Of Flaw and Scorn by Vera Bell

ARC Review - Releases April 28th
Of Flaw and Scorn by Vera Bell 
Book 1 in the Gracefire Series
4 Stars

What a gritty Christian Fiction read! I ended up really enjoying this one. 

Read if you love:

- Gritty Christian Fiction (see below for what that means)

- Vikings Romance

- Enemies to Lovers

- Slow Burn

- Redemption in Christ Story
- Forbidden Love

Set in 795 A.D. off the Irish Coast, we follow a Christian slave, Brigit, and a Viking, Raidar (Ray-dar). We see Brigit and Raidar met when they were young teens and he takes Brigit captive. We see Raidar extend mercy upon her and it becomes his great flaw. We see the brutal death of her family as the Vikings killed Christians (historically accurate) and 7 years later we see Brigit who is married to someone (taken captive) that she doesn't want to be married to. The Vikings essentially come in, take her captive themselves and kill her husband. The journey that Raidar and Brigit take next will keep you itching to know more, for sure!

So I love Ireland and Viking style books - there is something about the history behind the reality of what happened and the strength of those times and people that intrigues me. It also gives a fantastical element without being true fantasy. While I do not know a lot of the pronunciations or Norse mythology tied to the Vikings history and culture, this book did have a pronunciation guide and a glossary of Irish and Norse terms in the front of the book, which was helpful. 

I really commend Vera for what she did here. She used to write books with spicy scenes and has since unpublished them in her move toward what the Lord has called her to do in her writing. I think this book will be great for readers who like the tougher themes, topics and even those who are transitioning away from spicy books to Christian fiction and want something that is not cheesy, but something that is realistic and raw, with that angsty romantic tension they may have seen in other books but without the explicit scenes.

Be aware though - this was a realistic view of history regarding the execution of Christians by the Vikings. If you have ever seen even a snippet of the Vikings TV show, you will know what I am referring to. Vera didn't get too gory by any means with the descriptions but some of them were more on the brutal side, which I appreciate her not shying away from the reality of the Vikings and that history. Check the content/trigger warnings for more details below.

The faith content was very strong. Brigit is a strong believer in Christ and even through all of the traumatic things she went through...she kept the faith. Yes, there were doubts along the way, as with any person in those situations, but her overall strength in Christ was beautiful to see. She was a positive influence on Raidar. The high stakes situations caused Raidar to move towards a faith in Christ, and we see his full redemption arc on display.

Overall, what I can say is I appreciate this book. It's different, especially for Christian Fiction, but it's real. I will list the content details so you can make your own informed decisions, but I think Vera handled it well in general, especially for her first Christian Fiction read since unpublishing her old works. You can see she is in somewhat of a transition period with the romance bits occasionally being lusty at times but I also feel like that is what is realistic for the time of the Vikings people and their culture, so that's not necessarily a criticism more than anything its an observation.

I am definitely interested in reading book 2, I need to know Astrid's redemption story!

Thank you to Vera for sending me a complimentary e-book ARC to read for review. All thoughts are my own.

Content/Trigger Warnings + What is Gritty CF:

Content/Trigger Warnings: sexual assault/violence referenced, slavery, mentions of concubines, no language outside of the use of wh*re or h*ll from the Viking people in conversations, killings of Christians and others, battles, mentions of death/blood, mentions of sleeping around, romance is more on the yearning/lusty side at times - more than I usually prefer, but its also situationally accurate for the Viking people, closed door marriage consummation scene- not explicit but fades to black as the door is closed essentially as you know what will happen next after marriage, but I appreciated how this handled biblical view of marriage by the redemption piece.

Q: What is Gritty Christian Fiction? 
A: Gritty Christian fiction is a branch of Christian storytelling that leans into the hard, messy, and often painful realities of life while still anchoring the narrative in a biblical worldview and redemptive hope. The “gritty” label doesn’t mean graphic or boundary‑pushing for shock value; instead, it means the story is willing to portray darkness honestly so that grace can shine more clearly. Think Francine Rivers style.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4tOZwhB
Vera's Website and About her writing journey: https://www.verabellauthor.com/about

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

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

5 stars
WOW

What can I say at this point, Agatha is literally the mystery queen! I keep saying this each time I read her books. This was brilliant. The way she ended it, the epilogue, the characters...chef's kiss!

