To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer 

5 Stars

I am having the BEST time going through Karen's backlist books y'all! THEY ARE SO GOOD. This is what Christian Fiction should be to me! 

I read this book with my friend Melissa and we both loved it so much! This book is a story of second chances, redemption, keeping promises made to the Lord even when it's hard....so many good things here.

Levi was THE BEST guy and his redemption story was so strong. He has a tough background where he paid for his crimes and committed his life to the Lord going forward. He is in town and starting fresh as the town's new blacksmith. He also has a lisp and has for as long as he could maintained not saying words with the "s" sound as he is embarrassed by this. As a Mom to a little guy with speech issues, this tugged at my heart strings so much. Karen is so talented to be able to maintain using words without the "s" sound in his dialogue too. Eden is the librarian in town and while she doesn't really seem like the nicest woman in the world at first, the Lord opens her heart throughout the story and I loved seeing her faith journey unfold here. Levi and Eden together were the best, and seeing how they each cared about every single person no matter their background and stood for the people they believed in, was so good. Despite Eden's original feelings and judgements, the Lord really did a work in her heart about people. 

The book has depth, natural chemistry with the characters, memorable moments and a faith message that stands out.

I honestly don't even know what else to say. This may be my favorite of Karen's, but of course, they all are!! 

p.s. The Sherriff in this book can kick rocks LOL

p.p.s. EPILOUGE took me out. I was sobbingggg! So good.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Alcohol, Saloons, Brothel, Gambling, Romance was kisses only and clean, no language

Libro.fm Audio (Supports Local Indie Book Stores): https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780840714695-conspiracy
Sign up for Libro.fm here: https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm206402

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

 

New Daily Grace Company Summer Items (Updated June 2026)

Hey y'all! The Daily Grace Co has some great new launches to look at! I love their bible studies and products, so just want to share their newest launches with you guys!

No pressure, but you can get 10% off your The Daily Grace Co order with code BOOKLOVERAMANDA (unlimited uses, updated June 2026)

Surprise Bible Study Boxes! Check these out! You already know I LOVE a good mystery surprise box!  
$50 box: https://collabs.shop/xgsnvp
$100 box: https://collabs.shop/xbyqs2 

(Details Below)

Unbox a hand-picked, surprise collection of Daily Grace Co. Bible study essentials valued at almost $135—yours for a limited time for only $50! (or the $100 box is even more value).

They also have some new bible studies and I am working my way through their new "Abide" bible study, Growing Closer to Christ Every Day. 

I needed this study so much with so many things going on in my life. 

Check it out here:

https://collabs.shop/knqd5r

Another Bible Study from the Daily Grace Co I plan to get into this year, is their new Immanuel Bible Study.

Learn more here: https://collabs.shop/szltr4

I also picked up their devotional, Never Ending Mercies recently, I need it also!

Learn more here: https://collabs.shop/hnsxuv

Every single day, I need the Lord. We have so much going on with my Dad's cancer diagnosis, him starting chemo, and several other personal items, so I truly love Daily Grace's partnership and products that help me center my heart back to the Lord when I need it most.

To anyone who uses my discount code to support, I appreciate you. There is never any pressure to use it. Never any pressure to purchase. I just love sharing these resources with you all and if you do decide to pick up a gift or something for yourself, I pray these will bless you.

Love, 

Amanda

Conspiracy by Colleen Coble

Conspiracy by Colleen Coble 
4 Stars
Book #3 in the Sanctuary Series

A good ending to this series! I love these audiobooks. We pick back up with Blake and Paradise in book #3 of this series and you're pulled right back into the wildlife sanctuary and traumas of the past with our characters. Paradise is a wildlife veterinarian and just when she thinks she can move on with her partner Blake in a romantic relationship, all of the past threats re-emerge that have been following them throughout the series. Everyone is searching for who killed Paradise's parents and Drew's father. As you usually see in romantic suspense, lots of secrets, fast paced action and not knowing who to trust. 

The narrator does such a great job with the emotions as you listen, I always love Karen Peakes' narrations with Colleen's books. Very bingeable series. I also liked the tie in with the Tupelo grove series with Hez and Savannah, I finished that series this year too!

