Turano is known for her quirky characters, and the laughter she brings to her stories. Meeting Her Match is a story I've been waiting awhile for (CamiTurano is known for her quirky characters, and the laughter she brings to her stories. Meeting Her Match is a story I've been waiting awhile for (Camilla is such a great character), and boy was it worth the wait. When her and Owen met for the first time, and I was essentially rolling on the floor with laughter, I knew I was in for a treat. And a treat it was.
Turano continues to bring a smile to my face with her stories. Camilla and Owen were such a wonderful pair - two people you wouldn't think would belong together, but oh did they belong together. I mean every time they were on the page together I was roaring with laughter, and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Then add a pig to the story - a literal pig - and the laughter just intensifies. I don't know how Turano manages to make me laugh on literally every single page, but she does.
Turano also provides a wonderful cast of characters here. Meemaw - well she just might be my favorite (if ya know, ya know). With a little suspense, lots of laughter, some almost kisses, and some shall we say interesting circumstances, readers won't be able to put Meeting Her Match down for even a second! Highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more
I have been waiting for Luke's book my whole life. I mean over a year. Basically ever since I first read his name in Authentically Izzy. He has been mI have been waiting for Luke's book my whole life. I mean over a year. Basically ever since I first read his name in Authentically Izzy. He has been my favorite character this entire series and I was chomping at the bit to see how his romance was going to play out.
Basham did not disappoint. Not even a little. In fact, she exceeded my expectations.
Loyally, Luke is brilliant. It's my favorite read of this year and every year going forward (yes I will be reading this story ALOT). Luke is funny, sometimes a little snarky (in a good way), and swears he's not the Hallmarky kinda guy. But oh he is, and Basham brings that out in him oh so subtly in this book. I really can't say more than that - you just need to read it for yourselves when it comes out.
This is what I love about this book (if I keep writing in sentences I will for sure include spoilers and well, that's not fair to you!):
Luke. The meet-cute. Luke. Penelope's emails and texts - I feel like her character is basically me when it comes to romance and all those things, and I just love seeing her personality come out on the page when she's talking to Luke. We get to see how everyone from previous books in the series is doing. Luke. Luke's character growth - I can't really say a lot about this without giving it away, but he really changed in this novel. Actually, I stand corrected. I think he learned about who he truly was on the inside and who he wanted to be as a person. So maybe change isn't the right thing to say. Maybe it's more like he uncovered his true self. The royalty. Yep you read that right. I'm just gonna leave it at that.
I mean I could basically go on with such giddiness over all the things I love about Luke. I mean this book. Ha! Here's what you need to know. Basham delivers a fun, comical, light hearted romance novel that is sure to have you smiling, laughing, and everything in between. The banter between Luke and fam is some of my favorite of all time. Luke is my favorite hero of all time (fictional of course).
If you haven't read this series yet, please start at the beginning. Each novel is delightful and fun to read. Plus, you'll want to save the best for last. I'm sorry to see these characters go, but I'm glad I can revisit them any time I want!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable book. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
Power Play was my favorite of the series. It was full of suspense, swoony heroes (times two actually), a few twists, and a great chance meeting! Plus Power Play was my favorite of the series. It was full of suspense, swoony heroes (times two actually), a few twists, and a great chance meeting! Plus it was basically like reading two mysteries in one as you not only follow Vivan and Jacob (swoon - he can be my bodyguard any day), but also Delaney and Weston (who is a pretty decent guy himself!). I loved having the two different, yet connected storylines.
I also really loved the direction of Delaney's love life. I don't want to put spoilers, but I kind of assumed she would end up with guy X, but guy X actually surprised me, which made me like him even more, and she ended up going in a different direction. I preferred this actually to what I was expecting, so kuddos to the author on that.
I really enjoyed every moment of this story. Highly recommend to romantic suspense fans. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
This was an interesting read to me, probably because it is unlike any amish novel I’ve ever read. Our wonderful heroine has a way with horses. Horses!This was an interesting read to me, probably because it is unlike any amish novel I’ve ever read. Our wonderful heroine has a way with horses. Horses!! She trains them, which really blew my mind. It’s not often in the Amish community that you see a working woman. I really enjoyed reading about Grace’s love for all things horses. The fact that she was out there working with them was amazing to me, and inspiring!
