Star of Persia & The Runaway Bride {Double Book Review}

I'm trying out a new style of book reviews, so let's see how it goes and I hope y'all enjoy it!

Star of Persia: Esther's Story

I've always loved the book of Esther. It's such an incredible story of how God places you in certain places, at certain times, and for certain reasons. The story of Esther shows that perfectly. And I really liked how this book told her story.

I enjoyed how we were introduced to Esther before she was Esther, when she was Hadassah. I also liked the insights to Xerxes courts, the intrigue, and struggle. Esther's gentle ways are a breath of fresh air and it is really lovely to see how if you are a gentle and kind person, it really stands out.

Jill Eileen Smith's writing was really nice and it really drew me in. There was a really good intention to detail and she depicted things very well.

I did have a few problems. The first is while the writing was wonderful, sometimes I felt as if it dragged a little. Some of the characters were a little two-dimensional at times and it kinda threw me out. Since it does deal with Xerxes and his many wives, there is quite a bit of kissing and mentions of the marital embrace. It wasn't that bad and done in a tasteful manner, it just got kinda uncomfortable sometimes.

Overall, I did really enjoy this book. I liked the characters and the storytelling. The setting also really pulled me in and kept me interested. This gets a solid 3 stars from me.

I received a free copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Runaway Bride

While this is the second book in this series, this reads like a standalone.

I also liked this book. I always enjoy those books about the heroes who are scared and eventually overcome those fears because it's so hopeful and if there is something our world needs it is definitely more hope. Arabelle was easy to admire and even though her past darkness haunts her, she stills finds it in herself to care for other people. Pete was another great character. Charismatic and kind, you can see how people were drawn to him, I loved the storyline of forgiveness.

I liked this setting. I honestly didn't know much about the bride ships. I knew that there were poorer women that would come in those ships but I didn't know about the middle/upper-class women who would also go. The part about the measles was also very intriguing.

One of the things that mainly bothered me was the content. It wasn't crude or anything but it did make me uncomfortable at certain parts. We learn about Pete's past struggles with sex and desire and he struggles to overcome those things when it comes to Arabella. And sometimes he does get carried away. There were a few points where I had to set the book down because it made me uncomfortable.

Something else that bothered me is how Arabella didn't seem to change much. Ultimately yes, she was a different person at the end than she was at the beginning and it was a very admirable change but she stays in that middle point for so long that it drags. She takes a step forward then a step back and it gets a bit tiresome after a while. There also seemed to be a minor plothole with that person Arabella thought she saw a couple times and was never mentioned again? Or maybe it was and I just missed it.

I did end up liking this book and besides some of the content, it did keep me drawn into the story and the setting. Another three stars!

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Have and of y'all read these books? What did you think? Do you want to read them?

Dark Ambitions {Book Review}

Former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan usually has his camp for foster children to himself during the winter months. But someone has visited recently--leaving a trail of blood. One of the two clues left behind tips Rick off to the identity of his visitor, who soon turns up dead. The police deem it an accident, but Rick isn't convinced. With the help of private investigator Heather Shields, he sets out to decipher the remaining clue. Except someone doesn't want them to succeed--and will stop at nothing to keep them from finding the truth.

With her trademark psychological suspense ratcheting up the tension on every page, bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon takes you on a search for a cold-blooded killer with an ambitious goal and deadly intent.

Liked: One of my favorite genres of all time is mystery. Give me some Sherlock Holmes or Fr. Brown and I'll be really happy. I had the privilege to read the book before this one, and I remember liking it, it was a great introduction into this sub-genre of modern-day mysteries, if you will. The last book was solid on the mystery and this one was too. It took me a little to get into, but once I finally got into it, man it was hard to put this book down. Hannon had me turning pages like my life depended on it.

Liked: I really enjoyed this cast of characters. Rick was very honorable, and I really liked Heather. The rest of the characters were very complex, and no secondary characters acted like secondary characters! I especially liked how some of the more shady characters had shades of gray instead of being purely evil or purely good. And then, of course, I love the Treehouse Gang. I was very happy to see the main characters of the last book!

Disliked: I remember one of my main gripes with Hidden Peril was some of the content, and this kinda is true for this one too. While I'm not totally opposed to insta-love, this one was a little much for me. I'll get into more of the content issues in a different section.

