The Love Note - Joanna Davidson Politano

From christianbook.com:
"In this Victorian romantic mystery, finding an unopened love letter in her writing desk sends Willa Duvall on a compulsive hunt to track down its author and the intended recipient. Her new position at Crestwicke Manor offers enticing clues but no real information. Will she be able to locate the pair and reunite them?"

The backcover summary of this book does it little justice; this story is so much bigger than a simple mystery of reuniting a letter with its intended recipient.  Instead, this letter weaves its way through an entire household, igniting hope, sparking new loves, and fanning the flames of old relationships.  The note not only creates new confidence and the possibility of being loved with such passion as the note infers, it opens the eyes of the men perceived as the potential senders to a new way of loving.  While not every character whose heart is touched by the letter is expounded upon, the reader is left with the lovely feeling that Crestwicke Manor has taken on new life and new loves that will leave it forever changed.

"To fall in love with God is the greatest romance;

to seek him the greatest adventure,

to find him, the greatest human achievement."

Saint Augustine of Hippo

Perhaps even better than the romantic possibilities brought on by the wayward letter, is the discovery of love and healing that goes beyond romance.  The entirety of the book points to the right kind of love, God's love, even as modeled by imperfect humans, but mostly in knowing that true love doesn't hinder or seek to change, but rather seeks to set one free in the knowledge that he or she is loved exactly for who they are.

I give this book 5 stars.  This may be my favorite read of 2020 so far.  I have loved every book by this author I've read so far, and this one was even better than anticipated.

You can find The Love Note 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.

To Steal a Heart - Jen Turano

 

From christianbook.com:

After a childhood as a street thief, Gabriella Goodhue thought she'd put her past behind her until a fellow resident at her boardinghouse is unjustly accused of theft. In the middle of breaking into a safe that holds the proof to prove her friend's innocence, Gabriella is interrupted by Nicholas Quinn, the man she once considered her best friend--until he abandoned her.

After being taken under the wing of a professor who introduced him into society and named him as heir, Nicholas is living far removed from his childhood life of crime. As a favor to a friend, Nicholas agreed to help clear the name of an innocent woman, never imagining he'd be reunited with the girl he thought lost to him forever.

As Gabriella and Nicholas are thrown together into one intrigue after another, their childhood affection grows into more, but their newfound feelings are tested when truths about their past are revealed and danger follows their every step.   

This story was an interesting combination of class perspectives.  I especially loved Nicholas's contradictory character of trying to fit into society to please his adoptive uncle, while also caring so strongly for those from his former life, and having a heart for those from the life he'd managed to escape.  I liked that while many of the former criminals Nicholas and Gabriella had associated with were reformed and striving for better lives, it wasn't true of all of them.  While some of that was merely to serve as a plot device, it rang true - some people are going to continue to make bad choices and will despise those who find a better way.

I enjoyed the characters and their growth over the book.  I am excited for this series to continue, and hopefully not only get the rest of the boarding house ladies' stories, but continue to revisit the characters we meet in this one.

I give this book 4 stars.  I always enjoy Ms. Turano's humorous stories and characters.

You can find To Steal a Heart 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.

The Right Kind of Fool - Sarah Loudin Thomas

 

From christianbook.com : 

One hot summer day, 13-year-old deaf Loyal swims in the creek---and discovers a dead body. He rushes to tell his absentee father, Creed, who abandoned the family because he didn't want to deal with his disabled son's hearing loss. When Creed is drawn into a murder investigation, will he solve the killing---and reclaim his family's hearts?

Watching this family draw back together through the solving of a murder case was sweet and compelling.  Both Creed and Delphy had to admit to themselves and each other that they had failed the family, and they learned to allow Loyal to grow up, even through their fears for him.  Loyal is deaf from a childhood illness, and it was a unique view into what it must be like to live with that.  Finding ways to relate to those around him and teaching them communication beyond words was a great reminder that there are always was to connect to those you  might not initially understand.

I give this book 4 stars.  Sarah Loudin Thomas's novels are always a little slower paced, but that really gives the reader the chance to lean into the characters and the setting.

You can find The Right Kind of Fool 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.

Things We Didn't Say - Amy Lynn Green

 

From www.christianbook.com :

When translator Johanna is enlisted to work at a camp for German POWs, she reluctantly returns to her Midwestern hometown. As she gets to know the men and their charismatic spokesman, Stefan, she advocates for their better treatment---which angers the community. When the lines between compassion and treason blur, can she decide where her heart truly lies? 

