When they First Met by Debbie Macomber is a 2012 Ballantine Books publication.
This 27-page novella/short story was included in the digital version of When they First Met by Debbie Macomber is a 2012 Ballantine Books publication.
This 27-page novella/short story was included in the digital version of ‘The Inn at Rose Harbor’. Basically, it just goes into greater detail about how Jo Marie met Paul, how they fell in love and decided to get married.
This is a poignant little story considering how things turned out for Paul and Jo Marie- but it was nice to get a better feel for the kind of man Paul was and why Rose fell in love with him.
Overall, a nice, sweet bonus read, but not necessary to enjoy the series. If your library has a copy- go for it- but you don’t need to go out of your way to get a copy.
Sweet Magnolias by Sherryl Woods is a 2007 MIRA publication.
Sherryl Woods is a seasoned author of contemporary women’s fiction and by all accounts heSweet Magnolias by Sherryl Woods is a 2007 MIRA publication.
Sherryl Woods is a seasoned author of contemporary women’s fiction and by all accounts her books should have been right up my alley- but for some reason the few times I tried her books they just didn’t impress me much. But I noticed this book was in the KU program and of course, I know a Netflix show is based on this series, so although I don’t have a very good track record with this author, I decided to give her another chance.
As it turns out, I liked this one!
Maddie and her husband are finalizing their divorce after he had an affair with his much younger nurse, who is now expecting a baby. Now, being a single mother to three children means Maddie needs to find a job and get on with her life. As it turns out, a few of her friends are thinking of opening a spa and they want Maddie to join them in the business adventure- which she seriously considers… but her oldest child, a baseball prodigy, is struggling with the divorce and his father’s new girlfriend. This causes Maddie and the baseball coach to team up to help Ty retain his focus on his studies and his baseball prospects- but a strong attraction develops between them- a little flirtation- which doesn’t go unnoticed by the small-town gossips…
The theme of the book is double standards- the difficulty of divorce- and the effect it has on the children. But it also about picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, and getting on with life… and maybe taking a chance on love… true love this time around… with the help of your friends and family, too, of course.
I loved Maddie’s age- and liked that her love interest was younger than her. Maddie is very relatable and likable, as are her friends, and of course Cal is simply dreamy. My one criticism is that our beloved characters do things out of the order in which they should- marriage, intimacy, then children. But the intimacy is, in this first book in the series, thankfully behind closed doors. A small amount of language here and there- but mostly it’s PG13 material. It also seemed to run just a bit longer than was absolutely necessary- but overall, this is good start to the series- there is slight datedness in one or two places- but overall, it stands the test of time quite well. I’m glad I gave this author another chance.
Spring Tides at the Starfish Café by Jessica Redland is a 2022 Boldwood publication.
Time for a few spring and summer' beach read' titles- which I havSpring Tides at the Starfish Café by Jessica Redland is a 2022 Boldwood publication.
Time for a few spring and summer' beach read' titles- which I have begun to love almost as much as my holiday reading.
This book is the second in a series- but I think it works fine as a standalone.
Hollie is still working through some trauma issues, but her life is more stable now and she’s working her way through and over her fears. Unfortunately, a persistent man bent on buying the Starfish Café is becoming more insistent- to the point of harassment.
Meanwhile, Tori, a person rescued by Hollie’s team, has become a customer at the Starfish Café and her story alternates with Hollie’s.
Tori grew up unconventionally and is now estranged from her parents and younger sister. Her current long-term relationship has run out of steam, and she’s forced to assess her life. As it happens, she meets someone who, like her, is at a crossroads, and the two decide to become roommates, and end up becoming close friends… but could it become something more?
There is a lot going on in this story- Tori’s unusual childhood, her relationship issues seeming to take center stage over Hollie’s storyline. It was sort of an odd setup- but there were some truths in there all of us can probably relate to in some way. I’m not sure why we, as humans, tend to focus on the negative instead of the positive- but we often do and make ourselves unnecessarily miserable.