Liked/Disliked: Okay, so, the villain was a LITTLE predictable after a while, but what really surprised me is when one person turned out to be a villain and the other didn't. So while I disliked the predictability, I was really happy when I wasn't totally right. And like I mentioned before, none of the bad-guys were totally bad, which really causes you to sympathize with them.

I really liked how the theme of "your past actions can have an effect on your present life" was stressed. How we should always behave righteously in our actions even when we think no one is looking. Like my mom says, integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking. And while these things may not be explicitly stated, I gleaned that from this and I enjoyed that lesson.

Another thing that I think people can get from the actions of the antagonists is that the ends don't justify the means. Their actions may have had a good cause at the end, but they used bad means. Does the end ever justify the means? No, it doesn't. Because by using dubious means, you've tainted the ends.

-pretty heavy on the physical attraction, to the point of being uncomfortable
-mention of past marriage affairs
-murders
-mentions of people getting shot
-past memories of child abuse
-references to sex (not very detailed or explicit, but you get their meanings)

I liked this one, but not especially and it wasn't a new favorite. So I'm giving this 3 stars

I would recommend this book for people 16+, maybe even older.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion from Revell Reads. 

How are y'all doing? Sorry I haven't been posting a lot, school and Nano prep have been keeping me busy. Hopefully there will be another post this week. There will be another book review next week, and I'm doing the Shared WIP Tag again this year, which I'm super stoked about!! What did y'all think? Want to read this? 

The Girl Behind The Red Rope {Book Review}

Ten years ago, Grace saw something that would forever change the course of history. When evil in its purest form is unleashed on the world, she and others from their religious community are already hidden deep in the hills of Tennessee, abiding by every rule that will keep them safe, pure--and alive. As long as they stay there, behind the red perimeter.

Her older brother's questions and the arrival of the first outsiders she's seen in a decade set in motion events that will question everything Grace has built her life on. Enemies rise on all sides--but who is the real enemy? And what will it cost her to uncover the truth?

For the first time, bestselling authors Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker team up and deliver an intense, tightly focused ride through the most treacherous world of all.

Liked: Wow, I really enjoyed the whole premise of the book. I really didn't know what to expect going in because the summary was a little confusing. But wow, did it blow me away. How our fear can blind us and yeah. The setting and descriptions of the way they lived their life in Haven Valley were really good. It was a great idea and amazing execution by this father/daughter duo.

Liked: Those characters thooooo! Oh man, each character had their traits that made them definable and human-like. While the first-person parts are Grace, you don't have much trouble recognizing the other characters. The antagonist was chilling and the rest of the characters were relatable. And when some characters did certain things that were either good or bad, you really felt for them and sympathized. The authors made even the so-called "bad" guys sympathizable. You never really hated a character (no matter how much you were tempted to) because you understood why they were doing that thing, and I really liked that.

Liked: I feel like this book had more plot twists than The Last Jedi. And that had a lot of plot twists. You really had to think on your feet for the entirety of this story. As soon as you thought you knew who someone was, it turned out that you were wrong. I really liked that, because right before this, I had been reading several mysteries so I was on my game y'all. But yes, this is a story that will leave you guessing till the end.

Disliked: There were some things that were rather confusing and were never really cleared up? Like, who exactly was Eli? Was he Grace's adopted brother or not? And yeah. Just a few things that had me scratching my head even when I finished.

I thought that this was really great but reading other people's reviews, apparently, this isn't Ted Dekker's best work. I would love to read his really great work if this was considered so-so.

A big question in this book (I'll get to the second one in a moment) is the question: Are only a select few saved? Do only a few people get to go to heaven?  There is a common misconception that Catholics believe that only Catholics get to go to heaven. I say misconception because we don't believe that. In fact, I overheard a conversation and one person said, "Yeah, Catholics believe that only they get to go to heaven" and I thought, "We do?"

There is not a select number of people who get to go to heaven. We can all attain heaven. God wants us ALL to go to heaven because He loves us. Just because we belong to a certain religion does not guarantee a pass into heaven. While Baptism washes away our original sin, we are human, and so cannot help but sin and have to confess in order to purify ourselves.

