Hometown Vendetta

 

***

PG

Could Recommend

I feel like I usually fly through books like these...fast paced and eager to see if I'm right about who is guilty...but for some reason this one was a little slower.  It was still good and I liked the characters but it took me a little longer to get through it than with similar books.

Nothing offensive so I can still give it a squeaky clean thumbs up and can definitely recommend it!

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple

 

***1/2

PG

Easily Recommend

Great book!

(I think the only reason I didn't give it four stars is because of my next sentence)

I don't always follow her writing super well...she's a little cryptic in my opinion sometimes...but it doesn't bother me too much because I think it is just a combination of her brilliant writing and my simple brain.

Very unique story as always from this author which I very much appreciate!  A little bit of mystery and romance along with a good dose of faith.

I objected to nothing as I recall...will easily recommend!

An Honorable Deception

 

***1/2

PG

{SM}

Could Easily Recommend

This concluding book in The Imposters series was an apt climax...starting off with an attempted murder and ending with quite the literal show!  I enjoyed it.  However, there is definitely a warning for {Subject Matter} as it deals heavily with sexual abuse and men with very loose morals.  But the story is very good and all around well done.  I can easily recommend this book!

Let Them

 

***

PG-13

{L}

Probably Won't Recommend

Here is the next installment in my non fiction for 2026.

I knew about this theory going into the book and my appreciation for the idea increased as I read.

It really is a simply, yet profound idea that everyone would do well to implement in their lives.

However, I did not appreciate the {Language}.  It was not bad at all in the beginning but I felt like it became increasingly worse as the book went on and culminated in an F bomb which really frustrated me.   I recommend the IDEA to everyone but probably won't recommend the book because of the {L}.

A Noble Scheme

 

****

PG

Easily Recommend

It had been a while since I had read the first book in this series but I remember really liking it.

I was a bit confused at first because of the circumstances in the beginning of the book and actually googled what had happened at the end of the first book thinking I had just forgotten something.  It turns out however, the author was super clever in her writing and you don't find out until about a third of the way into the book a critical piece of the main characters' histories and then everything makes sense.

It was a great read and like many of Roseanna White's book has a Christian thread running through it.

The only thing I struggled with was how it ended...an emphasis on a married couple's intimate relationship...always a little disappointing even when it is handled "appropriately".

I am anxious to read the third in the series though and will recommend this emotional second installment :)

The Island Bookshop

 

***

PG

Could Recommend

I really like Roseanna White as an author and I believe this is the first of her modern day stories I have read.  I know her more as an historical fiction author.  Even though it's not my usual genre I still enjoyed it.  It was very clean and had Christian undertones.  The only reason I didn't rate it G is because of a backstory we find out about.  It was a pretty quick read and easy to pick up.  I could recommend it without a problem.

The Heart of Bennet Hollow

 

***

G

Could Recommend

Judging by when I posted here last, it took me about a month and a half to read this ...yikes!

I think part of it might be the fact that it is a retelling and those generally seem to go slower for me...I think because, in my mind, I already know the story so there's no hurry to read how a different author handles it...I don't know.

It was a sweet version of Pride and Prejudice...I did like the Appalachian feel and elements, but clearly, I wasn't eager to read it every day so I can't give it a super high rating.  There was nothing that I remember objecting to...very clean :)

I could easily recommend this book...maybe I was just in a weird mood?

Over the Edge

 

****

PG

Easily Recommend

It had been a while since I had read the first in this series so it took me some time to recall what was going on, but I will say, this is a very fast read.

It has an intriguing premise and always kept you guessing who the real criminal is.

I can't remember anything objectionable and could easily recommend this book to others.

A Portrait of Loyalty

 

***1/2

PG (on the edge)

{SM}

Could Easily Recommend

This wasn't my favorite of the Codebreaker series but it was still a good book!

Some heavy {Subject Matter} including death, a past murder, and implied immorality between 2 side characters made it feel like a strong PG.  However, as this author handles things, it is tasteful and faith always plays a part in the story.

It is very recommendable but again, in my opinion, not the strongest book in the series.

An Unconventional Lady

 

***

PG

Could Recommend but Won't

This book was fine but it didn't blow me out of the water.

I did like that it had a bit of a mystery element but it wasn't the focus.

I think unless a book comes extremely highly recommended, or is by a certain author that I know I enjoy, I will from now on forgo this specific genre of fluffy regency.  I need a little more beef such as I find in several historical fiction authors that I like.  There just is not a lot of depth in novels like this and I want to spend my time reading things that I know I will enjoy.

So...I could recommend this book based on there being nothing objectionable, but I can't recommend it because of its lack of depth.