This was such a gripping story!  From the starting point of a German POW camp in the heartland of America, meant to assist farmers who had sent their sons to war, to the epistolary format, it was a unique read and well done.  Jo was a deeply complicated and unusual character, with her reluctance to come home, her gift for linguistics, and her American-Japanese penpal friend whose family was in a Japanese relocation camp.  This was a setting I was completely unfamiliar with, but Ms. Green does an excellent job weaving the historical setting into her letters and giving the reader a complete picture of the era and her characters.

Things We Didn't Say was a debut novel by Amy Lynn Green, but I can't wait to see what she writes next! 5 stars to this beautiful novel.

You can find Things We Didn't Say HERE.
You can find the author's site HERE.

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

The Promised Land - Elizabeth Musser

 

From www.christianbook.com :

"Loss is engulfing Abbie! Her father is going blind; her eldest, Bobby, is taking a year off studies; and her husband is leaving her. Desperate for healing, she follows her son along the famous Camino pilgrimage route---encountering Rasa, an Iranian secretly aiding refugees, and Caroline, a journalist in search of answers. Will their souls find rest?"

There was a lot of depth to this book about needing to let go of control and guilt and the things we're holding onto too tightly that might not be what God wants for us.  As Abbie tried to find the parts of herself that she'd let go of as she tried to control her family under the guise of keeping them safe and organized, she found that she really could listen to others and she was able to bring comfort to those who felt lost.

This book definitely felt like it would be a richer read if I had followed these characters' full stories through the author's previous books; while it read well as a stand alone, I wish I had known the full story to fully appreciate the growth and challenges each of the characters' faced.  

I give this book 4 stars. It was well-written, and had I read the characters' full arcs, it could have easily been a 5-star read for me.

You can find The Promised Land HERE.
You can find connect with the author on Facebook HERE.

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

What You Said to Me - Olivia Newport

 

Feeling like she's the latest in a line of women who make bad choices and can't find a way to be happy, Tisha Crowder ends up essentially doing community service time as Jillian's assistant.  Only, Jillian has a hard time seeing that there's any assisting being done.  Yet, between Nolan's unwavering patience and optimism, and Jillian's glimpses into Tisha's life, Jillian gains an understanding of what's inside Tisha, and together, they find that maybe there's some good in her family line after all.

This might have been my favorite of the series!  I really felt like I could put myself in the shoes of all the characters in this book.  I could see Nolan's desire to help Tisha, because he could see that her circumstances were turning her into something she didn't need to be.  I could feel Tisha's discouragement at her situation and her doubt that Jillian and Nolan meant the nice things they said about her, because it conflicted with everything she'd ever heard from her mother, and that made them seem like platitudes.  Even Jillian's reaction to Tisha was totally reasonable, because her project was important to her and her client, and it must have been nerve-wracking to have a lackadaisical, lackluster teenager mope into her workspace with no regard to accuracy.  While Nolan remained steadfast, Jillian and Tisha changed together, and their growth seemed realistic and satisfying.

I give this book 4 stars.  While it was my favorite thus far, and I enjoy this ongoing series and continuing to connect with Jillian and Nolan, they aren't books I see myself rereading, although I found myself wishing I remembered more from the previous installments as I struggled to remember some of the side characters this time around.

You can find What You Said to Me 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.

The Cul-de-Sac War - Melissa Ferguson

"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world."

- C.S. Lewis

Bree Leake has been bouncing from job to job and hobby to hobby for far too long.  She is currently sharing her Nana's house with a housemate, because neither of them are willing to give up their share of the house that was bequeathed to them upon Nana's passing.  Meanwhile, she's barely hanging on to her bit part at the local theater.  In the midst of this, a confounding new neighbor moves in next door, with a giant mastiff named Russell, who deems Bree his "favorite," much to Bree's chagrin.  This kicks off a series of increasingly complicated pranks between Bree and Chip, the neighbor, as they both try to figure out where their personal lives are headed, and the part their neighbor relationship might play in it.

