Carries Book Reviews

Always For You by Tawdra Kandle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All during her college years Maureen Evans had a crush on her friend Smith Harrington but both were sure that the other only wanted to be friends. Ten years after they met, Maureen invites Smith to come to her hometown and become her new partner in her veterinary clinic. She also has just purchased a new home that has a separate apartment on the second floor and offers to rent it to Smith too. With the two living and working together will they finally be able to admit to each other their true feelings?

A lovely little romance read about two people who just never had the right timing in life coming back together as adults. The book takes place in a lovely little small town in the south, Burton, Georgia. It’s one of those feel good, everyone cares for each other towns were all are close and friends and family are always there for one another.

Enjoyed all of the characters in the story. Maureen did go a bit overboard with her self-doubt which had held up their relationship for years so I couldn’t give it quite five stars but still a really nice romance I’d recommend checking out. Would definitely pick up more by this author as she’s written several books taking place in Burton, Georgia but this is the first I’ve read.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Destiny by Cait Jarrod
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When Autumn Wilcox’s friend and mentor passes away Autumn sets off to fulfill a promise to head to Montana to climb a mountain and find an elusive rainbow. Autumn’s friend suggests she hitch a ride with a local search and rescue pilot, Travis Carson, that is headed to Montana himself. The two have one thing in common as they neither want a relationship or to get close to others.

Destiny is the second book in the Montana Dreams series but the first of which I’ve read. Most romance reads are fine to be read as a standalone but with this particular novella I found that I felt a bit lost in the first moments of reading as it was hard to figure out what was really happening with Autumn needing to run off as soon as her friend passed away.

Once the story got going I thought I was going to like it a bit more but then it just seemed like all the characters were too immature for my taste. Autumn and Travis were behaving like two kids who needed to be mean to each other because they were attracted but then Travis’ brother and sister in law seemed a bit off themselves. The sexual scenes in the story were also far from steamy and just really rather awkward in my opinion. Along with some kind of far fetched actions I really just never got into the story or characters at all.

Overall, not really one I’d recommend as the characters and story just never grabbed me.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful New Year, may it bring you peace, joy and happiness!! And to all the book fanatics out there like myself, may every new read in this year be a wonderful one! May each of you have a amazing 2016. 🙂

Carrie

Evergreen Springs by RaeAnne Thayne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cole Barrett is a single father with a sordid past. His ex-wife has recently passed away leaving him to suddenly be a full time father while he’s also struggling to get his life on track and his ranch turned into a successful business. When his very pregnant with twins sister who has been visiting takes a tumble he rushes her to the ER where they meet the young doctor Devin Shaw.

Devin knew Trisha when they were growing up and considers her a friend so when she hears of her brother Cole’s struggles and knows Trisha will be on bed rest she decides to pitch in and do something for the struggling little family. Devin puts out a call to the helping hands group of Haven Point and soon has a bunch of meals to deliver to the Barrett’s but when going out she can’t help but volunteer to spend more time with the two grieving children and soon finds herself falling in love with them and their father.

I’ve really enjoyed all of the Haven Point books that I’ve read so far but this one just not quite as much as the first two in the series. I think for me, while I enjoyed Devin’s character immensely and her helping others spirit, I just found myself struggling to connect to Cole for most of the story. He seemed so distant to me which is what his character is meant to be but it’s hard to really root for him when I don’t feel much of his personality stood out either. Also, Devin admits that she wants to fix everyone in the book. While this makes her a lovely soul who enjoys helping others it also makes me question the idea of a relationship starting off on her wanting to “fix” Cole and his problems.

Still overall a lovely book set in Haven Point, a small community where everyone cares about each other and what seems would be a beautiful place to live. It’s very hard not to enjoy the overall atmosphere and warmth in this series. This one takes place right before Christmas so you get to enjoy reading all of the holiday warmth and activities associated with the season in this lovely town.

Redemption Bay by RaeAnne Thayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

McKenzie Shaw loves Haven Point, the small town she grew up in and is currently the acting mayor. When Ben Kilpatrick returns to Haven Point he doesn’t get a very warm welcome from McKenzie, he had left the town and not looked backed several years before and hadn’t taken care of all the properties and boat manufacturing company he’d inherited which eventually he shut down causing a loss of jobs and other businesses in the community.

Ben however has returned to Haven Point to scout out the town to see if it would be good for a new facility for his current tech firm. McKenzie vows to show him just how wonderful a place Haven Point is and prove to him the town and residents deserve the opportunity.

Another great read from RaeAnne Thayne filled with all the beautiful, heartwarming aspects of living in a small community where neighbors help each other. Filled full of community events and great characters it’s hard to go wrong with one of these lovely novels.

Ben and McKenzie were both likable characters although I did at one point think McKenzie seemed a bit immature overreacting to something so couldn’t give this a full five stars. Otherwise they both showed their emotional sides and each had their own strength that I admired.

I won this book from Goodreads First Reads, receiving a free copy in no way reflects upon my review and all thoughts are my own.