Anchoring You by Robin Patchen

 

    

Anchoring You by Robin Patchen 
5 Stars

Book #9 in The Wright Heroes of Maine Series but can be read as a Standalone

OK. I AM IMPRESSED. New to me author and now I need to read this entire series y'all!! I was SO INVESTED.

A girl over a yacht in the Caribbean. Modern day pirates raiding the boat. Drugs on board she didn't know about. The DEA informant that saves her life. Both going on the run, in hiding, pretending to be in a relationship for safety. Beautiful faith moments. LET'S GO! 

That's all we need to know, right! 

I grabbed a copy of this book from NetGalley to read when I had some extra time. I decided to pick it up the week after release and read it in ONE DAY. I was IMMEDITALEY hooked with the action packed scenes and connection to our couple, Jasper (Jaz) and Kenzie. 

I loved Robin's writing, it was exactly what I look for in a good Christian romantic suspense. If I am honest, I have struggled finding a new favorite romantic suspense book lately and THIS WAS IT! 

I LOVED the faith discussions, as Jaz had ran away from the Lord due to his past and feeling unworthy. He knew the truth deep down, but felt like God wouldn't love him because of his mistakes. Yet Kenzie shows him the true love of the Lord and how God is big enough for all of our mess, no matter what it is. Amen.

While this was technically book #9 in this series, I don't feel like I was spoiled or missed anything for other books. Regardless, I plan to go back and read the series because I loved it so much.

Content/Trigger Warning: Murder, Modern-Day Pirates, Drugs, Cartel, Action Packed Suspense, Attempted Sexual Assault

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4f743YH

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

The Fire We Inherit by Laric Tolleson

The Fire We Inherit by Laric Tolleson 
5 Stars 

"Every adult in Las Vegas is dead. Now the kids run the city." 

I really liked this book! It was a wild ride! THE ENDING THOUGH. I need another book stat!! I picked it up off Kindle Unlimited and was impressed with the writing. Very engaging. The author reached out to me on Instagram and I decided to check this out on KU and I am glad I did!

After being exposed to a mysterious illness, all the adults were killed, leaving the children to run the city of Las Vegas, as they were immune. Our main character is Aiden Brann who starts his first day as a firefighter in a city run by kids. The city's peace is under threat by the group called "The Children". 

I haven’t read a dystopian book in a long time and this checked all the boxes. The author really built a vivid post-apocalyptic world too. Lots of action, danger, emotions and depth. 

It had some harder themes of loss, grief, death, post-apocalyptic world and survival, but the author handled it well. I think many teens would like this book, just be aware of some of those themes. 

I did miss a few times when I was in flashback scenes and had to re-read to make sure just because they call the time periods "the before" and "the after" but the flashbacks really add to the narrative and I am glad they were added. You got to see Aiden with his parents and when everything happened, which added depth and connection.

While this is not a Christian Fiction read, it lives out this scripture: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Overall, I would recommend this for anyone who likes survival stories, dystopian worlds, firefighters, and heroes who stand out.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Parental death, sibling death, child death briefly mentioned, someone dies in a car fire details explained, action, post-apocalyptic crazy world details, survival details, nothing explicit as I think the author handled it well, no language, no explicit romance details

*This is on Kindle Deal for $0.99 until 5/28/26 or on Kindle Unlimited to read now!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4f1PvcN *Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Considering Sparrows by Kevin Burrell

Considering Sparrows by Kevin Burrell 
4 Stars

I heard about this book from my friend Keisha and I am so glad I read it. If you’ve ever looked at birds and thought they were just background noise, this book will completely change your perspective! This was so fascinating to me! I don't know a lot about birds so I loved how Kevin blending scripture, theology, science and bird behavior and characteristics together in a very meaningful way!

I read half of this while I was out at an anniversary getaway with my hubs at a cabin and it was perfect to read on the back porch in the rain, listening to the birds. 

It truly felt like an invitation to pause, look around, and notice the ways God speaks through creation too. The illustrations were beautiful too.

