reviewsbyerin

Podcaster and Jane Austen superfan Zoe Dufour has an amazing opportunity: to attend a Regency-themed singles retreat at a manor in the Minnesota countryside. Zoe longs to meet her own modern Mr. Darcy, and what could be better than to look for him at an event designed for other Austenites like herself?

Zoe's experience is complicated by the return of her brother's best friend, Harrison Lundquist. Harrison has witnessed some of her most embarrassing moments but he's also been a good friend... when it wasn't weird between them. Now that he's back, will she continue her streak of bungling her chance to find love, or can she truly find a home for her heart?

This book sets out to be something like Austenland, which as a huge Austen fan myself is a good thing. It's fun to read about the dresses and hairstyles and themed activities. My main complaint about the book was it tried to do too much. Though I loved all the Austen references, I got tired of the main character referencing herself as an Elizabeth Bennet, a Charlotte Lucas, an Elinor Dashwood, and a Marianne Dashwood. All of those are very, very different characters and it was confusing to keep up with who she felt like in any particular scene. If we had simplified the Austen references, perhaps more time could have been given to developing plot twists that weren't predictable or giving the characters more depth so they weren't repeatedly angsting over the same things.

I liked a lot about the story. I liked the representation of a main character with Type 1 diabetes. The Jane Austen trivia night was my favorite scene. Though light at first, the spiritual threads woven in were really lovely and touching. I loved this quote from Chapter 16: "Surrender is acknowledging the fact that God has it under control, has our backs, and loves us. We don't have to carry the burden of making everything right."

If you like Jane Austen, romcoms, or best friend's brother tropes, you might want to check out The Rules of Falling For You.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Current Mood: hopeful

Rendezvous '25 JustRead Takeover Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for Rendezvous 2025, hosted, sponsored, and organized by JustRead Publicity Tours!

You are Invited

Rendezvous: reader and writer gathering

November 7-8, 2025

Holiday Inn St Louis SW – Route 66

Join fellow readers and 46 writers at the third annual Rendezvous to celebrate Christian fiction and sweet reads. This event, modeled after the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Activities will include corporate worship, The Christy Award webcast watch party, speaker sessions, author panels, small group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up book shop, and author signings.

Two Dogs Publishing, Baker Publishing Group fiction imprints (Bethany House and Revell), Haven Fiction, Enclave Publishing, LiteraryScape, Kregel Publications, and Apothecary Audio have joined The Christy Award Program (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) and JustRead Publicity Tours as event sponsors.

Learn more about the 2025 Rendezvous

Participating Authors

2025 Rendezvous Writers

First Row: Abbey Downey, Amanda Cox, Angela Bell, Ann Elizabeth Fryer, Ashley Worrell, Bethany Turner, Cara Putman, Carol Moncado, Christy Barritt, Connilyn Cossette, Crystal Caudill, Crystal D. Grant.

Second Row: Dana R. Lynn, Dani Pettrey, Danielle Grandinetti, Darlene L. Turner, E. A. Hendryx, Gabrielle Meyer, Heather Kaufman, Jaime Jo Wright, Janilise Lloyd, Jayna Breigh, Jenny Erlingsson, Jessica R. Patch.

Third Row: Jill Kemerer, Joanna Davidson Politano, Karen Witemeyer, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Kimberly Duffy, Lisa E. Betz, Lisa Phillips, Lisa T. Bergren, Liz Bradford, Lynn H. Blackburn, Megan Besing, Nancy Mehl.

Fourth Row: Robin W. Pearson, Sara Brunsvold, Sara Davison, Shannon Sue Dunlap, Sharee Stover, Sherry Shindelar, T. Elizabeth Renich, Tabitha Caplinger, Tara Grace Ericson, Toni Shiloh.

Keynote speakers are Jaime Jo Wright and Toni Shiloh. Lisa Phillips will lead worship. Kimberley Woodhouse, Lynette Eason, Pepper Basham, and Shelley Shepard Gray are unable to join us. Check out recent releases by participating authors in the JustRead Amazon Storefront.

