The Even Odder Couple

Posted on by Cathy

About The Even Odder Couple

The Even Odder Couple

Spencer Crane thinks I’m a human tornado.

I think he’s a calendar app come to life.

While he schedules? I spin-out.

When I spontaneously combust? He overcompensates.

And this is why convincing my new boss to hire him is a completely brilliant idea.

You see, workplace romance is forbidden, but attraction between total opposites like Spencer and me is a non-issue.

I repeat: Non. Issue.

I only wish I hadn’t discovered Mr. Clark Kent Glasses is (secretly) scorchingly hot. Even worse, he’s funny and chivalrous, and shoving me straight out of my Tess the Mess comfort zone.

But we both need this job. Like, a lot. And if our boss catches wind of any fraternization, we’ll be fired. Not to mention my heart’s already at risk of being axed.

So when Spencer starts treating me like I’m a magnet and he’s a fistful of iron, I’ve got a tornado-sized problem on my hands.

Starting now, I’m doubling down. I absolutely cannot fall for Spencer Crane.

Even if my total opposite might be everything I need …

This heartwarming, hilarious romantic comedy has all the sizzle and swoon, but no explicit content. The entire Apple Valley series can be read in any order, so grab The Even Odder Couple today and get ready to fall in love!

My review

There is not much better than getting to read a sweet rom-com. This one by Julie Christianson already has characters that I know and love. And it just made me happy to get to read it!

I have to say that for me both Tess and Spencer were characters that I didn’t love as much because I didn’t understand them. But in this book, they both come alive and jump off the page. And I grew to love them so much. They may be my favorite couple in this series. But…I really have the worst time picking favorites.

Tess has been kind of wishy-washy throughout the series. She’s jumped from one job to the next. But she really hits her stride in this one running Apple Valley’s summer camp. I loved getting to see how much she loved the kids and how much they loved her. And I really loved the way she got Spencer hired as her helper, and how she had to try so hard to not fall in love with him because of Mrs. Lockhart, the mayor.

Spencer just seemed really odd and crazy in the other books. But in this one, he becomes belovedly quirky. And I loved that! His bet with his brother made me laugh. And how he’s pushing Tess so hard, when she’s trying to back off. The whole dynamic between the two of them through out the story was so perfect!

There are so many side characters in this one. So many twists and surprises. I LOVED it all so, so much! And I’m really hoping this wasn’t the end of the Apple Valley Love Stories series.

I was sent an e-copy of The Even Odder Couple as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.

Purchase link

Amazon (affiliate link)

What to read after The Even Odder Couple (affiliate links)

Hearts of Briarwall

Posted on by Cathy

About Hearts of Briarwall

Hearts of Briarwall

A TURN OF THE CENTURY ROMANCE

Lydia Wooding is fascinated by the latest inventions the new century brings, including motorcars. She longs for the independence they represent and believes that women should have a say in the future of the industry―just as they should have a say in suffrage, adventure, and, of course, love.

Spencer Hayes is a man of practicality and innovation, but he lacks the financial backing to make his dream a reality. When he contacts his childhood friend, Andrew Wooding, about a promising business venture, he is invited to Briarwall Manor to discuss the terms. Once there, he is surprised to find that Andrew’s once shy, younger sister, Lydia, has grown into a young woman of beauty, wit, and a bit of fire. Even better, the two share a passion for motorcars.

Andrew, however, is wary of cars, having lost his parents in a tragic auto accident when he and Lydia were young. And he’s not sure a relationship between his sister and Spencer is the best idea―not when Sir Lawrence is available and could match both Lydia’s social status and her fortune.

Torn between risking their hearts and being loyal to their dreams in an era of whirlwind change, Spencer and Lydia anchor themselves with the determination they both share: to live life to its fullest.

My review

I haven’t read very many, if any, books set in this time period in England. It’s the Edwardian period. Around the time that cars were new. This is an interesting time period, because it seems like it’s right on the cusp of change. Women are still expected to wear dresses, but they can’t vote and their reputations can still be damaged easily.

