Review: The Perfect Arrangement by Katie Ganshert

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Meeting Nick was truly an accident—but Amelia finds that he’s one of the few people she can count on.

Amelia Woods is a small-town wallflower who inherited her grandmother’s flower shop. Despite her success in business, her love life has ground to a halt. And then her temptation to spy on her ex-boyfriend’s wedding leads her to a horrifying fender-bender—with Nick, the groomsman who happens to be her ex’s new brother-in-law.

Meanwhile, William, Amelia’s younger brother, has proposed to his girlfriend. Amelia would be excited except she has evidence that the fiancée is not who she says she is. How can she be supportive and yet be the protective big sister too? It seems Nick is the only one available for any advice-giving, and he’s pretty good at it—and pretty fun to talk to. Amelia and Nick continue online conversations about everything, but always lingering in Amelia’s mind is the fear that he’ll realize who she is and what she was doing at the church that day of the accident.

As Amelia works to craft the perfect flower arrangements for other people—including a ninety-year-old “fairy godmother” named George—she begins to wonder if real love is better than the dream. And if it is, will Nick still be interested when he learns who she is?

My Review

My favorite thing about this novella is the letters Amelia and Nick exchange online- they are full of honesty, quirkiness and a love for classic films. The cuteness totally reminded me of the movie You've Got Mail (except they are not enemies in real life) and they even reference The Shop Around the Corner which it's based on. Amelia is the perfect balance of hot mess and capable businesswoman- completely lovable. The fact that she runs a flower shop is absolutely perfect- it's one of my future dreams :) Nick seems too good to be true, although he does tell Amelia some of his shortcomings in his emails. He quickly grows to adore Amelia, but is also charmingly hesitant about pressuring her to meet. Their real-life interactions are full of tension and chemistry, and their mannerisms make the story come to life. Definitely one of my favorites from the Year of Weddings novella series!

(Thank you to Zondervan Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: Love on a Deadline by Kathryn Springer

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

MacKenzie “Mac” Davis left her hometown of Red Leaf, Wisconsin, to pursue a degree in journalism. But when her dad, the town’s beloved Coach Davis, suffers a mild heart attack, Mac returns home to help out. She takes a job at the weekly newspaper but instead of covering serious topics, her editor wants her to write about social events—like the garden club’s flower show and the historical society’s afternoon tea. Mac knows it’s no way to earn her father’s respect—or the attention of one of the newspapers she hopes will hire her when she leaves Red Leaf.

When Hollis Channing, Mac’s high school nemesis, returns to Red Leaf to marry her celebrity fiancé, the editor asks Mac to cover the big event—and all the festivities leading up to—for the newspaper.

The last thing Mac wants to do is reconnect with the person who made her life miserable when she was a teenager . . . unless it’s spending time with Ethan Channing, the bride’s older brother—and Mac’s first crush.

Mac is no longer the awkward girl who wore the school mascot costume to the Homecoming dance but she realizes something hasn’t changed. Her feelings for Ethan.

My Review

I always enjoy Kathryn Springer's stories since she has a way of making her characters realistic and easy to connect with. Mac has conflicting emotions as she reunites with her unrequited love and it was fun to see Ethan's instant attraction to her. She doesn't make it easy for him, but a new level of friendship naturally occurs as they work together to give Hollis the quiet wedding she wants while still providing a story for Mac to report. Mac's new dilemma is whether or not to hang around the small town to be with Ethan or move on to a bigger city and focus on her career. A great addition to the Year of Weddings novella line!

(Thank you to Zondervan Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review & Giveaway: Always Will by Melanie Jacobson

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Handsome twenty-eight-year-old Will Hallerman has finally had enough of the dating world—he's ready to find a wife and settle down. This announcement is catastrophic in Hannah Becker's world. After knowing Will her entire life and adoring him from afar since junior high school, she realizes her chance at love with him is in grave danger. Hannah's problem? To Will, she will never be more than his best friend's little sister. Determined to open his eyes to her charms, Hannah sets out to sabotage Will's wife hunt by placing nightmare dates in his path and taking his search on a wild goose chase. Her plan is risky, but she's willing to take a chance to catch the eye of her soul mate.

Despite her crazy schemes, nothing seems to be working. Hannah can't help but wonder if it's time to set aside this childhood crush—to move on and settle down herself. She's ready for a fresh start with a great guy. If only Will weren't suddenly changing the rules of the game... And how can Hannah move on when Will just won't let her forget?

My Review

I could not put this book down. I started it first thing in the morning thinking I'd read a chapter or two, but six hours later my toddler was still in pajamas (at least she was fed). Hannah is such a conflicted character, full of contrasts. She is an extremely smart, professional, together young woman, but when it comes to her relationship with Will, her emotions are all over the place. It's a fascinating study of unrequited love and the obsession that accompanies it. Balancing out the crazy is Hannah's friend Sophie, who tells it like it is and encourages Hannah in healthy ways. I loved all the mannerisms and quirks of Hannah and Will's friendship, and trying to interpret what Will is thinking since the story is not told from his POV. There are several ups and downs, twists and turns in the plot that kept me glued to the book to see how it would all play out.

(Thank you to Covenant Communications for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

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Review: The Rancher's Christmas Proposal by Sherri Shackelford

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Single father Shane McCoy has his hands full trying to run a ranch while raising two-year-old twins. His children clearly need a mother's guiding hand. An encounter with a lovely stranger on a train platform offers an unconventional answer to his predicament when she suggests a marriage of convenience.

Tessa Spencer needs a fresh start far from her con man father's schemes. His latest scrape has made her the target of a vengeful outlaw. Shane's isolated ranch provides refuge, and his children easily win Tessa's affections. But as her checkered past resurfaces, only honesty and trust will make this family Christmas the first of many

My Review

This is a heart-warming story of two people sacrificing for those they love. Shane and Tessa work together to provide a loving home for his children, but struggle when it comes to their relationship with each other. Lack of communication, misunderstanding, and hidden secrets come between them. I especially enjoyed Tessa's quick love for the twins and her devotion to their well-being. I can totally relate to her frustrations with getting one dressed, then while dressing the second child, the first one removes their clothes! She is determined to conquer household chores and child care with the help of a book from the mercantile, which also provided some humor :) The danger from the Fulton gang overshadows Tessa's happiness until things finally come to a head and Shane proves himself to be quite the protector and hero.

(Thank you to Harlequin and Love Inspired Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)