This is one of the more darker ones I have read by her but it was still so good! I was invested in each character, loved the history behind the mystery, and loved listing to the audio by Hugh Fraser alongside my reading of the 1972 book copy I found on Pango Books.

We essentially follow 10 people who get summoned by a letter to go to this island to meet the Owen's. When they all get there, they see the poem for 10 little soldier boys (old edition said Indian instead of Soldier, but was changed to Soldier in the mid-20th century). The poem soon becomes the guests reality....which leads us to a wild and crazy whodunit case. We also learn along the way why each person was chosen to be there, which in itself was WILD.

I loved how the cast of characters were each trying to figure out whodunit and pointing fingers, trying to figure out the clues....I wasn't 100% right with the ending but I did have my right suspicion I guess with whodunit, for once. I even watched the adaptation (2015 BBC) and loved it, even though the adaption added odd romance tension bit with two characters.

Highly recommend as an Agatha standalone read. I loved the twists and turns and how invested I was in it.

Content/Trigger Warnings: death, suicide, crimes explained such as murders/death of a child by drowning/gun violence etc., language several d*mn and 1 GD. 

If you watch the 2015 adaptation, there is obviously flashbacks of the crimes shown for each character that are a bit more graphic than the book and a closed door sex scene randomly placed, lol. but that is not in the book at all.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cbCefT

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

The Lost Story of Via Belle - Melanie Dobson

The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson 

4 Stars 

What a good book! I was very interested in both storylines here. Melanie tied it all together so well. The mystery had me on the edge of my seat in the end!

If you like books about authors, screenwriters, books, with a historical fiction mystery - check this out!

1940 + 2006: 

In 1940, we follow Olivia Ashe - Via Belle is her pen name for her romance books. Her books have been beloved by readers for years but she has grieved the loss of her husband and child...Her and her husband were married for 20 years so since he passed, she lives in Pennsylvania with her aunt. She meets Simon at an author panel she goes to.....they have a romance....but is all that it seems? 

In 2006, we follow Harper who aspires to be a screenwriter and finds herself in Pennsylvania researching the life of Via Belle, who was her late mother's favorite author. She finds her books, a biography all about Via and starts to learn more about her life and secrets. Harper has her own grief she is working through after losing her mother as well. She really pieces the past together so well and learns so much about Via.

We have some other characters we follow too but the primary story is as mentioned above.

This was my first Melanie Dobson read and I really want to try her other books now! I liked how she weaved these characters, timelines and mystery together more than anything. While I would have liked a bit more faith and Christian elements, there were some good moments of hope and lessons learned. I think this is a book you really want to take some time to sit with because of the layers Melanie weaves in. Lots of twists and turns!

Thank you to Uplit Reads, Tyndale House Publishers and Melanie Dobson for a gifted copy of this book to read for review. All thoughts are my own. 

Content/Trigger Warnings: death of a child and spouse mentioned but not a focal point of the book, grief from loss, death of a parent mentioned but also not a huge focal point of the book, no language, clean romance, pregnancy out of wedlock mentioned, death in general.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Oubr5n
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781496474520_the-lost-story-of-via-belle
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

Just Friends by Haley Pham

Just Friends - Haley Pham

3 Stars

If you’re looking for a clean friends‑to‑lovers romance with a tender grief thread, Just Friends might be a story for you. I went into this one without much familiarity with Haley Pham or her content, but I know this book has sparked a lot of conversation lately. As someone who enjoys clean romance, I was curious to see what it was all about. Y'all know I am always here for a hyped read!

Overall Thoughts

I enjoyed the reading experience in general, even though a few of the tropes aren’t ones I personally gravitate toward. There’s a lot here that readers, especially younger ones, may really connect with.

What I appreciated:
- Childhood friends to lovers is always a sweet, nostalgic dynamic
- A heartfelt grief thread after losing a loved one to cancer....this was handled with care and emotional honesty
- A clean romance with no spice or explicit content
- FMC who is an aspiring author added a fun creative piece

What Didn’t Work as Well for Me

- Miscommunication / non‑communication bits
- Flashback chapters tied to the second‑chance parts
- A slower resolution, especially in the romantic bits

We have Blair and Declan - they were together years ago and they split due to certain circumstances and then some moments that were miscommunication / misunderstandings....then they came back together 4 years later. She is back in town when her great aunt Lottie is sick. She applies to work at a coffee shop and its managed by Declan so that's how they end up reconnecting.

