Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other - Bethany Turner

 

Brynn Cornell is known as the Ray of Sunshine on the Sunup morning show, and has left her hometown of Adelaide Springs, Colorado far behind her.  Until, that is, she's caught on a hot mic disparaging her hometown and the people who live there.  Her only chance at salvaging her reputation and career seems to be returning to her hometown and the people she left without so much as a goodbye 20 years ago and filming her apology and, hopefully, their forgiveness. While there, she encounters Sebastian Sudworth, who has landed in Adelaide Springs from his own search for a fresh start.  Will their fresh starts and second chances counter each other, or be just what they each need?

Normally, I love the enemies to lovers trope in romance, and the need for forgiveness and a second chance was such a great idea for this story.  However, it felt like the switched flipped a bit too quickly and easily for Brynn.  She didn't really work for any of the forgiveness, and she didn't seem to actually regret her actions, just that she got caught.  There were a lot of avenues for side storylines that could have been developed, but there seemed to be an abundance of focus on Brynn's name change from B-R-E-N to B-R-Y-N-N, as if all of her life choices could be hinged on this spelling change.

I also missed some of this author's signature character banter from her previous works.  Sebastian and Brynn could have been a fiery match, but it fell a little flat for me.  I liked Seb, but found myself not really caring if Brynn found success.

I give this book 3 stars; I really liked the characters from Adelaide Springs, and just wish Brynn's transformation could have been a little more developed.

You can find Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

He Should Have Told the Bees - Amanda Cox

 

When Beckett Walsh loses her father, and fellow beekeeper, unexpectedly, she is left to follow the tradition of telling the bees of his passing, as well as figure out what life looks like moving forward without him.  Adding to the complexity of the situation is her fear of leaving the property, as well as a newcomer - Callie Peterson, who has inexplicably been added to the trust for the property. Can the two women work together to figure out the mystery, as well as form a relationship that may help heal them both from the trauma of their past?

This was my first book by this author, but I don't imagine that it will be my last.  She wove the separate stories of these two women, as well as the people in their lives, together so well that I cared for them both equally and could feel the tension of no perfect solution to their dilemma.  I thought the support characters were well done, lending strength and confidence to the women, but not overshadowing them.  I loved the addition of the little girl who gave Beck a distraction and a friend, even as she mentored the little girl and befriended her caretaker.

4 stars

You can find He Should Have Told the Bees HERE.
You can find the author HERE. 

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

A Beautiful Disguise - Roseanna M. White

 

When their father died, leaving them nothing, Yates and Marigold Fairfax had to find creative means to keep themselves, their estate, their retired circus performers, and their menagerie from starving.  They turned to clandestine investigations within society, and called themselves The Imposters.  With the combination of their status and their less-than-conventional upbringing in the circus world, they were able to move freely within the upper class and draw upon their athleticism to draw out information unobtrusively from the unlikeliest of places, drawing no notice to themselves.  Now, they find themselves investigating their neighbors and families of some of their childhood friends, upon the request of multiple clients.  Can they prove their innocence, or are there nefarious characters within their close circles?

I really enjoyed this cast of characters, and I look forward to seeing more interactions between them as this series continues to develop.  The self-inspection that Yate and Marigold must undergo as they look to deepen relationships lends a personal depth to what could have been simply a spy and intrigue pre-war novel.  But they must determine how much of their true selves to reveal, facing the fear of rejection balanced against the possibility of never being truly known, or loved, for themselves. 

While the mystery was a bit convoluted, and there were a lot of moving characters to keep track of along the way, at the core, I'm excited to follow this group of characters as they come to know themselves, and face the decisions of whom to let into their group and their lives.

4 stars.

You can find A Beautiful Disguise HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

The Love Script - Toni Shiloh

 

Neveah Richards dreams of being a hairstylist for a hit show, but finds herself in the news for a very different reason when a paparazzo catches her and the Sexiest Man Alive in what is being conveyed as a very romantic position.  While it may convey romance to some however, it creates disaster for Lamont Booker, the SMA, due to his desire to keep his newly Christian image intact in Hollywood, and the morality clauses included in his contracts.  Neveah, Lamont, and Lamont's agent/publicist decide the only way to save both of their reputations is to tell the world they're in a relationship.  Not wanting to lie to the public, Neveah and Lamont decide to date for real and see where it goes. Can that be enough to clear their consciences? Can Neveah handle that kind of spotlight? 

