The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay

 The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay 
3.5 Stars

Thank you to UpLit reads, Harper Muse and author for a gifted physical and ebook copies of this book to honestly read for review. Also a special thanks to Libro.FM for the gifted audiobook to listen to for review. All thoughts are my own.

I liked this one pretty good. It is a historical mystery set in the 1950s that combines the cozy appeal of a small English village with the intrigue of Cold War espionage. I loved the unique premise, the bookshop setting, and the way the story weaves together mystery, history, and romance. The story has a lot of moving pieces, but it offers an interesting look at belonging, courage, and finding your place in an unfamiliar community. 

I LOVED the bookish pieces to this. For example, one of my favorite quotes: 

“We don’t grow out of the stories we read; we grow through them. Even in rereading them, they point us to our earlier selves and show us how we’ve grown from that first meeting and those experiences. They become part of us.”

I related to that so much in my own personal reading journey.

I also loved the Agatha Christie references. I also loved how this was tied to a real person in history and their true story as a spy.

Gemma is such a fun sleuth because she has a good eye for mysteries and notices things people don't. She is looking for friendship and finds that with Ursula. She really looks into Ursula and she starts questioning her secrets.

Gemma had a romance with Charlie who is the local constable. He helped her in the research and was a great guy. I really liked how that all played out.

From an audiobook standpoint, the narration was great. She did a good job bringing the characters to life, like a movie.

My only hiccup....the pacing was a bit off for me, as I was losing interest, I would find myself tuning out on the audio at times and not as inclined to read it as with other books. That could just be a me thing as I am really struggling to get through certain books with so much going on in my day to day. 

Either way, if you enjoy historical fiction with a mystery to figure out and a touch of romance, this one is worth adding to your TBR.

Libro.FM Audio: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781400352593-the-undercover-bookshop

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Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0i9SQSly

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

Misfit Mansion by Kay Davault

💛 🎨Misfit Mansion by Kay Davault👻 💛

5 Stars

I really liked this! The artwork is gorgeous and the message of found family was fantastic. I think this would be a great graphic novel to read in the fall time. Thanks to my bestie Keisha for the recommendation. Don't let the monster vibe scare you away, this was perfection for me because of the beautiful message attached to it. It works because we have themes of friendship, family and standing up for others when they may look different. I also felt very attached to the characters. 

Content: No language or graphic content in my opinion. There are some mentions of supernatural things but it was very whimsical to me and lighthearted. A couple of moments with 1 character that appear "somewhat scary" but nothing explicit or gory to me. 

I am looking forward to the next one soon! I have it borrowed from the library.

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B072P7epp

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

Orange is the Color of Goodbye by Christian Suzann Nelson

Orange is the Color of Goodbye by Christina Suzann Nelson

5 Stars

Wow. The only way I can express my feelings truly is in the reading vlog here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atmbNGUoG-s&t=

But let me try....

Christina Suzann Nelson has become a favorite author from only reading 2 of her books now. That is truly saying something. Her writing is beautiful and immediately pulls you in. This book was an emotional, through-provoking story about family, grief, forgiveness....complicated mother-daughter relationships....BUT GOD. As always, God shows up in ways we least expect Him to. 

We follow Eden, a mother who has been through difficult experiences with her son's cancer battle. Her son is cancer free and when all seems to be well.....she has to return home from California to Oregon to help care for her estranged, dying mother. She has to be forced to confront painful memories and unhealed trauma. Her husband is the best guy...he stays back with the kids and encourages Eden to do what she needs to do. He offers to help but Eden continues to say she has to do this all on her own.

One of the things that made this book especially meaningful to me was how deeply I connected with the subject of hoarding and the impact it can leave on a family. This isn't an easy topic to navigate, especially when it involves your parents. I grew up in a similar home as what Eden had to deal with and my parents still live in a home similar to it today. It's hard to process at times. I appreciate the author honestly exploring how hard this can be. Sometimes the people we love can leave us with wounds that are difficult to explain to others and healing isn't always as simple as deciding to forgive and move on.

