Talk about a page-turner! This true story is one that had me from beginning to end. My review will likely contain a few spoilers.

In 2015, on a cold winter day, Joyce Smith’s fourteen-year-old son was visiting with friends and was involved in an accident that resulted in death. After being rushed to the hospital with no response, the doctors were ready to give up. It had been nearly an hour and likely impossible that John’s body could live after such a catastrophic accident. The events that transpire afterward are nothing short of a miracle.

John was such a lucky boy with a strong support system, not just from family, but from his church and community as well. There’s a lot of positivity surrounding him, especially from his mother Joyce. I admired Joyce’s strength as she never seemed to lose faith (despite all the negativity), even when some people around her were breaking. Many would agree: It does appear that because of God’s miraculous abilities to heal, her son is alive and well today. Was it all the power of prayer? Did God really heal John? The doctors can’t explain it, and he wasn’t the only one to experience a miracle those few weeks in 2015.

This was actually recommended to me by my local librarian who also ordered the movie which releases on DVD this week. I was compelled to read the book because it seemed like it might involve a near death experience, which is a subject I enjoy studying. This was different from my expectations, but the story still had me captivated. I thought it was written really well too.

I found some parts in the story hard to read when it came to their struggles with some of the more difficult and controlling members of the medical community. After having some of these same problems when my daughter was in a teaching hospital, this book reminded me just how arduous those obstacles were. I also found myself asking the same questions others asked in the end: Why does God answer some prayers and not others? Was John just lucky? You’ll have to read it to see what you think.

This book is the media tie in edition which includes pictures from the movie, but also real pictures of Joyce and her family as well. There are many Bible verses throughout which I enjoyed studying. Even if you aren’t a Christian, the story is one to read, and it may open your eyes. I highly recommend it.

5*****