Beautiful read about love, family, and second chances
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Posted originally on Undeniably Book Nerdy book blog

I'm going to keep the plot details in my review very vague as not to spoil anything since the synopsis doesn't give a lot of details.

I'm going to come right out the bat saying Hero was ultimately a beautiful read about love and second chances after a tragedy and family, but if I'd known what type of romantic second chance romance it was (which wasn't revealed in the synopsis) I wouldn't have picked it up. Hero's type of one-sided second chance romance in which there is competition and comparison between the past and the present is not my cup of tea. I personally don't gravitate towards it and I've always skipped out on books with this trope. After learning about this detail in the first chapter, I kind of dragged myself in reading the rest of Colby and Lydia's love story little by little in over a week's period.

But, because it's a Lauren Rowe book and I'm in love with her writing and the Morgan family, I ultimately enjoyed Hero and in the end I can appreciate the arc of Colby and Lydia's love story.

Things I love about Hero...

Lauren Rowe's writing. Like I said I love Lauren's writing. She writes love stories that are a perfect mix of humor, drama, her signature steam, swoon-y moments, heroes you wish are real and heroines you want to be best friends with, and it's no different in Hero.

The Morgan family. I love the Morgans and I've been following them since being introduced to them in Ball Peen Hammer (Colby's brother Keane's book) a couple of years ago. I wish I was part of the crazy but lovable Morgan family. I've just fallen in love with them all--from the parents to each of the siblings and even the honorary members. My favorite parts in Hero were the scenes between Colby and his siblings just talking and teasing each other. As a reader, you can feel the love and strong bond between the Morgans radiate out of the pages of each of the books in the series and you become immersed in their family with each book, especially since Hero, Captain (book 2), and the last three books in The Club series (which features Colby's sister Kat) are happening at the same time. Seeing some of the same big Morgan family events through different characters' eyes is a unique reading experience and I love putting together the pieces from each character to form a bigger picture.

Colby. He isn't my favorite Morgan brother. Keane is still my favorite, but while Keane is my book boyfriend, Colby is my book husband. His siblings have commented that he's their rock and it was great seeing him in action in this book. He had so many heart-melting moments in Hero that it's hard not to fall in love with Colby.

Lydia. Like the synopsis said, Colby might be broken physically, but Lydia was broken at a deeper level and it was lovely to see her grow with Colby.

Theo, Izzy, and Bea. These three were the most precious things ever. I'm not going to say who they are because of spoilers. But, they touched my heart and I love their scenes with Colby.

Like I said, on a personal standpoint I wouldn't have picked up Hero on my own if I'd known about more about the plot, but ultimately I did enjoy Colby and Lydia's story, and I LOVED spending more time with the Morgans--my absolute favorite fictional family. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series and I am counting down the days until I can get back to the Morgans.
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Second Chance Summer was a surprisingly honest and heartfelt story about the love and loss of someone that many people can't imagine living their lives without.  From the moment Taylor finds out that her dad has terminal cancer and won't survive until the end of summer, the family makes a point to spend the next few months together in a lake house that they haven't stepped foot inside for years.  Unfortunately, at Lake Phoenix, Taylor can't escape her past and is forced to face a lot more than her father's impending death.

It's obvious  that the Edwards family isn't used to spending a lot of time together.  They all have different interests, but any reader will see that they're trying their best during their last few moments as a family. Upon making her dad's last summer memorable, Taylor also spends time slowly rekindling friendships she left behind five years ago.  Though things didn't end well with her best friend or her ex-boyfriend, I found the bonds that tied them back together again to be quite realistic and exciting.

The relationship between Taylor and her father was what touched me the most, as I know what it's like to lose my own. It's easy to take others for granted, but once they're gone, you realize how much you truly care.  Thankfully, Taylor still has time and she spends it listening to him, trying to soak in as many of his stories as she can.  There's just something about knowing you won't ever hear the stories told the way he tells them again, no matter how many times you're heard them before.

The unique and breathtaking moments that the author included in this story were what made it worthwhile.  Second Chance Summer was so much more than another heartbreaking story about loss, but about another chance at the life that Taylor left behind.  There are no other words to describe this book than achingly beautiful.

(Review from thehollowcupboards.blogspot.com)
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I had this one on my kindle since January 2015 and my TBR list is just too big!  Its difficult to choose the next one Since I saw so many good reviews pass about this one it was about time to finally read it and Im glad I did!

I loved this beautiful, well written story about second chances!  A year after losing her controlling, jealous but loving fiance, Estelle meets the boy again who broke her heart several years before.  Oliver is a man now and fights to prove to the woman he never stopped loving that he really wants her

I really loved Elle.  She is a warm, strong woman with a big heart.  I however wanted to give her a little push in Olivers direction sometimes because I was often afraid she was going to lose him being so hesitant.

