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.

The Women of Oakridge by Michelle Shocklee // Review

My Review: 

A compelling novel of the secrets that hold us captive, set in Oakridge, a secret city during WWII working on the Manhattan Project. 

Told in two timelines, following Maebelle Willett in 1944, and Mae's niece Laurel in 1979, who is doing research for a college project about Oakridge and the secret cities during the war. Mae is excited to be striking out on her own, working to support the war effort in a secretive project, but when her roommate disappears, what she finds changes the course of her life forever. Laurel doesn't understand why her aunt won't talk about her time working at the plant in Oakridge, but as she listens to the stories of the locals, disturbing questions begin to appear that have ties to her aunt. 

An engrossing, well-researched historical novel, it was so fascinating to learn about secret city full of young men and women working toward a common goal that they didn't even understand, something I'm not sure that we could pull of today on so large a scale. I liked that Laurel was sensitive and respectful of her aunt's wishes, and it was interesting to see the aftermath through the lens of looking back. My heart went out to Mae for how the secrets affected her whole life, but I admired her courage, and it was easy to see that in such a project the lines of the law were not clear cut. 

An intriguing and at times suspenseful read, gripping in the best way. Very well researched, with strong female protagonists. It was very hard to put down, exploring how secrets can keep us captive and truth can set us free. Highly recommend!

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

He Calls Me Daughter //Momentum Giveaway

A Heavenly Father changes everything.

 HE CALLS ME DAUGHTER is for women who have felt unseen, unsupported, or unsure of their worth. Through intimate, first-person stories, viewers follow women as they begin to name the pain they’ve carried for years: father wound. Audiences are invited to reflect on their own story as they walk alongside these women on a journey toward healing. HE CALLS ME DAUGHTER is an invitation to experience the love of a Father who does not withdraw—One who offers peace, be longing, and restoration. 

 Buy tickets today to see He Calls Me Daughter in theaters only 3/17-3/18! 

https://www.fathomentertainment.com/releases/he-calls-me-daughter/

My Review: 

A moving film about the importance of a father in a girl's life. We follow a group of women through a series of intimate interviews, as they tell of their earthly fathers, and the wounds they carry in their hearts as a result. But that's not the end of the story. 

Powerful and uplifting stories of redemption and the love of a Heavenly Father that changes everything, it was amazing to see similar themes, with some of the stories connecting. A beautiful testament to the power of God, but also a tender and important reminder about how we are precious and dear to God our Father. 

Featuring women of all backgrounds and different walks of life, giving their testimony to loving God who is a Father to the fatherless. A powerful movie for any woman, if you have a good relationship with your father or not. A well done, touching and inspiring film that proclaims the power of a loving God. Highly recommend seeing it!

 #HeCallsMeDaughterMIN #HeCallsMeDaughter #MomentumInfluencerNetwork 

 Many thanks to He Calls Me Daughter for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own. 

 Giveaway: $10 Amazon giftcard (Note: This is limited to US winners only).

  He Calls Me Daughter Film- $10 Amazon Giftcard