Contemporary Romance – Kav's Best Reads

Series Spotlight – Hope Harbor + Giveaway

What I love about this series:

Each book feels like the warmest homecoming
Full of that bookish hug kind of feeling
Memorable secondary characters that have become family to me
Stories filled with hope despite difficult circumstances
Exquisite storytelling
Captivating romances
Found family themes
Charley’s wisdom
Peppered with life lessons and nuggets of faith

The Giveaway

Winner’s choice of one of the books in this series. Please state the title in a comment or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. Please put the title in the subject area of your email. Also, please remember to take note of the formats available for different countries.

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible – winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 20 2026

Series Spotlight – Checking Out Love + Giveaway

What I love about this series:

All the splendiferous bookishness!
The heroines are all librarians
The wonderful mix of heart and humour
Storytelling that sings
Diverse characters I don’t always see in my fiction
Inspirational faith threads

The Giveaway:

Winner’s choice of one of the books in this series, including the upcoming July release. Please state the title in a comment or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. Please put the title in the subject area of your email. Also, please remember to take note of the formats available for different countries.

US – paperback or ebook copy – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible copy – winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 20 2026.

Almost by Design + Giveaway

Kenya Stewart is so close to getting her dream position at an event agency. When a scheduling blunder risks her promotion, she hopes an upcoming pitch will give her a second chance. But an accident at her cousin’s wedding sends her to the emergency room in the care of another wedding guest, Solomon Anruchi, the handsome doctor who ghosted her after their first date.

Solomon’s parents are eager for him to find a business-savvy wife and make the move to New York to take over a recent acquisition by their family’s company. But he needs to buy more time to finish his residency and convince them that staying in Hope Springs is the best path for him. He realizes that Kenya is the perfect person to help, and Kenya needs his connections to land a high-profile client and save her career. Their solution? A fake dating relationship.

As attractions increase amid their ruse, secrets they’ve kept from each other and the weight of others’ expectations begin to unravel their scheme. Will their carefully constructed plans crumble when the truth comes out?

Jenny Erlingsson’s charming new contemporary romance is brimming with heart, humor, and characters that leap off the page.

My Review:

Happy sigh of supreme bibliophile satisfaction, that’s me after reading (listening) to ‘Almost by Design.‘ I am a forever Jenny Erlingsson fan now. Her evocative storytelling style invites a reader in and compels her to stay. I love the combination of comedy and drama centred around a fake dating trope. Kenya and Solomon couldn’t be more right for each other…in all the wrong ways…and it was so much fun watching them come together after an inauspicious beginning. Hmmm, might even be able to say this starts out as an ‘enemies to more’ trope as well, on Kenya’s side anyway.

She’s feisty and focused. Career-minded to the nth degree because she has something to prove, or thinks she does anyway. Her intense need to prove herself feels almost exhausting at times but she has very good reasons for feeling that way.

Solomon is burdened by the weight of parental expectations. They see his future one way, he sees it going in a completely different direction. He loves and respects his parents, but does that mean he has to sacrifice his hopes and dreams for them?

Honestly, the character growth for both hero and heroine is phenomenal. Lots of emotional depth with touches of faith and insightful wisdom from unexpected places. And the romance? Swoonalicious all the way! From their hesitant fake relationship pact that grows into friendship that deepens into something they both need to be brave enough to hold onto. Oh la la! Sublime, toe-curling romance with just the right touch of angst!

A full cast of opinionated secondary characters adds flare and even more drama to Solomon and Kenya’s love story (as if they actually needed any more drama!) Leaves me eagerly anticipating more Hope Springs stories in my reading future because some of these characters deserve their chance to shine in their own stories!

I listened to the audible edition of ‘Almost by Design’ narrated by AhDream Smith who delivered a stunning performance. She matched the energy and emotion of Erlingsson’s storytelling and added to my overall enjoyment.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook copy – winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or audible copy – winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Almost by Design, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 13 2026

The Imposter

random retro reread

Katrina Stoltzfus thought she had life and love all figured out: she was going to marry John and live happily ever after. Those plans started to crumble when her father moved the family to Stoney Ridge, then completely collapsed when John decided to marry someone else. Katrina is devastated. How could she have felt so loved, yet been so deceived?

