Conspiracy by Colleen Coble

Conspiracy by Colleen Coble 
4 Stars
Book #3 in the Sanctuary Series

A good ending to this series! I love these audiobooks. We pick back up with Blake and Paradise in book #3 of this series and you're pulled right back into the wildlife sanctuary and traumas of the past with our characters. Paradise is a wildlife veterinarian and just when she thinks she can move on with her partner Blake in a romantic relationship, all of the past threats re-emerge that have been following them throughout the series. Everyone is searching for who killed Paradise's parents and Drew's father. As you usually see in romantic suspense, lots of secrets, fast paced action and not knowing who to trust. 

The narrator does such a great job with the emotions as you listen, I always love Karen Peakes' narrations with Colleen's books. Very bingeable series. I also liked the tie in with the Tupelo grove series with Hez and Savannah, I finished that series this year too!

Content/Trigger Warnings: Mention of past sexual assault, past parental death, past trauma processing as a child, intense situations with wild animals, death mentioned, not extremely detailed by any means for me, loss of loved ones mentioned

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for a complimentary gifted copy of the ebook and audiobook to read and listen to for review. All thoughts are my own.

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South of Somewhere by T.I. Lowe

 

South of Somewhere by T.I. Lowe

4.5 Stars rounding up to 5 on Goodreads

“You are loved, you are cherished, and you are chosen by our Savior, and your identity is far greater than any label someone is trying to place on you. Don’t ever forget that.”

I'd heard so many wonderful things about T.I. Lowe's books, and South of Somewhere was my first experience with her writing. Readers typically praise her ability to tell powerful, redemptive stories centered on real-life struggles and now I completely understand why. All I can say is....wow y'all! She delivered an emotional, heartfelt story that exceeded my expectations and showcased exactly why so many readers love her books.

Juniper "Junie" Wilder is a woman whose battle with grief after the loss of her husband and alcoholism cost her custody of her young daughter, Fern. She is determined to rebuild her life after rehab and she goes on a very difficult journey to healing, forgiveness and proving she deserves a second chance at motherhood.

This book is REAL. I love that T.I. Lowe didn't shy away from the powerful realities of addiction and recovery. We saw the setbacks, the guilt, the temptation...and you really had empathy for Junie in what she was trying to do.  You root for her to come out of this ahead and to make her way back to a healthy place for her daughter.

As a southern girlie in Tennessee, I also love the South Carolina beach setting. It gives a comforting feel in the midst of the heavy. The encouragement of everyone around Junie was so beautiful to see as well. It had that found family element as the people around her become like family as they share their struggles, stories of addiction and accountability for each other to make it.

The romance between Junie and Henry is an underlying thread that added heart to the story without overtaking the main plot. It was a slow build and their relationship developed naturally as friends first rather than instant attraction and I loved that. Henry believed in Junie. 

I was so connected to this book, especially from an audiobook listen - the narrator had a great southern narration for all the different characters and you really felt so connected like it was movie you were watching. 

While I wanted a smidge more of Junie's faith explored, she still realized just how much the Lord was on her side regardless and I loved the emphasis of that.

Highly recommend for anyone who loves southern fiction with real life stories that make you think, empathize and learn. Excited to read more by T.I. in the future.

Content/Trigger Warnings: alcohol and drug use mentioned, child custody battle, addiction recovery, mentions of loss of loved ones, grief from losing spouse, brief violent moment from a character, no language, no spice

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Candy Apple Kisses by Amy Clipston

Candy Apple Kisses by Amy Clipston 

2 Stars

I have enjoyed several of Amy's clean romance reads. This one is a childhood friends-to-lovers romance that sounded cute for fall time. I really liked the orchard and fall vibes, those bits were cozy and had that small town feel. It's like a hallmark movie because there is a struggling family orchard preparing for the towns centennial celebration and they are all working on ways to bring it back to life so I was really interested.... BUT.....Y'ALL.... honestly, this one just didn't work for me.