The story went on a bit longer than was absolutely necessary and the plot was slightly quirky- but it was a pleasant enough story, with a sweet romance and character growth, forgiveness, and a warm-hearted conclusion.
Overall, a nice introduction to this author for me- and a solid addition to one’s beach reading list this summer.
3.5 stars
*Mostly clean- but some content I wasn’t on board with, plus some brief- but not explicit, adult sexual situations....more
Remy rescues a drowning man who turns out to have amnesia. This disrupts Remy’s quiet, isolated existMemory Lane by Becky Wade is a 2023 publication.
Remy rescues a drowning man who turns out to have amnesia. This disrupts Remy’s quiet, isolated existence as she is forced to take care of him. The sparks fly – but each of them has a dark part of their past, they must come to terms with.
For her part, Remy is willing to help find out who this mysterious man is and help him piece together the missing pieces of his memory… a task that could prove dangerous…
While I did enjoy this book- for the most part, I did have a few qualms.
One thing I feel I should mention is that the cover could be a bit misleading, and this is an issue I keep encountering. This is not a Rom-Com. It’s not even all that ‘light’. There are some heavy issues addressed in the story and though the author did a good job handling it delicately, the subject matter could be uncomfortable for some readers.
The other thing that bothered me was that the book is listed as Christian Fiction- which was really stretching it. Very little faith-based content- but plenty of other content that CF readers might find surprising- or perhaps controversial… which is why CF can be such a slippery slope sometimes.
That said, the book is ‘clean’- no sexual content, no harsh language or descriptive violence. Still, that doesn’t make it CF.
Other than that, though, the story is enjoyable- and I liked the mystery elements. There was a little something in the book for everyone- romance, mystery, drama and emotion- and it was all very well balanced.
Overall, I was of two minds about this one- there are some blips and gray areas- but the story is good, nevertheless. So, I’ll go with a 3.5- but rounded down.
Must Love Mistletoe by Christie Ridgway is a 2006 Avon publication.
Holiday themed novels are my weakness. Like a starving person at a buffet, every yMust Love Mistletoe by Christie Ridgway is a 2006 Avon publication.
Holiday themed novels are my weakness. Like a starving person at a buffet, every year I load up on new Christmas themed novels- way more than I could possibly read- even if I started in September- okay, if I started in July. So, my Kindle is now haunted by the ghosts of Christmas past- packed with unread heartwarming holiday family fare, Yuletide murders, and zany Christmas-themed rom-coms. So, this year I limited myself to only three (or four) new releases and instead picked holiday books I already had on my Kindle.
I have no idea how long this book has been on my device- but it’s been a few years- over five- at least. I love the cover, and the story sounded cute- so I plucked it from the pile.
Unfortunately, every year I also manage to pick a book that is the equivalent of a lump of coal amongst all the shiny bows and ribbons- and this year that humbug honor goes to “Must Love Mistletoe’.
This is a contemporary romance that although it had some potential fizzled out pretty early on. I have no doubt that if I’d read this book years back, I’d have been more entertained by it than I am now. But I’ve aged out of CR novels in which there is more heavy breathing, groping, making out and sex scenes than there is meaningful dialogue and character growth.
There really wasn’t a lot of holiday cheer in this one either, despite the premise- there was more grumbling about the holiday than warmth, joy, peace or even comedy for that matter. Though one couldn’t really blame Finn for not being in the holiday spirit- he would go from dark and brooding to lusting after Bailey, to make out sessions, then back to dark and brooding. It just didn’t mix well. Then there was that ending- with an unusual twist that didn’t make sense, and a rather abrupt conclusion.
Overall, this one will fare better for the targeted audience- which I was probably moderately a part of when I first acquired this book- but have long since abandoned.
On the plus side, each chapter ended with a small bit of Christmas trivia- which was fun and interesting-and almost made it worth sitting through all that heavy breathing… almost.
A Betty Neels Christmas is a 2002 Harlequin Publication.
