Review: Love in the Details by Becky Wade

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

She left him to save his future, but they’ve never gotten over each other.

When Josh returns to his hometown of Martinsburg, Texas, to help his best friend get married, he didn’t intend to run into church wedding coordinator—and ex-girlfriend—Holly. He can’t help but pine after the girl he never got over.

Holly broke up with Josh years ago in an attempt to ensure his future success. But she loved him then and still loves him now. As she helps him plan his best friend’s wedding, she can’t help but feel horrible for the pain she caused him. And even though she longs to be with Josh, she doesn’t feel worthy of his big-time lifestyle when she is more comfortable in her small town world. Will Josh and Holly be able to keep things as they are when their true feelings threaten to surface at every turn?

My Review

There's something about a hero longing for the woman he's always loved but could never have that gets me every time! Josh wasn't planning to pursue Holly but after their first encounter since years of separation he just can't help himself. The clincher is that Holly never wanted to lose him but outside forces compelled her to set him free- against both their wills, and she didn't tell him why- which seriously ups the angst factor. I love how Josh conspires to spend more time with Holly and they fall back into their friendship and banter despite the palpable undercurrents of attraction and yearning. The novella is definitely character focused and was such a pleasure to read!

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

Review: The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general's past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?

Triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal--readers find it all in the rich pages of this newest historical novel from the talented pen of Laura Frantz. Her careful historical details immerse the reader in the story world, and her emotional writing and finely tuned characters never cease to enchant fans both old and new.

My Review

There's something about Laura Frantz's writing that transports me to the setting of the book and I am completely immersed! There are so many rich historical details from a time period I don't often read about- post American Revolution. I was surprised to learn about much of the turmoil that was still going on after the war was over. The characters were easy to envision and had many layers to them. Sophie is so strong and dignified but her desperate circumstances are humbling. She immediately develops a loving relationship with the general's young daughter which provided brightness and showed Sophie's maternal instincts. Seamus and Sophie have an interesting dynamic which is constantly in flux as they deal with the pressures and dilemmas of the time. Even though it seems like their relationship is one step forward, two steps back, once an eye-opening scare compels them to communicate the feelings that each had developed for the other, they have some very sweet romantic moments in the midst of overwhelming trials. The ending was not wrapped up quickly which I appreciated, I felt like there was a fullness to the story as I finished it. Highly recommend!

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

Review: North for Christmas by Christina Dymock

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Have you ever known exactly what you wanted for Christmas? As a child, you may have written a letter to Santa, made a wish upon a star, or locked your dream away in your heart afraid that it might not come true if you so much as whispered it out loud. Even as adults, Christmas wishes carry a magic that can't be explained. In North for Christmas, Ruby Jeavon certainly has her heart set on an engagement. It's the first step in creating the family she's always wanted. But things go slightly off course and instead of flying to Italy with her boyfriend, Ruby heads out of town to work as an elf in Nashville. Even though she's far away from her dream, she's about to discover the magic of a Nashville Christmas through the eyes of North Foxwell, her fellow elf and a Christmas expert. Even though North struggles with his own Christmas ghosts, Ruby manages to bring new light to his life. Can Ruby let go of her dream to find what her heart truly desires? Only time--at the North Pole--will tell.

My Review

This is the perfect book to get you in the Christmas spirit! Ruby and North both approach the work of bringing holiday cheer from different backgrounds, but both have a great character arc as they come to realizations about their current lives and make changes that show that compassion and forgiveness are more important than what they were holding on to. They have great chemistry and even though their friendship has some rocky moments, they are a pleasure to read. North is so charismatic and I loved all his mannerisms that made him stand out. His dark struggle of letting go of past hurts contrasts with his love for Christmas and  serving others. Ruby is a bit lost and lonely but trying her best in a high maintenance relationship with her boyfriend and feeling emotionally estranged from her mother. The time away from her busy life gives her perspective and I loved seeing her humble awakening to the true joy of connecting with those around her as they serve the children and needy.

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

Review: An Unexpected Gift by Tara Randel from A Heartwarming Christmas: A Boxed Set of Twelve Sweet Holiday Romances

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

This holiday season, warm your heart with 12 connected sweet holiday romances set in Christmas Town from 12 Harlequin Heartwarming authors who are USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors.

There are four connected books in A Heartwarming Christmas. That means each set of three novellas shares characters and storylines! This collection of PG-rated holiday romances are all set in Christmas Town, a location introduced in the 2014 Harlequin Heartwarming release Christmas, Actually. A Heartwarming Christmas will bring you laughter, tears, and happily-ever-afters (no cliffhangers), for more than 1200 pages. Foreword by small town lover and New York Times bestseller Kristan Higgins.

My Review


I received a copy of the novella An Unexpected Gift by Tara Randel to read and review (I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the collection as well!) In this story, Faith is stuck working in her parent's Christmas shop since her father is not doing well, and she doesn't feel she will ever be able to spread her wings and explore the world. Drew recently discovered that he was adopted and is searching to find his birth mother who used to work at the Christmas shop. There is an instant connection between the two, and as they learn each other's stories, they feel sympathy and do their best to help. Faith provides encouragement and leads for Drew to follow, and they draw close as they search for answers to his mystery. The emotions of the characters are more told than shown so I didn't feel a real connection to them, but it is a pleasant story. I was a little turned off by how Faith was just feeling sorry for herself without really trying to do anything to change her situation, but at least Drew inspired her to take her life in her own hands.

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