Friday, December 29, 2023

Review: Let It Be Me by Becky Wade

Series: Misty River Romance #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Bethany House 
Released: May 4, 2021
378 pages

About the Book:

The one woman he wants is the one he cannot have.

Former foster kid Sebastian Grant has leveraged his intelligence and hard work to become a pediatric heart surgeon. But not even his career success can erase the void he's tried so hard to fill. Then he meets high school math teacher Leah Montgomery and his fast-spinning world comes to a sudden stop. He falls hard, only to make a devastating discovery—Leah is the woman his best friend set his heart on months before.

Leah's a math prodigy who's only ever had one big dream—to earn her PhD. Raising her little brother put that dream on hold. Now that her brother will soon be college bound, she's not going to let anything stand in her way. Especially romance . . . which is far less dependable than algebra.

When Leah receives surprising results from the DNA test she submitted to a genealogy site, she solicits Sebastian's help. Together, they comb through hospital records to uncover the secrets of her history. The more powerfully they're drawn to each other, the more strongly Sebastian must resist, and the more Leah must admit that some things in life—like love—can't be explained with numbers.


My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I went into this book with trepidation because I had heard it had a love triangle, but I was presently surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Yes, there were two guys who liked the same girl but due to their friendship they didn't let their feelings affect their relationship with each other. One backed off as soon as he realized they liked the same girl. When the other guy realizes that the girl likes his friend he puts his feelings aside and encourages his friend. Loved this.

I loved Leah from when we first met her, and as I got to know her more I became invested in her mystery. I found myself frustrated with her mom quite a bit. And was shocked with who was responsible for what happened and why, but it did feel a but convoluted.

I enjoyed watching the romance build and how the guy was persistent for a date. I did not like the way he reacted at one particular scene, but he was easy to root for.

My only negative is just like the previous book there is one scene inserted just for the purpose of introducing a character for book three but it has no relevance or impact on this story. I don't feel like it was needed because this character has been mentioned a few times without this scene. Overall, I enjoyed this book more than book one and am looking forward to completing the series.

Favourite Quote: 

“We all have to risk ourselves if we're going to earn the reward of a genuine relationship.”
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Review: Before I Wake by Dee Henderson

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: September 1, 2003
381 pages
About the Book:

The sheriff of Justice, Illinois, is hunting a killer. Women visiting town are being murdered, tourists in nice hotels, money still in their billfolds, jewelry still on the dresser. Quiet kills-they go to sleep and never awaken. The sheriff is not pleased to find the new detective in town, Rae Gabriella, working the case on behalf of one of the families. She's staying in the same hotel as one of the victims and her looks suggest she could be the next victim.













My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

The ending ruined this book for me. I was invested in the story and the characters, but there was no resolution at the end. Rae has recently moved to Justice, Illinois, after leaving the FBI. She becomes a private investigator alongside a former flame and meets the local sheriff Nathan. Bruce still has feelings for Rae and regrets letting her go years ago but wants to give her time to settle into her new life before asking for a romantic relationship. Meanwhile, Nathan is attracted to Rae. Both guys know the other was interested but they were respectful towards each other and Rae. Three unexplained deaths happen very close together and Rae and Bruce work with the police to try to find answers. The end is very unfinished. Which guy does Rae choose? Do they figure the case out and catch the bad guys?

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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Sunday, December 24, 2023

Review: My True Love Gave to Me by Karen Witemeyer

Genre: Historical Fiction 
Released: October 1, 2023
43 pages
About the Book:

The Twelve Days of Christmas get a romantic Texas twist!

Anna King has pledged her heart to Simeon Shepherd, but her father refuses to grant her hand to the young farmer. Simeon determines to be patient and earn David King's respect over time with hard work and evidence of his ability to provide. However, when a wealthy new suitor arrives in Bethlehem, Texas to woo Anna with her father's support, patience is no longer an option. Simeon has twelve days before Christmas to best his rival and prove once and for all that he is Anna's true love.







  
My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A cute short story. Loved the determination of Simeon and the creativity of the gifts. It was fun to see his whole family join in on the gift giving. While I enjoyed this story, the devotional that was included after the story was my favorite part for sure. It touched me and made me think. 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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Friday, December 22, 2023

Review: Double Take by Lynette Eason

Series: Lake City Heroes #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Revell
Releases: January 9, 2024
314 pages
About the Book:

Detective James Cross has been honorably discharged from the Army Criminal Investigation Division due to wounds sustained when an IED blew up near him. Now with the Lake City Police Department, he's rooming with this good buddy and partner, Cole, while he figures out his family dynamics.

Physician Assistant Lainie Jackson is eighteen months out from an attempted murder perpetrated by her ex, which ended when she managed to grab the weapon and shoot him. When he appears to have survived and is back to finish the job he started, Lainie insists it's not possible. But someone keeps trying to kill her, and she keeps seeing his face.

Together, Lainie and James must work together to find out who, exactly, is after her and why he wants her dead. And failure is not an option.





My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Is Lainie going crazy? Is Adam dead or alive? I was hooked on the mystery aspect of the story but it took me a while to connect with the characters. At first there seemed to be so many friends introduced I struggled with who was who. However I didn't let this bother me as I was invested in the mystery and trying to figure out who was after Laine and why. I was suspicious of so many people and rarely was I correct. I was shocked when the main reveal happened. Some of the side characters really interested me and I can't wait to see if we get to know them in more in books to come. I do wish faith had been discussed a bit more between the characters, it was very lightly mentioned. 

Favourite Quotes: 
“You can't face what you have to face if you don't get yourself prayed up.”

(I received an ARC of this book from Revell through NetGalley; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Review: The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Howard Books
Released: October 23, 2012
228 pages
About the Book:

Molly Allen lives alone in Portland, but she left her heart back in Tennessee with a man she walked away from five years ago. They had a rare sort of love she hasn’t found since.

Ryan Kelly lives in Nashville after a broken engagement and several years on the road touring with a country music duo. He can still hear Molly’s voice encouraging him to follow his dreams; Molly, whose memory stays with him. At least he can visit The Bridge—the oldest bookstore in historic downtown Franklin—and remember the hours he and Molly once spent there.

For thirty years, Charlie and Donna Barton have run The Bridge, providing the people of middle Tennessee with coffee, conversation, and shelves of good books—even through dismal book sales and the rise of digital books. Then in May, the hundred-year flood swept through Franklin and destroyed nearly every book in the store.

Now the bank is pulling the lease on The Bridge. Despondent and without answers, Charlie considers the unthinkable. Then tragedy strikes, and suddenly, everything changes. In the face of desperate brokenness and lost opportunities, could the miracle of a second chance actually unfold?

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It was the two male characters that really captured my heart. Charlie has been through some tough stuff, but has never wavered in his faith in God and has spent years sharing his heart with the customer's of The Bridge. Now he has hit hard times and tries to stay positive for his wife, Donna, but things look bleak, what will happen? Ryan spent a lot of time at The Bridge 7 years ago with a fellow college student, Molly. His heart was broken when she returned home but what happens when they reconnect? I did not like the lack of communication and the act of deceit that happened. Story ended with happily ever after.

(I received this book as a gift from a friend; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   
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