Register

The registration fee (including a book tote, catered meals, and more) is $200 for readers. This year's gathering is nearing full capacity. Register today!

Subscribe to email updates and learn more about each author on the Rendezvous website. Connect with other attendees and hopefuls in the Rendezvous Community private Facebook group.

Register Now

P.S. Don't miss The Christy Award Finalist Reveal Webcast on Friday, September 19. Free registration is required. Visit christyawards.com for more information and registration. The Christy Award honors and promotes excellence in Christian fiction and is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

Giveaway

(1) winner will receive $50 total winner's choice gift cards (Rendezvous event shirt presale shop, Amazon, Baker Book House, or Christianbook)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 17, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 24, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for physical prizes. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Current Mood: good

Agent Luna Rosati returns to her hometown, haunted by the memories of the daughter she gave up for adoption 18 years ago. Her mentor has promised to help find the girl, but he is kidnapped right in front of Luna as he arrives for their meeting. Luna teams up with police officer Corbin King, her teenage love and the father of the baby she gave up. She thought she'd never see him again, but now they must work together to find their mentor, find their daughter, and solve Corbin's missing persons case.

I don't normally read romantic suspense, but I decided to give this one a try, and I'm glad I did. There's plenty of action in a story that is ever-changing. The leads of this story are well-rounded people with complex backstories, and because of their shared history they are working through the emotions of the past as well as the danger of the present. I loved the concept of a "found family" of troubled youth who had all been mentored by one man with a vision, and how they all have unique strengths that they bring to the table for the good of their community.

The book is set up to be the first in the series, and I got chills when I realized where the series title came from. While the mysteries in this book are wrapped up, the epilogue sets up Book 2 and I know many readers will be eagerly waiting for it when it comes out.

This story has plenty of suspense, more romance than I was expecting, and faith threads. If these are things you'll enjoy, watch for Girl Lost to release next month.

I received my copy of the book from JustRead Publicity. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Current Mood: calm

The Montana countryside comes to life in this new release from Katie Powner. Tad, a troubled young man, has been given a second chance on Come Around Ranch. Ranch owner Anita wants to give him a place to thrive, while she herself is struggling with how to parent a grown child with developmental disabilities. Her love has carried Sam through and protected him so far, and she knows it can't stay that way forever, but how can she let go?

Tad grapples with the concepts of grace, responsibilities, secrets, and change as he works at the C-A-R. Twists he can't predict drive these lessons home.

I love Katie Powner's writing. This story didn't move me the way her previous releases did. The novel felt shallower to me, like it was just a glimpse at the much deeper issues and undercurrents for the characters and plot lines. I still enjoyed it and was touched, and would recommend it to my fellow readers. Anita was my favorite character and I could feel her conflict about her son, her community work, and her investment in Tad's life. If you enjoy contemporary stories about grace and second chances, I hope you'll see what's waiting for you at Come Around Ranch.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Listen to my interview with Katie Powner:

Watch on YouTube

Current Mood: sleepy

Welcome to Paris in 1940. The Nazis control the city and they are changing the Parisian way of life. Food is rationed. The streets are not safe. And they are closing places of culture and art, including libraries and bookstores.

Our heroine Corrine is a professor and would-be resistance worker. Our hero Christian wears the German uniform, but reluctantly. He has a secret that would cost the life of someone dear if he were ever to show his true feelings about the Nazis.

I confess I had a hard time getting into this book, though after about the 50% mark it was hard to put down. It may start slow, but there is plenty of action and danger in the second half. There's a minor character who will completely steal your heart. If you enjoy WWII stories, this is one you'll want to check out.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Listen to my interview with Roseanna M. White:

Watch on YouTube

Current Mood: okay

Don't you love a mail-order bride story every now and again? If you also like the movie While You Were Sleeping, you are definitely going to want to check this one out!

Ed McGraw wants more time to develop his carpentry business, and to do that he needs his brother Isaac home to help with the homestead. If Isaac had a wife, surely he'd stick around. Perhaps he should place an ad...

