Category Archives: Romance

July 13, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber

Title: A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Two sisters must learn from each other’s strengths and trust in the redeeming power of love in a touching new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

The Lakey sisters are perfect opposites. After their mother died and their father was lost in grief, Willa had no choice but to raise her sister, Harper, and their brother, Lucas. Then, as an adult, she put her own life on hold to nurse Harper through a terrifying illness. Now that Harper is better and the sisters are living as roommates, Willa has realized her dream of running her own bakery and coffee shop, bringing her special brand of caretaking to the whole Oceanside community.

Harper, on the other hand, is always on the go. Overcoming a terrible illness has given her a new lease on life, and she does not intend to waste it. When Harper announces her plan to summit Mount Rainier, Willa fears she may be pushing herself too far. Harper, for her part, urges Willa to stop worrying and do something outside of her comfort zone—like taking a chance on love with a handsome new customer.

Sean O’Malley is as charming as he is intriguing—a freelance photographer whose assignments take him to the ends of the earth. Soon Willa’s falling for him in a way that is both exciting and terrifying. But life has taught Willa to hedge her bets, and she wonders whether the potential heartache is worth the risk.

Life has more challenges in store for them all. But both sisters will discover that even in the darkest moments, family is everything.

Review:

A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber is a poignant novel of family and love.

Willa Lakey is the owner of a popular coffee shop and shares an apartment with her younger sister, Harper. The girls’ mother passed away when they were young and Willa becomes the family caretaker. Their dad falls apart and after graduation, older brother Lucas joins the Army. Willa takes on more of a mother role after Harper’s leukemia diagnosis and although her sister is now healthy, she cannot help but worry about her.  Harper is living life to its fullest and she tries to play matchmaker for Willa with coffee shop customer Sean O’Malley. Willa is resistant at first, but she finally decides to give Sean a chance. But their budding romance is challenged by Sean’s long stretches away from home due to his career that occur just when Willa needs his support the most. Can Willa overcome her fears and give her relationship with Sean another chance?

Willa is quiet and works long hours at her coffee shop. An introvert, she has forced herself out of her comfort zone and she enjoys her daily interactions with her customers.  Willa has not had much time for dating and she is very resistant to Harper’s attempts to convince her Sean is interested in her. She is a little shy and unsure of herself but she cannot deny she likes Sean. But will he convince Willa to give him a chance?

Sean is a passionate freelance photographer who  has worked hard to establish himself. Although photography was not his first career choice, he is much happier with his new life.  Sean has not dated for quite some time and he is very nervous about asking Willa out on a date.  Surprised when she finally says yes, Sean is not quite as forthcoming about his past as he should be.

Sean and Willa’s relationship is surprisingly laidback and quite comfortable. They spend quiet evenings together and talk for hours.  Willa is not happy when Sean must leave for weeks at a time but she understands this is part of his career. However, Sean is not always great at communication and he tries to avoid conflict. A family crisis becomes a pivotal point for Willa and Sean is regretful but will his remorse be enough for Willa?

A Walk Along the Beach is a heartfelt novel that tugs on the heartstrings. Willa, Harper and Sean are vibrantly developed with relatable flaws and strengths. The storyline is well-developed and moves at a brisk pace.  Debbie Macomber brings this deeply affecting novel to a bittersweet yet heartwarming conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this captivating novel.

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Filed under A Walk Along the Beach, Ballantine Books, Contemporary, Debbie Macomber, Rated B+, Review, Romance, 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

July 8, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: Rough Creek by Kaki Warner

Title: Rough Creek by Kaki Warner
Brides of Rough Creek Series Book One
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 364 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A cowboy with a troubled past and the woman he can’t resist find love and second chances in Rough Creek, Texas, from the beloved and award winning author of Western romance, Kaki Warner.

After serving eighteen months in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Dalton Cardwell is looking for a fresh start. What better place than Whitcomb Four Star Ranch? He doesn’t regret the decisions of his past–he’d choose the same roads again. But now all Dalton wants is to keep his head down and focus on the horses–and on Raney Whitcomb.

