Fiction

Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber

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any dream will do

Pages: 336

Publisher: Random House

Published: August 8, 2017

Could you find it in yourself to give someone a second chance? What if that someone embezzled money to help a family member? What if that someone left you to face the consequences by yourself?

Debbie Macomber’s, Any Dream Will Do, follows Shay from her moment she embezzled money to “save” her brother to trying to get her life back together after a 3 year stint in prison. Macomber does a terrific job in showing all sides of what someone faces when they reenter society after time in prison. The ups and downs of trusting, making friends and learning to love.

One of my favorite aspects of this novel is the voice Macomber used. As I was reading, it almost felt as if I was reading a true story. The novel is told from both Shay’s and Drew’s first person point of view. You feel as if you are sitting in a cozy living room face to face with the characters and listening to them telling you the story.

Macomber makes the reader think how they approach similar situations in their life. Her use of faith is great. Mainstream fiction tries to shy away from having to much faith talk in it but I find myself as a reader looking for it more. Any Dream Will Do has a faith based plot but it is not overwhelming. I would recommend this novel to everyone I see. This book will be with me for some time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my own honest review.

The Nearness of You by Dorothy Garlock

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nearness of you

Pages: 384

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Published: July 11, 2017

A thoroughly enjoyable book set in the 1930s and 1950s. Dorothy Garlock has a writing style that I can only describe as classical beauty. As the reader you fall into the story and become one with the characters.

The main character, Lily, finds herself at a crossroads in life. Should she stay in Hooper’s Crossing and stay the librarian or move to NYC with her best friend? As she is making her decision she befriends a Life photographer during the famous fall festival and finds herself falling in love. Will he be the reason she leaves?

I have never been disappointed with a Dorothy Garlock book and you make it about a small town librarian and I’m hooked.

Whether this is your first Garlock book or your 20th you will not be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC for my own honest review in return.

The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand

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the identicals

Pages: 432

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Published: June 13,2017

I fell in love with Elin Hilderbrand through her Winter series and am working my way through the rest of her books. Her love of Nantucket shines through her writing and because of that I want to visit every summer. What better way that her books. Put on your favorite flip flops with your beach hat, grab a drink, and sit in the sun. You won’t be disappointed.

Harper and Tabitha are identical twins who have lived on separate islands, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard since they were 18. For the last fourteen years they haven’t spoken or acknowledged one another. Tragic circumstances have caused them to speak and for the summer they decide to switch lives. Will they find themselves and back to one another this summer?

I couldn’t put this book down. I wanted to read by flashlight as my hubby slept just so I could learn what happened next.

If you are looking for a beach read that is not set in the south this is the book for you.

Home for the Summer by Holly Chamberlin

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home for the summer

Pages: 352

Publisher: Kensington

Published: June 27,2017

A heartwarming tale of loss, love and finding yourself. Holly Chamberlin has written a story that speaks of true life.

Bella and her mom, Frieda, are staying the summer in Maine with her maternal grandmother, Ruby, to heal after a devastating loss. All three women are affected differently but learn how to heal as a family. Will Bella find herself as a young lady or will she lose herself to grief and pity? Will Frieda be able to move forward in loving another? Will Ruby learn from the growth of her daughter and granddaughter to allow herself to love completely?

Holly Chamberlin touches on so many topics that affect our world and she does so with a loving hand. If you like your reading to feel more real than fiction this book is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC for my review based on my own honest opinion.

 

Light of Dawn (The Remnant Series #3) by Vannetta Chapman

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light of dawn.jpg

Pages: 354

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Published: June 20,2017

Calling all fans of dystopian fiction, you must read this series by Christian fiction author Vannetta Chapman. You will not be able to stop once you open book one until you have read all three plus the prequel novella.

In book three, Shelby, Max, Bianca and Patrick answer the Texas governor ‘s call to find the Federal Government that is believed to be in Kansas to see what is being done to rebuild the USA after the solar flare. Will they survive the journey?Who will they meet on the way? Most importantly will they solidify their faith in God?

These books opened my eyes in so many ways. They got me thinking, what would I do in this situation? Could I survive? How strong is my faith in knowing God knows my path in life and I just trust if he takes me to it I will come through it.

I already plan on buying this series for a couple of friends and sharing the excitement I experienced while reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for an ARC to read and provide a review based on my own honest opinion.

Miss Julia Stirs Up Trouble (#14) by Ann B. Ross

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miss julia stirs up trouble

Pages: 272

Publisher: Viking

Published: April 9, 2013

Bless her heart, Miss Julia has done it again! Trying to help Hazel Marie out with the twins after James, Hazel Marie’s live in help, falls down the stairs and injures himself Miss Julia decides it is time to teach Hazel Marie how to cook. If you are a fan of Miss Julia you know where it is going. Witches in windstorms, strange women riding in cars with Mr Pickens, African lotteries and a whirlwind of a Granny. Hold onto to your plates because you are in for a wild ride in Miss Julia Stirs Up Trouble.

Anytime I need a pick me up in my reading I head to the Miss Julia series. I know I’m guaranteed to get out of my poor me spirits. Usually by the 14th book in a series I’m getting a little burned out. Ann B. Ross knows how to keep the energy going in this series.

A great read for a weekend getaway.

 

Beach House for Rent (Beach House #4) by Mary Alice Monroe

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beach house for rent

Pages: 417

Publisher: Gallery Books

Published: 6/20/17

Let’s start off with me saying Mary Alice Monroe is my favorite voice in Southern contemporary literature. Her words make magic before your eyes. You find yourself sitting on the porch of the perfect beach house experiencing the story not just reading it.

In Beach House for Rent, Cara has decided to rent Primrose Cottage in order to make ends meet for her and Brett. We join them roughly five years after Swimming Lessons ends. This is where Heather enters, she is the renter. She comes to SC to work on her stamp commission for the USPS and to work on her fear of leaving the house. A horrible tragedy befalls Cara and she finds she must return to the beach house to find herself again.

Be warned, book four in the Beach House series is a heart tugger several times. Tissues were my best friend. You will fall in love with all the characters, new and old, and find you have made new friends.

I only have one complaint and it is personal. I wanted to see Toy more and have updates on how she and Little Louie were doing not just a couple of paragraphs towards the end of the book. You is as much The Beach House as Emma, Flo and Cara.

The question I’ve been asked the most do you have to read in order with this series. Here is the order I read them in (not the official order they are to be)

1. Beach House
2. Swimming Lessons
3. Beach House for Rent
4. Beach House Memories

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an ARC copy for my own honest opinion.

The Idea of You by Amanda Prowse

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the idea of you
Pages: 332
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: March 21, 2017
When I first started reading this book I wasn’t sure it was my cup of tea. It was a bit slow and the main character Lucy was very unlikeable. Lucy seemed petty and childish especially when it came to her stepdaughter. Being a stepmom myself, I would get so mad at Lucy’s behavior. As the story started making connections and things were falling into place I noticed Lucy was maturing before my very eyes.
I’m happy I stuck with it as it was a great read. You may even find yourself learning a few things in your own life.
If you are a fan of Maeve Binchy, Barbara Delinsky or Diane Chamberlain this is the book for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy. All reviews are my own honest opinion.