"Invisible" by Ginny Yttrup

ISBN: 9781433671685

About the book:  Ellyn DeMoss--chef, cafe owner, and lover of butter--is hiding behind her extra weight. But what is she hiding? While Ellyn sees the good in others, she has only condemnation for herself. So when a handsome widower claims he's attracted to Ellyn, she's certain there's something wrong with him.

Sabina Jackson--tall, slender, and exotic--left her husband, young adult daughters, and a thriving counseling practice to spend a year in Northern California where she says she's come to heal. But it seems to Ellyn that Sabina's doing more hiding than healing. What's she hiding from? Is it God?

Twila Boaz has come out of hiding and is working to gain back the pounds she lost when her only goal was to disappear. When her eating disorder is triggered again, though she longs to hide, she instead follows God and fights for her own survival. But will she succeed?

As these women's lives intertwine, their eyes open to the glory within each of them as they begin to recognize themselves as being created in God's image.

My thoughts:  I found this an interesting read involving the lives, past and present, of Ellyn, Sabrina, and Twila and how they met and interacted with one another though their circumstances were so very different.

As Ellyn struggles with her weight issues and her conception of herself, she functions as owner and chef of a successful Northern California restaurant.  Twila brings maturity to the table in the relationships though she, too, is struggling with her own concept of who she is and how she appears and this is to the point of an eating disorder.  And we have Sabrina who is a psychologist who is battling depression to the point of isolating herself from all she holds dear.

As these three ladies become acquainted with each other, they also become more acquainted with the concept of a God who loves them as they are and who heals wounds.  A God who will give them strength for each day.

True this is a book about eating disorders, depression, and individual conceptualization of who one is, but it is more about becoming the person that God intends for you to become and to recognize the need for and presence of God in one's personal life.

I don't think I would necessarily recommend this as reading material for the teen audience, but I do recommend it for adults.  There is not any "adult material" in the story.  It is a sweet story.  There is even a sweet, mature relationship romance that blossoms.  But it is more for those who struggle with issues or who know someone who does struggle with issues.  This is NOT a self-help book or a physo-babble book.  It is a work of fiction and should be read as such. But it is interesting. It is informative. It is rewarding.

About the author: Ginny L. Yttrup is an accomplished freelance writer, speaker, and life coach who also ministers to women wounded by sexual trauma.
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of Invisible by Handlebar Publicist on behalf of B&H Publishing Group and the author in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own.