The Rival by Emma Lord

 The Rival by Emma Lord is a delightful young adult romantic comedy.  Sadie and Sebastian have grown up next door to each other, with parents who are good friends, and who compete with each other on everything.  They graduate and end up at the same college, and competing again for a space on the school newspaper.  Together they uncover flaws with the school, get to know each other better, and begin to wonder if they are truly  on the same page. 

I really enjoyed this one.  The banter, chemistry, and friendship between Sadie and Seb was magnificent.  Both characters grow, become better humans, and change in this coming-of-age story.  I felt caught up in the world of Maple Ridge University and was glad I could visit.  The story will make you want pancakes and wonder why you have not been eating them regularly.   The author did a good job capturing the transition to college, leaving your family, and individuating that happens post high school. 

This book is a wonderful treat filled with sweet romance, good banter, and story that will make you smile.  I highly recommend you read The Rival by EmmaLord with a plate of pancakes.    

I read a traveling ARC and was not required to write a positive review. 

My name’s Emma Lord, and I’m all three Powerpuff Girls in a trench coat, but also an author based in New York City. When I’m not writing, I’m either running, belting show tunes in community theater, or mildly alarming bakery staff with my enthusiasm for cake. My novels include TWEET CUTE (2020), Reese’s YA Book Club pick YOU HAVE A MATCH (2021), WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE (2022), BEGIN AGAIN (2023), and THE GETAWAY LIST (2024), with upcoming novels THE BREAK-UP PACT (2024) and THE RIVAL (2025). You can find me posting way too much about dessert and books @dilemmalord on Twitter and Instagram.

Set Your Eyes Higher by Whitney Lowe

Set Your Eyes Higher: A 40-Day Reset to Slow Your Anxiety and Fix Your Focus on God by Whitney Lowe  published by Zondervan is a 40 day devotional book to work on anxiety. The book has a great format of with a 2-3 page devotional, followed by suggested scripture readings, and a prayer for you that relates to the day's topic. This beautiful hardback book is a friendly size filled with photos, wisdom and is aesthetically pleasing.

The book is divided into four themes. I am enjoying reading through each day and appreciate the themes presented. The style of the book is open and inviting. It will help anyone grow in their faith and make progress with anxiety. I highly recommend Set your Eyes Higher by Whitney Lowe. A great addition to your 2025.

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

Blurb: Find peace and rest for your spirit when you fix your eyes on God.
Life feeling out of control? Overwhelmed and need a break? You’re invited to a 40-day reset that will help you let go of what’s not serving you, honor your limitations, and turn your gaze toward a God who loves you. Set Your Eyes Higher is a life-changing devotional journey from anxiety to peace.


We spend a lot of time looking down. Mostly at our phones. Sometimes at ourselves. The artificial blue light in our eyes makes us anxious about the world. It makes us chase trends that have nothing to do with who we want to be. It causes us to put time, energy, and brain space into what won’t last.
It’s time to look up.

Whitney Lowe is a Christian influencer who wants to see young women excited about God’s work: in the Bible, in history, in the world, and in them. She writes and creates on Instagram @ScribbleDevos, a project born from the realization that young women simply do not interact with the Bible enough to be changed by its truth. Whitney is passionate about disrupting the toxic scroll of social media with hope, peace, and light straight from Scripture.

She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, who is a pastor, and their two young children.

Dropping the Ball by Melanie Jacobson

 I have been enjoying reading Dropping the Ball by Melanie Jacobson. 

Kaitlyn Armstrong is still mad at Micah Croft because he made her break her nose, broke her heart, and broke her perfect academic record.  He is a part of her past until her sister introduces him as the architect, she is to work with for the New Year’s gala she will be working on.  Things are not going as planned and she does not know how this will ever come together.

This was the perfect book to end my 2024 with. The character development was fabulous!  I loved that this dual POV story moved seamless from high school to present day letting us get to know Kaitlyn and Micah!  I enjoyed getting to know them beyond the surface!  They had great banter, chemistry, and developed a strong friendship.  I appreciated the themes of second chances, forgiveness, and remembering we do not really know someone’s story or all they walk through.  

This story drew me in with the incredible characters, banter, and redeeming themes.  I highly recommend Dropping the Ball by Melanie Jacobson.

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review is not required

Happy New Year!  

Melanie Bennett Jacobson is an avid reader, amateur cook, and champion shopper. She lives in Southern California with her husband and children, a series of doomed houseplants, and a naughty miniature schnauzer. She holds a Masters in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is a USA Today bestseller and a four-time Whitney Award winner for contemporary romance

Flirting with Alaska by Belle Calhoune

Flirting with Alaska by Belle Calhoune is the second book in the Moose Falls, Alaska series. It continues where the first book left off, but I feel it could be read as a standalone. Caleb Stone is still recovering from his disastrous appearance on a reality show. He feels he will never work again and his player status will live in infamy. Sophia Brand is a single mom trying hard to make a better life for her daughter, Lily. She is not really impressed with Caleb when they meet, but wonders if she has it all wrong.