This ties into my next point, the community of Haven Valley were trying to purify themselves without the help of God, and that is just laughable. It's impossible. We cannot attain a state of holiness that is required to enter into heaven through our own force of will. We need God's grace, because we are just mere men. And the Sacraments are an amazing way of receiving grace. When we receive Holy Communion, we have Christ in us. If that doesn't bring us amazing grace, I don't know what does.

The second big thing in this book is the question: Is God a God of fear or of love? The people of Haven Valley forgot that God is also a God of love and focused a lot on the fear. They kept saying "God's love" but they didn't remember the true meaning. Yes, we should fear God, but we shouldn't fear Him so much that forget His beautiful mercy and love.

One couple is a 19-year-old girl and 40-year-old man and it's implied that he desired her so they gave her to him as a wife.

The "religion" of Haven Valley is no religion, but a cult.

There are some people dying and getting beat up.

I would recommend this for people ages 14+

And I'm giving this one 4.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion from Revell Reads. 

Sorry I didn't post last week! I was sick (yay) Have you read anything by Ted or Rachelle Dekker? Are you going to try this one? Also, new review layout who dat

{Double Book Review}

Yoooooo. So imma backkkkkk

I thought I would ease back into blogging with these two book reviews. Enjoy!!

Wooing Cadie McCaffrey

After four years with her boyfriend, Cadie McCaffrey is thinking of ending things. Convinced Will doesn't love her in the "forever" way she loves him, Cadie believes it's time for her to let him go before life passes her by. When a misunderstanding leads to a mistake, leaving her hurt, disappointed, and full of regret, she finally sends him packing.

But for Will, the end of their relationship is only the beginning of his quest to figure out how to be the man Cadie wanted him to be. With the dubious guidance of his former pro-athlete work friends and tactics drawn from Cadie's favorite romantic comedies, Will attempts to win her back. It's a foolproof plan. What could possibly go wrong?

Bethany Turner is back with more of the heart and humor readers love. Anyone who enjoys a good romance or binges romantic comedies on Netflix will devour this delightful story

I really enjoyed the feel of this book. It felt as if I was reading a rom-com. As an avid romance lover, I really like rom-coms, and so the way this book was written made me feel as if I were reading one. I also love the camaraderie that all the characters seem to have with each other. Even though the plot revolves around the relationship between Will and Cadie, I loved seeing the way other characters interacted. Also, the fact that Cadie works at a place about sports and yet knows absolutely nothing about sports is amazing xD

Um so, I loved Will. He was great. I really liked his scenes and just his whole essence was amazing. I um *coughs* really think he deserved better but more on that later. I really enjoy those male characters who are funny but yet masculine? But yep, an amazing male character.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate how Will's friends help him? Because that was amazing. They kept me laughing and were honestly one of the only reasons why I didn't just chuck this book across a room.

So with that ^^ last line, ya know that there were some things that I really did not like about this book. Really, there is just one, but it's a major one: I did not like Cadie. I'm sorry, but the more I read, the more I started to dislike her. The way that she put all the blame on Will really upset me. I don't know, maybe it was because I loved Will so much that I really disliked her. She was one of those characters that you just wanted to reach into the book and give a real good shaking to. She was very self-righteous and maybe she did have a good reason for reacting as she did, but it made her (at least to me) really unlikeable.

One other little thing that kinda threw me off was the jumping between the 1st person and 3rd person perspective. And the then jumping back into the past. It was just a little jarring sometimes.

*hem* Now this is where we get to actually the main problem (besides Cadie) why I really did not like this book as I would have. The whole premise was centered around the fact that Cadie and Will.......yeahhhhhhh........Had I known about this, I would not have requested it and I was really shocked to find this in CF. It was handled very well, but it just made me really uncomfortable the whole time. I would not have read this if I had known what basically the plot centered around.

I really wanted to like this more, but just the fact that Cadie was so unlikeable for me and the whole premise is why I'm giving this

3 stars

I received a free copy of this book from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest opinion. 

The Number of Love

Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network—field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy that just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the too-intelligent Margot, but how to convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?

Amidst biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them, but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save them all from the very secrets that brought them together.

