Contemporary Romance – Page 9

How to Catch a Prince + Giveaway

Prince Stephen came to America to escape responsibility. But what he found complicates his life more than ever.

Corina Del Rey is happy with her life in Melbourne, Florida. She spends her days engrossed in her career as a journalist and has her sights set on climbing the corporate ladder if for no other reason, to distract herself from her dissolving family. But when she is confronted with the past she fought so hard to put behind her, she struggles to make sense of her future.

Prince Stephen of Brighton Kingdom has moved on since the tragic death of his buddies in Afghanistan. A star professional rugby player, he has no intention of looking over his shoulder at what could’ve been.

But when a notice arrives in the mail requiring his and his wife’s appearance before the courts to dissolve their marriage, he must deal with the questions rumbling around in his heart. He thought his marriage had been annulled long ago, but his memories of Corina Del Rey remain close. Does he still love her? Can he even find her? Above all, can he tell her the truth about that fateful night in Afghanistan seven years ago? If he does, he might really lose her forever.

My Review:

published in 2015

How can you not love a book that has exquisite lines like: “With a smile, Daisy pulled Corina into a hug. And for a fleeting second, Corina cradled her cheek on her friend’s shoulder and left a piece of her burden there.” Honestly, Hauck’s eloquence takes my breath away. Her words speak directly to my heart and I find myself emotionally invested in the lives of the characters she brings to life. There’s just no way I could have stopped reading. And when the end came, I didn’t want it to be over.

How to Catch a Prince is clever and witty and heartrending. A tumultuous mix that had me alternately laughing and crying and shouting scathing comments at ne’er-do-well characters that had no business giving Corina such a hard time. Not to mention swooning over some lovely romantical bits too. And yet it also has an ethereal, fairy tale quality with enough inspiration to touch my soul. That astounding combination equals sheer reading delight.

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 How to Catch a Prince, 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 15 2025.

Paws for Love + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

The Only Thing Sweet About Jellybean Is His Name

Jellybean the terrier is about to unleash some serious mayhem on the unsuspecting town of Albatross.

There’s no quiet on the set when over-the-hill screen star Lawrence Tucker brings his naughty terrier, Jellybean, on location to the beachside town of Albatross, California. When Jellybean develops a rapport with Tucker’s violin tutor, the painfully shy, socially awkward Misty Agnelli, her arm is twisted into minding the mischievous animal. Trailing Jellybean leads Misty into the candy store of Bill Woodson, a handsome chocolatier with a painful secret and a three-year-old niece to raise.

Misty must deal with the unstable Tucker, a temperamental Jellybean, her budding feelings for the mysterious Bill, and the high-pressure atmosphere on the set. Though she wants nothing more than to flee, how can she tell her Grandma, Lawrence Tucker’s biggest fan, that she abandoned the star and his dog?

It’s actors, animals, and antics galore when Jellybean gives his own heartwarming performance.

My Review:

published in 2017

Paws down the cutest cover ever!!!! Who can resist that face? Even if it belongs to a “fuzzy wrecking ball?” I don’t know if anyone will be surprised if I tell you that Jellybean might have a bigger piece of my heart than two-legged hero, Bill. Such a little scamp (dog, not man) and while I found it highly entertaining to read about his escapades, I think the thrill would soon wear off if I actually lived through them. It takes a certain personality — one that consists of an abundance of patience — to cope with that opinionated mutt. Grinning just thinking about it.

And a huge ‘hoorah’ for a klutzy heroine!!! You don’t often find them in the pages of a romance novel. At least I haven’t spied that many and as a self-proclaimed klutz I pay attention to things like that. So there was an instant connection between Misty and me. And her deer-in-the-headlights reaction to complicated social situations just warmed my heart even more.

I think what impressed me the most about Bill was his insecurities and the fact that the author went out on a limb to write an atypical hero. He is struggling to adjust to being the sole caregiver to his orphaned niece and feelings of inadequacies keep creeping in. He’s an ‘out of the box’ kind of guy and I love the way Mentink slowly reveals a major issue. I fell in love with his vulnerability and courage.

And even though Paws for Love is slapstick funny — there’s a touching inspirational thread that binds everything together. “God made you to shine a light…You don’t get to pick what kind of candle you get.” (p 79) Has to be one of my favourite lines ever.

A rousing comedic masterpiece that also delivers a stirring amount of tenderness and hope.

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 Paws for Love, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 15 2025.

Love Overboard + Giveaway

A snort-laughing, cruise ship romance takes readers into topsy-turvy waters

When a group of four quirky friends retire on a neverending round of cruises, their attire consists of more than floral shirts and gaudy skirts. Armed with walkie-talkies and battle plans, these relationship experts–who’ve dubbed themselves the “Shippers”–target hostess Lacey Anderson and director Jonathan King in their romantic schemes. But the young couple refuses to cooperate. They’ve been on the “love boat” together before, and it went down in flames.

Boss matchmaker Emily Windsor has orchestrated multiple romantic successes, and these two upstarts certainly won’t get the best of her. The chemistry between Lacey and Jonathan is obvious, but the couple rebuffs every outlandish plot and “coincidental” meeting, forcing the matchmakers to chart a new course to true love–all while inadvertently thwarting drug smugglers threatening to ruin their floating home on the ocean.