I am so invested in this series. It was fantastic to get to know Caleb and revisit the other Stone brothers. Caleb and Sophia had good chemistry, a sweet friendship, and I enjoyed how they both matured in the story. The setting is fascinating and me considering travel to Alaska. I love the strong independent female characters who believe in loving their families well. I appreciate the themes of forgiveness, second chances, and family.

This is a delightful clean romance with interesting characters, sweet romance, and a fascinating setting. I look forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend Flirting with Alaska by Belle Calhoune.

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

Publisher's Weekly Best Selling Author Belle Calhoune was born and raised in Massachusetts, one of five children. Growing up across the street from a public library fed her hunger for books, particularly romance novels and mysteries.

A member of the RWA (Romance Writers of America) Honor Roll, Belle has written over 40 books.

Her novel, An Alaskan Christmas, has been made into a television movie by Brain Power Studios, featured on UPtv in October of 2019.

Yes, I'm Tall by Robyn Aimee

Yes, I am Tall by Robyn Aimee is a sweet romantic comedy that I really enjoyed. Abby Knots is a piano teacher who is excited to start her new job. One of her students is an adult, Thomas Johnston, who wants to learn to play to impress a women. They hit it off, connect, and Abby agrees to teach him to flirt. But what happens when you start liking the person you are flirting with?

This was a delight! I enjoyed getting lost in this sweet holiday story. Abby is an engaging female main character who was kind, relatable, and fun to be around. Thomas was a thoughtful hero who I was rooting for. Together they had great banter, chemistry, and a sweet friendship. The secondary characters added humor and depth to the story. I found myself hoping that I would learn more about them in future books. (I am hopeful)

This was a festive Christmas read that sparkled and is perfect for the holiday or really any time of year. The engaging characters, humor and chemistry kept me engaged to the happily ever after. I highly recommend Yes, I 'm Tall by Robyn Aimee

This is on Kindle Unlimited 

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

Booked for Christmas by Melissa F. Miller

Booked for Christmas by Melissa F. Miller is second in the A Mistletoe Mountain series.   Holly Jolly, Esquire, is really not about Christmas.  She is assigned to keep an eye on her new client over the Christmas season.  Jack Bell is passing through, but is now stuck in Mistletoe Mountain with a cranky Holly Jolly and the entire Jolly family.  So, the question is can Holly be jolly? 

This had all the Christmas charm for me.  An over-the-top Christmas celebrating small town, engaging characters, and several sweet and funny moments.  Holly and Jack had great chemistry, banter and a sweet transformation.  I appreciate this closed-door romance that sparkled with Christmas cheer.  The story made me smile and want to embrace the holidays.  There is a bit of a mystery that involves a little free library, unknown identities and the town library. 

The story is filled with small town fun, romance, and a Christmas love.  I highly recommend Booked for Christmas! 

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

I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My family lived in a house overlooking the Pittsburgh Zoo. On quiet nights you could hear the lions roar from our backyard. My parents supported my love of reading, until I crashed my bike because I was trying, unsuccessfully, to read and cycle at the same time.

I studied Medieval English Literature in college. You’re not going to believe this, but there was not an enormous job market for Medieval English Literature majors when I graduated college. I worked as an editor for several years before heading back to Pittsburgh and law school.

After law school I took a job in Pittsburgh. I would meet and marry my husband David there before we moved to Washington, D.C., and then to central Pennsylvania, where we started a small law firm together.

Confined to hospitalized bed rest with complications during my third pregnancy, I started writing Irreparable Harm to fill the time, and the rest, as they say, is history. In 2015, I retired from the practice of law to focus on my writing. I’ve now written more than three dozen novels!

When I’m not writing, I enjoy gardening, yoga, and, always, coffee.

Little Golden Books for Christmas

 

Thank you Getunderlined for the #gifted copy. #getunderlinedpartner

Did you read @littlegoldenbooks as a kid? OR What are your reading? I absolutely loved Little Golden Books as a child and was thrilled to receive some. ➡ To see individually.

I love that they are such a nice size for kids, are easy to read, and realistically illustrated. I am enjoying the biographies. Let me tell you why!

Rita Morena--I remember seeing her in West Side Story and her Oscar.

Audrey Hepburn is one my my favorite actresses. I loved her in Sabrina and Roman Holiday.

Julia Child--I remember growing up and watching her show with my mom. Her enthusiasm for cooking was amazing.

Elvis Presley --He is one of my dad's favorite singers. We listed to Elvis growing up.

Dwayne Johnson-- He is the Rock. My son is a fan.

There are so many great biographies in this series. They would make a great stocking stuffer or last minute gift for any 4-8 year old. Or to someone as a sweet reminder of someone they admire like me.

I highly recommend!

I was given copies and all thoughts are my own.

#littlegoldenbooks #audreyhepburn #juliachild #ritamoreno #elvispresley #dwaynejohnson #giftbooksforkids