A Christmas in Shady Springs by Sarah Anne Crouch

 

A Christmas in Shady Springs by Sarah Anne Crouch 
4 Stars 

Madeleine has her idea of a picture perfect wedding....but is there a such thing? Family disagreements, church politics and a sudden ice storm turn her plans upside down. AJ and Madeleine try to balance traditions...faith....and expectations in their upcoming wedding. Set in a small town in Arkansas, this book will remind you that sometimes your plans may go to the wayside but the Lord's plans are always better.

I thought this book was a good Christmas read to remind us that weddings don't always have to be perfect, that at the end of the day, through the chaos....all that matters is you are married to one another, in love and faith, as the Lord sees you through. We don't always need that picture perfect wedding. Just two hearts, celebrating one another and remembering God's ultimate plan for us.

I do think I needed to read books 1 & 2 in this series before jumping in, because book 1 was the back story of AJ And Madeleine, but I can always go back and do that. I liked Sarah's writing and look forward to more by her. Love the southern small town, as a small town southern girl myself. :) 

Thank you to the author for a copy of her book to read for review. All thoughts are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8070810298
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4joj3BB
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Spirit of Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti

 

The Spirit of Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti 
4 Stars 

I really enjoyed this Advent book by Cynthia! It was an insightful read that invites you to rediscover the Nativity story through the presence of the Holy Spirit. She shines a spotlight on the Spirit who was at work from creation through the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. This paired scripture, reflections, prayer etc., to guide you through the season. It stands out among devotionals, keeping the Holy Spirit at the front of the story. Would recommend. Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy, all thoughts are my own. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7798838592
Amazon: https://amzn.to/49X5nup

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

Christmas Under Threat by Maggie K. Black

Christmas Under Threat by Maggie K. Black
4 Stars 

This was a random pick up on Audio for me from the Library and I am glad I did! A one day Christmas listen that was action packed was just what I needed. We have, as usual with Love Inspired Suspense books, a fast paced, action packed, Christian romantic suspense. This one had light Christmas elements, so it could really be read anytime in the Winter I think. Patrick is a devoted single father whose life unravels when his young son, Tristan, is kidnapped. The twist? Patrick only recently discovered that Tristan's mother was actually a victim in a long-standing cold case serial killer investigation....meaning someone is deliberately targeting them during Christmas. Someone was pretending to be Tristan's mother and trying to lure him out. In comes Gemma, a private investigator who is determined to uncover the truth about Patrick's ex-wife's murder. They work together in an immediate fast paced story with people after them left and right. It's like a race against time with the kidnapping so you're dying to know what happened next. 

The romance was sweet, kisses only, light faith moments - overall one of my more favorite love inspired stories I would recommend for something quick.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8172528320
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qsE7sJ

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

 

Faking Christmas by Cindy Steel

Faking Christmas by Cindy Steel
5 Stars

Olive and Miles! THE BEST. We have BANTER, Characters with DEPTH, Family Elements, Fake Dating, and an overall Cozy FULL Christmas Read! All time favorite Christmas story here y'all!

Finally getting around to writing this review. I am so glad I finally got to this one. So many of y'all said it was great and you GOT IT RIGHT!

I loved it!

We have Olive, a high school English teacher who just wants to get through the holidays without any awkward family setups....especially after she lost her father, she is just trying to get through Christmas without any extra stress of family matchmaking. In comes Miles, a co-worker who she said was her boyfriend...not thinking he would actually show up at the Vermont Christmas Lodge.....but YEP he's there and now they have to pretend to date...Miles isn't too upset about this though :)

This one had so much depth with the grief layer explored of Olive, working through her healing after losing her father. Miles is right there with her through everything. They get to know each other so well and the rest is history. He brough so much swoony moments to the story and you just grew to love them both together.

This felt like a hallmark movie with less "cheese" and more "depth". Lots of good Christmas activities here.

Overall, a new fav I am SO glad to have read!

