Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

 

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson 
5 STARS!

THIS WAS SO GREAT YOU GUYSSS! I am so glad I read it this month and HAD ALL THE FEELS! This is one of those funny, laugh out loud regency romance books that you'll just have the cutest time reading!

Read if you love:
💕 Slow-burn, swoony romance
🎩 Regency-era settings
💗Clean & proper love stories
💌 Witty banter and letters
🏞️ Country estates & carriage rides
💃 Strong and not-so-ladylike heroines
🐴 Horseback riding scenes
💗 He falls first
👑 Noble, protective book boyfriends
✨ A touch of drama, lots of heart
📚 Jane Austen vibes with a modern feel

We follow Marianne Daventry who goes to meet her twin sister Cecily at the Edenbrooke country estate. Things happen on the trip that cause her to run into a handsome man who helps her along the way......they have a bit of a "meet ugly" turned into "meet cute" if you will...become friends and the FEELINGS are at the forefront for both of them. But Marianne isn't sure what she should do...because her sister is due to arrive any day and she knows her sister has some plans of her own that she doesn't want to ruin...we see what happens as Marianne has lots of adventure at Edenbrooke!

I just loved this book so much and I hope you will pick it up if you haven't! I know SO many have already read this one and I am late to the party...but I gotta read Blackmoore sooner than later now! The romance, the sweetness, the laughs, the Pride and Prejudice vibes...all of it was FOR MEEEE. 

Highly recommend as a clean, regency romance with lots of laughs!

Watch for my dedicated reading vlog to come out on YouTube Thursday, July 3, 2025.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6476761376
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4eqYdyN

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

Goodreads:

Vanished by Dr. David Jeremiah and Sam O'Neal

Vanished by Dr. David Jeremiah with Sam O'Neal

4 Stars 

This is one book I found very interesting as it is SO timely for our world today and preparing our hearts for the end times of our world. I have several of Dr. David Jeremiah's non-fiction on my to-read list and this book really prepared my own heart to dive into those sooner rather than later. 

This follows John "Haggs" Haggerty who is a leader of a special military unit that is very involved with stopping potential pandemics before they spread and he essentially has a front row seat to the increase is the "birth pains" leading to the Rapture, such as the plagues, earthquakes, famines, wars etc. Everything is becoming more intense and his own personal life is a mess as it is. He's trying to patch things up with his daughter and still struggles from the grief of his relationship with his ex-wife. 

Right when things seem to be looking up.......we see major changes and events take place, getting closer to the Rapture.

I really appreciate this story being a quick reminder for everyone to be READY for the end times. Be prepared. We have no fear because we know where we are going - there is true hope in Jesus Christ no matter what happens before He comes back for His children. 

The ending left me needing to know what happens next so I hope to see this as a series!

I would recommend this for anyone who loves suspenseful Christian fiction surrounding end times, and biblical prophecy. Perfect for fans of the Left Behind series as well. 

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7673255614
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3T3UCwL
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/619966

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

 

Love on the Run by Mandi Blake

Love on the Run by Mandi Blake
5 Stars
(Book 5 in the Love in Blackwater Series)

OK this makes book 16 I have read by Mandi - how AWESOME is that?! AND NO SURPRISE FRIENDS - ITS A 5 STAR FOR MEEE! I LOVED THIS ONEEE SO MUCH! 

I am so connected with our characters in this series that it just MAKES the story for me to see them all connected as a friend group and truly live life together! 

In this one - we have so many things I love in books!

- Dual POV

- Laugh out Loud Moments 

- MMC Protects and Takes Care of our FMC

- FMC Stands up to her Controlling Parents (Relatable)

- Clean, Christian Romance

- Runaway Bride

- Best Friend's Brother

- Beau and Anna go on her honeymoon after her failed wedding, ANYWAY :)

- Forced Proximity 

- MMC Reading his Bible

- Prayers and Moments of Faith 

- Bookstore Visits

- Coffee & Dinner Dates

- Snowboarding/Snowmobile Activities

- Christmas Town in Freedom, Colorado (tied in from Mandi's other book)

- Christmas Tree Lighting Event

JUST THE BEST! 

In this story, we follow Anna and her upcoming wedding with Dean. Dean is NOT a good guy - it's revealed early on that he cheated on Anna and the wedding is OFF! BUUUTTT not before her best friend Olivia puts her brother Beau up to going with Anna on the honeymoon to the mountains in Colorado she planned anyway! We LOVE a good matchmaking friend ;) 

She runs off on the trip with Beau to get away.... away from her controlling family and job and finds more then she could ever imagine. Beau and her find themselves in some hilarious situations and as things would have it, fall in love. 