The first book in this holiday collection is “A Christmas Proposal”-
This is a short story thaA Betty Neels Christmas is a 2002 Harlequin Publication.
The first book in this holiday collection is “A Christmas Proposal”-
This is a short story that has been bundled or partnered with other books by Neels several times- This combo was released in 2002- but I believe the original copyright for this story is 1996.
This story is sort of a holiday Cinderella story…
Oliver, a doctor, meets Bertha at a party and immediately recognizes that she is not allowed to live up to her full potential thanks to her stepmother and stepsister. He takes her under his wing, finding her a job, and watching over her situation at home, which is a prickly, delicate situation because Bertha’s stepsister has designs on Oliver…
A very short romance, very charming and sweet!
The second story is a full-length novel entitled – “A Winter Wedding”. If I have my facts straight this story was originally published in 1979.
This is a story about Emily, a nurse, who is caring for her younger sister- who is supposed be helping- but is more of pain than anything else- and her infant niece and nephew after her sister and brother-in-law are detained in another country. She is assigned a medical case working with a doctor who is rude and arrogant, but who eventually manages to have a few encounters with Emily outside of work, and meets her younger, more attractive sister. It would seem plain Emily is left to shoulder all the family responsibilities while her sister and the doctor paint the town….
Oh, my goodness- Betty Neels was certainly a treasure. Her books were always very clean and very old-fashioned- safe for any teenager reading them back in the late sixties and seventies.
Unfortunately, the beginning of this story is just plain ridiculous, with Emily’s spoiled sister doing things that would land her in all kinds of legal or criminal hot water- but getting off scot-free- not to mention treating Emily like her personal doormat.
But, thankfully, that part of the book morphed into something else entirely in the second half of the book, where we find Emily on a grand adventure enjoying herself, but feeling the necessity to return to London and focus on her career- all this despite or because of her feelings for the handsome, but often preoccupied doctor who sponsored her trip.
This second half the story was much more pleasant, and I loved the various characters introduced at this stage, too. The formula is familiar, of course, with Emily believing she was too plain for the doctor who had his choice of pretty women, but perhaps she is more attractive than she knows- with her inner beauty leading the way.
Another spin on the Cinderella story- a trope that never seems to go out of style – and there are many modern versions of it. I must say that despite the age of the story and how unrealistic most of it was, I enjoyed it. It was a pleasant story, and it was great fun to reacquaint myself with Neels. I may have to add some of her titles into my rotation more often.
Overall, the two books in this collection compliment one another with similar holiday/winter themes. Quite enjoyable despite the age of the stories!
Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter is a 2020 Thomas Nelson publication.
The plan was to get the Bluebell Inn in shape to sell it. Now the Bennett siblings Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter is a 2020 Thomas Nelson publication.
The plan was to get the Bluebell Inn in shape to sell it. Now the Bennett siblings feel that time has come. With Levi and Molly all set to move forward with their lives, Grace is the one who will be staying in Bluebell, North Carolina. She still has a few moves to make before the inn sells so she needs to get busy getting her business in shape before her siblings leave. But her plans are diverted when Wyatt Jennings shows up for an extended stay at the inn.
When Grace realizes Wyatt needs a mountain guide, she readily volunteers despite some reservations and her sister’s concern. But once they are alone together, they find it easy to discuss their pasts, and get to know each other a little bit, yet they each hold back information about themselves not knowing that key events in their past are about to have a huge impact on their future.
This story has a little bit of suspense mixed in the family drama and romance, which I loved. Grace is the youngest and her siblings still treat her like a child, though she is twenty-one, and is a business owner in her own right- but even Wyatt believes she’s too innocent to get involved with him. But Grace is determined to prove herself, while also finally facing a nightmare from her childhood that resurfaces in her nightmares and occasionally causes full blown panic attacks.
Wyatt works in security, specialized security- but is still haunted by his mother’s death. So, when circumstances arise that put him on leave, he decides to return to Bluebell, hoping to somehow come to terms with what happened all those years ago.
