Contemporary Romance – Page 13

You Make it Feel Like Christmas + Giveaway

Merry Christmas in July Retro Read!
What better way to beat the heat?!

Starr Lewis reluctantly returns home for the holidays jobless, single, and not at all prepared to be dragged into her sister’s wedding activities–or to witness her sister’s marriage to Starr’s ex-boyfriend on Christmas Eve. But when her brother’s charming best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, Starr begins to believe that maybe coming home isn’t so bad.

As Starr endures wedding preparations, she takes comfort in Waylon’s presence and finds the perfect distraction in helping him keep his late mother’s Christmas shop afloat. As the spark between them grows, Starr must decide what she wants out of life–to go back to New York City or to stay and pursue a new dream.

My Review:

published in 2023

The perfect holiday read! The kind you can devour in one sitting but the story still packs an emotional punch and leaves a reader aglow with the warmth of a yuletide happily ever after. Plus it’s fun and flirty, with enough swoonable moments to keep a romantic like me more than content. My heart’s still humming and I can’t wipe the silly grin off my face. 🙂

And there’s a wonderful faith thread about the importance of prayer. Both Starr and Waylon are wrestling with some major life changes and I really appreciate the raw honesty the author brings to their dilemmas. They are both Christians and invoke the power of prayer in their lives but that doesn’t always mean decisions are easy, or that they even feel divinely guided all the time. Sooooo relatable. And refreshing to read about.

The Lewis family is…interesting. Five siblings, a Christmas obsessed mama (she gave all her children Christmas names, after all) and a kind, but somewhat distant father. Interesting dynamics within the family as well, which strikes a realistic chord. And I’m looking forward to getting to know more about these characters…and their happily-ever-afters…in future books.

While I did have a paperback copy of ‘You Make It Feel Like Christmas’ on hand, I couldn’t resist diving into the audible edition because of it’s wonderful narration. Jasmin Walker’s portrayal of these characters is pitch perfect and made me enjoy the story all the more.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of You Make It Feel Like Christmas , 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 July 27 2024.

Sycamore Circle

There’s a lot going on in Joy Howard’s life. She’s got an ex-husband who starts acting like he doesn’t want to be an ex anymore, a sixteen-year-old daughter in need of a guiding hand and a lot of rides to dance practice, more orders for paintings than she has time to paint, and a roster of tutoring clients who sometimes need far more than she can give.

What she doesn’t have is time for a new relationship.

Samuel Bo Beauman is a lot of things. He’s a counselor for transitioning ex-cons, a good friend to many, a construction worker, a brother and son, and even a part-time model for a high-end sportswear catalog. He’s also a man searching for redemption.

One thing he isn’t is a man in need of a girlfriend.

But none of that seems to matter when Bo hears Joy’s kind voice in a crowded coffee shop. He instantly knows she’s someone he wants to know better. The two of them hit it off–much to the dismay of practically everyone they know–but Bo doesn’t care what other people think. He feels at peace whenever he’s with Joy, and he won’t let her go without a fight.

When Joy starts getting mysterious texts and phone calls from unknown numbers, she tries to ignore it. But instead of going away, the messages escalate and Joy realizes she can’t handle it alone. But she is juggling a jealous ex-husband, a handful of students with little to lose, and a brand-new boyfriend who spent several years behind bars. Who can she trust?

My Review:

I’m not sure how I feel about the series (Rumors n Ross County.) It’s definitely not the sweet romance I’ve come to expect from Shelley Shepard Gray. It’s like a whole different genre. Still great storytelling, but edgier and the books feel more like general market fiction. I definitely feel that the first book, Edgewater Road, had way more questionable content than this one did. Sycamore Circle is very much ‘toned down’ and I appreciate that but…

Bo is all alpha male with a side of Southern charm that both compliments and contradicts. An ex-con who serves other ex-cons by helping them acclimate to life on the outside. He’s definitely rough around the edges and there were a couple of scenes that made me uncomfortable. Plus there’s a bit of crude language which is par for the course, given the men and their backgrounds, I guess.