Once again, Toni Shiloh packs faith and faith filled friendships into a fun story that centers around finding God's will and seeking His direction for her characters' lives.  She does Christian friendships so well.  I loved the interaction between Lamont and his guy friends, Tuck and Chris.  Dare I hope their stories are coming?!? I only wished for Neveah to have her own confidante who challenged her faith, but that was part of her story - to realize her need for that sort of wisdom in her life.  And while she got bits of that from Lamont and Ms. Rosie in this story, I'm imagining her becoming fast friends with Piper, and finding a community of her own.

I give this book 4 stars, but I'm super hopeful that I'll get more of all of these characters in future books!

You can find The Love Script HERE. 
You can find the author HERE. 

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publishers, in exchange for my honest review.

Positively. Penelope - Pepper Basham

 

Penelope Edgewood has signed on as an intern at the failing Darling Theatre on the island of Skymar.  As she attempts to revive the theater, she finds that the family behind it needs a bit of reviving as well.  Having lost their grandmother and mother in the last few years, Alec, Gwynn, and Matthias Gray are all grieving in different ways, and their grandfather has essentially withdrawn from society and the theater. Can Penelope's sunshiny personality and marketing strategies help draw both the Grays and the theater back into the community's spotlight? And how is their competitor, The Emblem theater, learning about all of their ideas?

I am loving this series, and this group of siblings and cousins. I love that we still get to follow Izzy and Luke, and Josephine through the correspondence sections of the book, which add a fun flavor of their own.  Penelope's character takes a little while to develop for the reader, and I think that was a good thing.  As she delves into her job and her relationships, we learn that she's not *just* sunshine and fun hats and great shoes.  She sees people, and cares for them, and draws the best out of them on their own terms.

While I saw the mystery conclusion from the early pages, it was still well done, and fit the story well. I loved all of the side characters; even the ones who didn't play a large part were robust enough to get a sense of their personality and their connection to the town and story.

I cannot wait for Luke's story!

I give this installment of the Edgewood family stories 4 stars.

You can find Positively, Penelope HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley - Courtney Walsh

 

Isadora Bentley has been burned before, when a man kept their relationship a secret, and then stole all the credit for her research. Now, she works alone.  When she runs across an article claiming that if she follows a set of steps, she can find happiness, she sets out to disprove the author.  But what if it actually works?

I have never read another book like this one; one where the author is smart, yet blunt and considered prickly by her co-workers, but she finds people who allow her to be who she is, while helping her see herself the way they see her, thus allowing her to become more of whom she's meant to be.

The cast of friends gathered to Isadora during her happiness experiment are fantastic characters.  My favorite, perhaps, is the 10-year-old Delilah, in whom Isadora finds a kindred spirit, and sees what she could have had if there had been supportive people in her life at a young age.

I also love that once Isadora starts to look beyond herself, she sees the other women in her profession who have also been overlooked, or taken advantage of, and she becomes a source of encouragement for them.

I give this book 5 stars. Isadora will resonate with any woman who's worked in a male-dominated field, or who finds themselves at odds with societal norms.

You can find The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley HERE.
You can find the author on Facebook HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

With Every Memory - Janine Rosche

 

After a devastating car accident that resulted in the loss of her son and months in a rehabilitation facility, Lori Mendenhall returns to a home that she doesn't remember, and a family and life that doesn't match up with the last memories she has - from 8 years ago.  As she tries to fit what she knows with what is happening now, who will she choose to become from this day forward? 

This book covers a lot of tough topics within its pages; sensitive readers should be aware of the subject matter (but I don't want to spoil anything - I'm sure there are warnings in other descriptions).  However, it comes with the good reminder that personal memories aren't one hundred percent reliable, and that there are two sides to every story.  Even with the worst of situations, with grace can come second chances.

3 stars to this book; it was good, and I'm sure it will resonate with some readers.

You can find With Every Memory HERE.

You can find the author HERE. 

