Showing posts with label Tiffany Odekirk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tiffany Odekirk. Show all posts

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Book Tour, Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Summerhaven by Tiffany Odekirk



  

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it



Synopsis

Hannah Kent and Oliver Jennings pledged their hearts to each other as children. Now, years later, Hannah is thrilled to receive an invitation to spend the summer at Oliver’s family’s country estate. The path to wedded bliss is clear—so long as Oliver’s highbrow older brother, Damon, has ceased his juvenile antics, Hannah’s future looks bright indeed.

But from the moment Hannah arrives at Summerhaven, nothing is as she expected. Oliver seems disinterested in renewing their acquaintance, and Damon is not the brutish boy she remembers but a man intent on avoiding marriage. Although she has loathed Damon her whole life, when he contrives a ruse designed to win them both what they desire, Hannah warily agrees. All she has to do to reclaim Oliver’s attention is pretend to be madly in love with Damon. But when Damon is surprisingly convincing in his role as a suitor, it proves difficult to discern the line between pretense and true love.


My Review

There's something about Regency stories set at a country estate that I just adore! It's such an idyllic environment for the characters to interact with each other. Hannah's expectations of revisiting Summerhaven and reuniting with childhood sweetheart Oliver are pretty high, so it's not a surprise when nothing goes according to her plans. I felt bad for her as she struggles to hold on to her fantasy as it crumbles when faced with the reality of her situation and the changes she discovers in Oliver. It was frustrating when she kept excusing and justifying his behavior, even in the midst of her hurt feelings. I enjoyed Damon's teasing and the glimpses into his heart and unrequited affection for Hannah. He is her rescuer in many ways, and I loved how he helps her see things with a new perspective. This love triangle has plenty of angsty emotion as Hannah navigates complex family dynamics at Summerhaven.

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.

Excerpt

Damon stepped forward, and his watch key and seal—visible reminders of his status and self-importance—clanked together. He bowed. “Miss Kent.”

“My lord,” I returned with a shallow curtsy.

The corners of his mouth curled into a smile. “I see someone has managed to make a lady out of the wild girl I once knew,” Damon said, and before stepping back in line with his mother, he met my eye and added, “A pity.”

My eyebrows pulled together in surprise.

“Do try not to scowl, Miss Kent. It will crease your lovely brow.”

“Damon Jennings,” Lady Winfield scolded. “You have been taught better manners.”

“My apologies, Mother. Teasing a beautiful woman is one of few things that has yet to be lectured out of me.”

I gaped. Never in all my life had a man spoken so casually to me. Damon may have grown into a man, but he was not a gentleman.

Giveaway

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Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Review & Giveaway: Love on Pointe by Tiffany Odekirk


Heidi Reads... Love on Pointe by Tiffany Odekirk

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttps://deseretbook.com/p/love-on-pointe?ref=product-name&variant_id=151798-paperbackhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Rhys Solario has a secret—one he plans to keep: he's a non-Mormon attending Brigham Young University. With only two semesters left before graduation, he just wants to keep flying under the radar. Then he meets Emmy in a Book of Mormon class, and for the first time, the idea of keeping to himself doesn't sound so appealing.

Emmy Jennings feels confident only when she's dancing ballet. With every plié and chassé, all her worries fade away. But when she fails to earn a coveted solo, her confidence on the dance floor disintegrates, and the future she's worked so hard to earn stands in jeopardy.

Assigned to be study partners, both Rhys and Emmy face initial anxieties regarding who they really are. But slowly, their tentative friendship evolves into something more. Yet even as love deepens, the pair is faced with a disheartening truth: Rhys can't take Emmy to the temple, and the promise of eternity is not something Emmy's willing to give up. With everything on the line, the couple must decide if they're prepared to reshape their hearts—and their lives—for the promise of forever.


My Review

I loved this sweet story! I didn't go to BYU so I have to live vicariously through books ;) Rhys and Emmy are easy to like and their friendship grows as they study together and support each other in the struggles they are facing. They each have vulnerabilities that they feel safe sharing with each other, and that only makes them grow closer. What I liked the most about this book is the journey of these two different people really and truly getting to know each other. There are complex dynamics with their family and friends that also make up a large part of the story, and demonstrate the strengths and compassion of both Emmy and Rhys. The spiritual progression of Rhys is realistic and heartfelt, and took the book to a deeper level. Highly recommend to readers who enjoy LDS fiction!