“Missing Reflections” by Robert Cavazos

• 09/14/2023
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Missing Reflections

Robert Cavazos
Faith Press LLC (2023)
ISBN: 978-0972326506
Reviewed by Chelsy Scherba for Reader Views (08/2023)

In “Missing Reflections: A Novel of Hope” by Robert Cavazos, Brooklyn is a young woman who should have her entire life ahead of her. She’s beautiful, spunky, and gets everything she wants—everything, that is, except time. For years Brooklyn has been battling a terrible diagnosis, and now she is terminally ill. Faced with the unthinkable, the only thought she has is to go somewhere where there’s life. On her way to Montana to stay with her grandmother, she meets a chatty guy named Logan on the bus. As much as he irritates her, Brooklyn can’t help but find Logan captivating; unlike her, he knows there is more to life than just death and suffering when you have Jesus. 

If you enjoy tear-jerkers that also provide hope, then this book is a great choice for you. Initially, I found this book intense to read because I recently lost someone to a terminal disease, so bear that in mind if you plan to read this book. However, once Brooklyn made plans to go to Montana, I enjoyed the story very much from there. 

The book is written simply enough for a teen 16+ audience to enjoy but has some very mature themes like death, illness, and mortality that are hard even for adults to process. There’s some mild profanity here and there, nothing too serious, but also something to consider if you’re a parent. This is a Christian book, so if you’re against religious teaching in literature, you need to know ahead of time that this book has a clear stance on faith. 

Myself, I enjoyed this story and did feel hope and happiness as Brooklyn underwent her spiritual journey. I was moved to tears in some places and enjoyed being uplifted in my own faith. I can’t really say a whole lot because it will spoil things, but there are definitely some chapters towards the end that are worth reading again. The author did a great job making these chapters seem authentic. 

I recommend this book to mature readers who can handle the harsh realities of those going through chemotherapy and radiation. Sensitive readers like me are advised to proceed with caution because there are some beautiful moments that are worth it in the end but may still be challenging. The writing style is straightforward and doesn’t add a lot of fluff, so it’s an easy read for teens/young adults as well. This book is the first in the author’s Reflection Series. I recommend “Missing Reflections: A Novel of Hope” by Robert Cavazos to Christians and anyone in need of a little hope in the darkness.