Molly McKenzie’s bright personality and on-trend fashion and beauty advice have earned her an impressive social media following, as well as a big paycheck each month. When her manager-turned-boyfriend says she has an audition to appear as a host on a makeover show that nominates underprivileged youth, her dream of further fame seems to be coming true. There’s just one catch: she has little experience interacting with people in need.
When her manager-boyfriend convinces her to partner with a local organization, she begins volunteering with a summer youth program. The program’s director, Silas Whittaker, challenges her at every turn, but she swiftly grows more attached to the kids–and him–every day.
As Molly experiences an acceptance unlike anything she’s known, she wrestles with the lies she’s been believing about herself for years. She thought she knew what mattered most in life, but maybe she’s had it wrong this whole time, and there’s more to being truly seen than what she’s built her entire life on.
What I Loved:
I admit, I picked up the book solely based on the beautiful cover. But, WOW, the story inside blew me away. There is an enemies to lovers storyline going on here but it’s way more than that. So much more! There’s great depth of relationships here. There’s a close up look at the hurting youth among us who have grown up in and outgrown foster care. Deese does an amazing job weaving a variety of backgrounds together to create a powerful story on love, trust, faith, and forgiveness. I even found timely parenting advice nestled in this sweet novel.
I can’t say enough about this one and yet I find that I’m at a loss for words. Go read it. Trust me, you’re going to love it. It’s one is bound to tug on your heartstrings.
Rating and Recommendations: I’m giving All That Really Matters 5 stars. I highly recommend it to Christian contemporary fans, especially those looking for a deeper story.
~ I received a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.
Christian Author: A.M. Heath 