Category Archives: Robin Lee Hatcher

July 20, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher

Title: Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Christian, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

One broken woman. One lost man. And the long-buried secrets tying them together.

After escaping an abusive relationship, Chelsea Spencer flees to Chickadee Creek—the town where her great aunt Rosemary owns a quaint little antique shop. There, Chelsea plans to help with the shop as her aunt heals from an accident—and perhaps find some healing of her own.

Liam Chandler was one film away from a leading role when his brother Jacob was stricken with cancer. After spending the last months of Jacob’s life with him in Boise, Liam heads to the vacation home he built outside of Chickadee Creek to get his life and his faith back on track.

While working to clean out a storage room in the antique shop, Chelsea finds an old violin. Aunt Rosemary says she may have the instrument, but they soon learn it is very valuable and once belonged to Cora Chandler, Liam’s great-great-grandmother.

Drawn together by the old violin and stories from the past, Chelsea and Liam begin to find answers for their present and the future God has in store for them.

Review:

Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher is a faith-based romance with dual timelines.

In the present, Chelsea Spencer recently relocated to Chickadee Creek to help her Great-Aunt Rosemary Townsend while she recuperates from a broken leg. She is also reorganizing Rosemary’s antique shop and preparing the store for re-opening. One of her discoveries while sorting through the treasures in the store is a beautiful violin which Chelsea is excited to learn to play. She is a perceptive young woman but Chelsea is very reluctant to talk about her past.

Liam Chandler is still grieving the death of his younger brother and he finds solace in his secluded cabin. He is also trying to understand his parents recent split and he is a little at odds with both of them. Liam is also at a crossroads professionally as he waits for God to guide him to a decision. He is quite introspective and has discovered putting his thoughts to paper is very beneficial. Liam is charmed by Chelsea and together they research his family’s history in Chickadee Creek.

Chelsea and Liam are grounded in their faith as they look to the future. Chelsea is a likable character but she is harder to get to know. Liam’s journal entries provide insight into his relationship with his brother and his parents. He is outgoing, friendly and more open to acting on his growing feelings. Chelsea’s newfound faith is extremely helpful as she attempts to overcome the emotional wounds from her past.

In 1895, Cora Anderson is the pampered daughter of a nouveau riche couple who expect her to make an advantageous marriage. She has no say in deciding her perspective groom and she is dreading the future that is planned for her. After her engagement, Cora clearly sees what her life will be like after the wedding. Taking her fate in her own hands, Cora leaves behind everything she knows and sets her own course. She eventually meets Preston Chandler who is also starting over as he claims his inheritance in Chickadee Creek.

Make You Feel My Love is beautiful novel that touches on difficult subject matter with sensitivity. Chickadee Creek is an idyllic setting with a welcoming atmosphere. The storyline is interesting and moves at a leisurely pace. The correlation between Chelsea and Cora’s lives are linked by an unexpected discovery in the present.  The characters are well-drawn with realistic issues to overcome.  With most of the threads neatly woven together, Robin Lee Hatcher brings this sweet novel to a heartwarming conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Historical, Make You Feel My Love, Rated B+, Review, Robin Lee Hatcher, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing, Women's Fiction

July 12, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: How Sweet It Is by Robin Lee Hatcher

Title: How Sweet It Is by Robin Lee Hatcher
Legacy of Faith Series Book Three
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

He lost his brother. She lost her dream. Together, they might find what they’re really looking for.

Holly Stanford is doing the best she can with the restaurant she inherited from her late uncle. But after her fiancé abandons her and the business, Holly regrets having given up her dream of becoming a pastry chef. Now a few bad financial decisions might cost her everything, including her hope for the future.

Jed Henning has done well with his new company despite his prodigal brother’s behavior. When Jed‘s father, the controlling member of the board of directors, temporarily suspends operations until his sons work out their differences, Jed resentfully chases his brother, Chris, to Boise. There Jed rents a basement apartment from Holly and hopes to convince Chris to get his act together before their company collapses.

Unaware that Holly is the one person who can help him get through to Chris, Jed starts the tough work of reconciliation armed with little more than a few family photographs, a stack of old letters, and a Bible that belonged to his great-grandfather, Andrew Henning. And as romance blossoms between Holly and Jed, the story of Jed’s great-grandfather highlights the power of God across the generations and the legacy of a family’s courageous faith.

Review:

How Sweet It Is by Robin Lee Hatcher is a heartwarming novel of love, healing and faith. Although this latest release is the third novel in the Legacy of Faith series, it can be read as a standalone. However I recommend the previous two novels for important back story.

