The Pursuit of Elena Bradford

Author: Ann H. Gabhard

Release Date: May 6, 2025

Publisher: Revell

An Ann H. Gabhart novel with all the right feels for a good story.

Elena Bradford has never wanted to marry but when her father passes away and she finds herself in a heap of debt, Elena goes with her mother to Kentucky to hopefully find a husband and a way out of the trouble her father left her in. While her mother works to find her a husband with money, Elena finds herself attracted to two different men that her mother would not approve of. Elena’s life because intertwined with the men and more is at stake than any of them could realize.

The Pursuit of Elena Bradford was a book that was good but fell flat at times for me. The story didn’t hold my interest as well as I was hoping and in a year that I find myself struggling to enjoy reading it wasn’t the best fit. As with a lot of historical fiction, if you are not in the mood for that type of novel, it will not be as enjoyable as it could. Ann H. Gabhart is a great author, but this one didn’t hit the mark. While it didn’t hit the mark for me, I am sure it is the type of book that many readers will enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House

Author: Joanna Davidson Politano

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: April 15, 2025

A whimsical romance with mystery sprinkled throughout.

In the early 1900’s, Sydney Forrester is surprised when she is bequeathed Blakely House, the island estate of her estranged uncle. The house has secrets of its own and Sydney quickly finds herself in the middle of a house filled with inventions she is excited to toy with and explore. The house is located on an island that is home to several other people that are not taking kindly to Sydney’s intrusion into their lives. With each new secret uncovered, Sydney finds herself in more danger but also more intrigued in the mystery in front of her.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story but was pleasantly surprised by the mystery that I found in the story and how invested I became in the characters. Sydney was a great female protagonist that kept me wanting to find her with a happy outcome. I also enjoyed the mystery of the island and how it all came about by the end of the story. There was relatively good pacing with this story, a little slow at a few moments but still pretty quick overall. While I did enjoy this one more than expected I would say that this is a book for those that enjoy historical romance, if historical isn’t your genre you might not enjoy this one very much.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Voice We Find

Author: Nicole Deese

Series: Fog Harbor #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: April 15, 2025

A story that goes deep into the heart of the characters and readers.

After a failed run at Broadway, Sophie Wilder decides there is no place like home and returns to California to help her family at the winery they own. While helping with the winery, she needs a little more to do so she starts working as an audiobook narrator. She works with August Tate, a sound engineer, who has had a hard time after taking over raising his teenage sister. Sophie gets close with August and especially with his sister, a fact that makes her very appealing to him as someone he could possibly see a future with.

The Voice We Find is a wonderfully written romance with characters that took the right speed at bringing them together with nothing too quick. I always get frustrated with books, or even movies, that have characters get together in such a way that seems ridiculous. It was nice to read about these characters that had real issues but came together to help each other in the ways they needed most. The way the characters were portrayed made it very easy to care about them and want to see them have a happy ending together. This is the third book in the series and is a great addition to the series that fans will really enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Two Seconds Too Late

Author: Dani Pettrey

Series: Jeopardy Falls #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Dani Pettrey is back with a great addition to one of her best series yet.

Set in northern New Mexico at a couples retreat when a woman vanishes, Riley MacLeod is on the lookout for her along with PI Greyson Chadwick. Riley and Greyson pretend to be a couple and go to the resort looking for clues to the missing woman and end up uncovering more than they bargained for. As more clues come to light, they also find themselves in more danger. The more the two work together to find the missing woman the harder it becomes to deny the feelings they have for one another. Secrets from their past make it hard for each to trust the other fully until that might be all they have to survive.

Dani Pettrey is a fan favorite in the Christian fiction world for a good reason; her writing is a beat above most everyone else. She has a way of crafting stories that will not only pull readers in and keep them hooked book after book. Two Seconds Too Late is a great addition to her latest series and leaves the door open for more to come with these great characters. Of all her books Riley isn’t my favorite female protagonist, but Greyson ranks high on the list, there was something loveable about him and how he was portrayed. The missing woman at the resort made for good storytelling with a great setting, especially since it is close to where I live it pulled me into the story. This is one that fans of Pettrey will not want to miss.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A Constant Love

Author: Tracie Peterson

Series: Hope of Cheyenne #1

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: March 4, 2025

An addition to historical romance bookshelves that readers will not want to miss out on.

Micah Hamilton and Charlotte Aldrich have ben though a lot. After a harsh winter that saw them both losing loved ones, they have to find a way to move on with their lives. Micah shuts himself off from others and even though Charlotte has loved him forever she doesn’t know if it will be enough to not lose him. Even though they both lost their loved ones and have feelings for each other it may not be enough to keep them safe and find a way to be happy together.

I love when I pick up a historical fiction novel and can tell that the author has done their research and isn’t just throwing a story together. In the winter of 1886 in Cheyenne Wyoming, we see these characters battling hardships and try to find a way to come together and find their own happily ever after. The story was a quick read that I enjoyed and was very pleased with how it all played out. Peterson is a really good author that has a way with making the story come to life for readers. I recommend this to readers that enjoy historical romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Silent Patient

Author: Alex Michaelides

Publisher: Celadon Books

Release Date: May 4, 2021

A deeply troubling psychological thriller that will leave readers guessing until the very end.