Survivor’s guilt is a big theme in this story with our two MCs suffering from this syndrome. I liked the way the past merged with the present and offered them both a bit of long overdue redemption. The situation presented in the story is definitely an unusual one- but the way it brought two people together who needed to find closure, despite the oddity of the circumstances, could only have come from divine intervention.
Overall, a lovely story all around. I’m so glad I found this author- I get the romance and family dramas, with a sweet Christian message- without the language and explicit content I have grown so weary of. I’m looking forward to going back and reading Molly and Levi’s story someday.
4 stars
*Note: This is the last book in a trilogy- but I think these can be read as stand-alone novels- I just wanted to read a book set in the fall season. Other than knowing the two other siblings get a HEA- the details of their journey are sparse– so no real spoilers if you happen to read them out of order....more
Sweet Tea Sunrise by Rachel Hanna is a 2020 publication.
This second installment in the "Sweet Tea B&B” series picks up exactly where the first instalSweet Tea Sunrise by Rachel Hanna is a 2020 publication.
This second installment in the "Sweet Tea B&B” series picks up exactly where the first installment left off. Mia discovers another ‘hit’ on the DNA site that brought her together with a sister she didn’t know she had. This time, though, it looks as though she might, at long last, have a chance to meet her father. She contacts him- but now she must wait on pins and needles to see if he’ll reach out…
Meanwhile, Kate and Cooper’s relationship deepens, and Evie is both excited and nervous about getting a fresh start in a new place, and a person from Mia’s past shows up out of the blue asking to stay at the B&B, as do an older couple who seem to be at odds with one another…
This is a cute series- it’s mostly clean, very light, though there are some heavier adult issues addressed. It’s a sweet story, mingled with humor and some irony along the way. I’m looking forward to the next installment to see how these relationships will progress from here.
Overall, a quick easy read- and a wonderful companion for a lovely fall day!
A Little Christmas Faith by Kathyn Freeman is a 2017 Choc-lit publication.
Faith’s dream of owning and operating a hotel has come true. It’s ChristmasA Little Christmas Faith by Kathyn Freeman is a 2017 Choc-lit publication.
Faith’s dream of owning and operating a hotel has come true. It’s Christmas and the hotel is now open for business decorated to maximize the holiday spirit… and she’s gotten her first guests- never mind that they are her own parents.
Enter Adam- her first authentic guest- a big lumberjack of a man who wants nothing more than to ignore Christmas…
Unfortunately, he’s come to the wrong place to escape the holidays….
I don’t mind a bit of the sunshine/grumpy trope, just so long as either side is not too heavy handed- and in this case it was mostly balanced, with Adam coming on a bit too strong on occasion, but nothing too over the top.
I had a bit of a wrong impression going into this one, though. I was expecting something a little lighter and cleaner- like Hallmark Movie clean- but there was some heaviness here I wasn’t anticipating, with a smattering of language and sexual content. (My presumption- so my bad on that front)
I also struggled with the messaging concerning Faith’s teenage niece, Chloe. Having a boyfriend is not a measure of one’s self-worth, and a great teaching moment here was missed. I know this is not a story one should over analyze, but it was a niggle that wouldn't stop worrying me.
The subject matter that comes later in the book is quite emotional and because the details came so deep into the story the heaviness overshadowed the sudden reverse back to lighthearted holiday events and perhaps put a damper on the warm and fuzzies I was longing for.
Overall, I wanted to love this one. I think I’ve read this author before, some time back, and enjoyed her work, but this one didn’t work for me as well, unfortunately.
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs is a 2023 William Morrow publication.
Brenda is not a ‘Christmas’ person. Too many bad memories attached –The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs is a 2023 William Morrow publication.
Brenda is not a ‘Christmas’ person. Too many bad memories attached – not to mention the recent Christmas eve discovery of her husband’s infidelity-which makes her even more determined to escape the holiday this year- which is how she finds herself traveling thousands of miles from Houston to New York to deliver a slew of dogs to their forever homes. But a series of events leaves Brenda stranded, sorely testing her ability to avoid Christmas...
