High Romance, Historical Fiction, Low Language, Low Violence

Freedom to Be

“Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned new and rare book store that has persisted and resisted change for a hundred years, run by men and guided by the general manager’s unbreakable fifty-one rules. But in 1950, the world is changing, especially the world of books and publishing, and at Bloomsbury Books, the girls in the shop have plans:

Vivien Lowry: Single since her aristocratic fiance was killed in action during World War II, the brilliant and stylish Vivien has a long list of grievances–most of them well justified and the biggest of which is Alec McDonough, the Head of Fiction.

Grace Perkins: Married with two sons, she’s been working to support the family following her husband’s breakdown in the aftermath of the war. Torn between duty to her family and dreams of her own.

Evie Stone: In the first class of female students from Cambridge permitted to earn a degree, Evie was denied an academic position in favor of her less accomplished male rival. Now she’s working at Bloomsbury Books while she plans to remake her own future.

As they interact with various literary figures of the time–Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair (widow of George Orwell), Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, and others–these three women with their complex web of relationships, goals and dreams are all working to plot out a future that is richer and more rewarding than anything society will allow.”

This is a fantastically emotional book that makes you feel empowered, regardless of gender. It’s a book on societal structures and preconceived judgements. A critique on human nature and a champion for women without being degrading on the male sex. It was more a commentary on time period and history than anything else. And a discourse on writing itself.

You would think with all of that in one book, the read may feel sluggish and heavy.

I read it in two days, regretfully putting it down each time life called me away. I turned each page anxiously, thoroughly enthralled with the fabulously written characters on the page and the determination they showed.

The literary references are intellectually brilliant. They’re like little nuggets of happiness for every reading addict.

I would recommend this to readers of any gender, any genre and any time period.

***** Low Language, High Romance (there’s no sex on the page, but it is referred to. For as prudish as I can be, I was never uncomfortable with the language- but I wouldn’t give it a teenager to read either), Low Violence, Low Religion

Contemporary Romance, Four Stars, Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence

Just Enough

Just Enough Luck by Aspen Hadley

“Lucy Moore never lost faith in her fairy godmother, and when she lands an unbelievable dream job working for Drake Enterprises, she knows exactly who to thank for the opportunity. That dream job, however, comes with a twist that has her heading to northern Montana for the month long annual family retreat at The Lucky Wolf ranch. She packs a suitcase of warm clothes and a fake it ’til you make it attitude, prepared to do all she can to win the family over. Once there she comes face to face with the Drake brothers.

Alexander, Lucy’s new boss, is literally a magazine cover model. He’s also a numbers geek like her, which makes him dreamy beyond belief, and Lucy can’t stop staring. He’s too perfect to be real. Daniel is the first person Lucy meets when she arrives at the ranch in the most humiliating way possible. His warmth and humor quickly put her at ease, and she’s grateful to have a friend in this unknown, way off the beaten path, frozen part of the country.

In one short month Lucy contends with animal attacks, a temporary roommate who’s more robot than human, some ranch-hand flirting sessions, and a little eavesdropping, all while attempting to show her new boss that she can do the job.

When the month ends, and it’s time to return home, her story is far from over. Now her heart belongs to the one man who seems perfect for her. Can they overcome all the obstacles in their way?”

I adored this book. Though at first I had a hard time with her infatuation with her boss, I really liked how well Aspen morphed and changed her view of him and of Daniel, it was very well done.

I loved their meet cute, I loved his nicknames for her. I loved how they were both a little quirky. Mostly I loved how Aspen wrote them as real people, who had real arguments, but dealt with them like real adults. This book made me smile from cover to cover.

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence,

Just Enough Magic

The first time I saw Alexander Drake, I was looking at his picture on the cover of a Financial Life magazine. I’d have to have been blind not to notice what a total catch he was. Rich, handsome, and completely make believe. Only, he wasn’t some fake cover model. He was a real person, soon-to-be brother-in-law of my best friend Lucy, and when she introduced us for the first time, I swooned. Hard. Me. Kayla Benson. Master of male-female relationships, strong, independent, and the one usually being swooned over. The worst part? While I was busy catching my breath – my eyes so dazed they might as well have been crossed – he hadn’t even bothered to look my way. Suddenly I wanted nothing more than to ruffle his feathers and see what could happen if I became a force in his life’s bubble. So . . . I did.

After finishing the first I immediately wanted the second. I was more than looking forward to this story. I was anticipating all the fun directions the author could go with Alex and Kayla.