The mother-daughter relationship in this book was another aspect standing out to me. The book explores toxic family dynamics, generational wounds....the difficulty to break cycles of dysfunction. I appreciate the author doesn't try to wrap everything in a neat little bow or give us a cookie-cutter ending. Instead, the book feels raw and real. She recognized that complicated relationships don't always have a simple resolution and that healing looks different for everyone.

The faith weaved in this book, even in painful circumstances, prove there is possibility of finding beauty in the ashes. We can lean on the Lord and allows others to support us through difficult situations. God sends people to help us even when we least expect Him to. Melody and Alyssa were true friends that the Lord sent to Eden in her time of need.

Overall, this was an emotional heavy read that gave me so much to think about. I think if you love realistic family stories that explore difficult relationships, grief, forgiveness and the messy process of healing will have a lot to appreciate here. It's a reminder that even in the hardest seasons, the Lord is with us.

Content note: This book explores parental illness and end-of-life care, a child's cancer journey, hoarding, toxic family relationships, past sexual assault, domestic violence, and generational trauma.

Thank you to Christina Suzann Nelson for providing a ebook copy to read for review. I have purchased a physical copy for my shelves, as this is now a favorite book of all time for me.

All thoughts are my own.

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0cvCJgtV
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

High Exposure by Kelly Borjas

 

High Exposure by Kelly Borjas

4 Stars

If you like Christian romantic suspense, you'll like this one. This is first in a new series and the first book I have read by Kelly. This is set in snowy mountains of Colorado and has a lot of secrets, drugs, danger and high stakes. 

I really liked the suspense element and the romance between Julia and Cade. Julia's faith journey was also really great to see throughout the book. Her parents never gave up on her and knew the Lord would continue to pursue her through her grief of losing her sister years ago. She turned from God in all of this hardship...but she sees how good He has been in the craziness of everything that happens. 

Julia is a travel blogger on a final assignment in Colorado. She is trying to rebuild her life and career in journalism but gets caught up in a murder investigation leading to more series stakes and puts her in danger.

Cade is a former DEA agent and has secrets he keeps from Julia, trying to keep her safe. As things unfold...danger increases and Julia and Cade grow closer.

While I didn't love Cade keeping things from her, I get it. It's a pretty good start to the series as I always love the fast paced suspense books. Looking forward to the next one.

Thank you to the publisher and author for a gifted copy to read for review. All thoughts are my own.

Content - no spice, kisses only, grief from loss of loved ones mentioned, intense action, drugs, violence, death, dangerous situations - nothing explicit but just general things like this in the suspense bits.

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0gYFjVT5
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780825452635_high-exposure

Libro.Fm Audiobook: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798895642603-high-exposure

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

Autumn Kissed by Deborah M. Hathaway

 

Autumn Kissed by Deborah M. Hathaway

5 Stars

Thank you to the author for a gifted e-book to read for review. All thoughts are my own.

“What I said is true though. I am falling for her—harder and faster than I’ve ever fallen off any bull. It should be alarming. Unsettling, even.”

“I’m flirting with fire. No. Worse than fire. I’m flirting with the mayor’s daughter.”

LISTEEENNNNNN! I LOVED THIS BOOK! Maybe it was right book, right time, but the romance was everything I needed! Archer and Juliet were the BEST. Archer being a cowboy added to my enjoyment because I love cowboy romances. Juliet had a long time crush on Archer when she was in school and younger and many years later after coming home from college....she realized real fast she didn't leave her feelings behind...

Archer and her start talking, getting to know each other...the only issue...her protective Dad who hasn't had a good first impression of Archer. Archer has changed but her Dad isn't buying it. He is the mayor of the town and very protective of her.

This book had depth too....we had characters who had been through some tough things, like grief, losing loved ones, dealing with guilt from those losses. The way they processed these hardships together was powerful to see.

Overall, I loved the series and this was a great ending to it. I need to go back and read some of the ones I missed but after reading 4 of the books in the Falling for Autumn series, I loved seeing the character connections along the way and how the cozy fall activities and town flowed together.

Highly recommend.

