~ Ready or Not – A Review

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One evening, probably almost a year ago now, I was tired, not feeling too well and I wanted a book to read that wasn’t my Basics of Music or a nutritional study. I wanted a work of fiction, so Mom suggested I read Ready or Not by Chautona Havig. I read it again in September or October.

The Author:
Chautona Havig is a contemporary author, living in California. She is happily married, the mother of nine children and grandmother of two. Ready or Not is one of eight, soon to be nine, of Mrs. Havig’s published books. Others include Princess Paisley and For Keeps. To learn more about Mrs. Havig and her books, visit her website: Just the Write Escape

Technical Details:
Ready or Not is the first book in the three part Aggie Series, which is also a part of Mrs. Havig’s Rockland Chronicles. Book Two is published, and Book Three is scheduled for release in the near future. This book was published in 2010 and contains 346 pages, split into 24 chapters.

The Story:
Aggie Milliken, at the young age of 22, finds her life changed in one night. When her brother-in-law and sister die, Aggie is shocked to find that she is named the legal guardian of their eight young children. Fond of the children, but possessing no experience in parenting, Aggie begins to tackle the learning process of keeping a clean house, managing meals, getting children to school on time, buying a car, caring for a baby and keeping the laundry clean, all while moving her brood to another city, trying to protect the children from an angry, controlling woman and attempting to renovate their new home. Everything about this life is new to the young woman. From ruined wallpaper, to birthday parties, broken windows to water fights, time spent with new friends and old, the Stuart-Milliken household is filled with experiences of all kinds. There are times when Aggie thinks she can’t take any more, but with much prayer and a voice continually raised in song to the LORD, she can get the strength to keep on…

The Writing Style:
Mrs. Havig’s style is easy to read and light-hearted. She incorporates the many hymns into the story very well, and while she does give the needed descriptions, she doesn’t trouble you with anything long or boring.

The Characters:
The main characters were well written. Aggie is realistic and very believable. Her faith in and relationship with the LORD are encouraging. The children are very well behaved, which isn’t to say that they never do anything wrong. They do. Wrongdoing, however, is not let go and the children suffer appropriate consequences for their misconduct. They also seem to learn their lessons. The side characters are interesting and add life to the story.

My favorite character would probably be Aggie. I really like her and find her an inspiration. Among my other favorites would be Tavish, Luke, Tina and Libby Sullivan. Possibly in that order. I’m not actually sure. Tavish is my favorite out of all the children. I’m not sure why… maybe because his character is very much like mine in several ways, though admittedly, not in all.

Conclusion:
The Aggie Series is, thus far, my favorite of Mrs. Havig’s works. Besides having some of her best characters, I enjoy the storyline and I find reading the book encouraging in everyday life.

 

To the KING be all the glory!