Book Reviews

Book Review: Love By Chance by Kacy Cross

Love By Chance: Based on the Hallmark Channel Original Movie
by Kacy Cross
Rating: 4/5

When I saw that this story was available for review, I jumped at the chance. I am a huge fan of Hallmark Channel Original Movies that just make you cry and feel good inside. I knew I would enjoy the book version of the movie, Love By Chance, because I’d get to read and understand the characters better. It did not disappoint.

What do you do when your mother likes to control everything about you and is obsessed with your love life? Claire is a pastry chef who co-owns a struggling bistro but is determined to make it work. Her mother is determined to find her a husband at any cost. Claire’s mom, Helen, has a sixth sense about these things and considers herself a successful matchmaker. When Helen takes things a tad too far, she meets someone new who she insists is perfect for Claire – Eric, a pediatrician. Helen somehow convinces Eric to go to an art gallery event that Claire is catering. When the two meet, sparks fly and now Eric has a problem. He is quickly falling for Claire but hates lying to her. Meanwhile, Helen is still trying to control everything with Claire while neglecting her own husband and their plans for retirement. What happens when the truth comes out?

I loved reading this version of the original movie because I was able to be inside the head of the different characters and really understand their motivations and thoughts for their actions. Helen still frustrates me to no end but I know her heart’s in the right place. I loved the Epilogue because that wasn’t in the original movie. There’s also a recipe in the back of the book which I definitely want to try out.

The book is basically the movie in written form but with a more filled out story which I enjoyed reading. I highly recommend this book for lovers of Hallmark Channel Original Movies and clean, sweet romance.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

January 4, 2020 by Kim Book Reviews

Book Review: Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason

Collateral Damage
by Lynette Eason
Book 1 in Danger Never Sleeps series
Release date: January 7, 2020
Rating: 4.5/5

Wow. That was so good. Lynette Eason always has thrilling stories but this one was extra special. Action, mystery, romance and medicine – what else could a girl need? (I’m not biased as a medical student at all lol.)

Having almost finished serving her time in the military as a psychiatrist, Captain Brooke Adams is injured overseas and sent home. She loves her job being able to help people but has never felt that she really helped any of the service men and women she saw in Afghanistan. She is determined to try to forget what happened and move on by not seeing any veterans in her new practice. That all changes when retiree Sergeant First Class Asher James walks back into her life just as bullets are flying. Unsure of why she’s being pursued, she and Asher must figure out what the bad guys are after and how to keep each other safe along the way. Will the sparks flying between these two souls help them deal with their PTSD and bring them closer together?

The military details are very authentic sounding and well explained for a non-military person like myself. It was a bit confusing in the first chapter with all the military lingo, but after re-reading it a second time, it made more sense. I guess I needed a warmup. 😉

I also love the way that Eason incorporates her faith into these stories. She has a way of weaving it all into the story without any cringe.

Her characters are flawed and need time to grow and develop. Mental health is such a huge topic in this day and age, especially with veterans. The story could be taken from the headlines – I love that she writes about what’s current and relevant for today.

Highly recommend to anyone who loves Christian military action, romance, mystery, and suspense.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

January 3, 2020 by Kim Book Reviews

Book Review: Nameless Queen by Rebecca McLaughlin

Nameless Queen
by Rebecca McLaughlin
Release date: January 7, 2019
Rating: 3.5/5

Let’s just say that I wanted this book to knock it out of the park but unfortunately, it did not deliver what I was hoping for. The book is still good and I loved the world-building and the characters; however, it just didn’t capture my attention and imagination as much as I hoped it would.

Choosing to call herself Coin, a young girl finds herself fighting to survive on the streets of Seriden, a city of Royals, Legals, and the Nameless. With the death of King Fallow, the tattoo of the next ruler reveals itself on Coin’s arm. How could the king name his successor without a name? Confusion and outrage follow these events as Coin temporarily ascends the throne as the Nameless Queen until she can be challenged during the Assassin’s festival. Does Coin even want to be queen? Could she actually make a difference? What about the magic powers that come with the royal tattoo? Can she learn to control them? Can she save the only person she cares about as a temporary queen?

This story had so much promise and I did enjoy it, but something seemed off. The characters are fun and unique. The world McLaughlin has created is interesting but the history of Seriden and magic probably could have been laid out more clearly. There were consequences for actions but not quite as satisfying as I’d like.

This story is not a romance; it is more fantasy adventure with some mystery. This story is also a standalone novel. I would still recommend this story for younger readers, especially those who deal with insecurities. If you like books with strong heroines, I’d also recommend this book.

My thanks to the author and NetGalley for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.