Meet Me in Virginia by Elizabeth Camden // Review

My Review: 

Opposites attract romance, with historical mystery, and two people with everything to lose. 

 Alice returns home in disgrace after a whirlwind romance across the pond blew up in her face. Now she finds that her work is threatened by a swanky new golf course on land that should be preserved as a historical landmark. Jack has staked everything on this project, creating a state-of-the-art golf course that will put him on the map for big opportunities. The last thing he needs is a snooty professor derailing his work. 

 Engaging read, with opposites attracts romance with two stubborn protagonists, and a historical mystery. Both Jack and Alice are intelligent and headstrong, I liked how they both challenge each other to think of things differently and explore things that they wouldn't have naturally. I liked learning about an interesting time period through Alice's search. 

 Overall, a quick read with a sweet romance, as two people who couldn't be more different find friendship and a chance at more, as they face high stakes and an uncertain future.

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

Claire Holloway is Winging It by Angela Ruth Strong // Review

My Review: 

A heartfelt Christian rom-com about opening new chapters, and trusting God's plan. 

Claire Holloway thought she had it all figured out until a career ending injury, has her packing her bags and taking to the sky as a flight attendent. Mourning her lost career path, while juggling a new job and a long distance relationship, Claire is more than a little out of her depth. I liked how her co-workers Nathan, Vincent, Angel, Desiree, and the other flight attendants show her what to do at work and how to embrace the perks of travel. I loved seeing her grow in confidence, and her friendship with Nathan. 

Nathan is a pilot, and is quick to offer Claire help adjusting to her own life. I liked that he is a strong Christian, and has a solid mentor in Vincent, I loved the banter between the two of them.

An engaging read, with characters you want to cheer for the whole way through, filled with humor, friendship and faith. I liked the strong character arcs, and how Claire finds herself challenged and changed by her new job. An uplifting novel, that you won't want to put down as you accompany Claire on her new adventure! Highly recommend!

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

All Booked Up by Melody Carlson // Review

Lucie's Review: 

A heartwarming story of connection and unexpected friendships. 

After the death of her husband, Riva has to face the fact of the financial weight of her home. She can't bear to downsize, so she opens her house to boarders and with that comes a full cast of characters, wonderful ones and ones that try the patience in this heartwarming novel of new chapters. 

A quick read, I liked that Riva tries a lot of new things, and opens herself to new experiences because of her new boarders. Not really a romance, but there are hints, which I think was more realistic. This book has a eclectic bunch of characters, and sometimes their interaction could be a bit childish, and gossipy. 

A light, heartwarming read about taking chances, friendship, and finding a new lease on life after a death. Clean and heartwarming pick me up read. 

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

In the Shelter of Hollythorne House by Sarah E. Ladd // Review

Lucie's Review:

After the death of her husband, Charlotte finds herself fleeing with her young son, Henry, to her childhood home. Years ago she married as her father wished, leaving behind Anthony Welbourne, who has worked tirelessly to build a life of purpose. In her hour of need, Anthony is sent to her aid, could this be a second chance at love?

An engaging read with a lot going on, and protagonists that you can cheer for. Charlotte is a devoted mother, and after years of being in a controlling marriage she knows that she can't let that happen again. I admired her determination to keep her son safe, and I liked that she had Anthony to lean on throughout. Anthony is surprised that Charlotte has been placed in his protection, he is an honorable man of action, who has made the most of his life after Charlotte. 

There is good interaction, with a riveting plot, and high stakes. I liked seeing Charlotte and Anthony reconnect, as they navigated their rekindled friendship.I liked how Charlotte was challenged to take a stand for herself and her so, and how she thought ahead, learning new hands on skills along the way. A satisfying read. 

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

Guarding the Child Witness by Sharee Stover

Lucie's Review: 

When Iowa State Trooper Jaysa Camarota rescues a nonverbal little boy from a car wreck with her K-9 Remy, the boy and dog bond instantly. She must work with her ex-fiancé social worker, Ender Hammett to protect little Trevor, as it quickly becomes clear that someone wants to silence the silent witness. 

 A fast paced suspense, with strong characters, an adorable little boy, and an amazing dog. Jaysa and Ender reconnect hesitantly, but come together to protect Trevor, working to keep him safe while trying to figure out what is going on while staying one step ahead of the killers. There is a lot going on, with great character interaction and relationship building. 

A action-packed adventure, full of faith and second chances. Remy is a clever and caring K-9, and I liked how he helps Trevor throughout the story. Hard to put down, with a lot going on. Definitely worth picking up!

