Today's Top Ten Tuesday is all about books set in another time, which is mostly all I read. These are some of my recent reads set in another time. I have been re-reading a lot of my books and these are some of my favorites!
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Monday, February 24, 2025
An Overdue Match Review
An Overdue Match
Release Date: February 18, 2025
Series: Checking Out Love #1
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Can a librarian’s matchmaking mischief lead to a love that rewrites their stories?
If the covers of every romance book ever published didn’t convince librarian Evangeline Kelly that she isn’t heroine material, her fiancé calling off their wedding when she lost her hair to alopecia did. But what’s a girl head over heels for love to do when her feelings are unrequited? Matchmake, that’s what. Armed with library patrons’ check-out histories, she’s determined to make at least one love connection–even if it’s not her own.
Tattoo artist Tai Davis is used to people judging him with a single glance, so it doesn’t surprise him when the town’s quirky new librarian believes his bad-boy reputation without giving him a chance. He can’t help being intrigued by her, though, so when he discovers Evangeline’s secret matchmaking scheme, he’s not above striking a bargain with her. She just has to agree to one date with him for every time she uses his hometown knowledge to set up library patrons on a romantic rendezvous. The deal is made, but in the process, they both might learn you can’t judge a book–or each other–by the cover.
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My Thoughts
I was really excited to read this book because the author tends to write fun lighthearted novels. This story is simply delightful! I love the characters and all of their many quirks. I so appreciate the focus on alopecia and creating characters that aren't "cookie cutter" perfect-whatever that seems to mean. Tai is my favorite in this story because he doesn't give up on Evangeline or himself for that matter. He has a lot of people look down on him and he carries on despite what others think. The library setting is superb and I enjoy every small detail that makes this book full of heart. It is a sweet romance but the bigger overall picture of Evangeline and dealing with her image is what makes this book worth reading. It is a pretty quick read and I am eager to read what Monzon comes up with next!
Four stars.
"I received a complementary copy. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Never Reviewed
These are books I read that I didn't review on my blog. I get books from ALL of the sources: Kindle Unlimited, the library, online booksellers, real life book stores etc. ALL the places. So often I won't review them unless I really feel the need to share my thoughts.
So here are some that I will give a quick review on. These were all read within the last few months.
I have read a few books by this author now and they typically keep me up late into the night because they are suspense murder mystery reads. This one I was pretty well captivated and there were so many puzzling factors in the mystery. It is mostly clean if I remember correctly. I think some language and of course murder and all that goes along with that. I am not sure that I would recommend but I will continue to read this author.
Klassen always writes books that just make me want to cuddle with a blanket a read. This book is in a series and it is a slower but sweet light historical romance. It isn't my favorite of hers but I do enjoy the family with all of the sisters. There are some very annoying characters that really irritated me in this one but the author did that for good reason. Four stars.
I love most everything Matthews writes. This book I really enjoyed because both main characters have very strong personalities. It is heavy on the romance side of things but closed door and clean. This one I really couldn't put down and is one my favorites from this series.
I really enjoyed this one! This is a book out of my typical genre of reading and it was really good! The characters were captivating and the whole premise had my full attention. It seemed a tad slow in the middle but by the end I was ready for book two-can you say cliffhanger?! Four stars.
This is one of the best by Jaime Jo Wright! All of her books are EXCELLENT and some of my all time favorite novels. This one had a mental health element to it that was really well written. Light romance and of course suspense. I really loved this one. Five Stars.
I recently discovered Victoria McCombs so I started reading ALL of her books. This is the first in a trilogy set on the high seas. I love books set on ships. It is YA Fantasy fiction that is clean! There is a lot of adventure and mermaids and pirates and curses etc. It is a really fun read and I have enjoyed many of this author's books now. Four stars.
This is a really fun and sweet regency romance. Sweet and clean and hilarious. I loved the characters and the way everything plays out at this house party setting is great. Five stars.
I love time travel. So this book takes you back to the Middle Ages and there is non stop action and excitement. A tad bit of a romantic thread but mostly it is an adventure that you can't put down. The first in a series. Five Stars.
Everything Frantz writes is my favorite. From Virginia to Scotland and with some of the best written characters this story held my attention. Frantz once again has written a novel that has left such a profound impression. The history, the romance, the mystery, and the incredible weaving of God's grace through it all. Excellent story and a must read for historical fiction fans. Five Stars.
I have really enjoyed this suspense series but this is one of the best books in it in my opinion. It can be a tad gruesome on the murder scene side of things. There is some language. I couldn't put it down. Five stars.
