Adult Review – Flare of Doubt – realistic fiction

Bertin, Eleanor. Flare of Doubt. Big Valley, Canada: Leaf & Blade Publishing, 2026

Burning Bright, book 3

Guide to Categories – Adult Review – review of books for adults – may or may not be appropriate for a school library

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Summary

Katie, the Hardy family’s musical “Baby Girl,” can’t wait to escape her rural roots and return to her college life in the city. A promising piano major, her exciting plan shatters when her best friend bails, leaving her with a crippling lease and a deep sense of betrayal. Cut loose from all she belongs to, Katie’s dream of independence turns into a nightmare of isolation and doubt, making her question everything, especially her faith.
Two opposing worlds tug at her. On one side, there’s David Fawcett, a gifted musician whose intelligent beliefs and easy-going charm offer a familiar melody, but who poses uncomfortable questions. On the other is Charlie, the affirming new friend who introduces her to a vibrant LGBTQIA+ community where Katie’s questions are celebrated instead of judged. Enfolded by this new tribe, Katie finds a new identity and a new name—Kit—putting her on a collision course with her family and her past. Can she find her true voice without losing herself completely?

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My Adult Review

I’ll admit, there was a point in Flare of Doubt that I did not like the direction the story was headed. But, because I’ve read several of Bertin’s books (and liked them), I decided to keep reading. 

Bertin tackles a difficult topic in this book – a child raised in a Christian home who questions their gender, and, for a time, follows the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. She handles it tastefully, and I think, honestly. She has done her research, and the book appears to be accurate.

Katie was a bit of a tomboy growing up. Now her new friends from the LGBTQ+ lifestyle are telling her that it proves she’s not really a girl. She was also abused by a male piano teacher as a child. She is dealing with many confusing thoughts and feelings. Katie has a Christian friend who is a boy. He and her family spend hours praying for her.

While I don’t think this book is appropriate for a high school audience, I do think that it would be a good read for parents of high school and adult children. Flare of Doubt opened my eyes to the lies being told and the lies being believed. I pray that Christians develop a thoughtful and loving approach to those being sucked in by this lifestyle. 

I purchased my copy of Flare of Doubt. This is my honest review.