I'm not sure how to write about this book.  For probably 80% of it, I didn't even like the characters.  I had trouble foreseeing an ending that would wipe out the problems I had early on in the story.  Chip lied and misrepresented himself and his abilities.  He never even tried to understand why Bree was upset, and his lackadaisical approach to her fear, or at least dislike, of his giant dog was lacking in even basic human compassion.  Their pranks could have been funny, and if the book played off of harmless pranks back and forth, that could have been a fun story.  But their pranks were not entirely harmless, and they drew in other people, wasting their time and resources.  If the story had delved deeper into why Bree couldn't find a path in life, or her paralyzing fear over her niece's condition, it could have taken a serious path and been a a better read.  But most of that was glossed over, until it came into play to tie up the story in the end.  Chip's family and his reasons for setting out on his own were super interesting, and the tragedy that brought him home clearly had a huge impact on him, but the book made it seem only tangential to the neighborhood war.

In the end, the theme seemed to have been based around the C.S. Lewis quote above, but for me, it took too long to get there, and especially in Chip's case, there was very little redemption to a character who was extremely self-focused for so much of the book.  I enjoyed The Dating Charade by this author, and some of the characters do carry over, but this one was a miss for me.  3 stars.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

You can find The Cul-de-Sac War HERE.You can find the author HERE.

Autumn Skies - Denise Hunter

Once again, we join the Bennett siblings at their Bluebell Inn for this final installment to the series.  Now, we focus on Grace, the youngest of the siblings, who is trying to get her outdoor outfitters business off the ground, as the siblings prepare to sell the inn and move on with their lives.  When Wyatt Jennings comes to visit the inn, Grace is drawn to him and his mysterious search in the nearby mountains.  Their lives are so different and headed in different directions, though, what could even come of a relationship?

I have enjoyed this tale of the Bennett siblings, and their mission to run the inn their parents never got to see come to fruition.  I like seeing their interactions as their lives change, and they find their matches, and try to adjust their family expectations.  Grace and Wyatt's story was perhaps not my favorite of the 3 books, but it was good to see the family again and have a sense of where they're all headed from here.  I missed the extra side characters in this portion of the story, however, it was much more centered on the main two characters than the previous books were, and I felt like that left the story a little flat. 

I give this book 3 stars, but overall the series would average higher than that as a whole, and if you read the first two, you should certainly finish it out!

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

You can find Autumn Skies HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

Sea Glass Castle - T.I.Lowe

In this third installment of the Carolina Coast series, the story centers around Sophia Prescott, ex-wife of a pro football player, and now single mom living back in Sunset Cove with her best friends, the Sand Queens.  As she works to distance herself from her highly publicized divorce, and tries to find a new normal, she encounters Dr. Weston Sawyer, who is also trying to heal from his past.  Can they form a friendship to help each other re-calibrate their lives?  Maybe if they can get past all of their arguments.

This was probably my favorite of this trilogy.  I felt like the characters had really developed, and Sophia and Wes's stories were tragic, without being overly dramatic.  Their grief was different enough to provide comfort for each other, while giving them the kind of empathy necessary for healing. 

I loved that the couples from the first two books still played heavily into this story, making their group of friends wider and ever more protective of each other.  I would love to have more stories that centered around this trio of couples, their lives, and their friendships.

I give this book 4 stars.  I really enjoyed this series as a whole, and I would recommend reading them in order.

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

You can find Sea Glass Castle HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

Heart Chimes - Denise Janette Bruneau

From Amazon:
"Author of Finding Home, Denise Janette Bruneau brings us another story about hope, love, and unyielding faith in God.Dr. Marla Devereaux tries to balance her career as an ER doctor with her duties as a wife until she discovers that her husband has been having an affair while hiding his infidelity as frequent “business trips.” Devastated with the loss of her marriage, Marla’s life suddenly changes when she receives a letter in the mail, informing her of an inheritance from her grandmother in Guntersville, Alabama. Moving into her grandparents’ lake house from her home in Cincinnati, Marla finds a man already there, an ER nurse named Micah Brady. Getting to know her grandmothers’ handsome tenant, Marla soon learns that Micah is suffering from a loss of his own. Holding onto the objects that give them hope, for Micah his heart-tattoo and for Marla her grandparents’ grandfather clock, the two of them rediscover true, Godly love."

