The Masterpiece: A Novel (A Redemptive, Character-Driven, Contemporary Christian Fiction Romance Novel)

I have always loved Ms. Rivers' writing. There was something different about this novel. The prayers from the characters throughout the chapters became my own. I, too, come from a blemished past. At times, I experience anger from the residue of my past decisions, choices, actions, guilt, regret. As a Christian woman, in my own personal hell that I went through, God revealed things to me that I needed to lay at His feet and learn to forgive myself because He forgave me. Ms. Rivers' has writing down to an art form that you can't walk away from without being changed. For the modern day Believer, Unbeliever, those set free and those still bound, there's Hope. It matters not what you've done. He is reaching for you to come out! If He saved me from my past, He can save you too. This was a refreshing novel that many can relate to through any of the characters. Which one are you?

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time (and I read about two book a week). The characters are well-developed. The storyline is realistic and not predictable. There were things that I hadn't figured out until the end. There is a wide range of characters - each with their own purpose. The Christian aspect of the book is well-balanced and not preachy. It is neither too light nor heavy handed, but it is realistic and powerful. If you haven't read a good book in a long time, this is the one.

Francine Rivers is my favorite author by far so I hate giving a bad review.A good novel overall but sadly it fell very short (while I absolutely love The Mark of the Lion Series and Redeeming Love!) All four of those books are simply phenomenal with impactful, believable characters and spirituality that draws you closer to Christ. In The Masterpiece, however, something was lacking and I felt disappointed even after finishing the book. It is slightly derivative and dry.The situations created weren’t realistic and were very predictable from the get go. Also, there was too much flipping back to Grace and Romans past ( Roman/Grace aged 7,10,15,20) which typically gave details that were already previously stated in the ‘present tense’ chapters right beforehand; so much that the facts became redundant and I honestly started skipping paragraphs because it was a repeat of what she’d already told us several times already. It became boring and tedious to read. The ink wasted would have been better spent on showing us Grace and Roman falling in love, gettting together, getting married etc. Instead, those details everyone wanted to know, were strewn on the very last pages as an afterthought in the epilogue. Even then SEVERAL questions are left unanswered and made me feel cheated.(Spoiler alert) Is Roman Samuels bio father? That was the most interesting part of the entire book then it never developed any further. And what happened to Nicole who moved in with her boss? And the landscape Roman painted with Grace hidden in the picture? And Aunt Elizabeth’s sudden change of heart? Ugh frustration.With the other Rivers books I’ve read (and re-read several times after) left me in tears and utterly moved. The masterpiece was dull, and not filled with the same spirit and complexity as the other novels. I still love Francine Rivers, but sadly this book wasn’t really worth reading and won’t be re-read again.

This is Mrs. Rivers' best work - a true Masterpiece. I could not put it down. Rivers is a gifted writer that tells storied in such a way as to allow the reader to know each character. The base story is of two people with devastating childhoods finding God's perfect plans for their lives, and how they affected each other in unbelievable ways. Other characters in the story also have interesting things happen as a result of their choices. The story shows how the evil one actively pursues people - especially people made vulnerable by human choices - and The Way to repulse him. Everyone who reads this book will clearly see how to have ultimate, lasting fulfillment and purpose in their life.

WOW another fantastic read from Francine Rivers! I could not put it down. So all my chores got done today (weds) after getting the book Saturday at 8 pm. Well, I did have things I had to do in between, like work. Anyway, this story is fresh, romantic, spiritual, and convicting. What more can you ask for? Another book from Francine Rivers like this, that’s what! I can’t get enough. I laughed, I cried, I treated people better, I loved Jesus more, I absolutely love filling my head with this kind of past time reading. I also related to some the malfunction within family dynamics that was portrayed. What is the best answer there? Forgive and move on. So did Grace. Love.

Francine Rivers has insight into real-life issues and makes no apology for writing about them in the raw. There is no attempt to frilly them up or become too religious and not face the harsh and often brutal challenges experienced by many in this fallen world. What I love about her novels is that they have substance, show the way of salvation and give hope, while she masterfully and cleverly creates a story line that makes her work one that you don’t want to put down. This was a meaningful read!

As usual with Francine River's wonderful novels I end up burning the midnight oil and The Masterpiece did not disappoint. My only slight gripe was the fairly common misunderstanding in the church between Hades and Hell. I would encourage readers to look at what the bible actually says about this. Ephesians 2v2, Ephesians 6v12, Revelation 20, Luke 8v31. I realise there are people who have had certain "experiences", but we are called to test what we hear and I have yet to find a bible verse that says demons and the devil have dominion in hell. That said, they do aim to deceive as many people as possible so they will share their ultimate fate, but I just felt this needed to be noted. A great story though all in all.

I love the story in that it is real about real people who start off not knowing and come to know Him through their circumstances. It shows that we make mistakes as human but Go’s is always read6 to pick us up if we let Him and that sometimes it might take a tragedy for us to listen. I wasn’t so keen with the beginning of the story because it was hard to see where it was going. At some point I was wondering where God was in the story. However it all came together nicely at the end like a masterpiece. You have to read between the lines. Thank you for showing the power of of forgiveness. I look forward to the next one.

Francine Rivers has done it again. Two kids experienced trauma but live in different socio economic circumstances. Their adult lives collides in more ways than one. Could something beautiful come out of pain, anger, disappointment and betrayal. It’s an awesome book with a twist that will have you thinking days after you finish the last page. Highly recommended.

Well worth the wait to have another Francine Rivers novel, moma masterpiece in its own right. A book that grips from page 1 and shows the love of the Lord with every page turn yet so firmly set in the reality of modern life. Thank you Francine

Francine's books always take you straight into suspence, but this one, though good, falls short of this standard. It takes pages before it takes you on board. The style Francine uses to go back and forth in time during the first third of the book is not typical of her style. Because this tactic is overused, the book failed to surprise me and excite until well into it. I struggled to keep reading, until it started maintaining the usual style.Once it picked momentum, it became hot again, making me look forward to find a spare moment to read the book.The message and moral impact of the book is the best part of it. In this regard, The Masterpiece didn't disappoint.The ending of the book is also a bit flat, and did not leave me wishing there was book 2 of the story.Despite these few negatives, I would still recommend Francine Rivers literature to anyone.