Tag: Contemporary Romance

Sunrise Reef + Giveaway

After years of searching, Bren Ryan has found her place in Hope Harbor. Working as a barista suits her to a T, as does the laid-back vibe of her adopted town. Nothing is lacking in her life–except romance. But that’s okay. Men are a complication she doesn’t need.

Buttoned-up CPA Noah Ward isn’t looking for love, either, when he arrives in town on a mission to convince his father to move closer to him. And he certainly doesn’t intend to fall for the quirky, free-spirited woman who’s taken up residence in his father’s guest cottage. But when he finds himself sucked into her quest to help a struggling teen, might the two of them discover there’s more to each other than meets the eye

Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites you back to the charming town of Hope Harbor–where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

My Review:

Picture me, blissfully basking in a post-read afterglow because Hope Harbor is my happy place and these folks are my found family! If only I could magic myself there!

The next best thing is listening to Therese Plummer’s heartfelt performance as she narrates the audio book. Plummer captures all the emotional nuances of the story and delivers the kind of performance that suggests she relishes every word as much as I do. A winning author/narrator combination! And I love the consistency of using the same narrator for each book in the series. It feels like a real homecoming the second I hear Therese Plummer’s voice reading Irene Hannon’s words!

And, oh my, but does this eleventh book deliver all the feels and so much hope! (No worries, it can be read as a standalone too, but once you’ve visited Hope Harbor, you’ll be sure to go back time and time again!) Love getting glimpses of past heroes and heroines as well as steadfast secondary characters (Charley! Dueling clergy!! Floyd and Gladys!!!)

Aside from Noah and Bren’s story, there’s a secondary plot involving a young woman striking out on her own for the first time. The way her life merges with Bren’s, and consequently Noah’s, makes for masterful storytelling. It’s funny, and touching and ultimately so inspirational. Love the balance Emma brings to the very slow-burn romance building between our hero and heroine (even though it starts out with a very fiery meet-cute. Bwahahaha!)

Their’s is an enemies to more, opposites attract kind of love story with lots of starts and stops along the way. They are thoughtful and careful…and yes, wary. Honestly, we have most of Hope Harbor to thank for getting Bren and Noah together in the end. Because found family takes care of each other like that. 🙂

I so enjoyed my sojourn back to Hope Harbor. Hannon has created another exceptional story full of grace and hope and a true sense of belonging. A stunning addition to a much loved series.

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 Sunrise Reef,  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 24 2025

Holding onto Secrets + Giveaway

Redeeming past mistakes one paw print at a time.

To support his sister and young nephew, handyman Luke Johnson is in desperate need of a new job. His prayers are answered when Angie Anderson hires him to help renovate her property to house and train therapy dogs. Grieving widow Angie hopes to rebuild her life with a new sense of purpose, and establishing a therapy-dog reading program is just the fresh start she needs. Soon, unexpected feelings begin to grow between them, but will the secret Luke’s keeping threaten their chance at a future together?

My Review:

The strength of Lee Tobin McClain’s storytelling comes from the way she shines grace into the broken pieces of our lives. This redemption story is exceptional. Emotional and angst-riddled punctuated by moments of humour to balance everything out.

The therapy dog reading program is fascinating! I’ve been a fan ever since I heard about the concept so it was so much fun to see how it works in ‘real’ life. Okay, yes, I know this is fiction, but it felt true to life so I think it counts as a lived experience now. 🙂

A contemporary romance full of heart and grace and so much hope. A joy to read…well, listen to, courtesy of the talented Tanya Eby’s narration. She’s one of my favourite voice performers and it was so much fun to be welcomed into a new story by a familiar voice.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition 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 Holding Onto Secrets,  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 17 2025

Capture the Moment + Giveaway

She’s ready for adventure–isn’t she?

Kate Cunningham is facing the opportunity of a lifetime. As a zoo photographer, she’s spent years photographing animals in carefully controlled environments, but now National Geographic has dangled an irresistible prize: If Kate can snag a unique photo of a legendary bear in Grand Teton National Park, they just might publish it. It’s the kind of challenge Kate has been waiting for, and she’s eager to prove herself in the wild. 