The premise of this story is cute: an ER doctor hearing a dying woman's last words of love to her husband, only to cross paths again with the husband 3 years later after her own husband abruptly divorces her.  However, with its short length, it was like a full novel's story trying to fit into a novella-length space.  The details were shallow, and there were holes in the plot.  The supporting characters had a lot of potential, but they weren't deeply developed.  They were the kind of characters and the type of town that could have held a whole series of books, yet I came away feeling like I didn't really know any of them.  Marla's past and her relationship with her husband were brutal to her psyche, and there was potential depth to the story to restore her confidence and self worth as a daughter of God.

I give this book 3 stars; I feel like it had a lot going for it, but it needed to be longer to really reach its story potential.

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

You can find Heart Chimes HERE.
You can find information about the author HERE.

Before I Called You Mine - Nicole Deese

From christianbook.com :

"After many matchmaking schemes gone awry, Lauren Bailey's one goal is to become a mother. Remaining single to meet the adoption agency's requirements seems simple---until Joshua Avery appears on the scene. Now Lauren must choose between the two deepest desires of her heart. Can she say yes to one and let go of the other?"

What an unusual plotline, well-done story of adoption and sacrifice!  I can't speak to the authenticity of the adoption timeline and legalities, but the idea of a woman choosing to forgo dating and relationships to pursue adoption as a single woman, and then meeting her dream man? What a setup for a heartbreaking decision and enthralling story!

Lauren's and Josh's characters were so well written that I laughed with them and their quick banter and Josh's zany antics, but I also ached with them over the impossible choices put before them, and their desire to hear God's will for their lives.  How could He set Lauren on the path to singlehood adoption and then put Josh across the hall from her every day?  How was Lauren supposed to decide between a man she could build a life with, and possible pursue further adoptions with...four years in the future...or the child she could help right now?!

The cast of side characters in this story were just as well done and so important to the richness of the book; from Lauren's family, whom she felt didn't understand her at all, to Joshua's family, who welcomed her right in, as well as the Cartwright family who showed her what adoption looked like, soup to nuts, and her best friend Jenna, who was there for her throughout it all.

I give this book 5 stars!  While I'm sure the adoption process is much more grueling and emotional than can fit into a single novel, I didn't feel like this book glossed over any of it.  It highlighted that adoption is a calling, and a sacrifice, and that there is great need, but it is certainly not quick or easy.

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

You can find Before I Called You Mine HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

Set the Stars Alight - Amanda Dykes

Lucy Clairmont grew up hearing seemingly disconnected stories from her father, along with her childhood friend, Dashel.  Now, both grown up, Lucy is a marine archaeologist, and Dashel is a forensic astronomer; their career paths have now intersected and brought these two old friends back together, to a place where the past, their childhoods and their stories come together in a way to bring closure to the past and a future they could have only hoped for.

Wow! Another winner from Amanda Dykes! This was a beautiful weaving of past and present, with delightful, complex characters in both timelines.  A split timeline is best when you're both disappointed to leave the timeline you are currently reading, but you're also impatient to find out what is happening in the timeline you're returning to.  This book successfully makes you feel entrenched in both the historical tale and the contemporary companion.

I loved watching Frederick's tale develop in the past, even while watching Dash and Lucy discover how the puzzle pieces they'd been given fit together to complete the picture of the lost ship and the infamous Traitor.  The supporting characters in both the past and the present, including the presence of Lucy's father through the stories he'd gifted Dash and Lucy, and the occupants of Stone's Throw Farm (which I desperately want to visit!) made the tale richer and left me wishing for more of their stories.  This is a book that I wish wasn't a stand alone novel!

I'm not always a split timeline fan, but I give this book 5 stars!

You can find Set the Stars Alight 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.

Until June

In a strange twist of events, 18-year-old Josephine finds herself the unexpected caregiver to Geoff Chambers, a WWI veteran who lost part of both legs in the war.  Geoff is initially despondent and dependent on morphine, but with Josephine's care and persistence, he finds himself enjoying life again.  Set in a remote lodge in Alaska, Josephine and Geoff learn to both depend on each other and find their individual strength in themselves.

I enjoyed the setting and idea of this story; I haven't read many stories set in Alaska, nor have I read much about injured war veterans.  I enjoyed watching Josephine persevere through Geoff's stubbornness and defeatist attitude.  However, there were a lot of characters to not like in this book, and for me, it didn't really balance out.  Also, I wished for more of the scenery to really experience the setting of Alaska to set the book apart.

I give this book 3 stars.  It was an engaging read, and I think it will appeal to many readers, it just wasn't one of my favorites this summer.

