Mary Bridget might be living away from her family, and somewhat reluctantly is part of a drug-dealer's setup, but she can't forget her grandma's teaching. When she sees a chance to get away she flees her past and her present, finding a way to start again under another name.

But then she sees someone who really needs help, who's crying out for help, and feels the tug of God's Spirit telling her that *she* can make a difference. Slowly, she begins to connect with the family of a widowed minister, discovering that they too have secrets, but that she can help, and even be happy. Is that enough? Will her past catch up with her? Will they hate her when... if... she tells the truth?

God's neverending love, care and forgiveness run through this story of redemption, truth and grace. While the people in it struggle with their lives and their past, God uses - and changes - each of them to make the whole tapestry better.

Engrossing Christian book. This book is very much about God's love for His children and how He doesn't like to see even one of them lost from His love and Redemption. Alasdair is a minister who lost his wife (thru suicide) two years prior and in the process Alasdair pretty much lost himself and their three kids. Bridie is associating with two Meth drug dealers and finally breaks away, turnthe police onto the drug dealers while she lands at Alasdair's household as nanny/housekeeper. The two Meth dealers are arrested, however, Jonah, Bridie's childhood friend, manages to get his sentence overturned and comes after Bridie. Winifred, Lorna, Fiona, Samantha all add their own baggage to this short (318 pgs) book. Wonderful, upligting story about the Lord's love for each of his children (even Jonah!).

I loved it!
The theme of forgiveness,
( ourselves, others, and God's forgiveness)
was well done.
Also that God is the God of many chances!

I loved that it had a good number of scriptures,
and how they were applied to the lives of the characters.

It was so beautiful that in some parts of reading the novel,
brought me to tears.

I hope to read more by this author.

What a fabulous story! I'd give it 10 stars if I could. God never leaves His children alone, even when they feel that they've messed up too much to change things. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

A gripping story of redemption and faith lost and found. And of prayer that was prayed with such earnestness and perseverance that you could not doubt that it would be answered. As any Christian knows, God sometimes says No or Later, but these prayers were answered YES!I loved reading this. One thing I very much appreciate and that is that there are several threads and layers and everything stays under control and is easy to follow. I would highly recommend this book to all who enjoy a novel that is thoroughly Christian and which nurtures the faith of its readers.

Great coming of age and finding your path. Each time I read this book I identify with another character.

In this powerful story of redemption and love, a prodigal young woman from the hills of Virginia flees the men who have lured her away from a godly upbringing into a life of desperation. Taking on a new identity, Mary Bridget Washburn escapes to the bustling city of Alexandria. There her path crosses that of Alasdair MacPherson, a widowed pastor with three young children and daunting problems of his own. Mary Bridget longs to bring happiness to the deeply troubled family, but she seems an unlikely candidate to help. Has she fallen too far from grace to be able to pass it on? A heart-tugging tale about the extraordinary struggles that turn ordinary people into heroes, a story about second chances...

My Gram passed away in 2019- I found a book where she recorded her “goodreads” spanning 10 years of reading. She recorded all the books she read and had her own rating system. She made special note of the ones my Grandpa liked (she would read aloud to him daily as he progressively started to go blind. Gram inspired my love for reading when I was in middle school- and lately I have ached to be in her company. I have decided to read through her “goodreads” list in efforts to connect and feel close to her.


This was the first book on her list. She rated it “V.G.” for very good and I would have to agree!

I’m excited to read the next two in the series.

I enjoyed this author and would read more from her, parts were predictable but I cried a little at the end...a solid three stars!

This one was just okay; it didn't do very much for me.

Mary is scared and in over her head. Not knowing where to turn, she escapes, however the freedom she finds is only partial as she is haunted by the sins of her past. It isn't until she reaches out to a troubled young girl from a family stricken with pain that she begins to piece her disjointed life back together and in doing so learns what it means to love again. In Linda Nichols book, Not a Sparrow Falls Mary Washburn leaves behind her given name and assimilates to the name of her mother, Bridget--Bridie for short. Follow Bridie on her emotionally charged journey to save a young girl and in doing so, save herself.

I applaud Linda Nichols for her work on Not A Sparrow Falls. So many authors shy away from topics such as drugs, alcohol abuse, and suicide, but Nichols broached them with sincerity and truth. She portrayed the dangers of substance abuse and the lifelong impact with great clarity and truth while not crossing any descriptive lines that could compromise the integrity of the reader. At the heart of it all is Christ's redeeming power, the love of Christ for those whom have sinned beyond what they believe he could forgive and lastly, the power of prayer. I could easily recommend this book to any of my friends and be confident that they would enjoy it!

3.5. / 5.