Content/Trigger Warnings: Mention of past sexual assault, past parental death, past trauma processing as a child, intense situations with wild animals, death mentioned, not extremely detailed by any means for me, loss of loved ones mentioned

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for a complimentary gifted copy of the ebook and audiobook to read and listen to for review. All thoughts are my own.

Libro.fm Audio (Supports Local Indie Book Stores): https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780840714695-conspiracy
Sign up for Libro.fm here: https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm206402

Amazon Series Link: https://amzn.to/49W5p5c

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780840714671_conspiracy
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

South of Somewhere by T.I. Lowe

 

South of Somewhere by T.I. Lowe

4.5 Stars rounding up to 5 on Goodreads

“You are loved, you are cherished, and you are chosen by our Savior, and your identity is far greater than any label someone is trying to place on you. Don’t ever forget that.”

I'd heard so many wonderful things about T.I. Lowe's books, and South of Somewhere was my first experience with her writing. Readers typically praise her ability to tell powerful, redemptive stories centered on real-life struggles and now I completely understand why. All I can say is....wow y'all! She delivered an emotional, heartfelt story that exceeded my expectations and showcased exactly why so many readers love her books.

Juniper "Junie" Wilder is a woman whose battle with grief after the loss of her husband and alcoholism cost her custody of her young daughter, Fern. She is determined to rebuild her life after rehab and she goes on a very difficult journey to healing, forgiveness and proving she deserves a second chance at motherhood.

This book is REAL. I love that T.I. Lowe didn't shy away from the powerful realities of addiction and recovery. We saw the setbacks, the guilt, the temptation...and you really had empathy for Junie in what she was trying to do.  You root for her to come out of this ahead and to make her way back to a healthy place for her daughter.

As a southern girlie in Tennessee, I also love the South Carolina beach setting. It gives a comforting feel in the midst of the heavy. The encouragement of everyone around Junie was so beautiful to see as well. It had that found family element as the people around her become like family as they share their struggles, stories of addiction and accountability for each other to make it.

The romance between Junie and Henry is an underlying thread that added heart to the story without overtaking the main plot. It was a slow build and their relationship developed naturally as friends first rather than instant attraction and I loved that. Henry believed in Junie. 

I was so connected to this book, especially from an audiobook listen - the narrator had a great southern narration for all the different characters and you really felt so connected like it was movie you were watching. 

While I wanted a smidge more of Junie's faith explored, she still realized just how much the Lord was on her side regardless and I loved the emphasis of that.

Highly recommend for anyone who loves southern fiction with real life stories that make you think, empathize and learn. Excited to read more by T.I. in the future.

Content/Trigger Warnings: alcohol and drug use mentioned, child custody battle, addiction recovery, mentions of loss of loved ones, grief from losing spouse, brief violent moment from a character, no language, no spice

Libro.fm Audio (Supports Local Indie Book Stores):
https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798400514371-south-of-somewhere
Sign up for Libro.fm here:
https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm206402

Amazon: https://amzn.to/449IDTQ
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9798400507816_south-of-somewhere

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

Candy Apple Kisses by Amy Clipston

Candy Apple Kisses by Amy Clipston 

2 Stars

I have enjoyed several of Amy's clean romance reads. This one is a childhood friends-to-lovers romance that sounded cute for fall time. I really liked the orchard and fall vibes, those bits were cozy and had that small town feel. It's like a hallmark movie because there is a struggling family orchard preparing for the towns centennial celebration and they are all working on ways to bring it back to life so I was really interested.... BUT.....Y'ALL.... honestly, this one just didn't work for me.

The romance is between Jake and Emily. They are childhood friends but Jake has been with his girlfriend Claire a super long time, I think they said 14 years? Or he at least knew her for 14 years I think.

Claire is wanting Jake to leave town and go with her to Nashville and spend his life with her but he isn't feeling the relationship anymore, doesn't want to move to Nashville and breaks up with her, asking for time apart and to see other people. 

It's been a month apart at least and Claire is not giving up. She continues to pursue Jake but Jake starts to realize he never really had that love for Claire, he's always deep down loved Emily.

I was so frustrated with the Claire storyline. So much of it was unrealistic. First of all, he's almost 30 and they still ain't married? Nah, that wouldn't happen. And then Emily loved Jake this whole time and she been waitin around...listen...I ain't waitin around y'all LOL

This gets the petty pen for the ending alone with the crazy stuff Claire was doing to try and not let Jake break up with her.

