The Songs That Could Have Been - by Amanda Wen (Paperback)

About the Book

"After a tailspin in her late teens, Lauren Anderson's life is finally back on track. Her battle with bulimia is under control, her career is taking off, and she's surrounded by a loving family. Then a chance meeting with Carter Douglas, her first love and the man who broke her heart, leads to old feelings returning with new strength. And suddenly her well-balanced world is thrown off kilter. Now a TV meteorologist, Carter is determined to make amends with Lauren. After all, she still owns his heart. But the reasons they broke up aren't lost-and those old demons are forcing him toward the same decision he faced in the past. He isn't sure he's courageous enough to make a different choice this time around. When Lauren's elderly grandmother, Rosie, begins having nightmares about a man named Ephraim-a name her family has never heard before-a fascinating and forbidden past love comes to light. As Lauren and Carter work to uncover the untold stories of Rosie's past in 1950s Wichita, they embark on a journey of forgiveness and second chances that will change their lives-and Rosie's-forever. Along the way they'll learn that God wastes nothing, his timing is perfect, and nothing is beyond his grace and redemption"--

Book Synopsis

"A stunning journey of loss, love, and yearning. . . . Past and present are deftly woven together in this dual-timeline narrative that will leave readers flying through the pages." --Amanda Cox, author of the 2021 Christy Award Book of the Year, The Edge of Belonging

After a devastating tailspin in her late teens, Lauren Anderson's life is finally back on track. Then a chance meeting with Carter Douglas, her first love and the man who broke her heart, threatens to throw her well-balanced world out of control.

Now a TV meteorologist, Carter is determined to make amends with Lauren. After all, she still owns his heart. But his old demons are forcing him toward the same decision he faced in the past. Is he courageous enough to make a different choice this time around?

When Lauren's elderly grandmother, Rosie, begins having nightmares about a man named Ephraim--a name her family has never heard before--a fascinating and forbidden past love comes to light. As Lauren and Carter work to uncover the untold stories of Rosie's past in 1950s Wichita, they embark on a journey of forgiveness and second chances that will change their lives--and Rosie's--forever. Along the way they'll learn that God wastes nothing, his timing is perfect, and nothing is beyond his grace and redemption.

"A reading experience both heartfelt and heart-tugging, a timeless exploration of young and enduring love and the grace found in second chances. Amanda Wen is a rare and remarkable storyteller, and this is a novel I will not soon forget." --Amanda Barratt, Christy Award-winning author of The White Rose Resists

Review Quotes

"Amanda Wen is a fresh new voice in the Christian fiction arena! Blending well researched historical events with modern-day, relatable characters, she crafts tales within tales that are guaranteed to delight and inspire readers. I highly recommend this inspiring writer."--Kim Vogel Sawyer, best-selling author of Freedom's Song (12/20/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"As poignant as it is intricately crafted, The Songs That Could Have Been takes readers on a journey spanning decades and linking the stories of two couples who find themselves drawn together in unexpected and beautiful ways. This is a reading experience both heartfelt and heart-tugging, a timeless exploration of young and enduring love and the grace found in second chances. Amanda Wen is a rare and remarkable storyteller, and this is a novel I will not soon forget."--Amanda Barratt, Christy Award-winning author of The White Rose Resists (12/20/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"Readers will be swept off their feet by Amanda Wen's second installment of the Sedgwick County Chronicles. The Songs That Could Have Been takes readers on a stunning journey of loss, love, and yearning for the things that could have been. Within these pages, Wen masterfully handles difficult themes like addiction and racism with authenticity, grace, and hope. Past and present are deftly woven together in this dual-timeline narrative that will leave readers flying through the pages. The Songs That Could Have Been is the 'can't miss' book of the year."--Amanda Cox, author of the 2021 Christy Book of the Year, The Edge of Belonging (12/20/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"There are so many brilliant moments in The Songs That Could Have Been. Amanda Wen took risks that paid off with a treasure trove of themes which will resonate in my heart for a very long time. Peppered with struggle and yearning, the journeys of Carter and Lauren, Rosie and Ephraim, will ultimately fill you with deep hope and joy. Have tissues ready, but know they will be mostly for happy tears."--Deborah Raney, author of Bridges and the Chandler Sisters Novels series (12/20/2021 12:00:00 AM)