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Since the Day We Fell–sacrifices for love
Since the Day We Fell
by Kerk Murray
Is it possible to fall for someone so quickly and so thoroughly that you hardly know what is happening? It seems like that for Lisa and Noah, but Since the Day We Fell actually contains a slow burning romance as the two get to know each other as friends working on projects.
Noah comes to town trying to escape a bad relationship and finish writing his book. When he meets Lisa, his world changes and he decides her failing inn would provide the quiet and inspiration he needs as a writer. Lisa is desperate for guests at the run down inn after her mother passes. Things get worse when she discovers she only has a few months before the bank forecloses on the mortgage.
Noah tries to overcome his writer’s block and avoid paparazzi and his ex-girlfriend, the glamorous Sophia. Meanwhile, Lisa is grieving her mother’s death, trying to save the family inn and reputation, and avoid her abusive ex-husband. Help comes to both of them from an unexpected source, but there are plenty of bumps in the road to make the reader wonder if they will ever find their “happily ever after.” This book is a clean, feel good romance that explores love, friendship, and sacrifice. Although the community relies on tourists for its income, it embraces and supports its residents in ways that exceed expectations. Emma is Lisa’s best friend who will do anything for her. Daisy is a chocolate lab rescue dog that Lisa inherited from her mother. She is a sweet dog, but still puppyish and gets into mischief; her antics add fun and surprise to the story. Daisy’s name has a special, heartbreaking significance for Noah that is explained late in the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Romance, Women’s Fiction
Notes: #2 in the Hadley Cove Sweet Romance series, but worked well for me as a standalone.
Publication: April 23, 2024—Books Go Social
Memorable Lines:
She moved through the world with a gentleness and authenticity that was as refreshing as a warm cup of tea on a rainy day.
The pier stretched out beneath them, a dazzling array of colorful lights twinkling like a scattering of fallen stars. Under the moonlight, the ocean’s surface shimmered in a ripping of silver and shadows.
Remember, when emotions are high, judgement is low.
love, unscripted–creating the perfect man
love, unscripted
by Denise Hunter
The “fake boyfriend/girlfriend” trope is a popular one, but it has never appealed to me. When Denise Hunter, an author I like, published one, I decided to give it a try.
In love, unscripted, Chloe has just published her first novel and it is a huge success. So successful that she already has sold the movie rights. Having been hurt and rejected by several men, including her father, Chloe has written a protagonist into her book who is heroic and “exhibits all the qualities that every woman yearns for in a partner.” Unfortunately, Liam, the actor chosen to play that role in the movie has a reputation as a handsome and charming lady’s man who moves quickly from one romantic interest to another. The tabloids love to use him for their headlines, and not everything they print is true.
Chloe’s first encounters with Liam are not positive, but they make a deal with each other. Her publisher wants her to increase her social media presence, and Liam’s publicists want him to shine up his image to fit the wholesome character portrayed in the movie. She agrees to pretend to have a relationship in exchange for his committing to work with her on his lines to better understand the character she created.
It’s easy to guess the direction the plot will take, but it is entertaining to watch their relationship develop. The hiccups along the way are caused by the paparazzi and by their own individual pasts which make it hard for them to trust others. Misunderstandings arise causing some hard lessons in forgiveness. Although this fake dating trope will never be my favorite, I did enjoy this clean romance with characters I liked. Most of the characters grew during the story, but realistically a few were unable to admit past mistakes or make good choices.
The events in the book take place over the course of three months showcasing how a movie is filmed, and I enjoyed participating vicariously in that process.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Romance, Women’s Fiction
Notes: no inappropriate language or sex
Publication: March 12, 2024—Harper Collins Christian Publisher/Thomas Nelson
Memorable Lines:
“When you reach a certain level of success, people often want something from you other than friendship. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s genuine and who’s not.”
She’d felt closer to him since their illnesses. There was something about seeing a person at his weakest—and being seen at your most vulnerable—that lowered a person’s walls.
“You’ve gotta get good at forgiving. “Cause believe me, you’ll be the one needing it the next time.”
Carolina Breeze–social media disaster
Carolina Breeze
by Denise Hunter
When an innkeeper desperate to fulfill his promise to his father to take care of his sisters is introduced to the world of glamorous movie stars and paparazzi, his own world is turned upside down. Levi Bennett tries to fix everything for everybody, but he takes on more than he can handle when he meets the gorgeous Mia Emerson retreating from heartbreak and a scandal.
Beautiful Bluebell, N.C., is the perfect place for Mia to recover with the sympathetic and discreet Bennett siblings taking up her cause. Romance is in the air for Levi and Mia as well as for Levi’s sister Molly who was the focus of the first book in the series. Just when things start to look up, there are realistic twists and turns that shake things up for the characters. But disasters and surprises can be part of God’s plan, and He can bring good out of them as the characters in Carolina Breeze by Denise Hunter, a clean romance with a bit of mystery, soon discover.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Romance
Notes: #2 in the Bluebell Inn Series, but works well as a standalone.
Publication: May 19, 2020—Thomas Nelson
Memorable Lines:
Using people is wrong. Using their feelings against them is even worse.
It was time to get serious about her faith again. She was learning to let down her walls with people, but she needed to let God in too. Him, most of all.
The movie had been going on for a while, but her mind was on other things…All of it was tangled up in her head like last year’s Christmas lights.
The Phantom of Oz–The Wizard: A Space OZpera
The Phantom of Oz
by Cindy Brown
Despite its title, I don’t think The Phantom of Oz really started out to be a ghost story. Because the Ivy Meadows Mystery Series focuses on the theater and actors, there are a lot of stage tricks that imitate the paranormal. In the end, however, this cozy mystery does address the question “Do you believe in ghosts?” Bigger and more important themes are tackled as well in author Cindy Brown’s latest mystery: fake news, paparazzi, body image, jealousy, priorities, friendship, social media, scams and control.
As a theatre buff I enjoyed reading about the trials of Ivy Meadows who attempts to eek out a living by combining the life of an actress with learning detecting skills from her P.I. uncle and mentor Bobby. We watch as Ivy juggles trying to find her missing friend Candy while working as an actress. She also finds time to maintain relationships with boyfriend Matt and mentally challenged brother Cody.
The Phantom of Oz has a good mystery, interesting setting (the Grand Phoenician Theatre), and some wacky theatre types. My only criticism is that the thread of Cody’s desire to become an actor and his sudden willingness to drop the pursuit could have been developed more thoroughly. In general, however, this is a fun book that addresses some serious issues.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Henery Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 5/5
Category: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery
Notes: The end of the book includes:
1. Reader’s Discussion Guide
2. Topics and Questions for Discussion
3. Enhance Your Book Club or Class
This book is #5 in the Ivy Meadows Mystery Series. It could be read as a standalone.
Publication: January 30, 2018—Henery Press
Memorable Lines:
Looking at petit-fours: I could almost hear their come-hither voices: “I’m the most delicious cake ever. I’m moist and sweet. And I’m free.” It was the last line that did it. We actors are suckers for free food.
I stood for a moment backstage, where the murky blue lighting matched my mood. I watched the revelers around me, feeling like an outsider who’d crashed the party.
This confronting-the-suspects thing was never as easy as it looked in Agatha Christie’s books.
education pathways 