For a debut, I think Haley did a nice job overall. It’s refreshing to see clean, accessible romance on main bookstore shelves, and I can see this being a great fit for younger readers or anyone wanting something wholesome and easy to settle into. While it wasn’t a personal favorite for me, I genuinely appreciated the grief storyline as it felt honest, compassionate, and very real.

I’d be open to picking up her next book and supporting another author writing clean books.

Content/Trigger Warnings: romance is clean/kisses only, not lusty in my opinion, grief from loss of a loved one to cancer, walking through the grief itself moments. language - 3 or 4 "p*ssed", shiiiiii cut off use, nothing else major.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QtvDoq
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

  

Saved to Sin No More - Brad Wetherell

 

Saved to Sin No More - Brad Wetherell
4 Stars

Quote: "Sin is our most significant struggles. Whatever else may trouble us and threaten us, nothing else compares to the power and effects of sin. It rules over us from birth, condemns us before God, and destines us for everlasting death. On our own, we are helpless against it (Rom. 7:23-24) So praise God that we are not on our own. We are united with Christ. In Christ, we have come under the rule of grace, we are justified in God's sight, and we are destined for everlasting life (Rom 5:21). And whenever we trip, stumble, and fall into sin (as we often do), we do not fall out of Christ. We are united with him forever (Rom. 8:38-39)

I got a lot out of this Christian Non-Fiction. When I feel like I am constantly failing in striving in my faith....scripture points us to the liberating hope in Christ that has the power to free us for good. Pastor Brad Wetherell walked through many biblical passages sharing so much about our struggles in sin, when we fall into temptations -- what does God's word say? How can we combat spiritual warfare? How can we ask for forgiveness? How can we submit to God's authority? How can we be in union with Him? How can we resist the temptations? 

He reminds us to remember our story. Where did we start? Where are we now in Christ? How did the Lord move us to glory in Christ? Brad wrote about sin in a truthful, understanding way. He reminds us that God can transform what has been tarnished. He has delivered us from darkness. We are united with Christ and we strive to pursue righteousness. We can embrace God's authority. It's a daily battle but in Christ was can engage this battle in all the confidence in Christ. Sin will no longer have dominion over us! 

Highly recommend this book!

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

Crossway's Website: https://www.crossway.org/books/saved-to-sin-no-more-tpb/
Amazon: https://amzn.to/47C6FJy

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

Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer

 

Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer 
5 Stars 

I LOVE KAREN'S BOOKS! This is one of her backlist reads from 2010 and wow, just so good! 

I loved the characters, slow burn romance, intense aspects but also a very precious story with the sweet young girl, Isabella.

We follow Adelaide Proctor and Gideon Westcott. She has her "head in the clouds" if you will, and her husband plans didn't quite work out with this guy Henry.....she interviews for a governess job in Texas and gets the job on Gideon's sheep ranch. Gideon left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry. He never expected to become a father overnight when his ward, Isabella, comes under his care. Isabella is 5 years old and lost her parents tragically and hasn't uttered a word since then....Adelaide working there with them softens everyone's heart and its a beautiful story of finding love and family together. Isabella's uncle comes to claim her and they won't stand for it. 

I loved the faith moments, especially the prayers. Adelaide really showed how she cares for Isabella and Gideon in such strong ways. She was patient and willing to do whatever she needed to do to help them. When things look dark...she never gives up. She loves Gideon and Isabella....and she braces the storms regardless of how dark it may look.

Highly recommend for a beautiful Christian historical romance!

*Content/Trigger Warnings: Animal Death, Mild Violence for the time period, death by gunshot, no language, nothing explicit in nature - romance shows marriage + mention of consummating the marriage but it was a biblical viewpoint of marriage in a beautiful way with no sexual acts described in detail. 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cn1f7Q (On Kindle Unlimited as of 4/3)
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764207563_head-in-the-clouds
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Clinging to the Cross - The Daily Grace Company

Clinging to the Cross by The Daily Grace Co

5 Stars

What a great lent study this was for me! I was able to keep up with it each day (minus the last week since I was traveling). I just finished it today, the day before Resurrection Sunday, and I feel so grateful for the sacrifice our Lord and Savior made on the Cross in our place. Many times I think we can forget context, history, and just how heartbreaking it was for Jesus to go in our place for our sins. We were deserving to be on that cross. It should have been us. It should be us. But JESUS took it all on our behalf. May we never forget exactly what He did for you and I. While this earth is our temporary home....we have such a hope in the Lord through belief in HIM to experience eternal life to all who accept Him as their Lord and Savior. When I felt I wasn't worthy....He was. He is. 