This laugh-out-loud rom-com features loveable characters, over-the-top situations reminiscent of 1950s sitcoms, a dash of mystery, and romance to push the reader overboard and all in with Shannon Dunlap’s new series.

My Review:

I’ve had my eye on this book for awhile but I was waiting to see if it might come out in an audio edition (it hasn’t) so I finally bought a print copy because I kept hearing rave reviews about it and, guess what? They were right! ‘Love Overboard‘ is a deeeeelightful cozy read. Part romance, part mystery all wrapped up with a whole lot of senior sass. So. Much. Fun!

There are walkie-talkie toting seniors on do or die matchmaking missions. Emily is the head Shipper (yes, they have a name and everything) and she runs a tight ship (pun intended.) There are a vast number of single cruise employees after all! And, really, what else is a body to do when you live on a cruise ship year round?! That angle alone is fascinating. The Shippers bring in plenty of drama and a whole lot of laughter. Well…the only one not laughing is Lacey.

She loves her job as cruise hostess and finds the dear ‘old ladies’ sweet and charming most of the time. Just not when they have her in their sightline as the next matchmaking target. Enter Jonathan King, new to the ship but not to Lacey (a little something the Shippers aren’t aware of) and cue rom/com hilarity circa 1950s sitcom as these two reluctant lovebirds have a second chance romance forced upon them.

Oh — and if that wasn’t intriguing enough, there is actually a shipboard mystery to solve as well. Completely captivating from start to finish and — hooray — it looks like this is the beginning of a series as it ends with a nice set up for the second book which better come out soon!

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 Love Overboard, 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 15 2025.

Southern by Design

Sweet Magnolias meets Fixer Upper in this delightfully refreshing debut about a woman bravely chasing her dreams, building a life on her own terms, and maybe even discovering a second chance at love.

Magnolia “Mack” Bishop is staring down the barrel at single motherhood–thanks to an unsolicited personal picture her husband texted another woman that quickly went viral among every mom group in town. But she’s determined to not let it distract her from the professional victory she’s inches away securing Charleston’s prestigious Historic Preservation Design Fellowship, the apple of every local designer’s eye.

But when the final house tour is undone by a host of calamities, Mack’s shot at the fellowship goes up in flames. Smelling blood in the water, Mack’s mother, the original Magnolia Bishop, breezes in with a project lead–strings attached. If there’s one thing Magnolia lives for, aside from maintaining her station atop the Southern social ladder, it’s to control Mack’s life . . . and that includes keeping the identity of the absentee father Mack never knew in the shadows.

While working for her mother is the professional equivalent of moving into one’s parent’s basement, Mack spots an opportunity to make it her own when a television network puts a call out for local designers. Pitching the home renovation TV pilot of her dreams–one with a historic preservation twist–might just be the way to finally prove herself. Still, she’ll have to do it covertly to avoid her mother’s interference.

Just when Mack finds her professional footing, at home she spots an impossibly familiar figure unloading his moving truck into the newly sold house next door. She is furious, floored, and regrettably flustered because Lincoln Kelly is the one who got away. Fifteen years earlier he was a summer romance she inadvertently fell in love with, and when he left, following his dreams to New York, Mack was broken-hearted.

Filled with characters who could step off the page and a reminder that nothing worth saving is beyond repair, this charming and delightful debut novel will resonate with readers of Southern women’s fiction by Mary Kay Andrews and Kristy Woodson Harvey.

My Review:

I didn’t know Southern Fiction was a thing until recently but I feel like this is the perfect example of what’s so good about it (says the Canadian who is clueless about all things Southern.) Maybe it was the subtle Southern twang Amanda Stribling brought to her narration (I listened to the audio book) that added to the charm. In any case, both words and performance drew me in and kept me riveted.

Magnolia “Mack” Bishop is an intriguing character. Spunky and tenacious in some ways and infuriatingly submissive to her mama in other ways. Are all Southern Mamas like Magnolia Sr.? I shudder to thinks so! I spent a large part of the read fuming over that woman! Gah! I so wanted Mack to grow a backbone and stand up to her mother once and for all. I wanted a colossal ‘take that!’ moment and instead, Walz humbled me with the surprising twist towards the end. Sigh. My righteous indignation bubble was burst…but only somewhat. I’m still angsting over lots and lots of Magnolia Sr. moments because, no matter what happened in her past, she still made choices that, well…you need to read the book and angst right along with me!

There’s a rocky second chance romance that plays out in two timelines which was really interesting. We get to see the summer romance of fifteen years ago unfolding oh so sweetly until the train wreck happens all while watching Mack and Lincoln warily reconnecting as single parents in present day. I really enjoyed their journey to reconciliation, angst and all!

Loved the interior design/house flipping backdrop to the story — and the clever title that fits it to perfection. If you are an HGTV fan, this is definitely the book for you. Great details on design and historical restoration and the thrill of reality TV as well.