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

Famous for a Living - Melissa Ferguson

When famous internet influencer Cat Cranwell falls prey to a scandal brought on by her unscrupulous business partner, who has conveniently disappeared, she finds herself taking refuge in the Montana wilderness, under the care of her beloved Uncle Terry, and a team of green interns and national park employees.  As she steeps in the earnestness and openness of a small community, she may learn a thing or two about herself, as well as the handsome Ranger who keeps seeing her at her most awkward.

While this is not the first book I've read about an internet influencer learning balance and gaining a more rounded perspective, there were some unexpected delights in this novel.  The cast of characters she ends up befriending in the forest and town all have their own stories and personalities, and the fun quirky traditions that develop in lieu of big city entertainment were truly humorous and unique.  Additionally, I really enjoyed that, while she realized she had an addiction of sorts, that is not necessarily uncommon to many of us, perhaps, she was also able to determine that not all parts of her needed to change, and she could blend old and new.

There may have been some bumpy parts in the story, but I enjoyed the setting and the fun people in Cat's circles.  I give this book 4 stars.

You can find Famous for a Living HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

 

The Words We Lost - Nicole Deese

 

Ingrid Erikson has worked her way up from an internship at a publisher, to its golden editor with the submission and meteoric rise of her best friend's best selling series.  When Cece passes away unexpectedly, before the final installment of the series can be submitted, Ingrid finds herself not only drowning in grief, but also in danger of losing her job. With one final ultimatum from her boss, she returns to the only place she's ever called home, to confront her grief in the form of her ex-boyfriend, her best friend's mom who treated her like a second daughter, and the secrets that she didn't even know were there to discover.

There are so many layers to this novel that it's impossible to do it justice in a short review.  The writing is gorgeous, the characters are tragic and compelling, and the story reels you in in so many directions you don't know which answer you want first.  Even the title is layered within the story, with words "lost" in so many ways - the physical manuscript, the relationships with words left unspoken, and the reading comprehension that grief has stolen from Ingrid.  I found myself torn over whether to tear through this book to reach the conclusions, or to savor its depth slowly.  I see that it's listed as part of a series, and that is an exciting discovery.

I give this book 5 stars.  Nicole Deese has astounded with her last several novels, and this one is just another shining installment.

You can find The Words We Lost HERE.

You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

A Match in the Making

 

Gwendolyn Brinley has decided to take the summer apart from her position as her cousin's companion, and to spend it with Mrs. Parker in Newport.  What she doesn't plan for is Mrs. Parker breaking her leg and assigning Gwendolyn the role of assistant matchmaker.  When she inadvertently reveals the existence of matchmakers to the "catch of the season," Walter Townsend, she finds herself inundated with requests and conflict as the society set duke it out to make the most advantageous matches. How can she keep herself removed from the tumult while seeking to learn as much as she can about the people involved?

Gwendolyn is yet another of Mr. Turano's unconventional, strong-minded, female characters: insightful, compassionate, and independent.  And, of course, she manages to find an ending that sacrifices none of those elements of her self, but one that enhances and sweetens the person she already is.

Once again, Jen Turano has managed to draw me into her fictional world within the first few pages, to care about her characters, and to be sorry when the story is over.  I can only hope that at some point this series will involve Gideon and Adalaide's story, because I know that one will be just as amusing and satisfying as this one was.

5 stars, and I cannot wait for the next installment in the Matchmakers Series.

You can find A Match in the Making HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publishers, in exchange for my honest review.

To Win a Prince - Toni Shiloh

 

After In Search of a Prince, we return to the African island of Oloro Ile, where Iris has started a fashion design company with the intent to help the women and economy of the island.  The man who was convicted of attempting to betray the crown (and Iris's best friend) has been sentenced to work with her.  Can she deny her attraction to him while staying to true to her best friend, her new company, and her adopted home?

I love this series; the friends and characters feel so authentic, even while ensconced in a totally foreign setting, and I love how God-centered their relationships are.  They don't hesitate to call each other out for their behavior or doubt, and they're quick to pray for each other.  I wish more books demonstrated such loving, Christian friendships.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

You can find To Win a Prince HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

Yesterday's Tides - Roseanna M. White

From Christianbook.com:
When special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie's inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling's injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the man he's tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.
As Evie and Sterling work to track down an elusive German agent, they unravel mysteries that go back a generation. The ripples from the Great War are still rocking their lives, and it seems yesterday's tides may sweep them all into danger again today.