While some details/chapters went over my head a bit, this is definitely a book I’d recommend for readers who enjoy nature, birds and Christian non-fiction. Thank you to the publisher for a e-book to read for review. I purchased a physical copy also to mark up, as it had some good nuggets to remember. :) All thoughts are my own.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nM25ip
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9798217152261_considering-sparrows

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

Silent Menace by Angela Carlisle

 

Silent Menace by Angela Carlisle

Book 3 in The Secrets of Kincaid Series

3.5 to 4 Stars

Angela's series has certainly kept my interest through the end! Hailey was a strong and relatable character as she tries to rebuilt her life and protect her daughter after the fallout from her late husband's crimes. Peter was a protective hero, former bodyguard, who tries to keep her safe.

Hailey is a CPA and her daughter is hearing-impaired, so we saw ASL rep in this story and I loved that represented. She finds anomalies in the accounts for a major client. 

Threats to Hailey increase and Peter and Hailey work together to stay safe and expose a complex cover-up before she becomes the next victim.

High suspense, lots of threats and mystery of who was targeting Hailey. Lighter romance and faith bits.

While this can technically be read as a standalone, I definitely recommend reading the earlier books first to fully appreciate the character connections and backstories. 

If you enjoy Christian romantic suspense with protective heroes, small-town settings, faith themes, and edge-of-your-seat action, this series is one I would recommend. Books 1 & 2 are my favorites of the series as I connected to those characters a bit more and liked the storylines more, but glad to have finished the series. I think I wanted more romance and connection with Hailey and Peter personally, but enjoyed it.

I did pre-order a copy but had a e-book copy from NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher for the NetGalley copy. All thoughts are my own.

Trigger/Content Warnings: No spice or language. Past death of spouse, PTSD, some violence and injuries.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4v8W0PO
Baker: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764242526_silent-menace
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Miss Beth Bettencourt by Eva Marie Everson

Miss Beth Bettencourt by Eva Marie Everson

4.5 Stars 

This was my first book by the author and I was impressed! What a tender, character-driven Southern historical romance that slowly unfolded in the best way. Set in the 1960s in Georgia, the book leans heavily into grief, forgiveness, faith and learning to let others in. 

The depth Eva brought to the table for Beth was so good. Beth was so interesting to me, this book was like a character study on her to me. She was almost 30 years old, unmarried and carrying years of betrayal and hurt from her twin sister's betrayal when she ran off with her fiancé many years ago and then the grief from her passing away added a layer of complexity to the book of everything she had to process through.

The book opens up with David "Marty" Martin accidentally found asleep in her house, but it was all a misunderstanding. He mistakenly picked the house as his old army buddy's house so the charges are dropped. Under the circumstances....Beth offers him a job and a place to stay. 

Marty brought a lot to the book as his relationship with Beth developed naturally through conversations and patience with each other and I loved that. He is a Christian and southern gentleman. You can see how his faith really brings a lot to the story in his prayers. He tries to help Beth process through old feelings, grief and hardship and her old fiancé comes back to town trying to talk to her and give her back the ring that should have been hers...

Forgiveness is a major theme in this as Beth wrestles with this bitterness she has carried for years. 

I overall really enjoyed Beth and Marty - both of their stories were so well weaved together, and seeing the reveals in the end - WOW, unexpected!

Molly was also a really great addition as a sassy southern character I loved.

I liked the faith aspect added in with Marty, but would have liked to see a bit more with Beth's journey in her faith specifically. 

Looking forward to more by Eva! Thank you to the author and publisher for a complimentary copy of the book to honestly read for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Death of sibling past recounted, grief from that loss, fiancé running off with sibling storyline, sadness surrounding that situation, a few colloquial southern uses of the Lord's name, a couple of references to old superstitions/wives tales involving a moonstone, romance was kisses only. The book lightly acknowledges racism and discrimination but not a main point.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4uoffF3
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780825453342_miss-beth-bettencourt
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

Gospel Centered Motherhood by The Daily Grace Co

 

Gospel-Centered Motherhood by Daily Grace Co
4 Stars

I read this with my friend Taylor for mother's day this month. I bought this a long time ago and glad I finally got to it! We both enjoyed it, some days more than others, and the experience itself of reading through two each day and sharing with each other the struggles of motherhood we both each have was the best experience. If I didn't have that experience reading with her, I am not sure I would have loved it as much. 

