Susan's Review of The Pink House by Cindy Kirk-- GraceTown Series Book 1

Deep in the forest, on a sun-drenched patch of lush green grass, surrounded by lily-of-the-valley, sits a pink house. With turrets towering like neighboring trees, and a wide welcoming front porch, the old Victorian is impossible to miss. Except that everyone in town has—everyone but Hannah Danbury.

It’s been a year since Hannah’s husband, Brian, lost his battle with cancer, just days before his thirtieth birthday. Over and over again Hannah has been told it’s time to move on. Trouble is, she’s not sure how. When her company downsizes and Hannah finds herself out of work, she moves back home to GraceTown, Maryland.

Hannah isn’t sure exactly what she’s hoping to find in GraceTown, but a mysterious pink house no one but her has ever seen isn’t it. Nor does she expect the woman living in the house—someone unknown yet still familiar to Hannah--to present her with a gift: a handwritten letter from Brian.

Who is the woman in the pink house? How did she get the letter? What is Hannah meant to do with all it reveals?

Answering these questions will lead Hannah to places—and people—she never could have imagined.

Cindy Kirk’s The Pink House is a heartwarming, thoughtful story of second chances. The characters, the romance and the small town setting drew me into the story.

Hannah Danbury has had an emotional year; her husband passed, her father is relocating to Florida and she was laid off from her job. She’s decided to move back home to her home town to start over. Loved that Hannah was a strong heroine—even though she’s lost her mother, her husband and her job—she’s a survivor.

Loved that Cindy Kirk paired Hannah with Charlie Rogan, Hannah’s late husband’s friend. At first, I thought they were polar opposites. As the novel unfolded, it was apparent that Brian would do anything for Hannah—he truly care for her. Brian put Hannah’s feelings first and he believed in her.

The Pink House is a beautifully written story that I could not put down. The novel is filled with relatable characters; I emphasized with Hannah’s struggles to let go of the past and become her own person. The chemistry between Brian and Hannah surprised me and I loved seeing their relationship unfold. Cindy Kirk’s descriptive voice works perfectly in this story as she weaves in the themes of trust and new beginnings while weaving in the elements of magic and romance effortlessly.

Hannah was shown signs throughout the novel that it was time to move forward and let the past go. Loved Hannah’s journey and that she came to understand that her heart wasn’t broken—if she gave herself permission to fall in love and live her best life.

The Pink House has all of the small town warmth and charm of a Cindy Kirk novel plus a subtle magical element which added to my enjoyment of the story. Loved the conclusion to this heartfelt story as it is full of unexpected surprises.

Looking forward to The Love Token—the next book of the series!

Susan's Review of Sleepover by Serena Bell

A brand-new contemporary romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Head Over Heels.

The girl next door is the one that got away. He just doesn’t know it yet. . . .

Sawyer: After my wife died, I promised myself I’d never go through the pain of losing someone again. Now I keep my flings neat, tidy, and one-time-only. Besides, my son needs me more than ever. He’s miserable in our new town, so I’m pumped when he makes friends with the kid next door—until I recognize his mom from a one-night stand. Perky and upbeat, Elle Dunning is not my type for anything other than tearing up the sheets. So why do I keep letting myself get roped into game nights and get-togethers?

Elle: It so hasn’t been my year. That’s my first thought when I see my new next-door neighbor. I never would have hooked up with Sawyer Paulson if my husband hadn’t left me for his high-school sweetheart, but because our eight-year-old boys have become best friends, I’ve got to make nice with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Silent. Yet the more time we spend together, the more Sawyer opens up. We’ve both been hurt—badly. So it’s one thing to send the kids off to sleepaway camp together. It’s quite another to promise each other a lifetime of sleepovers. . . .

Sleepover is a standalone novel with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a satisfying happily ever after.

Sleepover is the first book by Serena Bell that I have read. The use of alternate point of view narration provides insight into the main characters thoughts and feelings and sets the tone for this fast-paced, sensuous second chance story.

The weekend after her divorce was finalized, Elle Dunning went out with her girlfriends to celebrate. Elle was coming to grips with the fact that husband left her for his high school girlfriend and decided to hook up with a guy she met at the bar. Imagine her surprise when she recognizes her new neighbor, Sawyer Paulsen, as Mr. Hookup!

