Friday, May 17, 2024

Someone to Trust by Melanie D. Snitker (Review)

Series: Life Unexpected #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Dallionz Media
Released: May 20, 2017
188 pages
About the Book:

She wants to give him her heart. He wants to give her the best chance at a happy life. They’re headed separate ways . . . until faith steps in.

Chess Summers never got to have a “real” family growing up. Thankfully, his makeshift family of former foster kids has given him the sense of belonging he’s always been missing. However, insecurities about his dark past may cost him the future he longs for, especially when it comes to Brooke, the spunky and beautiful woman he has found himself falling for. He’s determined to protect her, and convinced she deserves someone much better than him.

Brooke Pierce may have had a rough childhood, but she also had her trust in Christ, which sustained her through it all. When Chess crushes Brooke’s dreams of a future together, she must rely on faith once again to heal her heart and help her move on. But is walking away from each other the answer? Or does redemption lie in these two broken spirits facing the past together?




 My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

I liked the found family aspect and the way they were there for one another, however I did not like how Brooke and her friends didn't see an issue with Brooke having strong romantic feelings and and dreams for Chess when he wasn't a Christian. This should have concerned them more than what his feelings for Brooke were. Chess was my favourite character, he was a good guy who would set aside his wants for someone else and is carrying such guilt for failing at things that should have never been his to carry in the first place, he was only a child at time. I liked seeing him let go of his guilt and find peace with God. I just wish that this was a bigger part of the story than the romance between him and Brooke.

(I purchased my copy of this book; 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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Wednesday, May 15, 2024

What Matters Most by Courtney Walsh (Review)

Series: A Nantucket Love Story #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: April 5, 2022
333 pages
About the Book:

Emma Woodson is hoping the cobblestone streets of Nantucket and the charm of her late husband's family cottage will be the fresh start she and her young son, CJ, need. Securing a dream job at an art gallery is one more step along the path to a new life . . . and away from a piece of her history she hopes will never be revealed. Falling in love with the kind and handsome guy she hires to clean out the rental apartment above the garage wasn't part of the plan.

Jameson Shaw came to Nantucket for one reason: deliver his letter to Emma and never return. But when he sees an opportunity to help her, he takes a chance, desperate to atone for his past. He never planned to keep his connection to her husband a secret or to fall in love with her. After all, he knows that their new relationship might not survive the discovery of who he really is.



My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐


There were parts of this story I really liked, such as the friendship of Elise and Emma and Emma's relationship with her in-laws. But then there were parts of the story I didn't like, such as the pretty big secret that Jamie was keeping from Emma. I liked that Jamie wanted to help Emma out and changed his plans to do that, but I believe he should have made a bigger effort to be honest with Emma much earlier. The longer he kept quiet the more suspicious I became that Emma would find out herself and things would be bad. At times it felt like Emma's son, CJ, was just added in when it was convenient to the story. Emma frustrated me when she expected Jamie to forgive her immediately, but then she refused to forgive him. I also feel like the connection between a few characters came out of nowhere. I did really like how Emma's in-laws treated her and the talks that Emma had with her father-in-law. Those chats made her 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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Monday, May 13, 2024

Is It Any Wonder by Courtney Walsh (Review)

Series: A Nantucket Love Story #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House 
Released: April 6, 2021
379 pages
About the Book:

Can a promise made as kids bring them back together as adults? In this Nantucket-set beach read, “master of the genre” (Midwest Book Review) Courtney Walsh delivers a sparkling inspirational romance about first love and second chances.

Twelve years ago, Cody Boggs and Louisa Chambers made a pact that no matter where their lives took them, they’d return to Nantucket Island’s Brant Point Lighthouse on July 30, their shared golden birthday, and continue their tradition of exchanging birthday wishes. But that was before a tragic accident upended both of their lives, irrevocably pulling them apart.

Their worlds collide just months before that particular day when Louisa’s fledgling event planning company is hired by the local Coast Guard station, where she discovers Cody has recently returned to the island as the second in command. As they plan a regatta fundraiser, hoping to promote positive PR in the community, neither can deny the fireworks each encounter ignites. But working together also brings up memories of the day Cody’s father died, revealing secrets that have Cody and Louisa questioning everything they thought they knew and felt about their families and each other.

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


My second time reading this story and I loved it again.

Cody and Louisa parents had been best friends for years, so the two of them pretty much grew up together. During high school Cody and Louisa fall in love but when Cody's dad passes away in a tragic accident the two families are torn apart with grief and blame. 12 years later Cody and Louisa reconnect in a pretty dramatic way, and we follow them figuring out how to move forward. Can they rediscover what was lost? Can forgiveness be found? There were some funny moments, especially with Aunt Maggie who says what she's thinking. Then there were some serious moments dealing with the tragedy of what happened in the past. Dealing with forgiveness and bitterness is a prominent theme throughout. I absolutely loved this story and the characters. I loved the way they balanced each other out and saw the best in the other even during trying times. This is a romance I was rooting for to work. Getting to the ending wasn't easy for the characters, but worth it.

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

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Saturday, May 11, 2024

If For Any Reason by Courtney Walsh (Review)

Series: Nantucket Love Story #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: February 3, 2020
391 pages
About the Book:

Emily Ackerman has traveled the world, her constant compass and companion a book of letters her mother left for her when she died. With no father in the picture, her mom's advice has been her only true north. But when professional failure leads Emily back to Nantucket to renovate and sell the family cottage she inherited, she wonders if her mom left advice to cover this . . . especially when her grandmother arrives to "supervise." And especially when her heart becomes entangled with Hollis McGuire, the boy next door-turned-baseball star who's back on the island after a career-ending injury.

As sparks fly between her and Hollis, Emily is drawn to island life, even as she uncovers shocking secrets about the tragic accident that led to her mother's death. With her world turned upside down, Emily must choose between allowing the voices from her past to guide her future or forging her own path forward.



My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Emily returns to Nantucket kind of lost and unsettled. She reunites unexpectedly with her childhood best friend and he is able to get her to open up like she hasn't with anyone else in years. Hollis' 12 year old daughter is staying with him, and he is struggling to connect with her, but she automatically connects with Emily. We follow these characters as they live their lives and try to figure out their next path. I really enjoyed the way the story was told with a mix of present day, flashbacks sharing Emily's parents' story and letters to Emily from her mom. While I enjoyed the interactions of Hollis and Emily and any Jolie scenes, I was engrossed in the flashback scenes the most. We know early on they didn't get a happy ending but I was so drawn into their story. There is some family drama and a scandal revealed. Is all revealed and can peace be found? I enjoyed following these characters and I especially liked how Hollis' parents and siblings welcomed Emily back into their family fold even after so many years away. There were times I did find the story dragged a bit that my attention drifted easily.

(I borrowed this book from the library; 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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