With more enthusiasm than experience, Kate soon realizes that capturing an image of this bear isn’t as simple as she hoped. Fortunately, she crosses paths with Grant Cooper, a seasonal park ranger who knows the terrain–and the bears–better than anyone. His tracking skills could be exactly what Kate needs to succeed, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes. But they’re not the only ones with an interest in the park’s most famous bear. And his motives are far from innocent.

A clean, kisses-only contemporary romance and summer read by Suzanne Woods Fisher for wildlife, travel, and photography enthusiasts set in Grand Teton National Park.

My Review:

This is Classic Suzanne Woods Fisher and I love it sooooo much! The way she pulls a story together is absolute bibliophile magic! ‘Capture the Moment’ put me in mind of her Stoney Ridge series…only not Amish. The likeness is in the multiple points of view and the complex backstories that bring characters together in amazing ways.

And what an eclectic group of characters! While this is ultimately Kate and Coop’s love story, I fear thirteen-year-old Maisie might have stolen my heart. High energy, awkwardly endearing, exasperatingly infuriating and full of naive exuberance! I laughed. I cringed. I laughed some more!

The Grand Teton National Park makes for a remarkable and sadly, poignant setting. I’m sure the author had no idea when she was writing this story that the National Parks would become victims of damaging federal cuts resulting in colossal job losses. Since the part-time seasonal positions have been hit particularly hard, I couldn’t help but think that Coop would actually be out of a job this summer and that would mean he’d never meet Kate and that would mean….well, this story would be completely different. So glad all is well in the fictional National Parks world!

So, Coop is kinda grumpy and terse. Very passionate about his job as a seasonal park ranger (a nice break from his stint has a high school teacher the rest of the year.) He’d rather spend the summer communing with bears then humans but the powers that be think he needs to brush up on his peopling skills which results in all sorts of funny and awkward situations. Including more than one run-in with Kate. She’s a little bit sunshine and a whole lot feisty, determined to capture a career defining wildlife photograph and no one is going to get in her way, especially not a pesky park ranger!

Their slow-burn romance is shadowed by an unexpected park mystery that had me on the edge of my seat – especially since Fisher provides us with some unsettling villain POVs that upped the intrigue. She also throws in some surprising curveballs that had me gasping out loud! Phew! I did not see that coming. Or that. Or…

A stirring tribute to National Parks through the eyes of characters who appreciate the wonder of God’s creation. Emotionally engaging and thought provoking. A winning combination that has me excited to see which park will be featured in the next ‘National Parks Summers’ series and that release can’t come soon enough!

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 Capture the Moment  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 17 2025

Sometimes You Stay + Giveaway

For digital content creator Cretia Martin, home is wherever her carry-on suitcase lands. And it’s constantly landing in new places as she travels the world. She’s never been interested in settling in one spot–after all, houses are just places that collect junk and tie you down. But when she literally bumps into local dog breeder Finn Chaffey on Prince Edward Island and all of the tools of her trade end up in the harbor, she can’t exactly leave until she gets things sorted out.

Finn is horrified by the part he played in the accident and offers to help, arranging for Cretia to stay with a friend at the beautiful Red Door Inn. The longer Cretia is forced to remain in one place, the more she discovers what she’s been missing with life on the road–and the more she wants to see Finn and his business succeed. But helping him means staying put, the one thing she always swore she wouldn’t do, and risking the only thing she’s never put on the line–her heart.

New York Times bestselling author Liz Johnson invites you back to the Red Door Inn on Prince Edward Island for an inspiring story full of adorable puppies, sweet friendship, and unexpected romance.

My Review:

Well, this is embarrassing. I actually don’t have a review. I usually read a week or two in advance for the blog so my reviews are all scheduled to go and I don’t feel any pressure but sometimes I am soooooo looking forward to a book that I want to read it the second it comes out. ‘Sometimes You Stay’ is that kind of a book so I preordered it on audible (awesome preorder price!) and, thinking it released on May 6th, I went ahead and scheduled it for review this week. Only, oops, it doesn’t actually release until May 20th so we still have two whole weeks to wait! Sigh.

But I promised a giveaway, so here it is. I can also promise this will be an excellent read because…Liz Johnson! Prince Edward Island setting! Newfoundland dog on the cover! (Which is the only thing I like about the cover, FYI)

And, hey, if you have managed to nab a review copy, share a thought or two in the comments below and increase the ecstatic agony of our bookish anticipation!