As she struggles to face a future without him, a widow asks for her help to start a new business and Katrina quickly agrees. She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose. What she doesn’t need is attention from Andy Miller, a farm hand who arrives at the widow’s farm just when help is most needed–and who always seems to say the right thing, and be in the right place, at the right time. Is Andy
for real, or too good to be true? Deceived once before, Katrina is determined to keep her feelings in check.

When a cascade of events is set in motion by some surprising information, the little Amish church is turned upside down. Soon, everyone has a stake in the outcome, and the community struggles to find the best response to an imposter in their midst. Can they forgive even the most deceitful deeds?

My Review:

Squeeeeeallll! Fisher takes us back to Stoney Ridge in her new series, The Bishops Family. There are some carry over characters from The Inn at Eagle Hill series, but no worries if you haven’t read any of those books, The Imposter works perfectly fine as a standalone story. If you have though, you’ll get a tickle out of connecting with some familiar and oh-so-lovable quirky characters — like Hank and Fern.

There’s an unhurried charm to the way Fisher tells this story. It’s so easy to slide right into the thick of things and forget that you have a life outside of Stoney Ridge. And it feels like you have all the time in the world to explore and discover. Talk about overflowing on the reader contentment meter!

Love the multiple viewpoints in this read — and the way seemingly diverse plotlines connect in some truly amazing ways. The Imposter is filled with all the true to life drama and humour that you find anywhere people gather as a community. I was especially challenged by the inspirational thread. As in the case with many Amish fiction I read, I was able to parallel solid gospel truths with my own faith journey and this one packs quite a punch.

The Imposter is chock-full of surprises. Seriously — I did not see that coming. Or that. Or the other thing either. Completely blew my mind…and has left me eager for the next installment because this story isn’t over yet. Yes some threads have been neatly tied up in a bow but many others are just waiting to take on a life of their own. I can’t wait.

On a Summer Tide + Giveaway

random retro reread

Sometimes love hurts–and sometimes it can heal in the most unexpected way.

Camden Grayson loves her challenging career, but the rest of her life could use some improvement. “Moving on” is Cam’s mantra. But there’s a difference, her two sisters insist, between one who moves on . . . and one who keeps moving.

Cam’s full-throttle life skids to a stop when her father buys a remote island off the coast of Maine. Paul Grayson has a dream to breathe new life into the island–a dream that includes reuniting his estranged daughters. Certain Dad has lost his mind, the three sisters rush to the island. To Cam’s surprise, the slow pace of island life appeals to her, along with the locals–and one in particular. Sam Walker, the scruffy island schoolteacher harbors more than a few surprises.

With On a Summer Tide, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher begins a brand-new contemporary romance series that is sure to delight her fans and draw new ones.

My Review:

published in 2019

Eeeeppp!!! I’m all starry-eyed over this new series by Suzanne Woods Fisher! I’m an ardent fan of her Amish novels and did wonder if a straight contemporary would have the same pizzazz — and, boy, does it ever!!!!

An island in Maine is the perfect setting for this author’s trademark community-with-quirks world building. From the Never Late Ferry (no schedule = never late) to the sketchy wi-fi service to the wary locals — well, I’m a tad shy of giddy over all the eccentricities that bring touches of humour to the very real struggles facing Paul Grayson and his daughters.

And secondary character Peg Legg (yes, that’s really her name! Not just pulling your leg…bwahahaha — sorry!) brightens every scene she’s in. A plain-spoken woman with a big heart, she becomes an anchor for the newcomers who have definitely stepped out of their comfort zone. “One thing I know, you either get bitter or better by what life throws at you.” (p 81) This book is full to brimming with Pegisms like that!

On a Summer Tide is told from multiple points of view — Paul and his three daughter, Cam, Maddie and Blaine. I love the way Fisher sets the series up here, drawing readers into the heart of this complicated and somewhat dysfunctional family. And there are things I love and…don’t….about each sister. Maddie in particular got my dander up and I’m looking forward to what’s in store for her in the next book.

But Cam is featured in this first book and though I couldn’t relate to her at first — she’s very corporate success driven and that’s just not me at all! — I loved watching her true self emerge under island magic…and the influence of a certain ‘new to the island’ local and one-room schoolhouse teacher extraordinaire. Loved Seth on first sight. A man of deep faith who isn’t afraid to share: “We all have to let go of the need to prove ourselves. Our souls aren’t a matter of commerce, we’re a matter of faith.” (p 219) He’s the perfect foil for Cam…and a man of mystery too. I guarantee her’ll surprise you!