Content: kisses only, 2 minor swear words (1 h, 1 d) and grief from past loss of father.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7051664208
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4i3t9qw

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

More Than I Bargained For by Jessica Leigh Johnson

Book Review: More Than I Bargained For by Jessica Leigh Johnson 

5 Stars

✝️💛MORE THAN I BARGAINED FOR REVIEW❤️✝️ A Christian Christmas Rom-Com❤️ by Jessica Leigh Johnson  

Y’all this was ADORABLE. It has everything you want during the holiday season. 

❤️Christian Faith

💚Black Friday Shopping Chaos 

❤️Sweet Kiddos

💚Family Moments 

❤️The Real Meaning of Christmas

💚Giving Back to Children 

❤️A Sweet Kisses Only Clean Romance 

💚A Single Dad trying to figure out Christmas 

This book centered around a single Dad, Daniel, on the hunt for the hottest toy for his little girl, trying to figure out how to shop for her after his wife passed a couple of years ago. He runs into our main girl, Anna, who is also on the hunt for the same toy…this is when they meet, and they keep running into each other …leaving their stories to unfold along the way. 

I loved it so much! Highly recommend. Thank you to the author  for a copy of her book to read and review. It was a delight! They really help others in need here and remember the true reason for Christmas.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4q0oIjE

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

The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan

The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan
4.5 Stars rounding up to 5 

I read this book with my friend Melissa and we both really enjoyed it. It was a surprising read with lots of depth and heartache but also hope. This is one that deals a lot with a toxic mother - daughter relationship, so please be aware before diving in, but I did like the ending with how everything was wrapped up. It was done in a realistic way.

We follow Imogen, who keeps her non-existent personal private life...well, not just private, but made up. With her tragic relationship with his mother, who wants nothing to do with her, she pretends like she has it all together to her co-workers, when deep down she is drowning in work and her lies....when things go wrong at work, her boss makes her take a month off from work and rest. This is when peace and truth become a reality for Imogen....the side character perspectives really take off at chapter 13 and we see the truth behind these characters and we follow what the future holds for Imogen along the way...

This is a secular, Christmas read and I really enjoyed the story. She knows how to write and pull you in where you NEED to know all the things. Oh, and she meets Miles, a great guy, along the way and we see so much beauty in the ashes in their relationship and he helps her in her healing with the toxic relationship she has with her mother and the family revelations that have happened. Oh and the DOGGGG Ralph added SO much to the book. She gets her sweet pup.

I can't say too much but I just loved this book. I am definitely going to check out more of Sarah's books. It was real, raw and open. Unexpected favorite.

*Content: 2 swearwords, bats**** & I think da*n. Closed door romance, you know they have slept together but no real details about their romance bits. Toxic relationship shown between mother and daughter, specifically chapter 8 was a tough read with them.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8114494128

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YI1EtQ

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

Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee

 Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee
5 Stars

Another favorite book of 2025

Wow. A story of enduring grace. A love letter to the Smoky Mountains. A beautiful, heart-tugging exploration of adoption, sacrifice and what family really means.

We have a dual timeline story - 1943 and 1973.

1943: We follow Bertie Jenkins and her sisters living in life in their family cabin. Bertie is a local midwife. Songbird, a pregnant and injured teen fleeing from her abusive father, stumbles onto their land. The sisters take her in and a heartbreaking story unfolds that changes their lives forever.

1943: 30 years later, famous country singer Walker Wylie discovers he was adopted after his step-father passes away. He goes on a search to find his birth mother, to find the midwife who delivered him - Bertie Jenkins - hoping to uncover the truth. He meets a midwife, Reese, also adopted, who helps him along the way.

This was just a beautiful story - faith filled...a tear jerker...but beautiful. I cried several times but the Lord is all over this book.

While this book deals with heavy topics such as miscarriage, adoption, abusive father, details surrounding birth from the midwife...it is handled beautifully and all point back to Jesus.

