Review: Love You, Truly

Love You, Truly

"Blake Carlton, the camera-shy son of Hollywood’s Darling, dodges the invasive limelight and scripted relationships that so often accompany fame. But when his mother’s popularity declines and she falls into a depression, he offers himself up as the next bachelor on a reality show, hoping to reignite interest in her career while creating a way for them to finally connect.After her fiancé dumps her for her best friend, aspiring photographer Harlow Tucker is done with romance—until her beloved, disabled sister requests her aid to start a nonprofit. Harlow agrees to do whatever is needed to raise funds, even reluctantly costarring on a dating show with a notorious womanizer who distrusts anyone behind a lens.As Blake and Harlow navigate the superficiality of a reality show, their preconceived notions of love are challenged."

Author: Susan L. Tuttle
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Deciding to trust each other feels like the ultimate risk, 

but taking that chance could lead to a love truly picture-perfect, 

worth both of their hearts.

OH THIS BOOK COULD'VE BEEN A 5 STAR READ FOR ME! It made me cry. That says a lot about a book in my eyes, but there were some big things that hindered my 5 star rating.

I connected with Harlow in a way I've never connected with a character before. My older brother has a disability called cerebral palsy, and my whole life has revolved around that. In HER vulnerable moments I felt that pain. I've had those questions. And I've also received that peace to know I'm chosen. 
There is a scene in this book where she has an EMOTIONAL heart to heart with her sister and I cried. I actually had to put the book down because I was there, I was having that discussion, and its hard. So ALL of the props to Susan for capturing the side of disabilities no one ever talks about, the other people it affects who have to sacrifice too. You wrote it well!

I did like watching Blake come to God. He fought it HARD, but in the end God won his heart. (Are we surprised?! 😉) It was definitely a nice redemption arc.

I adored the chemistry between Blake & Harlow. They really did blend well together, and their snark was EVERYTHING! 
But the continuous back and forth of them not trusting each other, then trusting each other, then one small thing (that could've been handled if they talked about it like adults) making them storm off like children and lose all trust in each other again just got old! It just felt immature. 
Now, I understand they both had been hurt in the past! I get that, however they shouldn't have "trusted" the other person so readily if they weren't ready. 

Another thing that really bothered me is how fast they would assume the worst of each other. If you love someone, and say you know them better than that WHY would your first reaction be to say they're a liar and never give them a chance to give you their side of the story. 
I don't handle name besmirching/integrity dragging story lines very well. And that is what it felt like to me.

Its hard for me because I really did like a lot of the story aspects. I really liked the "bachelor" troupe! The author did an amazing job getting me sucked into the story. I laughed, I cried, I connected with characters like I never have before. But I couldn't get behind their "blame now, explain later" attitude.

I want to try another book by Susan Tuttle! I did enjoy her writing style, and I loved parts of this book.
I rated it a 3.5/5 stars.

*This is a ROMANCE book. There is a lot of kissing, talk of premarital sex, and an intense scene on a beach. It got heated in a few places!  Just a heads up for anyone who is looking for content warning.*

*I received this book from the author**All opinions are my own*

Review: On Wings of Devotion

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

 
Title: On Wings of Devotion
Series: The Codebreakers #2
Author: Roseanna M. White
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: January 7, 2020

Against Every Warning, She's Drawn Ever Closer to the Man Known as "Black Heart" 


All of England thinks Major Phillip Camden a monster--a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But he would have preferred to die that day with his men rather than be recruited to the Admiralty's codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved.

As nurse Arabelle Denler observes the so-dubbed "Black Heart," she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their families and paths twist together unexpectedly, she realizes she has a role to play in his healing--and some of her own to do as well.

With Camden's court-martial looming, an old acquaintance shows up, intent on using him in a plot that sends the codebreakers of Room 40 into a frenzy. With their fragile hopes for the future in the cross hairs, Arabelle and Camden must hold on to hope--and to each other--if they want to survive.


PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christianbook 

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MY THOUGHTS

I just need a second to gush! Y'ALL THIS BOOK WAS AMAZEBALLS! So stinkin' good, and such a great way to start off the reading year!

Roseanna is a crazy talented author. I don't think she has written a book I haven't liked. She writes such unique and REAL characters, they're just so easy to fall in love with!

Not many authors can take the risks she does and pull them off.

This book was no different! I loved every one of the characters! They each played their part perfectly! The villains, the leads, the side characters. They blended and meshed so well.

I just loved everything about this book! It was deep. It was light. It was emotional. It was humorous. It was the perfect blend of history and fiction.  

Phillip Camden was the best! 😍😍 New favorite hero right there! Arabelle was his perfect match, the perfect leading lady.
They complemented each other so well. Each learning that what THEY defined themselves as was not who they were. They built each other up, and was a shoulder to cry on when they needed one. There was so much emotion and they both grew so much throughout the story. 

PLUS! They're chemistry and banter was EVERYTHING! 

One thing that I've noticed in this series, and something I love with my WHOLE heart, is that the women pray for the men. Even before they know who he is, or that they'll end up together. I just ADORE that thread so much.  (it could be also in her other series too and I just didn't realize it)

I will be gushing about this book always! There are so many things I didn't even touch on in my review. It was just so amazing, and you all need to go order it! 