This cast of characters was on pointtttt. I really liked them all. I feel like if I had read the other series before reading this I would have liked the side characters even more. But even so, I really enjoyed reading about these people! (I couldn't put it down, I think I read it in two? days) They all felt very realistic to me, and their reactions seemed like what people would actually be like.\

I have an especial liking for books that are set during World War I. Especially when those books are about spies. (thinking about Far Side of the Sea also, great book). This whole spy, secrecy, and coding essence that you find in these books are really great, All of the books that I have read set during this period have been really good. You can really tell that White did her research. As a person whose ancestors have come from Spain, I really liked that Drake and Dot had Spanish heritage. And also liked the Catholic part, even though it took me a while to figure that out (I don't know if the author is Catholic, but my guess is not because of how little she really talked about their religion even though she says that the characters are Catholic indirectly. My guess is that she doesn't know THAT much about the Catholic faith if she isn't Catholic - and this is just a guess, I COULD BE WRONG - but as a Catholic, I really appreciate that she didn't talk too much about it if she wasn't sure. It is really frustrating when authors write about the Catholic faith without being Catholic or even taking the time to really check their facts and so write nonsense and make all the Catholic readers throw books across the room. Save books, don't write too much about the Catholic faith in fiction if you don't know what you're talking about.)

Ahhhhhh. My favorite partttttt. The romanceeeee. Something I really loved (no pun intended lol) about this romance is the fact that it was built up after a while. Sure, Drake instantly liked Margot but it wasn't let's-get-married at first sight as you sometimes find in books. Peoples do not marry after knowing each other for 5 days m'kay?

I really like it when books are witty (Again, thinking Far Side of the Sea) and the wit in this book was greatttttt. It really gives the book a nice touch. And the way that Margot deals with Phillip had me rolling and I can't wait for his book.

The only thing that bothered me was Margot -- but just a bit. Her attitude towards the other females (kinda looking down on them if they wanted to get married and stuff) and towards Drake (my boi) really made me want to smack her. But luckily she turned around before I really did not like her. Just wish that I didn't dislike as much for the first half-ish.

None that I can think of!

I didn't love it to death, but I didn't just like it. So let's compromise

4.5 Stars

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion.

So how have y'all been? What have you been reading? Did any of these books pique your interest? Think you'll read any of them?

The Edge of Over There {Book Review}

Before the Tree of Life, everything in Abra Miller's life had been predictable. But after the Tree and the lightning and the angels, everything felt tenuous, like holding a soap bubble in the palm of her hand. She spent years looking for signs of that other world, waiting for it to break through. When it didn't, her friendship with Sam Chambers grew cold and distant, and they both wondered how any of it could actually have happened.

Four years later, 16-year-old Abra's long-delayed quest to find the next manifestation of the Tree of Life is renewed when she sees a woman walking up the road--a woman who looks exactly like Sam's dead mother. The woman directs her to New Orleans where she will find the grave of Marie Laveau, one of seven gateways between this world and Over There. As Abra enters The Edge of Over There and begins her pursuit of the Tree once more, she doesn't know whom to fear or whom to trust. But she's starting to think that some doorways should never be opened.

These characters were really interesting! I liked how they all had their own little nuances in their personalities. Even the characters that weren't human were really interesting. Especially Leo. I loved Leo, without a doubt, he was my favorite character. I also liked Sam and Abra. But yes, the characters were really loveable and very well written.

The whole concept of the Tree of Life and of the whole story was really interesting! It was strangely deep and gave a message without being preachy.

The setting was also really well done. The Edge of Over There was really well constructed - with all its strangeness and even the real world was described very well.

Something else I liked that isn't really pertinent is that some parts reminded me of Stiefvater's writing in The Scorpio Races. Either that or reading two books at the same time messes with your mind :P

So maybe it's because there was a book that came before this, but I was really confused for the majority of the book. I don't know if it's fair then to put this under dislikes because technically this is on me :P

I didn't really relate to the book and just wasn't that interested in it.

And the only other thing that I disliked is that nothing really stuck. Like, if you asked me to describe the plot in detail I don't think I would be able to. And maybe this is because I didn't understand a lot because of the fact that I didn't read the first book but yeah.

There was some violence but that is all the content.

It was really a good and interesting book but it just didn't grab or hold my interest. That's why I'm giving it

3 stars

I received a free copy of this book from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest opinion.

