A Place Called Blessing by John Trent ~ review

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780849946189
• ISBN-13: 978-0849946189
• Click here to purchase a copy of this book.

Product Description

An orphaned boy's story of loss, love, and eventual acceptance by the most unlikely people.

Five-year-old Josh and his two older brothers lose their parents in a drunk-driving accident. A series of foster homes and a shocking tragedy eventually separate them, leaving Josh alone, angry, and distrustful of most everyone. At age eighteen, Josh strikes out on his own to find work. With only a high school education and few life skills, he is one step away from homelessness when Providence brings him to a place where he finds much more than physical shelter. For the first time in his life, Josh receives unconditional love and something every human being craves, the gift of "the blessing."

Includes an introduction and reader's guide designed to identify and discuss the five elements of the biblical blessing that every person needs. Readers are shown, through the power of Josh's story, how to give this gift to their children and others as outlined in the more than one million copy bestseller, The Blessing.

My take on this book:

Imagine being five years old and being told your parents are never coming back. For Josh and his brothers that's just what happened. While his parents weren't great,they liked to drink and left the boys to their own devices while they partied, they were all the boys knew. The three boys wind up in a foster home, but an accident occurs and six year old Josh is labeled as unadoptable. His brothers find a home but he is left to grow up in an orphanage. As he matures into an adult he can't let go of his past and decides he doesn't need to rely on anyone, but when he rents a room from his co-workers mother he soon learns the true meaning of love and forgiveness in A Place Called Blessing.


This is one of those stories that is short enough to read in one sitting and I am so glad it was because once I started reading I didn't want to put it down. I had to know how things would work out for Josh. While the plot was sort of predictable I couldn't help but feel heartbroken when six year old Josh realized what he had done. It was easy to understand why he became a young man who wanted to keep to himself. It was nice to see the slow transformation of Josh after he moved in with Anna and Brian. There were a few twists at the end that I didn't see happening. If your looking for a story with a strong spiritual message that will bring you to tears but is also inspire and touch your heart as well then you should give this one a try.

rating 4/5

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.