Jed Henning  is fuming over his brother Chris’s disappearance. Jed is the owner of a gaming company but Chris is the man who creates the games. With their father pressuring him to bring Chris home, Jed discovers his brother is currently in Boise, ID. The Henning family used to live in the area and many members of Jed’s extended family still reside close by. During a visit with his cousin Ben,  Jed is surprised when Ben passes their  great-great grandfather Andrew’s Bible to him.  While going through old family letters and photos, he finds the address of his great-great grandparents first apartment in Boise.  Jed is delighted the house is still there and after meeting the current owner, Holly Stanford, he  rents the basement apartment. Will Jed find a reason to stay in Boise when he is unexpectedly drawn to his temporary landlady?

A year after her engagement ended, Holly is still struggling with trust issues. She is also exhausted as she tries to keep the restaurant her ex-fiancé talked her into opening afloat. Although the business is continuing to grow, she is finding hiring and keeping staff while running the business exhausting. Holly is also frustrated that does not have time to devote to her true love: baking.  Despite her lack of time, she teaches women from a local shelter to cook. And Holly also makes attending church a priority.

While reading through Andrew’s bible, Jed realizes that more than his relationship with Chris has suffered since opening his business. Working long hours, Jed does not make time for church or studying scripture. He enjoys getting to know his great-great grandfather through the notes he writes by Bible passages. But more importantly, Jed recommits to his faith and attends church with Ben.

In between reconnecting to his faith and family, Jed continues reaching out to Chris, but his brother remains elusive. He also gets to know Holly better and the more time they spend together, Jed is surprised by how comfortable he is with her.  Holly enjoys Jed’s company, but she is skittish and afraid to trust her own judgment. As they begin to fall for one another, will Holly be able to leave her doubts behind and take a chance on love?

With a gentle undercurrent of faith, How Sweet It Is is a hopeful journey of self discovery, family and love.  Jed and Holly are wonderfully drawn characters whose struggles are realistically depicted.  Their romance blossoms quickly but their feelings for one another ring true.  Flashbacks to Andrew and his wife Helen take place in the late-sixties and detail their poignant stage in their life’s journey. Old and new fans of  Robin Lee Hatcher’s Legacy of Faith series  are sure to enjoy this final installment of this superb series.

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Filed under Christian, Contemporary, How Sweet It Is, Legacy of Faith Series, Rated B, Review, Robin Lee Hatcher, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

June 26, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: Cross My Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher

Title: Cross My Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher
A Legacy of Faith Series Book Two
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Can two broken paths lead toward God’s redemption?

When Ashley Showalter and Ben Henning meet on Ashley’s horse rescue farm, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Both were raised by single moms. Both want to help where they see a need. And both work with horses in the Boise valley. Ben needs Ashley’s help and expertise after starting an equine therapy barn on his great-great-grandfather’s farm—and the more time they spend together, both Ashley and Ben have the feeling that there could be something more between them.

They also carry the burden of past experiences that may drive them apart if the truth is ever revealed. Ben is a recovering alcoholic with five years of sobriety behind him, while Ashley’s brother is an opioid addict residing in court-ordered rehab. Holding fast to the belief that addicts can never be cured, Ashley has promised herself she will never walk knowingly into the chaos created by addiction. Ben knows that with God, all things are possible—but will Ashley find it within herself to give love a chance? Or will her brother’s mistakes and the pain of her past jeopardize her future with Ben?

Cross My Heart threads together a contemporary love story with the heartwarming tale of Ben’s great-great-grandfather, Andrew Henning—reminding us that God’s Word is timeless and that His promises are new every morning.

Review:

Cross My Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher is an endearing Christian romance. This second installment in the Legacy of Faith series can easily be read as a standalone. However, I highly recommend book one, Who I Am with You, as well.

Ben Hennings is a recovering alcoholic whose experiences with equine therapy have inspired him to turn his great-great-grandfather’s farm into a non-profit equine therapy center. He is relying on donations and leases to provide the horses he needs to open Harmony Barn and he is happily surprised by how many people are eager to help him. Ben’s deep faith sustains him as he maintains his sobriety and works to bring his dream to fruition.  He is quite close to his grandpa Grant, but Ben’s relationship with his mother Wendy is strained.  He continues to work through the steps in his recovery but his efforts to make amends to his childhood friend, Craig Foster, are rebuffed time and again.  After meeting Ashley Showalter, Ben enjoys their quiet friendship, but will he be able to resist his growing feelings for her?