Joy is his exact opposite. A straight-laced, by-the-books single mom (with a sixteen year old daughter) who is the older woman who steals Bo’s heart. We’re not told how much older she is — she’s thirty-six. It felt like a lot of their relationship was based on physical attraction and, Bo in particular, was pretty forward in his pursuit of the, understandably, more hesitant Joy which sometimes crossed barriers for me as he relentlessly (albeit politely) pursued her. He never crossed any lines, but sometimes it just felt off for me.

Aside from their romance, there’s a bit of a stalker suspense thread featuring Joy as the victim. There’s also drama with her ex-husband — so lots for Bo to get all alpha male protective over and I enjoyed the rising tension that hits midway through the story until the frantic climax.

There’s also a secondary plot featuring Joy’s daughter and an Amish boy who is thinking about leaving his community which added an interesting twist to the overall story.

There was one major subplot that remained unresolved by the end of the book — not sure if it will be picked up in book three, but it doesn’t seem likely since the epilogue for Sycamore Circle is set a year later and the unresolved issues were time sensitive and would have played out by then so….I’m left with way too many questions, like why that thread was added to the story towards the very end and then just fizzled out?

For all my misgivings, I did find Sycamore Circle a compelling read. I never considered putting it down, but it did leave me feeling a bit unsettled after I finished. And, having said that, I am intrigued enough by another ex-con character who is also ex-Amish that I am really hoping there’s a third Rumors in Ross County and it will feature Seth’s story.

Matters of the Heart + Giveaway

He’s the community’s jokester auctioneer. She’s the serious caregiver for her siblings who also works at the local plant nursery. What future could they have together?

Declan Miller has always had feelings for Bethel King. Back when they were in school, she was the smartest girl in the class and, in his opinion, by far the prettiest. Now the two of them are in their twenties and while the attraction is still there, Declan is as hesitant as ever to let Bethel know how he feels. His corny jokes and wisecracks cover a heart that’s afraid of rejection.

Bethel can’t deny Declan is nice, funny, hardworking, and pleasing to the eye–a perfect match if you asked any Plain girl in the area. But marrying Bethel would also mean marrying into her family. Two of her younger brothers have a rare form of muscular dystrophy, and her sister Claire is now showing signs of having it as well. Fiercely loyal and nurturing, Bethel has promised herself her siblings will always come first. With a good chance that she carries the gene and could pass it on to her children, Bethel has tried to convince herself marriage and family just aren’t in the cards for her.

When a devastating diagnosis of his own turns Declan’s world upside down, he looks to Bethel for understanding, compassion, and a realistic outlook. As they share their dreams and fears and grow together in faith, a bond begins to develop between them. Perhaps their combination of optimistic extrovert and thoughtful introvert really isn’t such a bad thing–perhaps it’s actually a part of God’s beautiful design.

My Review:

I love finding a unique approach to an Amish novel and this one is phenomenal! So much heart and angst and real life (and faith) struggles for both Bethel and Declan which kept me riveted.

Kelly Irvin gently explores hereditary conditions specific to the Amish with compassion and understanding. Bethel’s family carries a gene that can result in a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Three out of her six siblings are living with the condition and Bethel is dedicated to supporting their every need. She’s so wrapped up with daily logistics and worrying that she’s letting the chance at her own future pass her by.

She is, in fact, resigned to the fact that her life’s role is to be the carer for her siblings. Notice I said ‘the’ not ‘a’ because Bethel has fallen into the trap of thinking she’s the only one who can. She harbours a kind of false pride out of her need to be there for her family. She hasn’t forgotten that the Amish are all about community and sharing life’s difficulties, she just thinks that isn’t needed as long as she can do it all. And isn’t that so relatable no matter what kind of community we live in?!