The Daily Grace Company has some really good Christian bible studies and I always enjoy my time in them. They help me draw near to the Lord and circle back to where I need to be in my faith walk when I feel stagnant. They help me get back in my word.

This Lent study walked through 41 days leading up to Resurrection Sunday, with illustrations that will take your break away...lead you to tears...remind you of just what the Lord did. The application questions - while I didn't fill every single one out - many of them had me in deep thought.

Thank you to the Daily Grace Company for a gifted copy of this study. All thoughts are always my own.

📚Daily Grace Co Lent Bundle: https://collabs.shop/csbwaj

10% Off Your Daily Grace Company Order with Code BOOKLOVERAMANDA
*I am a part of the Daily Grace Company affiliate program because I have used their products for many years, even before I had an online platform. You can trust that all opinions are always my own, regardless. Thank you friends.

 

The Legacy of Longdale Manor - Carrie Turansky

 

The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky
4.5 Stars (Rounding Up to 5 On Goodreads)

I really enjoyed this one! Dual timeline, two women, a century apart, go on a journey of healing, faith, forgiveness.....it was an engaging story, loved the romance in both timelines, and would recommend to anyone who likes Christian Historical Romance! 

We are in 2012 and 1912. 2012: Art historian Gwen travels to England's Lake District to appraise paintings and antiques of an old family friend. She wants to prove herself to her grandfather. She is at Longdale Manor and meets David, the owner's grandson. He is wanting to save the estate by turning it into a luxury hotel. Gwen stumbles upon a 100 year old journal....she looks for answers after what she finds.... 1912: After Charlotte's father passes away, she uncovers a family secret she confesses in her journal. They travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping to find a home with her grandfather at Longdale Manor....but its challenging to say the least. She grows close to a shepherd, Ian, and her faith grows, along with their love story.....

My favorite quote: "Jesus lays this choice before us. We can give our burdens and troubles into His care and live each day with the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts. Or we can hold on to the pain and wrongs done to us and harbor a troubled heart that hardens and grows bitter over time, stealing our joy and draining our days of the full life He wants us to enjoy.”

Loved the setting of Longdale Manor and I loved the characters and how inter-connected they were in both timelines. I am looking forward to more by Carrie!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4siP150
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764241055_the-legacy-of-longdale-manor
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton - Susan L. Tuttle

The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton - Susan L. Tuttle

4 Stars

Book 1 in the Treasures of Halstead Manor Series

This was my first Susan Tuttle read and I had a lot of fun with it! We have friendship, mystery, and romance!

You root for Everleigh from page 1. She is somewhat of an introvert but when she gets fired from her job after a situation with her old patient's son after her mother's money happens...she gets a random note from the mystery man...Casper. Through this process, she meets 2 other ladies, Natalie and Brooke and several others along the way. They all have to work together to search for a missing Diamond. Through this process, she works with Niles also who is a Private Investigator...and feelings develop.

Everleigh is a very private person, she isolates herself and doesn't open easily to others. It makes it quite the journey as she works with everyone and builds those relationships, especially with the girls and a sweet friendship grows. 

The girls were all vulnerable in their friendships and it grew and it was so sweet!  I love a good female friendship in books. We also have sooo many good laughs in this one from characters like Aunt Gertie - she cracked me up! And the banter between Niles and Everleigh was chef's kiss!

I think the mystery itself is engaging without overshadowing the heart of the story. The author blends real historical threads with contemporary stakes, adding in a good treasure hunting plot that feels fun, whimsical and entertaining! :) The faith aspect was a nice added touch also.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Clean romance, no language, Death/Grief Mentioned, ALS, Nothing explicit or worrisome to me 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4c9WqP5
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Rancher's Stolen Past by Tabitha Bouldin

 

The Rancher's Stolen Past by Tabitha Bouldin

3 Stars

A quick, love inspired Christian Fiction romance. Zane returns to his hometown and to the woman he never stopped loving....Molly. Molly lost her husband years ago as he was killed in the Army. She blames Zane for her husband ever going into the Army and to this day blames him for his death. She is not happy to see Zane again....it sets the stage for a book of regret, hope, grief, and rebuilding trust. I loved the moments between him and our main girl Molly's son, those were precious as I love a good single parent story.