It felt like having bible study together. We both thought it had good reminders for Mamas. I think it could have had some more "meat" to it, if you will, but I liked the reminders. It wasn't trying to fix you as a parent but it reminds you of the important of patience, sharing the Gospel with your child, our calling as Mama's etc. That God is with us in the every day tasks.

Short daily devotionals, application questions, etc. 

As with most Motherhood books though, since I am a special needs parent, I would say I didn't get a ton from many entries since some of the things don't apply to me in my situation with my little boy, but I think a lot of Mama's would enjoy this as a short devotional with encouragement. 

I think more practical tips could have been added and it would have added more meat to the book but I enjoyed reading it with Tay!

Link: https://collabs.shop/1qp3ps

*Get 10% Off Your Daily Grace Company Order with Discount Code BOOKLOVERAMANDA

Living Hope by Mandi Blake

 

Living Hope by Mandi Blake 
Book #3 in the Unfailing Love Series
3.5 to 4 Stars
Rounding up to 4 Stars on Goodreads

This was an emotional read that explores grief, healing and the power of hope in the Lord during life's hardest seasons. Mandi pulled you in from the beginning on this with Natalie being held by gunpoint at work and Jake saving the day...

Natalie is exhausted, lonely and determined to care for her sick mother. You feel the weight she is carrying from the beginning and it makes her struggles real. Watching her navigate the overwhelming grief after her mother's death added an emotional depth to the book.

I enjoyed this one. I really liked how Jake showed up for Natalie and walked with her through the grief she was dealing with. 

This one is one I think will be most memorable out of the series so far because of the depth Mandi added and I really see her progression in her writing journey throughout this series.

Good faith, going to church, seeing the Lord give peace, sweet romance, a good Christian romance!

Content/Trigger Warnings: Death of a parent shown from cancer, grief explored

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dho7X0
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Martian by Andy Weir

 The Martian by Andy Weir

1 Star

Let me start....I loved Project Hail Mary. It was a 4.5 to 5 star book for me. So my friends and I tried reading The Martian and it significantly let us down unfortunately. If this is your favorite book, that is awesome, but it didn't work for me.

This is my first 1 star book EVER too. Normally I DNF before this, but reading with my friends, I powered through...

I realize I am somewhat of an unpopular opinion but here we go:

We follow Mark Watney who gets stuck on Mars and separated from everyone. They think he died but he didn't. Thus comes the most insufferable journal entries known to man.

Every chapter is basically:
“Good news: I solved the crisis.”
“Bad news: here are seventeen pages explaining HOW I solved the crisis.”

It was just TOOOO much science, chemistry, equipment details. I wanted to know who Mark was. Not how to grow potatoes with poop. 

The ending was the worst for me because we spent all this time for it to be like, anyway, "this happened, lol byeeee". I was like we spent this entire book watching this man calculate oxygen molecules and all this build up for such a lackluster ending. 

You mean to tell me....he spends a year alone on Mars eating potatoes fertilized with poop nearly dying all the time, communicating like a caveman when he can and that ending was it?

Here is what I needed:
- emotions, more than just sarcasm
- the world reacting and more depth 
- the processing of what actually happened
- a prologue that actually walked through the pre-events before everything happens

- the after scenes after that ending
- ANYTHING but the massive about of cursing that happened. 

The cursing was lazy at this point. It was way too much. I can deal with some language in a book but 60-70 F words, 60-70 S words, 20+ Lord's name in vain at least, it was just ridiculous at this point and for shock value.

It felt like Andy Weir got tired after explaining science for 350 pages and suddenly remembered he had somewhere to be. The only thing I can say I liked was the folks at NASA lol.

Ending was too abrupt. Andddd that's all I got folks. 

Skip this one.

Read Project Hail Mary instead. :) 

Content warnings: Strong language/profanity throughout, Intense survival situations, Isolation and loneliness, Near-death experiences, Injury/body trauma descriptions, Explosions and accidents, Starvation/hunger themes, Medical procedures/self-treatment, Discussions of human waste/feces (fertilizing crops, sanitation, etc.), Anxiety/stress/panic situations, Character presumed dead/abandonment themes, Claustrophobic environments, Mild alcohol references

Summer State of Mind - Kristy Woodson Harvey

Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey
5 Stars

What a great book! This book will stay with me! My first Kristy book and now I need to read them ALL!

This is a secular, contemporary romance/women's southern fiction read and I am impressed!

