In this Moment by Gabrielle Meyer

 

In This Moment - Gabrielle Meyer - 5 Stars - Another favorite book of 2023! 

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer – 5 big stars! WOW. Another favorite book of 2023 for me! This Timeless series is one of my favorite series of ALL time. I just love the uniqueness of the story, the time travel element, our characters and the faith content throughout. If you haven’t read book 1, When the Day Comes, please do!

In book 2, we follow Maggie who inherited the time-crossing gene from her parents. Maggie lives 3 separate lives in 1861, 1941 and 2001. In her 1861 path, Maggie is the daughter of a senator during the onset of the Civil War. In 1941, she is a Navy nurse on the brink of World War II. And in 2001, she is a medical student, working to become a surgeon. We all know as the reader what she is about to endure in 2001 – yet she does not. The decisions she must make about which path to choose – with love interests in each time, who does she truly love? With her time-crossing parents and her sister in 1941, how could she leave them behind by choosing another path? And which career decision does she want more for her life? The decisions she has to make will be the toughest yet……We follow Maggie in her journey through all 3 time paths and wonder how the Lord will lead her in her decisions….

Ya’ll, this book was AMAZING. I don’t know how to even describe how much I love this series. If you love a good time travel story with a strong romance and family – this series is it! I loved the romance in this story – I could see which romance was going to be her strongest, but each time period had so much importance for Maggie. I don’t know how you can choose what to do. I love how this story helps us see how easily sometimes God chooses for us and leads you to what you should do. I love all of the history surrounding the war and we get to see big historical figures like the Lincolns and it’s just so unique!

I also loved the plot twist in the middle – I was shocked! Did not see that coming at all. Gabrielle Meyer’s series has just blown me away and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series – because after that epilogue, I AM SO HERE FOR IT! Thank you to Baker Publishing, Bethany House and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5525578462
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3puDYLv
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492070
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE

The Other Side of Special by Amy J. Brown, Sara Clime and Carrie M. Holt

 

The Other Side of Special - Amy J. Brown, Sara Clime & Carrie M. Holt - 5 Stars - Such a timely book I needed as a special needs mom!

Reading this book has been so timely in my journey as a special needs mom. To say I needed this book at such a time in my life is an understatement. I have felt so many of the feelings these lovely mothers have explained in such beautiful ways. They are relatable moms, all sharing a common ground no matter what disability their children have. Thank you, ladies, for encouraging my heart as a special needs mother. Thank you to Baker Publishing, Revell and NetGalley for a free e-book copy to honestly read and review. I can’t wait to get my physical copy I preordered to get all my highlights down! If you are a special needs mother, relative to someone with special needs, or just wanting to get an insight to this journey of special needs motherhood, please read this. It has changed my perspective and encouraged my faith tremendously.

My son is 4 and was diagnosed with Autism when he was 2 and a half. Our journey is truly just beginning, but I could relate to so much these mothers have expressed in their own journeys. They remind us that it’s ok to give ourselves permission to grieve certain things in your child’s diagnosis, but to let God handle us where we are in that grief as He is the God of comfort. This book reminds us that comparison truly is a trap and “when we focus on what we do not have, we miss what God freely offers.” How to move from comparison to contentment and focus on Jesus. “We won’t wonder if another family has it worse of better than we do because we accept that Christ is all we need no matter what.” AMEN. I needed the chapters specifically on comparison, grief, fear, shame, brokenness, guilt, soul rest…etc.

My favorite passage: “We have everything we need to be the parent our child needs. We have access to God’s divine power. We have the wisdom to hear God’s voice and turn away from the harsh accusations of the devil. We can live a life of godliness through God’s strength. He abundantly gives us his wisdom without contempt or disdain because we’ve asked. He does not sit in heaven saying, “Oh dear, she’s asking again. I don’t want to give this to her.” With open arms, he’s begging us to ask.” – THIS right here – this is what it’s about. We are fully equipped to handle this with the power of the Lord. Even when things seem impossible, He makes a way. He is there for us going through hard times. I am beyond grateful for His never-ending love for us and our children. He has big plans for our children.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5509976305
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NxJs0i
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492102
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE

Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower

 

Assaulted Caramel - Amanda Flower - 5 Stars - A fun cozy mystery series!

I really enjoyed this new cozy mystery by Amanda Flower! It had great characters and some faith elements since the grandparents are amish and in the amish community. I listened to this on audio so I didn't find any issues with the language differences / verbiage that you sometimes find in amish fiction. It was just precious. I LOVED the grandparents, the small town vibes, the family aspect, and of course, we love a good cozy mystery set in a candy shop! I am a chocolate lover so this was a bonus for me too! 4.5 to 5 stars. I will be continuing on with the series for sure!

This is all about Bailey who is living her best life at the world-famous JP Chocolates in New York City. She is about to get a new promotion when she has to leave to go see her grandfather in Ohio due to his heart condition worsening. When she gets there, we see drama with this guy who wants to buy up all the Amish businesses in town - but her grandfather isn't selling. Next thing you know - Bailey ends up finding this man dead in her grandather's candy shop and she becomes the main suspect. Things go on from here with tons of drama between things going on back home in New York and things happening in Ohio as she tries to put together pieces of the murder to clear her name.