I was a little hesitant when Kayla started working for Alex. I didn’t want a repeat of the first book. Luckily I didn’t have to worry about that, this story was so uniquely its own. With its own set of unique and fun characters while still giving you glimpses of the characters you fell in love with in the first book.

I loved watching Alex’s walls come down. I loved how Kayla worms her way into his life. I loved how well Aspen wrote the foundation of friendship with the slow burning chemistry in the background. So we’ll done!

I felt a little bit of a double standard at the beginning of the book. With the struggles Kayla experienced in the work place, for her to turn around and try and throw herself at her boss left me feeling a little uncomfortable. I think it was more of a personal thing, than how Aspen wrote it. I may or may not have a little bit of a soap box when it comes to those kinds of things. I feel like there should be respect going both ways regardless of gender.

I loved how Aspen had Kayla recognize her own ridiculousness and apologize. I love the honesty between them and the barefoot scene and the conversations about flirting. I really loved so much about this book.

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence

3 1/2 Stars, Contemporary Romance, Low Language, Low Violence, Moderate Romance

Just Pretend

A random run-in at a restaurant brings high school friends April and Jackson back together. A not so random run-in with April’s new stalker starts a VERY short charade of Jackson pretending to be April’s boyfriend. That is, until he needs a date to a destination wedding. And who can say no to a free Hawaiian vacation? But when feelings beyond friendship start to develop, can these two separate the fake from the real? And if they can… Is it worth the risk?

This story was darling and witty. I really enjoyed Karen’s humor. The romance was sweet with just the right amount of drama.

I did feel like April’s clumsiness was less of a quirky personality trait and more like an unnatural plot device. But it didn’t make me like her any less, the characters were really fun.

There were a few too many blatant innuendos for my taste, but overall it was a charming friends to lovers romance.

***1/2 Low Language, Moderate Romance, Low Violence

Newly un-engaged, I’ve returned to Sugar Creek to the welcoming arms of my family to make a fresh start. While I have a reputation for being unlucky in love, I’ve just scored the career coup of a lifetime—to work at Hope Farms, a therapy ranch for military veterans. The problem? The owner is the arrogantly handsome Miller James.

He might be an old friend, but Miller’s all grown up now and made it clear I’m not welcome. I’ve got six months to make my program a success, but it’s hard to help others heal with Miller’s interference—and the return of someone from my past. Miller’s got some secrets of his own. After a family tragedy rocked his world, the entrepreneurial genius left his first class life behind to open Hope Farms.

And maybe everything Miller touches does turn to gold, but when my sisters recruit him in their pursuit of my next Mr. Right , Miller gets a little too involved. The lines are blurring between work and romance, and my boss has ideas that make me question his strategies—and his heart. Can two broken people mend enough to heal together? Nothing’s fair in love and farming, but can Miller James and I harvest our own happily ever after?

Jenny writes with fabulous emotions. The Story was insightful, with real and gritty moments.

The character growth was done really well, but there were a few inconsistency with character development that pulled me out. There was also a bit too much push and pull, hot/cold that it lost my interest a time or two. But she did have a lot of fun moments. And I ultimately closed the book impressed with the pain and heart it was told with.

***1/2 Low Language, Moderate Romance, Low Violence

For serial dater Mia, life is all about fun, and love is nothing but a game. If she doesn’t put her heart on the line, she doesn’t get hurt.
For overachiever math whiz Josh, life is all about meeting his goals and preparing for Stanford University. He doesn’t have time for fun.
When Mia’s busy social life takes a toll on her academic future, she begs Josh to tutor her before her grades affect her college applications.
Josh agrees to help Mia, on one condition: She promises to play by his rules.
No problem at all…
Until the rule book requires her to ignore her heart
.”

I loved the opposites attract chemistry in Mylissa’s story. She did a great job with the tension, but most of all I loved how she wrote their opposites to complement each other.

There was beautiful character growth that Mylissa had come naturally as a result of their interactions with each other.

This book was a little heavy on the innuendos too, but they felt like clever banter more than pointed and awkward. Though a shorter story, I was impressed with how much depth the story and the people in it were given. There was so much heart. From the backgrounds to the potential Mylissa gave them you really fall in love with these two.

**** Low Language, Moderate Romance, Low Violence

Fairy Tale Re-tellings, Five Stars, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Regency Romance

Fairy Tale Come True

Do you believe in fairy tales? Sometimes we think fairy tales and happily ever afters are for the young, but Josi Kilpack presented a Cinderella reimagined in her book The Valet’s Secret that spoke to every heart, young or old.

