Dorothy’s Gift by Christine Schneider

Dorothy’s Gift by Christine Schneider
Series: a standalone
Publisher: Keybobby Books (August 5, 2025)

Review by Gwen M. Plano

Dorothy’s Gift is a story of contrasts and choices. Readers move from the comfort of a middle-class home to the streets of the homeless. The diversity of circumstances is multiple—the haves and have-nots, the Christians and the unchurched, the socially acceptable behaviors and the offensive responses. Throughout the story, we glimpse both sides of the divide and slowly face a personal question: What would I do?

Dorothy is a wedding seamstress. She makes lovely gowns for those who can afford such luxuries. She is content with her life, her family, and her church. But this begins to shift when she volunteers at a crisis pregnancy center. It was there that she met Baily, a streetwise and troubled young pregnant woman.

As the story unfolds, the two women develop a trusting relationship. And, eventually, Dorothy invites Baily to live with her family until the baby is born. This invitation is at the heart of the story because through the mishaps and challenges, their individual motivations unravel.

She sat on the floor next to her open Bible. Psalm 4, which she had thought so irrelevant this morning, seemed as if it was shining from the page: “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me of my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.” She dropped her head onto her arms and started talking to God.

Christine Schneider, Dorothy’s Gift

This was a complicated read for me, because I have worked in shelters and with young pregnant women. I’ve also lived among the Burakumin in Japan—a poor and rejected community. I commend Schneider for her use of contrast, because through this means she helps the reader see that which is often not seen. However, I would have appreciated more depth. I wanted to know the characters better, understand their motivations, fears, and inner turmoil. I wanted to see the streets and the places the characters frequented—the church, the shelter, the home.

Dorothy’s Gift is a tender and thought-provoking story. My only hesitation is wanting more. I give this book four strong fish.

composite image of four drawn fish from the British Museum on unsplash

I purchased the Kindle version of Dorothy’s Gift.

36 thoughts on “Dorothy’s Gift by Christine Schneider”

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  1. Thanks, Gwen, for sharing the missing details you longed for in this novel. It sounds like a book that will minister to some and motivate others to step out of their comfort zones. The battle for the unborn is not over, deserving our attention from multiple viewpoints. I appreciate your candor!

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    1. You’ve expressed it beautifully, Grant. I share your belief that this is a book “that will minister to some and motivate others to step out of their comfort zones.” It is often the unseen who need our help the most.

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      1. Absolutely, Gwen. In our occasional travels, the drive takes us past a large Planned Parenthood facility. Yesterday I saw the abortionists were doing well in their evil business and made updates to their property. The killing has not stopped, and we must maintain vigilance in our fight for what God says is right.

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  3. This story needs telling. I commend the author for tackling it, but it seems she could have dug deeper. Maybe she will in another work. I don’t know whether I’d have had the fortitude to explore that world through my words.

    Thanks for this honest review, Gwen.

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    1. Thank you, Staci. It’s a complicated story to tell. Schneider opened an important door for readers to better understand the rejected among us. For that, I greatly commend her.

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  4. Amen… Caring for others often begins with opening our hearts, and God can use simple acts of compassion to change lives. May we always be willing to love as Christ loves.

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  5. With your background, Gwen, I can understand why you would be looking for more depth from the characters, but it sounds like the book offered enough to make it an engaging story. BTW, I love the breezy cover!

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    1. Good question, Jacqui. In this story, the “unchurched” refers to those who do not go to church and are unfamiliar with the practices of any church. It’s an odd category, but it makes sense in this story.

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  7. This is a subject not explored enough. Sounds like an eye opening read, even though you were looking for a bit more. Great review, Gwen.

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    1. Thank you, Denise. I share your perspective. It’s a topic that is generally treated too superficially. The author tries to bridge that gap by leading the reader into the heartaches of one young woman.

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    1. Thank you, Teri. I felt that absence notably, but my experience base is different from many. For the casual reader, the storyline might be eye-opening and heartwarming.

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  9. Hi Gwen, I suspect that given your background, you have more experience on this sort of situation than the author. You could this perceive the lack of character depth more acutely than a lot of other people. Your observations are keen and insightful.

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    1. Thank you, Roberta. Schneider has opened an important door for readers who may not be familiar with these sensitive matters. So, I commend her for doing this. Hopefully many will read her book.

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  10. It sounds like a wonderful book. You wrote a great and honest review. It is so great that you worked in shelters and with young pregnant women, and lived among the Burakumin in Japan. Helping other people in need is such a wonderful thing to do.

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  11. A wonderful review. It sounds as if you have a particularly acute insight into this book’s motivations, given you have trodden the path of the main protagonist. It’s important that contemporary books highlight the growing gulf between the haves and the have-nots, I feel. Thank you for sharing.

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  12. I love your honesty, Priscilla. It sounds like a wonderful premise for a story – something we all might want to do, but don’t. That is a real commitment. Even without getting into her mind, your review gets into mine. 🙂

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  13. Thanks for the review, Gwen. There are many who operate on the fringes of society, and their reasons for such a disposition can be often very complicated. Meeting them with grace and mercy, the compassion that I would hope for if there, but for the grace of God go I, usually goes a long way.
    Sounds like it was a good read.

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  14. Pingback: Dorothy’s Gift by Christine Schneider – Helping You To Succeed

  15. This sounds like an interesting read. The cover is lovely, too! I really like the idea of a story built around contrasts and choices, but from what you mentioned, I do wonder about the depth. Still, four strong fish is a good recommendation! Thanks, Gwen.😊

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  16. This sounds like a compelling story that will challenge the reader just as you suggested. I’m not familiar with this author either. Thank you for your sharing this book with us, Gwen.

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