Kristy tells a beautiful family story, a journey of love, friendship, reconciliation, healing...I loved it.

We follow Mason, a high school baseball coach, who finds an abandoned baby and then Daisy who is a NICU Nurse that helps take care of the baby. Mason and Daisy get close, form a deep connection, romance and bond over the baby throughout the book. Daisy has her own old wounds she is trying to heal from, with her mother leaving her many years ago, that ties in with her need to protect this little girl. Then, we follow Mason's batty Aunt Tilley....who is hiding her long-buried family secret as well....looking for a fresh start.

What I loved about this book was the family, the characters, the realness of it all. It just connected so well. I love all the southern bits too since it's set in Cape Carolina in North Carolina. So many great details.

Even when I didn't agree with the characters choices or motivations, I empathized with them. I found some parts of the romance relatable for when Blake and I first met. It was just a real look at life. Her character depth was so well needed too. We even had characters going to easter service at church and it felt like a look at the family times I had back in the day, when you better have new clothes for easter Sunday haha.

I even teared up in the end....so much emotion and healing that needed to happen. 

Mason and Daisy, really liked them. They were in the mid to late 30s and felt relatable to Blake and myself in some way. Daisy was very complex, I could see the desperation she had with the little girl and the reasoning behind it...seeing her journey to heal in her own issues, wow, it was just great.

The characters were not perfect, they made messy choices, carried old wounds and worked through believable emotions. That authenticity made their journeys resonate in a deeper way for me. Especially as someone who values stories that reflect real life rather than a polished story sometimes. 

Thank you to the publisher for an ebook copy to read for review. I did purchase a physical copy and audiobook too, the audiobook was fantastic. Now I have a copy for my shelves too, since I loved it so much. All thoughts are always my own.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Mild to moderate language (9 Sh*t, 17 D*mn, 1 B*tch, No F words or GD/JC that I saw), Fade to Black/Closed Door Sex Scene - it was not explicit or gratuitous in my eyes, mentions of parental abandonment, miscarriage, loss of a child in NICU situation in the past discussed (side character briefly discussed from Daisy's past work situation), baby abandoned storyline, Aunt Tilley has some mental health things working through, adoption thread things to think about 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4noNGJ0
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

A Tailor Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer

A Tailor Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer
5 Stars

I loved this one! I am really enjoying going through Karen's backlist books. Jericho "J.T." Tucker wants nothing to do with the new dressmaker in town because of his past experiences....issues with his mother and his viewpoint on fashion and beauty have left him with false expectation and impressions about Hannah Richards when she comes to town.

Hannah isn't too sure about his arrogant assumptions and grumpy self....but his little acts of kindness start to open her heart and his as he realizes how wrong he was about her, fashion, dressmaking and beauty. 

I loved the faith content the most in this book. J.T. really had a warped way of thinking when it came to beauty and fashion. His sister and Hannah pointing him back to scripture for him to really seek what the Lord said about the Proverbs woman was so good. I know several reviews mention not loving J.T.'s grumpiness, rudeness and inability to really express his feelings, but honestly, he reminded me a bit of my own husband and his grumpiness when we first met and his struggles to really express his own feelings today. It was a real look at men and Hannah really "seeing his heart" even when he couldn't say how he was feeling exactly was beautiful. 

Great romance, characters and another win for me with Karen!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4d7vFdh
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764207556_a-tailor-made-bride
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased. 

The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch

 

The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch

4.5 Stars 

I had such a great time with this thriller! This was a chilling, atmospheric thriller that completely pulled me in. I WAS SO HOOKED.

The setting alone hooked me. A fixer-upper in a small-town in Maine with ties to Acadia National Park? It had that isolated.... eerie vibe where you just know something isn’t right from the start. The house was almost like a character itself. 

We follow Gwen who is a former homicide detective and right from the start you are like....what's going on here? She is somewhat of an unreliable narrator because you question if the issues lie within her own mind with what she sees and hears in the house, is it trauma from the past or is someone out to get her truly? You also are trying to piece together why her and her husband and daughter left town to buy this new house and why she is no longer a detective.

I loved how the story slowly unraveled. The pacing kept me engaged, with just enough building in each chapter to keep me needing to know all the things. 

