Escape in a book - Under a Maui Moon

Under the Maui Moon
by Robin Jones Gunn

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Carissa doesn't know who she is anymore. She and her husband, Richard, are recent empty esters; Richard is spending more and more time at work counseling his volatile clients and less time at home with his wife; his clients are starting to show up at the house at night, causing Carissa to feel scared in her own home; and to top is all off, Carissa's boss informs her that she's been let go. She wonders where God is in all of this since He doesn't seem to be around to protect her—and she's already stopped trusting her husband.

On the midst of her world tilting off center, she's offered time at a hideaway on Maui. Hiding seems like the best way to respond to life's overload and the thought of being alone sounds like just the right balm to soothe her wounded heart.

The languid Hawaiian sun, white beaches, and warmhearted people bring respite, but meeting handsome Kai causes Carissa to toy with the idea of being romantically involved with him. Then, under a Maui mood, she looks to God for guidance and hope for the future. That's when she discovers His hand still is on her life, and that love is closer than she ever realized.

MY TAKE

Under a Maui Moon begins with “life” stress—job problems, relationships issues, empty nest—something  we all have in our lives. It’s about a wife/mother who is questioning her life choices. She feels her husband takes her for granted, her Father has forsaken her, & now her employer chooses the new, younger employee over her. One of the reasons I enjoyed this book is that it seemed so much like real life.

We may not admit it out loud, but we all have relationship ups & downs---it’s normal. Most of us try to work it out because we don’t want to “fail”. Many of us turn to God for help so we don’t “give in” to the mental & physical temptations. We’ve vowed to love & to cherish until death do us part but life gets in the way & we forget those vows.  Sometimes a little break may be in order to reflect on  our relationship. This is exactly what Carissa does in the paradise of Maui.

This welcome break takes her away from all the trouble & stress that has become her life. She decides not to do anything but just enjoy the time away. Carissa reminded me of Scarlett O’Hara when she says “I’ll think about it tomorrow”. Ultimately, we have to deal with the problems at some point so it was a blessing that Carissa met some very caring people while on her trip. They teach Carissa so many valuable lessons just by living faithfully—faith in their family, faith in God, and faith in her.  They teach Carissa what is important so she can reassess her own life.

I really enjoyed this book. Having read other books by Robin Jones Gunn, I knew it would be a good read but I love how she wrote about the life of everyone. The description of the island and the beauty was right on—having been to Maui, I could see it in my mind while reading. Some of the story lines were kind of predictable but the ending was a little bit of a surprise. I certainly wasn’t expecting what happened. Sorry, but you’ll have to read it yourself to find out!

Review Copy Provided by Wynn Wynn Media