I have to be honest, all eyes were on Isaac while reading this. He had a story to tell, and I was perfectly content to sit back and watch him figure Grace out while I was waiting to hear it. They had some good banter, and some laughable moments which the story enjoyable to read.
There were times the plot went a little slow for my taste, however that may not be the same for everyone. But overall this was a story I enjoyed reading with lovable characters, fun, laughter, and maybe even some cute animals! I think Amish fiction fans will love this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
I found myself easily immersed in the lives of Collette and Seth. From the spare tire, to the spunky (or I pictured her kind of like a hippee) lady atI found myself easily immersed in the lives of Collette and Seth. From the spare tire, to the spunky (or I pictured her kind of like a hippee) lady at the inn, I was intrigued by how their relationship would continue, and how in the world there was going to be a time travel event. I was pleased with how McGee handled that. It was seamless really, and felt natural. Like it might have actually happened.
But what I loved about the story even more was Collette and Seth’s walk with each other. You learn early on that they come from different walks of life, and yet that was never a factor for them. Such a great message for readers today. Even more important was the fact that McGee brought a unique idea to the table. When couples are in trouble, send them back in time. Make them interact with historical people, try to fit in (boy I giggled with the wagon tire scenes), and figure out a way back. Not a way back to the present, but a way back to each other.
This was a quick read, and I hope the rest of the stories in this series will be just like it. A delightful read that puts a smile on my face! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rachel Russell takes readers back to a familiar place so easily, that you feel as if you've never left. Deep Haven is a town I want to visit, even thoRachel Russell takes readers back to a familiar place so easily, that you feel as if you've never left. Deep Haven is a town I want to visit, even though I hate the cold and snow! That's how welcoming it is. It's like a cozy warm blanket during a snowstorm. I mean, I could certainly understand why Cole didn't want to stick around (aside from his deep wounded past), but boy does Deep Haven make you change your mind real quick.
I'm all for a good love story, and trust me when I say this is a GREAT love story, but Cole's character really was the shining moment in this read for me. Like I mentioned, he had this wounded past, and with his grandfather in the state of mind that he was, I just wasn't sure how it would progress, and Cole would get the character growth he needed and deserved. Russell wrote the scenes with Cole and his grandfather so well, so realistic, and full of emotion. I certainly don't want to put in any spoilers, but Cole starts seeing little snippets of his grandfather's true feelings, and it really just got to me. There is an important part of the book where a secondary character reminds Cole that sometimes life happens, and you don't get the chance to apologize (or forgive) before it's too late. That scene was so tender and moving. I didn't expect a contemporary romance to really go this deep, but for me it did and it totally worked.
For those of you wondering, yes there is kissing (fan anyone?), romance, swoony moments, and even a couple of gasping moments. And I loved all of that, I did. But the heart of the story for me was Cole's journey. It just really touched me heart! I highly recommend reading this book. Warren fans will love the story, the writing style, all of it really. Russell is a gifted author that I hope we see more from in the future. I know I'll be watching for what's next!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
The Socialite took my breath away. It's as simple as that. Ciesielski has managed to bring all the emotions, capture my attention, and take me into a The Socialite took my breath away. It's as simple as that. Ciesielski has managed to bring all the emotions, capture my attention, and take me into a world that I find myself not wanting to let go of. Here's the very first thing I wrote down in my notes as I was reading -
How is it possible to have a funny, adorable meet-cute, amidst a German (Nazi) party where the enemy is everywhere? I don't know. But it happened and it totally worked.
Honestly? Every single little detail in this entire story worked. I loathed the bad guys. They were perfectly scripted. In a scene where the ultimate enemy in the book makes the scene (don't want to give away spoilers), I could feel his eyes burning through me. Me - the reader! Yeah, that is how much Ciesielski draws you in, and makes you not only a reader, but a participant in the story. I couldn't tear my eyes from the pages before me, and yet I purposefully read slowly so that I could savor each and every word.