Such an enthralling start to the Three Sisters Island series! I’m so enamoured I’ve been hunting online for the release info for the next book but I can’t even find out the title! Sob! Hope we don’t have long to wait because I’m ready for another island visit!

Giveaway Opportunity:

This giveaway is for a gently read copy, available to any reader anywhere so, YAY, open to International Readers.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Counting on a Cowboy leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 16 2026

Counting on a Cowboy + Giveaway

random retro reread

After losing everything she held dear, Abby never wants to love again. But a certain cowboy may just spur her to wonder if love might be worth the risk. Running from a past that haunts her, Abby Knightly is drawn to the cozy town of Wishing Springs, Texas. Maybe this small town could offer hope and healing and a future for Abby . . . if she’s brave enough to reach out and take it by the reins.

Bo Monahan isn’t interested in the new romantic destination his little town has become—or the women who might be looking at him like he’s their next Mr. Right. Between taking care of his Pops and his growing stirrup business, he isn’t looking for serious romantic commitments. But when the infant son he never knew about shows up at his doorstep, his world is turned upside down.

This confirmed bachelor might not think he needs a wife, but he sure needs help. Even Abby can see that, and despite her best efforts to keep her distance, she can’t help but be drawn to this new father-son duo. As Abby throws herself into helping Bo navigate fatherhood, hope sparks between them, revealing that maybe, just maybe, they can navigate their dark pasts and emerge together into a future as bright as the Texas sun itself.

My Review:

published in 2015

I want to say ‘Best Romantic Comedy Ever’ but as I think back on this story I realize there are a lot of really intensely emotional issues that various characters are struggling to deal with. So there’s definitely gritty realism delivered in an honest, and sometimes heart wrenching, way but I still start grinning when I think about Counting on a Cowboy. I guess the humorous bits that shine through the drama really made an impact on me.

Like two cowboy brothers dealing with the day in, day out care of an infant: “Aw, come, Jarrod. Give me a break. I’ve changed him three times and you should see the stuff coming out of that kid. Maybe we should take him to the doc.” (p. 75) Bumbling cowboys out of their element are always a treat to read about.

As is the simmering romance between Bo and Abby. Attraction confirmed, desire to do something about it, not so much. Because it’s truly complicated. From a crash bang first meet to Abby’s painful past, there just doesn’t seem to be a way for them to move forward. Cue the audacious town matchmakers — Clara Lyn and Reba — though, honestly, their clumsy attempts do more harm than good a time or two. And that’s because they don’t have all the facts.

Neither does the reader when it comes to Abby’s haunting past. Clopton expertly tantalizes with subtle hints that grow clearer as the story progresses. I was gutted by the time the whole truth was revealed but thrilled when Bo proves to finally be the hope for her future.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read copy, available to any reader anywhere so, YAY, open to International Readers.

Sit, Stay, Love + Giveaway

random retro reread

A Novel for Dog Lovers

Take one abrasive professional athlete, a quirky out-of-work schoolteacher, and an overweight geriatric dog, and you’re ready for a lesson in love…Tippy style.

Pro baseball pitcher Cal Crawford is not a dog guy. When he inherits his deceased mother’s elderly dog, Tippy, he’s quick to call on a pet-sitting service.

Gina isn’t thrilled to be a dog sitter when her aspirations lie in the classroom. Furthermore, she can’t abide the unfriendly Cal, a man with all the charm of a wet towel. But with no other prospects and a deep love for all things canine, she takes the job caring for Tippy.

As Gina travels through Cal’s world with Tippy in tow, she begins to see Cal in a different light. Gina longs to show Cal the God-given blessings in his life that have nothing to do with baseball or fame. When her longing blooms into attraction, Gina does her best to suppress it. But Cal is falling in love with her too…

Discover the charming story of Tippy, the dog who brought a family together.

My Review:

published in 2016

Surprise! Another reread from ten years ago! How is it I am gravitating to 2016 books?! It was a very good year for fiction!