It’s in this world that we meet Lydia Wooding. She and her friends are a little bit progressive. Lydia loves to wear man’s pants, to her brother’s consternation. And her deepest secret dream is to learn to drive. But due to circumstances, she can’t ask her brother for that. I loved Lydia! She knew what she wanted and she went for it. I loved that she was there for all of the Votes for Women rally’s and she worked hard for those too.

Spencer is a great kind of guy. It felt like he got over looked a little. Spencer doesn’t come from a high class family. And his father did some things that none of the family was proud of. But Spencer is kind, he looks out for those around him, and he isn’t like his father at all. I loved the way he wanted to get to know Lydia better, but knew that his friend and her brother, Andrew, wouldn’t approve. So he didn’t make any moves. And that was a little frustrating to Lydia!

I loved all of Lydia’s friends too. I’m really hoping we get to see those ladies in some books of their own really soon!

This is a great book that I really enjoyed reading.

I was sent a copy of Hearts of Briarwall as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Purchase links

Amazon (affiliate link) Deseret Book

What to read after Hearts of Briarwall (affiliate links)

Look Again

Posted on by Cathy

About Look Again

Look Again

He’s the charming, bow-tie wearing theater teacher, and she’s not falling for his act.

Dexter Kaplan didn’t plan to be a teacher, and certainly never saw himself back at his old prep school, Chamberlain Academy. But after the end of his Broadway run and his long-term relationship in the city, he settles for the theater coaching job. A guy’s got to eat.

Joey Harker, professional photographer, needs a new career path. Like, yesterday. She loves her art, but circumstances out of her control are changing everything, inhibiting her ability to do the work she loves. She jumps at a position teaching photography at an upscale prep school way up in the mountains. She may lose her own artistic vision, but she can teach others to find theirs.


It only takes one meeting for Joey to decide Dexter is the least likable person at Chamberlain Academy, and possibly the world, but she can’t avoid him when one meeting turns into dozens. And he can’t make any sense of her mixed signals. There’s a single arts chair position on the Chamberlain faculty council, and they can’t both have it. To earn the promotion, they have to show they can play well with others. Through their months of collaboration, they start seeing each other not only as rivals, but as possibilities. If they learn to look again, who knows what they will discover?

My review

This book was one I just loved! The meet cute in the beginning is one that you have to read to believe. It made me laugh so hard! There are just so many good things about this one.

I loved Joey. She made me laugh. Joey is a teacher, it’s something she decided to do when she realized that she couldn’t really do what she wanted to do. But she’s really good at it. And she’s really good with the kids.

Dexter. I have to admit there were times that he was so clueless that it was funny. He could be kind of confusing. Sometimes he was really great. And sometimes he was really distant. But that was just like relationships can be. And the reader did get to see what he was thinking, so that was helpful.

There were several side characters that were fun. I loved Hank and Ginger. Hopefully these two get to have a story sometime. And Chamberlain Academy where the story is set is fantastic. The school had so much character!

I’m really hoping for more books by this author. This one was so great!

I borrowed Look Again using my Kindle Unlimited subscription. All opinions are my own.

Purchase link

Amazon (affiliate link)

What to read after Look Again

Speak Your Truth

Posted on by Cathy

About Speak Your Truth

Speak Your Truth

You might have heard of me. I’m Amethyst King, the 26-year-old who wrote that viral article about drinking celery juice for 30 days. Sure, I’m a little embarrassed that everyone knows about the inner workings of my digestive tract for the last month, but I’m one step closer to getting a promotion and finally pleasing my incredibly opinionated, high status parents.

But my next assignment is a little different: speaking my truth for 30 days. Now I have to say exactly what’s on my mind, all the time. Maybe that wouldn’t be so hard if I didn’t dream of quitting my job and pursuing a career in calligraphy. Or if I weren’t hopelessly in love with my long time friend, free-spirited musician Lucas: the exact opposite of who my parents expect me to be with. The same Lucas I rejected after high school graduation, who just moved back home.

