The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh

The Summer of Yes is the first book I have read by Courtney Walsh, and I’m not sure why I have not read more by her, but now I must. I follow her on Instagram, so when I saw this book, I thought it would be the perfect summer read, and it was. Not only is the cover cute, but the story is beautiful. It was a super easy read. Hallmark meets Yes Day meets Devil Wears Parada (if we are going for all movie references). The character development is good. I loved that Kelsey wants to meddle in other people’s lives but seems unsure of how to change her circumstances. The idea of saying yes to each opportunity that presents itself, is the perfect thing for Kelsey. Georgina is an interesting character. I totally envisioned her as Meryl Strepp in Devil Wears Parada. The storyline was great. Not very realistic, because who is going to listen to some girl they just met. But I am a romantic at heart. The Hallmark storylines pull me in. I can appreciate a good story that is completely unrealistic when it has good characters and a good moral to the story. We all need that sometimes. I loved the idea of saying yes to things that we wouldn’t normally do. The budding relationship between Kelsey and Hayden is very sweet. I appreciate the closed door, non spicey romance that Courtney Walsh writes. I thought the relationship was a fun dynamic to the rebuilding of Georgina’s relationships with her husband and son. The faith element was there though a little on the light side. But the overall message of the book was good. *I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Here With Me (Home to Heritage Book 2) by Mandy Boerma

Here With Me is the first book I have read written by Mandy Boerma, but I have read books by both Tari Faris and Susan May Warren. It was so captivating and encouraging. I could not put the book down. It was the perfect hallmark style novel. I look forward to what will come next for Heritage. The character development was perfect. I loved getting inside Sadie’s hear and heart. Seeing her struggle through her situation and learning to lean on God and others. I also enjoyed seeing David’s struggle with his situation. Battling with listening to God and being ok with his calling changing. Opening his heart to the past and the future. Working through the trauma he went through. The characters were truly multi-dimensional. The storyline was perfect. The setting was great. I loved that it had that hallmark storyline and setting, but with the added faith dynamic. The relationship between Sadie and David is sweet. It was the perfect story, the perfect balance with nothing spicy, just sweet and perfect. Just the way I appreciate things. Mandy Boerma did a fantastic job intertwining faith throughout the entire novel. I was very encouraged by the book. It was the prefect reminder that I cannot do things on my own strength but need to rely on God. Also, that sometimes where God has placed us and the work that God has called us might change. That doesn’t mean we are any less used by God. *I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.