PASSIONATE ABOUT SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Tag: Contemporary (Page 1 of 48)

Book Review: Wildflower Falls

 

Wildflower Falls

Denise Hunter

A Riverbend Romance #4

Thomas Nelson

Published 12 September 2023

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Okay, it’s no secret I am a massive fan of Denise Hunter. When I am looking for a read that I know will not disappoint, with great settings, characters that feel like old friends and a romance story that both keeps me captivated and uplifts at the same time, I know I can always turn to Denise Hunter. And Wildflower Falls delivers all that, plus horses. What’s not to love.

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Book Review: Until I Met You

 

Until I Met You

Lara VanHulzen

The Endicotts of Silver Bay #3

Tule Publishing

Published 20 July 2023

♥♥♥♥♥

 

Until I Met You was the first book I have read by Lara VanHulzen, but it certainly has not been the last. I’m very grateful to have been introduced to this writer, who consistently presents wonderful inspirational romance novels, filled with heart and relatable characters.

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Book Review: A Seaside Wonder

 

A Seaside Wonder

Melissa Tagg

Muir Harbor #2

Larkspur Press

Published 4 October 2022

♥♥♥♥♥

 

A Seaside Wonder is the second book in the Muir Harbor series and it carried the same charming warmth and familiarity as the first book did, combining mystery and romance with family and belonging. 

When Philip West stumbles into Indi Muir’s antique shop, he does so on whim and from a childhood memory. He doesn’t expect to find himself witnessing Indi’s boyfriend breaking up with her, or hearing her receive a distressing call about her mother’s health. Determined to make up for his awkward start, he volunteers to drive her to the hospital. After that strange and chance evening, he doesn’t expect to see Indi again, but again he is surprised. Having had to return to live with his grandfather and care for his teenage half-sister in the wake of his mother’s death has been hard. When his relationship with his sister worsens, he draws on those memories of belonging he found with Indi and decides to holiday in Muir Harbor. Two weeks to salvage any sort of relationship with Holland and maybe even find some answers to the questions that drove him into Indi’s shop all those weeks ago. 

We met the Muir family in book one of this series. I’d recommend reading the books in series order, as the threads of mystery that surround this family continue through the two books. 

Indi has always felt like she is the messy sibling, the one who hasn’t got it all together and in this book we readers find out the pieces of her past that make her feel like that. Indi is also generous and warm, so when Philip arrives on her doorstep, she welcomes him and Holland into the family and home (despite the misunderstanding of her family thinking he is her ex). Philip has his own hurts from the past. His mother left him with his grandfather when he was just a child, as she started a new life with a new husband and new child. Now, he is desperate to connect with his half-sister. He is hoping the change of scenery gives them a chance to connect, plus the sense of family and security he finds with the Muir family. 

Watching Philip and Indi connect was so heartwarming. They are good at supporting each other right from the first moment they meet and their romance develops out of this understanding and support. 

As with the first book, the mystery of Maggie Muir’s granddaughter and the lost Muir family treasure continues. Philip has a few more clues and there are a few tense scenes to raise the suspense. 

I can’t wait for book three, which better be an enemies to lovers book. I’ve been shipping Wilder and Lilian right from the start of this series.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

More information

Category: Adult fiction

Genre: Christian contemporary

Themes: Romance, family, half-siblings, antiques, mystery, writing.

Published: 4 October 2022 by Larkspur Press

Format: Paperback, ebook.

ISBN: 9780997964257

Find it on Goodreads

Book Review: Aces Wild A Heist

 

Aces Wild: A Heist

– Amanda DeWitt –

Peachtree Teen

Published 13 September 2022

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What a fantastic novel. Aces Wild combines heists and all the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, plus behind the scenes of what makes a casino run. You’d be right to think Ocean’s 11, but we also get a fantastic diverse cast and strong friendship themes.

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Book Review: The First Thing About You

 

The First Thing About You

– Chaz Hayden –

Candlewick Press

Published 6 September 2022

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The First Thing About You is a funny and honest story about friendship, falling in love for the first time and finding your way as you grow up.

Harris and his family have just moved to New Jersey. For Harris, it’s a fresh start. No longer will he only be known as the guy in the wheelchair. It’s his time to break out of the box people put his in when they first see him. First thing on his list is a new aide to join him at school instead of his mother. Miranda is a young nursing student and seems to understand the real Harris. As Harris befriends the geeky Zander and the boys on the football team, he is also drawn to Nory. But friendship and love is hard to get right and Harris must learn to see beyond his own expectations, just as he wants others to do with him.

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Book Review: Love Times Infinity

 

Love Times Infinity

– Lane Clarke –

Poppy

Published 26 July 2022

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Growing up is hard and it’s harder still when society (and college applications) want you to have a clear sense of your identity. It’s made even harder still for Michie, who questions her very existence. Love Times Infinity is a delightful YA novel about family, love and finding yourself and your voice.

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Book Review: Home Field Advantage

 

Home Field Advantage

– Dahlia Adler –

Wednesday Books

Published 7 June 2022

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Home Field Advantage is a jovial sports novel with queer romance and a powerful message about coming out and standing up for what’s right, wrapped in a bright, bubbly story.

I think I start every sport novel review with a statement about how much I l sports novels, so I’ve put this a bit further down in my review just for a change. My stance remains, though. I love sports novels. I can never find enough to satisfy my own cravings or that of my readers, so this is an automatic buy for my school library. It’s a great sports novel. Romance – check. Game suspense – check. Team drama – check. Strong, determined athletes – check, check. We have two athletes who take centre field in this story. Jack, female quarterback on the boys team, hated by her team mates and determined to prove herself. And Amber, cheerleader, firmly in the closet and totally crushing on the new quarterback.

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