I got this! I can somehow manage thirty days of speaking my truth and getting a promotion, all without ruining my friendship with Lucas or my relationship with my family.

Right?

My review

I’ve had this book sitting on my TBR shelves for a few months. I finally picked it up over the weekend. And I’m glad I did! I enjoyed this book. It is a quick and fun read that you don’t want to miss!

Amethyst or Amy has a really great voice. I loved her character. She’s a young woman who works for an online women’s magazine. I love that she does some crazy things for her articles. Things like drinking celery juice for a month. Her newest assignment is to speak only her truth for the next 30 days. I really enjoyed the way she progresses through this. She starts by telling people what she really thinks. But by the time she’s done, she realizes that she also needs to be true to herself. Who she is. And that is a whole lot harder!

This book has such a great cast of characters. Amy’s friends, Hannah and Ivy are the cutest. And Ivy’s little sister, Katy steals the spotlight in the scenes she is in. Amy’s family is pretty horrible, except for maybe her brother. And then there’s Lucas.

I loved Lucas. And the way he pushes Amy to be more who she is than who her family wants her to be.

This is such a cute book. You need to read it!

I grabbed this one when it was free on Amazon. All opinions are my own.

Purchase link

Amazon (affiliate link)

What to read after Speak Your Truth (affiliate links)

The Letter Carrier

Posted on by Cathy

About The Letter Carrier

The Letter Carrier

When the German march across Europe reaches France, young Michelle Naget and her family join the throngs fleeing for safety. But their flight ends in capture by the Nazis, with one member of the family taken, while the rest of the family is sent back to their village of Braquis, France, to serve the enemy who has commandeered their home.

For the next four years, the Nagets live in the crosshairs of the enemy living under their roof and of the neighbors who question the family’s loyalties. Every day becomes a test of faith for Michelle-in God, in family, in the hope that the Allies will come, and in the letters from a young French rebel named Légère who promises Michelle that she will be free again.

But when the Nazis’ torment increases, and the razor-thin line between life and death narrows for the Nagets, the family’s motto, “We do what must be done,” and Michelle’s faith in God, give her the courage to face her enemy and do whatever she must to protect the family she loves.

My review

Sometimes you get to read a book that really touches you in some way or another. This one by Laurie Lewis is one of those for me.

Sometimes World War II books can be hard to read. There were so many things that happened during that time period to the people that are just hard. And this author did a good job of showing that hard things happened. But she also did a good job of showing that there was still hope, even when things were hard.

The Letter Carrier is based on the true story of Michelle Naget, or Mimie. Michelle’s family lived in France. And their country and home were invaded by the Nazi’s. I loved Michelle’s faith. Even in the darkest of times, she believed that God knew her and knew of her. And that he would help her when needed. And he did. Miraculous things happened to the Naget family. But they still had to learn many hard lessons.

I loved this book! I feel like I gained a greater understanding about what life would have been like for people who were occupied during the war. And there are great lessons to be learned from those who suffered.

I was sent an e-copy of The Letter Carrier as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.

Purchase link

Amazon (affiliate link)

What to read after The Letter Carrier (affiliate links)

Mirror

Posted on by Cathy

About Mirror

Mirror

After everything that happened, there are five things I’m sure of:
One – My name is Grace Gentry.
At least that hasn’t changed.
Two – Impossibly, time can be bent, shaped, and altered.
Jumping centuries breaks laws, and I’m living the consequences—good and bad.
Three – My future is undeniably cemented in the past.
He lives in yesterday, but I want him to be part of my tomorrow.
Four – Some things lost are not lost forever.
Sometimes they’re only misplaced.
Five – Evil is not confined by time.
And this evil has traveled to find me.

One week ago, I didn’t know time could move backwards.
One week ago, I didn’t know anything existed behind the glass of the mirror.
One week ago, I didn’t know—couldn’t know—that when I finally found light, I unwillingly welcomed darkness.

My review

This book by Janessa Burt is one I bought for my birthday. It was one that was recommended by a friend on Instagram. And then it sat on my shelf for a really long time. But it’s so good!

