Description
Sixteen-year-old Chloe Gabriels has dreamed of going on an overseas mission trip for as long as she can remember, so when the opportunity arises for her to go to Thailand with Teen Missions International she jumps at the chance. Working at an orphanage, learning new skills, experiencing a different culture, making lifelong friends—what better way could there be to spend her summer vacation?
Of course, the trip will have its challenges—living in close quarters with seventeen other teens out of their comfort zones has a way of doing that—but it will be worth it. She’ll finally be serving God in a practical way.
But while the orphans and their stories break her heart, it’s someone unexpected who has the biggest impact on Chloe’s summer and leaves her wondering if maybe there are just as many people who need her love back home as there are overseas.
mgtnelson –
I’ve read Currie’s princess books, and enjoyed them a lot, so I was eager to try out her new young adult book, Because of You, even though it’s not a princess book.
This book brought back so many memories of teenaged me – trying to fit in, trying to apply my faith, going on missions trips, feeling awkward, and really growing in my relationship with Jesus. Currie has done a fabulous job making the story come alive, along with the various characters (some of whom really are characters!) And, since I ended up as a missionary in Asia, I really identified with the challenges Chloe faced in learning how to survive and thrive in a different culture.
You don’t have to be a young adult to enjoy and appreciate this book!
I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Barbara Szyszkiewicz –
When 16-year-old Chloe sets out on the mission trip she’s looked forward to since the age of 10, she doesn’t know what to expect, and the boot camp held by the Christian organization running the trip didn’t prepare her much. But when she arrives in an extremely primitive orphanage for girls in a remote part of Thailand, she’s also not prepared to lose her heart to the 40 young children who’d been rescued from traumatic situations and, in some cases, saved from lives of human trafficking.
Chloe has to learn survival skills like washing her dishes, clothes, and hair in an icy-cold river—and her ability to make friends is tested by one of her fellow teen missionaries, who spends most of the time crying and complaining that she misses her mom. Some of the most valuable lessons Chloe learns have nothing to do with orphans, Thailand, or survival: they’re lessons of trust, faith, and friendship.
Definitely recommended for any teen hoping to participate in a mission or service trip! This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I’ll be checking out her backlist after reading this one.
Kathryn Bochman –
Hannah Currie knows how to write a compelling young adult novel that even season adults will enjoy. Her latest, Because of You, brought me back to my own teen years as I delved into the story of Chloe, who is embarking on a mission trip to a girls’ orphanage in Thailand. I related completely with Chloe as I recalled my past mission trip experiences – the joys, the challenges, the discoveries, and the widening of perspective to a painful world in desperate need of hope.
Currie penned a story full of meaning with a plot that kept me engaged from start to finish. I especially loved the message of this book – for we never know how much our small actions can impact others in a huge way. And this is a timeless message of love we all need to be reminded of.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
chosengirl15 –
Because of you by Hannah Currie was a great book. The book is about Chloe who is in high school and has always wanted to go on a missionary trip. So now she is able to go. After all the preparations with the team they are on their way to Thailand. Once there they are introduced to the people in charge of the orphanage and the children. They were told of the project that they were to work on but it has now changed. This book is filled with joy, laughter, excitement and friendship. I could not put it down. This boom was given to me by the publisher. All thoughts are my own. This was another wonderful book by Hannah Currie and I will be !looking forward to her next book.
bethany.aich –
Because of You is a book I consumed in shorter increments than normal. It took me DAYS to read it instead of hours- and not because it dragged (it DIDN’T) but because it fit the book better than my usual sprint through a story. I was reminded loosely of my time in Southern Africa so it was a bit nostalgic-feeling. While fictional in nature, it reads more like a nonfiction to me; it feels real.
Told from 16-year-old Chloe’s point of view, we get to see her inner thoughts here. While I wouldn’t label them snarky, they frequently made me smile and chuckle. “Curious as I was…I thought it best not to ask…this was likely one of those cases where the less I knew, the better.” I loved glimpsing Thailand through her eyes, hearing a testimony similar to my own in her voice.
