Review: Almost Like Being in Love by Beth K. Vogt

Title: Almost Like Being in Love by Beth K. Vogt
Destination Wedding Series Book Two
Publisher: Howard Books
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From the author of Somebody Like You, a RITA finalist, and one of Publishers Weekly’s top ten books of 2014, comes the story of a woman who has everything for a perfect wedding—except the groom!

Winning an all-expenses paid Colorado destination wedding might seem like a dream come true for some people—but Caron Hollister and her boyfriend Alex Madison aren’t even engaged. How is she supposed to tell him she’s won their wedding and honeymoon when he hasn’t asked her to marry him? Being “perfect for one another” seems like the absolute best reason to get married. But what if their supposedly faultless relationship is merely a safe place to protect his secrets and a way to keep their families happy? After quitting her job, Caron accepts her best friend’s offer to visit Colorado. She needs to catch her breath. Who knows, maybe visiting the destination wedding site will make a future with Alex seem like a reality.

Kade Webster just landed the biggest deal of his life with his company, Webster Select Realty, participating in the Colorado Springs Tour of Homes. He never imagined he would run into the woman who broke his heart—Caron Hollister—right when his career is taking off. Seeing her again, Kade can’t help but wonder why Caron walked away from him years ago, leaving him with no explanation. When Kade learns his home stager won’t be able to help with the Tour of Homes, he vaults past all the reasons he should stay away from Caron, and offers her a temporary job helping him on the project. This time, their relationship is purely business.

Spending time with Kade has Caron questioning everything. The man intrigues her—at times infuriates her—and reminds her of what she lost. Has she been settling for what everyone expects of her? Just because others believe she and Alex are an ideal couple, does that mean they should get married? And how can Caron say “I do” to one man when she’s wondering “what if?” about another?

Review:

Almost Like Being in Love, the second installment in Beth K. Vogt’s delightful Destination Wedding series, is a heartfelt story of change, forgiveness and ultimately, love.

Caron Hollister’s hard work and long hours have resulted in a successful career as a realtor in her father’s firm.  She and family friend Alex Madison have been dating for two years and while he has not officially popped the question, it is understood they will someday marry.  After her father makes a shocking business decision that crushes her dream of becoming a full partner in his company, she knows it is time to sever their business relationship.  Uncertain what she wants to do next, she decides to visit her best friend Margot in Colorado where Caron unexpectedly runs into her ex-boyfriend Kade Hollister.  After she returns to Florida, she is surprised by Alex’s reaction when she tells him she won a prize for destination wedding in Telluride and their once conflict free relationship begins to feel a little off balance.  A surprising temporary job offer from Kade sounds like the perfect solution to her suddenly complicated life but will working with Kade resurrect the love she once had for the ex-Army Ranger?

After a few missteps as a teenager, Caron became a dutiful daughter who wanted nothing more than to gain her father’s approval.  She tailored her extracurricular activities to please him and even as an adult, her decisions continue to reflect her need to make him happy. After she quits her job at his realty company, Caron is hurt by Alex’s lack of support which leaves her questioning their relationship.  With both her professional and personal life in turmoil, she eagerly accepts Kade’s temporary job offer but spending time with him adds to her confusion. A surprising job offer seems to be the answer to her prayers, but will Caron find the validation she has been searching for?

On the surface, Alex seems to have a perfect life.  He works for his dad and he is so easygoing that nothing seems to bother him.  However, a long ago tragedy forever altered his family and he feels helplessly trapped by his father’s expectations and the family’s long held secrets.

Kade is also scarred by events that transpired in his childhood and he has residual abandonment issues that were reinforced after his relationship with Caron ended.  With no real explanation for the break up, his feelings for her remain conflicted but it does not take long for him to realize he still loves her.  Although Kade would like nothing more than to reunite with Caron, he has no choice but to accept her decision to Florida when her job with him comes to an end.

With a gentle undercurrent of faith, Almost Like Being in Love is a heartwarming novel that deals with realistic issues that readers can easily relate to.  Caron’s indecisiveness and need for parental approval is a little frustrating but it is extremely gratifying once she begins to make decisions based on what is best for her.  Alex’s struggles with his family are heartbreaking but he finally seeks the help he needs to break free from his unhealthy relationship with his family.  Kade must decide whether or not to go after what he wants regardless of the risk to his heart.  A reflective story about love, forgiveness and  new beginnings, this newest addition to Beth K. Vogt’s Destination Wedding series can easily be read as a standalone.