Ashley has turned her small farm into a horse rescue but she cannot rehabilitate as many horses as she would like. She works full-time at a local store but she is hopeful she will one day be able to expand her horse rescue. Ashley is thrilled to donate two of her rehabilitated horses to Ben and she is surprised by how much she enjoys spending time with him. She is close to her mom but their reactions to her brother, Dylan’s addiction problems, are completely opposite. Ashley considers tough love to be the best approach, but her mom continues to enable him. Due to her experiences with Dylan and her former boyfriend, Ashley distances herself from romantic entanglements. But when she realizes she is beginning to fall for Ben, will Ashley take a chance on love?

Chapters from Ben’s great-great-grandfather Andrew Hennings are sprinkled amongst present day events.  Andrew and his wife Helen have survived the Great Depression, but now their lives are threatened by the looming threat of Hitler and World War II. Andrew’s faith never wavers as his oldest son Ben joins The United States Army Air Forces as a combat pilot.  His comments and observations on various passages of scripture are powerful messages to Ben who is now in possession of Andrew’s bible.

With an exquisite undercurrent of faith, a realistic storyline and genuine characters,  Cross My Heart is a marvelous Christian romance. Ashley’s reaction when she learns about Ben’s alcoholism is understandable and she finds unexpected comfort through her growing relationship with God. Ben is an incredibly likable character whose deep faith sustains him on his life’s journey.  Andrew’s story continues to reverberate throughout the generations as his Bible makes its way to his descendants who need it most.  Robin Lee Hatcher easily engages readers with her realistic storylines and thought-provoking incorporation of Scripture into everyday life. This latest addition to the  Legacy of Faith series is a wonderful story of grace, love and redemption. Highly recommend to fans of Christian fiction.

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Filed under Christian, Contemporary, Cross My Heart, Legacy of Faith Series, Rated B+, Review, Robin Lee Hatcher, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

December 9, 2018 · 11:57 pm

Review: Who I Am with You by Robin Lee Hatcher

Title: Who I Am with You by Robin Lee Hatcher
Legacy of Faith Series Book One
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 319 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

For these two broken hearts, the first step toward love will be a huge leap of faith.

Jessica Mason isn’t looking for love when she meets Ridley Chesterfield. Instead she is still reeling from the tragic, unexpected loss of her husband and daughter—and awaiting the arrival of her unborn child. Harboring the secret of her husband’s betrayal, her pain is deeper than anyone knows.

Ridley Chesterfield is hiding out in Hope Springs, Idaho, avoiding a political scandal and the barrage of false media headlines that have tarnished his good name. The last thing Ridley wants is a relationship—but when fate leads Ridley to form a friendship with his reclusive and pregnant neighbor, he wonders if this small-town hideout might be more of a long-term destination.

When Jessica begins to read her great-grandfather’s Bible, she finds a connection with a man she never knew. Somehow the verses he marked and the words he wrote in the margins open her heart to healing. And as Ridley and Jessica help each other forgive the people who have wronged them, they must decide if the past will define them or if they will choose to love again.

Who I Am With You weaves together a modern-day romance with Jessica’s great-grandfather’s story from the 1930s, reminding us that some truths can cross generations and that faith has the power to transform families forever.

Review:

The first novel in the Legacy of Faith series, Who I Am with You by Robin Lee Hatcher is a heartfelt and deeply affecting Christian romance.

Jessica Mason is withdrawn and grieving the deaths of her husband, Joe and their six year old daughter, Angela. She is also pregnant with her second child and while happy with the impending birth, she is a little leery of becoming a single mother. Although it has been several months since her tragic loss, Jessica is still attempting to come to terms with Joe’s shocking revelations just before his death.  While she has not lost her faith, Jessica has stopped going to church as she tries to make sense of the death of her beloved daughter and her husband’s betrayal.  She is close to her mother and after her mom gifts her with her great-grandfather Andrew Henning’s bible, will Jessica open her heart to God’s healing?

Ridley Chesterfield needs time out of the public eye after he is blamed for leaking sensitive information about the candidate he works for. His parents vacation home in Hope Springs, ID is the perfect place for him to decide his future while performing some odd jobs around the house. After meeting Jessica, Ridley finds himself drawn to her but he also realizes she still needs to mourn her loss. Their tender friendship gradually gives way to love, but are either of them ready for a relationship?

Interspersed with Jessica’s and Ridley’s lives in the present are passages which detail Andrew Henning’s marriage to Helen Greyson. Their married life is just beginning just as the Great Depression begins and their plans for the future are forever altered when Andrew loses his job.  Forced to move in with Helen’s parents, the couple suffer setbacks and hardships over the next few years. Andrew relies heavily on his faith to get him through many difficulties and although their lives take a completely direction than they envisioned, God’s hand always guides them on their path.