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 Sometimes You Stay,  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 10 2025

My Foolish Heart + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Unknown to her tiny town of Deep Haven, Isadora Presley spends her nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the star host of a syndicated talk radio show. Millions tune in to hear her advice on dating and falling in love, unaware that she’s never really done either. Issy’s ratings soar when it seems she’s falling in love on-air with a caller. A caller she doesn’t realize lives right next door.

Caleb Knight served a tour of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity, so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from My Foolish Heart , the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast.

Before he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host―and more confused than ever. Is his perfect love the woman on the radio . . . Or the one next door?

My Review:

published in 2011

My Foolish Heart is pure romance and it was refreshing to read a story where the plot focused on just that — the romance between Caleb and Issy. This doesn’t mean the story is shallow or lacking in any way. In fact the simplicity of it allowed Warren to go deeper into the hearts and lives of two people struggling to overcome past tragedies. She does it so well that I can totally see this play out on the big screen — it’s the kind of feel good, triumphant story with a  mega football game ending that would move you to tears in the theater. Honestly, it would be a hit at the box office.

Football? I HATE football. I don’t understand it, don’t want to and have absolutely no interest in anyone who does…until Caleb…and Issy. I actually read the football talk! I actually got the football jargon!  That in itself is a miracle!

You will meet the most endearing furry, four-footed beast in the pages of this book. Roger/Duncan provides humour and comfort and a major goosebump moment. And secondary characters who steal the spotlight at times as they struggle…and conquer…their own troubled pasts.

And then there’s Issy. Warren approached her condition with compassion and understanding and somehow got into Issy’s heart and then shared it with her readers. I was really touched by Issy’s struggle and paralleled it with some of my own. Not that I have ever suffered from a full blown panic attack, but I have certainly experienced selected ‘mini’ ones. Haven’t we all? And being able to connect with that and watch Issy’s battle somehow made me feel stronger too.

A wonderful, inspiring read that packs quite a few surprises…just to keep things interesting!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read 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 My Foolish Heart,  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 10 2025.

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie + Giveaway

Sometimes what you think you want and what you actually want turn out to be different things . . .

Rosie Waterman has one to become a working actor. But lately, that hasn’t been working out. When she loses her apartment and her job on the same day, she does what she always does–puts herself out there, ready to find the next big thing. But a trip home makes her realize that while she’s been struggling to make this dream come true, all her friends have become real adults with careers and weddings and babies on the way. Rosie’s been at this for years, and she has nothing to show for it. But how does she simply let go of her dream?

When she’s offered a job as the director of a regional theatre’s production of Cinderella, she jumps at the chance–even though she’s only directed in college and the job is in Door County, Wisconsin, and not in New York. She has no other offers, and at least she’ll be getting paid to do something theatrical. But when she arrives, she quickly realizes that the “regional theatre” is actually in a retirement community, and the “actors” are actually senior citizens with no acting experience whatsoever.

Working on the show presents new challenges, forcing Rosie to learn how to step up and be the leader this fledgling theatre troupe needs. The more time she spends with her new cast, the more she begins to rethink what it means to dream big, especially when that big dream hasn’t turned out to be at all what she thought it would be. It’s not at all what she expected, but could it be exactly what she needs?

My Review:

Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! Funny and touching and thoughtful and inspiring! What an incredible story, made all the better by the phenomenal performance of narrator Jorjeana Marie. Yes, this is another audio book win for me. Comedy beat perfection. Inner dialogue perfection. Rosie’s personality – perfection. And all the various characters in the retirement village – yet even more perfection. This narrator is off the charts fantabulous! I could tell she was relishing the story as much as I was and that made my listening experience extra special.

Rosie is hilarious and heartbreaking all wrapped up in a cute package of insecurity. It seems like she has it all together – but that’s just what she portrays to the outside world, including her very best friends. She’s an actress more often performing a role offstage than on. And it’s tiring and stressful and even debilitating…until one summer in Wisconsin.

Cue the dashing hero, an eclectic mix of quirky secondary characters and a theatre to save before the summer’s out! And while the theatre needs some redeeming, Rosie does too as she navigates an emotionally fraught path to a deeper understanding of herself.

I’d be laughing hysterically at one point and then wiping tears from my eyes the next. The depth of emotion in Rosie’s story is stunning! Her struggles are so relatable, her insecurities all too common. A sympathetic heroine with a depreciating sense of humour that deflects from what’s really hidden in her heart.

