shows how God's love can change a person. Loved this book and the beautiful cover!
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LibraryThing member MyBookAddiction
A BROKEN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL by Katie Ganshert is a beautiful Christian fiction set in Greenbrier, South Carolina. Thought-provoking and poignant tale of cover girl Ivy Clark, her hurts, and triumphs. Beauty can be found in many ways and avenues, not just in looks, for looks fades with time. Ivy
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faces many challenges. With the help of her new photographer, Davis Knight, she learns that God sees her, not her beauty but her heart. Filled with anguish,hurt, pain, triumph, faith, healing, and finding inner beauty and worth. A must read especially for young adults who are dealing with self image. Ms. Ganshert has brought readers a story that is more than just about beauty, she has shown readers the meaning of beauty and God's love for us all. A beautiful but painful tale! Received for an honest review.

Rating: 4

Heat Rating: Sweet

Reviewed by: AprilR, Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
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LibraryThing member JoyAnne
I really like Katie Ganshert's books, this is her third and each is better than than the last. Very well written with intriguing characters (each have a story) and a great setting. The effects modeling has on young girls is saddening and the dejection as they age can be devastating.

A heartwarming
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story yet kind of heartbreaking at the same time. Ganshert shows how God's love can change a person. Loved this book and the beautiful cover!

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member judyg54
A very well told story that stuck with me even after I finished the book. It gave me a look into the fashion industry and how much it can influence young girls. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author weaved the theme verse she began this book with: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called
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you by name, you are mine."

Ivy Clark has been in the fashion modeling business since she was 14 years old. She is now turning 24 and finding that her world is starting to unravel, as other younger faces are coming onto the scene. She gets a job in the island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother's bridal wear line. Now there is a lot of history here between Ivy and her stepmom and the lack of interest her father ever gave her. Ivy has become a very cynical and hard lady, but also looked on in awe because of her beauty.

Davis Knight was once a sought after photographer, but now does work as a maintenance man at his local church. His Aunt asks him to do the photo shoot which Ivy is in. Davis sees through the facade that Ivy is trying so hard to maintain. Can he show her that true beauty and worth come from what is inside a person? As the back cover says,"Is it possible that God sees her - a woman stained and broken by the world - yet wants her still?" Davis himself also has issues he is working through in his life. Everyone seems to need the Lord's help in this story.

Many different issues were dealt with in this book and the way Davis treated Ivy was very special and just what she needed. The stepmom, Marilyn, also was a good example of Christ-like love, even when it was very hard for her. I had a hard time putting this story down once I started.
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LibraryThing member SarahGraceGrzy
DNF

Wasn't totally comfortable with some of the content and crudeness. And the MC was driving me crazy. This was probably still a good book, just not for me. :)

Awards

Christy Awards (Nominee — Contemporary Romance — 2015)

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

320 p.; 8.21 inches

ISBN

1601425902 / 9781601425904
Page: 0.6763 seconds