Stay with Me

Stay with Me (Misty River #1)
By Becky Wade
Published by Bethany House
Publication Date: May 5, 2020

Description:
Loving her is a risk he can't afford . . . and can't resist.
 When acclaimed Bible study author Genevieve Woodward receives an anonymous letter referencing her parents' past, she returns to her hometown in the Blue Ridge Mountains to chase down her family's secret. However, it's Genevieve's own secret that catches up to her when Sam Turner, owner of a historic farm, uncovers the source of shame she's worked so hard to hide.
Sam has embraced his sorrow, his isolation, and his identity as an outsider. He's spent years carving out both career success and peace of mind. The last thing he wants is to rent the cottage on his property to a woman whose struggles stir his worst failure back to life. Yet can he bear to turn her away right when she needs him most?

Review:
In the first full-length novel in Becky Wade's new Misty River series, we get a look at characters who are flawed and struggling, dealing with real issues. I loved gruff Sam from the get-go; it took me a little longer to actually like Gen, but even while she grated on me a little, I did appreciate her journey. For both characters, I really enjoyed seeing how they had to apply their faith to real-life situations and figure out how they were getting in their own way and needed to trust God to truly help them. I also liked seeing their blossoming relationship; I love good banter between romantic leads, and there were some really great lines in this book. Based on the cover, this might seem like a fluffy romance, but there's a lot of depth. There's also a lot of hope and great messages about introspection, forgiveness, redemption, and more--but without ever being preachy. Great start to a new series!
4 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.

Where the Stars Meet the Sea Blog Tour and Giveaway

Where the Stars Meet the Sea
By Heidi Kimball
Published by Covenant Communications

Description:
Juliet Graham fervently counts the days until her twenty-first birthday, when she can claim the inheritance that will grant her the freedom she has always craved and the guardianship of her younger brother. Until then, she is trapped under her aunt Agnes’s domineering will. When forced to accompany the family to a house party at Shaldorn Castle, Juliet’s only objective is to keep to herself. That is, until a chance encounter with a boorish stranger stirs up an unexpected whirlwind of emotions in her. Thrown off-balance, Juliet does the unthinkable: loses her temper and insults the man—who turns out to be her unwilling host, the Duke of Halstead. Fully expecting to be sent away, Juliet is surprised when the brusque and callous duke instead takes an interest in her.
Drawn to the duke in unguarded moments, Juliet finds herself more and more intrigued by the man who shuns Society’s rules as completely as she does, and over the next few weeks, their unlikely friendship deepens into a connection neither expected. But even as Juliet comes to recognize her true feelings, her scheming aunt issues an ultimatum that threatens the future she was just beginning to hope for. Juliet must choose: either break the promise she made to herself years ago, or lose the man who has captured her heart and soul.

Review:
Juliet’s mouth cracked me up—I loved how she just couldn’t help blurting out things that no one else would dare say to a duke. Halstead’s character was so intriguing, and I loved how Juliet helped draw him out and how she didn’t see him as less because of his injury. I also loved the moments when his tender side came out. I didn’t love the fact that when trouble arises, Juliet did the cliché thing and didn’t tell him what was going on—and yet, the way the story ended (which wouldn’t have been possible if she had told him) was so good that it totally took my irritation with the lack of communication away. This was the first book I’ve read by Heidi Kimball; it definitely won’t be the last!
4 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Swing by Heidi Kimball's site here:  www.authorheidikimball.com
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The Paris Library

The Paris Library
By Janet Skeslien Charles 
Published by Atria Books
Publication Date: June 20, 2020

Description:
Paris, 1939. Odile Souchet is obsessed with books and the Dewey Decimal System, which makes order out of chaos. She soon has it all – a handsome police officer beau, an English best friend, a beloved twin, and a job at the American Library in Paris, a thriving community of students, writers, diplomats, and book lovers. Yet when war is declared, there's also a war on words.

Montana, 1983. Widowed and alone, Odile suffers the solitary confinement of small-town life. Though most adults are cowed by her, the neighbor girl will not let her be. Lily, a lonely teenager yearning to break free of Froid is obsessed by the older French woman who lives next door and wants to know her secrets.

As the two become friends, Odile sees herself in Lily – the same love of language, the same longings, the same lethal jealousy. The Paris Library’s dual narratives explore the relationships that make us who we are – family and friends, first loves and favorite authors – in the fairy tale setting of the City of Light. It also explores the geography of resentment, the consequences of unspeakable betrayal, and what happens when the people we count on for understanding and protection fail us.

The wit, empathy, and deep research that brings The Paris Library to life also brings to light a cast of lively historical characters and a little-known chapter of World War II history: the story of the American librarian, Miss Reeder, who created the Soldiers’ Service to deliver books to servicemen, and who later faced the Nazi ‘Book Protector’ in order to keep her library open. She and her colleagues defied the Bibliotheksschutz by delivering books to Jewish readers after they were forbidden from entering the library. 

Review: I love WWII stories, and as a former librarian, of course I love libraries as well, so this was a novel I couldn't pass up. I love the fact that so much of the story revolved around the American library in Paris; it was so fascinating to see how the library operated and to get glimpses of the patrons and employees. I also loved how the book took place in two time periods, and how Odile tried to pass along some things she'd learned to Lily--and how Lily also imparted some wisdom to Odile. The writing has an elegance to it that makes me wish I were more eloquent; while I'm hopelessly blunt American in my language, I adored the graceful French feel of the book. The characters in the book were realistic, with both virtues and flaws, and while I wish it were possible to dig deeper into some of their backstories, what I did get to see of them made me want to scoop them off the pages and bring them into my life. They're also the sort of characters you desperately want to discuss with someone, so this is definitely a book to share with friends and book clubs! 

4.5 stars. 

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Before I Called You Mine

Before I Called You Mine
By Nicole Deese
Published by Bethany House
Publication Date: March 31st, 2020

Description:
Lauren Bailey may be a romantic at heart, but after a decade of matchmaking schemes gone wrong, there's only one match she's committed to now--the one that will make her a mother. Lauren is a dedicated first grade teacher in Idaho, and her love for children has led her to the path of international adoption. To satisfy her adoption agency's requirements, she gladly agreed to remain single for the foreseeable future; however, just as her long wait comes to an end, Lauren is blindsided by a complication she never saw coming: Joshua Avery. Joshua may be a substitute teacher by day, but Lauren finds his passion for creating educational technology as fascinating as his antics in the classroom. Though she does her best to downplay the undeniable connection between them, his relentless pursuit of her heart puts her commitment to stay unattached to the test and causes her once-firm conviction to waver. With an impossible decision looming, Lauren might very well find herself choosing between the two deepest desires of her heart...even if saying yes to one means letting go of the other.

 Review:
Wow. This book really tugged at my heart. Lauren's struggles--her desire to be a mother through adoption and fulfill her mission from God, her shaky relationship with her family, her instant connection with Joshua at what seems to be totally the wrong time, and her confusion about why her efforts to follow God's plan don't seem to be panning out--were so realistically written. I could really feel her heart as I read. There were such hopeful moments and such heartbreaking moments that I really wasn't sure how things were going to play out--but I love how they did play out (although I would have liked an epilogue with a scene a year or two in the future). While Lauren was dealing with heavy stuff, Joshua was such a breath of fresh air. He was just so funny and charming and the perfect male lead for this book.' This was just such an enjoyable book to read!
4.5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.