Where I struggled a bit was with Molly’s long‑held resentment toward Zane. Her grief is real and understandable, but the way she blames him for her husband’s death felt more like misplaced anger than a fair reflection of what actually happened. Zane didn’t force her husband into the army, and at times her bitterness made it harder for me to connect with her as a character. Specifically where her anger went on for the majority of the book. Still, I could see what the author was aiming for, a woman wrestling with loss and learning to let go and let the Lord in....and by the end, it lands in a hopeful place of faith and new found love.

A good, quick love inspired read I enjoyed.

Thank you to the author for a copy of the book to honestly read and review, all thoughts are my own.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rM3BBz
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins - Melanie Dickerson

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins - Melanie Dickerson
3 Stars 

Very sweet, regency romance - I think many younger readers would enjoy this as well, just being aware that there are themes of the main character being "overeager" to fall in love, as my friend Lindsey put it in here review here - I agree and liked her review, she explains it better than I ever could :) : https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2026/03/the-good-fortune-of-miss-robbins-by.html

I feel very similar to her. It was sweet, quick, but I would have also liked more of her thinking about what is God's plan in all of this. There are some good faith bits though with scriptures and prayers, just not necessarily the overarching plan integral to the plot.

So in this book, we follow Charlotte Robbins, who accepts a governess position for the Earl of Brookhaven's siblings. As a lowly governess, she entertains thoughts of romance until she falls in love with William, the Earl himself.

She is pushed into London high society as she inherits a fortune from a relative. She has suitors vying for her attention but her heart belongs to William....story goes from here.

I liked it but it was just missing that extra something special for me personally. Maybe I was missing extra banter between the characters. I think it would be a good option for younger readers who would like a clean alternative to books like Bridgerton perhaps. 

Romance was clean with kisses only. No language and good moments of faith.

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

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bMaI78
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764245220_the-good-fortune-of-miss-robbins
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

 Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir
4.5 Stars
Rounding up to 5 on Goodreads

Sci-Fi but make it fun! That's what this book was! This is one of those smart, funny and heartfelt sci-fi books that even non-sci-fi readers can fall in love with. MEE! I am not a "science-fiction" girlie, but you give me good plot, good characters I can connect with and I am HERE!

I was SOOO invested in this one! Listened to the audiobook in TWO DAYS and only because I had to go to bed! LOL

Ryland Grace wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or why he is there. Slowly, through flashbacks and problem-solving.....he figures out he is humanity's last hope to stop an extinction-level event.....huge stakes, lots of tension...but at its core....the heart of this book is a friendship story. He forms an alliance with Rocky...one of the most unexpected, beautiful friendships you will ever read!

Even with me not understanding any of the science bits, I could still love the book! Highly recommend. The ending, I had a little mixed thoughts about, but ultimately, enjoyed! I am looking forward to the movie! :)

*Content/Trigger Warnings: I wouldn't say any of these are "extreme" or "graphic" but listing them anyway: medical procedures (non‑graphic), needles, blood draws, coma, memory loss, sacrifice themes, survival situations, life‑threatening danger, space peril, mild injury descriptions, global catastrophe themes, extinction‑level event, discussions of death (non‑graphic), unsettling alien biology, talks of evolution, language -- 2 or 3 GDs, few F words, other mild words but not a lot of them. Situational language that while I didn't love those bits, I get it. I loved the story still.

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/4bvjsQb

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

Prayer - Timothy Keller

 Prayer - Timothy Keller

This was definitely theologically rich, as Keller brings together thoughts from church history pulling in Augustine, Calvin, Luther, Edwards, etc. I can see why many readers would like this deep look into prayer. For me, it was a bit of a barrier to connection. I wanted probably something a bit more relational and heart-level, more drawing near to the lived experience of prayer and intimacy of talking with God. The tone is more academic in nature (like a text book if you will). Not that it is a bad thing, just wasn't  what I was looking for specifically. While I appreciated the wisdom and I am glad I went through it, it just wasn't the kind of prayer book that stirs your affection for your daily walk with the Lord if that makes sense. If you love theologically deep, historical voices added to your non-fiction, check this out. If you are looking for more of a experiential, relational guide, you may feel a bit distant like me. Regardless, Keller's commitment to the Lord and grounding in prayer and scripture shine through. What I learned was very interesting!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4lH1XzI
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles - Agatha Christie

 

The Mysterious Affair at Styles - Agatha Christie

5 Stars

It's been almost 2 years since I picked up an Agatha book and I am so glad I picked this one up! Agatha Christie is who I always consider the QUEEN of Mystery! This was her debut novel and it's exactly the kind of classic mystery that shows just how she became that QUEEN! :)

This is book 1 in the Hercule Poirot series. We have a country estate, a sudden death, a house full of complicated relationships and a detective who sees what most people will overlook.