My favorite parts in this were when the Deputy and Bailey would talk and how he was tied in with his story and her grandparents. Also of course - the family aspect with her grandparents was so precious. Such a simple life here in this little town. I, as usual, didnt figure out who the killer was soooooo LOL no surprises there for me. Great ending!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5518455388

Amazon: https://amzn.to/44a8wBe

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE

Honest June Secrets and Spies by Tina Wells

 

Honest June: Secrets and Spies - Tina Wells - 4 Stars - Book 3 in the Series - Really great ending to the series, would love to see more in June's life!

Another great story all about our sweet baby June! This one follows June as she continues to juggle friendships, first love and consequences from book 2 when things went crazy! She is still under her fairy godmother's truth telling spell and is trying to repair relationships the best she can to get rid of it. She starts to discover a family secret about the history of Featherstone Creek and things go on from here. A great closing to these 3 books - hope we have more in the Honest June series to come!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5513156061

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pVz5eC

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mHWHokCowI&t=103s

M is for Mama: A Rebellion Against Mediocre Motherhood by Abbie Halberstadt

 

M is for Mama: A Rebellion Against Mediocre Motherhood - Abbie Halberstadt - 4 Stars - Abbie gives biblical wisdom on a variety of motherhood topics!

I really enjoyed this as Abbie Halberstadt gives biblical wisdom on a variety of motherhood topics and how to embrace Christlike Motherhood. We need Jesus in every aspect of us being a Mom. I specifically liked the chapter on Self Care - which can be releatable to all of us, regardless of being a Mom or not. She mentions Self Care is getting SOUL Care. Time with the Lord. Not getting to a point where we feel angry when we don't get what we want for "me time". She talks about that time being more so, time with the Lord. Loved the way she explained it. Also liked the penny reward system she mentioned. While I couldn't relate to much when it came to her discussing her kids and parenting, because my son is autistic and special needs (4 year old), and not everything she mentioned would be applicable to us -- I think many parents would get a lot of out this.

Goodreads Review:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5508478426
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NYdytV
YouTube Review Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mHWHokCowI&t=103s

When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

 

When the Day Comes - Gabrielle Meyer - 5 Stars - FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME!

WOW. Literally my FAVORITE book of 2023 ya'll. This book had me invested from the very beginning. I love time travel books and this one was BEAUTIFUL.

This is all about Libby who lives 2 lives - one during 1774 in Colonial Williamsburg Virginia and the other in 1914 New York. She wakes up every day alternating these different time lines. When she turns 21, she must make the decision to either stay in 1774 or 1914. What Libby goes through is difficult and she must make some hard decisions throughout the story - how can she ever make this decision? Will God lead her to where she is meant to be? What is His plan in all of this? Can she change the future without repercussions? We see all of this unfold.

My favorite part of this was the time travel aspect, as the dual timeline was so interesting with the back and forth in each time period from each chapter you read. I loved the romance she found and in the middle when we had a major twist - I had NO idea what she was going to do! She just had to trust the Lord for the best path for her in all of this and this book truly shows how the Lord works in - as many say - mysterious ways - but we all know it's in His ultimate plan for us, even if we don't see it in the moment.

The ending was CHEF'S KISS! PERFECTION. I CRIED. I can't wait to read book 2. I loved the family and details in the 1700s - this is really my favorite time period as ya'll know with my love for Outlander ;) The relationship between her mother and Libby was so precious as well. And HENRY - LOVE Henry! I think this was just such a unique story unlike anything I have read before and I loved the level of faith detail throughout the story. 5 big stars!

*Content Warning: This book does have 2 small scenes of marital rape, but they are not detailed. Very off page in my opinion but wanted to mention this for content purposes.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5503726213
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Y0QVJT
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/405425
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mHWHokCowI&t=103s

Veil of Winter by Melanie Dickerson

 

Veil of Winter - Melanie Dickerson - 4 Stars - A sleeping beauty retelling! (Book 3 in The Dericott Tales Series)

Really enjoyed this one! A sleeping beauty retelling - yesss! The beginning part was my favorite with the sleeping beauty vibes. This story is all about Elyce who doesnt want to marry the guy her father has set out for her to marry because it all ties back to his plan to work with another king to make her people work in the dreadful mines - when they aren't people who would make it working there. So she devises a plan to drink a potion to put her to sleep for a few days and then she would escape and travel to another king to try and convince them to help her people.....but she doesn't wake up and along comes Sir Gerard - who has a vision from God instructing him to help Elyce. He goes to help her and things go on from here as they are perused by her enemy's guards over mountainous terrain and deadly winter.

Like I said, I enjoyed this story, these books are always a fun time - this one leaned more on the YA side but still enjoyed it. I personally like that we know our characters are Christian and can see their thoughts to God asking for His help throughout the story, or asking is this His will, etc. My favorite character was Sir Gerard and love that he has a vision from God to go help Elyce.

The romance was cute but a bit too instalove-y for me and Elyce was a bit whiney at times but again, this is YA so I could forgive it a bit haha. Overall, if you like retellings I think you would enjoy it, but its definitely for a younger audience. Excited to read book 4!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4626574821
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pVw1iN
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/418291
YouTube Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mHWHokCowI&t=103s