Highly recommend!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8106864027
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oAQAtr
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781496472441_appalachian-song

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

Liar's Winter by Cindy K. Sproles

 

Liar's Winter by Cindy K. Sproles 

5 Stars 
Another favorite book of 2025

I met Cindy at a local bookstore in Tennessee a couple of years ago and purchased most of her books that day. It's been a long time coming for me to finally read one of her books and I am SO glad I did! She was so kind and I loved Liar's Winter so much!

As a Tennessee girl, specifically growing up in East Tennessee, I heard so much about the Appalachian Mountain stories and the history of its people. Cindy has a gift for capturing the grit and grace of mountain life. It is a story of secrets, identity and the heavy burden of shame in a mark our main character Lochiel has on her face. She has the "mark of the devil" as they call it, something to be afraid of. She was raised in isolation with everyone thinking she is cursed.

Her entire life she has been hated and felt less than over this mark. Tragedy strikes and she flees for her life. She is rescued by a peddler and shown the first glimpse of love she has ever known. She starts to learn all about her past and her family, but the danger continues to come after her every turn she makes.

This book was real, raw, gritty....but also filled with the hope of the Lord. While it deals with darker themes such as superstition, family abuse, deception, death, loss of a loved one, grief, etc., it is a grace filled book that has hope within the heartbreak.

It's also deeply atmospheric in the Appalachian setting (I LOVE these settings y'all) - Cindy brings you RIGHT in. 

This book made me cry but also had me filled with hope.

Another favorite book of 2025! Can't wait to read more by Cindy!

📚Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8106862970
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4p8x4VM

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

Solo for the Season by Martha Keyes

 

Solo for the Season by Martha Keyes
5 Stars
SO CUTEEEE

THIS WAS SOOOO ADORABLE. What can I even say?! READ IT! 

➡️⬅️ Forced Proximity
😂 Childhood Teasing → Adult Tension
💘 Former Crush
🏔️ Snowy Mountain Setting
🌲 Small-Town Romance
❤️‍🔥Somewhat Enemies to Friends to Lovers
❄️Snowed In Trope

I love the snowed in trope and a handyman sooooo this was right up my alley. We have Wes, the once-teasing childhood classmate Maggie remembers all too well and the guy who somehow manages to be the handyman fixing up all the cabin issues :) Maggie goes on a solo cabin trip and they get to know each other better as he keeps coming around helping with cabin maintenance and other issues. 

I loved their communication together, the banter, the laughs, the sweetness....the christmas feels - SO CUTE.

Highly recommend as a kisses only, clean, closed door - rom-com for the Christmas season! 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8084740685

Amazon: https://amzn.to/44MJ8UA

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

Christmas At Tolliver's Bookshop by Elle Christopher

 

Christmas at Tolliver's Bookshop by Elle Christopher
4.5 Stars  - rounding up to 5

Y'all, this was seriously the most adorable little Christmas read! So cozy and cute! It had the snowed in trope, and at a BOOKSTORE at that, which I LOVED! It's set in the south, Georgia - also a bonus for this southern Tennessee girl!

It has small town charm, lots of good book and bookstore details, no spice or language - and a lot of chemistry between our couple within only 60 some odd pages!

I read this on Kindle Unlimited and it was such a cute quick read. 

We follow Lila and James, who meet while she is working at the bookstore and they have a very instant connection. I love it wasn't all based on attraction but it was based on common interests, like poetry, reading, helping others during the holidays, etc. 

Overall, this is a great quick read to pick up while sitting in front of your tree, drinking coffee, or hot cocoa - and a soft blanket. I loved it!

Content: kisses only, clean romance, no language, 1 mention of "the universe", clean, secular fiction

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8120541124
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48Usgh6

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

Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelley

 

Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly
4 Stars
Book 2 in the Emma Knightley Mystery Series

Read this series if you enjoy:
✨ Regency settings
✨ Jane Austen continuations done right
✨ Cozy mysteries with heart and humor
✨ Smart, observant heroines
✨ Mysteries centered on family secrets 

This was another delight to read after Murder in Highbury! Perfect for Austen fans and cozy mystery lovers. The author always captures the wit and spark of Jane Austen in these books while keeping you invested in the whodunit storyline. 

