The Second Half: A Novel

Lauraine Snelling

Jul 2016 · Sold by FaithWords

About this ebook

Bestselling author Lauraine Snelling shares a heartfelt story of a couple who put their plans for a peaceful retirement on hold to assume guardianship of their young grandchildren.

Mona and Ken Sorenson are approaching the best years of their lives. Mona's greatest concern is that Ken will learn of the surprise party she's planning for his retirement from his job as Dean of Students at Stone University. They've already been making plans to travel, spend limitless hours in the garden, and Ken is looking forward to working on his woodworking and fishing with his grandchildren. It's what they deserve after years of careful planning.

But things begin to unravel when Ken learns that office politics are about to destroy his department. Can he really just leave, abandoning the work he spent a lifetime achieving? Mona is eager to build her event planning business with Ken's help, but rather than supporting her, he expresses concern that the stress of the work will send her back into the depression she struggles with. Then, just days before Ken's last official day of work, their son, a Special Forces officer in the Army, learns he's being immediately deployed on a six-month mission in Pakistan. Since his wife left him, the only people he trusts to care for his two young children are his parents. In an instant, everything Ken and Mona spent their lives planning changes, and they will need to find strength, both physical and mental, to become parents once more. This is not the second half they wanted, and when their son fails to contact them as planned, they struggle to trust that it is God's plan, not theirs, that matters most.

Ratings and reviews

The Second Half is the latest novel by Lauraine Snelling. Ken Sorensen is getting ready to retire as Dean of Students from Stone University. Ken and his wife, Mona will now be to travel or do whatever they want. Ken has plans for fishing and woodworking. Mona owns and runs an event planning business from home. Mona is hoping that Ken will assist her with her event planning business once he retires (Ken has no clue). Just before his last day at work, Ken finds out that people are trying to eliminate the department he created. Ken has helped many students and does not want to see his legacy destroyed. Then Mona and Ken receive a call from their son, Steig. Steig is a captain in Army’s Special Forces. Steig has two young children and his wife has abandoned them. He has just received his orders. Steig needs his parents to watch Jakey (5) and Mellie (10). Ken and Mona agree (of course), but this is not what they had planned. They figure they can do this for six months to a year (at most). It turns out more complicated than they thought. Ken gets called back into the university to help his replacement, and Mona is left to watch the children. Mona has her own business to manage and is at risk of falling back into her depression (it is a constant battle). Jakey is not handling the changes very well (clingy which is natural). Mona and Ken keep reminding themselves that it is only temporary, but then the unthinkable happens. What if it is not just for six months or a year? See what happens when the best laid plans go awry! Have you ever heard the phrase “we plan and God laughs”? That is the premise of The Second Half (referring to the second half of their lives when the kids are grown up and we get to retire). Mona and Ken each have plans for their retirement. One action changes everything. Mona has to battle depression (it is a constant battle to keep depression at bay) and Ken a change of his plans (for taking it easy, fishing, his hobby of woodworking, travel) as well as the destruction of something (legacy) he created (and enjoyed). The Second Half contains good writing (as usual) and has a sweet ending. There were some slow spots (especially during the prayer sections), but the book keeps moving at a decent pace for the most part. I thought Mona worried way too much (all her worrying made me nervous), but it is part of her character (worry, prayer, and depression). I give The Second Half 4 out of 5 stars. It was interesting to see how Mona and Ken handled each situation. It teaches us that we are not in control and worrying does not help. I liked The Second Half, but it is not my favorite book of Lauraine Snelling (just my personal feelings). I will definitely be reading Lauraine Snelling’s future novels. I received a complimentary copy of The Second Half from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel. The opinions and comments above are strictly my own.

About the author

Lauriane Snelling has been writing since 1980, with over sixty-five books published, both fiction and non-fiction, historical and contemporary, for adults and young readers. She received a Career Achievement Award for inspirational fiction from RT Book Reviews and her books consistently appear on CBA bestseller lists. A hallmark of her style is writing about real issues within a compelling story. Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons and live in the Tehachapi Mountains in California with a Bassett Hound named Sir Winston.