Things We Keep Hidden by Jill Lynn

 Things We Keep Hidden by Jill Lynn is set in the town of Breckenridge, CO where three life long friends get together for a friendcation with the husbands.  They gather together to support  a charity in honor of their friend CeCe who took her life over 20 years ago.  Each woman brings in tension and hurt from their own lives and are shaken when a note arrives that say “Tell the Truth or I Will. “  They all wonder if they are  in some way responsible for CeCe’s death, and what they should do about it.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Things We Keep Hidden.  The characters were so engaging, genuine, and were people I wanted to connect with in real life.  The author has a way of drawing you into the story making you feel like you are in the room watching and experiencing what is happening along with the characters. I was so invested in the mystery, the relationships, and, what happened to CeCe.  I could not put this story down!

I loved how the author took to the time to reveal the depths of the women’s’ hearts in such a powerful story.  The book had a few surprises and everything wrapped up nicely, but not exactly as I had thought it would.  I highly recommend Things We Keep Hidden byJill Lynn. This will be a 2025 highlight for me. 

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review. 

Jill Lynn is a two-time ACFW Carol Award winning author of inspirational romance for Harlequin Love Inspired and a co-author of the Selah Award winning nonfiction 2015 book of the year Just Show Up. She lives near the Colorado Rocky Mountains with her husband and two teenage children.

Shore Thing by Ellie Hall

 Shore Thing: SoCal Summer Kisses Collection by Ellie Hall is a collection of four romantic comedies that happen on the shore of a small coastal town in California.  Each sweet story builds on the last, but is also a stand-alone. 

I absolutely enjoyed these delightful stories.  They had great banter, chemistry and sweet romance.  The characters were engaging, the setting a delight, and I enjoyed reading each story.  There were many fun references to the movie Greece, surf vibes and visits from royalty.  My vacation was better because I read these great stories.  Truly a highlight of summer for me.   

I highly recommend Shore Thing by Ellie Hall.  These delightful stories will bring you joy, summer vibes all year, and you will love the sweet romance.  Shore Thing is available on Kindle Unlimited. 

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review. 

Hi, I'm Ellie Hall. I'm a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant I could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) I love puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives me immense joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are my fave. I believe in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with my family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.

Give me a good book, my dog, a cozy place to curl up and I'm golden. But even better, knowing that you're living your own version of that sweet scene with one of my stories brings me great joy and satisfaction. The opportunity to share the pages with you, the stories, the laughs, and tears is an honor.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for visiting. Oh, and please let me know what your version of the book, the dog, and the cozy spot is over on Facebook. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Dying to Sell by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe

Dying to Sell by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe is book number nine in the Hope Street Church Mysteries series. Cooper’s Grandmother, Grammy Lee, needs help! Grammy Lee’s friend is being forced to sell her stately home with someone non reputable. The Bible study steps into to help and when the realtor turns up dead it all gets rather complicated.

I was so excited to be back with my friends at the Hope Street Church Bible study! Cooper and the gang are spunky, fun-loving and engaging characters who have my heart. The story has several twists and turns which leave you guessing. I enjoyed the touch of romance, found family, and hanging out with the Bible study. The book had a satisfying ending and justice was served.

This is the perfect cozy mystery! I loved reading Dying to Sell by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe and am hopeful there are more books in the series.

I was given a complimentary copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Six Weeks by the Sea by Paula Bryne

Six Weeks by the Sea by Paula Bryne is a fictional account of Jane Austen and her family’s time in Sidmouth. Each chapter shares a week of their time seaside as a family. The book has many references to Jane Austen’s writings and you wonder along with the author “What if Jane Austen had fallen love?" "Who would she have fallen in love with?”

The book is beautifully written and does a lovely job giving you a glimpse into the world of England in the year 1801. I left with a greater understanding of the social issues, Jane Austen's life, and what it would be like to be a woman during this time period. I enjoyed walking with Jane Austen as she navigated finding love, participating in society, and spending time with her family.

 
This is a gentle read that will be a enjoyed by anyone who loves learning about the life of Jane Austen, her books and wonders if she had a true love. I recommend Six Weeks by the Sea by Paula Bryne.

I was given a copy and not required to write a positive review.

Paula was born by the River Mersey in Birkenhead in 1967, the third daughter in a large working-class Catholic family. She lives in Arizona (though back in England every summer) with her husband, the Shakespeare scholar Sir Jonathan Bate, and their three children (Tom, Ellie and Harry). She is founder and lead practitioner of ReLit, the charity for literature and mental health. Paula is represented by The Wylie Agency and, for TV and film, The Gersh Agency. In 2016 she was invited to become a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She has previously been a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Warwick. She was the historical and literary consultant for the PBS series based on Jane Austen’s unfinished last novel, Sanditon.

The Governess and the Rogue by Mimi Matthews

 

The Governess and the Rogue by Mimi Matthews is number six in the Somerset Stories, and could be read as a standalone. If you have read the other books in the series, you will enjoy visiting with past characters and catching up.