Emma and her husband George host a holiday celebration at the Hartfield estate but things get wild when her father announces him and Mrs. Bates are engaged to be married! Emma's lady's maid Prudence Parr is found dead and Emma's instincts tell her something more happened here....once again, her and Mr. Knightley have to figure out what happened....

Overall, I just really enjoy my time in this series. I haven't read Emma myself, but it makes me want to next year!

Highly recommend.

Content: mentions of death, murder, generally clean with maybe 1 swear word but more so a natural word used during that time. I have no concerns with content overall.

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

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7837036983
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rA7hYx

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

Hearts Under Fire by Cori Lynn

 

Hearts Under Fire by Cori Lynn
4.5 Stars Rounding Up to 5 Stars On Goodreads
Honorable Mention for A Favorite Book of 2025
💌📮🎖️🪖💔🕰️💌📓🖋️🔍🗝️

YOU GUYS. This book was SO good! I am beyond impressed with Cori Lynn's debut novel - Hearts Under Fire. I read this with my friend Jeanette and loved the buddy reading experience.

Read this immediately if you like:

✨Clean, Historical Romance

✨Stories with Journal Entries 
✨Hidden, Secret Journals and the Mystery Surrounding Them

✨Dual Timeline Stories that tie together well

✨WWII Historical Romance 

✨Love Triangles DONE RIGHT

✨Antique Restorations 

✨Second Chances 

✨Grief Thread with Hope 

✨Realistic Character Driven Stories 

I honestly think so many of you will like this book. It was very engaging and layered - so much in under 300 pages Cori packed into this story! 

We follow Laura who is an antique expert that stumbles upon an old steamer trunk and decided to restore it. The trunk has a secret, hidden journal with entries dating back to 1941. Laura finds herself so engaged in reading the journal entries, filled with stories from Ava and her high school sweetheart Dean. As WWII comes upon them, Ava's story turns to Dean leaving for the war and she is left behind to support him from afar and hope he returns. Ava and Dean write letters back and forth while he is away. Tragedy strikes on both sides for Laura and Ava and you as the reader are left wondering....what's going to happen next?! I was in a chokehold with this book because I needed to KNOW exactly what was going to happen after some twists and turns went down. 

I can't say too much more because I do not want to spoil anything but let me just say, I honestly loved the character driven focus Cori had here. Laura really learned so much from Ava and her journal entries that tied back into her own life struggles and grief and we saw her grow and heal. 

I mention there is a bit of a love triangle here and y'all know I am normally not one for love triangles unless it's done RIGHT....and Cori did it RIGHT here! We see a realistic view on what it's like to wait for your loved one to return home from war and the worries they have. We also see a respectful friendship between Grayson and Ava and I appreciated how she handled that. It just felt so real. 

Overall, because I can't say much more....because I think you just need to go in blind here like I did - read this book. I loved Cori's writing, it was very high quality to me and I just fell in love with her characters. I can't wait for more in this series! 

P.S. In true Cori fashion, she threw in some good humor too! :)

content warnings: mentions of loss of a loved one, grief from that loss shown, small war details, clean romance, kisses only.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7278821879
Amazon: https://amzn.to/488fDyH

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

On the Edge of Trust by Patricia Bradley

Book Review: On The Edge of Trust by Patricia Bradley 

4 Stars 

Another good Patricia Bradley read! This book is a Christian Romantic Suspense that keeps you on edge with fast paced suspense, characters you root for and a faith thread that is naturally woven in the book.