Quirky and fun with lots of sweet and savoury bits. Anyone who has been owned by an eccentric dog will adore Tippy! And empathize with Gina! And eventually Cal — though he was a bit of a hard sell at the beginning. 🙂 And because I love dogs so much I actually cried in two places so be forewarned if you have a tender canine loving heart like mine! Mentink knows how to turn on the emotional angst.

Cal is a bit of a lost soul in the beginning. It isn’t so much that he’s egotistical, but he is cynical about his fame and what people want from him. As a result he’s lost his bearings, confusing self-worth with worldly labels instead of in God’s glory. The enticing thing about Gina is that she sees Cal for who he really is. She couldn’t care less for all the trappings that comes with being a star pitcher. When Cal starts to see himself through her lens, he begins to sort out who he really is and what he wants his future to look like.

Be prepared for a few curve balls as the story progesses — especially since stubborn Cal has a penchant for playing hardball. Through all the mayhem and mirth, Mentink manages to hit a home run with Sit, Stay, Love. (sorry, couldn’t resist using some baseball idioms!)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and open to any reader anywhere in the world so, yay, an International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Sit, Stay, Love, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 2 2026

An Appearance of Impropriety + Giveaway

As the youngest female judge in LA, Mahalia Jackson has her career goals carefully aligned. But when her mentor tells her she needs to break her shell of professionalism and show a little heart by volunteering for the Junior Jurors program, her plans begin to falter.

Attorney JD Cash heads up the Junior Jurors program, a project born out of his own troubled past. He leverages his position as an attorney to fulfill God’s calling on his life, supporting the orphans and widows of society who have lost beloved husbands and fathers to TransNation’s eighteen-wheeled time bombs roaming America’s freeways.

Mahalia’s rule—never date a lawyer—is a straitjacket that tightens when she presides over the case where JD serves as a young widow’s attorney. But when an earthquake leaves JD and Mahalia in a vulnerable position, her resolve begins to waver and she finds herself opening up to the sad-eyed lawyer. But online, anonymous colleagues and adversaries attempt to destroy Mahalia’s reputation and career.

A legal drama threaded with romance, An Appearance of Impropriety will show readers that real love is worth the risk.

My Review:

I usually don’t read novels with strong legal themes but loved Jayna Breigh’s debut novel so I jumped into this one without any second guessing and it was as brilliant as I knew it would be!

A character-driven legal drama that turned into a compulsive listen. Yes, this was another audio ‘read’ for me and Alyx Monroe might be my dream narrator. The tone of her voice is so soothing and pleasant to listen to and the way she infuses the characters with emotion and humour made me love them all the more!

My fear of not understanding the legal-eeze in ‘An Acceptance of Impropriety’ was unfounded. Somehow Breigh manages to create the thrill of a legal drama in layman’s terms. I never felt lost, in fact, the courtroom scenes were some of the most riveting. JD and Mahalia’s volunteer work with the Junior Jurors program for at-risk youth also helped because I got to learn the court system right along with them.

But there’s also so much more to this story than the legal drama (but, whoa, the drama!) There’s a slow burn romance that builds from misunderstanding. Opposites attract and forbidden love tropes play a part in their complicated relationship as well. JD is a knight in shining armour slaying big corporations on behalf of widows and orphans. I was so invested in his court case! Mahalia is the youngest female judge in LA and she carries that burden of expectation and scrutiny.

I love the way we got to know this hero and heroine through snippets of their backstories at pivotal moments. It helped me understand their thoughts and actions. Watching them struggle to learn from their pasts while finding the courage to create their own unique futures was exhilarating.

A stunning inspirational legal drama/romance that I’m still thinking about days after finishing it.

My thanks to RB Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook copy – winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or audible copy – winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of An Appearance of Impropriety, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 2 2026

Brighter Than Before + Giveaway

In her forties, newly single in the Windy City, and reeling from a major life shake-up, Claire Karadec finds a reset in the most unlikely of places–a dating profile set up by her adult daughter. From New York Times bestselling author Courtney Walsh comes a refreshing, lighthearted, sweet novel, perfect for fans of Annabel Monaghan and Sarah Adams.

Claire did not plan to end up mid-forties with a daughter studying in London and the unfortunate discovery that her husband is not the man she thought he was. In fact, he’s the exact opposite of a faithful, loyal, kind, and good-hearted spouse. And the discovery of his real nature and lack of remorse leads her to do what she never thought she would–divorce him.

