If Tomorrow Never Comes

by Marlo Schalesky

Book Overview

Childhood sweethearts Kinna and Jimmy Henley had simple dreams-marriage, children, a house by the sea...everything they needed for happily ever after. What they didn't plan on was years of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1601420242
• ISBN13: 9781601420244
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Multnomah Books
• Length: 339 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Chasing Dreams

I believe in dreams--God-given dreams. Kinna's problem in "If Tomorrow Never Comes" is she has decided what her dreams are, and she has decided how to get there. She has believed the prideful and sometimes misguided notion of "you can do anything you put your mind to." Her struggle? Infertility. And she can't force the hand of God. Even if you've never faced infertility or chased a dream, you'll find yourself in these pages. The author tackles issues of father-son relationships, healing from a painful childhood, letting go, forgiveness, trusting God--all weighty issues. She also delves into issues within marriage as the married hero and heroine of her story face their weaknesses, their history, their love, and their hopes in the course of the story. The book is listed as general contemporary fiction, but I'd call this a married couple romance. For those of us how enjoy that type of read, this is a rare find. But "If Tomorrow Never Comes" is so much more than a simple, or formulaic, read. Without preaching, Marlo drew me to Jesus, glorifying Him. And just when you think the story is about to wind down, it really winds up. This is definitely one of the best books I've read in a while. She hooked me from the very beginning, and through her use of universal themes (see above) kept me turning pages through the end. Highly recommended!

Perfect Book Club Book

If you like books with strong characters, this is one Christian fiction you cannot miss reading. Kenna and Jimmy are beautifully written. They think like I have thought. They argue like my husband and I have argued. Marriage experts say that communication is all important, and yet spouses continually guess at the other's motivations rather than ask about it. Communication may be Kenna and Jimmy's weak point. Characters like these are not found in most books. On the other hand, if you prefer a plot-driven novel, here's your book! Schalesky writes a tapestry of a tale with clever interweaving of childhood memories. At one point, I actually said aloud, "Ahhh" as I figured out one twist. This plot moves along smoothly, with plenty of surprises. There's a locket, something about tulips, and games of "Let's Pretend" to figure out. Thea's thoughts are written in first-person, while the other characters are written in third-person narrative. This helps separate her from the crowd. She's a confusing, crazy old lady who plays with everyone's minds, including the reader's. Because of her, the story seems a bit confusing at first, but hang on because like a roller coaster, it's about to take off! A Reader's Guide is included. This is a perfect book club book because once finished, you will want to have someone around to discuss it.

Another Great Love Story With a Twist

If Tomorrow Never Comes is part of a series with unrelated characters called Love Stories With a Twist. The author describes them as Nicolas Sparks meets M. Night Shymalan. I read this book in one afternoon. I read the first one Beyond the Night the same way. Both were excellent! The pace is slower but perfect for the story. It unfolds as you read and I found myself holding my breath in parts. The story is well written and the story at times poignant and painful. I felt like I was in the story and cared about what happened to Kinna and Jimmy and their marriage. And the ending comes with a surprising breathless twist. I can't wait for the next love story with a twist. I highly recommend this book and the first Beyond the Night. :)

Evocative tale of tragedy and triumph

IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES is a poignant love story between a woman longing for a baby and the man who once adored her as their marriage disintegrates like a sandcastle in the tide of their pain. What a riveting read. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Marlo's vivid descriptions and believable, likeable, and intricately-developed characters immediately drew me in to her story world. This book is reminiscent of a Nicholas Sparks or Karen Kingsbury novel in its powerful portrayal of real-life struggles and the discovery that only love can overcome shattered dreams and broken relationships. I also loved Marlo's novel BEYOND THE NIGHT. If you like well-written, emotionally gripping fiction, read both of these books!

God of Wonders

My mom actually got to read this book before I did and the plot twists left her a bit unsettled at first. I, on the other hand, was enthralled from the first chapter. When I pointed out to my mom how Marlo's writing style is much like the surprising, and sometimes challenging, story telling of Angela Hunt, she started looking at the story through new eyes. In the end, we both fell in love with this artfully crafted tale, made all the more personal to me because of my own journey through infertility. While a previous reviewer stated that the plot line of Kinna's desperation over childlessness reminded her of the immaturity of a teenager or that the story could have just as easily been about any other addiction that separates us from God, I have to argue that the emotions processed through If Tomorrow Never Comes are a very real reflection of my own struggles with God through a decade of infertility: - Desperation? Yes. - Spiritual immaturity? Yes, but hopefully one that refines the main character, along with the reader, toward a deeper relationship with God. - Realistic portrayal of such shattering grief? Absolutely so, from my perspective! This is a work of fiction, and as such, the author is free to take artistic license with her perspectives on time and space. But to anyone questioning Marlo's liberties with temporal and spatial laws, I offer this simple challenge; How big is your God? If He is big enough to create this universe, is He not big enough to work outside of the very laws of nature as well? Be it through the message He births within the heart of an author, or in the realities of our daily lives, my God is a God of wonders who cannot be held within the confines of my limited imagination. This book led me on a wonderful journey that reminded me, once again, that we serve an amazing Lord! Jennifer Saake author, Hannah's Hope: Seeking God's Heart in the Midst of Infertility, Miscarriage & Adoption Loss