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Book Review: Promised by Leah Garriott

Promised
by Leah Garriott
Rating: 4/5

With hints of Pride and Prejudice and She’s All That, this story held my attention and I definitely lost sleep over needing to finish it in one reading session. Having been watching Sanditon, I didn’t realize how much I’d missed reading about romance in the Regency era.

After abruptly ending her engagement to her philandering childhood friend and neighbor, Margaret Brinton is determined only to marry for convenience. She has promised herself to never love someone so much that they can hurt you, so she seeks out a matchmaking party where she meets the devilish rake, Mr. Northam. He seems perfect for her needs – she is neither attracted nor is her heart in danger when she already knows the truth regarding Mr. Northam. Her plans go awry when Mr. Northam’s cousin, Lord Williams, interferes and warns her away from his cousin. After an embarrassing mishap, Margaret leaves the party early and escapes to her home where she finds out her parents’ have arranged a match for her with none other than Lord Williams. The hurt and disdain she feels for Lord Williams is palpable but she finds herself still drawn to him. Can Margaret decide what she truly wants? Will she be able to honor her promise to herself?

Leah Garriott’s debut novel is well written, heartfelt, and endearing. Her characters are bold, refreshing and opinionated. The plot is not necessarily unique but moves the story along with sass and hilarity. There’s definitely a strong Pride and Prejudice feel between the main characters but there are also stronger male influences (her father and brother) in the main character’s life which bring something sweet and new to the typical story.

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel and am curious to read more from this author! Highly recommend for those that love Pride and Prejudice type stories. PG-13 or less in content.

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.

February 18, 2020 by Kim Book Reviews

Book Review: If for Any Reason by Courtney Walsh

If for Any Reason
by Courtney Walsh
Release date: February 3, 2020
Rating: 4.5/5

Wow. I was already a fan of Courtney Walsh, but this story was just so good. Well written and heartwarming. I think it would make a great Hallmark movie.

Emily Ackerman has no choice but to return to the place where her mother died 18 years ago. With her grandfather’s passing, she inherited their house on Nantucket and she needs the money from the sale. Having lost her mother and never known her father, Emily clings to the letters her mother wrote for her in dealing with what life throws at her, especially when it comes to love. When she returns to the island and finds her childhood best friend, Hollis McGuire, still living next door, she is hesitant to reconnect but unable to resist him and his family. Hollis has never felt like he fit in with the rich people on the island. Emily’s mother always encouraged her to be different, so the two of them were always together off on some fearless adventure. Hollis is a retired professional baseball player with his own ghosts and a daughter that he can’t seem to connect with. Can Emily and Hollis get what they want this summer?

Beautifully flawed characters and great storytelling are essential to making me laugh and cry. The premise of a dying mother writing letters to her daughter is not necessarily new but Courtney Walsh made the idea fresh and I loved how she wove in Emily’s mother’s story in the book as well. I will say that I guessed the big mystery almost immediately but only because I was looking for it. It didn’t take away from the story for me at all. This story is about belonging and forgiveness – definitely has faith elements in the story.

Highly recommend for those that enjoy Contemporary Christian Romance with a bit of mystery.

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.

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February 1, 2020 by Kim Book Reviews

Book Review: The Blizzard Bride by Susanne Dietze

The Blizzard Bride
by Susanne Dietze
Book 11 in the Daughters of the Mayflower series
Release date: February 1, 2020
Rating: 4.5/5

I love this series! The writing is so well done and you can tell a whole lot of research went into each story. I also am a sucker for historical romance. I blame it on my daddy who always shared his love for history with me. Having never read anything from Dietze before, I was impressed with her pacing and characters.

Abigail Bracey is the new teacher in Wells, Nebraska. As much as she enjoys her job, she is also there on a job with the Secret Service, working for the Treasury, investigating a counterfeiter’s lost son. Her mission is secret except to Secret Service Agent Dashiell Lassiter who is also in town because they got word that the counterfeiter was headed their way. Abby and Dash are not only coworkers but former childhood sweethearts. Dash left her right before Abby’s entire life fell to pieces and she’s never forgiven him. Can the two of them work together to find this evil man and protect his son?

Having never heard about the crazy blizzard of January 1888, I was intrigued to learn something new and get a great story too. I love how the author wove the story of bitterness and forgiveness even til the very end. Abby’s transformation is beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. Loving your enemy is not easy but it was inspiring to read about.

Highly recommend for those that enjoy historical inspirational fiction.

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.