The romance is between Jake and Emily. They are childhood friends but Jake has been with his girlfriend Claire a super long time, I think they said 14 years? Or he at least knew her for 14 years I think.

Claire is wanting Jake to leave town and go with her to Nashville and spend his life with her but he isn't feeling the relationship anymore, doesn't want to move to Nashville and breaks up with her, asking for time apart and to see other people. 

It's been a month apart at least and Claire is not giving up. She continues to pursue Jake but Jake starts to realize he never really had that love for Claire, he's always deep down loved Emily.

I was so frustrated with the Claire storyline. So much of it was unrealistic. First of all, he's almost 30 and they still ain't married? Nah, that wouldn't happen. And then Emily loved Jake this whole time and she been waitin around...listen...I ain't waitin around y'all LOL

This gets the petty pen for the ending alone with the crazy stuff Claire was doing to try and not let Jake break up with her.

This miscommunication, non-communication and 3rd act breakup added to my frustrations. 

I've liked some of Amy's books but this storyline just wasn't it for me. I would have liked less of the Claire stuff and more of the family, Orchard details, fall vibes and Jake and Emily together without Claire's intrusions.

Content/Trigger Warnings: No language, clean romance, mild grief from past parental loss, parental health emergency

Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary audiobook to listen to review. All thoughts are my own.

The Lumberjack from the Cabin Next Door by Emily Hampton

The Lumberjack from the Cabin Next Door by Emily Hampton
4 Stars 

This was really precious! A sweet Christian Rom-Com with nice faith moments and plenty of laughs!

Kate goes back to Maple Bay after her Aunt June's estate needs to be settled. What she finds instead is a bucket list to complete from her Aunt after her passing...to be able to get the cabin she left her. The bucket list takes her out of her comfort zone and into experiences she needed to heal and live life. The "lumberjack next door" Eli walks through the bucket list items with her....bringing friendship, romance and faith.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book. Reading with a friend certain adds to the enjoyment :) but the faith and forgiveness thread in the book stood out. 

I highlighted many quotes on grief and faith and really connected with the main couple here. 

Seeing Kate work through her issues with her Mom really had me wishing that could be something my own mother and I experience one day. It was an ideal situation for forgiveness and moving on, even if it doesn't always happen in real life.

While it didn't really hit a 5 star fav for me, I still recommend it for a good Christian rom-com read when you want to genuine emotional connections, unexpected moments over pancakes and sweet faith content in a romance.

Aunt June's bucket list is a great reminder that the best adventures are the ones we never plan.

Fav Quotes:

"June told me once that forgiveness never stars with can. It starts with can't. You tell God you can't do it, and He doesn't argue. He helps."

"You learned that rest isn't failure and love isn't a performance and God's quiet is not His absence."

"Grief teaches us that life is fragile. But love - real love - reminds us that life is not pointless. Eternal life doesn't just mean heaven someday. It means hope now. A reason to breathe today. A God who stays."

"Forgiveness isn't weakness; it's muscle. It's choosing - every time the old pain knocks - to stop the echo and start the healing. It's hard, it costs you, and it's always worth it because it gives you back your future."

"Tell the truth to God out loud. He can carry it. He has been carrying you."

"God's love isn't disproved by what he takes away - it's proven by how He stays. She showed me that life's purpose isn't in building something impressive here, but in loving so deeply that eternity feels like going home."

"You don't have to figure God out before you let Him love you."

"But listen to me: sometimes the healing we need looks nothing like we planned. Even when it feels broken, God is still working. Especially then."

Content/Trigger Warnings: grief from loss of loved one, strained mother/daughter relationship, healing, no language, clean romance

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4eGaHV0
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Mail-Order Viscountess by Misty M. Beller

Mail-Order Viscountess by Misty M. Beller 

Book #3 in the Lord of the Rockies Series
4 Stars

I have enjoyed this series from Misty, it's one of those that I know is always going to have a sweet romance thread, good faith themes and good family dynamics.

