When Crickets Cry is a beautifully written, meaningful story that lingers long after the last page. Charles Martin brings together Reese, a man running from a painful past, and Annie, a brave little girl with a lemonade stand and a failing heart. What unfolds is a tender, heartwrenching story of grief, grace, and the redemptive power of love.
This book just kept getting better as I read. The spiritual themes are subtle but deeply moving—never heavy-handed, just gently stitched into the characters’ lives. It’s Christian fiction at its best: full of heart and truth, yet accessible to a wide audience.
Yes, there’s an overload of medical content—it sometimes feels like Martin wants us to earn a cardiology degree alongside Reese—but even that adds weight to the emotional stakes. Once you settle into the rhythm, the technical detail serves the story’s depth.
I couldn’t stop reading. The prose is lyrical without being flowery, and the emotional arc is honest and hard-won. It’s a lovely book about acceptance, unconditional love, heartache, and learning to live beyond the pain. Poignant, faith-filled, and unforgettable—this one’s a five-star keeper.
5 Stars
** Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for a review copy of the audiobook. The opinions are my own.