We follow FIB undercover agent Scott Sinclair and Crime Reporter Podcaster Tori Mitchell. Scott and Tori work together as her nephew is accused of murder. Scott was wounded by gunshot and is recovering from the injury as it threatens his future career. Tori is a very passionate crime reporter and podcaster who continues to pursue the truth. She works to free wrongfully imprisoned people and search for the truth at all costs. 

When her nephew is accused of a murder he didn't commit, she is trying to clear his name. Someone doesn't like her investigating though and comes after her...Scott and Tori are connecting, romance grows....stakes are intensifying....you know the drill.

 

I haven't read the other logan point books, but reading this, I don't feel like I missed anything. I liked the faith bits but do feel like it could have been explored a bit more, especially with Tori's journey. Scott was a previous alcoholic so it was nice to see his redemption story. 

I have read a lot of Pat's books and would recommend them for good, Christian, romantic suspense. While this one wasn't my top fav, it was still pretty good and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook also.

Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8058292750
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ojBZCl
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780800747398_on-the-edge-of-trust

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

 

The Prince Warriors by Pricilla Shirer

 The Prince Warriors by Pricilla Shirer
4 Stars
Book 1 in this Trilogy 

This is a very engaging, spiritually rich adventure that pulls young readers and even adults into a vivid unseen world with an epic action packed adventure. A great Christian fantasy.  

We follow Xavier and Evan with so many high stakes. The mysterious creature Ruwach introduces them to Ahoratos - the true realms where spiritual battles are fought.....the story goes on from here with these ordinary kids as Prince Warriors in battle. 

The message is clear. You have everything you need. God equips us with the armor and strength we need for the battles we face. The allegory in this had some great spiritual parallels. 

The worldbuilding was really good, enjoyed the pacing - very fast and included themes of courage, identity and faith woven into a very adventurous story. Definitely a page turner!  

I think if you like Narnia, Pilgrim's Progress...or stories like that, this would be for you!

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8070677847
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3X9n0zI

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

The Wild Card by Emma St. Clair

 

The Wild Card by Emma St. Clair - 4 Stars 

Book #4 in the Sheet Cake Texas Series 

A Charming Fake-Dating Rom-Com with Heart and Humor

Another great read from Emma! Sheet Cake, Texas is one of my favorite fictional places!  Molly is ready for a fresh start and runs to Texas to outrun her problems....only to run right into a bigger one....she needs a fake boyfriend for her job circumstances! Here comes Collin and she ropes him into her scheme, but unfortunately, it's the one guy she didn't realize who he truly was....leading to some family shenanigans. 

Honestly, this whole series is a perfectly fun rom-com mishap that keeps you rooting for the characters from page one. 

Their “fake” relationship is full of spark, awkward charm, and emotions neither of them is prepared for.

The neighborly app was so fun too with all the chats!

The town gives such a cozy feel and while the book worked as a standalone, I need to read books 2&3 ASAP to get some of the connections I missed for other characters!

If you enjoy fake dating, forced proximity, complicated family connections, small towns, found family, good friends, stories with depth, rom-coms with lots of laughs...read this! 

Thank you to Emma for sending me a complimentary e-book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content: no language, kisses only

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8053587096
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4prEfYT

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

The Royal Artisan by Tessa Afshar

 The Royal Artisan by Tessa Afshar 

4 Stars 

Once again, Tessa has a beautiful blend of biblical history, romance and mystery right into the royal courts of ancient Persia.  Tessa really has a gift for biblical fiction. She gives such a view that we normally wouldn't have explored without reading through her stories. We follow Sazana, a very talented Jewish artisan whose pottery is very well known. She has a secret identity that puts her in danger under the rule of Haman. Her parents passed away years ago and for the last 12 years, her parents friend has watched over her and worked with her. In comes Jadon, the man who broke her heart years ago and is now unexpectedly assigned to protect her and uncover threats. 

The second chance romance pulls so much emotion with Sazana and Jadon, loved their interactions.