And the twists.....Y'ALL, it was definitely twisty with some big turns at the end that I didn’t fully see coming. Everything came together and I was like WHAT!! So good. If you like thrillers, you will definitely enjoy this one. This was my first Jessica Patch book and I am looking forward to more.

Please be aware that this book does lean into some heavier themes, so just be aware of content warnings: child abuse, murder, child death, miscarriage, fertility struggles, marriage issues, panic attacks, sexual assault, grooming, child abduction, mental health struggles. My only wish was for some added faith content since it was a love inspired read, there was not much faith moments or discussions.

Overall, this was a strong thriller with a haunting atmosphere that keeps you guessing. Thank you to the publisher Harlequin for a copy of the book to read for review. All thoughts are my own.

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

The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers

 The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers

5 Stars 

What can I say? Wow. This was one of those books that stays with you the rest of your life. I did a full spoiler-free reading vlog on this book - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VfloP09064&t= (second half of the vlog) and there were so many emotions. Francine doesn't shy away from the hard, painful realities of life, yet she handles them with such compassion, honesty and spiritual depth that while it's heartbreaking, it is also healing.

Dynah went through so much in this book. Her world shatters when she is raped and becomes pregnant from the assault. What moved me the most was how Francine really explored this journey with Dynah and not losing sight of the Lord. God was with Dynah. This book reminded me that no matter what evil befalls us....the Lord is with us through the battles, always. 

Seeing the generational addition to this book too, with Dynah's mother, grandmother and their own personal histories, really added to the book too. It was just as much their stories as Dynah's as they walked through healing. It shows the Lord can redeem even the darkest things in our lives. There is forgiveness in Christ.

Joe was also such an outstanding guy for me. We really see him be a good friend to Dynah and I loved that. 

Seeing Dynah really seek the Lord was beautiful and inspiring to me. How the Lord worked in her with Jim and his job....all I can say is...it brought me to tears.

This book really reminded me that sometimes when the world is trying to tell you all the things to think and do....that sometimes you need to step back and withdraw alone - just you and the Lord. Take your troubles to Him in prayer. He will answer. He will bring peace.

This is not a light read by any means but it's a profoundly important one. The characters are real and in desperate need of grace, forgiveness and healing.

Through it all, the Lord meets us in the darkest places and His mercy is big enough for every story. 

Content/Trigger Warnings: sexual assault (rape), unplanned pregnancy, abortion themes, family pressure, generational trauma, emotional abuse, PTSD symptoms, medical trauma, abortion procedures discussed, grief and loss, miscarriages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mX1tGk
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Every Home A Foundation by Phylicia Masonheimer

 

Every Home A Foundation by Phylicia Masonheimer 
3 Stars

I loved Every Woman a Theologian last year and was excited to dive into this one! This offers a hopeful vision of the Christian home as a place of discipleship, healing, and purpose.

She writes with enthusiasm about finding meaning in everyday tasks and building a culture of faith within our homes.

I loved the poetry included throughout and her stories about family, along with tips on setting routines and other ideas for maintaining a routine at home and worshiping the Lord in the every day mundane tasks.

While I appreciated this book, I struggled to fully connect with the book on a personal level.

My own home journey has looked very different from growing up in a chaotic, unstable environment where I really just wanted to get out of there as soon as I turned 18, to navigating life now as a special‑needs mother, where my home doesn't always have that routine or perfect look as many mom's crave. Some days we are just surviving honestly, lol. I don't really host people over or anything like that, so some things weren't relevant to me specifically.

Since I couldn't necessarily relate to a ton in this one or get a lot from it in the season of life I am in, my rating is really based on that, not the book itself I guess. The only negative comment I have on the book itself I guess is there were comments leading you to not worry about how your home really looks and to just be hospitable, but then leads you into all the things you do to keep you home orderly to make it hospitable, lol. I found that a bit contradictory.

Still, the book did leave me encouraged that I can continue breaking those generational curses of how I grew up and create beauty in my own home....intentionally shaping my home into a place of peace for my family.