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

You can find Until June HERE.
You can find the author HERE.

The Summer House - Lauren K. Denton

From christianbook.com :
"When Lily Bishop wakes to find her husband's goodbye note and divorce papers, she takes a position as hair stylist at the Safe Harbor retirement community for income. She soon livens up the place Rose Carrigan founded just before her spouse ran off with his assistant. Will these jilted women become friends---and discover second chances at love? "

It feels weird to say that I really liked this book, when it started on such a rocky note.  But, if you can get past the opening of a woman's husband leaving her out of the blue, there's a lot to gather here about second chances and opening up to the people whom you find in your life.  Between Lily's fresh start, and Rose's path to forgiving herself and letting people in, the characters in this story were heartrendingly realistic, and down-to-earth, yet colorful and engaging.  I loved watching the interplay between the members of this community who had lived among each other for years, yet with the fresh perspective of 28-year-old Lily becoming part of them.  I could see a series set in this community of Safe Harbor, delving into the rich histories of those who live here, and perhaps interacting with and passing on their wisdom to the next generations.  

I give this book 4 stars.  Lily and Rose were traveling separate paths, yet both needed forgiveness, healing, and fresh starts, and I loved watching how their journeys affected each other and the community they were a part of.

You can find The Summer House HERE.
You can find the author's website HERE.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Gilded Lady - Elizabeth Camden

In this second installment of the Hope and Glory series, we get to revisit the Delacroix family, this time with the focus on Caroline Delacroix, as she serves as secretary to the First Lady, Ida McKinley.  While she is hoping to solidify her political connections in order to request a presidential pardon for her twin brother Luke, Nathaniel Trask is working to solidify security surrounding the president. 

I really enjoyed this view of William McKinley's presidency, and I appreciated the historical notes included by the author to clarify which parts of the story were historically accurate.  I did find myself tempted to Google the event that I knew was coming, to see when/where it was going to happen, but I resisted in order to let the novel's suspense build at its own pace. 

Caroline was a complicated character, and it was interesting to watch her internal processes as she tried to balance a difficult First Lady, a potential relationship with a guarded man, and the drama of her twin brother in a Cuban prison.  The peek into White House life, and the picture of political life and the delicate dance it requires was fascinating. 

I give this book 4 stars.  I am looking forward to continuing this family's story, and learning more about Luke in the third installment to come!

You can find A Guilded Lady HERE.
You can find the author's website HERE.

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

Mosaic of Wings - Kimberly Duffy

Nora Shipley is in a tough spot; as a rare female college student, striving for an exclusive scholarship, she needs to set herself apart.  With her mother's health on the edge, and her stepfather delivering ultimatums, she takes the opportunity to travel to India on an entomology expedition. Her closest competition, Owen Epps, travels with her, and they find themselves not just exploring India's flora and fauna, but also their relationship and potential futures.  India challenges Nora in ways she could not have foreseen, and leaves her changed forever.

This was such a unique book!  I love reading about unique careers, and uncommon literary settings.  A female entomologist doing field work in the late 19th century was a fascinating mix. Nora's delight in bugs and scientific study was engaging, even though I am not the least bit interested in entomology.  When she encountered a cultural clash with India's religious practices that she could not reconcile with her own beliefs, I felt her conflict, and I was so upset on her behalf when she couldn't find an ally. 

I give this book 5 stars. It was a unique story, and it didn't shy away from hard topics.  I believe that it was a debut novel from this author, and I certainly look forward to reading more from her!

You can find A Mosaic of Wings 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.

Storing Up Trouble - Jen Turano

In Storing Up Trouble, the third installment in the American Heiresses series, we get to read about Beatrix Waterbury, one of New York's elite Four Hundred, as she is sent to Chicago to spend time with her Aunt Gladys, known as a wealthy, yet eccentric, woman among Chicago society.  Once she arrives, she is surprised to find that Aunt Gladys is requiring her to take a working position at a well-known department store, and as such, Beatrix keeps her identity as an American grand-heiress under wraps.  Meanwhile, she encounters Norman Nesbit, another odd character within Chicago society, and his female scientific partner and friend, Theodosia, known as Theo.  With danger on their tails, and their eyes opening to the world around them, how can these men and women work together to keep their loved ones safe and to find their calling of a larger purpose?

