Whispers in the Valley (Sisters of the Heart #2) by Amanda Cabot

Whispers in the Valley (Sisters of the Heart #2)
By Amanda Cabot
Published by ByDand Publishing


Description from the Publisher:
Victoria Holton has it all, or so it beauty, a doting father, betrothal to one of Philadelphia’s most eligible bachelors. But all that ends the day her father is imprisoned for embezzlement. Suddenly penniless and shunned because of her father’s crime, she flees to Carr Valley, hoping to find refuge with Sophia, her sister of the heart.
With her life upended, Victoria longs to find a new purpose, but what can she do? She wishes she could solve a decades-old mystery that’s haunting a newfound friend, but the only clue leads nowhere. Her attempts at housekeeping in Sophia’s hotel are laughable, and despite a number of would-be suitors, she has no intention of marrying. The only man who interests her is one she could never consider, for if there’s one thing Victoria knows, it’s that she is not meant to be a minister’s wife.
Pastor Peter Mulholland has never doubted his calling to the ministry … until now. Even though he can’t please everyone, he refuses to let the deacons’ demand that he marry determine his future. He knows the kind of wife they expect him to choose, and it’s not a woman like Victoria. Besides, what does he have to offer her? Perhaps his critics are right, and it’s time for him to leave Carr Valley.
But then a stranger arrives and the whispers begin.

My Review:
The second book in the Sisters of the Heart was even better than the first! (Echoes of Sunrise is book one. It's not necessary to read the books in order, but I recommend reading that one as well!) There are not one but TWO romantic storylines, plus a couple of small mysteries to solve. Besides Victoria and Peter, I also enjoyed getting to know Phoebe and Rex. I liked the way each character had to examine his/her heart and values and figure out the right path for him/her. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! 4.5 stars.

Home to Me by Sarah M. Eden

Home to Me (Hope Springs #8)
By Sarah M. Eden
Published by Pineway Books

Description from the Publisher:
Ten years have passed since Finbarr O’Connor’s life was changed forever by the horrific fire that still haunts Hope Springs. He’s learned to navigate the world without his sight. He has even regained much of his independence. But he’s exhausted, worn down, lost. So, when an opportunity arises that would make his life far easier, he’s tempted. But accepting it would mean leaving Hope Springs and all his family. Emma Archer has been away from Hope Springs for nearly half a decade. Distance has helped her escape the ghosts that haunt her there. But the pain she has not entirely outrun catches up with her when a telegram arrives from an unknown sender, urging her to return home for the sake of her sister. She loves her family too much to ignore the plea, yet returning will be painful. Seeing Finbarr O’Connor again, she fears, will shatter her completely. Her unexpected return thrusts them together again. Both struggling with their pasts and unsure of their futures, they begin to find in each other some of the trust they once lost. Is there hope for something more in the pull they feel to each other, a new chance to find home, healing, and love before life pulls them apart once more?

My Review:
I have been anxiously awaiting this book for years--and then when I purchased it, I was a bit nervous to start it, because what if it wasn't as good as I hoped? Well, if you have similar concerns, have no fear, because this book is total perfection. It's beautiful and heartbreaking and hopeful and everything I could have hoped for it to be. I just loved it, start to finish. I really, really hope that we'll see more books in this series (or a spinoff), because I am so not ready to be done getting to know the O'Connors and their neighbors. 5 stars and definitely goes on my Best Books of 2026 shelf.

A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham

A Brewed Awakening
By Pepper Basham
Published by Thomas Nelson Fiction
Publication Date: May 5, 2026

Description from the Publisher:
Daphne dreams of Mr. Darcy. Finn serves up pints and rock music. Can opposites attract when a tea shop princess meets her pub-owning rival?

In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings to tradition like cream to a scone. She's built her life--and her late grandmother's tearoom, Tea Thyme--around all things delicate china, Jane Austen novels, and the comforting predictability of routine. The only thing threatening her perfectly ordered world? The loud, aggravatingly handsome Brit opening a pub next door.
After his ex-wife broke his heart and his business partner nearly destroyed his career, Finn Dashwood packed up his six-year-old daughter and left England behind. He's looking for a fresh start, and the last thing he needs is a fussy, tea-obsessed neighbor criticizing his every pint and playlist. It doesn't matter that she's ridiculously kind (to everyone else) and that his daughter is utterly fascinated by her. Finn's heart is not open to being broken again.
But disagreements turn into prank wars and then a competition when a high-profile wedding needs a last-minute caterer. The townsfolk are thrilled--Wisteria hasn't seen this much excitement since the county fair lost a goat.When the wedding demands both sweet and savory fare, Daphne and Finn are forced to put down their swords and pick up their serving trays. Between burnt pastries, brewing tempers, trending hashtags (#SipsAndSpats, anyone?), and one very adorable little girl, rivalry soon gives way to reluctant friendship--and maybe something that feels suspiciously like chemistry.
Can a tea shop princess and a pub owner with a past mix their lives as seamlessly as clotted cream and jam . . . or will their differences keep them steeped in rivalry forever?