Well, who can pass up a tail wagging Christmas tale? That cover is just too precious to pass up. This is a lovely romantic story with plenty of holiday cheer. There’s a nice balance between the romantic elements and the heartwarming holiday magic- nothing too sweet or too heavy.
The story is not entirely ‘clean’- the intimacy is closed-door-and though the language is infrequent- and pretty mild- there should be a ‘no-cursing’ clause in all holiday- themed novels- it just doesn’t feel right to me.
But besides that one complaint- I enjoyed this story. It was fun, whimsical, and super romantic… and of course… there were dogs!! Enough said!
Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller is a 2021 Thomas Nelson publication.
This is a pleasant enough contemporary fiction/ romance novel. It’s a great choiHooked on You by Kathleen Fuller is a 2021 Thomas Nelson publication.
This is a pleasant enough contemporary fiction/ romance novel. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a clean story without a lot of super heavy or dark drama. That said, it’s not a story that will stick in my memory for very long.
Though this book is labeled as Christian fiction, those elements are very weak. In fact, ‘clean’ or ‘sweet’ romance would be more accurate. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if some Christian fiction readers were critical of some the verbiage used in the book.
Overall, though, it was a nice way to pass an afternoon…
Mistletoe Mine by Emily March is a 2023 publication. (Originally published in 2011)
I missed this one when it was originally published in 2011. It’s beMistletoe Mine by Emily March is a 2023 publication. (Originally published in 2011)
I missed this one when it was originally published in 2011. It’s been repackaged, if you will, with a new cover and an updated excerpt at the end of the story. But, regardless, it’s a new story for me, and I’m glad I was made aware of it.
It’s been a long time since I landed my feet in Eternity Springs, and it was nice to revisit that world for a short time. This story is, as are most holiday themed novellas, short and sweet. There is depth to the story as well as some Christmas scenery to capture the romance of the season as well as the magic.
Overall, a quick, enjoyable story everyone can enjoy- at any time of the year!
The Little Book Café: Amy’s story by Georgia Hill is a 2018 HarperImpulse publication.
This is the final installment in the Little Book Café series. TThe Little Book Café: Amy’s story by Georgia Hill is a 2018 HarperImpulse publication.
This is the final installment in the Little Book Café series. The trilogy closes with an emotional segment centered around Amy, the bookshop owner and organizer of the book club. Amy is super shy and has a hard time keeping the club on topic as more forceful personalities tend to disrupt the meetings. But there is more to Amy than even she realizes.
After a horrendous breakup with her fiancé, a situation that caused plenty of town gossip, Amy has become withdrawn and is the frequent recipient of her mother’s digs about her weight and clothing choices. She also has a crush on Patrick, an Irish author and book club member who carries an air of mystery about him. Will Amy have the nerve to stand up to her mother and maybe make a play for Patrick?
I enjoyed seeing Amy come out her shell and Patrick’s revelations gave the story more emotional depth than the previous chapters in the trilogy. The ending is very sweet, and I loved how all three featured characters have developed their friendships with one another, with their significant others, and most of all their own personal growth.
Overall, these three novella length stories are a perfect fit for a lunch break- or pack all three for a day at the beach. I enjoyed this trilogy and will be adding more Georgia Hill books to my TBR from now on!...more
The Little Bookshop Café- Emma’s Story by Georgia Hill is a 2018 HarperImpulse publication.
With a new hire at the real estate agency throwing her higThe Little Bookshop Café- Emma’s Story by Georgia Hill is a 2018 HarperImpulse publication.