I loved Grace in this book. She is so spunky. In the first chapter, she’s in the present day time and she has to defend herself. I love that Grace is not afraid to do that when she needs to. But then she ends up being pushed through a mirror. And she’s in the past.

Grace is still Grace even in the past. She says things that confuse the people around her who actually belong in the past. But she also is able to help those around her. And she’s still willing to defend herself and others when she needs to.

I loved this book! And I need to read the next one right away!

Purchase link

Amazon (affiliate link)

What to read after Mirror (affiliate links)

Abandoned

Posted on by Cathy

About Abandoned

Abandoned

Cowgirl sass takes on cowboy charm in this second-chance romance.


Shelly Vance has loved her real-life hero Thor Delta for years but when she loses everyone she loves, including her horse, she turns her back on heaven and on Thor.


Thor has no idea how to get through to Shelly, but he’ll never give up. The superhero Thor can save a world. The cowboy hero Thor must save the woman he loves.

My review

I have to say that I love it when characters are able to grow and change through a book plot. This book by Cami Checketts has a really good example of that.

The main character of this book is Shelly. She’s a barrel racer in rodeos when she can. But she’s had a string of bad luck. And her horse and best friend, Grace, has been injured. This leaves Shelly faltering a bit. She is worried that she will bring bad luck to her boyfriend, Thor, so she dumps him. The reader can tell that was not what she would have preferred. But she feels she has no choice.

Shelly is the kind of woman who is amazing. She can do anything she puts her mind to. Shelly is independent. And she cares fiercely for her family and those around her. I loved those things about her.

Thor is really confused. They’ve been dating a long time. And he loves Shelly and wants her back. Thor is the best of guys. He’s a cowboy. Loving and loyal. Caring and worried for Shelly. But he has a secret. A secret that could get him hurt.

I really enjoyed reading this one! I loved Shelly and Thor. And now I need to figure out the secret!

I borrowed an e-copy of Abandoned using my Kindle Unlimited subscription. All opinions are my own.

Purchase link

Amazon (affiliate link)

What to read after Abandoned (affiliate links)

Love on Camera

Posted on by Cathy

About Love on Camera

Love on Camera

Madi doesn’t have time to date. Oliver has all the time in the world.

When wedding photographer Madi is challenged to find herself ten dates in three months, she turns to her older brother’s three best friends to be her stand-ins. It helps her win the challenge without having to deal with the stress of dating. What could go wrong?

Oliver hasn’t had much to do since selling his company, and helping Madi has given his life meaning again. But when she asks him to pose as her boyfriend—more than just a fake date here and there—he suddenly finds himself questioning his feelings toward the girl he always saw as a little sister. Feelings that would get him murdered by his best friend.

No one sees the real Oliver the way Madi does, and Madi has never been as comfortable around anyone as she is with Oliver. With the fake part of their relationship feeling less and less fake, they both have to decide if they’re brave enough to take that first step toward something real. Is a chance at love worth risking a lifetime of friendship?

My review

I have LOVED everyone of Dana LeCheminant’s books. And it made me so happy to see that she had written a romantic comedy. And she used my favorite fake relationship trope! Happy dance! This book is so great!

I loved Madi. It made me laugh that she could never make up her mind about anything, down to cake and ice cream flavors. I’m kind of the same way. She is a great wedding photographer. That leads to a bet with Danny, the wedding planner. He’ll pay her to take new pictures for his website, if she’ll double with him on ten dates. Madi wants the job, but doesn’t have time for the dates. So she enlists her good friends, the Wonder Boys, to help her out.

I loved the Wonder Boys. Each of these guys has been friends with Madi and her brother, Kit, for a really long time. And they all have each other’s backs. I loved the friendship between all of them. And the way these guys were willing to help Madi with anything she needed.

I loved that Oliver and Madi had been friends for so long. It both seemed a little awkward and completely natural when they started dating. Awkward if they were around Kit or the other guys, because they both were feeling way more than fake feelings for each other. Everything about their love story was so great!

I loved this one and I can’t wait for more of this series!

