Endless as the Rain by Melissa Koslin

Endless As The Rain - Melissa Koslin
4 Stars 

Thank you to Melissa Koslin for providing a gifted copy of the e-book to read for review. All thoughts are my own. 

I loved Dangerous Beauty and Never Miss by Melissa so I was so excited to check this re-release out by her when she messaged me. 

Alec and Adriane....wow. They were so interesting together. What a STORY. He "kidnapped" her, she needs to know why....the answer is buried in his past....and hers. The truth is...Alec SAVED her. 

There were some bad guys after Adriane and while he does "kidnap" her technically, its to save her and protect her ultimately. She allows him to take her to his mansion and we start to get bits and pieces of the mystery as they get to know each other and slowly fall for one another. Alec really cares about her and does everything he can to make sure she is cared for at his place.

I really liked the characters and their chemistry the most. I probably would have liked a bit more action in the middle as it slowed down a bit but I overall loved the romance! That was my favorite part. I wasn't as invested in the suspense piece but they just had this mysterious tension and kept running into each other at just the right times. The forced proximity scenes were done really well. Each of them had trauma from their past you learn about along the way and I liked the faith themes thrown in throughout.

I love a good protective guy in a romantic suspense book especially, and this book certainly scratches that itch if you will. 

Romance was kisses only. Clean for me, but more forced proximity situations and intense closeness. No language. Trigger warning for mentions of loss of a parent/loved ones/intense action situations.

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B01bDCXDW

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Belle's Christmas Carol by Michelle Griep

 🎄✨ Belle's Christmas Carol by Michelle Griep 🎄✨
4 Stars (3.75 Storygraph)

Thank you to Bethany House for the gifted copy of this book to read for review. All thoughts are my own.

A very fun Christmas novella indeed! I love A Christmas Carol by Dickens y'all and this was awesome. To see Michelle take the familiar world from the classic book and expand it into a story about second chances, family, love...it was just really well done.

Belle was a really fun character to follow. She was Ebenezer Scrooge's former fiancée, inspired by Belle from A Christmas Carol. Belle inherits Haven House, which is a struggling London orphanage. She is trying to give the children a good Christmas but the building has a lot of chaotic records and she is trying to figure everything out. She meets Rafe who comes to Haven House searching for info about a child who may be related to him.

Michelle takes a character who once loved Scrooge before he became consumed by money and gives her a whole new story after their relationship ends. It is a story centered on caring for orphans, Christmas and finding love again.

Loved seeing Belle step into her new role at Haven House and care for those children so well. Rafe was also as a noble guy, as he just wanted to find the answers for his family. I enjoyed watching his relationship with Belle develop as they worked together to uncover things hidden in the orphanage records.  A few slower bits but overall great!

Seeing familiar characters and references in this book felt like a fun companion to the classic book and I would certainly recommend for fans of A Christmas Carol!

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B05quYn7Y
Baker: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764242588_belles-christmas-carol

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.
 

Things We Cannot Keep by Amanda Cox

Things We Cannot Keep by Amanda Cox
5 Stars

Thank you to Revell for a gifted copy of this book to read for review.

I really enjoyed this one! I loved the mention of one of our local Tennessee towns too! This is a Christian Fiction contemporary book with a smidge of romance weaved in, mostly contemporary though.

It's a story about healing, belonging, forgiveness and the things we carry with us from our past. Tess gets a mysterious package one day with the name she left behind a long time ago....she is forced to step outside the safe, quiet life she had made for herself after running for so long. I loved the mystery and clues of who the heirloom belonged to and the stories connected by it. There is something so special about the idea of treasured objects that carry pieces of people's histories and their families. These are stories that span generations.


Tess and Elliot's complicated history added another emotional layer. I appreciated that their relationship wasn't rushed and that forgiveness and trust had to be worked through rather than simply handed over.

Tess's faith journey was especially beautiful.

My favorite quote: "This is your chance, Tess. Instead of running and hiding, run toward healing. Run toward the full life you deserve. Find the courage to share the beauty with people who possess the capacity to share the love you were always meant to have."


Amanda Cox does such a wonderful job creating characters who feel wounded but hopeful. 5 big star for me! Highly recommend.

Content: mentions of domestic violence, abandonment

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gGCIgd
Libro. FM Audio: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798899749018-things-we-cannot-keep

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Falling for Keeps by Kasey Stockton

 

Falling for Keeps by Kasey Stockton

4 Stars

Thank you to Kasey Stockton for a gifted e-book of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

This one was SO CUTE! I loved the intro of this book the most. It was the best "re-meet-cute" if you will....Emma kisses the guy that is unknowingly living across the street -- OOOOOPPPSSS! Her and Carson had a lot of good chemistry. He's a single Dad, divorced after his wife left, not wanting to be their little girl's mother.....and he is so reluctant to a new relationship, for good reason. Emma is the town's children's librarian and is so passionate about her work. She is the one who cares for the people around her and never puts herself before others. Carson and Emma think they can be "just friends" but it ain't workin' out too well😂❤️

I loved seeing how devoted Carson was to his little girl Penny and how naturally Emma fit into their sweet family. I LOVEEE a single Dad story and Kasey gave us a good one here! A sweet little girl in a book brings so much depth to the story for me and Penny was the best.

If you like:

- Single Dad Trope

- Opposites Attract

- Bookish FMC

- FALL Vibes

- Sweet Little Girl

- Small Towns

- Friendships

- Teenage Crush

- Found Family 

- Clean Romance

Then this is going to be for you. Recommend! 