Oliver is gorgeous, a wonderful friend and a great doctor.  His insecurities have prevented him from going after Estelle sooner.

I love books about second chances and liked how we got to read those flashbacks to understand what happened when they were younger 

Im curious about the next book in this series with Mia & Jenson!  I also hope Victor is going to get a book
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This book is a wonderful story about a beautifully spirited child, Abigale, who was orphaned at a young age when her mother died and consequentially, her father disappeared shortly afterward.

Abby was left in the capable and loving care of her mom's best friend and later sent to live with her dad's only living sister, uprooting her from Chicago to Pensicola, Florida, where she begins a new life and is taken back to the place of her mother's legacy - a gifted parcel of land Abby's mother left her. The land is filled with magical properties and fairies, and of course, an evil man who threatens to take away Abby's legacy at any cost.

The story will have you turning the pages, eager to keep up with Abby as well as an eye on her, hoping she can overcome the ominous doom of Rafe Cobb who will go to any lengths to take Abby's birthright land away from her.

Through the journey, we'll cheer for Abby's triumphs as she forms new friendships and deals with mean-spirited others who don't accept the new girl in town, and feel our hearts tugged at as Abby shares tender memories about her life. One can't help but root for Abby who deserves happiness in her life.

A perfect read and beautifully written characters who will draw us in, for young girls and boys alike, and anyone who loves to read a good story where we cheer for the underdog.

Noteworthy, to pay attention to the wonderful haikus written to introduce each chapter. This book was heartwarming and a most enjoyable read.
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This heartfelt romance about three sisters forced to reconnect after years of estrangement is very cleverly formatted to contain three separate novellas in one full length novel. Each romance is contained in its own story, while continuing the thread of the sisters' relationship from each different view point.
The setting holds a special place in my heart, since I grew up in Maine. I found myself breathing in the tang of the salt air, even as I sat on my couch (on the other side of the country) with my Kindle.
I especially enjoyed how each sisters' story ended with a trip to the Kissing Cave - and how each one was completely unique and true to that couple. In keeping with that theme, I loved how the sisters were all so different from each other, yet fit together as such a beautiful family.
I was so caught up in everyone getting their own happy ever after that when the epilogue came I was pleasantly surprised to see I'd forgotten about the terms of their mother's will. Lower brought the stories together in one huge warm-fuzzy of an ending, giving her readers a lovely peek into the futures of the Bronson sisters.
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A heartfelt tale of love lost and second chances, EMMY & OLIVER kept me reading through the night, savoring the heartwarming reunion with the main character, Emmy, and her childhood sweetheart/bestie, Oliver, who was kidnapped in second grade, only to suddenly return back into their lives ten years later.

The characters were eloquently written and ripe with development. EMMY & OLIVER is just what I want out of a contemporary YA or coming of age novel. Not only were the characters real, but I loved all of them. None of them were overly mature or whiny as you sometimes get in YA, nor were they unbelievable in their maturity. Simply put, they were just right.

I loved how Emmy and Oliver reconnected after his return. Olivers feelings were portrayed in a very real light. He felt torn between knowing that his father committed this horrible crime by taking him years ago, yet he still loved him and missed him just the same.  He felt so torn between his feelings. I think one of the most profound things he said about his situation was that being returned to his motherhis old lifefelt like being kidnapped all over again. He was so human, and Im so glad Benway didn't try to sweep those feelings under the rug and make Oliver unrealistically happy. I loved that this book really showed all the angles of Olivers kidnapping, how it didn't only destroy the his mothers life, but also his friends and neighbors, as well. Especially Emmy. Her parents reacted by becoming extremely overprotective and conservative to a fault. As a result, Emmy is struggling. She has a secret passion she has to hide because if she told them, they would ban her from doing it for fear that she might get hurt. She has a secret college she wants to go to, but cant tell them because they won't possibly let her go away to school. Emmy is struggling in the aftermath of Olivers disappearance just as much as he is, and toward the end of the book, circumstances finally push her over the edge and make her confront her parents.

Overall, this is the kind of YA I could read over and over. I loved it!

*See this and more reviews on My Crazy Bookish Life
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I was given an ARC for an honest review.
This is a beautiful story about second chances. Jaime is a determined to be able to get over the past even if at times it wants to drag her back in. Emmett just wants to get back off the island and not hurt Jaime anymore than he believes he already has. The storyline and characters are developed wonderfully and so many emotions are involved. I love how Jaime wants to be a survivor even though everyone around her wants to still make her just a victim and protect her. Her strength is amazing.