Rebekah Edwards has been sweet on Isaac McGraw since they were in school together. Now her focus is on helping run the newspaper. But when Ed shows up to place an ad for a bride for Isaac, she realizes this is her opportunity to finally catch the man of her dreams. She doesn't realize, however, that Ed -- whom she can't stand -- is actually the one corresponding with her, pretending to be Isaac.

Meanwhile, trouble abounds in the town of Calvin, Wyoming. Ranchers are being attacked and families poisoned. Will Rebekah be in danger if she dares to investigate and report on her findings? Why does she think more highly of Ed every time they're forced to work together?

Wendy Klopfenstein is a promising new author. She weaves a great story together. My one complaint about this novel is that it seemed a lot of things, whether regarding relationships or even catching the bad guy, could have been solved with a good conversation. But if characters communicated clearly, where would the angst be? I enjoyed the nod to the movie While You Were Sleeping, with a fun western setting and faith themes intertwined.

If this sounds like a book you would enjoy, come follow Ed and Rebekah as they uncover secrets and learn to let God be in control.

I received my copy of the book from the author and publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Current Mood: hungry

Chloe Vance is sitting on the most exciting news of her life. She's accepted a job teaching art at a school in Prague. Now if only she can find a way to break the news to her always-do-what's-expected mother.

In order to prove that she can take care of herself, Chloe spontaneously invites her mother on a roadtrip touring the literary sites in America's heartland. Her older sister Lauren tags along too. As they visit sites in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Oklahoma, they experience the wonders of the written word but face the fact that it's our own stories we might have the most trouble sharing.

The characters in this book are all very unique. Chloe has a wonderful free spirit, full of grace. Edie is shackled by invisible tethers of expectations from generations before her. Lauren holds deep secrets and has lost a grasp of her own self-worth. Can the ties of family love triumph in the face of all they are not saying?

This was a great story, especially if you are a literary fan and have visited some of these same sites. It's a study in how we view ourselves, how we view others, and how we can shut others out or let them in. At times it was a difficult book to read, because what we say or what we don't say has the power to hurt others, and unfortunately there are hard moments of pain in the story. But that's not the end. I won't spoil the ending, but I will say it brought happy, touched tears to my eyes.

Recommended for all fans of women's fiction.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Listen to my interview with Sara Brunsvold:

Watch on YouTube

Current Mood: good

Sara O’Connor never dreamed her choices would lead her here. Desperate for work, she becomes the laundress at a nearby inn, where she befriends the children who work there or are tutored there.

James Kinney is a principled lawyer raising a daughter on his own. When Evie catches a life-threatening illness, he must rely on the laundress from the inn to tend to Evie after the doctor has given him no hope.

Set in Toronto in 1837, this historical romance is about a woman with a mysterious past and a man with a hurting heart who discover they might find a safe place to flourish and heal in their relationship with the other.

I found the writing to be fresh and engaging, and I easily lost myself in the storyline. My one small complaint is that this leans heavily into the romance with only a small side of real-life history. My personal preference is to have that more balanced. But aside from that, I enjoyed this story and can’t wait to see what Christine Hill Suntz publishes next.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this story are my own.

Listen to my interview with Christine Hill Suntz:

Watch on YouTube

Current Mood: busy

When Eva Inman finds an ancient silver ring on her property, she realizes a great many of her troubles might be over. Her financial worries might be eased if there are Roman ruins ripe for excavation right in her own backyard. Things haven't been easy since her father's death. Their estate needs repairs, the taxes must be paid, and her blind sister wishes to go to school. Eva ventures to Cambridge to speak to the history department -- and comes face to face with the last man she expected to see.

Bram Webb is on the hunt for a discovery. His eccentric uncle, who is also a Cambridge professor, has his job on the line unless he can prove the existence of a settlement of Roman Christians in Britain. When his childhood friend shows up at his door with the perfect opportunity, Bram is quick to accept.