A meaningful message, even if not a perfect fit for my season.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4eiZkmi

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

More Than Friends by Denise Hunter

 

More than Friends by Denise Hunter
3 Stars

Denise's books - I have enjoyed several but sometimes they don't always work out for me either. More Than Friends has the set up of a cozy, small‑town best‑friends‑to‑lovers romance with wild ponies, a loyal firefighter hero, and a mother‑with‑a‑mysterious‑boyfriend subplot. And while I enjoyed the setting and the heart behind it, I struggled to fully connect with the romance and characters this time.

Jenna and Tyson’s lifelong friendship turned romance was just something I didn't connect with but I think it could be a good option for my friends who like clean romance. I didn't love the third act breakup in this one and some of the romantic parts came across as awkward or slightly cringe rather than swoony, which made it harder to root for them as a couple. (ex: "their lips mated in a sensuous dance" lol)

The side mystery involving Jenna’s mom’s new boyfriend adds to the book and I liked how that ended up, she realized what she needed to.

Overall, while it wasn't a favorite, I think many would enjoy. The narration by Kim Churchill is always great!

Content: Romance is clean with kisses only, just some more odd statements as mentioned above about lips mating and being like magnets haha.

Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary e-book and audiobook to read for review. All thoughts are my own.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4t3Ra4Q Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781400348732_more-than-friends

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

A Deal with a Debutante by Chelsea Bobulski

 

A Deal with a Debutante by Chelsea Bobulski 
4.5 Stars rounding up to 5

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH Y'ALL! What a fun regency romance book! I loved everything about it. The romance, the banter, the laughs...

We follow an American heiress Calliope Hart, who is pushed into London's high society by her mother because she is determined to marry her off. Edward Chase is the Earl of Hayward and its on it's way to financial ruin so to save his estate, he has to marry someone and Calliope is his only hope to do so. His immediate proposal of marriage is rejected and he offers a deal....he will escort her around London to see the best sights and visit his estate....then if she still isn't interested, he will let her go...

BUT y'all know how well that's gonna go, right? Hahah! I loved it!!

So much chemistry and interactions that were chef's kiss. 

Highly recommend for my regency romance girlies!

Romance was clean with kisses only, no content warnings, just a fun, clean read!

Thank you to Haven for the beautiful gifted book mail. I received a copy of the book from the publisher to read for review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

P.S. The audiobook is FANTASTIC too!

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780764245251_a-deal-with-a-debutante
Amazon: https://amzn.to/41PQlBB
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Never Say Goodbye by Mandi Blake

Never Say Goodbye by Mandi Blake

Book 2 in the Unfailing Love Series
3 Stars

This was a second chance romance between Lindsey and Dakota. Let me start by saying I have LOVEEDDDD all of the Mandi Blake books I have read - over 20 books now. While this one wasn't 100% my fav, it was still a cute romance read with a redemption thread.

Dakota had a past with alcohol that rears its ugly head and he worked through that in this book. Lindsey and Dakota reconnect on their issues and resolve old wounds. The ending was really good with the added suspense piece, as always I was like whatttt I need to know haha.

Second chance is always a trope that is tricky for me personally as it is. With this one I was looking for a bit more detail between the two as they reconnected, felt like some parts were missing in a way. Either way, I am looking forward to continuing the series and seeing what's next. 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4tGa9Du

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

 

The Water Women by Bonnie Blaylock

The Water Women by Bonnie Blaylock

5 Stars

WOW. This book SURPRISED ME Y'ALL! 

A great secular historical fiction, multi-generation book. I found this on NetGalley and didn't end up reading it from there, so after it came out, I borrowed it from Kindle Unlimited and listened to the audiobook - which was FANTASTIC.

We start in early 1900s and end in the 1990s with the family we follow. We are in Sardinia, and at the heart of this book is family legacy, specifically a legacy passed down from mothers to daughters. Allegra and her daughters are the keepers of an ancient and sacred craft: the weave of byssus, a rare sea silk spun from mollusks into shimmering gold thread. So we see the way these threads tie generations together. We go through turmoil in WWII when the timeline shifts into heartbreak. 

Zaneta's (Allegra's daughter) storyline was absolutely heartbreaking. We see her go through loss and then a tough encounter with a German deserter. Because of her experience....you empathize with her, even through her harshness with her daughter, Mira. The experience shapes her life and she is desperate to keep the tradition and family legacy alive with Mira. She starts teaching Mira about the weaving....but Mira isn't sure she wants to continue the legacy herself.....