By contrast, fun loving Declan seems to have it all. A family run business he loves and the freedom from responsibility that Bethel can only dream of. These two are exact opposites. He’s the extrovert to her introvert. The jokester to her serious demeanour. And yet, there’s every indication that there could be so much more if only Bethel could let go of some of her responsibilities and a whole lot of her worries.

But then Declan faces a health challenge of his own and — whoa — this story, their romance, spun in a completely different direction. Heartbreaking and tender but ultimately hopeful though there’s a lot of overcoming to be done before the last page. I appreciate the way the author portrayed their unique challenges through their faith journey. She explores the age old question of why God allows suffering as Bethel and Declan wrestle with untenable circumstances.

A beautifully crafted story that shines grace into the darkest corners of our lives.

I enjoyed listening to the audio book narrated by Lauren Berst. She did a wonderful job with these characters — especially Declan with his evolving situation. Her performance helped me feel my way through the story, rather than just listen to it.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

ebook copy available to anyone with a US Kindle account (.com)

Canadians will have a choice of receiving an Amazon.ca gift card towards the purchase of an ebook OR an audible copy. Winner’s Choice.

If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of Finding You, 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 July 20 2024.

Beachy Keen

He has it all, except the one thing money can’t buy: her heart.

When Cat Keene finds a medical bill with the horrendous words final notice stamped across the front, she learns two things: first, her uncle/the man who raised her is keeping things from her for the first time in her life. Second, they need money—and fast—or they’ll lose the only thing she has left of her parents: the bed & breakfast she runs with him.

Noah Belacourt is a billionaire with a newly acquired anxiety diagnosis and a one-way ticket to Sunset Harbor for the summer, courtesy of his company’s board of directors. Being on the island he grew up on for a forced sabbatical has a major perk when he runs into the girl he’s harbored a crush on since they were teens. She’s still the same old Cat, except now she’s in some major financial trouble. Noah wants to help her, but Cat is stubborn. She holds onto past biases about his family and takes some convincing.

When Cat agrees to work as Noah’s personal assistant for the summer, she doesn’t realize she’s signing up for a lot more than debt relief. Some of her preconceived notions about the Belacourt family begin to feel wrong. Noah proves that not all first impressions are reliable, forcing Cat to face the past—and to hope that things will end up just peachy keen after all.

Because the alternative is losing everything that matters to her, and she is not about to let that happen.

My Review:

The perfect summer escape read…and look at me enjoying a billionaire romance! It’s not my favourite romantic trope but I’m discovering never say never when I find gems like this.

So yes, Noah is a billionaire — born one and will likely die one — there’s just too much money for him to go through in one life time. 🙂 He’s part of a highly public family (I got Kardashian vibes) but he’s not a fan of the limelight and he’s struggling with a personal issue that has him seeking tranquility in the small island town he grew up in…where his teenage crush just happens to still live.

Only Cat is not a fan of all things Belacourt. She has a painful history that has coloured her opinion of the whole clan. Stuck up, holier-than-thou snobs, the lot of them (in her humble opinion.) Cue the enemies to more trope and settle in for a delightfully funny, achingly sweet love story…with just the right amount of heartache and drama to keep things interesting.

Love the way their relationship develops over the course of the summer. Cat is so stubbornly determined to not give an inch and it was fun to watch Noah gradually wear down her defences. Lots of lighthearted moments with some swoony toe-curling ones thrown in! But since they are both struggling with some serious personal and family issues, there’s plenty of scope for depth and character growth which makes the read that much more rewarding.

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Rylie Kuberra and John Rogers. I quite enjoy listening to a dual narration, especially for a rom/com and I feel like they captured the essence of these characters perfectly. Made the comedic parts that much funnier and the serious parts more emotional. Excellent performances that kept me captivated to the very end.

My thanks to the publisher, Dreamscape Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

Finding You + Giveaway

She thought love was lost to her until a stranger with a secret connection to her former fiancé opens her heart to a second chance at love in this uplifting contemporary romance from Amy Clipston.

