Review: Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh

I love to read Chick Lit and Tamara Leigh has become a favorite, right up there with Kristin Billerbeck in her ability to create characters that impact me. Harriet Bisset is no exception. In fact, there are many points from this book that I am still pondering after the reading.

Harriet Bisset is a reformed rebel. The only thing worse than being a rebel is being one when you were a preacher’s kid. While she knows (in her head) she’s forgiven, she’s been unable to truly accept it and is living a tightly constructed life eight years later.

The only problem is that life is getting ready to change. The church her dad founded has hired a church consultant, and he’s shaking things up. And Harriet, when she’s honest with herself.

Harriet is a character who is trying so hard to do all the right things in her own strength. She lives with the reality of the depths she fell to eight years earlier, and is determined not to get one millimeter close to that line again.

The problem is she wants to. Who can’t relate to that?!?! The knowing where we should be, but the longing to explore while crippled by fear that if we start, we won’t be able to stop!

Tamara Leigh does a masterful job of walking her character through the needed evolution without becoming preachy. And the book is made more powerful for it. Now don’t get me wrong, she works in a church and her life revolves around God. But she’s fully human with quirks and foilables I loved.

The supporting cast of characters is rich and varied. And the first person POV is fantastic. There’s enough self-deprecating humor to keep it light and fun. And enough challenges for Harriet to keep it real.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think you will, too.