Kat and Barrett stole the show. They each had their own quest, and yet found a way to (sometimes) work together to reach the final goal. The kissing? Yeah, fans needed. The romance? Watch out husbands because you most likely will be compared to Barrett a time or two. And while this was a great romantic story, it was so much more than that. It was growth for both of them that really made the story. Kat needed to learn to think for herself, instead of doing her father's wishes. Barrett needed to understand his worth in the world - that he was someone who was special and had things to contribute.
As if romance, character growth and great villains weren't enough, Ciesielski brings so much history to this story that makes me want to dive in deeper. She brings to light so many things about such a dark time in our history. New perspectives, interesting facts, and characters that while they are fictional, I would bet have similar traits to individuals living in that time period. I ended up having discussions with my family about the time period as I was reading this, talking about the different historical aspects brought up in the book. It made for interesting conversation, and I can't remember the last time I was truly excited to talk about this time period!
I could go on and on about this book, but the bottom line is that readers will not want to miss the opportunity to read this. I know for sure this will be a reread of mine in the future, and on my favorites of 2020 list. Highly recommend reading this exquisitely crafted book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
It seems like with each story that Becky Wade writes, they just get better and better. Stay With Me was such a good read. Scratch that. It was a phenoIt seems like with each story that Becky Wade writes, they just get better and better. Stay With Me was such a good read. Scratch that. It was a phenomenal read. There was such emotion, beautifully scripted scenes, flawed characters, and the realization that with God, we are nothing and can do nothing. There was character growth, surprise twists, mystery, and yes a swoony hero. I mean, it is a Becky Wade book after all.
Wade surprised me with this book, in a delightful way. Genevieve’s secret (which I don’t want to give away because of a spoiler, but I will say it could be a trigger point for some) was truly an eye opener for me. Not because I’m not familiar with the issue, because I am. More so because it made me realize that this issue can really affect so many people. It also reminded me that these people that we hold to such high esteem (I’m talking Christian speakers, bible study leaders, etc…) are just human. We look at them as though they are invincible and perfect, but they are not. And then shame on us when we judge them as soon as we see a story leaked about them on the internet. We don’t know their whole story! Gen’s story just really blew me away. I connected with her, I sympathized with her, I saw her struggle, and I saw her come to an understanding of what really needed to happen for her to overcome this difficult situation.
You know what wasn’t a surprise in the book? Having an amazing, swoony hero. I love all of Wade’s heroes, and so it was no surprise that I found myself drawn to Sam. Boy did he have this huge wall built – like in the beginning when he tells Gen that she can’t fall for him (yes I literally laughed out loud when I read that). But over time, he seemed to soften without even realizing it. I’m glad that Wade included his back story in a few chapters. I think you understand more when you can read the scenes instead of just hearing the character talk about it. Just another way for a reader to connect with the character – which Wade is a master at!
Then you have this mystery over Gen’s parents past which I found so unique and interesting. I almost saw the end coming, but at the same time was surprised, if that makes sense at all. It was a fun, engaging addition to the story, and I was happy to be along for the ride.
Contemporary romance fans are going to love Wade’s new series. Highly recommend Stay With Me, and am anxiously awaiting the release of book two! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
Okay, if nothing else, read this story for the meet-cute. Um....it's the best. I can't really say more than that - you'll have to check it out for youOkay, if nothing else, read this story for the meet-cute. Um....it's the best. I can't really say more than that - you'll have to check it out for yourselves. But it paves the way for a beautiful friendship and story. One that you don't want to miss.
I love Jennifer Rodewald's stories, and this is no exception. Here are two characters that end up in the same place, working together - by chance, and yet it's perfect that they find each other. Coincidence? I think not. But I'm not the one that needed to realize that - the characters were. Their journey was full of ups and downs, funny moments, swoony moments, and memorial moments. Rodewald gives readers a story of hope, redemption, and following the Lord. I highly recommend this delightful story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more