This author really did a great job capturing the emotions of generational trauma. The relationships in each timeline were real...and layered. Even when you were angry as the reader....it was real. You sat with the characters in their grief and circumstances. You felt for them. You really THINK about their choices. 

And even if you are not someone to real multi timeline or multi character stories, this author did great at naturally shifting us to each of the women's stories. 

If you enjoy historical fiction with emotional depth and strong generational themes, this one is well worth your time. It does have some heavier content but it was a realistic view of what really happened in wartime and families. I learned so much.

OH AND THE ENDING TOOK ME OUT. That reveallll!

Content/Trigger Warnings: 1 curse word, sexual assault, multiple miscarriages, grief, loss of family in war, WWII details of war, antisemitism, death, murder, genocide, dementia, infertility 

 Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Oy5AMt
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Handle with Care by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

Handle with Care by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

5 Stars

I went into this book with realistic expectations from other reviews I have seen and knowing exactly what I was getting - an intense action, women's fiction read with a suspenseful hostage situation plot. This was one of those books that pulled me in, immediately, and didn't let go. It was SUCH A FAST READ. I read this in 1 day! 

The audio narrator is fantastic, very much a good storyteller where it felt natural and emotionally involved with the tension of the plot. I listened to the first 40% and then read the e-book copy for the remaining portion, just because I was reading faster than I was listening in that "I need to know" feeling.

The majority of the book happens inside a post office, where a woman is working there...and she is covering while her co-workers have left briefly. Several other woman are there to mail something that each contain something important to their lives to get out to who they are mailing them to. In comes her husband, drunk and upset about the divorce papers he was just served to the girl working at the Post Office. She shuffles him outside and then he comes back in with a gun and holds the women up hostage inside the post office....

What stood out to me most was the character driven focus of this book. As the situation unfolds, we get layered glimpses into each woman's lives...their choices, relationships, struggles. You learn so much about each of the women and their stories while they are held hostage inside the post office that you really become invested in the whole group and situation. Those details added so much depth to the book.

This book reminds us of why reading fiction matters. It gives us empathy, compassion, understanding, puts us in someone else's shoes...and we learn from their experiences. 

I really connected with each character and their story. We really got to see what they were walking through each individually and each person came out changed from the experience. They will never be the same again after this and neither will I. 

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a complimentary audio and e-book copy to read and listen to for review. All thoughts are my own.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Language: 4 D*mn, 2 a**, 1 BS, 4 B**ch. (I felt the language was minimal and situationally understandable but wanted to notate either way.) Mentioned of parental death by cancer and another parental death that was an accidental death, mention of possible dementia, domestic violence, hostage situation by gun, intense action, drinking

Amazon: https://amzn.to/42feYHR
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781400345052_handle-with-care
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The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry by Susan L. Tuttle

 The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry by Susan L. Tuttle

Book 2 in the Treasures of Halstead Manor Series

4 Stars

Another good book in this series! We met Natalie in book 1 of the series - such a great friend group that forms between her, Brooke and Eveleigh. In this one, we follow our group of people again, as they continue the journey with Casper in trying to find something needed....but we are mostly with Natalie and her husband Mason. They are having marriage issues and when his job plans don't work out as he thought, he goes on the adventure with Natalie and the crew to find this missing manuscript by Lewis Carroll for Casper...we are back for another mystery adventure of treasure hunting and Mason and Natalie work out their issues along the way.

Overall a good continuation in the series. Really liked the depth added with the married couple trying to work through their issues and communicating. 

If you like treasure hunting, good characters, great friendship groups, a bit of mystery and romance, read this series! I recommend starting with book 1. 

Content/Trigger Warnings: This review from Sam had a really good detail of the content so instead of re-inventing the wheel, I am sharing her notes for you all. I will link her review also.

Character deals with fears of marriage ending. Mentions of desiring romantic intimacy within marriage; somewhat detailed kiss leading to implied intimacy (closed door/fade-to-black/no explicit details). Character discusses adoption/fears of abandonment. Minor action scene; brief mentions of past murder (no graphic details). Scenes of elderly character with failing health due to cancer. Here is Sam's review, thank you for this!

 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8434458541 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OleI79

Baker Book House: https://amzn.to/3OleI79
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.