I loved finally getting Beatrix's story!  And there were so many awesome new side characters to love: eccentric Aunty Gladys, who takes in women to teach them skills and give them friendship; the women themselves, including Blanche who likes to experiment with hair solutions and makeup concoctions; Roberta who creates 7-course dinners, and Mamie who adds fun and quirkiness.  Then there's Norman and Theo, the unusual scientific pair of friends whose lives Beatrix finds entwined with her own.  I loved that these tow, rather than being concerned with gossip and society's opinion that they were odd, instead embrace the freedom that comes from already being seen as non-conforming and use it to their advantage to avoid unnecessary society appearances and concentrate on their scientific research.

However, there was so much more to this book than its engaging characters - there was amazing change and growth within these characters as they allowed their eyes to be opened to the lives of the people around them.  Beatrix, by taking on the position of a low-paid salesgirl, was able to see the conditions under which women were working, and it softened her heart and opened her mind to find ways to improve their lot in life.  Norman, once he looked beyond his science, was transformed into a man who cared for the people in his life and was able to put his considerable intellect to use bettering their lives and working on projects that would benefit those beyond his immediate circle.

Overall, this was a delightfully amusing novel, with just enough eye-opening change to give it weight.  I give this book 4 stars; I have thoroughly enjoyed the American Heiresses series, and I am disappointed to not be able to visit these characters again.

You can find Storing Up Trouble HERE.
You can find the author's website HERE. She is always a delight to read, and I always anticipate her next release!

When I Meet You - Olivia Newport

From Christianbook.com :
"A trunk abandoned at Denver’s Union Station more than a century ago leads Jillian and Nolan to untangle the mystery of its contents—including correspondence with the head of Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency Denver office. While Nolan digs into the legalities of the findings, Jillian searches for the descendants of a stolen identity who might not be who they think they are on Colorado ranch land. When Drew seems anxious to hear what Jillian has to say but his Great Aunt Min slams the subject closed—twice—Jillian is all the more determined to find out what happened to the woman who never claimed her luggage, why Min doesn’t want to talk about it, and what will happen for Drew if he gets the answers he seeks.
 
When I Meet You is the third book in the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport. You’ll want to return to the lovely Colorado mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and celebrate unforgettable family stories that will inspire you to connect with your own family histories and unique faith journeys."

This is the third book in the Tree of Life series that I've read.  I still love the characters of Jillian the genealogist and her father, Nolan, the opera-singing, gourmet-cooking, lawyer, as well as the side characters in their town of Canyon Mines, Colorado.  I liked how this installment brought us a bit more backstory to Jillian and the loss of her mother, as well as the family history there that she's trying to uncover.

However, the rhythm of this story was a little bumpy for me.  I can handle the time shifting, but the correspondence added an additional layer of time lines, and trying to tie Jillian's ancestors in with the woman who was lost to history, as well as trying to unravel the financial mystery...it took me awhile to get the gist of what was happening.  

I give this book 3 stars.  I still love the concept of using genealogy and family history to tie people together and to even solve mysterious questions of the past and present, but I struggled to get into this one.  The ending wrapped up the story well, though, and I was glad I persisted.

You can find When I Meet You HERE.You can find the author's website HERE.

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

Joy of Falling - Lindsay Harrel

"They may have started out doing this for their husbands and family, but somewhere along the way it has also become about them.  About fighting for a new life that didn't have to end with the tragedy that had overtaken them.  About finding joy in the journey."

Eva and Angela are sisters-in-law, united not only by their marriage to brothers, but in their grief over the loss of both their husbands in the same accident.  While this should draw them together, they're dealing with their loss very differently and find it difficult to share the common ground peacefully.  When Eva convinces Angela to attempt an ultra-marathon in New Zealand, in memory of their husbands, they will each need to face their grief, their loss, and their fears, in order to face their future.

There was a lot of depth and emotion in this book; it didn't gloss over the journeys each woman had to travel through her grief, even though the timeline was perhaps compacted for a novel-length story.  It really highlighted how differently people can process loss, and how that might look quite different on the outside than what they're actually feeling inside.  The temptation to idealize the departed is prevalent, but the reader can see the characters work through their guilt over their less than perfect relationships and acknowledge the gaps, and learn from their mistakes.

I give this book 4 stars.  It had depth without feeling heavy with its look at grief and learning to live again.

