Monday, July 15, 2024

Loyally, Luke by Pepper Basham (Review)

Series: Skymar #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
Released: May 14, 2024
358 pages
About the Book:

Dear Reader,

My name is Luke Edgewood, and there are few things in life that I require. Mainly black coffee. And flannel. And lots of solitude. And my dogs, Chewy and Indie. What I don’t need is romance, so I have no plans to change my thirty-year-old bachelor status anytime soon.

But my youngest sister thinks that by accepting a short-term construction job in the small European country of Skymar, I’m going to follow along in her footsteps and discover my own romantic adventure. Nope. Bah humbug. The End. This time, her rom-com-movie senses are totally wrong.

Or maybe not. Because I’ve met a Grace Kelly look-alike who is annoying . . . until she isn’t. But she is impossible. As in, nothing can happen between us because she is a literal princess. Even though that’s easy to forget when we’re working together to restore a castle-like orphanage in a secluded mountain town and “forced proximity” includes a small closet, a secret one-hundred-year-old journal, and the tactile memory of an off-limits royal in my arms.

Basically, the whole situation has turned into an ooey gooey magical snow globe of romantic tropes complete with cute kids and an actual ball. Now, even my sentences are starting to sound like mush. Ugh. Send high levels of testosterone my way—I’m going to need it.

Loyally,

Luke


My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐


3.5 rounded up to 4.

While I really enjoyed the character of Luke, seeing a romance develop and his interactions with his sisters, the hallmark references and the fact that all the movie troupes were included became too much after a while. This felt like it could have been a Hallmark movie itself and not being a fan of those myself it had just a bit too much cheesiness for me. If it had incorporated less of the movielike troupes I think I would have enjoyed this more. Once Princess Diaries 2 was referenced that was all I could picture this relationship as. I connected with Luke but felt like I didn't get to know the character of Ellie that much. It felt like she was an only child at times, but it was referenced that she had siblings. I did enjoy her text conversations with her friend, but wondered why they didn't interact in person. I realize this is fiction but the ending left me wondering how practical the conclusion would be in a few years down the road. I did laugh a lot throughout and enjoyed the faith elements that were included.

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

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Sunday, July 14, 2024

True Light by Terri Blackstock (Review)

Series: Restoration #3
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Zondervan 
Released: January 1, 2007
272 pages
About the Book:

Book 3 in a masterful what-if series in which global catastrophe puts a family’s very survival at risk—and both reveals the darkness in human hearts and lights the way to restoration. Now eight months into a global blackout, the residents of Oak Hollow are trying to cope with the deep winter nights and a gnawing hunger from a food shortage. The struggle to survive can bring out the worst in anyone. A teenage friend of the Brannings’ has been found shot while hunting, and his slain deer is gone. Suspicions immediately fall on Mark Green, the son of a convicted murderer. Before he can prove his innocence, vigilantes force the sheriff to arrest him. Deni Branning is growing closer to Mark, and she sees him as a hero, not a traitor. She and her family set out to find the person who really pulled the trigger. But clearing Mark’s reputation is only part of the battle. Protecting him from the neighbors who ostracized him is just as difficult.





My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Mark has to be my favourite character in this series. He has been ostracized by most of the community due to his father's actions but he still helps those around him by sharing his knowledge and hunting skills. There is quite a bit of evil happening in the community and the descriptions were very vivid at times. A teen is shot for his deer and Mark is framed. Mark goes through a lot physically and emotionally in this book, but he keeps his faith in God and shows forgiveness to those around him. He never gave up for fighting for what was right and protecting those around him. Deni has grown since book one, I like the changes in her and the choices she makes in this book. I am fully invested in this story and can't wait to read book 4 to see what happens when the power is finally restored (I'm assuming it will be).


(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, July 13, 2024

Night Light by Terri Blackstock (Review)

Series: Restoration #2
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Zondervan 
Released: January 1, 2006
340 pages
About the Book:

Book 2 in a masterful what-if series in which global catastrophe puts a family’s very survival at risk—and both reveals the darkness in human hearts and lights the way to restoration. Survival has become a lifestyle, and technology is a thing of the past as the Branning family learns that the power outage is worldwide. Everyone is desperate. When two young thieves break into the Brannings’ home and clean out the food in their pantry, Jeff Branning tracks them to a filthy apartment and discovers a family of children living alone, stealing to stay alive. Where is their mother? The search for answers uncovers a trail of desperation and murder . . . and for the Brannings, a powerful new purpose that can transform their entire community—and above all, themselves. But how will they do what’s right when so much is going wrong? New York Times bestselling suspense author Terri Blackstock weaves a masterful what-if novel in which global catastrophe reveals the darkness in human hearts—and lights the way to restoration for a self-centered world.





My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Picks up just a few months after book one and the blackout continues. There are a few new characters introduced but a lot carried over from book one. There are four children who have been on their own for months, it broke my heart to learn not only what how they've been living during the blackout, but also how they lived before everything happened. I was pleased that the Branning's made took them in and tried to show that they cared. Aaron is only 9 years old, but came across much older based on how quickly he had to grow up due to his home situation (even before the blackout). I could see how Deni has matured since we first meet her in book one and while there were moments of uncertainly I was pleased with the decision that she makes in the end. I enjoyed the way Branning's showed love to the members at the apartment complex and tried to help even though the received some push back. There are some frightening moments, especially for the little kids. This story has really made me think about how much we rely on power and on ourselves rather than trusting God to provide. I feel connected to this family and will be continuing the series to see what happens next.

(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, July 12, 2024

More Than A Pretty Face by Karen Witemeyer (Review)

Series: Patchwork Family #2.5 
Genre: Historical Romance 
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: March 1, 2020 
96 pages
About the Book:

Clinging to the hope of escaping her town and her past, Rosalind Kemp keeps her head down and works hard until her contract as a Harvey Girl expires and she can flee. But when her past catches up to her, will she find the courage to stop running and face down her past with the man who has defended her honor from the start?











  


My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I picked this up because I had to know what happened with Rosalind after ending her sister's book (More than Words Can Say). This was a sweet romance but too short (as novella's tend to be for me). I feel like I didn't see enough of the romance buildup happen on the page, it went from Caleb expressing interest and then jumps a few weeks to them in a relationship and starting to realize how deep their feelings ran. Once Rosalind's secret of a past mistake is revealed I loved seeing Caleb support her and stand up to his mother. Rosalind learns to not allow the past to dictate her future. As this picks up a few years after the previous book, it was nice to get an update on Zach and Abby. I would recommend reading More than Words Can Say first to get to know Rosalind more and learn what led to the 'mistake' that brought her here.

(I borrowed this book from the library; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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