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0gKo2GdC

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

Prime Day Sales

I will try to keep this updated with deals as I find them! - Amanda

 ESV Spiral Bound Set - I have a YouTube Video walking through these here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtU6jMfFsAY&t=111s

https://link.amazon/B05RV9OWc

https://link.amazon/B00VZVA67

Individual New Testament https://link.amazon/B04eZJ63h
Journaling Bible On Sale - https://link.amazon/B03nVfX2z

Brighter Than Before - Courtney Walsh - Loved this book:

Sale Link: https://link.amazon/B0gjxQVLd

Under the Magnolias - TI Lowe - ON my TBR:

Sale Link: https://link.amazon/B01Rn8vNW

Spies, Lies, Alibis - Natalie Walters - Loved this book:
Sale Link: https://link.amazon/B0fRlSuN6

A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventures - Angela Bell - Loved this book:
Sale Link: https://link.amazon/B03WGZ5tD

Sense and Suitability - Pepper Basham - loved this book:

Sale Link: https://link.amazon/B0a3x3wkU

Everything's Coming Up Rosie - Courtney Walsh:
Sale Link: https://link.amazon/B0aYH6rwJ

If All Else Sails - Emma St. Clair - loved this book:

Sale Link: https://link.amazon/B06hRsEn5

And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie - loved this book:
Sale Link: https://link.amazon/B01WtjcCF

New Kindles - not on sale but in case you missed it, Amazon launched new Kindle models. The purple one is so cute!

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B05M3KanF

If you want one on sale, the colorsoft I have is on sale! Its not the newest, but I love mine and the bundle is a good deal.
Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0dgDG9aZ

Kindle Deals I have found:
The Girl Upstairs - Jessica R Patch - a wild ride: https://link.amazon/B03Fc0v3g 

The Summer of Yes - Courtney Walsh - love this: https://link.amazon/B0aUmdh8C

A Voice in the Wind - Francine Rivers - lovedddd this! https://link.amazon/B09Kwa1Mb

Jaime Jo Wright has SEVERAL $1.99/$2.99 sales! Check them out here:
- The House on Foster Hill: https://link.amazon/B09jZMBhh
- The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus: https://link.amazon/B05pdLvCU

- The Curse of Misty Wayfair: https://link.amazon/B0gPlMxDN

- The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond: https://link.amazon/B0hgSpEY0

If you want to check out my Amazon storefront with fav books, beauty items, bible study items...kindle things.... check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/bookloveramanda

And if you want to support your local Indie bookstore, sign up for Libro.FM Audiobooks. I love them and my subscription supports my local indie store. https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm206402

ALSO don't forget The Daily Grace Company's Advent study is still available - get ready for Christmas Bible Study - 10% off your order with code BOOKLOVERAMANDA - shop here:

❤️Shop ALL Daily Grace Co Items: https://thedailygraceco.com/BOOKLOVERAMANDA

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links. Deals are current as of the posting and may change at any time.

Forbidden to Fall by Martha Keyes

 

Forbidden to Fall by Martha Keyes

4 Stars

Martha sure does know how pull you in a storyyyy! Loved James and Sadie in this book. James basically left town years ago because of some "misunderstandings" and hasn't been back...until now. He made Sadie's brother mad, among other people in town, and does not want to see anyone locally again....until he comes back and runs back in to Sadie....Sadie had the biggest crush on James years ago and she realizes quickly that hasn't fully resolved with his return. 

She works alongside James at Carver Maple Farm and they get close...but what happens when the truth comes out and what everyone thought wasn't as it seems? 

I loved the camping, baking and closeness they had together. I neeeeed to try the recipes in this book too! I am not much of a baker, but Sadie inspires me for sure! James was the SWEETEST guy. He didn't deserve all the hate he got from the town and her brother for sure. 

My only real hiccup was the ending because I wanted a bit more resolution, and the final conflict took longer to wrap up than I personally prefer. Since it leaned on misunderstanding/non‑communication trope (not my favorite), the payoff didn’t land quite as strongly for me. Still, it’s a sweet, cozy fall romance and a solid addition to the Falling for Autumn series. :)

Thanks to Martha for a gifted ebook ARC copy for me to read for review. All thoughts are my own.

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B06sfpxC4
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

*Libro FM Audio:  https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798349148132-forbidden-to-fall

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