Robin Lee Hatcher’s Legacy of Faith series is off to a marvelous beginning with this thought-provoking and uplifting romance. Featuring dual storylines, a gentle undercurrent of faith and the healing power of love, Who I Am with You is a captivating novel of forgiveness and new beginnings. Ridley and Jessica are well-rounded characters whose struggles will resonate with readers. Andrew’s strong faith and relationship with God are inspiring as he and Helen face many difficulties as they build their life together. I truly enjoyed and highly recommend this wonderful novel to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Christian, Contemporary, Legacy of Faith Series, Rated B+, Review, Robin Lee Hatcher, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing, Who I Am with You

December 11, 2017 · 11:56 pm

Review: You’re Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher

Title: You’re Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Who knew fate could twist a tragedy into a second chance at love?

Samantha Winters lives her life the way a good accountant should—measured, deliberate, and safe. After watching her father die in a tragic skiing accident, she decided never to allow risk into her life again. But she didn’t count on falling for Nick Chastain, who embodies everything she doesn’t want in her safely constructed world.

Against Samantha’s warnings, Nick plans a dangerous kayaking trip over spring break. Furious that he’s so careless with his life, she ends their fledgling relationship with harsh words.

Two years later, Samantha is desperately in need of a change. When she learns her grandmother has had an accident and is in need of a caretaker, Samantha quickly packs her bags and heads to Thunder Creek, Idaho. But nothing could prepare her for the surprise awaiting her in her grandmother’s hospital room . . . Nick.

With the charming backdrop of small-town friends, beloved cousins, and a whole church congregation rooting for them, can they set aside the disastrous ending of their first try at love? Has Nick changed enough to meet Samantha in the middle—and can she realize that a risk in love might be worth taking?

Review:

You’re Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher is a charming second chance at love Christian romance which is set in the delightful small town of Thunder Creek, ID.

Samantha Winters is risk-averse to the point it affects her personal and professional relationships. Even though she is passed over time and again for promotions, she remains in a stagnant job with a boss she dislikes. In her personal life, Samantha’s fears lead her to end her eight month relationship with outdoorsman and adventure seeker Nick Chastain.  When her beloved grandmother, Ruth Johnson, is injured in a fall and needs some assistance with day to day tasks, Samantha does not hesitate to take a leave of absence from work to care for her. What she does not expect is to immediately cross paths with Nick, whom she has not heard from since their painful break up two years earlier.  She is stunned by how drastically different he is from the man she once dated, but can Samantha trust that Nick will not revert back to his daredevil ways?

Samantha avoids confrontation at all cost and runs away instead of facing problems. She has worked for the same company and boss for several years and despite her unhappiness at how her boss treats her, she refuses to look for another job since she does not like change.  However, spending time with Ruth, Samantha begins to question some of her decisions but will she be willing to walk away from the comfortable (and somewhat boring) life she has created for herself?

Nick has undergone dramatic changes since he last saw Samantha and he is refreshingly honest about how selfish  he was during their relationship.  While these significant alterations in his life might not have been of his choosing, Nick readily admits he is a much better person than he was when he dated Samantha. He is quick to take responsibility for how his actions affected their relationship in the past and he is not shy about discussing the reasons his life has changed so radically. Nick has also undergone a considerable amount of spiritual growth in the intervening years and he is now quite devout.

In spite of Nick’s assertions these changes in his lifestyle are permanent, Samantha is doubtful he can resist his adventurous spirit.  Despite her reservations, she is willing to give him a second chance, but she is also quick to doubt him when she misconstrues his actions in emergency situations. Samantha’s propensity to run away from problems also causes trouble between them because her first instinct is to shut down instead of discussing the issues between them. Will Samantha finally deal with her deep-seated fears or is her second chance at love with Nick doomed to fail?

With a strong element of faith, You’re Gonna Love Me is a heartwarming novel of forgiveness, reconciliation and love.  Nick and Samantha are wonderfully developed, likable characters that readers will find it easy to root for. Their romance moves at a slow but realistic pace as they try to work through the issues that ended their relationship in the past. Since Nick’s life changes occurred during their separation, the story focuses mainly on Samantha’s character growth. Robin Lee Hatcher has created  a warm and inviting community in the small town of Thunder Creek and readers will enjoy revisiting characters from previous works. A heartfelt romance that fans of the genre will enjoy.