I was sent an e-copy of Love on Camera as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.

Purchase link

Amazon (affiliate link)

What to read after Love on Camera (affiliate links)

Matched with Her Fake Fiance

Posted on by Cathy

About Matched with Her Fake Fiance

Matched with Her Fake Fiance

Adulting is hard. So is finding a partner who’ll stick around.Dani Higgins’s life has been nothing but one change after another over the last few months. From graduating college to a broken long-term relationship, and now, more struggling to keep her job of six days. When an attractive Boston bachelor asks her to be his fake girlfriend, she agrees. But as they spend time with each other, Dani’s feelings move from pretend to real.

Miles Clark is done being set up by his mother, and with his family’s event season on the horizon, he figures his best bet at side-stepping her is showing up with a girlfriend. When he meets cute Dani, he suggests a partnership that will be mutually beneficial for both of them—only after a few dates, his heart isn’t on the same page.

As their agreement comes to an end, will they risk their hearts and reveal their feelings?

My review

I was so excited to finally get to read Dani’s story! I loved Dani in Matched with Her Runaway Groom. And I just knew her story was going to be great.

Dani was a great character. She made me laugh so many times! I loved the beginning scene where Dani and Miles meet for the first time. The dates these two were with were probably the worst ever. And what happens next is the greatest!

I loved the way Miles’ friends convince him that he needs to find a fake girlfriend. He finds that in Dani. But Miles never treated their relationship as if it were fake. I loved the way he went out of his way to care for Dani. And get her whatever he could to make her life happier and easier.

There are so many great things about this one! You really need to read it!

I was sent a copy of Matched with Her Fake Fiance as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.

Purchase link

Amazon (affiliate link)

What to read after Matched with Her Fake Fiance (affiliate links)

A Summer Mismatch

Posted on by Cathy

About a Summer Mismatch

A Summer Mismatch

He’s an irresistible vet who keeps everyone at a distance. She’s a children’s book author in a small beach town. Their families are archrivals, but the forbidden has never looked so sweet.

Logan Kent is the one man I should stay away from.

His grandpa ruined my family’s business. Or maybe my grandpa ruined his family’s business. It depends on who you ask, but businesses were wrecked.

Yet when I run into him (literally) on one of the worst days of my life, it only takes one smile (and one sniff of his should-be-illegal, divine cologne) for me to fall head over heels.

Not only does he smell good (trust me, he does), he’s great with kids, elephants, and my brother, Cameron, who is staying with me for the summer.

But I can’t fall for Enemy Number One.

My grandma seems determined to matchmake us—even if her methods are straight out of the Most Dramatic Season Ever of my favorite show.

Too bad our grandpas will do anything to separate us, even if it tears us all apart.

Star-crossed lovers has a nice ring to it, right?

For readers who love sweet and steamy kisses, scheming matchmakers, and wished Romeo and Juliet had more alligators, elephants, antics, and a swoony happily ever after.

My review

I LOVE these books set in Diamond Cove. Each of the authors who wrote them have done a great job staying true to the characters that carry over from book to book. And they’ve all done a great job with their love story too.

This one by Kaylee Baldwin features one of my most favorite meet cutes ever! You’re going to have to read it to see why. But I just loved the way that Julia and Logan met. It set up the whole book so well. And it just fit the two characters.

I love Julia. She’s so selfless. I love how she’s caring for her younger brother for the summer while her parents are on a dream trip. And he had some challenges, so that would not have been easy. One thing about Julia is that she doesn’t know how to say no at the beginning. I loved how she started standing up for herself little by little as the book went on.

Logan is a great guy. He’s had a lot of hard things happen in his life in a short amount of time. He really just needs a breather. But that’s not quite what he gets. I loved how he steps up and becomes the person everyone and every animal around him needs him to be.

I loved the forbidden love aspect of this book. The whole story just sucked me in. And I loved every minute of it!

I was sent a copy of A Summer Mismatch as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.

Purchase link

Amazon (affiliate link)

What to read after A Summer Mismatch (affiliate links)