Some bits were a bit slow on pacing that I wasn't as connected with, but overall, I still loved the balance of romance, family, mystery and biblical aspects. I love that Tessa encourages her readers to go back to the scriptures as well in her author's notes.

I highly recommend this series if you are wanting some great tie ins with the story of Queen Esther. 

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7894931929
Amazon: https://amzn.to/47UhS7i
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764243707_the-royal-artisan

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

Prowl by Colleen Coble

 

Prowl by Colleen Coble
4 Stars
Book 2 in The Sanctuary Series

Really enjoyed book 2 after Ambush! This is a Christian Romantic Suspense series and delivers fast paced suspense, emotional depth and a romance you just can't help but root for. We had a CRAZY introduction to this book. A body is found in the tiger enclosure and RIGHT AWAY you just need to know ALL the things! I listened to the audiobook and love the narration. Colleen always has a good narrator for her books that keep you engaged. 

We are back with Blake and Paradise from book 1 with their second chance romance continuation as their relationship grows amid alllll the chaos around them. We are following multiple mysteries in a way with Paradise's missing DNA results and the murder of the woman from the beginning of the book.

Definitely recommend this series by Colleen, really good! Especially if you like animals, fast paced suspense, faith moments and a sweet romance.

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7884556230
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hN2xtS
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780840714374_prowl

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

Tempest at Annnabel's Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright

 Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright

4 Stars

Another great autumnal read from Jaime Jo Wright! A very haunting book starting out on the shores of Lake Superior into a dual timeline mystery to present day......a very emotionally charged book. The ending TOOK ME OUT. I did NOT see that coming. We follow Rebecca who is a battered woman in 1874 who wakes up with no idea of her past. Then we follow Shea in modern day who is an author seeking refuge from her crumbling marriage. Both women find themselves drawn to the isolated lighthouse with a lingering presence of Annabel.

This had a theme of gothic suspense because you have a tie in with Edgar Allen Poe as it's inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's haunting poem of Annabel Lee. I loved that because I knew nothing of Edgar Allen Poe and it caused me to research a bit about the history of that poem.

I can't say a ton because I don't want to spoil anything, but wow, what an ending. 

Trigger warning: suicide mentions, harassment, semi-detailed violence, abuse and death.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7160984537
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qX9a0T
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764243790_tempest-at-annabels-lighthouse

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

Playing for Keeps by Mandi Blake

 Playing for Keeps by Mandi Blake
4 Stars 

This was another great Christmas read by Mandi! She always brings the faith and sweet romance that I enjoy in books! This is a second chance romance story between Justin McKinnon and Caroline Taylor. Their families have hated each other for decades and when Caroline asks Justin to pretend to be her boyfriend one day many years ago, their spur of the moment kiss turned into a secret romance...just like Romeo and Juliet with their feuding families. 

Cut to many years later....they still love each other but as things would have it, they went their separate ways unwillingly. Caroline owns the bakery in town but no guy she has dated since Justin has worked out for her. She has been hung up on her first love (Justin) in the back of her mind for so long. Justin is back in town after escaping his abusive father years ago, and is ready to work things out with Caroline, if it be in the Lord's will for them.

Really enjoyed the Christmas elements, family and faith thread in this one. I also loved seeing characters from previous Mandi books from this series. This can be read as a standalone but it's nice knowing characters like Alicia from another book in the series.

We had some great themes of forgiveness and grace and Mandi always points the reader and characters back to Jesus. 

Recommended for anyone who loves Christmas Christian Romance books. The romance is clean with no language. Thank you to Mandi for sending me a copy to read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7836925016
Amazon:  https://amzn.to/45GXdTm

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

Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer

 

Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer 
Book 4 in The Timeless Series
5 STARS A FAVORITE OF 2025

Watch my dedicated reading vlog here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9oct9SJ7MA

YOU GUYS. GABRIELLE DID IT AGAIN. It took me long enough to read book 4 that we have books 5 & 6 out but I GOT IT DONE! :) 

This book is a NEW FAV in the series now for me.