I feel like I highlighted half of the book. While technically fiction, this book has so much of its story found in the real life experiences of its author. I laughed, cried, nearly gagged. I also contemplated parts and had times of letting it just simmer. Because of You was amazing, but not in a well-done-action-movie type of way. It’s a quiet and humorous telling of living life for God, of perspectives being changed in unexpected ways, of joy found after hardship. It’s beautiful.
While I have read several of Hannah’s other books (and enjoyed them), she really hit it out of the park with this one.
Romance and violence-wise, completely clean, though possible trigger warning could include human trafficking and struggling with infertility.
candideweekes (verified owner) –
Because Of You by Hannah Currie was a great read!
I really enjoyed reading Because Of You and I was easily able to relate to the main character : Chloe.
Shes was born in a christian home, like me, and felt like her testimony didn’t have a great impact on people.
The stoy was well written and touching.
The description of Thailand makes me want to go there for a visit 🙂
The story felt real even though it is fiction. I feel like all the event could have happened in real life (and I know some did 🙂 and that made the story even more powerful.
— I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. —
Talita Adendorff (verified owner) –
Even though I am a big fan of Hannah Currie, I was not 100% sure what to expect of Because of You because it’s not a princess book and is aimed more at teenagers/young adults (it’s been a while since I classified as one of those), but it’s a Hannah Currie so I jumped at the chance to read it.
I can honestly say I enjoyed it. It’s different from her other books, but the writing is still done with excellence, the story is well thought out and portrayed and many parts of the book resonated with me. The fact that I was a very similar teenager to Chloe does help, and I could relive bits of my younger years following her adventure. The spiritual truths in the book also made me think and even convicted me in places. I will definitely give Because of You to my daughters to read when they are a bit older, and it has inspired me to make a difference in the lives of the people in my local mission field. I even had tears in my eyes at times and had to laugh at certain scenes (those who have read it will know).
Thank you Hannah for writing another great book and I really look forward to reading many more books from your pen.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but the views and opinions are my own, and I will be reading this book again.
meganschaulis –
Christian coming of age perfection!
I loved Hannah Currie’s Crown of Promise series and was curious if she could deliver contemporary YA. In short, yes she can!
Any teen who dreams of impacting the world for God—and any adult who remembers the days of church camp or mission trips—will adore Chloe’s story. The voice is so authentic I forgot I was reading fiction. I felt like I was there with Chloe every step of the way, from the travel drama to sleeping on a cement floor to the children that both wrecked and filled her heart.
This is not a fast-paced thrill ride. It’s not filled with dire circumstances and impossible odds. It’s a beautiful, genuine tale of faith and faithfulness. It’s a squeaky clean read with no romance arc. The main character is 16, but younger kids could enjoy the story as well as adults. It’s pure, delightful, and inspirational.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
cbabler27 –
If you are looking for an encouraging and uplifting summer read for yourself or for a young adult you know, pick up Because of You by Hannah Currie. You will not be disappointed! This book tells a tale of discovery and growth through the eyes of Chloe, a teenage girl on a mission trip to Thailand. As Chloe travels to new lands, learns new cultures, and meets many new people, she learns some very important lessons and grows in her faith and character. Will her dreams of becoming a missionary overseas be realized? Can Chloe learn to serve God even at home? Read Because of You to discover some of the truths that Chloe learned!
Because of You brings readers on a journey alongside Chloe, a sweet highschool-aged girl with dreams of becoming a missionary. I think we all can relate to that desire to make a difference in the world as well as feeling like we are unprepared for what is before us. I appreciated the first person point of view and the way that Ms. Currie made the struggles, doubts, and fears of Chloe very real to the readers. This is an excellent book that brings readers a feel-good tale full of faith without the fast-paced, adrenalin-packed energy of other books. I genuinely appreciated Because of You as a great change of pace from the often overly action-packed fiction. Another reason I appreciated Because of You was the way Ms. Currie didn’t shy away from the difficult subjects of poverty, loss, trafficking, slavery, and other sadly true realities in our world. I appreciate the honest approach to these subjects in a way that even young readers could understand. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated this great book. I highly recommend Because of You by Hannah Currie and I sincerely hope that you pick up a copy for yourself! Find more information below about this great book and the author. Happy readings!
