When Illness, God, and Recklessness Collide – My Book Review

My initial disclaimer that I am mentioning again is that I do not read book synopses when I’m reviewing a book. It is my process where I allow the story to unfold for me with each turn of the page. All I really knew about All In is that it had a Christian theme.  The story itself I am thoroughly spellbound by.

For L.K. Simonds’s breakout novel she has done a spectacular job with the tough subjects of illness and religion spiraling around her main character, Cami.  Cami’s illness is not something that is ever going to go away completely, but All In handled this touchy topic in a profound way. It reminded me of my own personal dealings with a man named Alan who died after getting the same diagnosis. Simonds interjects the religious aspects impeccably.

Cami is truthfully a character that is unforgettable and somewhat relatable. The entirety of her not-so-short life is one that is well-lived, yet self-destructive. As the story progresses Cami thinks she does not need anyone and yet as the story evolves, her walls break down and what she finds, in the end, is love and redemption.

While I question many of my own beliefs around God, All In did leave me inspired to read Corinthians.

Another moment of honesty: before I left for a weekend trip to New Mexico with a friend, I got a text from a family member who said she was going to pray for me. I was about 100 pages into the book when the text came. After finishing this story I kind of sat in stunned silence wondering not of the connection – but marveling if there is a God, an all-knowing power beyond what I can ever comprehend.

For readers who are looking for something to read that is a gritty and refreshingly real story that does not propel religion with every turn of the page but makes you question religion for the better – then check out All In.