Rachel, Beloved of Israel powerfully portrays Rachel’s raw and emotionally charged journey through love, loss, and the challenging path to understanding God's will. From the initial complexities of her marriage and the aching years of barrenness within a blended family, the author reveals Rachel's internal struggles with faith and her journey from manipulation toward eventual surrender. By offering intimate access to each character's thoughts, the novel unveils the unseen battles of the mind, while also addressing the judgments of those who only look at what they see without that insight.

This isn't a tale of perfection; we witness Rachel's flaws and her struggle to reconcile her desires with God's promises. The pain of infertility in the face of other births, creates a palpable emotional tension, amplified by the subsequent joy of her own son’s birth but then his devastating loss. What makes this novel compelling is its honest depiction of human flaws and messy family dynamics – sibling rivalry, favouritism, and misunderstanding – making these ancient characters feel so relatable.

Through Rachel's internal dialogue, the book beautifully illustrates that a relationship with God doesn't guarantee our own plans will prevail but reveals Him working through our suffering. The pathway she travels involves wrestling and surrender, subtly pointing towards Jesus as the ultimate way. Rachel, Beloved of Israel is a moving story about surrendering to a larger plan, finding clarity, and bearing fruit through yielding to God's plan, even through shattered expectations. Prepare to be deeply moved by Rachel's heartbreak, resilience, and discovery of God's grace – a story that will linger long after the final page.

Jessi, Christian, wife, mum, early 30’s, Auckland, NZ