Romance is clean with kisses only and no language.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4yh7jXv
Libro.Fm Audiobook: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798349148576-falling-for-keeps

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Murders in the Marquee by Dana Mentink

 Murders in the Marquee by Dana Mentink

4 Stars

Thank you to Dana Mentink and thank you Harlequin for providing a gifted copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This is a fun cozy, historical mystery! It's set in 1905 at a grand hotel in San Francisco with a daily duck parade - its unique and stands out among the crowd. I liked the unique cast of characters, especially Saul as he was starting over after being a former convict. The ducks cracked me up. Nice faith thread. 

Saul, Henry and Kitty were a dynamic trio who really bring the story to life. Funny and lighthearted to me - very cozy vibes. Kind of leans like classic mystery too, which was good change of pace compared to other cozies. I read a lot of modern cozy mysteries, so it was cool to have a historical one. 

If you enjoy lighthearted historical mysteries with eccentric characters and a very memorable cast of ducks, this might be one to try! 

content: no language, clean romance, cozy mystery but few mentions of body parts in the murders

✨Synopsis✨

In this witty historical murder mystery set in a San Francisco hotel, an unlikely trio of amateur sleuths must uncover a killer before another guest checks out for good.

In 1905, the Grand Mallard Marquee is well known for its iconic style, as well as its daily duck parade. For Saul Niffler, a reformed jewel thief, working at the luxurious hotel offers a much-needed second chance. Staying out of trouble and in gainful employment is essential. Which makes seeing a body plummet from a penthouse window extra complicated.

Except…did he see it? There’s no body to be found, and Saul knows he should concentrate on his new duties as “Duck Commandant” rather than meddle. If only Kitty Rossi, a persistent young guest yearning to be a Pinkerton detective, would leave well enough alone. Kitty has already roped in Henry, the elevator man, to investigate suspicious goings-on around the hotel. And against his better judgment, Saul feels compelled to join them.

Between the mystery of Saul’s missing predecessor and a grisly discovery in a drain, all signs point to murder most fowl. And with a cold-blooded killer roaming the Marquee’s lavish corridors, keeping his job may be the least of Saul’s problems…

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UpZxfz
Libro.fm Audiobook: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781488240300-murders-in-the-marquee

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Abide Bible Study by The Daily Grace Co

Abide Bible Study by The Daily Grace Co

5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This study is such a beautiful reminder of what it actually means to stay close to Jesus....not just during our quiet time or when life is going well, but in the everyday moments of life.

I really appreciated how this study takes the idea of “abiding” and makes it practical and understandable. Through Scripture, reflection questions, and thoughtful prompts, it encourages you to look at what it means to depend on Christ, obey Him, and truly find your life in Him. The focus on John 15 was especially meaningful, and I loved being reminded that we aren't called to produce fruit through our own strength....we're called to remain connected to Jesus.

I did this study with my friend Maria and the time I spent connecting with her as my friend will forever stay with me. Thank you to Daily Grace Co for a gifted copy of this study, all thoughts are my own.

Get the study with an additional 10% Off your Daily Grace Co Order using my Discount Coupon Code, unlimited uses- BOOKLOVERAMANDA

Shop here: https://collabs.shop/knqd5r

The Roman Holiday Rule by Andra Loy

The Roman Holiday Rule by Andra Loy
4 Stars

Thank you to Haven for a gifted copy of this book to honestly read for review. All thoughts are my own.

This was such a cute travel story to Italy with so much depth! Lexi processing her grief after losing her Mom was beautifully depicted as she travels to Italy with 4 sealed letters from her to open at Rome's most romantic places and presenting her mother's final painting at the art festival she is organizing. The touch of magical realism/serendipity was a nice light hearted element too. 

I love a book with a good meet-cute on an airplane and that's how this starts out! Mark and Lexi had immediate chemistry so seeing them continuing to meet up along their trip was chef's kiss!

I really loved the letters Lexi was following along the city from her late mother...added such depth to the story as she worked through her grief and continued to meet up with Mark and they got closer and closer. I also love they got to know each other really well and based their relationship on that versus only a physical attraction piece.

Overall, the book had cute banter, competitiveness and an awesome setting where you felt like you were there with the characters eating gelato and having a good time. 

Content - kisses only, grief from loss of a parent 

✨Synopsis:✨

Lexi Walker has finally committed to the Italian adventure that she and her late mother dreamed of for years—complete with a meticulously crafted itinerary, four sealed letters to open at Rome's most romantic sites, and her mother's final painting to present at the art festival Lexi is helping organize. She's ready for the perfect Roman getaway. What she doesn't expect is for her mother's artwork to start manifesting in real life, turning her carefully planned trip into something unpredictable.

Italian-American architect Mark Russo has sworn off American tourists after having his heart broken, and he's certainly not about to let another one distract him from winning the restoration bid that could reunite his estranged father with his grandfather. But when the captivating woman next to him on the flight to Rome proposes a photography challenge—whoever captures the heart of Italy in five days wins—Mark can't resist the bet and her charm.

As Lexi follows the letters from her mother around the city, she encounters Mark everywhere she goes. Their competitive banter turns to undeniable chemistry, but they both know the cardinal rule of holiday romances: You can't fall in love with someone who lives somewhere else and expect a happily-ever-after. Will a little magic—and a lot of mishaps—break the Roman Holiday Rule?

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ciXDTZ
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764245954_the-roman-holiday-rule
Libro.FM Audiobook (great narration): https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798899748684-the-roman-holiday-rule

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