This is a Christian Historical Romance Time Travel Series and to me, it is my favorite Christian Fiction series of all time.

In each book of the series, you have someone or multiple people who time travel. The person wakes up each day in a different time and before a specific birthday, they have to stay awake past midnight in that time and they will remain there forever, forsaking the other life and timeline forever. 

This was the first of the series that our main character had no idea how the time travel piece worked. 

We follow Caroline, in 1927 and 1727. She is searching for answers about why she has this ability to exist in both times. She stumbles upon a letter from her mother that hints at her own past....so she goes on the quest to figure out where her mother is. She disguises herself as a cabin boy and joins a ship sailing for the Bahamas, her mother's last known location. There she crosses path with Marcus Zale, a handsome pirate and finds herself caught in lots of secrets. In 1927, she has a lot of family drama as the daughter of a preacher and is trying to keep her family from scandal with all these secrets with her brother and whatnot. She has help from police officer, Lewis Cager, who was her childhood friend. Things go on from here as Lewis also helps in Caroline's quest...

I love how Gabrielle told this story! We were so intertwined in the timelines, you could really feel what was happening with each page. As someone who loves a good Scotsman in the 1700s....this book was for me! Marcus was the best guy. He was a protector and took care of Caroline no matter what. Their romance was CHEF'S KISS!

And Lewis was such a good friend to Caroline to help her. Without him, things would not have progressed as they did. 

Caroline's family in 1927 - I wasn't too sure about them but by the end, my heart, I was crying. I loved so much of what her father said in the end of this book. The faith in that timeline was perfection to me. No matter what, we are not broken. We are in need of a savior. And this book reminds you of that and God's will and plan for your life.

What else can I say? Go watch my spoiler free reading vlog on YouTube and see all the emotions, reactions and thoughts! :) 

Excited for book 5!

Baker Book House:
https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764244209_across-the-ages
Amazon: https://amzn.to/431zzjH

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The Beatitudes by Charles Spurgeon

The Beatitudes by Charles Spurgeon 
5 Stars 

Once again, a great Spurgeon read! This short but deeply rich work is a gem. Spurgeon takes Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Blessed are the poor in spirit....) and unpacks each verse with depth and conviction. What I love most about his works is how timeless his teaching always is. Even though he spoke/wrote in the Victorian Era, his reflections on humility, mercy, righteousness, and peace speak directly to us today. So much is relatable in our time now. 

Every page reminds you that the Beatitudes are not just poetic lines but calls to live with Christlike character in our world today. 

His words are easy to understand and reading two chapters per week was perfect for the weekly discussions with Tiffany, Chrissie and Deea for our readalong. 

If you are looking for a devotional or bible study companion that goes beyond the surface and gives you deep reflections....read this!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7975876197

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hBei6z 

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

 

A Wonderful Christmas Crime by Jacqueline Frost

A Wonderful Christmas Crime by Jacqueline Frost
4 Stars 

Book 6 in the Christmas Tree Farm 

 Another cute Christmas cozy mystery in this series! :) We follow Holly White and her husband Sheriff Evan Gray as she is expecting! Holly agrees to take it easy because she has elevated blood pressure. There is an attempted robbery of an antique ornament. The thief manages to escape....but they find their body later.....someone was in town to kill them and now they have another mystery to solve.

I really liked the romance with Holly and Evan continued in this book. It's natural, sweet and clean. The small town and side characters in this book are SO cozy and you just love seeing them try to figure out what happened.

Only a couple of small swear words, no explicit content, making this an overall clean series to get into.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7949483450
Amazon: https://amzn.to/47f2K5z

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earn by items purchased from these links.

A Weather Girl's Guide to Love by Cassandra Joelle

 

A Weather Girl's Guide to Love by Cassandra Joelle
3 Stars

Another buddy read with my friend Melissa! :) 

This book is a Christian romance following Hailey Sinclair. She had her life all planned out. She goes to rural Wyoming after graduation instead of a bigger city to be an on-air meteorologist as she planned. Her mother passed away when she was young and her boyfriend of 3 year's, Jett Dawson, reveals his mother is dying from cancer. So, she changes her plans and goes to follow Jett home because his mother has always felt like her own.