My thanks to Harper Muse Audibooks and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Of note to readers of this blog: a wee bit of mild language and LGBTQ+ rep in a secondary character

Uneasy Street + Giveaway

Once upon a time Max Cirillo and Sloane Madison were close friends and business partners. But when their business relationship imploded, so did the friendship.

Now, four years later, Max is a rich CEO. Sloane’s a not-so-rich etiquette expert who returns to Maine to serve as her niece’s temporary guardian and help the girl search for her birth father. Sloane and her niece move into a darling garage apartment but Sloane’s joy in their accommodations soon turns to horror when she realizes their apartment belongs to Max. Thanks to an unbreakable lease, she’s stuck living right next door to him.

Max pulled strings to bring Sloane into his orbit because he needs closure on what went wrong between them. Quickly, though, his scheming comes back to bite him. The world might view him as a cold-hearted rake, but this one woman has dangerous power over his emotions.

They’ll have no choice but to confront their history—and the undeniable spark between them—while living side by side on uneasy street.

Discover witty humor, rich emotion, banter, and charm within the pages of this sweet enemies-to-lovers romance!

My Review:

Becky Wade’s books are always a treat and this last book in her ‘Sons of Scandal’ series is exceptional. A lovely mix of angst and humour with a gentle, but oh so profound, faith thread woven throughout.

While ‘Uneasy Street’ could work well as a standalone, I think reading the books in order will enrich your enjoyment so much more. This crazy, complicated family, the brothers and their personal love stories, all build to this grande finale featuring outcast Max.

Excuse me while I swoon, but Max is so…Max! Infuriating at times, yes, but, oh my, once he makes his mind up about Sloane…well, it’s all toe-curls and smelling salts. But oh what a journey! Wade kept me on tenterhooks right to the end with this unique friends to enemies to wary friends to more trope.

Sloane is such an interesting mix of fiery spunkiness and controlled etiquette expert. Love her profession! The way she leans into the structure in the rules of conduct like they are a security blanket. It’s funny and sad all wrapped up together. And makes a great contrast to Max’s laid back, easy going manner.

And, oh my, the banter between these two! Max knows just how to goad Sloane and no matter how outrageous he was, I couldn’t stop falling for him. I was definitely Team Max from the start, impatiently waiting for Sloane to catch up. So. Much. Fun.

And if all that romantical deliciousness wasn’t enough, the author also gives us two family mysteries to sort out and Max is in the middle of both of them. ‘Uneasy Street’ is the kind of emotionally compelling story you don’t want to come to an end. I could have done with a dozen more epilogues but even then, I’d be left wanting more.

I listened to the audio book and thrilled over the dual narration provided by Reba Buhr and Ryan Hudson. Brilliant performances that captured the essence of these beloved characters making this an emotionally satisfying listening experience. The combination of storytelling and acting talent ensures that ‘Uneasy Street’ will end up on my re-listen play list.

My thanks to the author 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 Uneasy Street, 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 8 2025

The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton

Random Retro Read

In her search for a rare gem, will Everleigh end up uncovering the true treasure of her heart?

Personal care nurse Everleigh Wheaton knows it only takes a few well-placed lies to ruin a reputation. She’s experienced it time and time again. But there’s a silver lining to repeatedly proving she’s confident and self-reliant.

When she loses yet another job and an enigmatic stranger offers her a potential way out, she’s game. After all, she loves a good mystery, and an invitation to visit the legendary Halstead Manor is irresistible. But she’s not about to let her guard down–especially with the other women who received the same invitation.

A strange voice on the phone tells them he’s gathered the three of them to work together as treasure hunters. The first assignment requires Everleigh to be a traveling nurse for retired FBI agent Gertrude Levine, who has one cold case she just can’t let go the Florentine diamond that went missing when the Austrian Empire fell.

With Everleigh’s keen ability to solve puzzles, Natalie Daughtry’s vast knowledge of history, and Brooke Sumner’s connections to the antiques world, they’re bound to track down the diamond. Except that Gertie’s nephew, Niles Butler, doesn’t trust Everleigh’s innocent act . . . even if he finds himself falling for her. Worse, Everleigh’s walls of self-preservation may doom the entire team.

Hints of real-life historical events combined with contemporary characters make this first book in the Treasures of Halstead Manor series a masterful blend of romance, mystery, and strong female friendships. Readers of authors like Denise Hunter and Nicole Deese who enjoy unfolding relationships and the organic discovery of God’s love will relish this new series.

My Review:

An international treasure hunt with all kinds of ‘Charlie’s Angels’ vibes! And it includes a slow-burn, enemies to more romance with lots of sniping and banter. Add in the historical mystery element along with the not quite dual timeline (More time is spent in the present than the past) and well, this quickly became an unputdownable read for me.

This is my first Susan L. Tuttle book and I have fallen for her storytelling style. Love the way she developed the characters – especially Everleigh. I didn’t quite like her at the start, and she frustrated me no end with some of the decisions she made, but she has spunk and tenacity and a gnarly past that explains so much. And there are two more women on the team who obviously have just as intriguing backstories so I’m hoping future books in the series will feature them.

Now or Never + Giveaway

Indie!

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.