Contemporary Romance – Page 9

Now or Never + Giveaway

Will leaving positive legacies mean kissing their own happily-ever-after goodbye?

If Tim Bergeron got a lifetime achievement award for anything, it’d be managing the iconic rock band, Awestruck, but he’d trade his successful career for the opportunity to prevent his daughter from repeating his mistakes.

When a health scare proves time is short, he talks Isabella into a cross-country road trip. His attempts to talk her out of a hasty marriage drive a wedge between them, and it looks like the best he can hope for from the trip is scouting out promising new talent to represent. That is, until he meets Gabby.

Widow Gabrielle Voss has responsibilities to her daughter and patients, deep roots in the community, and a dream that scares her. Though she’d never utter it to the people she lives and works among, the truth slips out with Tim, who’s not in Many Oaks, Iowa, to stay.

As her fiftieth birthday party draws near and an attraction to Tim sparks to life, Gabby realizes she must pursue her dream now—or, more reasonably, never.

This prequel novella to the Many Oaks Romances stars a popular character from the Rhythms of Redemption Romances.

My Review:

The perfect place to begin a new series, with the prequel novella! I love the glimpse the author gave us of the town and some characters who I believe will be featured in future novels (angsty ones at that!)

But this story focuses on a ‘later in life’ romance between Tim and Gabby who are both in their early fifties. And, of course, it’s all kinds of complicated given each of their personal histories. And the fact that they don’t live in the same town or even state!

But it’s attraction at first sight at a time neither of them is looking for love. Conrad writes a beautiful romance with depth and grace…and a healthy dose of grit. I appreciated the maturity in the way they tackled all the issues they faced, both personally and together as they try to figure out what their future might hold. And I love that they are both anchored by their faith which makes for a strong foundation.

Realistic drama, family struggles and the way the author approached some tough topics added emotional layers to their story and made for a captivating read.

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 Now or Never, 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 February 1 2025.

With All Her Heart + Giveaway

Bonnie and Elijah each believe that marriage is not in their futures . . . but they hadn’t counted on God’s plans being bigger than their own imaginations.

Bonnie Yoder owns and operates a gift shop popular with tourists and local shoppers alike. She’s glad she’s found a way to be a productive member of her Plain community where all women aspire to marry and have children–something she’s sure she’ll never do because of her physical disability.

Elijah Miller has been acutely shy his entire life, which makes joining his brothers as auctioneers unthinkable. It also means he’s never courted a woman. Instead, he spends every spare moment creating wooden children’s toys and child-size furniture in a workshop he built behind his parents’ house, all the while dreaming of starting his own business.

It’s that dream that prompts Elijah to approach Bonnie about selling his wares in her store. He feels an immediate connection. So does Bonnie, but she’s afraid to believe he’ll ever see her as more than a shop owner kind enough to sell his toys. Elijah’s convinced that someone so sure of herself would never be interested in a man who’s too shy to put two sentences together around her.

What they can’t see, others can. Matchmaking mothers and caring friends conspire to bring the two together. After spending time with each other, Elijah and Bonnie learn that sometimes the most challenging obstacle is a lack of faith–in themselves and in God. Together, they will traverse a difficult road to find their way to the future they’ve never allowed themselves to dream of having.

My Review:

First off, as someone who lives with a disability, it was exciting to see that representation in this book. Just simple things like distinguishing between a walker and a rollator nearly made me giddy! And a romance featuring a heroine with mobility issues is such a gift, not only for people like me, but to help others understand that physical limitations don’t have to limit life choices.

That’s something Bonnie wrestles with. She has an almost false sense of pride, not wishing to be a burden to others which was so relatable. I cringed in places because I could see myself being as stubbornly independent in just as exasperating a way as she is. So, lessons learned here.

Definitely don’t skip the author’s note at the beginning of the book. It is heartfelt and to the point and should be read before diving into the story.

And what an incredible story it is! With a surprise second romance! There’s a real sense of Amish community – both comforting and frustrating (for this reader, anyway) and two strong women finding their way after life has knocked them around a bit.

An emotional and rewarding read…well, listen in my case. I thoroughly enjoyed narrator Lauren Berst’s performance. She doesn’t just narrate, she brings the characters alive with her emotional interpretation. An immensely satisfying listening experience.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing me with an audio 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 With All Her 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 February 1 2025

But He’s My Roommate + Giveaway

I’m being forced to move in with my brother’s best friend.

After my life falls apart, the last person I want to face is my childhood crush. Much less live with him.

