Once was lost

It may suit readers interested in stories where belief and family relationships are unsettled rather than taken for granted; Samara’s doubts sit alongside her parents’ difficulties.

The story includes a girl’s kidnapping, a parent’s rehabilitation after drink-driving, and Samara’s sense of emotional abandonment. These may be worth checking in with a reader about.

Does Samara’s understanding of faith shift, and what, if anything, helps her hold on to hope?

Consider reading alongside the book, pausing after the kidnapping is introduced to ask what feels most troubling or uncertain, and whether the family or faith themes raise questions.