South of Somewhere by T.I. Lowe: A Beautiful Story of Redemption and Second Chances.

South of Somewhere is a contemporary Christian Southern fiction story about twenty-five-year-old Juniper Wilder, a young woman who has experienced more than her share of grief, loss, and self-inflicted trouble. After her husband dies, Juniper loses custody of her young daughter following a DUI arrest. Now, newly released from rehab, she is determined to do whatever it takes to get her daughter back.

I love that Juniper’s name—which happens to be my granddaughter’s name—fits her personality so beautifully. She is determined and honest with herself and others. She knows her triggers, recognizes her weaknesses, and is willing to own her mistakes. She’s also grateful, quick-witted, and a good judge of character, making her an easy character to root for.

The story begins with Juni’s release from rehab, where she is immediately tempted by Trevor, a guy who has recently gotten out of rehab himself. Enter some good old-fashioned dread and tension! Just when Juni needs stability, trouble seems determined to find her.

Then there’s Gil, Juni’s seventy-something AA sponsor and parole officer, who shows up at her house for a drug test and to get her to her first AA meeting. Juni and Gil’s relationship is one of my favorites. He’s tough but loving, exactly the kind of person Juni needs in her corner.

There are several relationships and plotlines that make this story especially compelling:

First, there’s Juni’s brother, Cy. Cy and his wife have temporary custody of Juni’s daughter, Fern, and Cy doesn’t have much faith in his sister. His words are often critical and sarcastic, and I didn’t always like him very much! What struck me most, though, was Juni’s response to his unkindness. She meets his criticism with Christlike humility and is quick to acknowledge her own faults and shortcomings. Her growth in this area is both beautiful and believable.

Then there’s Henry, her quirky neighbor. Henry is a college professor and well-known writer, and his relationship with Juni is funny in an odd sort of way. They tiptoe around one another for a while before gradually learning to trust and genuinely enjoy each other’s company.

Juni also struggles to find an AA group where she feels she belongs. Eventually, Gil invites her to his group, the Magnolia Nephalist Society, where she finally finds “her people.” The way this group loves, encourages, and supports one another is beautiful. We all need people like that in our lives!

And then there’s Trevor. This crummy guy has a knack for showing up whenever Juni is most vulnerable. It seems as though he’s determined to wreck her life, and I felt a fair amount of dread every time he appeared. I so badly wanted Juni to stay sober and earn back the trust—and ultimately the custody—of her daughter.

There are twists, turns, surprises, and a few shocks along the way in this wonderfully redemptive story. All I’ll say is that healing happens on many fronts, and so does love.

South of Somewhere is both entertaining and encouraging—a story about second chances, finding your people, taking responsibility for your past, and discovering that healing is possible.