Showing posts with label Kristin Billerbeck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kristin Billerbeck. Show all posts

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Review: Secretly Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, Denise Hunter



My rating: 3 stars / I liked it



Synopsis

There’s a secret in Grandma Rose’s attic—a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?

The mystery intrigues Rose’s three granddaughters—Tess, Clare, and Zoe—and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women?  
 
My Review

I enjoy collections where each story builds upon the previous. Tess, Clare, Zoe, and Anna each play a role in uncovering the mystery of the military dog tags and reuniting Grandma Rose with David. Not before some serious sisterly drama plays out, however, and makes the granddaughters worry that things will never be the same. The first three stories were okay, I didn't really mesh with the authors' writing styles. The interactions between the main characters were awkward and I wasn't feeling the chemistry. The last story by Denise Hunter made up for it, and I found myself looking forward to her contribution as I read. She brings a spark to her romance and I connected more fully with the emotions of the characters.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Check out the other books in the Smitten series . . .




Monday, January 8, 2024

Review: Smitten Book Club by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, Denise Hunter



My rating: 3 stars / I liked it



Synopsis

"Consider that your beau is like a coveted novel whose compelling first lines you've just begun to read." -- A Gentlewoman's Guide to Love and Courtship

At a rummage sale, Heather, a member of the Fireside Book Club, discovers a turn-of-the-century romantic advice book written by a once-famous Smitten, Vermont resident. When she shares the precious volume with her friends in the club, they find clues about a hidden treasure rumored to be buried in their tiny town.

As Heather, Abby, Lia, and Molly take turns reading the book, each projects onto it her own literary tastes. Heather sees it as a mystery. Abby discovers delicious dashes of Jane Austen. Lia sees in it the idealism of a bygone day. And Molly just wishes they'd made the book into a movie!

One by one, each of the women finds romantic love often in spite of the historic book's advice. And in searching for the legendary gold, the friends discover the best kind of treasure. The kind that brings hope and healing to each of their hearts.


My Review

I enjoy collections like these with several authors providing the stories, giving me a taste of writing styles that may be a bit different from each other but mesh well enough to harmonize. Once again I'm reading a series out of order, with this being my first read of Smitten, but the coziness of the town and the loyalty of the community members came through strongly. The group of women lead the town as they rally behind Molly in her time of need, and a search for the town's legendary treasure connect the stories as they pass the vintage book to each other in search of clues. Heather, Abby, Lia, and Molly all have very distinct personalities and personal issues they work through while helping the others. The first three were interesting but didn't quite flow with me. My favorite story was the last one featuring Molly, by Denise Hunter, because I love her writing style and felt connected to the emotions of the characters as well as strong tension and chemistry between Molly and Gage. I look forward to reading the other collections to revisit Smitten and get to know more townspeople!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the previous books in the Smitten series . . .