After being found with her dead husband’s body, Alicia Berenson refuses to speak and is sent to a psych ward. The mystery of what happened and why has yet to be solved by any of her doctors or therapist until Theo Faber shows up and wants to work with Alicia. As Theo tries to uncover what happened to Alicia and how he can help her, the case gets even more and more complicated with each and every turn.

I have had this on my shelf for a long time and just now decided to pick it up and read it. Many good reviews saying this was a hit, but I had a hard time with it and felt it more of a lackluster read than a hit. There was a lot of back and forth in timelines and points of view which did help the pacing of the story. I tried to find a connection with the characters but struggled. I did connect with Alicia, but Theo wasn’t my jam. I did like the way it played out at the end, even though it left me with more questions than answers, the twists and turns were nice but also had a few eye roll moments. While this wasn’t my cup of tea I do feel like it will be enjoyed by many.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Welcome to the Honey B&B

Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: March 4, 2025

A heart wrenching story that pulled all the right strings at all the right times.

Jewel McKerry must take her daughter and move to help take care of her father who is battling memory issues. Not ideal but she knows that is where she belongs. Not only is having a teenager hard to deal with, but now she must add her ailing father to the mix. Money is tight and the troubles keep adding up. Seeing no way out, Jewel convinces her parents to let her turn their farmhouse into a B&B to try and get them out of their financial woes. The house needs some updates and Jewel gets her high school boyfriend to help and things quickly become trickier than Jewel anticipated for both her heart and her family.

This book was hard to read at times as it dealt with the struggle of memory issues in loved ones. I have seen snippets of that in my future with some family members of my own. The way this story was written was beautifully done and at times helped me with what might be to come. I loved the romance and the way the characters pulled at my heart strings. This is the kind of story that many will find endearing and not want to put down. The clean story is what many readers are looking for these days and this will hit the mark. I would recommend this to readers that want a heart-warming story that is full of all the right feels.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Break My Fall

Author: Lynn H. Blackburn

Series: Gossamer Falls #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: March 18, 2025

The second installment in the Gossamer Falls series is sure to keep fans engaged and turning the pages.

Dr. Meredith Quinn is using her talents as a dentist to help those in her community. She moved back to Gossamer Falls and uses a mobile unit to help others close by. While in her clinic she comes across what she believes are victims of drug trafficking and more. She finds out more than she should and finds herself in the crosshairs of some very dangerous people. Grayson Ward is the local police chief and finds himself in the middle of not only helping Meredith but taking down those that are causing problems in his community.

Lynn Blackburn has crafted a fantastic series with the characters and storyline in Gossamer Falls books. I loved the way Meredith was targeted but didn’t let it get her down, she didn’t play the victim, she is a strong and capable female protagonist that readers will enjoy connecting with. This is the second book in the series and I really enjoyed the continuation of some of the secondary characters and to see how Meredith and Grayson connected and the trouble they found themselves in which was a point that made the story move quickly. This is a run of the mill romantic suspense novel that fans of the genre will not want to miss.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Sunrise Reef

Author: Irene Hannon

Series: Hope Harbor #11

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: April 1, 2025

Another addition in the Hope Harbor series that fans have come to love and adore.

Bren Ryan came to Hope Harbor looking for relief and finds it in the laid-back town. She isn’t looking for romance or anything to complicate her life, so when Noah Ward shows up in her life things change. Noah comes to town to help his father and try to convince him to move closer when he meets Bren who has been living in his guest house. Bren is trying to help a young teen and Noah ends up helping her and the more they are together the closer they become.

Irene Hannon has crafted a beautiful series with the Hope Harbor books. Even though each one can be individually read they work best as a series especially with some of the secondary characters that show up frequently, especially our favorite Taco man, Charlie. Honestly, Charlie is probably the reason I keep coming back to these books, he is the best character that keeps on giving to readers. These stories read quickly and are just what I would call a fun little get away. It doesn’t take a lot of thought or brain power when going through these but readers will find a good time with each of these books.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Lost Library

Author: Melissa Koslin

Publisher: Inkspell Publishing

Release Date: August 29, 2024

A fun and different read that readers will greatly enjoy.

Cali Lebeau has been working hard to keep her past behind her, but no matter how hard she tries it keeps catching up with her. Helping hackers to stop terrorist, Cali has found herself in the crosshairs. She has been working for billionaire Asher Cross and tries to keep her head down. But when she winds up in the crosshairs, he helps her no matter how much she tries to tell him not to. She doesn’t want anyone else to get hurt because of her. Asher and Cali find themselves in the midst of a terror organization looking for a lost library full of hidden treasures. Cali’s ancestors are connected to the library and now Cali might be the only able to find it and the treasures it holds.

The Lost Library didn’t start the way I expected, and it sure didn’t end as I expected either, but in a good way. I enjoyed the storyline and the uniqueness of it compared to many books I read. I thought the story was well planned and the characters fun to read about. Cali was a strong female protagonist and she kept trying to do the best she could to help others and keep herself alive in the process. Readers will enjoy the dive into the mystery of the library and how Cali gets herself caught up in it all.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.