This miscommunication, non-communication and 3rd act breakup added to my frustrations. 

I've liked some of Amy's books but this storyline just wasn't it for me. I would have liked less of the Claire stuff and more of the family, Orchard details, fall vibes and Jake and Emily together without Claire's intrusions.

Content/Trigger Warnings: No language, clean romance, mild grief from past parental loss, parental health emergency

Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary audiobook to listen to review. All thoughts are my own.

The Lumberjack from the Cabin Next Door by Emily Hampton

The Lumberjack from the Cabin Next Door by Emily Hampton
4 Stars 

This was really precious! A sweet Christian Rom-Com with nice faith moments and plenty of laughs!

Kate goes back to Maple Bay after her Aunt June's estate needs to be settled. What she finds instead is a bucket list to complete from her Aunt after her passing...to be able to get the cabin she left her. The bucket list takes her out of her comfort zone and into experiences she needed to heal and live life. The "lumberjack next door" Eli walks through the bucket list items with her....bringing friendship, romance and faith.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book. Reading with a friend certain adds to the enjoyment :) but the faith and forgiveness thread in the book stood out. 

I highlighted many quotes on grief and faith and really connected with the main couple here. 

Seeing Kate work through her issues with her Mom really had me wishing that could be something my own mother and I experience one day. It was an ideal situation for forgiveness and moving on, even if it doesn't always happen in real life.

While it didn't really hit a 5 star fav for me, I still recommend it for a good Christian rom-com read when you want to genuine emotional connections, unexpected moments over pancakes and sweet faith content in a romance.

Aunt June's bucket list is a great reminder that the best adventures are the ones we never plan.

Fav Quotes:

"June told me once that forgiveness never stars with can. It starts with can't. You tell God you can't do it, and He doesn't argue. He helps."

"You learned that rest isn't failure and love isn't a performance and God's quiet is not His absence."

"Grief teaches us that life is fragile. But love - real love - reminds us that life is not pointless. Eternal life doesn't just mean heaven someday. It means hope now. A reason to breathe today. A God who stays."

"Forgiveness isn't weakness; it's muscle. It's choosing - every time the old pain knocks - to stop the echo and start the healing. It's hard, it costs you, and it's always worth it because it gives you back your future."

"Tell the truth to God out loud. He can carry it. He has been carrying you."

"God's love isn't disproved by what he takes away - it's proven by how He stays. She showed me that life's purpose isn't in building something impressive here, but in loving so deeply that eternity feels like going home."

"You don't have to figure God out before you let Him love you."

"But listen to me: sometimes the healing we need looks nothing like we planned. Even when it feels broken, God is still working. Especially then."

Content/Trigger Warnings: grief from loss of loved one, strained mother/daughter relationship, healing, no language, clean romance

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4eGaHV0
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Mail-Order Viscountess by Misty M. Beller

Mail-Order Viscountess by Misty M. Beller 

Book #3 in the Lord of the Rockies Series
4 Stars

I have enjoyed this series from Misty, it's one of those that I know is always going to have a sweet romance thread, good faith themes and good family dynamics.

In this one, we follow Lord Thomas Balfour and Kate McKinney. He is the younger brother who is pretty reckless. His brothers find him a wife without his knowledge and they take him to meet her but as things would have it...things change and Kate is the one involved in this marriage scheme. Kate and Thomas end up in a blizzard situation, stranded over night. They are seen and her reputation will be ruined if they do not marry. Little do they know the danger that is to come their way.

I really liked the snowed in aspect, their conversations, the high stakes bits, faith moments, etc. I think if you want something quick to read with the below tropes, check this out. I recommend reading the series in order just so you are familiar with all the family and characters.

Tropes:

- Mail-Order Bridge
- Marriage of Convenience

- Snowed In/Forced Proximity

- Fish out of Water

- High Stakes Moments

- Rocky Mountain Wilderness

- Family Saga

- Frontier Time Period

*Content/Trigger Warnings: I don't remember anything major that stands out, mild violence from high stakes danger, clean romance, no language.

Thank you to Misty for a copy of this e-book to honestly read for review. All thoughts are my own.

Libro.fm Audio (Supports Local Indie Book Stores):
https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798891539112-mail-order-viscountess
Sign up for Libro.fm here:
https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm206402

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3S4WZCh
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.