In this one, we follow Lord Thomas Balfour and Kate McKinney. He is the younger brother who is pretty reckless. His brothers find him a wife without his knowledge and they take him to meet her but as things would have it...things change and Kate is the one involved in this marriage scheme. Kate and Thomas end up in a blizzard situation, stranded over night. They are seen and her reputation will be ruined if they do not marry. Little do they know the danger that is to come their way.

I really liked the snowed in aspect, their conversations, the high stakes bits, faith moments, etc. I think if you want something quick to read with the below tropes, check this out. I recommend reading the series in order just so you are familiar with all the family and characters.

Tropes:

- Mail-Order Bridge
- Marriage of Convenience

- Snowed In/Forced Proximity

- Fish out of Water

- High Stakes Moments

- Rocky Mountain Wilderness

- Family Saga

- Frontier Time Period

*Content/Trigger Warnings: I don't remember anything major that stands out, mild violence from high stakes danger, clean romance, no language.

Thank you to Misty for a copy of this e-book to honestly read for review. All thoughts are my own.

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A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham

 A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham 

5 Stars

Clean, funny and full of charm! No surprise for Pepper's books :) A British pub owner + small-town cafe girl = a grumpy-sunshine romance with emotional depth! I loved this one!

What I loved:

✨So many funny southern references - set in North Carolina

✨The BANTER

✨Coffee, Tea and Sweets

✨Disability Rep

✨Single Dad Trope

✨No Third Act Breakup

✨Rivals to Lovers 

✨ALL THE FOOD

✨Found Family

✨Community Helping Each Other

✨Sweet & Funny Granny D

✨ALL THE LAUGHS

As always, a fun time with Pepper's rom-com books. Lots of laughs, yet emotional depth all included in one. I love the single Dad trope and Finn and his daughter Lucy were the sweetest. Finn was just a great guy too, once he opened up. I loved their rivals dynamic. Also really enjoyed Daphne's personality and love for Jane Austen, tea, books, etc. 

Lucy's speech disability represented was done beautifully, especially from my own son's speech issues, I appreciate this being included.  

What can I say? I just felt like this was exactly the book I needed during a hard season! 

The small town, community coming together in the unexpected hardship in the end was also beautiful. Pepper's inspiration from real life events that happened in her town came across and you could feel the emotion from those scenes. She reminded people that even in the hardest seasons, there is hope in God, in community, in family, in life.

About the Book:
Daphne is the owner of an English tearoom in the North Carolina mountains, whose carefully ordered life is disrupted when Finn, a messy and unconventional English restaurant owner, moves in next door. They are forced to work together to cater a British-themed wedding, leading to plenty of sparks, humor, and growing attraction. As Daphne helps Finn and his young daughter settle into the community, both begin to heal from past losses and disappointments.

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted e-book and audiobook to review. I purchased a copy of the physical book. All thoughts are my own.

Content Details: Natural disaster and loss from the disaster, Mentions of divorce and loss of parent/grandparent, grief explained, romance was clean, kisses only, no language 

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Spies, Lies and Alibis by Natalie Walters

 Spies, Lies and Alibis by Natalie Walters

4 Stars

This was a lot of fun you guys! I have enjoyed Natalie's books in the past and this was a rom-com twist on romantic suspense! So hilarious, great characters, fun romance, lots of spies and espionage. I needed a book with a lot of laughs and this delivered. Natalie herself is a ball of laughs too, just check out her Instagram :) I could read an entire series of Ben and Cybil together solving crimes! They would be a dynamic duo. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys clean romantic suspense with lots of humor. Lighter romance, mission driven book, loved that ending.

OH, and the audiobook narration is perfection.

About the Book:
Cybil and Ben knew each other years ago as kids and an unexpected mission throws them back in their lives together. Her mission leads her to the path of Lorenzo Ramirez, a crime boss with deadly plans....Ben is undercover with the FBI under an alias as a financial advisor helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target is Lorenzo and this is how he gets caught up with Cybil again. They are forced to work together in this mission and keep their covers under wraps...

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for a gifted ebook and audiobook to read/listen to for review. I purchased a physical copy for my shelves. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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