It’s been eighteen months since Darcy Larsen’s fiancé, Jace, was killed in a car accident on his way to pick up Darcy’s medicine from the pharmacy. Eighteen months of missing him and struggling to overcome her heartache, grief, and guilt. Unwilling to open up her heart to more hurt, Darcy is sure her one chance at a Happily Ever After is gone, until a random encounter with a handsome stranger changes everything.

Carter Donovan has a new lease on life. An emergency kidney transplant saved his life, but while he’s eternally thankful to the anonymous donor, he can’t help but feel like a burden to his family. Forced to move in with his sister and her family, he’s ready to move forward–past his broken engagement and his former illness and embrace his second chance at life and love.

When Darcy’s car breaks down and Carter rushes to the rescue, these two souls are thrown together in an unexpected way. As they start to date, Darcy feels herself coming back to life, and Carter begins to believe in the future again. But as they grow closer and open up more about their hopes, fears, and pasts, an explosive secret threatens to break down the gentle romance they’ve built. Carter’s transplant isn’t as anonymous as he’d first thought, and its connection to Darcy–and her fiancé Jace–could shatter everything they’ve built.

My Review:

A touching romance full of heartache and hope. Particularly poignant given the author’s personal experience with the subject matter. Made the read that much more impactful since she obviously captured all the emotional nuances.

‘Finding You’ is pure romance that starts with Darcy and Carter’s unexpected meet-cute and gently evolves into a cautious exploration of deepening feelings…BUT…as in all good romantic fiction…there are complications! Unusually challenging ones, in fact, and Clipston did a wonderful job of driving me crazy as this heroine and her hero battle insecurities and secrets. 🙂

I could understand their hesitancy but, I couldn’t help becoming frustrated over their trust issues. Of course, as the reader, I had the advantage of being aware of both Darcy and Carter’s inner most thoughts so trusting either of them wasn’t an issue for me…until it was! The author did a fantastic job with pacing and plot which included some memorable secondary characters who help our hero and heroine navigate their way to a hard-won happily-ever-after.

I listened to the audio edition and really enjoyed narrator Melissa Moran’s performance. She breathed life into these characters and related their story with warmth and compassion. A pleasant, easy-to-listen to ‘reading’ experience.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

ebook copy available to anyone with a US Kindle account (.com)

Canadians will have a choice of receiving an Amazon.ca gift card towards the purchase of an ebook OR an audible copy. Winner’s Choice.

He’s So Not My Valentine

Valentine’s Day should be outlawed.

Here are a few fun facts about
1. I do not love Valentine’s Day.
2. I love coffee.
3. I’ve never left the state of North Carolina.

I’m not complaining. I grew up in the quaint town of Harvest Hollow, met my charming husband, and had our amazing son here … That was before my “charming” ex-husband decided he needed to expand his horizons.

Since that time, I’ve been raising Nate alone, with the support of my family, and running Cataloochee Coffee like it’s my own business.

I’m not looking for romance–especially not at this time of year when everyone couples up in the name of a dead saint who happens to be the patron of lovers, epileptics and beekeepers.

When Rene Dubois comes from France to visit my sister and her husband, I obviously keep my distance. I don’t need his kisses to my cheeks, his flirty banter, or the way his bright green eyes make me feel flutters in my belly and tingles across my skin. I don’t do flutters or tingles.

My sister keeps assuring me Rene is amazing and harmless. But she’s the dreamer in the family. Rene may be gorgeous, have a buttery French accent, and a charismatic personality. All I know is He’s so not my Valentine

My Review:

Fun and flirty and swoonable!

“Read Savannah Scott,” they said. “You’ll love her books,” they said. “They are so good,” they said…. And they weren’t wrong! This is my first Savannah Scott book, but it won’t be my last. I’d been hearing the chatter on instagram and book tube for a while and added the author’s name to my loooonnnnngggg ‘authors to try’ list and now, here I am, a puddle of melted goo because…

‘He’s So Not My Valentine’ is pure romance. Delectably delightful. Fainting couch necessary because Rene is……thud! Swoon! And repeat all the way through. 🙂 Now, there are kissing books and then there are KISSING books and this definitely fits into the latter category. Definitely a clean, sweet read but, oh la la, the romantic tension is divine!