After a year of wallowing before hitting rock bottom . . . in public, unfortunately, Claire realizes she needs to finally answer the question her therapist asked her all those months “What do you really want?” It was a question she couldn’t answer then, but now she knows it’s time to figure it out.

It’s the turning point that leads Claire to change her life. And not just a little–a lot. She sells her house in Denver and moves to the city that’s always had her heart–Chicago.

With the help of nosy neighbors, new friends, and a daughter who sets her up on a dating site from across the ocean, Claire begins to answer that big, important question by figuring out what she wants and how to live life on her own terms.

My Review:

Another smash hit by one of my favourite authors! Courtney Walsh never disappoints. Each time I read one of her books I’m convinced it’s my favourite…until the next one, anyway.

I felt for Claire right from that wince-inducing opening scene. I kept shouting, “Nooooo, turn bacccccckkkk!” but, alas, she didn’t listen to me and chaos ensued. The kind of chaos that you can laugh about…ten years down the road but is absolutely mortifying at the time and I was mortified right along with her.

So Claire decides to start fresh with a list of ‘new-to-her’ goals both big and small and, honestly, more chaos ensues but in the best of ways. New city, new friends, new experiences along with a host of hilarious (and sometimes not so hilarious) mix-ups that need sorting. Thankfully she has more triumphs than failures, though once she goes awry it’s always in epic fashion! And in the midst of all things new comes the possibility of romance…something she’s not keen on at all.

Walsh has created the perfect blend of emotion and humour with characters that are as endearing as they are flawed. Claire’s personal growth story is phenomenal and left me teary-eyed more than once. And that reluctant romance takes on a life of it’s own, full of tenderness and yearning and the fragile hope of a very different kind of future than she planned.

I listened to the audio edition of ‘Brighter Than Before’ narrated by Patti Murin who did a fabulous job portraying all these characters and their unique eccentricities and her performance really captured the heart of the story which I appreciate so much.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Important note: This book doesn’t release until June 9 so this giveaway is an IOU until the release date. 🙂

US – paperback or ebook copy – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback,ebook or audible copy – winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Brighter Than Before, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 2, 2026

The Crime Brûlée Bake Off + Giveaway

An unexpected romance. A haunting mystery. Pastries to die for. The Great British Baking Show meets a cozy mystery with a contemporary romance and a Regency-era twist.

Amateur baker Claire Walker is thrilled to be a contestant on Britain’s Battle of the Bakers. She can almost smell the fresh pastries wafting through the air. If she can win the grand prize, she can ditch her teaching job and launch her baking career.

The Viscount of Colburn, Jonathan Ainsley, is the custodian of Blackfirth Park and an eligible bachelor. He reluctantly agrees to allow the cooking competition show to film on his estate, but when a contestant is found dead soon after filming begins, Jonathan is forced to get involved. To make matters worse, the baker’s death stirs up rumors of the legendary death of the tenth Viscountess of Colburn two hundred and fifty years earlier.

Even as suspicion falls on some of the bakers, a decidedly different kind of heat begins to simmer between Claire and Jonathan. If they are to have any hope of a future romance, they must first solve the mystery before the show gets canceled or someone else falls prey to what some believe is the Blackfirth Park ghost.

My Review:

I’m always on the look out for my next great cozy mystery and I hit the jackpot with this one! It’s fashioned after the television hit, ‘The Great British Bake Off’ complete with a huge tent set up on a grand English estate. Eeeepppp! Love the behind the scenes input and all the delightful foodie references, including our heroine’s penchant for culinary exclamations: “Eggs and custard!” or “Crepes alive!” And Claire has cause to use her repertoire of creative phraseology because….murder and mayhem ensue! Bwahahaha!

Connolly has excelled at creating a nice balance between the cozy aspects of the story and the mystery as well as the lovely addition of light romance (with a viscount no less!) I was in bibliophile heaven!

I thoroughly enjoyed listening the audible edition of ‘The Crime Brûlée Bake Off’ (such a clever cozy title!) Sophie Roberts’ interpretation of these characters (accents included) made for an engaging listen. I’m charmed by both the story and the narration and now I’m eager to jump into the next ‘Claire Walker Mystery,’ audio edition, of course.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook copy – winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or audible copy – winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Crime Brûlée Bake Off, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 25 2026