Unfortunately for me, my overprotective brother and his equally overprotective best friend show up on my doorstep and don’t take no for an answer.

I put up my best fight, but it’s no use. Soon enough, I’m boarding a plane with them and my newborn son.

All I want is to pick up the pieces of my life alone, but everywhere I turn it seems like Maverick Carter is there waiting to help.

He makes it difficult to keep my distance, but I know I have to. Because he deserves so much better than me.

But He’s My Roommate is a single mom, brother’s best friend romantic comedy for readers who like to feel all the emotions. It’s a closed-door romance, with all the sizzling chemistry you love, minus the explicit scenes. It’s the final book in the But He’s a Carter Brother series, a series based around four strong, protective brothers finding love.

My Review:

Well, now that I’ve read the first and last book in the ‘But He’s a Carter Brother’ series, I’m committed to reading books #2 and 3 asap. Because…these brothers!!!! Some of the best scenes in the book include their playful banter and brotherly concern. And the text messages! Bwahahaha! So. Much. Fun!

Each book works well as a standalone, so no worries if you are new to the series. Though all the brothers and their significant others take up some page time in this book, it’s still easy to follow along. There’s also a sweet epilogue for each couple at the end which was a neat way to finish off the series.

So…Maverick and Evie…swoon, thud, and swoon some more. You’ll definitely want to have your fainting couch handy for the duration of the read. This is a slow burn romance (brother’s best friend, friends to more tropes) that’s taut with emotional tension. Love the way their relationship evolves over time. A lovely mix of gentle heat and laugh out loud humour. And, oh my, when the kissing starts! Toe-curls all the way!

A lighthearted romantic comedy with characters who captured my heart

I listened to the audio edition of ‘But He’s My Roommate’ narrated by Kim Churchill and John William Maddux. Loved the dual narration and these performers teamed up to create a memorable listening experience. Highly recommend the audio book.

My thanks to Dreamscape Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio 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 But He’s My Roommate, 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 January 25 2024.

Christmas in the Castle Library + Giveaway

Ellie Sawyer has always felt more comfortable with books than people, which explains why she’s a PhD history student neck deep in research and trying to complete her doctoral dissertation in time to graduate. But the final books she needs are half a world away in the tiny European kingdom of Lethersby, and the only time she can access the secretive Royal Castle Library is during the Christmas holiday.

Ellie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery that has eluded Lethersby scholars for more than 100 hundred years by figuring out what happened to their long-lost queen, a young royal who disappeared shortly after the outbreak of the First World War. With the help of Mark, a handsome castle staff member who shares her love of history, she might be able to unravel the queen’s story. But Mark is keeping his own secret from her, and what they discover together could change everything for Ellie—and the entire kingdom.

My Review:

Cover love immediately caught my attention and then all the bookish hype from trusted reader friends started and I knew I had to read ‘Christmas in the Castle Library’ BUT a postal strike and time commitments in the midst of the holidays sabotaged all my good intentions. I almost put this book aside for next Christmas but…well, I couldn’t resist the siren song of the book that everyone loved so I read it in January.

I mean, how could I not read a book with a castle library setting? Especially since it included romance! Eeeeppp!!! But, honestly, this story was so beyond my expectations I’m not sure I can even put what I’m feeling into words.

The ‘other world’ charm of a fictional European kingdom made such a lovely backdrop for Ellie’s coming of age story. I don’t quite know what else to call it — maybe coming into who she is in Jesus might be more accurate. What it means to be Chosen just because you are, not because of anything you do. Her faith journey makes for an exceptional story and brought me to the verge of tears a time or two. So, if you are looking for a Christian Fiction novel where faith is an intricately woven part of the plot — and an important one at that — then this is definitely the book for you!

She’s a scholar with a historical mystery to solve and only three weeks to do it in. Enter a captivating man who seems to be just as starstruck over books and libraries and research as she is and, as a native of Lethersby, he knows a lot of the secrets which he’s happy to share. With the exception of a very important one….

Their swoonalicious romance includes a Christmas Ball and some toe-curling kisses and the way they use books to communicate is so clever and sweet! Of course, there are obstacles to overcome not the least of which are Ellie’s struggles to realize her own worth. But through it all there’s such a wonderful sense of urgent hope that brought a bit of a fairy tale glow to the story .

And best news ever — there’s to be a sequel! A tantalizing sneak peek into the second book is included at the end of this one and now I’m hoping we won’t have to wait long for ‘Love in the Castle Library’s‘ release!

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 Christmas in the Castle Library, 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 January 18 2025.

The Christmas Catch + Giveaway

When two high school sweethearts reunite, will they take another chance at love or let life sideline them at Christmas?