It's a beautiful story of love, faith, standing up for yourself, doing what you want in life, and Mandi also shows how important it is for you to be careful in your postings online - as Anna is also a fashion influencer online and has some odd situations with an online friend. 

Thank you Mandi for these great characters, settings and stories. Never stop writing sister! We love them!

I read a complimentary copy of this book - thank you to the author. All thoughts are my own! :)

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7354049714
Amazon: https://amzn.to/44khM7w
Mandi's Store: https://mandiblakeauthor.com/collections/love-in-blackwater-series-signed-paperbacks

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

 

The Codebreaker's Daughter by Amy Lynn Green

The Codebreaker's Daughter by Amy Lynn Green
4 Stars

Amy Lynn Green always delivers compelling historical fiction stories and this one blends wartime intrigue, mother-daughter dynamics and roles of women in intelligence work during WWI and WWII.

Read if you enjoy:

• Codebreaking and wartime secrets
• Strong mother-daughter dynamics
• Dual timelines with journal entries
• Hidden histories from the Great War
• Women working behind the scenes in WWII
• Historical fiction with emotional depth
• Uncovering family legacies
• Intelligence work through words

We follow Dinah and her mother Lilian. We see the behind the scenes work Dinah does for the OSS in DC as she breaks through code and ultimately learns about her own mother's work as a codebreaker in WWI, as she reads through her mother's journal entries. She is trying to make sense of the entries and uncover the secrets her mother has kept hidden all this time. 

We learn all about her mother's family history and struggles. Green also tackles mental illness topics in this book in a very important and respectful way.

This story is a slower paced, character focused one as we see the dynamics between mother and daughter play out. That is what elevates this book as Dinah is discovering so much about her mother's past. They have some conflict and a bit of a strained relationship, but the heart of the story is two brilliant women navigating their jobs, expectations and the complicated relationship between the two of them.

This was a very thoughtful, layered story that highlights some lesser known aspects of women's wartime contributions. 

A thoughtful, layered novel perfect for fans of historical fiction that highlights lesser-known aspects of women’s wartime contributions. The authors note really explained so much of what was reality from war time and I appreciate that! I learned so much. 

Thank you to Bethany House for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7604820926
Baker: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/618528
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4j1emM9 

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

Forged in Secrets by Kendra Warden

Forged in Secrets by Kendra Warden

Book 2 in the Forge Brothers Security Series 

I really liked this one! Ben and Gracie worked together to find her missing childhood friend, Katie, and there was so much suspense going on! Lots of working the puzzle out if you will - what happened to lead to Katie's disappearance? Gracie is the office manager for the team and they have worked together for a while - she helps keep the team afloat and as a grump, Ben is keeping his feelings at bay - trying not to let anything come up, but as time goes on, he realizes he can't keep them hidden.

Really enjoyed the characters, suspense and the reliance on God in this story. Looking forward to book 3!

Read if you enjoy:

- Clean Christian Romantic Suspense 

- She Falls First

- Grumpy/Sunshine

- Friends to More Trope

- Private Security 

Content: panic attack shown on page, kisses only, ptsd discussed 

You can read this one as a standalone or after reading book 1, Forged in Peril.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7657629178
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GcZTiF

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

 

Forged in Peril by Kendra Warden

Forged in Peril - Kendra Warden
4 Stars

I really enjoyed this Christian romantic suspense! Kendra's writing style is great! Bristol and Cameron knew each other some time ago....she broke his heart and is back - but she's not the same girl he once knew. She has been through some very traumatic things in her past and a dark secret threatens her career. She needs help from Cameron as someone is obviously after her...is it the man from her past assault she has tried to heal from for so long? She's a paralegal and he a private security operative. He will do anything to keep her safe and she finally feels safe for the first time in a long time with him....

This is the first book in the Forge Brothers Security series and I found myself really connected to these characters and loved the romance! It was just the right amount for me. Very sweet, protective MMC Cameron and Bristol had really been through some heartbreaking things. We had a lot of focus on second chances and I really liked the faith thread with prayers, bible verses and that no matter what, God's plan is always at work through our suffering.

I will definitely be continuing in this series soon! 