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
If All Else Sails Review
About the Book
In this enemies-to-lovers romance, school nurse Josie agrees to help her brother's best friend, hockey player Wyatt, recover from his knee injury . . . oh, and sail down the intercoastal waterway. What could go wrong?
When elementary school nurse Josie arrives to meet her brother for their not-quite-annual summer trip, instead of finding Jacob, she discovers she has been duped. Jacob can't take off work for a trip and instead is calling in a huge favor from Josie: helping his best friend recover from surgery. Wyatt is the perpetual grump, a famous hockey player Josie has never particularly liked, and a terrible patient. His foot is in bad shape, but nowhere near as bad as his surly attitude.
Begrudgingly, Josie agrees to stay for a week that becomes two. But when she finds out that Wyatt's injury ruined his plans to sail down the east coast on the Intracoastal Waterway, Josie surprises them both by agreeing to be his second set of hands.
Smooth sailing is nowhere to be found, and Wyatt is one cranky captain. With one disaster after another slowing their progress, Josie questions if they'll even be able to make it home without killing--or kissing?--each other. And yet, the longer they share cramped quarters and canned food, the more of Wyatt's layers she peels back until Josie realizes she misunderstood him and perhaps herself as well. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
This book is an absolute delight! I haven't laughed so much while reading in such a long time. The author has a way with setting up a scene and dialogue that just makes me so happy. The characters are great and I enjoyed getting to know them better. Wyatt has so many layers and it is a typical grumpy-sunshine trope but it works! The romance is superb! It is sweet and clean and honest and fun. The setting is also perfect for a summer read with a cottage by the water to sailing on a boat. Josie is hilarious and I also really liked the secondary characters of her brother, his friends and Wyatt's mother.
If you are looking for a fun rom-com this is for you! I couldn't put it down and enjoyed every bit of it!
Five Stars.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Some Like It Scot Review
About the Book
An American travel writer who has never found a place to belong and a reclusive Scot with a surprising secret find a shocking connection when she enters a Highlands manor house that has been turned into a three-week long Edwardian experience.
Katie Campbell has traveled her entire life. As the daughter of an army chaplain, changing homes--or even countries--was commonplace, so when her wild childhood storytelling turned into a lucrative career as a travel writer, she thought she'd found her perfect match. But as she's nearly thirty with no real place to settle down, she's starting to wonder where "home" actually is. Her own family hadn't felt like home since her sister's death left them all limping through life.
When a lengthy project in Scotland promises to not only give her travel fodder for months but also a shot at a coveted editing position, she accepts and is sent to spend three weeks in the newly created Craighill House, a Scottish home redesigned to offer guests an Edwardian experience. But her entrance to Craighill introduces her to a quirky group of characters and a surly Scot who is helping refurbish the magnificent woodwork of the estate house.
As Katie attempts to live "Edwardian," she learns that all that glitters does not a comfortable lifestyle make . . . and surly Scots may turn out to be dashing and creative uncles raising their orphaned nephews. When a few escapades from the Downton era lead Katie on hunts for mermaids and dragons or to a fireside chat with a family who has grown stronger through tragedy, Katie begins to wonder if "home" looks a whole lot like rolling green hills, magnificent braighs, and a few extra "ayes" thrown in for good measure. But can her world-traveling lifestyle fit in with a Scot whose heart is double-knotted to home? (Goodreads)
Releases April 8th!!
My Thoughts
Get ready for a book you won't want to put down! I have read many of Basham's books but this one is her best yet! Scotland. Travel. Books. Romance. Humor. Puns. Local lore and legend. SO much heart. Oh my goodness I loved this book! A story is really special if it can make me laugh and cry and feel everything in between. The characters are terrific all the way around. Katie is hilarious and so real to life. Her struggles many will be able to sympathize with and it is so well written. Graeme has so many layers and it was a joy to read his perspective throughout the book. The secondary characters warmed my heart in many ways and I felt like I was in Mull having a cup of tea with them. I laughed so many times! I was worried that Katie would be over the top and the silliness would take me out of the book but nope it just added to the delight. The ending is so much better than I had even hoped! It was realistic and I truly didn't want this to end. We need more books in this quaint village in Scotland. Perhaps Graeme's brothers stories?! In any case. This is one of the best books I have read this year. Very fun and yet keeps you pondering life long after you finish reading the last page.
Five Stars.
"I received this book from NetGalley for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
