As Sure as The Sea, by Jamie Ogle (BOOK REVIEW)

"Where there is life, there is purpose." 

During the time of Emperor Diocletian's anti-Christian edicts, Demetria makes a meager living harvesting coral and pearls for a merchant who overlooks her faith. When her brother Theseus is injured in a diving accident, all seems lost, until a stranger named Nikolas appears on the beach and offers help. Nikolas, the new pastor, comes to Mrya burdened with guilt of his brother's tragic death. As being a Christian becomes more and more dangerous, Demi helps Nikolas retrieve his lost fortune and help those in need. But in order for Demi and Nikolas to have a deeper relationship they must reveal their broken pasts and learn that freedom can be found in forgiveness together.

"I love you." His words slashed her heart like a goodbye as his fingers tightened around hers."

Wow. I've been putting off reviewing this book for so long because I'm speechless. When I finished this book, I was in shock. This story was powerful, moving and one of my favorite books of all time. I'll never get over it.

Firstly, the setting is so amazing. I loved the Rome vibe. I don't think I've ever read anything set in Rome, apart from school books. But I loved how Rome was so unique and attractive. I felt like I was actually there. 

The characters were amazing. While reading I really felt like I was an observer in their life. Their lives were real, relatable and didn't feel far away. I loved Demi and Nikolas. It's hard to please me with changing povs, but Ogle did it. The perspective changed between Demi and Nikolas, but it wasn't consistent and when it did change, it was subtle and worked along with the story. I also loved that all the supporting characters weren't shallow. They were just as important as the main characters. 

Writing Christian fiction is hard and it can easily become cheesy. Especially when its a romance. But wow, Jamie Ogle sure knows how to tap into the powerful and life-changing dynamic that comes along with being a child of God. I was constantly highlighting tons of sentences. There is so much raw truth in this book that is undeniably from a heart filled with the Holy Spirit. Jamie Ogle applies the truth to so many real life problems that the characters go through and it becomes relatable. Obviously, in America, we aren't living under active persecution. But a lot of people are. Seeing yet another angle of what Christian persecution looks like in this book is really humbling. 

As you probably know I'm super picky about romances. They have to be done right, they have to be genuine and not develop in the span of two days. That being said, I loved the romance in this book. The characters were so sweet and didn't just fall in love, but became closer to God together. There is nothing greater than a man and a woman in love that love God more than each other and keep Him in the center of their relationship. And it wasn't love at first sight. It felt real because it was a bumpy ride for them to actually figure out their feelings for each other. 

I read this book on my Kindle so I guess it took me until I finished it to figure out that this is historical fiction. It's about Saint Nikolas and what his life might've looked like. And wow, Jamie Ogle is literally so amazing. This is one of those books where you finish it and feel satisfied and awestruck at how thought-out and amazing it was. I don't know if I've ever finished a book and immediately wanted to read it again. For this book that's how I felt. I will definitely be reading this book again. 

"It was not a promise of ease, but a promise of suffering, of trial - more than that, it was a promise that in the end, the suffering would not have the final word."

I give this book a 10 out 10 and recommend it to ages 14+

PRESS HERE to purchase the book for yourself! (I highly recommend getting it :)

Happy Reading!

-Ariana :)