My Review:
Daphne and Finn were both realistic characters. While I liked Daphne, I struggled initially with Finn—he was just a bit too mean and even if I could understand why he was the way that he was, it was still frustrating; I actually had to stop reading for a bit because I was disliking him so much. Luckily, when I dove back in, it was right when he starts to soften a bit and I didn’t have to hope he got a pot of hot tea dumped over his head. Once he realized that he needed to do some changing, I liked him quite a bit. I especially like that he recognized he hadn’t been the nicest to Daphne and needed to do some work to build trust.
I have mixed feelings on the social media comments at the beginning of most chapters. Some of it was really funny, but sometimes it was a bit too much and could have been pared down. Overall, a fun book and definitely one I’ll be rereading.
4 stars.
I read a DRC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Taming Lady Temperance by Karen Witemeyer

Taming Lady Temperance (The Secret Society of Spinsters #1)
By Karen Witemeyer
Published by Bethany House
Publication Date: February 17, 2026

Description from the Publisher:
When passion for justice conflicts with the heart, which will prevail?

Noreen O'Sullivan is an enthusiastic member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and believes herself called to defend the cause of prohibition. When she's invited to join the Secret Society of Spinsters, Noreen jumps at the chance to rally others to her movement and shut down the local saloon for good. However, her passionate campaigning often puts her at odds with the men around her--including the local deputy.

Deputy James Paxton believes in preserving the peace, but Miss O'Sullivan has been disturbing his peace for months. If James wants to be elected sheriff, he can't afford to be seen as her ally. But when Noreen ropes him into helping her plan a temperance march, their growing closeness sparks unexpected feelings. Then tensions escalate at the saloon and accusations fly. James must choose between upholding his badge and protecting the woman who's captured his heart--knowing either choice could cost him everything.
Karen Witemeyer presents a swoony Western romance with a determined heroine, cowboys, prohibition, and the rivals-to-lovers and duty vs. desire tropes. Fans of Mary Connealy and frontier romances set in the Old West will savor this clean, historical read.

My Review:
I have read (and loved) every single one of Karen Witemeyer's books, so when I say that this one might be my favorite and that James Paxton might be my favorite hero out of all her books, it's high praise. I absolutely loved this book. The storyline was great, with a fast-pace, a mystery to solve, and of course, the love story between two wonderful characters. I loved Noreen. Her backstory tugged at my heart, and I can totally empathize with her passion for her cause and for said passion leading her to go about things in the wrong way sometimes. I also loved her willingness to learn and grow and change. And I completely adored James and how he quickly came to appreciate and then fall for Noreen for who she was. I loved how he supported her and encouraged her, rather than trying to change her. I also liked how he stuck to his principles and shared his faith as he supported her. This series is off to a great start--I am so excited to read the next books in this series.
This book easily got five stars from me, as well as a place on my Best Books of 2026 shelf.

I read a DRC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A Love Most Daring (Bow Street #3) by Joanna Barker

A Love Most Daring (Bow Street #3)
By Joanna Barker
Published by Shadow Mountain
Publication Date: March 3, 2026

Description from the publisher:
From best-selling author Joanna Barker: Proper romance meets page-turning mystery in this captivating tale of danger, redemption, and love worth fighting for.

After years of whispered gossip and quiet exile in the countryside, Beatrice Lacey arrives in London determined to reclaim her life. But her resolve is shaken when she witnesses a horrific attack tied to a chilling high-profile murder case gripping the city.
Thrust into sudden danger, Beatrice finds herself under the reluctant protection of Alexander Rawlings—a brooding Bow Street officer with a guarded heart and a fierce sense of duty. Though it's clear he’d rather be chasing the killer than shielding a scandal-stained Society miss, their forced closeness begins to unravel his defenses. In the unnerving moments between danger and discovery, every sharp exchange and lingering glance fans a slow-burning connection—one neither of them expected and neither can resist.
With danger closing in and old wounds resurfacing, trust may be their only refuge—and love their most daring risk of all.

My Review:
This book gets to be the first one I label as "Best Books of 2026"! I absolutely adored it! 

I love how these two characters with opposite personalities end up falling in love--optimistic and energetic Beatrice is the perfect contrast to Alexander's more serious personality. (These two  actually remind me of myself and my husband a bit, lol!) I loved all of their interactions, from their initial not-so-impressed-by-each-other introduction to coming to know one another better, teasing each other, revaluating their initial opinions, and ultimately supporting one another. The slow-burn romance was perfect!

I also loved seeing characters from earlier books in this series. In the middle of this book, I simultaneously wanted to keep reading this one and go back and reread the previous two books! (Although this book is a stand-alone, you should definitely go read the other books while you're waiting for this one to come out!) I also really hope that Drake, one of Alexander's fellow Bow Street runners, will be getting a book of his own very soon! 

The plot was great--there's mystery and danger and romance, with lighthearted moments as well as real pain and frustration mixed in. I really liked seeing how things unfolded.

Absolutely a delight to read! I loved everything about it! 5 stars!

*I read a DRC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.