Tag: bethany house

ARC Book Review: The Heart’s Choice (The Jewels of Kalispell #1) by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★
Audience: Christian Historical Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: May 16th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After witnessing a wrongful conviction as a young girl, Rebecca McCutcheon–the first female court reporter in Montana–is now determined to defend the innocent. During a murder trial, something doesn’t sit well with her about the case, but no one except for the handsome new Carnegie librarian will listen to her.

Librarian Mark Andrews’s father sent him off to college hoping he would take over the business side of the family ranch. Mark would rather wrangle books than cows, but when a patron seeks help with research in hopes of proving a man’s innocence, Mark is immediately drawn to her and her cause.

In a race against time, will Rebecca and Mark be able to find the evidence to free the man before it’s too late?

Escape to Kalispell, Montana, for a daring and romantic tale from the talented pens of bestselling authors Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse.

Thank you to Bethany House for the ARC.

DID NOT CLICK.

I gave this an honest try and did enjoy the first 30-40% of it. Then some stuff went downhill and I never recovered my attachment to the story. I struggled with the way some of the faith elements were addressed and handled that ultimately let to a disconnection from the novel. There might have been some reasoning with the time period? But it didn’t work for me.

The romance between Mark and Rebecca was pretty sweet. They had some cute moments and really seemed to connect with each other across the board. I liked their happy ending and their unique career paths in the early 1900’s.

With the little bit of mystery and multiple points of view it kept the general plot progression moving. There was a bit of a full circle moment that was nice to see and while this didn’t work for me I think it could work for others.

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, poisoning, attempted murder

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: In This Moment (Timeless #2) by Gabrielle Meyer

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Christian Historical Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: May 2nd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until, that is, she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives–and everyone she knows in them–forever.

In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of an influential senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a Navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she’s asked to join a hospital ship being sent to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she’s a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon, yet unable to use her modern skills in her other paths.

While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era. The mysterious British gentleman. The prickly, demanding doctor. The charming young congressman. She’s drawn to each man in different ways, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer.

With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?

Thank you to Bethany House for a gifted copy.

LOVED THIS SO MUCH.

This book took me on a JOURNEY y’all. And I loved every moment. I read the first book as an audiobook so I wasn’t quite sure how it would translate to me reading in print, but don’t worry, Meyer’s crafts beautiful stories no matter the media.

I loved seeing how Maggie worked through deciding which place would be best for her to stay. Each time period is in a critical war era and clearly so much research has been done to bring the historical aspects to life. The transitioning chapters kept the pacing going and had me on pins and needles wondering what would happen next.

The romance starts off as a bit of a love square, but never fear, I loved the way each time period and love interest was handled. Even when I became undecided between the two I really appreciated how everything worked out in the end. It felt true to each of the characters.

I loved this book so much. I just have to say it again. The faith journey also hit me in the soul. I liked that it didn’t feel preachy or forced, but rather more real and impactful.

I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE NEXT BOOK.

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: war themes (Civil War, Pearl Harbor and 9/11), loss of life, chronic illness (celiac disease)

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph || TikTok

Book Review: When the Day Comes (Timeless #1) by Gabrielle Meyer

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Christian Historical Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: May 3rd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other without any time passing. On her twenty-first birthday, Libby must choose one path and forfeit the other–but how can she possibly decide when she has so much to lose?

EVERYONE WAS RIGHT.

This book made me STRESSED. And I don’t know why I sat on it for so long because it was worth all of the hype I remember seeing for it when it released. This took my avoidance towards time travel romances fly out the door because I loved the way this was written. It was easy to follow and easy to get wrapped up in the entire story.

I loved how there was just the right amount of twists and turns. There was intense moments and times I wanted to throw the book in rage (that good of kind of rage because the writing brings out all the feels). I could not stop listening and had to know what happened next. The romance with Henry was swoony and passionate. Libby was a formidable FMC and I loved her strength with things out of her control and relying on her faith and inner depths to get to the next day.

The ending was beautiful. I was begging the ending to work out as it did the whole book and I loved how it all came together!!

If you couldn’t tell, this is a, READ IT book from me. I can’t wait to read the next one!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian HIstorical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low-moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: spousal abuse/rape (not graphically on page, but mentioned), pregnancy and childbirth, mentions of wars (Revolutionary/WW1), loss of life

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph