A Song in the Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse

 A Song in the Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse

4.5 Stars

A very moving read! Christian Historical Fiction with a bit of romance. We follow Chaisley, who became blind at 10 years old after a car accident many years ago where her parents were killed. She becomes a famous pianist touring Europe right when WWII is about to occur. Her concerts puts her in the spotlight and Hitler himself takes notice of her. She is able to secretly help others in danger and she works with Rick, a British intelligence officer posing as her driver and they end up facing so much together. 

This book was filled with hope during dark times. Chaisley had been through so much hardship but she never gave up. She didn't want people to treat her differently because she was blind and she worked to ensure she was seen for more than her disability. During a time when being blind held more than just a disability...many faced death and exile....Chaisley was ready to be on the frontlines and stand with courage.

Kimberley really delivered a powerful story sharing Chaisley musical gifts with us all. Rick and Chaisley's interactions were perfect. We saw their partnership add such a layer of depth to this story. I also appreciate the disability represented with Chaisley's blindness - we do not have enough blind characters in books. If you enjoy WWII fiction with strong heroines and a thread of faith, this one is definitely worth picking up!

This was my first Kimberley Woodhouse story and I can't wait to read more. Thank you to the author and publisher, Bethany House, for providing a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7824885789
Amazon: https://amzn.to/45RDAsN
Baker Book House:  https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/637224

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

A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro by Heather Norman Smith

Book Review: A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro by Heather Norman Smith 
5 Stars 

This book completely blew me away. As a special needs mama, this book touched my heart and didn't let go y'all. It's one of those that truly will stick with me. It's about friendship, second chances, forgiveness, being kind to one another...especially when no one is watching. This book shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a beautiful way. Our characters navigate grief, life's hardships, and how to trust the Lord in those moments. A favorite book of 2025 for me for sure.

Andy Clark has always been different. That's how the synopsis starts this book off. He's always had a tumorous mass covering half of his face but he's also the anonymous do-gooder, in quiet kindness....in Flatsboro, North Carolina. Andy is living his life exactly how his mother taught him. She left so many notes on cards for him that he reads after her passing over and over to continue to get her advice. He is a believer in Christ and wants to always do what is right. He was the caretaker for his best friend with down syndrome and when he passes away, Andy is devastated. How will he get through this?

Then we have Della Rose who is a former beauty queen with a crumbling marriage to Wade Miller. He cheated on her and from the first chapter, we see Della leaving Wade with their daughter as she goes back to her hometown of Flatsboro with an unknown start and hopeful second chances. Della and Andy used to be best friends back in third grade but things happened where they were forcefully separated years ago. The Lord puts Della on Andy's heart and their friendship helps her navigate the grief of her ending marriage and Andy's continued grief over the loss of his best friend. 

Just writing this review I am in tears again and it's been a week since I finished the book you guys. I was just so moved by this friendship story between Andy and Della Rose. Della's little girl also added so much to the story as well. 

We saw the beauty of being kind. 

We saw redemption in Christ. 

We saw small town kindness on display, even in the hard times of people who may be unkind sometimes. 

We saw honoring those that are different that you. 

We saw the ability to have a second chance after your marriage ends. 

We saw a beautiful southern, small town story and so much more.

Thank you Heather for such a beautiful story. I won't forget it. A special thank you to Kregel Publications for a complimentary copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*content warnings for mention of suicidal thoughts, loss of a friend, husband cheating on wife, loss of a mother, grief

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7843588118?
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4pM8hb2
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780825455643_a-simple-kindness-in-flatsboro
Kregel: https://www.kregel.com/fiction/a-simple-kindness-in-flatsboro/

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

 

Holly and Nick Hate Christmas by Betsy St. Amant

 

Book Review - Holly and Nick Hate Christmas by Betsy St. Amant
4 Stars

This was so funny for Christmas time! We have a fake dating rom-com, enemies to lovers, clean romance with a dash of faith added. I love the characters are in their 30s and the number of times I cackled with the Christmas shenanigans - so funny! We follow Holly who has hated Christmas forever.....she was teased all the time for her name being Holly as it was...and her birthday was overlooked each season so it wasn't the best season for her each year. She doesn't get the promotion at work as she hoped....in fact...she was downsized at the company. So now, she is single, unemployed, turning 30 and not in the best frame of mind for the upcoming Christmas season.

Holly's brother Ryan asks his best friend, known as "Holiday-Hater Nick" to go home with him. Unfortunately....Holly overhears her brother asking Nick to be her date for the Christmas party. She feels like this is the best time to get "back at Nick" for being his "pity date" and since she knows he doesn't love the Christmas season either...she becomes the BIGGEST Christmas enthusiast - think "Cindy Lou Who" status.

Everyone is home this Christmas...some secrets, rumors....what's going to happen this Christmas? Something just doesn't seem right this year. 

We see Holly and Nick end up truly "fake dating" and the rest is history. 

This was a light, fluffy rom-com with a dash of faith added for a time I really needed it. Nick and Holly CRACKED ME UP! The Christmas prank wars if you will were hilarious. But I also loved the layer of seriousness that came towards the end. I like how Betsy didn't make this a "hate on Christmas" book but more of a light, play on disliking the Christmas season because of certain things that occurred in the characters life that made sense. She added so many fun Christmas elements leading up to Christmas Day. Praise God the real meaning behind Christmas was also shared at the end.

Overall, I would recommend for this year's Christmas reading if you want something fun, light hearted and that will make you laugh. 

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

*content: kisses only, no language, some attraction bits but nothing that bothered me

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7717423658
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VriVG9
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780593602560_holly-and-nick-hate-christmas

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

The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee

 

The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee
5 Stars
A Favorite Book of 2025

Wow, what can I say? My first Michelle Shocklee book and not my last because WOW - 5 STAR FAV book for me y'all. Michelle truly brought Oak Ridge to life. I grew up near Oak Ridge. I attended community college there. My first job was there. My husband attended Oak Ridge High School. So many memories. As someone so familiar with the history and town, I appreciated the way she told this story. A piece of my heart will always belong to East Tennessee, and I’m grateful Michelle chose to write about it. I can't wait to attend one of her upcoming book tour signings!

The Lord really put this book in my path as someone who primarily reviews Christian Fiction books, this book being a Christian Fiction with a beautiful faith thread, all about a city very close to my hometown, was perfection for me. 

This is a Christian Historical Fiction, dual timeline in 1944 and 1979. In 1944, we follow Maebelle Willett, who arrives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to start her new Government job at K-25, one of the major facilities built in Oak Ridge during WWII as part of the Manhattan Project. It was a massive uranium enrichment plant that contributed to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Of course, no one knows this at the time Mae goes to work for K-25. Everyone is told to keep quiet and Oak Ridge isn't even on the map - it was the "secret city" for a reason...We follow Mae's employment at K-25 with her roommate when one day, her roommate Sissy goes missing. Mae starts to investigate when her boyfriend Clive isn't all that he seems....

Then we have 1979 - Mae's niece Laurel Willett, who is a graduate student in Boston and she is writing thesis research on the history of Oak Ridge, hoping to add a family connection to it when she learns her Aunt Mae worked at K-25 during WWII. But Mae doesn't want to discuss her time working in the secret city....She starts putting all the pieces of the puzzle together with the handsome police officer there and gets closer with her Aunt along the way.

The way Michelle tied in the history of Oak Ridge and the city was great. I liked her mentioning actual street names I was familiar with, Big Ed's Pizza (which we all LOVED growing up) and other parts of the history I remember so many talking about over the years. She also told the truth of the hard things that happened - didn't sugar coat it. That is so important in Historical Fiction to me so we can remember and learn from history.

Mae's journey was powerful, sad, heartbreaking, but the LORD was all over her story in the end. Oh how I loved the ending. We saw grace. Forgiveness. Mercy. I also love how this book is about an Aunt and her Niece. I have always loved spending time with my Dad's sisters when I could and that adds a layer of connection for me in this story. Seeing Laurel really grow with her family was also important. 

Overall, what more can I say? This Tennessee girl approves!! Highly recommend for a great historical fiction. This was my most anticipated release this year and I am so thankful for it.

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

*content warning for abusive boyfriend mentioned, no detail shown, death mentioned of someone close to someone, grief mentioned, feeling of shame but Jesus takes it all - nothing explicit in nature in my opinion.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7711236122
Amazon: https://amzn.to/46sbfZs
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/638156

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

Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills

Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills
4 Stars

In Canyon of Deceit, we follow a rescue team looking for a missing young girl. Therese is a wilderness survival expert and gets a call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov saying his young daughter, Alina, is missing and his wife has been murdered. Rurik asks for help to find his daughter but the police can't be involved as the kidnappers requested. With her past scars of losing her own sister years ago to cancer and the death of her parents, she has a lot of guilt...and hearing about a missing daughter has put a fire in her heart to try and find this girl as soon as possible. So, she reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, who she met 7 months ago during a training course. Blane's background in crisis negotiation makes him prepared for this one.

This book was INTENSE. That is the best word for it. I have found I love DiAnn's writing style and am just always fully engaged in her suspense. 

From the very beginning, our main girl's tragic story of losing her sister to cancer, then her parents death soon after...she had been THROUGH some things in life. Her past really made her even more determined to find Rurik's young daughter. From the start though, you as the reader really aren't sure who you can trust and what's really going on. 

Seeing the romance between our characters develop along the way was paced very well. (Which, Blane likes her first even from the time they met before, haha.)

I also liked seeing Blane's faith journey in this book. He went through something hard and found the Lord through it.

If you like a fast paced clean, Christian, romantic suspense, read this new standalone book from DiAnn! 

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7892494289
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mjtAhT
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/638165

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

On A Midnight Clear by Tracie, Karen and Misty (3 in 1 Novella Collection)

 On A Midnight Clear by Tracie Peterson, Karen Witemeyer and Misty M. Beller
 (3 in 1 Novella Collection)

This was a good collection of Christmas novellas centered around the Nativity story. Each one had something unique and different. 

Novella #1: The Shepherd's Heart by Tracie Peterson - 5 Stars 

Loved this one so much. On the western frontier in 1875, we see a widowed sheep rancher with his children, Vincent Duran. He needs a mother for his two children after losing his wife and other children. He and his remaining two children have been through so much grief. Angel Lewis agrees to marry him, a marriage of convenience if you will. They brace a winter storm and find love again. I loved seeing Angel walk through the grief with this family together, helping the children understand what happened and about how to trust God even through hardship. Seeing the real meaning behind Christmas on display through the Nativity story was the best too. I have never read a book by Tracie, but now I have to check out her books!

Novella #2: No Room at the Inn by Misty M. Beller - 4 Stars 

Also on the western frontier but in 1861, Hope and her brother run an inn. A blizzard forces everyone to stay at Hope's home, where a romantic interest occurs between Hope and Noah. Everyone literally has "no room at the inn" and they have to figure out how to all stick together during this storm. Meaning of Christmas is shared and we have very much a Pioneer tale at Christmastime. 

Novella #3: A Star in the West by Karen Witemeyer 4.5 Stars

This one is set in Waco, TX in 1890. This one had a "3 wise man" and a "baby" storyline. A thread of Christmas redemption in Christ too that I really enjoyed. Frank is a Harvard Math Professor who comes to Waco and meets Stella. He is socially awkward and she doesn't see herself as she should. They interact a lot together and there was also some fun humor was in this one too but the ending had serious topics involved and a mention of a brothel / women working at the brother but the redemption in Christ is shown in the situation. 

Overall, this is a great collection that is going to be a good one for the Christmas season, especially to my friends who appreciate good Christian content in their Christmas novellas.

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7904838827
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764245725_on-a-midnight-clear
Amazon: https://amzn.to/464ugSP

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

A Sea View Christmas by Julie Klassen

 

A Sea View Christmas by Julie Klassen
5 Stars 

(Read the Novella after you have read the On Devonshire Shores Series, Book 1 is The Sisters of Sea View)

This felt like Little Women at Christmas! LOVED it so much to see the ending for this family. All the resolutions, healing, romance, Christmas elements, faith - it was great!

We are back in Sea View with our sisters and this time we finally get Sarah's romance story! I LOVED seeing Callum, the Scottish hero of the story back again. He is so kind, considerate, patient - and the fact he is a SCOT - I was here for it :) We also get the POV of Georgiana, who is 17 years old and her story with Colin. 

Sarah has been a character with such dedication to her family that she never felt like she could find love or have a life for herself. To see her make this journey in this novella was so nice. She has spent her life helping her mother run Sea View and she finally gets her happy ending here.

Loved the faith, Christmas elements, and family storyline all being wrapped up.  Would recommend to anyone who loved the On Devonshire Shores series! You do need to read the series to read this book so you are not spoiled for things that happen throughout the series.