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

Protecting Her Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen // Review

My Review: 

An action packed mystery, with a heartwarming friends-to-lovers romance. 

Dr. Charlotte Duvall comes home when she hears of her father's death, she returns to a mystery with a daunting social web of deceit and secrets surrounding the earlier death of her late mother. She is determined to find the answers to the clues her father left behind. She finds help in the form of lifelong friend John Ellis, and together they dig into the mystery of secrets and deception. 

a fast paced read, wtih strong likable characters that you can't help but cheer for. I loved the dialogue between Charlotte and John, as they rekindled their friendship and discovered somthing new. They have great chemistry, and good interaction throughout. 

Overall, a satisfying read, with a lot going on, a good mystery and compelling plot. Highly engaging storytelling, with a wonderful friends-to-lovers relationship that I adored. Wonderful clean romance!

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

The Heart's Shelter by Amy Clipston // Review

My Review: 

Kira is in Pennsylvania helping her sister after the birth of their newest addition, still healing from a broken engagement she is isn't looking for love. But when she and Jayden Bontager strike up a friendship, she feels her heart torn between a future with Jayden or back home with her family. 

A sweet, uplifting romance with likable characters in a close knit Amish community. I liked how Kira and Jayden are quick to enlist their friends to help others in the community, making new friends and working together. Kira loves her family dearly, and doesn't like being apart from them. Jayden has a big heart, and I liked how he was thinking about building things for others. 

Overall, a quick read and sweet romance, heartwarming with a full cast of characters. I loved their friendship with Fern and how they get her out of her comfort zone, to make new friends as well. A thoroughly enjoyable read. 

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

Harbor Pointe by Irene Hannon // Review

Lucie's Review: 

A heartwarming small town tale of new beginnings. 

Devyn Lee returns to Hope Harbor to help her older sister, but coming back home she must confront their strained relationship as she wonders if she could come home to stay. Single father Aaron Steele is wary of Devyn, but his daughter lights up when she is around her and talking about dancing. Could this be the start of a new beginning? 

A heartwarming standalone novel, about new starts, and rebuilding relationships. Devyn and her sister both went through a lot, but on different sides of the divide between their parents. I loved seeing familiar faces from previous books set in the coastal town, like Charlie and his fish tacos. I also liked that it followed Devyn's sister, as well as another couple, Diane and Martin. 

A heartwarming book, with themes of family, faith, and reconciliation. Filled with hope and healing. A lovely addition to the Hope Harbor books. Highly recommend!

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

Last Light Over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright // Review

My Review: 

A riveting novel that goes between the present and past of Kathleen McDaniel's timeline, showing how her choices lead here to where she is in the present, and formed her into who she is becoming. 

The book also explores the early days of weather prediction in the eye of the Galveston hurricane, while Kathleen is challenged to see beyond the privileged life she was raised in. I liked that Kathleen is a complex character, the decisions she has made change her whole life, and she knows that the person she has become can't go back. Much of the story takes part in the few days during and leading up the devastating hurricane, while the chapters set in the past are a few months before. I like how they keeping you trying to figure out Kathleen's secrets and how it plays into the present. Maggie is an energetic and lively girl, who has taken a shine to Kathleen. Matthew is a dependable and likable character, he has a sharp mind and a passion for learning. 

Overall, this is a well-researched read, it has a lot going on. The author does an incredible job of showing the terror and scale of the natural disaster. A story of hope, friendship, finding yourself, and faith in the face of the Galveston Hurricane.

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

The Fault Between Us by Stephanie Landsem // Review

My Review: 

Strained family ties against the backdrop of the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake in Yellowstone, Montana. 

Struggling to make ends meet, the last thing young wife and mother Claire Wilder needs is her sisters visiting in an attempt to bring her home. Though they used to be close, she prickles under Bridget's judgmental eye, and Frannie is a rebellious teenager. Her husband Red isn't what her family expected, a cowboy who has made his own way in the world by the sweat of his brow. The story follows the three sisters, and Red, through family conflict all culminating in the face of the Lake Hebgen earthquake. 

A compelling read, I liked that is gives us a chance to know and come to understand each of the characters, seeing them challenged to see the other in a different light, with faith and plenty of grace. The story starts out a little slower, as we come to understand the sisters and the tension between them, but it quickly picks up pace. I liked how the sisters are challenged to grow in uncomfortable ways, untangling a difficult childhood and how it affected them as young women.

Overall, a moving read, compelling and at times explosive. I was surprised that I had never heard of the Hebgen Lake earthquake before, and I enjoyed learning about it. A well-spun story of faith, sisterhood, and family relationships. Highly recommend!

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