You can find Joy of Falling HERE.
You can find the author's website HERE.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The House at the End of the Moor - Michelle Griep

An innocent man wrongly imprisoned; not just wrongly imprisoned, but targeted and accused, in order to stall his work to improve the lives of the poor.  A beautiful opera singer, propositioned with the threat of blackmail, forced to leave her gift behind and live an anonymous life on the barren moor.  A daring escape, an injured stranger, a Constable bent on meting out justice, plots uncovered  - in all of this, what is God's plan? Where is His justice?

There was so much action, redemption, and reconciliation in this book; it was thrilling, heartbreaking, and gripping.  Yet, the dark characters and the violent evil they wrought on undeserving and unsuspecting recipients was harsh and difficult to stomach.  I understand that it highlighted their depravity and lack of understanding of God's mercy and justice, but I felt that it could have been hinted at, but left a bit more off of the page.

I give this book 4 stars; I loved so much of it, it would have easily been a 5-star read without so much violence.

You can find The House at the End of the Moor HERE.
You can find the author HERE. I will definitely be looking to read more from her!

More Than We Remember - Christina Suzann Nelson

Three women, isolated by their separate circumstances, yet oddly united through one terrible tragedy.  How will Addison, Brianne, and Emilia get through their hardships alone? Yet, is there anyone they can trust to help them?  Who else can understand their personal pain?

There were so many stories happening in this book that it took awhile to keep them straight, but the author did a good job weaving them together and having everything tie up in the end.  Tie up in the sense that the reader wasn't left hanging on any of the big questions, but not tied up so neatly that the characters avoided consequences for their choices and actions.  The message throughout this book is that nothing is as easy as it looks on the surface, and everyone's story has bumps in it that you can only find out by getting to know them. 

I give this book 3.5 stars; I think there were still a few hiccups in the story shifts, and there were almost too many characters to get to know, but overall there were a lot of good glimpses of tough situations, and examples of how people could grow through the tough times, especially if they're willing to accept help from others.

You can find More Than We Remember HERE. 
You can the author's website HERE.

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

The Fifth Avenue Story Society - Rachel Hauck

Five people, with only tenuous connections at most, receive mysterious invitations to a Story Society meeting in a special room at the Fifth Avenue Library.  As they struggle to find out what or who could have brought them together, they begin to form relationships and find themselves looking forward to and depending on this strange group more and more.  Could they have been brought together to simply share their stories, or will they find a bigger purpose within the sharing?

This was my favorite Rachel Hauck book in awhile; I'm almost glad I didn't realize it was connected to The Writing Desk, because I didn't love that one.  However, this one was filled with such an amazing cast of characters, all of whom had compelling stories to tell, that I had a hard time letting go of them with the last page.  I found myself equally drawn into almost all of their points of view, and I was eager to see their secrets revealed and their wounds from their pasts healed. 

I give this book 4.5 stars; I still don't love the Gordon Phipps Roth storyline that carried over from The Writing Desk, but it was important to Jett's storyline.  Otherwise, I loved the interplay between the characters, and the tough choices they had to make with revealing the truths in their lives.

You can find The Fifth Avenue Story Society HERE.
You can find the author's website HERE.

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

From Sky to Sky - Amanda G. Stevens

In this follow-up to No Less Days, Zac Wilson has stuck around in town with David Galloway, after connecting with the fellow longevite under terrible circumstances.  While there, he is approached by more people like him, who claim that several more of their kind have been dying. Are they finally aging out, or is something darker happening?

In my review of No Less Days, I mentioned that it would have made a good series, and I was right!  Having this book added to the first makes the story much richer, and watching these characters struggle with their odd balance of humanity and immortality becomes an epic battle rather than a skirmish snapshot.  I questioned how one's faith in God might grow, or stagnate, over several lifespans that didn't result in a face-to-face meeting - that was delved into more thoroughly in this book, and it added so much to the story.  There are still questions hanging out there, and I can only hope that there are more books to come to continue this unusual story of a family knit together by unique circumstances and not necessarily by choice.  I'm so interested to see how they find their way back together, and if they can find peace with what seems to be their lot.

I give this book 4 stars.  I almost didn't pick it up because its description is so odd for a Christian fiction novel, but I'm so glad that I did!  It definitely gives the reader a lot to think about how they handle their small breath of years they get to spend here.

You can find From Sky to Sky HERE.
You can find the author's website HERE.

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