I spent a little too long trying to get the pieces of the two time periods to fit in my head; with the time splits being less than 30 years apart, my brain wanted them to fit more quickly, and I think I missed out on enjoying the characters for themselves until I fit them into their slots.  Once I did, I was able to enjoy the side by side tale of two wars and a continuous family thread that tied them together.  I enjoyed the intelligent female characters and the men who respected them for it.  I enjoyed the connection to previous works by this author to some of my favorite characters in fiction.

It did feel like it wrapped a little too quickly, but maybe that was because once I found out how everyone was connected, I wanted to enjoy those connections a little longer.  Maybe I'll just have to read it again!

I give this book 4 stars.  I have loved all of this author's works, and she is an automatic read for me every time she releases something new.

You can find Yesterday's Tides HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

 

Dear Henry, Love Edith - Becca Kinzer

 

In search of adventure and a new start, Edith finds herself staying in the upstairs of what she believes to be a disabled old man's house.  Meanwhile, the homeowner, Henry, is under the impression that an elderly widow, who's a retired nurse, is occupying his upstairs apartment.  Through a series of letters and unrelated interactions, they find themselves drawn to two separate people, for very different reasons, without knowing it's the same person.  When they do finally "meet," how will they reconcile their impressions and their wildly different visions for their futures?

In the end, this book turned out cute, but in the beginning I mostly found myself wishing for an extended version of the mistaken identities and written communication.  Once they found out the truth, the book took several rabbit trails with a variety of plots and more miscommunication that were less unique.  The twists seemed to cloud what could have been a very strong message from the story; both Edith and Henry needed to find that what they thought was God's calling could end up different than they originally thought, and through their journey find that they were loved and cherished.  The journey to those realizations is one that many readers likely find themselves taking.

I give this book 3 stars; I enjoyed the initial premise and the concluding wrap-up, it just got too messy for me in the middle.

You can find Dear Henry, Love Edith HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

What Happens Next - Christina Suzann Nelson

 

From christianbook.com:
Podcaster/ex-reporter Faith Byrne gained a following telling tales of triumph after tragedy. But her own life is in shambles---her children are summering in Hawaii with her ex and his new wife. When Dora Crane, mother of Faith's childhood friend who went missing, asks Faith to investigate the long-abandoned case, will they finally find answers and healing? 

This was a compelling mix of mystery and introspection for the characters involved.  How does one move on from such a tragic loss? If a family member is so stuck in the past that they can't see the present with the people still there, do they move on alone and leave the stuck family member behind? Or do they then lose 2 family members?

I could appreciate the journeys the characters had to take and I was invested in finding out what had happened to Heather.  It was an odd juxtaposition to see things through her ten-year-old eyes, compared to those who had aged without her, but as she was forever ten in their memories, it made sense.

I give What Happens Next 3.5 stars.  As always, this author's writing is engaging, raw, and fairly realistic.

You can find the book HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

Hearts of Steel - Elizabeth Camden

 


In this continuation of the Blackstone Legacy, we meet Maggie Moriano, a woman driven by her fear of falling back into poverty, and who pinches every penny to turn her ice cream business into a success.  She is on her way, until she makes a personal enemy of Charles Morse, both by calling him out on his underhanded dealings and by forging a relationship with Liam Blackstone.  Maggie and her fellow Garsden Street business owners become collateral damage in the war between the greedy, immoral capitalist Morse and the undereducated but people-focused Liam.

Elizabeth Camden once again delivers a story of an interesting and undertold slice of history.  In fictionalizing the plight of good people working hard, only to be felled by unregulated monopolies and loose laws and corrupt systems, she forces the reader to consider lines and boundaries of profits versus charity and justice versus revenge.  The characters demonstrate repeatedly that the quick solution isn't always the best solution, and that sometimes self sacrifice is required to make the world better for everyone.

4 stars.
I do wish we'd seen more of previous books' characters.  Although they make appearances, it would be nice to feel that we were still following the larger story of those we'd previously met in this fictional journey.

You can find Hearts of Steel HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.