“As a once happily married woman, Rebecca Parker had a good life, but now widowed, working for a living, and her only child grown, she feels invisible, tired, and lonely. That is until the day a valet speeding by on a horse nearly runs her off the road. Mr. Malcolm Henry is apologetic, gentle, and handsome. She’s instantly drawn to him, which is why, rather than stopping him from kissing her, she kisses him back, reigniting a nearly forgotten passion. But love at first sight only happens in fairy tales—never to an ordinary woman like her.

She sees Mr. Henry again and feels the possibilities growing until, while working in the kitchens during a dinner party, she sees the valet she kissed sitting at the right hand of the baroness. Mr. Henry is not the earl’s valet; he is the heir to the earldom—-Kenneth Winterton.

Heartbroken, angry, and betrayed, Rebecca does not trust Lord Winterton and refuses to accept his apology. But when Lord Winterton proves he is as kind and gentle as “Mr. Henry” was, she finds herself willing to give him a second chance. But will he take a chance on her? He needs a wife to help him in his place in society, and nothing about Rebecca’s life does that …except how he feels when she is with him.

Trust, love, loneliness, and passion collide in this story about a man who will risk it all to fight for the woman he loves and a woman who does not believe in fairy tales—until she finds herself living in one.”

This story was incredibly refreshing and mature. Not only were the characters of a more mature age, but I was extremely impressed with the writing. The styles and juxtapositions Josi used in creating her fairy tale and the subtly it was told with were beautiful. The Cinderella elements were built slowly, until bam there they were, one after another, and the reader could only sit there and smile.

I loved the energy and the goodness amidst hard genuine emotions. The relationship started with emotions that were deep and genuine regardless of how little they knew each other. Josi built on that to create a connection that was so much more than chemistry and hugely more fulfilling for the reader.

I loved this story from start to finish.

***** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence, Low Religion

Five Stars, Historical Fiction, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence

Stars and Ice

I have a confession. I have never seen the move Titanic. I’ve seen clips of it, but I’ve never seen the whole film. Obviously I’m very aware historically of what happened with the great ship Titanic, however I’m kind of glad I was not familiar with the intimate details before reading this book. I think it made the images more real and the emotions more poignant, then again with Rebecca’s writing it probably would have been that way regardless.

“Shortly after midnight on April 15, 1912, the captain of the Carpathia, Arthur Rostron, is awakened by a distress signal from the RMS Titanic, which has struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage. Though information is scarce, Rostron leaps into action, determined to answer the call for help. But the Carpathia is more than four hours away, and there are more questions than answers: Will his ship hold together if pushed to never-before-tested speeds? What if he also strikes an iceberg? And with the freezing temperatures, will there be any survivors by the time the Carpathia arrives?

Kate Connolly is excited to join her sister in America and proud to be traveling on the grand Titanic. As a third-class passenger, she is among the last to receive instruction and help after Titanic hits an iceberg. Despite the chaos of abandoning ship, Kate is able to reach the upper decks and manages to board a lifeboat, though after seeing the Titanic sink into the abyss and hearing the cries from the hundreds of people still in the water, she wonders if any rescue is even possible.

Told in alternating chapters from both Captain Rostron on the Carpathia and Kate Connolly on the Titanic, this historical novel is a compelling, heart-pounding account of two eyewitnesses to an epic disaster. Rostron’s heroic and compassionate leadership, his methodical preparations for rescue, and his grit and determination to act honorably and selflessly to save lives and care for the survivors, sets the course for this awe-inspiring story.”

We are happy to tell anyone that will listen of our love of Rebecca Connolly‘s writing. She is an expert at swoony moments and witty banter. This book isn’t a romance. However, Rebecca is also an master story teller and that fact shone through this book.

The writing was incredibly well researched and impressively empathetic. I loved how the focus was more on the ramifications of the disaster, than it was on the disaster itself.

As a work of historical fiction, Rebecca has stated that all the names are real, and she does an amazing job of helping you feel like them as people and not just names on a page. She uses her amazing story telling to give them fictional moments, but those fictional moments just make the experience as a whole seem that much more real. Your heart breaks and stutters and heals as theirs does.

Her story did what historical fictions ought to do. It made me want to know more; more about the people, more about their moments and more about the rest of their lives.

This book was so hauntingly spectacular while also being a stunning message of hope. The dual perspectives was genius. It allowed the story to represent both the tragedy of the Titanic, told with detail and precision until you think your heart just can’t take it anymore. And the sacrifice and goodness of those on the Carpathia that came to their rescue.

