The Cross She Carried

The Cross She Carried By Justinn Kurtz Some truths are too sacred to speak-others too dangerous to silence. Bethany grows up to be the perfect pastor's wife. She wears the right dresses, speaks the right blessings, and carries a child the church calls her redemption. But behind the casserole recipes and scripture quotes is a girl who once burned with a different kind of faith-one that dared to love her best friend, Leah. Years ago, Bethany's secret was exposed in the pages of her private journal, leading to a forced disappearance and a "rehabilitation" at Wellspring, a Christian correctional facility for girls deemed sinful. There, love was labeled deviant, desire was disciplined, and survival meant surrender. But some parts of her never forgot. Told with raw honesty and lyrical grace, The Cross She Carried is a powerful exploration of religious trauma, queer identity, and the lifelong cost of obedience. It's a story of first love, stolen girlhood, and what it means to come home to yourself. Perfect for readers of Ashley Herring Blake, Carmen Maria Machado, and fans of emotionally resonant queer fiction.