The story unfolds with twists and turns, secrets and adventures. I missed the slight but delicious spookiness that I've come to expect from Michelle Griep's books, but also loved the more UK-centric elements, like a full-blown Guy Fawkes Night party with various competitions and celebrations.

I would recommend this book to all fans of historical romance.

I received my copy of the book from NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Current Mood: good

If you're a fan of Beauty and the Beast, you will love this sweet retelling from fan favorite author Karen Witemeyer.

Everett Griffin went from an elite member of New York society to a scarred recluse in Texas after one horrible moment changed everything. Reading is one of his only solaces, and he hires a book binder to come take care of his massive library. He's horrified when the book binder's daughter arrives with every intention of carrying out the job for her injured father.

Callista Rosenfeld is determined to keep her father's book bindery running even if he is out of commission for a while, and even if it means taking on the huge job of restoring Mr. Griffin's library while tucked away at a manor house in the middle of nowhere. The staff is friendly even if Mr. Griffin is not, though his appearance doesn't bother her nearly as much as it seems to bother him.

As Callista wins Everett's trust, he begins to see what a gift she is, able to look past what so many others are not. A friendship blossoms, sped along by a local visitor full of himself who doesn't take it well when Callista rebuffs his advances.

I personally am not a huge Beauty and the Beast fan, but I fell in love with this charming retelling. The birthday party is absolutely magical! And when one of the characters mentions using antlers in all of his decorating, I was so amused I literally choked on the snack I was eating. So funny! Great attention was given to including little details from the classic tale while still making this story its own. Highly recommended for all fans of Disney and historical romance.

I received my copy from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Current Mood: happy

This new release from award-winning middle grade author Anna Rose Johnson tells a sweet story with a vintage feel as 13-year-old Rosemary must leave her home in London to escape the Blitz. She moves with her family to northern Wisconsin, reunited with a grandmother she's never met due to family issues. Rosemary has long dreamed of finding Paradise, a place where both family and flowers blossom. Could Wisconsin be the land she's longed for?

Rosemary gets to know her grandmother through gardening and other adventures, and she soon discovers there's a whole heritage that has been hidden from her. Her grandmother is a Native American of the Ojibwe tribe. A whole new world opens up as Rosemary explores the culture of her ancestors.

I loved how Rosemary felt she must be the peacemaker for her family during this stressful time. As a fellow big sister, that rang very true to me. Rosemary gives her all to bring people together and work for a happy future even though she's young and other people's choices can be difficult for a child to understand.

I appreciated how the story twists and turns, with friendship and discovery and hearts mending. I'd recommend this for young and old readers alike, alongside the author's previous books The Star That Always Stays and The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Current Mood: good

Proclaimer

"The only way to save us is to betray the king I vowed to protect."

In a story that picks up immediately where Protector leaves off, this dystopian retelling of the book of Esther continues the tale of Novalise, or Astra, the bodyguard of the king and secret follower of Alpha. Is there any way she can convince the king that the followers of Alpha are not a danger to the kingdom? Can she save her people?

Be immersed in palace intrigue as Astra seeks to gain the king's favor for her people while also balancing the romance that has been building between them. King Zadien isn't evil but he has not always listened to the best advisors. How will he react when he finds out she's an Alphanite?

From the action-packed beginning to he explosive end, Proclaimer will have you racing through the pages with unexpected twists and turns to find out how the author wraps up this unique take on a much-loved true story.

Esther was my favorite book of the Bible when I was a little girl, and it was interesting to see it brought to life in a dystopian world. I struggled a bit with the attitude of some of the characters, but each of them undergo a transformation through the course of the story. I do think readers who enjoy dystopian young adult fiction will appreciate this one, and of course I loved tracking all the notable Esther moments as they played out in a totally new way.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Purchase Links

READ | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

After a year of traveling the country in a 100-square-foot camper with her husband, daughter, and dog, Megan Schaulis was bursting with wonder and inspiration—and she poured it all into her writing.