I closed the book thinking, this is why we tell stories. So that people like this, and moments like this, can be remembered and honored. Thank you Rebecca for telling their story in such a beautiful way that it will linger with us and we won’t forget the heartache and the compassion you brought to life.

***** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence (Though Rebecca is detailed in the story, I would still put it here. Her descriptions are never gory and they’re a result of a natural disaster not physical force intended to harm), Lowish Religion (Captain Rostron was a religious man and his introspective thoughts are sometimes portrayed in a spiritual in nature. Rebecca uses it in a fabulous way in the novel that feels natural and in line with the captain’s character.)

Contemporary Romance, Four Stars, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Moderate Romance, Three Stars

Enemies or Lovers?

Love in Bloom by Jenny Proctor

I’m basically a golden retriever puppy. I love everyone and want everyone to love me. But Cameron is the singular exception to my “love everyone” rule, and the hatred goes both ways. First of all, he’s one of THOSE guys. The kind that looks like he belongs on the cover of Yacht Club Weekly. Second of all, he’s way too good at his job. The man is a walking Wikipedia. His walking tours of historic downtown Charleston stay booked weeks in advance. Did I mention I run tours along the same route? When we’re both up for a magazine feature that could kick our respective careers to the next level, our rivalry turns into a heated competition. Then we unexpectedly kiss (it’s a looooong story), and things get really complicated. Now my blood is boiling over Cameron for an entirely different reason. Only one of us can win. Can I trust a man who used to be my enemy, or is everything—even our relationship—just a part of his plan to take me down?

This book has everything you want in an enemies to lovers. The banter is spot on. The chemistry and tension is really well balanced with laugh out loud pranks. I especially loved that the misunderstandings are written in a genuine way. Their feelings for each other, the frustrations and the attraction, are composed naturally, you never get the feeling of them being contrived.

Jenny wrote this as so much more than just an enemies to lovers book. There are layers of character growth and authentic relationship development that have you loving both Darcy and Cameron and who they can be together.

I really enjoyed reading every part of this book.

**** Low Language, Moderate Romance, Low Violence, Low Religion

On Schedule by Summer Dowell

“Avery: I’m a simple woman. All I want is for my wedding planning business to thrive. That’s it. I don’t want some annoying photographer (Okay, I’ll admit it. He’s attractive. In a guy-you-want-to-hate kinda way) that tries with moderate success to get under my skin. I don’t need some adorable stray puppy that’s just dying to make me a dog mom. I don’t want any of it. All right?

Tyler: I mean, am I attracted to Avery? Sure. If you’re into the big brown eyes and full soft lips kinda thing. She may or may not have sneaked her way into my film roll more times than I can count this week. But as enticing as Avery is, she has a bite to go with it. Like a tiger, just waiting for you to come close and count its stripes so it can attack. But what if there’s more to her than the human checklist vibe she gives off? And what if I’m drawn to that part?”

This enemies to lovers romantic comedy had really fabulous back and forth flirting.

Sometimes there was a little too much embarrassment, without enough time in between for the pacing and believability, but Summer definitely kept me laughing. The roller coaster love/hate was completely believable and done incredibly well. I loved the tug of war of attraction and irritation.

She wrote scenes with fabulous metaphors and double meanings that make your heart thump without any awkward innuendos. I love how well she writes a clean sizzle.

This is definitely a fun romance that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence, Low Religion

High Heels and Big Deals by Jennifer Youngblood

It all started when the deal of a lifetime came knocking at my door. I never imagined that my shot at fame and fortune would come with such outrageous conditions. I’ve been dreaming of a music career ever since I was old enough to hold a guitar. I have no idea what to do. Oh, did I mention that things aren’t so great with my boyfriend and manager? Alden thinks I’m a moron for even questioning the music label’s demands. He’s too starry eyed over the big, fat record deal to think about what might be best for me.

Just when I think my life can’t get any more complicated, I find myself in a freak snowstorm. Fate must be having a heyday with this one because who rescues me? The guy I love to hate—Beau Primrose! Yeah, the rough and tumble firefighter is as hunky as ever with his crooked grin and piercing blue eyes. I’ve got his number though. The player broke my heart in middle school, and I have no intention of letting him hurt me again. I can remain immune to his charm … I think. Good Gollie, Miss Mollie, did I actually kiss him … AGAIN?

This is a really sweet read. It’s a one sided enemies to lovers, that provides just the right amount of tension.