Loved the banter and the heart to heart’s and the comedic moments that had me giggling until I dove back into a swan-dive swoon again because that Rene is such a charmer!

I enjoyed listening to the audio book narrated by Amanda Friday and Tyler Hyrchuk — great voice actors who delivered solid performances, breathing life into these fun, endearing characters.

My thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and the author for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Refuge on Crescent Hill + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Moving home after a recent job loss was supposed to reassure Camden Bristow and give her time to decide what to do next. But when she arrives in Etherton, Ohio, she discovers that her grandmother, who she hasn’t talked to in years, has passed away and “home” is an empty mansion 150 years old. Not exactly the comfort Camden was looking for. What happened to the house she played in as a child, the bedtime stories that told of secret passageways and runaway slaves, and all those family memories?

When antiques start disappearing and footsteps are heard, some of those memories start to creep back and Camden wonders if her grandmother’s bedtime stories might actually be true. What really happened here . . . at Crescent Hill? How was her grandmother involved? Who still has access to the house? And for what purpose? As she works to uncover the past and present mysteries harbored in her home, Camden also uncovers secrets about her family that could change the town―and her life―forever.

My Review:

published in 2010

If you like the hint of a Gothic vibe (aka classic Phyllis A. Whitney) then ‘Refuge on Crescent Hill’ is the read for you. So atmospheric right from the opening page with Camden in desperate straits, heading to her childhood haven and the warmth of her grandmother’s arms. Only her grandmother is dead and the ‘home’ she remembers is a decaying mansion as broken as she feels.

And the house is either haunted or invaded by someone other than herself though no one takes her seriously. And there are so many secrets! Decades of them, all surrounding Camden’s family. And strangers eager to buy the house and the land…some for altruistic reasons, some for nefarious ones. And the town watching every move Camden makes. Sooooooooo scrumptiously mysterious. Layers of villainy to unmask and family history to uncover. Plus a light romance to swoon over. The perfect escape read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of the Refuge on Crescent Hill, 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 22 2024.

The Summer of Yes + Giveaway

A near-death experience catapults workaholic junior editor Kelsey Worthington into changing her life–one yes at a time.

Kelsey Worthington always dreamed of being a writer, but she’s settled into a routine of helping other people tell their stories in her job as a junior editor. She doesn’t go outside of her comfort zone. Her relationships are safe. Her job is secure. Her existence is stable. And she’s great with that.

And then, the accident.

While she’s in the hospital overnight, she meets an older woman named Georgina Tate–a glass-ceiling-shattering, wildly successful businesswoman. Georgina sacrificed everything to become the woman she is today, but now, with a pair of failing kidneys and only a handful of months left to live, Georgina is forced to come face-to-face with her regrets. Kelsey is forced to reckon with her own list of “things I’ll do someday,” and she starts to ask a simple but life-changing What if I said yes to all the things I normally say no to? And The Yes Plan is born.

It takes some convincing, but Georgina finally agrees to go along with Kelsey on her Summer of Yes adventures. The two of them set off to see what might be out there waiting for them if they simply open themselves up to it. Together, they say yes to whatever comes their way–a whole day being tourists in their own New York City, dinner with strangers, a convertible that is far from practical but so much fun. But when Kelsey springs a surprise visit to Georgina’s son Hayden and Georgina’s ex-husband (who is not so much of an ex), the older woman is less than thrilled. But this is where the true journey begins.

Two stories of love, forgiveness, regret, romance, and finding a way to live a fearless life intertwine as these two women make an indelible impression on each other. And it all starts with a simple “yes.”

My Review:

Delightfully quirky and emotionally deep all mixed up in the best of ways. I laughed. I cried. I cheered. I swooned(!!!) Honestly, Courtney Walsh delivered so much more than I was expecting (and I was expecting a lot because she is one of my fave contemporary romance authors.)