Benched with a career-ending injury, NFL wide receiver Jahleel Walker is forced to return to his hometown of Peachwood Bay, Georgia, during the holidays to heal, despite his rocky relationship with his father. Nothing shocks him more than running into Lucille “Bebe” Gordon.

Bebe Gordon came home to Peachwood Bay three years ago with a divorce certificate and her daughter. When Jahleel returns–for the first time in eight years–all the memories of the past come rushing back. The connection between them is still strong, but Jahleel has no plans to stay in Peachwood Bay, and Bebe won’t risk him leaving her again. As their hometown’s Christmas festivities bring them together, Jahleel must decide if he’s only home for the holidays or if the Christmas spirit that brought them together will last all through the year.

My Review:

What would Christmas be without a holiday romance from one of my favourite authors? It would be dismal, that’s what. Because, once again Toni Shiloh has blended faith and family and Christmas memories into a heart-tugging romance that made me all kinds of festively happy.

Second Chance romance. Check. Christmas Ball. Check. Reindeer. In Georgia?! Check. Perfect building blocks that set the stage for an inspirational contemporary romance with a meaningful faith thread in the midst of all the holiday fun.

Love the way Bebe and Jahleel prayerfully worked their way through past hurts to reclaim their friendship…and the hope of something so much more. There’s Christmas activities, Bebe’s adorable young daughter, special friendships along with some family drama to keep a reader invested in the outcome. A captivating read from start to finish.

I enjoyed listening to the audible edition of ‘The Christmas Catch’ (clever title!) expertly narrated by Jasmin Walker. Would definitely recommend giving this book a listen if you enjoy audio books as much as I do.

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 Christmas Catch 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 Friday December 20 2024.

Waiting for Gilbert + Giveaway

indie!

“I’m just a girl, standing in front of her phone, asking her landlord to come for dinner.”

Cute and fun Cordelia is history. From now on, I’m serious and focused CJ Thompson. No more snappy one-liners. No more dance-parties-for-one in restaurant booths. Anne-girl is out. Marilla Cuthbert is in. It’s time to grow up! If only it were that easy. With less than two weeks until a massive work deadline, I signed a 12-month lease on a cottage sight-unseen because I couldn’t bear to stay in the city another day after my broken engagement. It’s all well and good until my landlord knocks on my door at two in the morning.

Who knew living next to a house-flipping, cello-playing, swooney-smiling, flesh-and-blood man named Gilbert would be so distracting?

My Review:

I’m more than a tad shy of giddy over this literary discovery — both book and author! Reader friend recommendations are the best! Woohoo! And ‘Waiting for Gilbert’ is waaaaaayyy up at the top of my fave reads in 2024 list (if I ever made such a thing!) It’s exactly what I am looking for in a rom/com — lots of humour with generous doses of heart and faith.

And all the Anne-girl references. Hellllooo — a heroine named Cordelia! She’s just as effervescent as my favourite childhood fictional character, with an extra pop of snark. She doesn’t just have witty inner dialogue – she carries on entire conversations with herself which are so hilarious! I laughed out loud so many times! And then promptly felt my eyes welling up with tears in a moving, inspirational scene towards the end. Sniffle. Sooooooo good!

Then there’s Gilbert. I was just as over-the-moon excited as Cordelia when she finally meets an actual Gilbert who could possibly be her perfect match. Truly a friends to more romance that is as touching as it is funny. And I love that Gilbert is a musician! Cello player no less.

Cozy small town vibes with some amazing secondary characters add to the heartwarming tone of this story. Sheer romantic comedy perfection!

Highly recommend the audio edition of ‘Waiting for Gilbert‘. Hopper Stone and Emelle are brilliant! They brought these characters to life and didn’t miss a comedic beat. So. Much. Fun.

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 Waiting for Gilbert, 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 Friday December 20 2024.

A Christmas Duet

A solo holiday trip inspires one woman to rediscover her passion—and remember that, sometimes, duets are more fun—in this romantic Christmas novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

Hailey Morgan’s life has always revolved around music. She once had big dreams of composing her own songs, but the reality of life has led her to working as an assistant high school band teacher in Portland, Oregon. As the holidays approach, Hailey dreads the annual tradition of Christmas with her meddling family, where she’ll have to play nice while dodging their traditional expectations.

When Hailey’s close friend offers her family’s empty cabin for a rejuvenating solo retreat, Hailey finally decides to do something to make herself happy. However, her arrival in small-town Podunk, Washington, is anything but peaceful when she discovers the cabin is occupied by several wild animals. Luckily, Jay, the mayor’s son—who happens to be an incredibly charming former musician—is more than willing to help.