If you love first loves and second chances, I recommend this book. In fact, if you want a beautifully written love story about overcoming pasts and pains, this is for you.
Review by Raychel
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At first glance, The Gift of Christmas Past seems like a sweet romance between high-school sweethearts who find each other again after being apart for 10 years. And it is.

But its also a story that shines a spotlight on foster care, pediatric speech therapy, and looking past our own biases to see people as they really are. Its fascinating and relatable and will touch your heart.

The writing draws you in immediately, and the story flow keeps you hooked through to the end. The characters are engaging and relatable, and Hadley & Elliott (foster sisters who haven't stopped looking out for each other) are women I would want as friends. Watching them grapple with the wounds of their past and come out victorious is inspiring.

Bottom Line: The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains provide the setting for a tender and engaging novel, and the authors have done a great job of using that gorgeous backdrop to its potential. Along with the scenic views, The Gift of Christmas Past gives us vibrant characters, poignant histories and gentle romance. This is an emotional story, to be sure, but it never feels too heavy. And there are plenty of moments that will have you smiling or cheering or swooning. Or sometimes all three at once! Put this one on your Christmas list!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
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Once again Shauna Allen has kept me up way into the night reading because I simply could not put down this book. I was so caught up in this sweet, beautifully written, second chance love story of how Tristan and Darby, both with wounded, aching hearts find their way back to each other as adults after being separated as teenagers. CUPID'S LAST STAND is the fourth and last installment in The Cupid Chronicles series and I haven't had a chance to read all of the others yet, but I can assure you this one was a pleasure.

The story begins with an earthquake shaking up Darby and her quiet little Arizona town creating a need to tear down those old stubborn walls and build something new. Just like Darby needed to make some changes in her own life, take back control and get out from under the sorrow and grieving from her past. Tristan too was at a place for making a fresh start. He's been left at the altar which merely confirms to him his long held belief he is unlovable and anyone he cares about will eventually leave him when they realize this. When he hears of the extensive damage caused by the earthquake back in New Destiny, his heart (and the influence of a certain angel in the love detail) leads him to the small town to offer his help. New Destiny is where he first met Darby as a sixteen year old boy and fell completely in love.

When they meet again after ten years of each of them believing the other didn't care enough to keep the promises they made to each other, the fire and attraction between Tristan and Darby is just as strong as ever. At first they're angry and their wounded emotions get in the way, but circumstances and their intense desire for each other draw them together again and again until they finally talk things out. Discovering things weren't quite as they seemed helps in getting over the hurt of the past, but that is not the only thing between them. Darby is committed to her life in New Destiny and Tristan is headed to California to fulfill his lifelong dream of owning his own motorcycle shop. Seems they are destined for a short, blissful time together only to be separated again.

Darby is a beautiful, strong woman focused on making a success of her family's a construction company. She carries on despite a chronic illness, an unsupportive mother, and still grieving the recent death of her father. There's so much to admire about her.

I have to say, Tristan was a such a hot, sexy, swoon-worthy hero, and not shy about his feelings for Darby. Not as a teenager and not as an adult. The letters he wrote to her when they were separated brought tears to my eyes. He lays it all on the line, only to get no reply...

As I said, I could not stop reading. I had to know how they worked it out. Had to know that Tristan could finally recognize he not only could be loved, deserved to be loved, but that he was loved. I had to know that Tristan realizes he's found something special with Darby that just may be a once in a lifetime thing. Twice. I had to know that he man's up! I knew it would happen, because Shauna Allen does not disappoint if you are looking for a love story that will make you laugh and touch your heart and leave you feeling like you've had your own HEA when the story is finished.

In Cupid's Last Stand she not only shares with us Tristan and Darby's love story, she also gives us a secondary story. Ryan, one of the friends Tristan brings along with him to work on rebuilding the town falls hard for Kai, Darby's best friend. Fortunately for Ryan Kai is just as smitten with him. Of course, they also had their troubles to overcome before they could be together, but that only added to the richness and enjoyment of this wonderful story as a whole. Loved this book! I recommend it to anyone with even just a tiny romantic bone in their body. 4.5 stars.

~Complimentary copy received in exchange for a honest review.
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This beautiful, emotional read had me gripping my Kindle to my chest, with tears in my eyes, more than once. I loved the story and the characters so much! This is a Standalone, Charlie and Mary appeared in A Thousand Letters, where we caught the implosion of their marriage, in that story. This is Charlies story, almost a year a year later, as a single dad.