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Filed under Christian, Contemporary, Rated B+, Review, Robin Lee Hatcher, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing, You're Gonna Love Me

April 12, 2017 · 11:58 pm

Review: You’ll Think of Me by Robin Lee Hatcher

Title: You’ll Think of Me by Robin Lee Hatcher
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Her mother abandoned her, her father disowned her, and her husband left her. Can Brooklyn be convinced that it is possible to forgive the greatest of betrayals?

Brooklyn Myers escaped her broken home and her embittered, unloving father by eloping to Reno at the age of 17. But when she was pregnant with their first child, her husband abandoned her as well. Not welcome back home in Thunder Creek, Brooklyn stayed in Reno and raised her daughter Alycia on her own, doing her best to make sure Alycia never knew the heartache and rejection Brooklyn herself had known.

When her estranged husband Chad Hallston dies, he leaves the family home in Thunder Creek to his daughter. Believing it is the best way to give her daughter a stable home, Brooklyn does what she thought she would never do. She goes home to the orchard and wine country of Southwest Idaho. There, she encounters Chad’s best friend, Derek Johnson, a part time sheriff’s deputy who also owns an organic produce farm next door. Derek was never a fan of former bad girl Brooklyn Myers, but he made a promise to his dying friend that he would be the father to Alycia that Chad had never been.

Although Derek and Brooklyn get off to a bumpy start, he and Alycia quickly form a bond. And soon, Derek realizes that he wants Brooklyn to trust him too . . .  even knowing that her trust won’t come easily. And then he realizes he wants even more than her trust. He wants to win her love.

While Brooklyn may be tempted to give her heart to Derek, risking her daughter’s happiness is another story. Will Brooklyn hold onto her self-reliance for dear life, or will she come to understand that the greatest gift she can give her daughter is showing her how to love and trust others?

Review:

You’ll Think of Me by Robin Lee Hatcher is a heartwarming journey of faith, new beginnings, trust and love.

Ten years ago, Brooklyn Myers escaped her father’s abuse by eloping to Reno, NV with her then boyfriend Chad Hallston. Unfortunately, Chad abandoned her as soon she discovered she was pregnant with her now ten year old daughter Alycia. After learning Chad has unexpectedly passed away and left his family home to Alycia, Brooklyn returns to Thunder Creek, ID.  Fighting the memories her small hometown resurrects, Brooklyn is surprised by how eagerly everyone welcomes them into their lives.

Unfortunately one of the few people who are not happy to see Brooklyn is her next door neighbor Derek Johnson. Derek was never her biggest fan when she was dating Chad and he has even more reason to dislike her now that she owns the land he was planning to buy. Trying to let go of his resentment over the end of his dream to expand his organic farming business, Derek is charmed by Alycia, but he remains deeply unhappy about Brooklyn’s reappearance in his life.

Leaving Thunder Creek was just the first step in healing some of the wounds from Brooklyn’s abusive and neglectful childhood.  Physically abandoned by her mother and emotionally abandoned by her father, Brooklyn has trust issues and she struggles with low self-esteem.  Although she has much more confidence now than when she was younger, returning to Thunder Creek brings up those unpleasant memories she has avoided for so many years. While she is emotionally and spiritually stronger, Brooklyn cannot help but be a little distrustful of Derek’s motives for spending time with her and Alycia once she discovers he was planning to purchase her property from Chad.

Derek is finding it very difficult to let go of his disappointment that his dream of expanding his business will not come to fruition. He is also struggling to overcome his lingering dislike of Brooklyn and he is in no mood to show her any compassion for the difficulties she has endured.  Despite his conflicted feelings towards Brooklyn, he is respectful of Chad’s final request to be there for Alycia and he is immediately drawn to the vivacious little girl. However, as he spends time with Alycia, he gains a better understanding of Brooklyn’s life both in the past and in the present.  With his attitude toward her softening, Derek is rather surprised to discover he has romantic feelings for her.  Since he has made no secret of wanting Brooklyn’s property, is there any way she can trust Derek’s interest in her is genuine?

You’ll Think of Me is a captivating Christian romance that touches on many topics that will resonate with readers.  Robin Lee Hatcher beautifully incorporates relevant Bible verses and passages that perfectly dovetail with the issues the characters are grappling to overcome and/or understand.  The romance between Derek and Brooklyn is incredibly sweet and grows naturally from their friendship. An exceptionally uplifting and deeply affecting novel that will linger in readers’ hearts and minds long after the last page is turned.

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Filed under Christian, Contemporary, Rated B+, Review, Robin Lee Hatcher, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing, You'll Think of Me