So how have you all been? Does this book sound interesting? Have you read it? Will you read it? I will be responding to comments soon and posting the next installment of the Shared WIP tomorrow along with an explanation. 

A Tender Hope {Book Review}

As far as Thea Michener is concerned, it's time for a change. With her husband murdered and her much-anticipated baby stillborn, there is nothing left for her in Ladreville. Having accepted a position as Cimarron Creek's midwife, she has no intention of remarrying and trying for another child. So when a handsome Texas Ranger appears on her doorstep with an abandoned baby, Thea isn't sure her heart can take it.

Ranger Jackson Guthrie isn't concerned only with the baby's welfare. He's been looking for Thea, convinced that her late husband was part of the gang that killed his brother. But it soon becomes clear that the situation is far more complicated than he anticipated--and he'll need Thea's help if he's ever to find the justice he seeks.

Amanda Cabot invites readers back to Cimarron Creek for a tender story of loss, betrayal, and love in the majestic Texas Hill Country. 

I really enjoyed the two main characters. There was something about them that made them really realistic. I think it was the fact that they each had flaws and troubles, but they didn't really let it drag them down. Sure, sometimes it would, but on the grand scheme of things, they didn't just sit there and bemoan what had happened to them, they kept going on with their life, adjusting to it as things got thrown at them.

The side characters were also pretty great. None felt like secondary characters and I really enjoyed Aimeé's sub-plot. Plue Nate, who I actually disliked sorta at first, ended up being a really great comical - and yet not funny on purpose - relief.

There was just something about this setting that made me feel as if I were watching Little House On The Prairie. Maybe it was the way everyone kinda knew everyone, or maybe because Cimarron Creek reminded me of Walnut Grove, just SOMETHING reminded me about that classic show. And I really, really liked that.

The plot took you on some twists and turns! It started out pretty slowly, making you think that it was going to be a gentle ride, but then it sorta turned into a murder mystery which was pretty interesting. Cabot didn't just give you everything at once but presents little bits and pieces of information that help you start to piece together everything.

I loooooved this romance! It was really sweet and had me rooting for Jackson and Thea from the moment they met. And yeah, it was kinda insta-love but like, they don't act like an insta-love couple if that makes sense? I really loved how Jackson showed Thea that love doesn't really fade. But yeah, great romance.

There was just a lack of...oomph. Even though it does become a sort of murder mystery, there is still a little something missing that would have made this great book even better.

One of the characters was born out of wedlock.

A man is thought to have been having an affair when he was alive.

Since Thea is a midwife, there is some mention of mothers and children dying at birth.

The Gang of Four is rather violent and Cabot sometimes describes what torture methods they use semi-detailedly.

I really enjoyed this! It was great to read this at this moment! That's why I'm giving it. . .

5 stars

Do you think you'll pick this one up? Have you read it? What have you been reading recently?

I received a free copy of this book from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest opinion. 

The Sky Above Us & Between Two Shores {Yet Another Dual Book Review}

The Sky Above Us

Numbed by grief and harboring shameful secrets, Lt. Adler Paxton ships to England with the US 357th Fighter Group in 1943. Determined to become an ace pilot, Adler battles the German Luftwaffe in treacherous dogfights in the skies over France as the Allies struggle for control of the air before the D-day invasion.

Violet Lindstrom wanted to be a missionary, but for now she serves in the American Red Cross, where she arranges entertainment for the men of the 357th in the Aeroclub on base and sets up programs for local children. Drawn to the mysterious Adler, she enlists his help with her work and urges him to reconnect with his family after a long estrangement.

Despite himself, Adler finds his defenses crumbling when it comes to Violet. But D-day draws near. And secrets can't stay buried forever.

Bestselling author Sarah Sundin returns readers to the shores of Normandy, this time in the air, as the second Paxton brother prepares to face the past--and the most fearsome battle of his life.

This book is set during World War II a bit before D-Day. One of the main driving forces of the plot is the fact that D-Day is approaching. I really liked the authentic feeling of the book! You never really (or at least I didn't) know much about how life was like for those American soldiers in England on those bases. I didn't even know that there were different clubs for the soldiers, much less what an aeroclub was! But everything felt very real and it was very cool to have sorta an "inside look" on what it was like on those bases. And whenever the pilots were talking in "pilot-lingo" (idk what to call it xD) it all felt very realistic! I also loved how the pilots named their planes and Nick was amazing.