Did I say brilliant already? Well, it’s worth saying it again. Brilliant! The kind of story that stays with a reader even after you reach the end. The kind you want to revel over and ponder on and just plain bask in the bookish afterglow. Definitely a book I will revisit over and over again!

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

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 Everything’s Coming Up Rosie,  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 3 2025.

Pine Creek Marriage + Giveaway

random retro read

Love may blossom where it’s least expected in the delightful and heartwarming Pine Creek series from Amity Hope.

Widow Amelia Baumann has sworn to never love again. She’s content to live peacefully in Pine Creek at her friend Mary’s warm, comfortable farmhouse. But then Samuel Kurtz shows up and becomes Mary’s permanent guest, making it hard to keep her feelings in check. Especially after Samuel’s six-year-old niece, Ruthie, whom he’s been raising as his own daughter, completely steals her heart.

When the bishops from another district threaten to send Ruthie to live with her distant aunt, so that she’ll have two parents raising her instead of just Samuel, he hatches a plan.

Amelia reluctantly agrees to a marriage of convenience with Samuel–only because she loves Ruthie and can’t bear to see her torn from the only father she’s ever known. Not because Samuel’s kind green eyes and charming laugh draw her in. And as long as she and Samuel are in agreement that they will simply remain friends…what could possibly go wrong?

My Review:

published in 2022

New-to-me Amish Fiction author and I am so excited to have ‘discovered’ Amity Hope. Love her storytelling style and the way she writes the Amish community and family relationships. Everything isn’t perfect and sweet all the time but folks work their way through.

Amelia and Samuel’s love story makes for an absorbing read with just enough misunderstandings to keep things interesting – the first one being the meet-cute. Such a funny introduction to them as a couple. Feisty Amelia gobsmacks Samuel into a stupefied state. Bwahahaha! It takes them awhile to get over that introduction for sure and for certain. 🙂

Loved the time the author took developing their relationship. We really get to know them both as well as Samuel’s adorable niece. And along the way there’s lovely tidbits of Amish home life and friendships and the general workings of the community.

Funny and tender and faith-filled. A charming Amish Romance.

Of note: this is the the second book in the Pine Creek series but reads wunderbaar goot as a standalone. I’m excited to read the first and third books now and, happily, my library has both so — yay — I’ll be reading them soon.

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 Pine Creek Marriage,  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 26 2025.

The Marriage Pact + Giveaway

Perry and Daisy’s fake relationship is fooling everyone . . . but they’re the ones who might be getting fooled.

When Daisy Hershberger and Perry Bontrager meet, they discover they have one thing in both their families are way too eager to see them matched with the person of their dreams. Daisy is convinced that Maynard is the one for her, but her parents have their doubts. And Perry? His family wonders if there’s anyone out there for a quirky guy like him. He’s also certain that some people–himself included–are destined to be single for life.

After comparing notes, Perry and Daisy agree to a pact. He’ll help her make Maynard realize what he’s missing, and she’ll pretend to be Perry’s love interest to keep his matchmaking mother satisfied. For a while, their pact seems to be working.

Maybe their imagined futures aren’t exactly what fairy tales are made of, but they’re committed to their plan . . . until they realize that a real-life fairy tale is happening where they least expect it. Sometimes, you don’t have to pretend to be anything but yourself in order for love to find you.

The final book in the Amish of Marigold series is a heartwarming, cozy inspirational romance featuring a pretend relationship and plenty of small-town charm. A perfect read for fans of Beverly Lewis and Suzanne Woods Fisher.

My Review:

Take an introverted Amish bachelor with an unusual hobby, add an extroverted Amish woman confused about love and you have the makings for a charming love story full of hope and laughter. Especially when you take into consideration the out-of-the-norm matchmaker working behind the scenes. Or trying to.

The first chapter features ten meddling brothers needling the lone bachelor in their midst — all kinds of cute and funny. But Perry’s just fine with his marital status (or lack thereof) thank you very much. He has a business to run and an absorbing hobby to occupy his spare time. What more could a fella want? Or so he thinks until ‘Daisy from Dover’ arrives on the scene.

The way their inauspicious meet-cute evolves into a fake dating scenario makes for an entertaining read. Of course their ruse backfires when real feelings become involved and it gets messy and a wee bit angsty before everything is all sorted, much to my bookish delight!

