Book Reviews

How to Catch a Prince
by Rachel Hauck
Rating: 5/5
Royal Wedding #3
Zondervan – Fiction / Contemporary Romance

American heiress, Corina Del Rey, has a secret that no one knows. She was once married to a prince who she was in love with, but that was a long time ago. The marriage was annulled and she can go on with her life, except she still can’t escape her family falling part after her brother was killed in action. Her journalistic tenacity says that there’s a story there and just wants to know how and why her brother died. She doubts she’ll ever see the prince again.

Prince Stephen of Brighton Kingdom is a war-veteran-turned-star-professional-rugby-player. Although he tries to forget the past tragedies that came with war, he is still haunted by a secret and survivor’s guilt. Just as he determines to grow up and take his place as prince, he receives a notice saying that he is still married. If he wants the marriage to be annulled, he and his wife will need to make an appearance before the courts. What will happen now? Can Stephen track down Corina in time before his coronation? If he finds her, can he tell her the truth about why he left her? Can she ever forgive him? Can he ever forgive himself?

I absolutely LOVE this series. Rachel Hauck is such a talented writer. I am always so impressed with her characters. Corina and Stephen are characters who seem so real and endearing. I had no problem taking a few hours to completely submerge myself in the story. I always enjoy Hauck’s writing because she doesn’t shy away from the faith aspects.

Your worth is not determined by who you are or what you do, even what you don’t do. It’s determined by the work of your Savior. If our Lord bore the cross to declare  you worthy, then indeed you are, and nothing–not war, nor death, regrets, injury, broken hearts, or tabloid headlines–can change it. Only if you choose not to accept it.

(Sorry. Don’t have a page number because it was from the ARC ebook.)

We all go through hard times where we question our worth, our identity. I love how the story addresses both Stephen’s and Corina’s insecurities.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance, especially involving royalty.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Trouble with Patience
by Maggie Brendan
Rating: 4/5
Virtues and Vices of the Old West #1
Revell – Fiction | Historical Romance

Patience Cavanaugh is not a typical woman. After losing the man she wanted to marry, she inherits her grandmother’s run-down boarding house in the West. Moving away from all she knows and her mother’s critical eye, Patience is determined to make the boarding house successful again. After cleaning what she can, she still has many repairs to do but is ill-equipped to handle them alone. The new Marshall in town, Jedediah Jones, comes up with a simple arrangement that should be mutually beneficial. Patience would cook food for Jed and his posse and any prisoners while Jed would help her out with repairs. Although Patience and Jed didn’t meet on the best terms, the attraction between them is undeniable. While Patience still struggles with the tragic death of her beau, Jed’s secret might be the one thing that keeps their relationship from blossoming. Will Patience ever realize she is beautiful and is Jed the one to convince her? Can Jed learn to trust his heart with another woman? Can the two of them uncover the truth about the trouble that’s been brewing in town?

I really enjoyed this story about Patience and Jed because the story was very easy to read and fun. The banter between the two of them is fresh and thoroughly entertaining. Patience is a really strong woman who can’t see how beautiful she is. She treats those around her with respect and mercy; she’s definitely someone worth emulating. Jed is full of regrets from his past, which is something that everyone can relate to. The character development is beautifully done, but the pacing at the end is a little rushed in my opinion.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance with good character development.

I received this book for free from Revell in exchange for an honest review.

A Light in the Wilderness
by Jane Kirkpatrick
Rating: 4/5
Revell – Historical Fiction

Although she cannot read, Leticia treasures the papers that prove she is free and no longer a slave. When she decides to marry Davey Carson and travel with him along the Oregon Trail, she is determined to build a new life for herself. Davey is an Irishman who has his own secrets but is loyal to Leticia.

On the trail, the Carsons meet and bond with Dr. Zachariah Hawkins, his wife, Nancy, and their large family. Nancy loves her husband so much that she’s willing to leave everything she knows to follow her husband across the country to Oregon. Nancy and Leticia form a special friendship that both come to rely on when tragedy strikes.

Did Leticia do the right thing? Should she have stayed in Missouri? Can she trust Davey to write her into his will? Could Davey ever care for her and look past the color of her skin?

I loved that the book was based on the real life story of Leticia Carson. The historical aspects of the story are so well realized and described. I was completely caught up in the story and transported to a different time and place. The first 1/3 of the story is a little slow but once I really got into the book, I couldn’t put it down. Kirkpatrick did an amazing job with the setting and the characters. I really enjoyed reading about Leticia’s character and her triumphs and struggles. She was someone I would have loved to have met in person.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves history and is interested in learning about life on the Oregon Trail and in Oregon Territory.

I received this book for free from Revell in exchange for an honest review.