Beatrice Layton is a governess who has had a rough time. The final straw is losing her position on the ship she is sailing on to England from India. Colonel Jack Beresford has been serving in Her Majesty’s Army until he was injured severely and is now coming back to England though he is still hotly pursued by women for his family’s wealth and status. The two decide an engagement of convivence may help them both while on the ship.

The Governess and the Rogue was a beautifully written story and I was very invested in the characters. Beatrice and Jack had amazing banter, wonderful chemistry, and romantic tension. I loved how they helped each other to see the best in themselves. The historical details in the story painted a picture of the time and helped me to immerse myself in the book. I was so drawn into the story and my only complaint was that the story and series ended.

There is nothing quite like a Mimi Matthews story to bring you joy, help you believe there is good in the world, and appreciate sweet romance. This clean story is one you do not want to miss. I highly recommend The Governess and the Rogue by Mimi Matthews.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

Mimi Matthews is a USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of historical romances. Her critically acclaimed works include The Siren of Sussex, a 2023 RUSA Reading List shortlist pick for Best Romance; Fair as a Star, a Library Journal Best Romance of 2020; Gentleman Jim, a Kirkus Best Book of 2020; and The Work of Art, winner of the 2020 HOLT Medallion and a 2021 Daphne du Maurier Award nominee.

Mimi’s novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, BookPage, and Shelf Awareness, and have been mentioned in The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, NPR, Oprah Daily, Parade, Elle, and Marie Claire. They have been translated into ten languages. 

When not writing historical romance, Mimi authors nonfiction books and articles on all aspects of nineteenth century history—from animals, art, and etiquette to fashion, beauty, feminism, and law. Her work has been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, the Costume Society UK, and in syndication at BUST Magazine.

 

Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan

 In Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan Abigail and Alexa’s kids are getting married.  Alexa is from California and Abigail is from Connecticut. They were not sure if they even like each other until they need to take over wedding planning for their kids Penny and Chase.

This was the book I needed to make me smile!  The story is smart, funny, and the characters were so engaging!  The story alternates between Abigail and Alexa’s point of view which makes it extremely interesting.   I enjoyed learning their backstories, hearing their thoughts on life, and how much they loved their kids.  I laughed out loud several times and pretty much decided that I want to be Alexa when I grow up!  It was a fun twist on a wedding story.  

Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan  is a feel-good story that had me laughing out loud. This will be one of my favorites reads this summer. I highly recommend this delightful story! 

I was given a complimentary copy, but not required to write a positive review.  

Lian Dolan is a writer and talker. She’s the USA Today Bestselling author of The Marriage Sabbatical, a People Magazine Best Book of the Week, published by William Morrow in April 2024. Her other books are Lost and Found in Paris, The Sweeney Sisters, Helen of Pasadena and Elizabeth the First Wife- all LA Times bestsellers. She’s written regular columns for O, The Oprah Magazine, Pasadena Magazine and Working Mother Magazine. She’s also written for TV, radio and websites. In 2024, she was inducted into the Vroman’s Walk of Fame for her contributions to the literary and philanthropic life of Pasadena. Her next book, Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding, will be published in May 2025.

The Sands of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauck

The Sands of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauck is a sweet romance that is perfect for summer or any time of year. Emery Quinn is trying to figure out what comes next in her career and decides maybe living in Sea Blue Beach as the editor of the Sea Blue Gazette may be the right fit! She has to work through memories of her mother and first love Caleb Ransom. Caleb has moved back to Sea Blue Beach and did not expect to reconnect with Emery Quinn.

I thoroughly enjoyed this dual POV alternating timeline story. The characters had great chemistry, banter, and friendship. The story moved seamlessly between the two-time lines giving me a richer experience as a reader. I loved Emery and watching her journey forward in her faith, family, and relationships. Caleb was endearing and I enjoyed watching his growth as he defined what he was about. Both families played a significant part in each character’s life-giving depth to the story and showing us there can be beauty in brokenness. The faith element was beautifully woven in the story and touched my heart.

The engaging characters, themes of redemption, and sweet romance drew me in. I was lost in the beauty of the story and enjoyed my time on Sea Blue Beach. I highly recommend The Sands of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauk.

I was given a complimentary copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Rachel Hauck writes from sunny central Florida.
A RITA finalist and winner of Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year, and Career Achievement Award, she writes vivid characters dealing with real life issues.

Her book, Once Upon A Prince, was made into an original Hallmark movie. Her novel, The Wedding Dress, has been optioned for film by Brain Power Studio

She loves to hear from readers. She also loves to encourage new writers and sits on the Executive Board of American Christian Fiction Writers..

A graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism, Rachel is an avid OSU football fan. She hopes to one day stand on the sidelines in the Shoe with Ryan Day.

Visit her web site to find out more and click on the icons to follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Join her NEWSLETTER for exclusive monthly content.