The perfect blend of zingy banter and soul-searching discussions that pulled on all my emotions. This is one of Thomas Nelson’s general market selections so no faith content per se but there are some moving moments involving forgiveness and overcoming fear that are very impactful. I was especially touched by Hayden’s story. What an example! So much wisdom learned from some tough life lessons.

The story is told from two points of view — our young heroine Kelsey and the irascible, grumpy, gruff and all things grinch-y, Georgina Tate, a successful septuagenarian with a lot of attitude. The way Walsh throws these two together and then pits them against each other is sheer brilliance and makes for such an entertaining read.

There’s so much heart to this story – and not just the romance kind. Beautifully layered storytelling that made me pause and ask myself some pointed questions right along with Kelsey and Georgina. Love when a book causes reflection and prompts change and this one did that for me.

Part of my ‘reading’ enjoyment came from listening to the audio edition expertly narrated by Tanya Eby and Cathi Colas. They both added so much zest and personality to their performances that I could easily picture every scene playing out in my mind. I’ve become somewhat of an audio book snob and this edition of ‘The Summer of Yes’ easily makes my top ten audio books of the year.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of the The Summer of Yes, 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 22 2024.

Bitter and Sweet + Giveaway

Two sisters at a crossroad in life find the answers to their problems in the lessons from the past…

Mariah never pretended her marriage was perfect but that didn’t mean she ever suspected her husband of ten years would not only ask for a divorce but steal the business she built for them. Defeated and depressed, she’s not sure how to bounce back from the manipulative betrayal. Sabrina has been self-destructing for years, maybe since she was born, but certainly since the death of her long-time boyfriend. Barely scraping by and living in her van, she’s struggling to figure out what’s next for her, when all she’s ever wanted to do is bake cakes like her mother did.

When Mariah and Sabrina’s grandmother sends them a cryptic text message summoning them to Georgetown, South Carolina, both assume their ailing grandfather’s health has declined. Instead, the estranged sisters are faced with their grandmother’s undeniable request–save the family restaurant. Through letters written by their great-great-grandmother, Tabitha, Mariah and Sabrina learn a heartbreaking yet powerful story of struggle and survival. As the whole truth about Tabitha’s complicated past unfolds, the sisters are inspired by her ability to forge her own way in Charleston, a beautiful and prosperous city that was also rife with oppression under Jim Crow.

With the lessons in their family’s past guiding them, both sisters have a chance at a different life–if they can find a way to bridge the gap that tragedy and unhealed trauma forced between them. Told in a dual timeline that alternates between the 1920s and present-day Charleston, SC, Bitter and Sweet is an emotional story about love, one family’s perseverance, and the bonds of family and heritage.

My Review:

This is the kind of book you dread writing a review for because there is no possible way to convey the brilliance of the storytelling or the emotional impact it made. So excuse me if words fail.

First, I listened to the audio edition and was completely captivated by the trio of narrators. Janice Abbott-Pratt, Angel Pean and Lynette R. Freeman gave stunning performances, adding to the rich vibrancy of Rhonda McKnight’s words. The result — an exceptional listening experience. I savoured every second.

And, oh my, these sisters and their stories! Deep layers of personal and family drama culminating in divine healing. I was an emotional wreck by the end. (Gentle warning: don’t listen to or read this book in public, especially if you are an ugly crier like I am. Don’t ask me how I know 🙂 )

The author expertly weaves Mariah and Sabrina’s great-great-grandmother’s story into the mix, so – yay – dual timeline. ‘Bitter and Sweet’ honours the legacy of faith and family through generations. So much wisdom and insight! I’ve preordered a print copy because there are so many impactful quotes that I need to highlight and pour over again and again.

A stunning, emotionally-stirring, faith-filled read!

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of the Bitter and Sweet, 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 15 2024.