Soon Hailey and Jay are nearly inseparable, chopping down and decorating a Christmas tree, sipping hot cocoa in front of a cozy fire, and best of all, playing music together. Jay’s encouragement and feedback inspire Hailey to believe she might succeed as a songwriter after all. But even in her snow-dusted oasis, family holiday drama still finds Hailey, threatening her newfound peace and confidence, while she realizes Jay might be more than he presents himself to be. Suddenly her Christmas paradise has become a winter storm and Hailey must weather through the challenges to stand up for herself and embrace the holiday spirit.

My Review:

The holidays can’t really commence until I’ve read a Debbie Macomber Christmas novel and ‘A Christmas Duet’ is a delightful addition to her long standing tradition of delivering heartwarming yuletide stories at the most wonderful time of the year.

An easy, satisfying, read-in-one-sitting kind of story with wonderful Christmas elements, family drama and new beginnings — complete with romance.

Hailey is all for escaping Christmas festivities this year (and who can blame her after what her mother has done?!) so she merrily heads off to a cabin on the outskirts of the smallest of small towns. What could be more blissful than ten days of creative isolation and rest? Yeah, well, things don’t go exactly as planned…and the result is another memorable Macomber Christmas story to add to my collection.

Faking Christmas

Indie!

One little white lie.

That’s all it took. Now I’m suddenly having to fake-date my work nemesis to get me through a week at a Vermont Christmas lodge with my family.

The problem? I can’t stand Miles Taylor. Not only that, but I don’t date people I work with. But I can handle it. I’ve had practice faking my emotions for years. So it shouldn’t matter that Miles never lets me get away with anything. And that he happens to boil my blood hotter than a steaming pot of wassail. So when he throws his annoying grin my way or forces me on dates he knows I’ll hate, I’ll just grit my teeth and smile.

Or maybe not. Did I mention that Miles is the one person in the world I can’t seem to fool?

When my emotions begin feeling less like a sham and his arms feel way too comfortable, it makes me think that maybe Miles had a plan of his own. And I’m starting to like it a lot more than mine.

My Review:

published in 2022

Sarcasm and witty banter abound in this entertaining holiday rom/com.( I listened to the audio edition and narrator Justis Bolding’s performance really enhanced my ‘reading’ enjoyment.)

At first I thought Olive was way too uptight and judgemental and while she kinda was, she also has reasons and she has an epiphany further into the story which just added to my emotional investment in the romance. And, goodness, but her inner dialogue regarding Miles was hilarious!

The fake dating trope is played to perfection as it (almost) seamlessly weaves into the real thing. There are a few hiccups along the way, but Steel keeps even the darker moments lighter in honour of this being a seasonal read, I think, which I so appreciated. I was never on tenterhooks, anxiously worrying and angsting over Miles and Olive — I could just settle back and enjoy the show. Loved that.

Miles is definitely book boyfriend material. I am stifling the urge to list all the reasons why because you should definitely discover him for yourself, one delicious quality at a time. Let’s just say fainting couch recommended with smelling salts on hand. And be prepared for vigorous toe-curls. 🙂

This is a sweet, clean (kisses only — but oh my they sizzle!) romance with lots of holiday cheer and comedic action.

Book available on Kindle Unlimited and the audio book is on sale for $2.99 at Chirpbooks.

Wishing for Mistletoe + Giveaway

indie!

When the heart pens its own holiday romance, even a skeptic can find magic under the mistletoe.

On Sanctuary Island, Ariel Highbridge seeks refuge from crippling writer’s block and a disillusioned heart. As a writer of Regency romances who’s been betrayed by love herself, Ariel struggles to weave tales of romance when her own faith in it has frayed.

Tom Fuller is a devoted schoolteacher and a widower, whose life orbits around his daughter Shauna. He has sworn off the possibility of new love. Yet, the arrival of their enchanting neighbor stirs an unexpected warmth in both father and daughter’s lives..

As the island’s Yuletide enchantments weave their spell, Tom and Ariel find themselves drawn to each other. Ariel’s burgeoning belief in love and Tom’s tentative steps towards healing suggest that perhaps, this Christmas, they could write a love story of their own.

But their fledgling romance will soon face its ultimate test, and it will take the magic of the season and the island’s charm for their love story to prove the most enchanting tales don’t end—they simply transform into new beginnings.