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7892010143

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3V20c3A

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/637208

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

The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen

  

The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen
(Book 3 in the On Devonshire Shores Series)

5 Stars 

There was something so special about this book. The story reminds me of Little Women in a way. Julie always writes these great settings, this one being on the coast of Devonshire. I have enjoyed my time with these sisters and with the new Christmas Novella released, I wanted to finish the series before diving into this one. As I write my review for book 3, I have just finished the Christmas Novella, and would highly recommend you finish the trilogy before you pick that one up. My review for it will come very soon! :) 

Back to this book though, we get Claire Summers' story, the oldest of the Summers sisters. She has been living in quiet disgrace away from her family, exiled to Scotland with her great-aunt. When her great-aunt passes away, she isn't sure what her next steps are. She answers an advertisement for a "respectable female partner" in a boarding house near Sea View and her great-aunt's maid goes with her on the journey. We see her meet Mr. Hammond, her new partner in the boarding house, who is also very handsome indeed. Claire finds herself fitting right in with Mr. Hammond, his sweet daughter and the house guests when one day, she reunites with her estranged family members....can she and her family find reconciliation? 

While you as the reader become frustrated with the sister's mother for her disdain towards Claire, if you think back to the time period this is set in, it's very much as the author's note explains, realistic for the time. I was so glad to see the ending with the faith and family elements come together. Claire and Mr. Hammond were also PERFECTION for me, and him being a single father due to the loss of his late wife, finding love again and the sweet details with his daughter and Claire - it was all just beautifully put together.

We find emotional healing from grief and see God at work in this story. Very heartfelt ending for this family. If you love regency, historical fiction with a bit of romance and family details, pick this up! 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7892012674
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JVf4i6
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764241017_the-seaside-homecoming

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

The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer

 The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer

4 Stars 

What a delightful Christian rom-com with a Jane Austen twist!

Read if you like:

- Best Friends Brother Trope

- Jane Austen Elements in Books
- Podcast Details 
- Books that make you Laugh
- Romance with lists/rules 
- Regency References 
- Forced Proximity 

- Diabetes Rep 

- Secret Admirer Letters

This was very charming. I liked how the author combined the regency inspired romance with a modern rom-com setting. We follow Harrison and Zoe in this book. Harrison is Zoe's podcast producer and best friend's brother. He agrees to attend a regency themed singles retreat with her to capture footage as Zoe searches for her real life "Mr. Darcy". Zoe has this ideal checklist, which undoubtedly has too many requirements lol. Harrison, the true man of her dreams, is right in front of her. When will she realize?

Harrison is such an honest man, a man of integrity. I loved how his cared about her. Zoe wasn't too sure about what to do with her feelings, but when things finally came to a close, I loved their resolution together. It was sweet.

This book beautifully highlights the message of trusting God’s timing instead of trying to control your love life with personal expectations or rigid “lists of requirements.” Usually those lists don’t truly matter and God’s plans are far greater. And even if you are not in a relationship, God's plan still remains true for your life.

I may have found myself being a little less engaged in some parts vs others, but overall I really enjoyed my time in this book. It made me smile, laugh and had the light hearted elements I enjoy in romance. Bonus points for this Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice fan here! :) p.s. 2005 P&P is my fav, haha!

Would recommend. Thank you to Bethany House for a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/637223
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UszBwB

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

Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright

Book Review: Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright

3.5 to 4 Stars - 4 stars for the entertainment factor 

This is a love inspired Christian romantic suspense and I enjoyed it. Look at Jaime Jo with the ROMANCE haha. 

We follow Montana park ranger Aaliyah Terrence and she finds a serial killer's burial ground. She ends up getting attacked right after finding it. The burial ground is tied to an old cold case that detective Wade Marlowe comes into town about. He explains to Aaliyah that her birth mother was the murderer's first victim and it becomes clear that Aaliyah is in the eyes of the killer as the next target. 

I liked it pretty good. While the romance wasn't exactly my favorite, the plot was very interesting. I love the adoption storyline and how they were trying to track everything down. Overall a quick read, good pallet cleanse. As one of my other friends mentioned though, Wade not having a gun but having bear spray gave me the WHAT YOU DOIN SIR without your weapon LOL *kidding only a little bit* haha

My favorite bits were seeing her dog, Peaches, them figuring out the mystery bits and the questions getting answered about her family.

One I would recommend if you want a quick read with fast romance and suspense.

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7875061098
Amazon: https://amzn.to/45Zuo4A

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