Raney is outraged when she learns her mother hired an ex-con. Raney has worked hard for the ranch, sacrificing her personal life for the dream of building on her family’s legacy. But as Dalton breaks down every misconception and even wins the good opinion of her sisters, Raney is forced to rethink her stance–and finally free herself to explore the heart-pounding tension that simmers between them.

Review:

Rough Creek by Kaki Warner is an angsty novel of starting over and love.

Raney Whitcomb took over running the family ranch after her beloved father’s sudden death. Nine years later, she is working hard to make the recent changes to the ranch successful.  Raney is also conflicted and a bit judgmental about her mama’s new hire, Dalton Cardwell. He is fresh from serving a prison sentence and she cannot seem to let go of the fact he is an ex-con. Raney is a frustrating woman who is not exactly likable as she tries to move past her fear that she will give her heart to the wrong man again.

Dalton is more than ready to leave his past behind him. He has done his time and wants nothing more than to begin the next phase of his life. He is pleased with his new position at the Whitcomb family ranch and he is even more delighted with the progress he is making with the horse he is training.  Dalton is patient and laidback which is a good thing since Raney runs hot and cold for much of their burgeoning relationship.

Raney and Dalton’s romance is slow moving and often takes two steps forward and one step back. Raney is overly cautious but she finds it virtually impossible to commit to Dalton. For his part, Dalton freely admits to his feelings and he works hard to give Raney the space she needs. He is eager to take their romance to the next level and he occasionally gets irritated as Raney sometimes intentionally manufactures problems when she feels uncomfortable with their relationship.

The Whitcomb family is a bit of a mixed bag.  Matriarch Coralee is somewhat overbearing with old-fashioned beliefs.  Raney’s sister Joss is an aspiring singer/songwriter with a bit of wild past. When she suddenly returns home, she brings plenty of drama and tears as she tries to figure out her future. Older sister Len is married with two children but there seems to be trouble afoot as her kids grow up and her husband seems more devoted to his career than his family.  KD is newly commissioned into the military and everyone worries about where her service will take her.

The first installment in the Brides of Rough Creek series, Rough Creek is a drama-filled romance with an interesting storyline.  The characters are relatively well-developed but some are more likable than others. The romance between Dalton and Raney moves in fits and starts due to Raney’s issues. Despite late in the story conflict, Kaki Warner brings this slow-burning romance to a heartfelt conclusion.

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Filed under Berkley, Brides of Rough Creek Series, Contemporary, Kaki Warner, Rated C, Review, Romance, Rough Creek

July 6, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: Not Another Love Song by Olivia Wildenstein

Title: Not Another Love Song by Olivia Wildenstein
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance
Length: 329 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

An aspiring teenage singer finds herself playing a different tune when she falls for a boy who could jeopardize her future dreams in Olivia Wildenstein’s romantic YA novel, Not Another Love Song.

Angie has studied music her entire life, nurturing her talent as a singer. Now a high school senior, she has an opportunity to break into Nashville’s music scene via a songwriting competition launched by her idol, Mona Stone. Discouraged by her mother, who wishes Angie would set more realistic life goals, she nonetheless pours her heart and soul into creating a song worthy of Mona.

But Angie’s mother is the least of her concerns after she meets Reedwood High’s newest transfer student, Ten. With his endless collection of graphic tees, his infuriating attitude, smoldering good looks, and endearing little sister, Ten toys with the rhythm of Angie’s heart.

She’s never desired anything but success until Ten entered her life. Now she wants to be with him and to be a songwriter for Mona Stone, but she can’t have both.

And picking one means losing the other.

Review:

Not Another Love Song by Olivia Wildenstein is a cute young adult romance.

Angie Conrad is a high school senior who is an aspiring songwriter and singer who yearns to be just like her idol, Mona Stone.  But her mom Jade, who harbors unpleasant memories of life with Angie’s musician dad, does not want her daughter to have anything to do with the industry. So Angie has her work cut out for her when she wants to enter Mona’s songwriting contest. And after she becomes close to newcomer Ten and his younger sister Nev, will Angie have a change of heart about her aspirations?