* * *

Welcome to the shores of Sanctuary Island, where six bestselling authors of Christian romance bring you stories of love and redemption. From tender romance to enduring faith, each standalone novel in this series promises unforgettable characters and heartwarming small town charm.

My Review:

An exquisitely written Christmas novel full of faith and hope and new beginnings. I so enjoy Robin Lee Hatcher’s storytelling style. Her talent in creating living, breathing people from fictional characters is phenomenal and the subsequent emotional connection I feel enhances my reading enjoyment so much.

This was my introduction to Sanctuary Island, but I am eager to sample some of the other stories in this series – especially since there are a few new-to-me authors in the mix. Love the unique setting and the small town ambience that promises happily ever afters. This is the kind of town that puts action into their caring and there were so many sweet moments of camaraderie, compassion and service. Perfect for a Christmas story.

And the perfect place for Ariel to land as she struggles both professionally and personally. Hatcher does an amazing job of conveying the conflicting highs and lows of authorship. Insecurities surface, despite past success, and somewhere in the mix, Ariel realizes that her priorities might be skewed. I found her faith journey quite profound and easily relatable to my own life.

And then there’s Tom and his precocious daughter who play a significant role in integrating Ariel into island life. And at Christmas time, that’s pretty special. He has a heartbreaking back story and is still working through some issues but I love the way the island community encourages these two. And I really love the solid faith woven throughout their love story.

I listened to the audible edition of this book narrated by Hilarey Johnson which made ‘reading’ Wishing for Mistletoe even more memorable. A solid recommendation if you enjoy audio books.

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 Wishing for Mistletoe, 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 December 14 2024.

So Into You

Opposites attract in this heartfelt rom-com about overcoming your past and embracing all that life has to offer.

Britt Branch has a successful My-tube channel where she teaches all kinds of art lessons. Obsessed with the 1970s, she has a style all her own and loves yacht rock. She also has a huge problem–severe social anxiety. She lives with her mom, and while she pays her own bills, she wonders if she’ll ever have the courage to move out. When her best friend announces she’s getting married, Britt thinks it’s time to make a change.

Gorgeous Hunter Pickett has always skated by on his model looks and applying very little effort to anything except sports, and even that was iffy at times. The third son of extremely wealthy and successful parents, he’s always been the black sheep of the family and has dealt with the issue by drinking and using drugs. When he lands in jail, he turns his life around. But by his third year of sobriety, he’s still dealing with aimlessness. When he catches Britt’s channel, he’s intrigued and ends up watching her videos even though he’s not interested in art . . . at first. He reaches out to her, and they eventually become friends and make a deal–if she gives him art lessons, he’ll help her with her social anxiety.

But neither of them is completely honest with the other. When all the secrets come out in the worst way possible, relationships must be rebuilt, and Britt has a decision to make–is she going to continue to hide from life, or is she going to finally start living?

My Review:

How ironic that the heroine in this contemporary romance struggles with social anxiety, because my empathetic reader anxiety levels kept me mildly uncomfortable throughout the story. Especially as I began to understand how things were going to play out. I’m still kinda reeling with aftershock.

The multiple point of views played a hand in amping up that anxiety, as messy lives gradually converge into an epic scene of disastrous chaos! I was dreading it but, at the same time, couldn’t tear my eyes away from the train wreck happening right in front of me. Oy — the emotions, the mistakes, the miscommunications, the misunderstandings! So many layers of angst!

I appreciated the sensitive way the author handled the mental health issues in this novel. Britt is literally crippled by severe social anxiety and Hunter is a recovering addict. Fuller depicts both their struggles and triumphs realistically and leaves readers with a better understanding of these issues and the difficulties that come from trying to break free while maintaining family support and acceptance.

So, a different kind of second chance romance, even though the hero and heroine have just met. I really liked the idea of them getting their individual second chances together (if that makes any sense.)

The romance starts out sweetly, well, once you get past their excruciatingly awkward meet-cute! Love the way Hunter accepts Britt’s limitations and sets about gently wooing her through friendship first. She’s naturally cautious, her struggle to move out of her comfort zone is palpable and made for some intense reading.

They both have complex family situations which play a major role in the way the story plays out. We get two more POVs and there comes a point where they all converge in the same aforementioned epic scene. Phew! Results in some epic fallout too.

But, thankfully, Fuller doesn’t leave it there and I really enjoyed the way she sorts everything (and everyone) out by the end. Big sigh of relief!

I listened to the audio edition of ‘So Into You’ and enjoyed Melissa Moran’s narration. I like the way she portrayed these characters and their emotional story — she kept me listening even when I didn’t want to. lol

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