While she is there, things with Jett and her don't feel like they are working out for whatever reason and they take a dating break. He is devastated by his mother's diagnosis and needs space to process. While on the dating break, she meets Colt Wilder, a cameraman at her new job who she connects with more than she did with Jett. She starts to wonder why her and Jett lost their spark in the relationship and if she was just with him because of the close relationship she had with his mother. 

This was a cute premise but I ultimately wanted more from the story. While the premise had potential,   I loved the idea of a Christian rom-com centered around a meteorologist finding her way back to God’s plan, the execution fell short a bit. The writing felt a bit like we were missing some of the details (which I understand, it's meant to be a novella), but there were some details I would have liked to see fleshed out a bit more into a longer story. 

Also, something important to note: the cover and title make this book look like a light, cutesy romantic comedy, but it has a lot of details surrounding on-page parental death from cancer, grief from that loss and mentions of another parent dying from the same illness. There are no trigger warnings for these themes that I noticed, so I want to mention I think readers should be aware of this before going in.

I did appreciate the faith thread and the Wyoming small-town setting and overall it was cute, but wish it was a bit longer. 

Thanks to the author for sending me a copy to read for review. All thoughts are my own. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7701880634
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nkaQhV

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

The Christmas Ring by Karen Kingsbury

The Christmas Ring by Karen Kingsbury
4 Stars 

I really enjoyed this Christmas read! It was sweet, hope-filled and has small town charm, Christmas magic, emotional depth...all the THINGS! We follow a military widow, Vanessa, carrying her grief and the hope of finding her family's lost heirloom, The Christmas Ring. Her journey is authentic and I loved the relationship with her daughter. With so many books having toxic relationships these days with mothers and daughters, it was such a breath of fresh air that they were best friends together in their adult lives. Really inspiring. 

We see Vanessa finding love again with the antiques dealer, Ben, as they have quite the growing friendship together. 

A little twist with the ring makes things very interesting! 

If you love a sweet, clean, Christian Christmas read, pick this up! Karen always add layered, emotional depth to her stories and I thought this was a very nice family read.

Really excited to see the movie!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing a complimentary copy to read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7956600664
Baker: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/667153
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4onoguf
 

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

Rescued Heart by Angela Hunt

 

 Rescued Heart by Angela Hunt

Book 1 in The Matriarchs Series
2 Stars

Rescued Heart is the first book in Angela Hunt’s new biblical fiction series and this book explored the lives of Abraham and Sarah. The story is well written, rich in historical detail and gives readers an imaginative look at what life in Ur of the Chaldeans, with Sarah and Abraham might have been like.

That said, I personally struggled with some of the creative license taken with the biblical story. The book portrays Sarai and her family as worshipers of false gods before Abram’s call, and Sarai herself is not shown as the woman of strong faith we recognize from Scripture. While I understand some of this is historically accurate for the people in Ur during that time and added depth to Sarah's character in the books, those choices just made it harder for me to connect with the Sarah I know from the Bible.

Additionally, some of the family relationships were not accurate and felt like a creative departure that didn't align for me.

Angela Hunt is undeniably a gifted writer and researcher, and I can appreciate her effort to bring cultural depth to familiar Bible characters. I do not believe it's her intention in any way to be disrespectful by taking these creative liberties as that is what occurs many times in some biblical fiction books, however, readers who prefer stories that stay closer to the biblical text may find these interpretations a little distracting.

For those who enjoy biblical fiction and don’t mind extra creative license, this might still be an engaging read. It's always important when reading biblical fiction to take your heart back to scripture regardless of the creative liberties taken in the fictional work.

Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7976156930
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UtLAdl
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/637229

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