Book Reviews

An August Bride
by Debra Clopton
Rating: 4/5
A Year of Weddings Series
Zondervan – Fiction/Romance

When Brent Corbin showed up at the rehearsal dinner for his friend, the groom, he did not anticipate diving into the ocean to save a mermaid in distress. However, he is instantly taken with Kelsey Wilcox, cousin and bridesmaid to the bride. As Kelsey looks to see who has rescued her, she sees the cowboy boots and shuts down. After a rodeo cowboy broke her heart, Kelsey moved to Corpus Christi to start a bistro on the beach. She gave up her ranch life and hoped her new work would soothe her broken heart.

Brent decides to pursue Kelsey, the only girl who doesn’t seem to be after a relationship with him because of his family money. Will he be able to keep their paths crossing? Will he be able to convince Kelsey that they were meant to be? Can Kelsey learn to trust again? How could she have feelings after only knowing someone for a few days?

I feel like I’ve read at least one book from Debra Clopton before, but I cannot remember which book. I loved the lighthearted humor in this fun and romantic story. I now must marry a cowboy like Brent! I will definitely have to look into reading more from Debra Clopton.

I recommend this book to those who like fun, humorous, romance novellas.

I received this book for free from NetGalley but was not required to give a positive review.

To Everything a Season
by Lauraine Snelling
Rating: 4/5
Song of Blessing Book 1
Bethany House – Fiction/Historical

The Bjorklund family has a long history of helping to settle the town of Blessing, North Dakota. Dr. Astrid Bjorklund Jeffers runs the newly built hospital with her sister-in-law, Dr. Elizabeth Rogers Bjorkland. Both doctors trained under the best and are set to welcome and teach some nurses-in-training traveling from Chicago.

Miriam Hastings has a large family to support since her mother has a chronic, untreatable illness. She works hard to provide for her family and keep her brothers and sisters in school as long as possible. When she is chosen for an amazing internship under two female doctors in Blessing, she does not think it possible. Who will care for her family? How could she leave everything she knows and loves for a whole year? What if something happens? With a determination to return home after her internship, she leaves her family in good hands and ventures off to Blessing.

Trygve Knutson has spent his life working for his family and the town of Blessing. He knows with all of the immigrants and the nurse trainees arriving, the town is growing. When he meets Miriam, he can’t take his eyes off her. He starts pursuing her with a vengeance, but is his pursuit in vain? Miriam is adamant about returning to Chicago to her family. Can God work through Miriam’s mistrust and sense of betrayal?

I don’t believe I’ve read any of Snelling’s books about the Red River Valley. As someone just starting to read about this world and the Bjorklund family, I was overwhelmed for the first few chapters; I couldn’t even begin to think about reading it for a while. One of the first things a reader sees is the huge family tree with some unfamiliar Norwegian names. After reading the back cover multiple times, I was surprised that the supposed main characters of Trygve and Miriam don’t even meet until halfway through the book. The story seems to center around Astrid the most, which is odd for a reader who is not familiar with the Bjorklund family. I don’t think I’ve ever read a story quite like this.

I enjoyed getting to know the town of Blessing and all of its characters. There were a lot of subplots that seemed to distract from the “main” story, but they were still endearing and fun. The story felt unfocused – the reader is not sure who the story is about, but by the end of the book, I was hooked. I need to read more from Snelling, which is why I rated the book a 4/5.

I recommend this book to those who have already read stories from Red River Valley; I feel they would recognize and appreciate the characters more. If you decide to read the book without any background, you will want to take your time to familiarize yourself with the characters and their relationship to one another.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for a review.

A July Bride
By Beth Wiseman
Rating: 3/5
A Year of Weddings Series
Zondervan – Fiction/Romance

Alyssa Pennington was ready for her life to change forever — she was marrying the man of her dreams, Brendan Meyers. This would be the perfect day, but when Brendan leaves her at the altar, everything falls apart.

After returning every wedding gift and trying to figure out what happened to make Brendan bolt, Alyssa is done with their relationship. However, it is difficult since Brendan won’t stop sending flowers and gifts to woo her back. She doesn’t trust her “runaway groom” to be what she needs in a life partner. She can’t forgive what he did to her on their wedding day.

When Alyssa starts dating another guy, will Brendan bow out gracefully? Or will he continue to pursue his soulmate? Can Alyssa learn to forgive and trust her instincts? Will there be a happily ever after?

I enjoyed this novella from Beth Wiseman; however, I did not feel it was developed as much as it should have. Though the story was character driven, I never really liked or grew attached to the main characters. The book is a great fun and a light read but it still felt lacking in something.

I would still recommend the story for anyone who needs a fun and light read (especially on an airplane).

I received this book for free from NetGalley but was not required to give a positive review.