I want to give this book all the stars, but alas I can only give it 5. So you should know what my rating is! 5/5 stars!

*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award-nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.


CONNECT WITH ROSEANNA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a On Wings of Devotion inspired prize pack including:

 a Recreation RFC Pilot Wings pin, a mini globe, Cadbury Chocolate, Caddie the Cocker Spaniel (handmade by Roseanna), and One Seat and Tea Package for an Online Tea Party Book Club with Roseanna 

(Winner's choice of scheduled dates. Includes treats, loose-leaf tea, and book club goodies. A $25 value! For more information, visit http://www.roseannamwhite.com/tea-party-book-club/.)!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight January 7, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on January 14, 2020. US only. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Review: A Distance Too Grand

A Distance Too Grand

"Meg Pero has been assisting her photographer father since she was big enough to carry his equipment, so when he dies she is determined to take over his profession--starting with fulfilling the contract he signed to serve on an Army survey of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1871. What she doesn't realize is that the leader of the expedition is none other than the man she once refused to marry.

Captain Ben Coleridge would like nothing more than to leave without the woman who broke his heart, but he refuses to wait even one more day to get started. This survey is a screen for another, more personal mission, one he cannot share with any member of his team.

As dangers arise from all sides, including within the survey party, Meg and Ben must work together to stay alive, fulfill their duties, and, just maybe, rekindle a love that neither had completely left behind."

Author: Regina Scott

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: American Wonders Collection (book 1)

"As dangers arise

they must work together to stay alive"

These reviews are always really hard for me to write! *deep breath* Let's get on with it. 

Here's the thing. I didn't hate it, but I also didn't love it.

The premise of this story intrigued me! An Army exposition sent to decide if the Grand Canyon was habitable...I LOVE IT! Sadly, the execution fell short for me. There were story/plot lines that weren't flushed out completely, so nothing really connected or gave me that "AH HA!" moment.

I didn't really connect with any of the characters. In all honesty, the side characters started to blur into one person. No one stood out to me. 

I never felt any chemistry coming from the pages, not from leads or the secondary characters.

I did enjoy the photography aspects of the story. It was really cool to learn a little about that history, and to see where photography has come.

For people who enjoy descriptive books this one might just be for you! The Grand Canyon is beautifully described, as well as some of the photography process. It is rich in history & descriptions.

I feel like this book had lots of potential! I just wish it had been flushed out some more. It definitely is an interesting time in history!

Regina is one of my ALL TIME favorite authors, so I'm sad I didn't love it. But, not every book hits a sweet spot and that's okay. 

I am interested to read book 2, maybe that story will hit its mark.

Nevertheless, I will follow Regina wherever she goes. She's a wonderful author, and an even better person.

I rated it a 3/5 star.

*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*

Review: The Perfect Christmas

The Perfect Christmas

"Will the perfect Christmas be enough to convince Beau that a life with Ansley could be equally perfect? 

Born and raised in Winter, Montana, Beau Bradley can’t imagine life anywhere else. During the holiday season his coffee shop, Mountain Grounds, is as busy as ever and now that his girlfriend is back in town, things finally seem to be lining up—until he gets a call that could change it all. 

Ansley Strauss is back in Winter after a nine-month, art intensive in Canada and she’s ready to celebrate the Christmas season in the tried and true Winter-style. There’s only one problem: her boyfriend lacks Christmas spirit. Her solution? Make this Christmas perfect to remind Beau just how special this time of year is. 

Set on a course for ultimate Christmas joy, Ansley and Beau find that life doesn’t always work out the way they hope it will. Beau faces the reality that plans can’t account for everything and sometimes risking it all is the only way. Ansley will have to come to the realization that no matter how perfect things are, it’s the imperfections in life that make it worth living."

Author: Bell Renshaw
Genre: Clean Romance
Series: A Winter Montana Novella (book 2)

It’s another Christmas in Winter, Montana 

where the coffee is always hot and the mistletoe beckons lovers to share a kiss.

So...my review is a week later than I said it was going to be, but it's going up none the less. 

Let me start off by saying that Bell is amazing! Hands down. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

We're finally back in Winter, and I couldn't be happier. This town, these people, the chemistry. I LOVE IT ALL! 

One thing about the way this author writes, she always makes you feel like the town you're in could be real. (Or at least you want it to be real) 
That's how I felt about Winter, Montana a few years ago when I read "One Christmas in Winter". 
Even years later and the town still has the same charm. It didn't feel like any story lines slipped, or any people just disappeared. Once again, I was enchanted by the perfect small town.

I was SUPER excited when we found out that Beau & Ansley's story was going to be told! 
Bell did an amazing job keeping the story realistic, but still light enough for a Christmas read. 

I really loved watching Beau & Ansley find their voices, and their identities with (and without) each other. 
The story had GREAT themes of patience and love being worth it. Worth the wait, and worth the risk.

I love reading Bell's books, they're always the perfect length. Nothing is ever rushed, and nothing is ever drawn out. I just love her!
I'm really really excited for Troy's story.
5/5 stars!

*I received this book from the author**All opinions are mine*