Read if you like:

- Dual POV Romances

- Christian Romantic Suspense

- Books with heavier topics and a faith thread

- Second Chance Romance

- Protective MMC

- Paralegal FMC

- Workplace Romance

*Trigger Warning: Previous sexual assault discussed, kidnapping.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7460356166

Amazon: https://amzn.to/446NPYt

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

 

The Pharisee's Wife by Janette Oke

The Pharisee's Wife by Janette Oke 
5 Stars

WOW, what a powerful and thought provoking story. This is a biblical fiction - with fictional characters during biblical times, during the time of Jesus' ministry. We follow a young Jewish woman, Mary, who has a strong story of hardship, faith and redemption. Enos is a rising Pharisee and sees her in the market and decides to make her his bride. She is quickly swept up into a world that she never asked for. The marriage promises to lift her family out of poverty, but it becomes clear Enos views her more of a possession to help him in his circumstances, than a partner. Her training is to become the wife of a religious Pharisee who has a goal to take down Jesus, the miracle-working Prophet of their time. 

Mary was so strong in everything she went through with Enos - it was POWERFUL. I cried with the forgiveness shown in the end and in a couple of other places with Jesus mentioned. The ending author's note also got me crying! I was so encouraged that no matter what happens here on earth, it's our temporary home as we await Jesus' ultimate return. 

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys biblical fiction, such as Tessa Afshar, Connilyn Cossette, etc.

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7535057899
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kJZSSx

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/597427
 
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz

 The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz

The Lawyer and the Laundress - Christine Hill Suntz
5 Stars 

This is Christine's debut novel with Tyndale and I LOVED it so much y'all! This truly was an AMANDA book! 

Tropes and Buzzwords:
- Marriage of Convenience 
- Canadian Settings
- Single Dad with a sweet little girl 
- Clean Historical Romances
- Faith Threads 
- Found Family
- Family Reconciliation

Set in Canada, 1837, we follow our leading lady, Sara O'Connor who is somewhat in hiding from her wealthy father after a sad departure many years ago. After her husband passed away, she's been guarding her heart and working head down as a laundress ever since. Enter widower James Kinney and his daughter, Evie. Evie is the SWEETEST little girl, you fall in love with her from the moment she steps on page. Sara works as a laundress as the school Evie attends and they grow a quick bond together as Sara tries to step in and protect Evie from the leaders of the school less than desirable punishments. James forbids them from being friends for propriety reasons....but Evie gets sick and Sara is called to help save her life. It's at this moment when you start to see James really open up and realize he was wrong about Sara. Scandal ensues....as it usually does ;) and James offers a marriage of convenience to Sara to protect her and help him raise Evie....the story goes on from there.

I just LOVED the writing style Christine had in this story, so engaging and I connected with the characters so well. Sara and James' getting to know each other was so great. I loved the romance specifically and the way Sara fit like a glove into James and Evie's lives. You really get to see them all become a family together and it was inspiring.

I teared up too with some of the faith moments between Sara's granny and her. It was so moving and my favorite quote was "I'm talking about faith. Hope. All those things you pretend you don't need. You figure God abandoned you, but you know deep down that's not true. He was there all along, holding you up until you were ready to stand again." SO RELATABLE for me. 

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for a complimentary copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7618512042
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kimSI7
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/617750

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

From the Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser

                      From the Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser

4 Stars

My first Elizabeth Musser book was By Way of the Moonlight in 2022. I loved that book so much, so her newest release, From the Valley We Rise was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025. Set in 1944 following the D-day invasion of Normandy, leading up to the second D-day invasion, she once again wrote a deeply moving and unforgettable story of courage, sacrifice, and hope. This book weaves together the lives of three characters, Isabelle, Peter, and René. They each navigate betrayal, loss, and the high cost of freedom during WWII.

Isabelle’s commitment to rescuing Jewish children, even among the chaos was inspiring. Peter is an American chaplain grappling with past wounds and brings a powerful perspective of faith and healing. René’s journey from devastation to resilience was emotional. We really see a glimpse into France during WWII. 

With characters like this, it's hard to pick a true favorite, they all went together so well. Anyone who loves a good Historical Fiction would enjoy this. Now, I need to go back and read ALL of Elizabeth's books!

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

Content warnings: war violence mentioned, sexual abuse of a child briefly mentioned but not detailed.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7598396326
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/618531
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Z3sQnJ

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