A classic Amish romance told in Kathleen Fuller’s engaging storytelling style, enhanced for me by Laura Berst’s winning narration. She’s a familiar voice in my Amish fiction listening and I enjoy the energy she brings through her performances.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition 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 The Marriage Pact,  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 19 2025.

Shall I Stay + Giveaway

Like it or not, it’s fight or flight when it comes to love and legacy.

Professor Magdalena Martín needs to find a man—or at least find out why he disappeared in the sixteenth century. Research leads her from Spain to picturesque Puerto Rico. Accustomed to being a team of one, she finds herself working alongside a too-charming-for-his-own-good fellow historian who proves to be an unfortunately distracting necessity.

The last thing Rico Morales expected when he left Wall Street was to end up going on a wild-goose chase with a snooty academic. Can’t a man aimlessly search for his life’s purpose in peace? His loose itinerary did not include bantering through a genealogical investigation with a captivating colleague—or grappling with their undeniable connection.

‘Lena’ is on a singular mission to solve this career-defining mystery and return to her life in Salamanca. Yet the more time she spends with Rico, the more she falls for the enchanting island and his smoldering smile. When they’re together, possibilities hum. Like the possibility of something that would stand the test of time—if only she were the sort to stay.

First in the Los Morales series, “Shall I Stay” is an opposites-attract, witty contemporary romance with swoony kisses only and no swearing. Extra dose of yearning tension included.

My Review:

“There is no history without ‘story’…Without the stories of the people who lived, people who belonged somewhere, without the tangible and intangible that they’ve passed on, history is just a timeline of dates and events.” (p 173)

Eeeepppp!!!!! A romance centered around a genealogist on the hunt for a client’s lost ancestor? Eeeeppp — yes please! Rich in Puerto Rican history and culture, this romance is full of lush, vivid descriptions and delicious foodie references that fed all my senses. A bookish smorgasbord of literary delights.

And the enemies-to-more romance is divine! (The meet-cute!!!!!) Their love story is funny and touching and toe curling. She’s a reserved workaholic with a fear of relationships. He’s an easy going and oh-so-debonair romantic. And his commitment to his family — swoon! His Abuela is a riot…as well as a force to be reckoned with! Loved the comedy and drama the Morales clan contributes to the story.

As Lena and Rico embark on a journey to solve a sixteenth century mystery, they are drawn together with a clashing of wills and rapid-fire banter that lights a spark neither of them wants to ignite. Loved the push-pull of their developing relationship and, mercy, when that spark finally does ignite, well, I think my fingertips are singed from the heat emanating off the pages. 🙂

I’ve been charmed by the entire Morales clan and am thrilled that this is the first in a series. The second book comes out in July and features one of Rico’s sisters so – yay- well be back on the island with more love and laughter Morales style and I can’t wait!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read 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 Shall I Stay,  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 19 2025.

Earning the Veteran’s Trust + Giveaway

A second chance at love could be what she needs to finally heal.

After leaving the navy, Mallory Stone plans to buy her best friend’s fruit farm, a safe place to raise her son and adopt senior dogs like her dear Rosie. Until her ex-husband, Jonah Hayes, drops a he wants the same farm…and they’re still legally married. A trial partnership running the farm means the former marine can get to know the son he just met—and prove to Mallory he’s changed. As old feelings resurface, can Mallory open her heart for a chance at the future she’s always wanted?

My Review:

An incredible love story full of all kinds of second chances. Not only in the romance, but for the farm, the dogs and embracing new life after the chaos and trauma of military service. Such an impactful story on so many levels.

Yes, ‘Earning the Veteran’s Trust’ features one of my least favourite tropes – secret baby – but Jordan handles it well, making me sympathetic for both Mallory and Jonah and I appreciate the way they handle the situation going forward. And I do enjoy a redemptive love story!

Jonah is very much like the prodigal son. He approaches his fractured marriage with an air of humility and repentance which immediately softened my heart. Not so Mallory. She is so prickly at the beginning that I wanted to shake some sense into her a time or two, but really she has her reasons. Loved watching the way their relationship slowly rekindled as she embraced the power of forgiveness and learned to trust all over again.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition, narrated by Alyx Morgan. She brings life to the story with a variety of voices that match each character and made my listening experience a delight.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition 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 Earning the Veteran’s Trust,  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 19 2025.