The heavy southern drawl dialect was a little hard to get into at first, but in pulled me in and felt natural before long.

I felt like there were one or two plot holes left at the end, but it was a fun and lighthearted story.

*** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence, Low Religion

Five Stars, Historical Fiction, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Violence, Moderate Romance

Love Practically

I’ve mentioned before how Nichole Van is pretty much a modern renaissance woman. Writer, photographer, designer and apparently an incredible poet. The title of her latest novel comes from a poem one of her characters writes that is as beautiful and stirring as the novel itself.

As a young woman, Leah Penn-Leith fell hopelessly in love with Captain Fox Carnegie—the only irrational mark on her decidedly sensible life. Fox, unfortunately, did not return her regard.
Their story should have ended there. After all, Fox left for India. And Leah returned home to Scotland to rear her much younger brothers.
But twenty years later, Fox appears on Leah’s doorstep—older, scarred, and world-weary—proposing a marriage of convenience between them. He needs a mother for his young ward, and Leah, with her capable good sense, comes highly recommended. What woman could say No to such a proposal? Not Leah. Fox has always wreaked havoc on her ability to think rationally.
After their marriage, Leah confronts the chaotic reality of Fox’s life. His castle, ten miles up a rugged Highland glen, is shambolic. His ward, Madeline, is a precocious handful. Fox’s time in India is shrouded in rumor and mystery. Worst of all, Fox himself is distant and broken, his personality as altered as his scarred body.

Throughout it all, Leah is left with two questions: What happens to a woman after her most-cherished fantasy comes true? And can a marriage, begun in practicality, transform into something deeper? Something like . . . love.

Nichole’s stories are real and raw. Heartache and misunderstandings that are not filled with drama, but just filled with life. There are no villains, though sometimes there are people who do villainous things. And always an eventual love this is lasting and genuine, but hard work.

This story has enough lighthearted moments and characters to make you laugh out loud and enough heartache to make the tears flow free. Underlying everything with emotions that resonate and characters that make you feel seen.

Nichole’s words do more than just tell a story. Her words paint pictures that fill your mind and your heart for days and weeks after. Sometimes I feel like she’s crawled up in my brain and used her story to poke and prod at the dark spots, until her characters struggles become my own and her story makes me see things I didn’t know I knew.

This novel was all of that. Beautiful, stirring and instantly going on my re-read shelf.

***** Low Language, Low Violence(there are mentions of war and injury and mental illness, but nothing detailed), Moderate Romance (because Leah and Fox are married fairly soon in the novel there are more adult conversations and actions, but all the actions are off page, and all the communication is respectful between a husband and a wife), Low Religion

3 1/2 Stars, Contemporary Romance, Low Language, Low Violence, Moderate Romance

When sisters don’t agree

This doesn’t happen often, but my sister and I don’t agree. Okay, so that does happen often, but it doesn’t happen often that we don’t agree on the rating of a book. And that’s okay. It’s okay if readers react differently to books. That’s what makes us wonderfully unique individuals.

Mel loved this book, thought it was cute, and gave it just above four stars. I (Nikki) really enjoyed the book, but I would give it less than that. My thoughts are below, take them with a grain of salt.

We love Sariah Wilson’s writing. We enjoy her characters and her ability to be steamy while still staying on the clean spectrum. And I think that’s why I didn’t love this one as much. Sariah’s books have always seemed character driven with a good dose of chemistry to back it up. This one seemed chemistry driven to me, with a lot more innuendos.

I felt like their instant attraction stayed at that surface level of lust for too long, making the first third of the book slow.

Often in an off-limits romance some aspects of a relationship aren’t developed until later, but that’s one of the things that I like about them. We’re able to have the relationship develop through means other than the physical for most of the book as the chemistry builds. I felt like this one was missing a lot of that nonphysical relationship building.

It does hit a turning point mid book that I really liked and I ended up really enjoying the rest of the banter and development. So while I will definitely read many more Sariah Wilson books in the future this isn’t one I would re-read.

3 ½ or 4 ½ (depending on who you ask) Low Language, Moderate Romance, Low Violence

Five Stars, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Regency Romance

Her Country Gentleman Book Tour

When you put Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden and Rebecca Connolly in one collection you can guarantee that it will be a good read, and it was! All of them were five star reads in our books!

When Charlotte’s grandmother invites her to accompany her to Norfolk, Charlotte jumps at the chance to visit the sea and escape the fuss surrounding her sister’s wedding preparations in London. Lord William Cheston, on the other hand, is most unhappy when his mother informs him that her old friend and a granddaughter are coming to stay.