I love how Agatha lays out the puzzle, she gives you clues, red herrings and character dynamics that you becomes so interested in. Hastings, the narrator of the story, adds a layer of humor too. 

Did I figure it out, NO LOL - no surprise! But I am so glad I read it. I have read a few of hers before but it's been almost 2 years since I have read one, and getting back to it was such a JOY! I have been struggling with some of the books I have been reading to love them and this was just an awesome change of pace. I found myself looking up words I didn't understand and really learning!

It's short, clever and unique. Looking forward to more! 

Content/Trigger Warnings: Death, Murder, Poisoning, Nothing Explicit in Nature

Amazon: https://amzn.to/41jKUdH

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

The Pocket Pair - Emma St. Clair

The Pocket Pair by Emma St. Clair
3.5 Stars 

Book 3 in The Sheet Cake Texas Series

Read if you enjoy:

- Clean rom-coms

- Best Friend's Brother

- Friends to More

- Sister's Best Friend

- Forced Proximity

- Duel POV

- Slow Burn

- Friendships

The Pocket Pair was a fun continuation in Emma's Sheet Cake Texas series. We have the best-friend's-brother meets friends-to-more trope. I was catching up in this series with my friend Melissa as a buddy read and enjoyed chatting with a friend on it! 

We follow Val and Chevy in this one, they have loved each other forever and kept their feelings quiet....Chevy finds out his sister's best friend is leaving for Costa Rica and it rocks his world. She needs somewhere to stay until her flight so he offers his guest bedroom. They keep things cordial but as usual, feelings get in the way.

I liked this one for the friends, family and laughs. SO MANY LAUGHS. I cracked up so many times and that's what I always want in an Emma St. Clair. 

The romance did feel not as in depth for me personally as some of the bits were surface level, attraction based and there was the "not communicating feelings" thing probably more than I would have liked, but the ending was super cute! 

Glad to have read it either way!

*Content/Trigger Warnings: loss of a parent, parental abandonment, physical injuries, romance was kisses only, but I feel like it was a bit more than I usually like in their romantic thoughts of attraction and how they technically were living under the same roof for a time. No explicit content though.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PRB4gB
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

Claire Holloway is Winging It - Angela Ruth Strong

Claire Holloway is Winging It - Angela Ruth Strong

4.5 Stars (Rounding Up to 5)

I really enjoyed this book! She really handled this in a realistic way. 

I really enjoyed this lighthearted Christian rom-com, my first read by Angela. Claire Holloway, a former ballerina turned flight attendant, meets Nathan at work, a pilot healing from heartbreak, while she’s still in a relationship with Wyatt. You think it's a love triangle, but it's not in the traditional sense.

While this trope isn’t usually my favorite, Angela handled it realistically and thoughtfully. If I had to read a book with a significant other story plot, this is how you do it gracefully. 

The story emphasizes honesty, boundaries, and trusting God’s timing and plan. Nathan was sweet, supportive, and clearly a good Christian man, maintaining healthy boundaries despite his attraction to Claire. He knew what the right thing to do was and took necessary steps to ensure he was respectful.

I appreciated seeing Claire grow in faith and discern God’s direction for her life. Her journey from a people-pleaser to someone learning to trust God was beautifully done. I am a people-pleaser myself, so I found some of that relatable. 

The book also highlights healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, friendship before romance, and the importance of waiting for marriage from a biblical perspective. 

While I do wish Claire had ended things with Wyatt sooner, I appreciated seeing her grow and that makes sense for the pacing of the story. We really see, especially in the end, how she grows in faith and realizes her worth is in God and not a boyfriend. That in itself was beautiful. 

Overall, Claire Holloway Is Winging It was a fun, heartfelt romance with a unique setting and likeable cast of characters. I enjoyed the humor, airline world and the journey the characters made realistically. 

Content: Clean romance, FMC in relationship while thoughts of MMC but handled as well as it could be realistic way, brief mention of possible drug deal happening nearby, jokes about plane issues while flying, romance is kisses only, MMC walking through hard time after his ex cheated on him, cheating side characters mentioned, mention of church hurt in the past, mentions of past affairs. [Note: To be clear, we do not see much of her relationship with Wyatt on page outside of phone calls and texts until toward the end, and by then, it's obvious to the reader that they won't really work out and are not going to continue at some point.]

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

Amazon: https://amzn.to/473eXd3
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780825455742_claire-holloway-is-winging-it
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Last to Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn

Last to Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn
Book 3 in the Gossamer Falls Series
3.5 Stars, rounding up to 4.

Nice end to the series! We get Mo and Bronwyn's romance! This is 75% romance/25% suspense - mostly due to the nature of their relationship, past and everything they need to work out together.

This is the end to the Gossamer Falls Series, a Christian Romantic Suspense series. Bronwyn is strong woman who has poured her heart into The Haven, her family's resort. Financial discrepancies come up, tension builds, and she thinks there is more at play here other than financial issues. She gets help from Mo, her first love, and that adds an emotional layer to everything. Mo is a standout guy, he's a former Army Intelligence officer so he brings a lot of skills to the tables for the investigation. 

I enjoyed my time with this one, as I was really ready for Mo and Bronwyn's romance. I am not always crazy about flashbacks in romance books, so those bits took me out the story a smidge. However, I do love the family thread and other characters we get throughout the book from previous books. Because of that, I recommend each book is read in order so you're not spoiled.

Also, while I love a good romance in the romantic suspense reads, I think I would like a bit more of the suspense elements to keep the plot moving, if that makes sense.

Overall, glad to have finished this series and would recommend!

*Content/Trigger Warnings: Mentions of drug trafficking, shootings, alcohol, deaths, someone trying to kill Bronwyn, cancer of grandparent, eating disorder, weapons, general crimes, nothing explicit but general themes of those items. Romance is kisses only and no language.  

Thank you to Revell for sending me a complementary copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3P9ShBT
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780800745387_last-to-fall
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

Break My Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn

Break My Fall - Lynn H. Blackburn
Book 2 in the Gossamer Falls Series
4 Stars

Love this series - great romances and family dynamics! So pumped we got Police Chief Grayson Ward and Dr. Meredith Quinn's romance story! 

This is a Christian Romantic Suspense series - we have small town danger, steady suspense and a good romance. Gray watches out for Meredith, loved that. At the beginning of the books, we see someone cut Meredith's fuel line so Gray was right there in the thick of things to keep her safe. While they had a rough start to their romance though, it was more realistic.

Gray had been through some hard things, loss of loved ones, so he was quite guarded in the romance department but Meredith knocks down his walls little by little. They try to resist their feelings because of several things but ultimately let their past go to proceed with things together. 

Some of the bits did drag on a little bit, but I still enjoyed my time with it. I liked the romance and their interactions better then the suspense aspect too. It's nice to see characters in their early 30s too, more realistic look at things.

The suspense has drug lords, corruption, unexpected movements...I would say its a bit more morbid than usual but nothing extremely detailed at the same time.

What else can I say? Read if you like a good romantic suspense, families that have each others backs, light faith elements, brother's best friend, law enforcement MMC, etc. 

Ready to read Mo and Bronwyn's romance next!! :)

Content/Trigger Warnings: Past loss of sibling, parents, loved ones recounted, death, gun shoot outs, drug lords, car accidents, mentions of human trafficking and domestic violence, mentions of bodies death, decomposing, loss of limbs, mention of breast cancer, a brief almost panic attack, kisses only clean romance, no language

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3P8EV8W
Baker Book House:  https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780800745370_break-my-fall

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

Why Did Jesus Have to Die? The Daily Grace Company Lent Q&A Book

 

Why Did Jesus Have to Die? The Daily Grace Company Lent Q&A Book
5 Stars

Thank you Daily Grace Co for sending me a complimentary copy of this to read! I loved it. I took my time with this one and it was very in depth, bringing lots of questions we have to the table. It also explained some of the other points of view people have and brought us back to scripture to explain the truth where possible. My favorite parts were on the Jesus Ascension portion. It was filled with the hope of Christ.

Highly recommend for anyone needing something theologically rich, especially around Lent season as we celebrate the Lord.

Daily Grace Co: https://collabs.shop/ghiyvq

10% Off Daily Grace Company Order with Discount Code BOOKLOVERAMANDA

The Hired Man by Sandra Dallas

 

The Hired Man by Sandra Dallas
5 Stars

Secular Historical Fiction

Standalone Book

Wow. Honestly y'all. This book blew me away. I have never read a Sandra Dallas book until now and while this had some heavier topics, I was completely immersed in the storytelling, the characters and the setting. (*See trigger warnings at the end if needed.)

Set in 1937 Colorado during the Dust Bowl period, lots of dust storms are brewing, food is scarce, times are hard, work is few and far between....We follow Martha Hellen, the POV throughout the story. She is I believe either 15 or 16. A young man by the name of Otis helps a young boy out of a dust cloud/storm and Martha Hellen's Mama wants to help him by letting him stay in exchange for work on their property. He is considered a "vagrant", an out of towner...not welcome by most of the community. However, they believe in helping the less fortunate....this leads to a story of heartache, loss, unknowns....

Like I said, I was completely immersed in this book. I listened to the audiobook for the first 50% (amazing narrator) and then there was soooo much going on, I had to stop and grab my e-book ARC because I NEEDED TO KNOW! 

I think what stands out for me on this is the ending with the twist - it TOOK ME OUT. I never saw it coming. 

Martha Hellen and her family - I loved them. Such good examples of parents during that time - good, hardworking people who had been through so much hardship but never gave up. Martha Hellen was a good friend, also someone who never gave up. 

What else can I say....I think the ending was brilliant honestly because it was so unexpected. I had to go back and re-read it like 4 times to make sure I was reading it right! That's how blown my mind was with it. 

I definitely want to read more of Sandra's books. She sure does tell a WILD and good story!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the complimentary ebook and audiobook to honestly read for review. All thoughts are my own.

*Trigger/Content Warnings: Death, Poverty, Language - 2 to 3 GDs, few other smaller words, situational language I guess you would say....I didn't care for the language personally. Sexual assault, murder, bullying, sexism - may be other things I missed but there is no romance really in this, it's a historical fiction story showing the realities of the hard things that happened during that time. It won't be for everyone but I really liked the story overall.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8421617259
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4sbNnCW
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links,

Book Reviews Graphic Novel Wrap Up for Let's Get Graphic Readathon

 

Recently, the Let's Get Graphic 24 hour readathon happened hosted by these ladies:

https://www.youtube.com/@GwendolynKensinger
https://www.youtube.com/@ABookLikeYou
https://www.youtube.com/@Julesbooksandthings

It was to read Graphic Novels for 24 hours in early March and I managed to get a few read!

Thought I would list all of them in one blog post:

1. Pawcasso  - Remy Lai - 4 Stars

Y'ALL THIS WAS THE MOST ADORABLE GRAPHIC NOVEL! All about a girl and her dog, but much more than that. Some great themes of friendship, kindness, community. So funny too, lots of good laughs. I needed a good laugh and this hit right at the perfect time. A good rec from my friend! :) Also, the artwork is the best! Not a lot to say, but it's just a sweet, wholesome graphic novel book.

2. Millie of the Manor - Katrina Evans and Andrea Bell - 5 Stars 

Absolutely amazing. It really is like "Clue meets the baby sitters club". A great graphic novel story about friendship, social anxiety and working through the hard moments in between. Amy goes to therapy to learn ways to cope with her social anxiety. She gets invited to a murder-mystery game party, makes new friends and the rest is history. I have always had somewhat of social anxiety that I have to "mask" in a way at work and in new social situations due to some struggles I have in my ADHD. This was relatable for me for sure, especially to little Amanda.

The murder mystery was so fun, I love they did it as a party! The artwork in this and the COLORS are beautiful! Well done!

3. How to Talk to You Succulent - Zoe Persico

MY HEART AND NOW I'M SOBBBBING! This was a look inside a little girl's grief after losing her mother, who loved plants. She goes to her Grandmas with her Dad after her mother passes and starts a new journey. She makes a new friend and realizes she can talk to plants just like her Mama could. Lots of memories, hard times, loneliness and grief. It was a hard journey for her, but she had hope in the end for the way her life was now. I am not a plant girly, but if you are, this is a good one. Just be aware of it as a heavier read. Glad I read this one for sure.

*Content: Grief from loss of mother, 1 to 2 mentions of "oh my god" or "oh god"

Book Links from Amazon: (I read mine through Libby though, check your library!)

1. Pawcasso: https://amzn.to/3N6ot8E

2. Millie of the Manor: https://amzn.to/3PGA8vs

3. How to Talk to Your Succulent: https://amzn.to/3NEWH38

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