Charlie Parkers wife, Mary, left him and their two young children almost a year ago. She hasn't been back to see the children and hasn't signed the divorce papers Charlie had drawn up. He has legal custody of them; she never bothered to show up to the custody hearing. As a busy lawyer, hes been fortunate to have a cook/housekeeper, Katie, and Jenny, their nanny, to help him. When Jenny has to resign, due to a family emergency, he needs another nanny, stat.

Hannah moved to New York City, as an au pair, from Holland, after her best friend Lysanne convinced her to follow her there. After an unfortunate incident with her previous family she hastily resigned her job, after just a few months, and needs a new one, soon, due to her work visa. When the agency called, and set up an interview with Charlie, shes hired on the spot. The young, beautiful and vibrant nanny is just what the household needs.

Charlies been so unhappy with his life for too many years. He married Mary when she found out she was pregnant, not because he loved her, and they were never a family, or what he always envisioned one should be. After learning of Marys infidelity, under his own nose and with his best friend, he has deep trust issues. Hes tired of work, tired of being alone, tired of being unhappy. And he doesnt know what to do about it. But, with Hannah help, he soon starts taking stock of his life.

I feel like Ive been looking at life upside down for a decade. But now, I can see. I don't know what to do about it, not yet, but I can see.

When Hannah moves in, like the flowers she buys every week, she suddenly brings color and life into their lives. And lots and lots of baked goods!  She was raised in the family pastry shop back home so its something that she loves and finds comfort in. With her beautiful smile and sunny disposition Charlie would never guess that she has something to hide. A few things shes been running from. And with all the baggage and distrust, they each carry, it just serves to complicate everything.

I fit in here in a way I don't fit anywhere else

I was cheering for Charlie and Hannah! Who doesnt love a romance story with a single father, and a nanny, as the main characters? The writing is beautiful and tugs at the heartstrings, leaving me happy sighing at the end, and youll love the epilogue!

I don't believe that things happen for a reason. The idea of fate never appealed to me; I wish to be the master of my future. But everything that happens to you, good or bad, is a chance to learn and grow. So don't wish to change the past. Just consider the future and use what youve learned to make yourself stronger.
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This is a beautiful book about tracking down the pieces of a fractured family and putting the family back together.  Life wounds.  This is part of the human experience.  When a wound is early and deep, it can shape the course of a person's whole life, sometimes in ways that are amazing.

When Susan Hadler was one month old, the father she had never seen was killed in World War II.  There were no remains.  The only thing she knew of him was a tender letter of greeting he had written her shortly before he died.  By the time Susan was old enough to comprehend any of this, her mother had remarried.  The only father Susan knew was her stepfather, a good man.  Susan's mother didn't want to talk about her first husband.  The memory of his loss was too painful.

So Susan lived her life, marriage, education, children of her own, a professional career.  But there was still that letter, and still the empty space in her heart.  Finally she set out to learn who her father was, and the story of that quest is the first part of the book.  And quite a story it is.  All I will say is that Susan came to know this father she had never seen better than I knew my own father, who was in my life for 60 years.

And there's more.  Susan's mother had two sisters, from whom she was long estranged.  Susan set out to hunt them down.  Finding one of them was fairly easy.  Finding the other was close to a miracle and is one more amazing tale.  The rewards were rich, a whole new extended family, Susan's siblings, cousins with whom they found much in common, and most valuable of all, enrichment of the last days of an old lady who had fallen between the cracks.

As a bonus, this book is beautifully written.  Do yourself a favor and read it.  You'll be moved, and you'll be enlightened.
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This is a beautifully written second chance romance story. All though it goes into a dark side of mental illness it's good that it shows the effects that a family members illness can have on a child even an adult child of someone so mentally ill. If Julia's father had taken it upon himself to get her mother help,he may have still been alive. But Julia showed that she loved her daughter enough that she wouldn't allow her to be near her mother for her safety. I'm glad Arron and Julia found their way back to the love they never really love. This story has so much depth that it's a beautiful story of how love can with stand alo t if we have each other's backs. I can hardly wait to see what's next by this amazingly talented author. I voluntarily decided to review this advanced reader copy because it's  a really good story.
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A beautiful and compelling story.  I am so happy for Paul and his family for finding their family and heritage.  The writing was a bit simplistic, and it read like it was intended for a middle school aged person, but was still a satisfying read.  It also made me reflect on how families grow and develop, despite unexpected revelations they may encounter.  It was wonderful the Paul and his family could assimilate both sides of their heritage and gives me hope for the rest of us.
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A heartwarming tale set along the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan in the fall, a perfect place for a holiday story! My heart was definitely full and satisfied after reading this lovely novella.
Fans of home restoration shows will really enjoy this, as the main characters come together to complete a house project in time for a Christmas special, hoping to win a competition. The stakes are high, especially for Alexis, the designer who hopes to succeed and further her fledgling career. Nothing seems to go smoothly, but God has other plans in store.