Megan has a B.A. in Journalism from Arizona State University and is a member of the ACFW. As a special education teacher, she helped young people fall in love with reading and writing. Today, when she’s not spinning stories, Megan uses words in playful and creative ways at her branding agency. Her debut series, The Susa Chronicles, a YA dystopian reimagining of Esther, released with WhiteCrown Publishing in 2024.

Megan lives in Abilene, Texas, where you’ll find her staying up way too late reading or hiking with her family.

Author Links

Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter | Website

Current Mood: good

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House

Penniless clockmaker Sydney Forrester finds the world against her, for although she is brilliant she is young and female, and therefore customers aren't likely to trust her. She longs for connection with the parents she does not know and cannot remember, and when a mysterious woman informs her that she has inherited a remote manor house from an uncle she's never met, Sydney takes a leap and sets off to claim her new home.

It turns out, however, that she is not the only heir. The will is in dispute. Blakely House is also not at all what Sydney expected, full of gadgets and half-finished inventions that give her a glimpse into her uncle's mind. There is also a full company of mismatched pirate servants who seem to have it out for her. With the odds against her, Sydney must prove who she is and that she is the rightful heir through many ups and downs and adventures.

As with every Joanna Davidson Politano book, there are beautiful themes woven throughout the story. Threads about identity, being chosen, and reckoning that "When you run away from your problems, you take yourself with you" (page 134). The themes were my favorite part of this book.

I liked Sydney as a character, and though I found the plot a little hard to follow, I appreciated her journey. It was a great reminder of how God knows what we need and who we need in our lives and is able to provide even in uncanny ways.

I would recommend this book for readers who like historicals with hints of mystery and suspense.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Current Mood: busy

Travel writer Katie Campbell is off on another adventure -- or misadventure, if things go as they often do for her. Katie has been tasked to cover a brand new Edwardian experience, where guests can step into life in a manor house as it might have been in the early 1900s. But if trouble can find Katie, it will. Whether that's a stairway railing not quite secure, a territorial Highland cow, or her former flame now turned bitter enemy, Katie faces a new challenge at every turn.

Katie loves her job and it provides relief from a difficult family situation, but her heart longs for home. Among the green hills and humble Scottish folks, not to mention one #HotScot, Katie begins to yearn for what she sees there in the Highlands. I loved the author's use of the words "linger" and "tarry," as Katie mulls over whether love and commitment could frame her new vision of the future.

The novel started off very slowly for me, despite the funny moments, but as we got into the layers of Katie's character I could relate to her more, and as I already mentioned, I really appreciated the themes of this novel.

I listened to the book on audio and very much enjoyed the narrators.

I would recommend this book for those who enjoy humorous adventures, immersive settings, and slow-burn romance.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Current Mood: good

Kate Landry's life is full. She's raising her niece and running a successful business. Her 20-year-plan is working.

Until an amazing new business expansion opportunity comes up, her niece is suddenly singularly focused on getting a dog, and a childhood friend with the potential to be more returns to her life. On top of all this, a wild parrot has suddenly taken to wreaking havoc all over her courtyard, adding daily frustration on top of her more pressing matters.

Kate Landry Has a Plan is a story about seeking God, forgiving others, and keeping priorities straight. Kate's past hurts greatly affect her present, clouding her decision-making skills. Through the course of the novel, she is gently reminded by the people in her life about which risks are worth pursuing and which should be regarded with more caution.

I liked Kate as a parent to her niece, and I loved the hero Micah Guidry. The New Orleans culture shines through this novel and you'll feel like you're strolling through the streets of the Big Easy and tasting their distinctive cuisine. The animal characters also add a lot to the story.

I would recommend this novel to fans of humorous novels with deep themes.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Current Mood: hungry

Cilla van der Zee is desperate. The Nazis now occupy her home country of the Netherlands and she has to escape. But how? Cilla hatches a plan: Approach the Nazis, convince them she can spy for them, and then defect as soon as her feet hit English soil.

But that plan fails immediately when instead of defecting she is arrested before she can even leave her lifeboat.

In the face of execution, a new plan arises: Agree to become a double agent.

Cilla is forced to a remote posting where she provides strategic information to the Nazis but all of the Nazi information to her British handlers, including the man who captured her. The one man who can't stand her. The one man she can't stop thinking about.

This novel explores the concept of freedom. Is Cilla really free within the cage of what she is allowed to do? Is Lt. Mackenzie free within his strict orders and the need to do everything correctly? Is his brother free when he protests Scottish involvement in Britain's war? Where do faith and forgiveness and love come in?

As always, a wonderful WWII novel from Sarah Sundin. I personally had a hard time wrapping my head around the spy angle because that's not how I think, but I enjoyed the characters and their wonderful arcs. I'd recommend this book for any fans of historical romance.

I received my copy of the book from NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Current Mood: hungry

Evangeline Kelly believes love has passed her by. Surely no man would ever find her attractive since alopecia has claimed all of her hair. But that doesn't mean she can't be a part in other people's love stories. As a librarian, she knows what people are interested in. What if she used checkout histories to play matchmaker for her patrons? Aren't mutual interests a great place for love to bloom?

But perhaps love is not as over Evangeline as she believes it to be. She keeps crossing paths with tattoo artist Tai Davis, and there's something about him that she can't quite define. He lives free while she lives held back, terrified to face more rejection and humiliation over her autoimmune disorder. Could she trust him to see her heart and indeed all of her?

I enjoyed this story. I thought it took a little while to get off the ground, but I loved the themes in the novel and also that the book didn't follow a traditional formula. There are many unique things about it! Conservative readers who are not comfortable with tattoos might not enjoy the story, given the protagonist's profession. The spiritual arc is very well done.

"We prayed... that you'd stop running away from love long enough to see that love will never stop pursuing you." (Chapter 37)

If you like contemporary stories with a different beat that will make you laugh out loud and touch your heart, you'd definitely enjoy this book.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Current Mood: happy

The streets of Berlin come to life in this newest novel from Elizabeth Camden. As Germany perches on the edge of war, Inga Klein takes a position with the American Embassy in the German capital. As secretary for the ambassador, she has a front row seat of the diplomatic relationships between Kaiser Wilhelm II and the other nations trying to keep peace.

Inga has always been light and carefree, and her cheerful ways draw the ire of one Benedict Kincaid. Benedict is all business all the time. Even Inga's unflagging spirit begins to dim as war draws closer, and as a German citizen her future is uncertain. Could Benedict possibly be the key to securing her safety?

This book reminded me very much of Sarah Sundin's writing, which is a huge compliment. I liked the opposites attract storyline, though this story takes slow burn to the extreme. As you might expect, politics and talk of the war are heavy topics in this novel, which some readers may enjoy more than others. You can tell the book is very well-researched and is sure to delight true historical fans.

Overall, I would recommend this to any fans of Elizabeth Camden, Sarah Sundin, or historical novels based on real life events.

I received my copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Current Mood: good

If you've enjoyed Becky Wade's Sons of Scandal series, you are not going to want to miss this entertaining and endearing conclusion.

Max Cirillo longs for closure. His friendship and business partnership with Sloane Madison ended badly, and now he has the chance to come face to face with her again. Not only that, he has the chance to put her at his mercy. He's not going to be too diabolical, of course. Just enough to make sure he has answers.

Sloane believed she was in for a wonderful, golden summer with her teenage niece Ivy. That was before she learns her nemesis Max is the landlord of the apartment they've rented and Ivy declares she wants to find her birth father. Sloane is able to rely on her faith and good etiquette to pull her through and navigate the twisting path of these various relationships.

I have to admit that I am not the biggest fan of either Max or Sloane, but I loved this story. The side characters and plot really bring it to life. I feel compelled to point out that this is the third straight series where Becky Wade tackles the "looking for biological family" trope, but she does each one so well that I don't mind at all. The side plot about the missing tiara seems strangely out of place at first, but was incredibly moving in the end.

My very favorite part of the story was how Sloane purposefully lived out a rephrasing of the Golden Rule: "Give to other people what you need." In each situation, she evaluates what she needs, whether that be attention, respect, care, or so on. She then gives that to the other party. I found this to be an intriguing rephrasing that I've instinctively lived out in many areas of my own life. I want to continue to ponder this and see how it brings light to the words of Jesus.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and the narrators do a wonderful job bringing the story to life.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Current Mood: good

Juliet Catesby is the strong, compassionate oldest daughter on an indigo plantation. She despises the necessity of slave use and secretly works to free as many of them as she can. Her keen mind comes in handy when she must occasionally stand in for her father in his business dealings due to his ill health.

When a visiting tobacco lord from Scotland comes to the area, Juliet sets about making a match with Leith Buchanan and her younger sister. Much to her surprise and chagrin, she discovers her father has already taken matters into his own hands, and if she will agree to marry Mr. Buchanan herself, their family's debts will be wiped away.

Faced with a choice, Juliet weighs options. She hates what the tobacco lord stands for, but the alternative is to leave her father in immense debt. She loves their colonial Virginia home and would not choose to go to Scotland with him. But events unravel that soon force her hand.

I love Laura Frantz's work, but I never felt connected to either Leith or Juliet or their marriage of convenience. Both are proud and withdrawn for various reasons, which made it hard for me to get to know them. The last third of the book is also completely different from the opening sections, diving into the Scottish legal system. You can tell the author combed through mountains and mountains of research material to make this as authentic as possible.

I appreciated the themes of the novel and I believe other readers will enjoy the characters of Leith and Juliet. I enjoyed the minor characters in this novel and all they brought to the scenes as well.

I received my copy of the book from NetGalley. All thoughts in this opinion are my own.

Current Mood: busy

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Page Summary

"The Rules of Falling For You" by Mollie Rushmeyer
2025 Read Write Rendezvous
"Girl Lost" by Kate Angelo
"When the Road Comes Around" by Katie Powner
"The Collector of Burned Books" by Roseanna M. White
"A Secret Heart" by Lacy Williams and Wendy Klopfenstein
"The Atlas of Untold Stories" by Sara Brunsvold
"The Lawyer and the Laundress" by Christine Hill Suntz
"Of Silver and Secrets" by Michelle Griep
"To Love a Beast" by Karen Witemeyer
"The Blossoming Summer" by Anna Rose Johnson
"Proclaimer" by Megan Schaulis
"The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House" by Joanna Davidson Politano
"Some Like It Scot" by Pepper Basham
"Kate Landry Has a Plan" by Rebekah Millet
"Midnight on the Scottish Shore" by Sarah Sundin
"An Overdue Match" by Sarah Monzon
"When Stars Light the Sky" by Elizabeth Camden
"Uneasy Street" by Becky Wade
"The Indigo Heiress" by Laura Frantz

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"The Rules of Falling For You" by Mollie Rushmeyer

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Giveaway

"Girl Lost" by Kate Angelo

"When the Road Comes Around" by Katie Powner

"The Collector of Burned Books" by Roseanna M. White

"A Secret Heart" by Lacy Williams and Wendy Klopfenstein

"The Atlas of Untold Stories" by Sara Brunsvold

"The Lawyer and the Laundress" by Christine Hill Suntz

"Of Silver and Secrets" by Michelle Griep

"To Love a Beast" by Karen Witemeyer

"The Blossoming Summer" by Anna Rose Johnson

"Proclaimer" by Megan Schaulis

"The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House" by Joanna Davidson Politano

"Some Like It Scot" by Pepper Basham

"Kate Landry Has a Plan" by Rebekah Millet

"Midnight on the Scottish Shore" by Sarah Sundin

"An Overdue Match" by Sarah Monzon

"When Stars Light the Sky" by Elizabeth Camden

"Uneasy Street" by Becky Wade

"The Indigo Heiress" by Laura Frantz

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September 2025

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