Cole and Laila are Just Friends + Giveaway

Cole and Laila have been inseparable since they could crawl. And they’ve never thought about each other that way. Except for when they have. Rarely. Once in a while, sure. But seriously . . . hardly ever.

Cole Kimball and Laila Olivet have been best friends their entire lives. Cole is the only person (apart from blood relatives) who’s seen Laila in her oversized, pink, plastic, Sophia Loren glasses. Laila is always the first person to taste test any new dish Cole creates in his family’s restaurant . . . even though she has the refined palate of a kindergartener. Most importantly, Cole and Laila are always talking. About everything.

When Cole discovers a betrayal from his recently deceased grandfather that shatters his world, staying in Adelaide Springs, Colorado, is suddenly unfathomable. But Laila loves her life in their small mountain town and can’t imagine ever living anywhere else. She loves serving customers who tip her with a dozen fresh eggs. She loves living within walking distance of all her favorite people. And she’s very much not okay with the idea of not being able to walk to her very favorite person.

Still, when Cole toys with moving across the country to New York City, she decides to support her best friend–even as she secretly hopes she can convince him to stay home. And not just for his killer chocolate chip pancakes. Because she loves him. As a friend. Just as a friend. Right?

They make a deal: Laila won’t beg him to stay, and Cole won’t try to convince her to come with him. They have one week in New York before their lives change forever, and all they have to do is enjoy their time together and pretend none of this is happening. But it’s tough to ignore the very inconvenient feelings blooming out of nowhere. In both of them. And these potentially friendship-destroying feelings, once out in the open, have absolutely no take-backs.

If When Harry Met Sally had a quippy literary love child with Gilmore Girls’ Luke and Lorelai, you’d get Cole and Laila. Just . . . don’t tell them that.

My Review:

Seriously, why have I not read more of Bethany Turner’s books?! I had a fabulous time with Cole and Laila and I’m sure that my bibliophile enjoyment was enhanced by the wonderful performances of narrators Talon David and Andrew Eiden. I highly recommend the audio edition of ‘Cole and Laila are Just Friends’. The narrators’ voices matched the characters perfectly and conveyed all the energy and angst to sweet perfection!

So — one of my favourite tropes is friends to more and this one was sooo good! I loved the relationship between these two besties. So tender and caring and loyal and they are so comfortable together. Thirty years is a long time to be ‘just’ friends though and I’ll admit to starting the read thinking these two must be pretty dense not to have figured things out earlier. But now, I honestly can’t imagine their love story unfolding in any other way. It’s perfect for them! And I loved every second.

A great blend of humour and drama — but the drama isn’t over the top. More deeply rooted and poignant, maybe? If that makes any sense. I love that Cole and Laila talk things out — not always right away, but they get there eventually. And the love and respect they have for each other is always at the forefront, even when they’re fighting. And honestly, they can’t sustain any kind of anger for long because….sigh, they are each thinking about how the other feels. Swoony sigh.

This book follows ‘ Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other’ though I don’t see it marked as a series. There are some carry overs from the first book — but I think this book reads fine without having read the other. I didn’t and I never felt lost. The books share a core friend group in a small Colorado town and I immediately got that vibe without feeling like I was missing out because I hadn’t read Brynn and Sebastian’s story.

Loved the jaunt to New York City and the drastic change that kickstarted a transformation in Cole and Laila’s relationship. Tons of classic rom/com scenes kept me giggling. Also, a lot of pop culture references relating to television and movies, which is so not my thing, however, I may not have gotten the specifics but I got the context which was just as fun, so it worked for me. 🙂

Of Note: This is one of Thomas Nelson’s general market selections (wish they’d create a catchy name for this non-inspirational line!) so no faith thread but definitely a clean romance.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

ebook copy available to anyone with a US Kindle account (.com)

Canadians will have a choice of receiving an Amazon.ca gift card towards the purchase of an ebook OR an audible copy. Winner’s Choice.

If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of Cole and Laila are Just Friends, 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 8 2024.