Disclaimer: White Spark Publishing graciously provided me with a copy of this book . All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.
amybradsher –
Hannah Currie has penned a powerful yet sweet coming-of-age story in Because of You that will soften your heart towards those in the mission field.
Chloe is beyond excited for her first mission experience, and even though she’s wise and patient with the limitations of living in an Asian country, she doesn’t expect the lessons she learns there – and these are ones that we readers need to know, as well. The story provides the perfect backdrop for helping us to understand real empathy and compassion.
This story is completely free of romance, a trait that’s difficult to find in teen reads, and also completely clean. While the main character herself is sixteen, I feel that it’s appropriate for any teenager. This makes it great not only for individual reading, but also for groups, like book clubs and youth groups.
In many ways, Because of You is a throwback to books of a bygone era. It’s sweet, deep, and clean, with great lessons and action that’s a mix of emotional, interpersonal, prankster, and events that result from traveling and foreign interaction. The lack of intense suspense and scary episodes make it the kind of book that anyone can enjoy, and I can see it being a big hit as a family read-aloud or a book club pick – I’ve already put it on my book list for next year. I highly recommend it for you, too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
beilbybooknook –
This was a great coming of age story about a girl named Chloe who dreams of being an overseas Christian missionary. Chole goes on a missionary trip and has, as many young adults do, expectations of what she would be doing on the trip. She works hard to learn the rules that have to be followed when they arrive in Thailand, and thinks she is ready. When Chloe and the team get to The Grace Refuge, Chloe is heartbroken by the stories of the young girls at the orphanage. God impresses on her heart that it is He who is rescuing these girls, and that he uses His people to help along the way.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; with unfailing kindness, I have drawn you to myself.”
“You see Chloe? God has not forgotten these girls. He is working in people’s lives every minute of every day to save them. George and I, we have the privilege of being a part of that plan. But, ultimately, God is the one working. It is He and He alone who has the power, might and care to bring them home.”
God does a work in her heart to not only share God’s love with those far away, but to do so with those right around her.
I highly recommend this young adult novel for girls ages 12-16. I received a complimentary copy of this book from WhiteSpark Publishing. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
joanne –
This was my first book by Hannah Currie, but it almost certainly won’t be my last. This YA novel kept me engaged with Chloe especially and her thoughts and adventures. That she was from Australia, and traveled to Thailand, added to the interest for this American who has never been to either place. I love that her faith was strong, but still challenged, and that she grew closer to God, and the members of her teen missions team, in a natural way. A wholesome story with real conflict and adventure that tugged at my heart and made me want to draw closer to God.
mackenzieharting –
I received an early complimentary e-copy to read and review with my honest opinion. I’ve loved all of the other Hannah Currie books that I’ve read. This book started at a 4 star and ended at a 5 for me. It’s was relatable, funny, serious, and sweet.
Aside from her usual character descriptions that draw you to her characters, Hannah describes amazing scenery visuals! One scene at the local bazaar had me reliving a similar experience with shop keepers when we traveled to a foreign city.
I also loved this snippet from the ending. I can relate to the character’s feelings about sharing your faith with your own friends/people.
“…share God’s love with my own friends and culture. I didn’t know which was scarier. Actually, yes. I did. My own culture. By far. These weren’t people I was spending a few minutes with never to see again. These were my family and friends. People I’d see every day. People who knew me, who’d seen me at my best and worst. People who could hurt me with their judgment or choose not to be my friend anymore. But there was one thing I knew without a sliver of a doubt. The God who’d been with me all summer…held me still. And He’d never let me go…..