I liked that each of the characters felt alive to me. They all had their problems and doubts and sorta felt like people that I could run into in the street. While I liked Adler's character arc more, Violet also had a good one! The ending was also good, and I liked what happened to the characters there.

I really enjoy stories that give me a certain feel, like I was present in the story. Sundin did a very good job at making you feel as if you were on that base, or in the clouds along with the pilots. It really brings the story to the next level and makes it ten times more enjoyable!

I'm actually kinda iffy on this romance. I liked how they helped each other grow and there were some very great parts! I think that showing how they helped each other's character arcs was really great and important!

Like I said in the previous section, there was just something that I really didn't like about the romance for some reason? I still gave this book a high rating because I liked it but I never really found myself rooting for the romance.

I think part of this is due to the fact that sometimes the two protagonists had a horrible lack of communication and this made me want to slap them over the head with my copy of the Count of Monte Cristo. Like. Talk to each other. I really don't like when this happens but in some instances, it can work in favor of the story but here it sorta felt as if things were never really resolved when they were supposedly resolved.

It was a generally well-paced story but it kinda draggggggged in the middle.

Violet's attitude towards the soldiers really bugged me and actually caused me to like her a little less. Some of the other characters' attitudes also caused me to dislike this book a bit.

Adler had a really sordid past, and it is another thing that drives the plot. Without spoiling too much because this is a major plot point, but there is mention of a skirt getting higher and someone tossing clothes on him and yeah. Not many details are given but you kinda know what happens and then something is revealed that happened because of that. He also attempts to murder a brother and says that he wasn't the best person at college. And yeah, just not the best past.

Some of the soldiers also have some *coughs* not amazing behavior towards women.

And there are some more intense kisses that I could have done without.

I still really liked this book despite my dislikes and that's what I'm giving it

4 stars

I was given a free copy of this book by Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review. 

Between Two Shores

The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval finds it is easier to remain neutral in a world that is tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the fray against her wishes when her British ex-fiance, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel asks her to help him escape, claiming he has information that could help end the war.

Peace appeals to Catherine, but helping the man who broke her heart does not. She delays . . . until attempts on Samuel's life convince her he's in mortal danger. Against her better judgment she helps him flee by river, using knowledge of the landscape to creep ever closer to freedom. Their time together rekindles feelings she thought long buried, and danger seems to hound their every mile. She's risked becoming a traitor by choosing a side, but will the decision cost her even more than she anticipated?

Okay, I really liked this cast of characters. They were all so diverse and amazing. I liked how they all had their own issues and ghosts to overcome, and how a certain character that you don't really like gets turned around into someone you really do root for. One of my favorite parts about each character is that they were each struggling with something, and seeing how each dealt with and overcame it. 

I really enjoyed how both the French and Mohawk culture was incorporated. Since Catherine is a mix, you could really feel how being half French and half Mohawk impacted her lifestyle and it was also really cool to see both people side by side (in a sense).

The plot was really interesting! You don't really hear much about the 7 years war except for what part George Washington played in it and the fact that Samuel was part of the British army and yet Catherine and the rest of the characters were kinda going for the French (most claimed to be neutral) was also very riveting and got me even more hooked on the plot!

Most of the romance was in flashbacks, and I enjoyed seeing Catherine and Samuel's progress. I can't give away much more, because #spoilers but I liked how there really wasn't a romance besides the flashbacks. It's hard to explain without giving too much away, so you'll have to read it for yourself!

I really enjoy reading about siblings relationships, and this one was no different. It was rocky in the beginning, but I liked how it developed! AND JOSEPH. UGH. WHYYY.

Honestly, I don't actually think that there was something notable enough that I disliked!

Gabriel (Catherine's father) has a drinking problem and sometimes hits/bruises Catherine.

There are also some other characters who have drinking problems.

Joseph is said to have been born out of an affair of his mother's while she was still married to Gabriel.

I really, really liked this book! So that's why I'm giving it

5 stars

I received a free copy of the book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Have you read any of these? Do you want to? What have you all be reading recently?