Till We Have Faces

 

***

PG

{UM}

Could Recommend but Not Sure if I Would

This was a really interesting book...I didn't know what to expect.

It is a retelling of the Cupid/Psyche Myth...of which I knew nothing about previous to reading the book.

I followed most of it but it did get a little up in the clouds for me at times; mostly toward the end.

It kept my interest and had some good one liners but I don't feel excited to go tell people about it.  So, even though I probably could recommend it (there was nothing super offensive but there were a few instances of some things I might deem as {Uncomfortable Moments}) I most likely won't.

No Ordinary Women

 

Like my other recent non fiction books I am not going to rate this one but just say that it was a pleasant read.  I really like Elaine Dalton and know I have read another one of her books (the one where she uses the analogy of running a marathon) years ago when I ran my marathon.  However, this one is short and kind of just a feel good book...nothing earth shattering :)

The Holy Invitation

 

Another one where I will just give my quick thoughts...

A very easy, swift read that gives some overall ideas about the temple.

Mostly meant for those who are preparing to enter for the first time but I did think it was also a good perspective and reminder for those who are more familiar with temple worship.

I would easily recommend it.

Far Above Rubies

 

I am not going to give this my usual ratings but rather just record that I read it and would easily recommend it.

It is a beautiful and in depth take on the proverb and very well presented by Sister Hall.

Mayhem on the Marzipan Express

 

**1/2

PG

Would Not Recommend

I don't know if I was just in a bad mood or what but I did not love this book :(

I wanted to like it...crime on an old fashioned train in the Scottish Highlands?  Yes please!

However, multiple times while reading I thought about not finishing because it was so sickeningly sweet.  The only thing that kept me going was the mystery.  I WAS able to call the murderer which is always a triumph :) but seriously, the dialogue was way too much and, frankly, unbelievable at times.

I don't remember feeling this way about the first in the series so it surprised me that I had such strong feelings about this one.

I would have a hard time recommending this book.

Whispers at Painswick Court

 

***1/2

strong PG

{V} {BSt}

Could Recommend

I liked this book.  I liked the mystery aspect and I felt the characters and plot were interesting.

There are a couple of murders...one of which is mildly graphic {Violence} in describing how the victim was found but overall not too bloody/gory.  One of the characters is also a rake and so there is a {Backstory} of a woman he seduced, but that also is not described in great detail.

I enjoyed it and could recommend it but probably won't go out of my way to do so :) 

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23

 

****

G

Easily Recommend

I belong to a book group which reads nonfiction and often religious books.  It started out as a C.S. Lewis book group but has expanded to other authors recently.

I didn't have any expectations for this book but was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.  The author draws beautiful parallels between the lives of sheep and their shepherd and our lives and relationship with our Savior.

He takes the famous psalm and breaks it down line by line and teaches why each statement is significant.

It is very relatable and easy to digest.

I've already put it on my husband's nightstand so he can read it...so, yes, I easily recommend it :)

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley

 

***

PG

a little {L} {UM}

Probably Won't Recommend

On Instagram I saw quite a few people recommend this author as a favorite for clean romance.

I decided to give her a try.  I will admit she is a good author...her writing style was relatable and modern and the story was interesting.  However, the Lord's name was used in vain a couple of times {Language} and there were a few other {Uncomfortable Moments} so I struggled to really love it and also feel like I can't completely recommend it either.  I don't think I will be trying any more of her books.  It wasn't because it was SO offensive...just not great enough to offset the things that I didn't appreciate about it.

True Love Gave to Me

 

***

PG

 a little {TMP} {UM}

Could Probably Recommend

Since this is a compilation with 4 different authors I will try to speak in generalities with maybe only one specific.  

I liked how all the stories took place in the same geographical area so the main characters in each story were referenced in the other stories as well.

I felt like pretty much all of them had just a little bit {Too Much Passion} for my liking with the added objection of a couple of {Uncomfortable Moments} in Anne Farleigh's story.

However, overall, I enjoyed the book and all of its festive tales.

I could probably feel comfortable recommending this book to others.

Of Gold and Shadows

 

****

PG

a little (TMP)

Easily Recommend

I really enjoyed this book!  I think Michelle Griep is an excellent author who builds great characters and knows how to make the story flow.

It was an interesting premise and included a little bit of action.

My only complaint was just one or two spots of {Too Much Passion}.  It wasn't overboard...just kind of pushing the limits a tad for my taste.  But honestly, very clean!

Glad to see this will be a series and I can enjoy more books like 'Of Gold and Shadows'!

I will easily recommend this book to friends :)