Angie is single-minded  about her musical dreams. She and her mom are close but on this one subject, they are miles apart. Jade has given a little and Angie is working with a voice teacher on honing her singing skills.  Despite knowing Jade probably won’t let her enter the contest, Angie works hard on polishing the song she is working on.

Ten is a loner who is not at all happy about his family’s move.  When he tells Angie he hates music, she writes him off. But since they share classes, she cannot avoid him altogether. She is a bit bewildered by her growing crush on him and he adds to her confusion with his hot/cold attitude towards her. But after she becomes friends with his younger sister, Nev, she grows closer to Ten.  But will their relationship survive her plans for Mona’s competition?

Not Another Love Song is a fun young adult romance with interesting characters.  Ten and Angie are multi-faceted with relatable flaws and strengths. The secondary characters are likable but they are not as well-developed as Ten, Angie and Nev. The storyline is engaging but the romance element is very slow moving.  Olivia Wildenstein brings the novel to a sigh-worthy, heartwarming conclusion. Recommend to older teen readers.

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Filed under Contemporary, Not Another Love Song, Olivia Wildenstein, Rated B, Review, Romance, Swoon Reads, Young Adult

July 1, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: Steadfast Mercy by Ruth Reid

Title: Steadfast Mercy by Ruth Reid
Amish Mercies Series Book Three
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

She’d told herself she’d never go back home. But that was before the accident—before life changed forever.

After the tragic death of her parents, Jonica Muller must return to the Amish community she left in shame. Tasked with settling her father’s estate, she plans to keep her visit as brief as possible so she can return to start a life with Ephraim, a widower who has offered her and her five-year-old son the stability of a family.

But Jonica’s childhood home in Posen, Michigan, won’t let her go so quickly. Her father’s sister, Aenti Edna, is showing signs of a slipping mind. To Jonica’s alarm, Edna’s begun entertaining a mysterious redheaded Englischer who has unclear intentions toward the aging woman and the Mullers’ property.

Caleb is a young farmer working Edna’s land, trying to hide his own secret shame from his family and his girlfriend, Darleen. But when Jonica asks him to come to Edna’s aid, she unwittingly sets events in motion that change everyone’s ability to live in the shadows of their lives.

Steadfast Mercy is a tender love story at the intersection of heartbreak, forgiveness, and grace.

Review:

Steadfast Mercy by Ruth Reid is a heartfelt Amish romance of healing, forgiveness and love. Although this newest release is the third novel in the Amish Mercies series, it can be read as a standalone.

Jonica Muller and her 5 year old son Stephen return to her hometown of Posen, MI following the heartrending deaths of her parents. Her Aenti Edna lives in the family home but she would like to sell the farm and move in with her sister. Jonica is dismayed to learn her Aenti has befriended Mr. Jordan an Englischer and she has also allowed Caleb Schulmann to plant his crops in her fields. Jonica remains suspicious of Mr. Jordan and she tries to avoid Caleb as much as possible. Meanwhile, hoping to evade gossip, Jonica tries to keep her return secret from the rest of the community but a health emergency with Stephen means going into town. With news of her presence beginning to become known, will Jonica remain in Posen?

Jonica is still living with regret and shame from her choices years earlier. She also feels guilty about her parents’untimely deaths.  Jonica  is a good mom but she misses her own mother’s quiet support. She is worried about Aenti Edna’s memory lapses but Jonica remains conflicted about her plans for the future. Unexpectedly turning to Caleb for assistance, Jonica knows she feels more for him than friendship.

Caleb is no stranger to guilt since he blames himself for his brother’s death.  With a new career change, he is desperately trying to win his strict father’s approval. Caleb enjoys spending time with Jonica and Stephen but she keeps him at arms’ length.  She is also very reluctant to reveal any information about herself or Stephen.  Just as they are growing closer, outside forces and misunderstandings threaten to derail their budding romance.

Steadfast Mercy is a delightful Amish romance with an appealing cast of characters and well-developed storyline.  Caleb and Jonica are wonderful characters whose struggles with their past mistake are relatable.  With a touch of otherworldly assistance and unshakable faith, Ruth Reid brings this charming romance to a heartwarming conclusion. Old and new fans of the Amish Mercies series are sure to enjoy this latest installment.

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Filed under Amish, Amish Mercies Series, Contemporary, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Ruth Reid, Steadfast Mercy, Thomas Nelson Publishing

June 17, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

Title: Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
The Brown Sisters Series Book Two
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 398 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

USA Today bestselling author Talia Hibbert returns with another charming romantic comedy about a young woman who agrees to fake date her friend after a video of him “rescuing” her from their office building goes viral…

Danika Brown knows what she wants: professional success, academic renown, and an occasional roll in the hay to relieve all that career-driven tension. But romance? Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. Romantic partners, whatever their gender, are a distraction at best and a drain at worst. So Dani asks the universe for the perfect friend-with-benefits—someone who knows the score and knows their way around the bedroom.

When big, brooding security guard Zafir Ansari rescues Dani from a workplace fire drill gone wrong, it’s an obvious sign: PhD student Dani and former rugby player Zaf are destined to sleep together. But before she can explain that fact to him, a video of the heroic rescue goes viral. Suddenly, half the internet is shipping #DrRugbae—and Zaf is begging Dani to play along. Turns out his sports charity for kids could really use the publicity. Lying to help children? Who on earth would refuse?

Dani’s plan is simple: fake a relationship in public, seduce Zaf behind the scenes. The trouble is, grumpy Zaf is secretly a hopeless romantic—and he’s determined to corrupt Dani’s stone-cold realism. Before long, he’s tackling her fears into the dirt. But the former sports star has issues of his own, and the walls around his heart are as thick as his… um, thighs.

The easy lay Dani dreamed of is now more complex than her thesis. Has her wish backfired? Is her focus being tested? Or is the universe just waiting for her to take a hint?

Review:

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert is a cute romance that is also quite steamy. This second installment in The Brown Sisters series can be read as a standalone.

Danika “Dani” Brown does not want a relationship. She is very career-oriented and focused so she often disappoints her romantic partners. Dani is open to a no strings fling so when a video of security guard Zafir “Zaf” Ansari carrying her from their work building goes viral, she agrees to a fake relationship in order to help the charity he runs. Before the pretend romance, Dani enjoys Zaf’s company so spending extra time with him is no hardship. He readily agrees  to her rules but suddenly, she is the one breaking them.  Having been hurt in the past, Dani puts a screeching halt to anything resembling  feelings.

Zafir is no stranger to pain, grief and anxiety. After recovering from a tragic loss, he started a sports charity and uses his past experiences to teach young men to accept and express their emotions. Zaf does not like being in the media spotlight, so he is not quite hitting the mark with publicizing his charity. Thanks to his interfering niece, the viral video shines a spotlight just where he wants it.  However, in order to capitalize on the free publicity, Zafir and Dani keep their fake relationship in the public eye. Behind the scenes, they are enjoying their time together and mutually agree to give into their sizzling attraction. Zaf is a little leery of this part of their arrangement since he does not indulge in meaningless flings. He easily justifies his decision to himself but will he keep his heart out of their arrangement?

Both Dani and Zafir are delightful characters that are vibrantly developed. Their exchanges are witty and their text messages are laugh out loud funny. Due to his struggles with anxiety, Zafir is self-aware and comfortable with expressing his feelings.  Dani is unapologetically honest about what she wants in life and she steadfastly works hard to reach her goals. She is also not quite as inflexible about letting Zaf into her life as she originally believes. They perfectly complement one another and their bedroom scenes are off the charts smoking hot.

Take a Hint, Dani Brown is a lovely romance with a diverse cast of characters. The storyline is enjoyable although it is a little predictable. Zaf and Dani are a well-rounded couple who are genuinely appealing. However, both of them get lost in their own heads which leads to long introspective passages that become repetitive. The conflict that arises is unsurprising but Talia Hibbert  resolves their issue in a very sweet and imaginative manner.  An enjoyable addition to The Brown Sisters series that will leave readers eagerly awaiting Eve’s story.

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Filed under Avon, Contemporary, Rated C+, Review, Romance, Take a Hint Dani Brown, Talia Hibbert, The Brown Sisters Series