With a new hire at the real estate agency throwing her higher education in Emma’s face, she is prompted to broaden her horizons by taking a class in high brow literature. She soon finds herself developing a crush on the teacher and begins feeling restless and bored with her long-time boyfriend, Ollie. Stuck in a small town, with little opportunity, Emma begins to wonder if there’s more out there and if she should explore it…
This is the second installment in the Bookshop Café series and is obviously centered around Emma, Tash’s colleague and friend we met in book one. Emma loves Poldark – and her fantasies are built around these epic romance/dramas, a form of escapism that takes her away from her mundane smalltown life. Getting swept away by her new literature class and her self- important teacher only exacerbates her discontent with her life, making her long for something more. In the process, she is missing what is right under her nose….
I hate, hate, hate to admit this, but I’ve never read Poldark. I know, I know! But just so you know, I’ve added it to my TBR and plan to read it very soon. It sounds like a series I would love- right up my alley. But, while the references to Poldark went over my head, it didn’t stop me from getting the message the author was trying to convey.
Sometimes we long for something new, something more exciting, more challenging, only to discover that we had all we ever needed or wanted right under our noses all along. Will Emma wise up before it’s too late?
Overall, another cute, novella length story. I love the book themes, especially since these books are tempting me to re-read old classics or get started on books I’ve neglected to read before now! I also enjoyed some of the humor in the book, and the story was just a tiny bit lighter than the previous installment, which gave it a lovely heartwarming feel. A very enjoyable lunchbreak read!
Christmas at Spruce Hill Farm by Kathryn Springer is a 2024 Harlequin Love Inspired publication.
I only allowed myself a couple of pre-release or new Christmas at Spruce Hill Farm by Kathryn Springer is a 2024 Harlequin Love Inspired publication.
I only allowed myself a couple of pre-release or new release holiday books this year- and this was one of them. What I didn’t realize at the time was that this book was not slated for release until late 2024!! Yikes!
So, here’s what I’m going to do-
I'm going to write a small preview of my review- then post the full review closer to release day:
Overall, this is a light story, but one with some poignancy and depth. It will appeal to younger and more mature contemporary fiction/romance readers, alike!
The Joyous Adventure by Elizabeth Ashton is a 1979 Harlequin Romance publication.
Susan is a young widow who wants to keep her husband’s estate- ThursThe Joyous Adventure by Elizabeth Ashton is a 1979 Harlequin Romance publication.
Susan is a young widow who wants to keep her husband’s estate- Thurston Hall- for her children’s sake- but in order to do that she will have to find a way to make the estate profitable.
Enter Raoul Sansterre-
Raoul, despite his obvious skepticism, agrees to help Susan launch a high-end restaurant on the estate. The pair instantly clash- but they are also irritatingly attracted to one another. Susan insists on keeping their relationship on a professional level, while Raoul has made it clear that he wouldn’t mind mixing a bit a pleasure with business…
This book was originally published back in 1979. I was so surprised to see it in the KU program, I felt obligated to help support it, as it is so hard to find older books in e book format.
I do keep in mind the time frame in which a book is published, especially when it comes to older romance novels. Unfortunately, there were two scenes that, even if I had read this book in 1979, would have been a deal breaker, even then.
So, without spending too much time on it- Raoul was not a redeemable character. I hope Susan never had another ‘hysterical’ episode and hope any future pets will stay clear of Raoul!
1.5 stars
*Note: I am currently doing a side project working to get older titles digitized. I've always been a huge fan of vintage books, so preserving them is important to me. With the war on libraries- even by publishers who are trying to prevent libraries from offering patrons a way to read out of print books, it is my hope that more authors will digitize their work- and so if I am able- I will try to support them in that endeavor by checking out their books and reviewing them. If you see these popping up in my GR feed, and some of you are a bit squeamish about my old Harlequins- don't feel obligated to comment. This is just a pet project of mine and Goodreads is a great place to simply catalog books, too. If you do want to support these older books, and libraries, please consider taking a small ARC cleanse and get a few books from your local library from time to time.
Although this book had some big issues, don't let that discourage anyone. I am thrilled to see that the author- or her estate- has taken steps to keep her books from fading into complete obscurity- which they will if not digitized.
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