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.

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.

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.

Sadie on the Rocks - Joanne Bischof

 

Sadie finds herself at a crossroads: in her 30s, single, with no current dating prospects, and sick of the dating game, tired of writing about the dating life that she's not part of, and wondering what else life has for her, she decides to forge a new path.  She wants a job she can be proud of, and she wants to find more passion in her life, so she makes new choices and tries out a new hobby - rock climbing.  Can she find purpose and direction in her life, and contentment in her current chapter?

While this book is highly introspective, and low on action, Sadie's thoughts and journey are well-developed and would be encouraging to a reader on a similar journey.  She reaches out to engage others and bless them with her compassion and availability, and I loved watching her use her time and energy to develop a new passion while also looking for opportunities to engage with those around her.  Her bravery in letting go of things that didn't fit with her vision and faith were inspiring, and I hope that readers can gain courage from her choices.

I give this book 3.5 stars, but I would guess that others who can relate more to Sadie would find it much more engaging.  I hope that there are more Suddenly Sadie stories to follow her journey.

You can find Sadie on the Rocks 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.

Hooked on You - Kathleen Fuller

 

Riley McCallister never planned to come back to Maple Falls; she'd planned to become a renowned artist in New York.  Hayden Price never planned to work at his family's hardware store; he'd planned to become a major league baseball pitcher - which he did, for one pitch.  When Riley's grandmother takes a hard slide at a church softball game and breaks her leg, Riley finds herself back in her grandmother's yarn store, planning to only be there long enough to get her grandmother literally back on her feet.  Hayden, however, has adjusted his plans, and is looking forward to settling into Maple Falls, until he finds that his family may have different plans of their own.  Can Riley and Hayden find a way to be content with their plans being changed?  

After reading through a string of overly sappy romances, this novel hit many of the right notes for me.  Riley, the self-proclaimed artistic loner, and Hayden, the popular athlete, were a great combination of characters.  I loved that this wasn't a second-chance story, per se; Riley and Hayden never connected in high school, each thinking the other never even noticed them.  I loved the Bosom Buddies, Riley's grandmother's collection of friends who bonded over knitting and crocheting and had been together so long as to be able to speak truth to each other, while also watching out for each other.  I loved how the younger version of them, dubbed the Musketeers by Hayden, easily took Riley in, even through her resistance.  

If you're looking for a Christian novel with strong threads of faith, this isn't the book for you.  While the characters go to church, there are no conversations about God, or prayer, or the Bible.  However, it is a clean novel, with themes of love and forgiveness, and how blood family is not the only kind of family.

I give this book 4 stars.  I'm excited that this is a series, and I can't wait to see which characters get the spotlight next!

You can find Hooked on You HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

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

Facing the Dawn - Cynthia Ruchti

 

From christianbook.com:

"While her humanitarian husband Liam has been digging wells in Africa, Mara Jacobs has been struggling. She knows she's supposed to feel a warm glow that her husband is nine time zones away, caring for widows and orphans. But the reality is that she is exhausted, working a demanding yet unrewarding job, trying to manage their three detention-prone kids, failing at her to-repair list, and fading like a garment left too long in the sun.
Then Liam's three-year absence turns into something more, changing everything and plunging her into a sunless grief. As Mara struggles to find her footing, she discovers that even when hope is tenuous, faith is fragile, and the future is unknown, we can be sure we are not forgotten . . . or unloved.
With emotionally evocative prose that tackles tough topics with tenderness and hope, award-winning author Cynthia Ruchti invites you on a journey of the heart you won't soon forget."

This was well written, but such a hard read.  So much sorrow, with an even greater amount of healing.  But, oh, the sorrow.  And yet, amidst the sorrow, the author did a phenomenal job of pointing the reader to the only true Healer.

"I can't know the end of my story, God.  And I have to be okay with that, don't I? But I know your heart.  Verse-verse-verse Redemption. Sorrow-sorrow-sorrow-Jesus." 

Mara starts out as bitter as she believes her name implies, but just as the story of her biblical namesake, she finds love and healing in the people who still surround her and teach her that life is still worth living, and there is still hope to be found.

4 stars; the hope within was beautiful, but it was almost too hard for me to read.

You can find Facing the Dawn HERE. 
You can find the author HERE.

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

All That Really Matters - Nicole Deese

 

From christianbook.com :

"Molly's trendy fashion and beauty advice gains her a substantial social media following and an audition to host a makeover show for underprivileged youth. One problem: she has zero experience with kids in need! So she volunteers for a transitional program. Silas, the director, isn't impressed. Can she win him over---and discover what matters most in life?"

Oh my goodness, what an amazing book!  Such a deep commentary on today's attraction to social media and celebrity status and pretty things.  It seems so appealing and worth attaining, and yet there are so many more substantial purposes in life.  So many people more worth our time and talent and treasures.  SomeONE more worth our hearts.

Watching Molly's transformation from social media darling to a mentor of young adults in transition from foster care, was an amazing journey to follow.  Reading the foster kids' stories, which are likely close to many in real life, was heartbreaking.

5 stars!  This may be my favorite book so far in 2021! I really hope we get a sequel with Miles!

You can find All That Really Matters 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 Key to Love - Betsy St. Amant

 

From christianbook.com:

"The only thing Bri Duval loves more than baking petit fours is romance. So much so, she's created her own version of the famous Parisian lovelock wall at her bakery in Story, Kansas. She never expects it to go viral--or for Trek Magazine to send travel writer Gerard Fortier to feature the bakery. He's definitely handsome, but Bri has been holding out for a love story like the one her parents had, and that certainly will not include the love-scorned-and-therefore-love-scorning Gerard.

Just when it seems Bri's bakery is poised for unprecedented success, a series of events threaten not just her business but the pedestal she's kept her parents on all these years. Maybe Gerard is right about romance. Or maybe Bri's recipe just needs to be tweaked.

Novelist Betsy St. Amant invites you to experience this sweet story of how love doesn't always look the way we expect--and maybe that's a good thing."

This was a cute story, with some deeper meaning.  Is anyone's story as perfect as it looks?  Is being comfortable enough, or are risks necessary?  Should you believe in someone's take on love, or experience it for yourself?

I ached for Bri - all she wanted was to believe in her parents' perfect love story and experience it for herself.  She was clinging to the bakery as her safe place for memories of her mother.  But as all of those security blankets fell apart on her, she had to choose to look somewhere else for her security, and she had to choose a messy imperfect love. knowing there's only One who can love perfectly.  Her growth wasn't easy and she didn't necessarily go willingly, but it was important to see her finally realize that she'd only had a shell of what she was looking for when she tried to stay in her box.

3 stars; this story was cute, but a little light for me. 

You can find The Key to Love HERE.
You can find the author HERE. 

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