Broken and flawed

A decades-old missing person case, a terminal illness, and home improvement may not appear to have a lot in common, but those are the topics that authors of three recent novels use to convey the chance for hope and healing found in God.

In What Happens Next by Christina Suzann Nelson, popular ­podcaster Faith Byrne usually produces stories with happy endings. But while her daughters are off with her ex-­husband for the summer, she reopens a cold case: her best friend’s disappearance 30 years prior. The story toggles from past to present and has three ­narrators: Heather, the 10-year-old who eventually vanishes; Dora, Heather’s mother; and Faith.

Nelson transports readers back to the late ’80s, a carefree time of bike ­riding and ice cream eating for Heather, Faith, and their friend Nate. Those innocent times also include ­mischievous behavior and family drama that add to the mystery of Heather’s fate.

The chapters narrated by Dora ooze with grief. Her refusal to accept her loss drives the remaining family members away. Despite the heavy ­subject, Nelson manages to keep the story engaging and filled with hope.

Pretty Little Pieces by Carmen Schober is a romantic drama set in the HGTV-esque world of home improvement shows. It follows Nashville-based Georgina Havoc, an up-and-coming Joanna Gaines wannabe. She and her boyfriend Lance Broussard are set to begin their own remodeling show when he decides to hit the brakes on their relationship. Georgina, having recently suffered a miscarriage, must grieve the loss alone while Lance ghosts her.

Meanwhile, she accepts an offer to produce a solo show. The project for the pilot is in rural Tennessee. Enter: goodlooking, ex-military neighbor. His Christian faith and gentle patience gradually help Georgina rethink her life choices.

Pretty Little Pieces gives off Hallmark vibes but includes interesting secondary characters and spicier romance—more than a single chaste kiss in the closing scene—but nothing raunchy.

In Where the Blue Sky Begins by Katie Powner, Eric Larson is reluctant to spend the summer in a Podunk Montana town. Big city Seattle is much more his style, but he agrees to the temporary move to help out at his Uncle Jack’s financial company.

Eric’s new neighbor, Eunice Parker, a 40-something woman with a terminal illness, has a long to-do list she’s eager to finish before it’s too late. When she enlists his help, their friendship blossoms despite their vast differences.

Fish-out-of-water Eric begins to reevaluate his priorities and ponders reconciling with his estranged father. But knowing her time is short, Eunice’s eternal focus holds the most influence. She tells him, “In the end, it only matters where you stand with one person, and it’s not your dad.”