Not only is it lambing season, but he’s also dealing with the mysterious loss of several sheep. The last thing he needs is a child underfoot. When Charlotte and William first meet, he does not realize that the lovely young lady is the granddaughter in question, and she assumes that the man dressed in work clothes in the barn is a servant.

Soon afterward, however, Charlotte stumbles upon a clue to William’s sheep’s disappearance, and when her life is placed in jeopardy, William is forced to choose between saving his unwanted houseguest and catching the thief.

Sian’s story had all the wit and adventure you expect from her stories. Her characters were fun and easy to engage with and yet there was always that sense of mystery and anticipation in the background that she weaves so well. The pacing kept you turning the pages quickly.

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence

Cordelia Wakefield has never lived anywhere but London and is not overly happy when her family is forced to retrench to a small estate near Teviotbrae, Scotland. An ill-fated game of battledore and shuttlecock brings her face-to-racquet with Sebastian, who runs the home farm at nearby Teviot Castle.

What begins as a clash of personalities, expectations, and preferences, soon leads to a friendship neither had expected. As the magic of Teviotbrae weaves its spell, the possibility of something more than friendship begins to blossom. But what future is there for a lowly farmer and a London lady?

Sarah is so incredible at creating characters that speak to your heart and address the struggles and yearnings of many of us. Cordelia and Sebastian are characters you want to know, want to cheer on and want to see more of.

The hidden identity was done really well and made for such a fun story.

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence

Martha Smith wants to marry for love, and will not be persuaded otherwise. She is highly sought after in Society for her beauty and status, but refuses to consider any suitor whose only claim is that his prospects meet with her mother’s approval. Her widowed mother has had enough of Martha’s romantic sensibilities, and is sending her to stay with unfortunate cousins in Wiltshire to show her that marrying for love is a risk that is too great.

Benjamin Steele, Lord Hillier, is working on his new and dilapidated estate when he first catches sight of the striking Martha Smith. Becoming Lord Hillier has only brought him a house that needs significant repairs, tenant farms that had been abandoned, and only the money he’d already possessed. He wants meaning in his life, and he’s more than willing to work for it. Though worlds apart in all else, on this point they can agree: a life of meaning would change everything.

Rebecca is, and always will be a favorite of ours. Her conversations are entertaining, and her romances are swoon worthy. Rebecca’s writing always leaves me with a smile on my face. The story felt both real and empowering at the same time.

***** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence

Five Stars, Historical Fiction, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence

We’re all Stars

She needs his help—almost as much as she needs to get rid of him.

Glenna Douglas may be the daughter of a humble crofter, but she dreams of becoming the innkeeper of Glengour Inn, where she has worked for years. Her problems are two-fold: first, she cannot read or write; second, the landlord has chosen a gentleman who has never set foot in Glengour to manage the inn. She is determined to prove herself more capable than the newcomer—but she may need a bit of help from him to do it.

With confidence, charm, and a bit of assistance from his good looks, Alistair Innes has found achieving his goals fairly straightforward thus far in life. His next ambition is somewhat more daunting: return his childhood home and birthright to its former glory so he can inhabit it himself—hopefully with a genteel wife at his side. His plans are temporarily foiled, though, when those capable of financing his venture require him to prove himself first. The challenge? Turn a Highland inn to a higher profit.

Alistair and Glenna are not the only ones concerned with the future of Glengour, though. Indeed, Angus MacKinnon—newly appointed justice of the peace—seems in turns determined to help and hinder them. With the vision of Alistair’s future at stake and the desires of Glenna’s heart rapidly expanding far beyond a simple inn, they must determine how far they are willing to go for their dreams—and exactly who those dreams include.”

Endings of a series are always bitter sweet, but this one was done so well. Those who have been following this series couldn’t wait for Glenna’s story, and I loved that it was with Alistiar.

The ‘will they/wont they’ was fabulously done. There was a lightness and fun with these two layered amidst the struggles. Martha Keyes writes the best dual perspectives in a way that you know they’ll end up together, but even near the end of the book you can’t figure out how.

I loved how the historical aspects she pulled in were both relevant to the time and place and added depth to the story.

I found it interesting that she chose not to redeem Angus. And yet it fit really well for the story. There was such a beautiful focus on worth to other and ourselves, and he was the perfect foil for that. An absolutely beautiful ending to a series we’ve loved.

***** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence