ReviewsByErin

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.

In 2024 I read significantly fewer books than I usually do. It turns out that moving slows your reading time, and so does starting a new relationship, getting engaged, and planning a wedding! It's been a busy year. 😉😍

Reading remains a joy, though, and I fit it in where I can. After surveying my completed titles in 2024, here are the five that rose to the top. They're arranged alphabetically by author's last name. You can click on any book to check out the title on Amazon.

"Loyally, Luke" by Pepper Basham
This whole series was a blast, and in the finale of the trilogy handyman Luke, despiser of Hallmark movies, gets his own Hallmark-worthy romance when he falls in love with a woman he doesn't realize is an actual princess of the country of Skymar. Could he, a simple Appalachian, ever truly win the heart of European royalty?

"Love in Tandem" by Becca Kinzer
How far would you go for charity? Would you go on a 500-mile tandem bike ride while faking a romantic relationship with your teammate, who also happens to be your former fiance's brother? I mean, really, what could go wrong in this scenario? Pretty much everything does go wrong, but Charlotte and Zach learn valuable lessons about life and faith along the way.

"Rocky Road" by Becky Wade
FBI agent Jude is as buttoned-up as they come. Serious. Guarded. But when he meets perfumer Gemma Clare and has to pose as her boyfriend for a case, everything about Jude starts coming undone. Gemma is a creative free spirit who also happens to be in more than a little danger. Protecting his heart might be even more difficult than completing the assignment.

"The Rhythm of Fractured Grace" by Amanda Wen
While the first three books on this list have all had their humorous side, this book's deep theme of redemption is not one to treat lightly. In this split-time novel, the historical storyline follows a woman who survived a scalping, while the contemporary storyline explores the topic of sexual abuse within the church. Deep subjects, beautiful writing, and God's grace on display in very tough situations.

"A Noble Scheme" by Roseanna M. White
Here's another book with forgiveness and relationships at its core. The Imposters are a group of social elites who moonlight as private investigators, but they are hiding secrets of their own. This book weaves intrigue, emotion, and faith in a compelling way as the Imposters seek to find a kidnapped child and restore relationships that have been broken.

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This story gets off to an explosive start when a young gentlewoman is ambushed, shot, and left for dead. Thankfully, the private investigator she was meeting with, who is none other than Lord Yates Fairfax of the Imposters, is there to rescue Lady Alethia and take on the case to find her missing nanny. Who would want to silence Lady Alethia's quest to the point of attempting murder?

The Imposters are back in the third and final novel of this captivating series. Although the group's numbers have stayed small out of necessity to their identity a secret, some things are going to require letting others in. Lady Lavinia Hemming, longtime neighbor of the Fairfaxes with haunting secrets of her own, takes to private investigative work like a duck to water and quickly becomes a valuable member of the team.

While I appreciated the quick start to the novel, the middle lagged a bit until the pieces fell into place. Once the team grasps the full consequences of where Lady Altheia's missing nanny might be, it is then full steam ahead until the dramatic conclusion.

Although done with careful language and extreme grace, this story takes on what we would call today trafficking and grooming. As I said, it is handled very well, but this might be an issue some readers should be aware of.

It was great joy to reenter the world of the Imposters and catch up with these characters who have become friends. The love triangle trope is not my favorite, but I must say it's done quite intriguingly and I kept waffling in deciphering if Yates would choose Lady Alethia or Lady Lavinia. It worked out exactly as it was supposed to in the end.

If you're a fan of Roseanna's other series, you'll enjoy seeing familiar characters who make cameo appearances in this book. Overall, I would recommend this for all who enjoy historical romance with a side of suspense.

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


Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling, 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.

 
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Gemma Parks does not want to forgive Graham Wharton. That much is clear in the first book of the series, though we were left guessing the reason. Now, as Gemma and the other Imposters take a case to restore a kidnapped child to his family, she and Graham are forced to work closely together.

Graham wants to win Gemma back, but the priority has to be the missing boy. From one grand manor house to another, the whole group must rely on their training and their alter egos to solve the case before it's too late.

This story weaves from intrigue to emotion and back again. I'd heard that there was a twist that readers won't see coming, and that was definitely true for me. That makes the story go from interesting to compelling as you turn page after page to see how things will resolve. 

There's also a strong faith theme as characters ask tough questions and process grief. I thought this was perhaps the greatest faith theme Roseanna has woven into any of her novels, and it was extremely well-done.

I'd recommend A Noble Scheme for all fans of historical suspense, especially if you don't mind some emotion along the way.

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


Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words 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.

 


The Summers sisters from Sea View return in this second book in the On Devonshire Shores series. This time there's royalty in the neighborhood, as a Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathern, takes a house nearby. Real Sidmouth history comes to life as the sisters interact with the duke and duchess and their baby girl.

There's a love triangle as the past reappears and new friends are made. Who is trustworthy? Will anyone claim a sister's heart before the end of the novel?

One of my favorite parts of the story had to do with the poorhouse and how the Summerses and others banded together to help with the needs of this part of their community.

I enjoyed catching up with the sisters again, though I found it a bit hard to dive back into their world without more of a refresher on the personality of Sarah, Emily, and Viola. That could have more to do with this reader than any fault of the author. I am very much looking forward to the conclusion of this series, which has brought so many delightful characters to life.

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

 


In 1849 St. Louis, RIley Rafferty is more interested in doing good deeds and becoming mayor than in remarrying. His first marriage was anything but happy before his wife's passing. But his father's ill health forces him to consult with a young matchmaker, who insists the perfect woman for him is the one who has vowed never to marry.

Finola Shanahan's interests lie in joining a convent. She believes she is not worthy of love or a family of her own. But her well-established family won't accept this for their oldest daughter, and they are certain their thirteenth round with the matchmaker will be the one that sticks.

The first thing I was surprised about in this book was that the matchmakers were both male. Maybe I've seen too much Mulan or Fiddler on the Roof, but I thought matchmaking was a singularly female pursuit. The second thing I was surprised about was how much physical attraction played a role in the story. One knows to expect a certain level of that with a Jody Hedlund book, but this pushed it a little too far for me personally. Another surprise was just how scheming Riley, Finola, and the matchmaker each were. Constant schemes! Always trying to work things out the way they wanted. None of them came across as very realistic characters to me.

The best part of this book focused on Riley's work within the city and the portrayal of St. Louis in this time frame. The worst part of this book were the scenes involving romance at a cholera sickbed. 

This end did set up the next book in the series very well and I am curious to see it unfold.

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

Mackenzie Graham just wants to make beautiful graphics, take care of her mom, and not attract anyone's attention. Her social anxiety keeps her from more than surface relationships with most people, and it especially keeps her far away from Jeremy Fletcher, her attractive coworker. Then her boss declares that the holiday promotion will go to either her or Jeremy, and the competition is on. Who can out-Christmas the other and win the promotion?

Mackenzie needs the promotion to help with her mom's bills at the memory care facility. Jeremy needs it because he's raising his twin preteen niece and nephew. Both are grieving their own losses during the holiday season—Mackenzie with her mom's early onset Alzheimer's, Jeremy over the death of his sister. 

Jeremy had never really noticed Mackenzie before, but now that they are rivals he is paying a lot more attention. Her quiet but thoughtful ways make him take notice in a completely different way.

I thought the portrayal of social anxiety was realistic and well done. Mackenzie desires to do better, but it's not an obstacle easily overcome, and even when she makes strides there is the occasional regression. While I enjoyed all the Christmas activities, I also wondered where Mackenzie and Jeremy had the funds to pull off their festive feats. The romance was super sweet and slow burn, though at the same time it somehow felt a little rushed, probably due to the length of this shorter novel. Also the whole forced workplace rivals thing and its resolution was kind of gimmicky. Though it did seem a bit of a stretch, the story is fun, has some depth and a faith arc, and also captures the spirit of the season. If you're looking for something new to read this holiday, All's Fair in Love and Christmas might be the book for you.

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

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If you like stories about spies and people with unexpected talents, you'll want to check out A Beautiful Disguise. Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother had a most unusual upbringing, surrounded by circus entertainers, trained animals, and acrobats. After their father died and they realized their estate was almost penniless, Marigold and her brother put the unusual skills they had acquired to work and formed The Imposters—a group who can blend into any social scene and find out the secrets of the aristocracy.

When Sir Merritt Livingstone finds himself staring at puzzles that his own connections cannot solve, he reaches out to The Imposters. Are the threats to young officers really coming from those higher up in his own office of the War Department?

I liked Lady Marigold right away. She puts on a socialite front but she has so much depth that she doesn't let just anyone see. It's hard to balance being one of London's most sought-after guests but also the one who knows all her hosts' secrets. However, she finds herself wanting to show her true self where Sir Merritt is concerned, but how can she do that without risking the anonymity they've so carefully crafted?

There's good intrigue in the plot and a wonderful cast of characters who drive the story forward. Although I guessed some of the plot twists, others took me by surprise. I think all fans of this author will appreciate her blend of historical romance and suspense. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series!

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


Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words 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.

Snow White comes to Texas in this fairy tale retelling by Karen Witemeyer. Our heroine is Penelope Snow, a beautiful orphan now trying to make her way in the world as a personal maid to the vain Narcissa LaBelle, actress extraordinaire. Madame LaBelle insists no one shine brighter than she, so Penelope wears shapeless gowns and stays in the shadows. But one night, while wearing some of Madame's clothing so the seamstress can make the appropriate alterations, Penelope's beauty captures the wrong attention. As punishment, Penelope is taken out to the woods and left to die. Unbeknownst to her, in her possession is Madame LaBelle's secret stash of jewels, sewn into the boning of her corset.

Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley is suspicious of lovely females after what happened to his brother, but Penelope Snow and her sweet spirit draw him in. He leaves Penelope in the care of his grandfather and the six other older men who live together at the Diamond D Ranch and continues on his quest to find a jewel thief that is traveling the state. When the evidence leads to Madame LaBelle's troupe, he begins to wonder if Penelope's sweetness was an act. Has he endangered his grandfather and the other men?

This is a fun story with lots of Snow White nods, both hidden and overt. I loved spotting them as I read. It was amusing to extrapolate the seven dwarfs into the personalities of the old men at the Diamond D, and the scene where the cover comes from is simply lovely.

I would recommend this book for fans of western romances and fairy tale retellings. I wouldn't recommend it for younger readers because Madame LaBelle relies heavily on her seductive power to get what she wants, and Penelope's own assets are well discussed. It just seemed like that was more of a focus than it needed to be, though the rest of the story was a great adventure and held many laugh-out-loud moments.

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

Griffith, Duke of Riverton, has waited to get married until all his siblings were paired off. Now he must do his duty and provide an heir for his title, but he wishes to make a love match as his siblings did. He's been scrupulous over the years so that his name has never been linked with any young lady, which means any overtures on his part will practically be a declaration of marriage. He studies the field and picks out the woman he intends to court: Miss Frederica St. Claire.

It seems, however, that Miss St. Claire's affections might be otherwise engaged. And Griffith can never see her without seeing her beautiful debutante cousin, Miss Isabella Breckenridge. Miss Breckenridge is nothing like the woman Griffith is looking for. But why isn't his heart listening to his head?

Isabella came to London under every false pretense. Her scheming uncle is assuring her family's future in exchange for a few months of her time lighting up high society's ballrooms. She's actually twenty-four years old, but she's pretending to be several years younger than Frederica. A few months of pretending and then she can go back to the farm she loves.

I enjoyed the first half of this book. It had some great scenes that forced Griffith and Isabella to spend time together with their masks and roles dropped. The second half of the story grew too convoluted, too political, and unfortunately the characters' choices no longer made sense to me. 

My favorite book in this Hawthorne House series was An Elegant Facade. That one is a gem! I hope if you read any of these books, that will be the one you select.