The three main characters, Alexis, Gabe and Elsie, each had their own backstory, and a need for some personal restoration. As each one was revealed, it added a lot of depth to the plot and led neatly into spiritual themes, like forgiveness, restoring faith, peace and hope in their lives, and learning to genuinely love others, particularly the unlovable. A good reminder that everyone has a story, and seeing them through God's "eyes" helps us to be compassionate. Love how this author uses word pictures to describe scenes, connecting them with spiritual truths, like the backdrop of a peaceful snowy landscape while Alexis is struggling for inner peace. She realizes that "God wasn't commanding her to be at peace. He was offering it as a gift." The writing flows so well, with just enough detail, making it easy to picture everything; felt like I was actually there. Could almost smell the coffee and cherry strudel!

Highly recommend this touching inspirational Christmas story, with a little brushing of romance!

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-book provided in exchange for my honest review.)
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Conveniently Wed by Angel Moore is an excellent read. The story centers around Daisy Mosley, who has been recently widowed after the shooting death of her loving husband by horse bandits. The mother of twin boys, Daisy is in a vulnerable position due to the harsh realities of a widow owning land on her own and the looming threat of the dangerous bandits revisiting her farm. Tucker Barlow, Daisy's childhood friend, is sent by her father to propose marriage to Daisy in an effort to provide her and the twins the support she so desperately needs. As the two come together in a marriage of convenience, Tucker years for Daisy's love while Daisy tries to mend her broken heart and accept her new husband.

This is a beautiful story of two souls coming together under less than ideal circumstances, yet finding in each other the love of a lifetime. The author handles the emotions of the main characters beautifully and the reader is allowed a glimpse into their pain and conflicts. The depiction of the twins is delightful! This is a wonderful book that is going on my keeper shelf.  Highly recommended.
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Lost and Found Sisters is a journey of love, heartbreak, learning to live again, and finding home. Jill Shalviss womens fiction debut has all the humor and heart Ive come to expect from her work, and its all wrapped up in an engaging, emotional story of life after loss.

Quinns world was turned upside down after the loss of her sister two years ago, and she has never quite recovered. Though she seems to have the perfect life, Quinn is really just going through the motions. Then she receives some news in the form of an inheritance that will change everything she thought she knew about herself and sends her to the small town of Wildstone. Quinn is an endearing heroine; shes funny, caring, and wonderfully flawed. I liked that she was in over her head and knew it, but she never backed down from any curveballs thrown her way. She also has a huge heart, and though shes still grieving at the beginning of this story and is overwhelmed by everything coming at her, she doesnt close herself off from the people she meets who need her.

Its difficult to talk about the plot of Lost and Found Sisters without spoiling the story, which Im loathe to do. Suffice it to say that Wildstone  a struggling town with character and heart  offers Quinn a chance at a new, vastly different life. Love  both romantic and familial  is central to Quinns journey of learning to live again, and its beautiful to watch multiple relationships develop. Mick, Quinns love interest, is incredibly appealing, as one would expect from a Jill Shalvis hero. Hes strong, patient, kind, and funny, but not perfect. He has his own journey to take over the course of the story, as he too is at a crossroads. It was easy to become invested in Quinn and Micks romance because they're both incredibly likeable people with solid chemistry.

As I previously mentioned, Lost and Found Sisters is Ms. Shalviss first womens fiction novel. I should disclose that this isn't one of my go-to genres, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But since Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite authors, there was no way I was going to skip this book. Im so glad I didnt. While it took me a while to get into the story (theres just enough of a difference in pacing and focus compared to romance that I needed to adjust), I ended up adoring not just Quinn, but every single character in this story. The book is mostly centered around Quinn, but there are multiple characters and plotlines (which again, I cant talk about without spoiling the story) that bring the world of Wildstone to life. Ms. Shalvis is a master at crafting small towns with quirky characters, and it was easy for me to fall in love with Wildstone and come to care about the fate of the struggling town. All in all, Lost and Found Sisters is a winsome tale with characters who will make you laugh one minute and tug on your heartstrings the next. I cant wait to see whats next for the Wildstone series.
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Sherman Baldwin's book is an endearing read.  It is something I have found that can be effectively conveyed in its family-centric beauty if you read it to family members, especially one's children, in the short chapters that form the structure of the book.  It is very rich in the values, traditions, and reflections that many would want their own families to develop or validate.  A wonderful, inspiring, and heartwarming read.