Where God would take me from here, I didn’t know, but to my surprise, I was okay with that. He’d proved Himself faithful so many times this summer and used me even at my worst. Whatever came next, He’d be there too.“
phillipians4_8 –
A beautifully written YA novel that brings a teen missions trip to a girls’ home in Thailand to life. Gleaning experience and inspiration from her own teen missions trip through Teen Missions Intl., Hannah Currie writes a story filled with humor and woven with threads of faith and God’s revealing that all have their own story that will surely challenge children and adults alike.
I received a copy of this book through the publisher, and was not required to write a positive review.
ageelettie –
Because of You by Hannah Currie is a wonderful fictional account of how a short-term mission trip changes the life of a sixteen year old girl.
I was so excited for this book when I first heard about it, because missionary work is near-and-dear to my own family. My maternal grandparents were international missionaries for over thirty years and I myself have gone on multiple short term mission trips both domestically and nationally, so when I hear about a book promoting mission work, I am excited. And Because of You did not disappoint.
This book takes readers on a beginning-to-end account of Chloe’s mission trip to a Thailand orphanage and each chapter will leave you smiling. The characters are eclectic, the antics humorous and unique, and the spiritual lessons heartfelt. While this book is a fictional account, I found it to be very representative of many people’s experiences on mission trips and I believed everything that happened to Chloe and her teammates.
Most of all, I am just so thankful for a modern YA novel that represents and promotes mission work in such a way. I would recommend this book to any young person in my church.
As a member of the launch team, I received a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
Laura Cisson –
Because of You is a moving story with a timeless and powerful message. You’ll be hooked as soon as you start reading and will keep turning pages as you join Chloe and the rest of the mission team on an unforgettable journey to Thailand.
I’ve had Hannah Currie’s books on my TBR for awhile but this is the first book of hers that I’ve read. It was so good and I’m looking forward to reading her others!
Thank you to WhiteFire Publishing for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
kewkew34 –
I was recently introduced to Hannah Curries books when I was on the review team for the first book in her Daughters of Peverall series. When I learned she had written a book that focused on a mission trip I was quite intrigued. Yes, it is different than a princess book, but Because of You is an awesome story. It is geared to young adults, but it is also great for adults to read, especially if one has an interest in missions.
I loved reading about Chloe’s trip, especially knowing that the author had gone on a mission trip to Thailand when she was a teenager, and she had included some true-life moments. Seeing some of the preparation Chloe and her team had gone through, in memories, as the story begins when they are on their way to Thailand was quite intriguing. The majority of the story, however, focused on the time the teens are in Thailand working at a refuge for girls. The reader gets to see the hardships that the team dealt with, the sacrifices they made, and the friendships they made with the girls. Such a hard thing to think of the fact that there are girls out there being sold by their families into a life of slavery, girls who end up in brothels, girls who have no hope. Because while there were true orphans in this refuge, there were also ones who were considered orphans as their families didn’t want them or couldn’t take care of them. But the hope we see through the caretakers of the refuge, knowing there are people out there with the heart for helping these girls, was very moving.
At the same time, we also see how Chloe grows spiritually through this experience. Though her faith is strong already, she still has things she struggles with, don’t we all, and it was encouraging to see her turn to the Lord for strength.
I truly enjoyed this book, even though it isn’t the usual type of story I read. It was very encouraging, and even entertaining with some awesomely hilarious scenes in among the more serious scenes. And I felt I learned a bit about the culture of Thailand as well.
Definitely a book I recommend.
I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.
estera83 –
I greatly enjoyed reading this book about young girl, Chloe, who decided to go on the mission trip during her summer holidays. She went with Teen Missions International from Australia to Taihland, to spend 3 weeks at the orphanage. Her adventures were sometimes funny, and sometimes sad, and her experience was moving. I was touched by Chloe’s maturity and relationship with God, and how she grew during this mission trip. Although this story is a fiction, it is based on personal experience of the author. This book is tear straining, and I recommend it for younger and older readers alike.
I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.