The sexual chemistry between Elle and Sawyer is off the charts. Both have suffered loss- Elle’s divorce and Sawyer’s wife’s death. I loved that their sons got along so well and the families shared game nights. The secondary characters of Brooks, Trevor, Hattie and Capria added a lot of humor to the story. I liked that Elle and Sawyer supported each other. Elle pitched in and helped with Jonah’s birthday party. Sawyer was interested in Elle’s writing career and encouraged her to finish her book. Loved the scene when Sawyer and Elle’s ex-husband, Trevor, meet- it was so funny to read Trevor trying to outshine Sawyer.

Serena Bell has written a wonderful second chance romance with all the feels. She does a fabulous job balancing the couple’s attraction, Elle’s writing career, Sawyer’s acceptance of his wife’s death and realization that it’s ok to move on. Sawyer’s last entry in the journal made me tear up. . he understands what love is.

Sleepover is a charming, feel good romance with characters that will tug at your heartstrings. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the Publisher

Susan's Review of One Fine Day by Cindy Kirk

Abigail Fine learned early in life it’s hard to get ahead when you start with nothing. She hoped serving as a surrogate would allow her to not only help a friend, but jump-start living her own dreams.

Jonah Rollins always considered himself a loyal friend and an honorable man. Until he made a decision that destroyed a long-standing friendship and eventually, his marriage.

When life threw her a curveball, Abby did the only thing she knew how: the right thing. Her life might look a whole lot different than she imagined, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Now, five years later, the past has come calling. Life’s presented Abby with an even bigger challenge: one that will test her capacity to forgive . . . or force her to close her heart forever. But Abby and Jonah just might discover that there are no bounds to how wide her heart can open or how deep his love can run.

Have you ever read a book that you thought about for days after you finished it?

One Fine Day is a book about friendship, broken promises and a mother’s love for her child. These themes resonated with me and I read Abby and Jonah’s story in one day. Abby and Jonah are given a once in a life time chance for a do over— an opportunity to come to terms with their past and move ahead.

The prologue draws the reader into the story immediately. Abby Fine agreed to be a surrogate for her childhood friend Jonah Rollins and his wife Veronica. Complications with the pregnancy are discovered; the Rollins’ decide to walk away from their special needs child. Abby is determined to continue with the pregnancy. This decision impacts every aspect of Abby’s life—she is cut off financially and emotionally from the entire Rollins family—she is on her own.

Five years later, Abby is running the Inn at Hazel Green which she inherited from distant relative. She and her daughter Eva Grace are part of the tight- knit Hazel Green community. Eva Grace captured my heart. She reminded me of a doll—blue eyes and curly blond hair. Eva Grace has big personality and her enthusiasm for life jumps off the pages! Abby’s devotion and patience with her daughter shines through in each page of this novel.

Cindy Kirk’s descriptive writing style enables the reader to connect to Abby. I could hear the joy in Abby’s voice when she talked about her child and feel the hurt when she reminisced about Eva Grace’s surgeries. My heart broke when Abby’s thoughts brought her back to the day that Eva Grace was born. Frightened and alone, she reached out to Jonah. I felt her pain and severe disappointment –Jonah never responded to her phone call or her text. I understood Abby’s desire to raise Eva Grace and provide a happy safe life for her. Abby has been there every day for child—through many painful surgeries and sleepless nights. Jonah’s monthly letters to Eva Grace and Abby and the support money he sent in the letters provided a connection between Abby and Jonah. The fact that Abby didn’t read the letters but saved them intrigued me – why did she keep them?

Abby’s ability to put her child’s best interests first and to forgive are tested when Jonah becomes the new police officer of Hazel Green. Her inner strength is tested when Jonah makes it clear that he has moved to Hazel Green to get to know his child and repair his relationship with Abby. Jonah mentions that he wrote to Abby that he had accepted the position in Hazel Green and that he was divorced. He is amazed when Abby tells him that she has not opened his letters.

Cindy Kirk uses the backstory technique to provide insight into both Abby and Jonah’s history. Jonah’s backstory is woven into the story and it allowed the reader to gain perspective on his choices, his situation. Loved the scenes when Jonah explains to Abby what factors led him to side with his wife. This revelation is important as it gave insight into Jonah’s situation and his decision making. The author subtly introduces the idea that not all choices are black and white and that life experiences impact the choices you make. My favorite scene in the book is when Abby decides to read each one of Jonah’s letters—this decision opens her heart towards forgiveness.

One Fine Day has all the feels; it’s an emotional story which tugs at your heart from the first page. The characters are honest and the dialogue is superb—and Eva Grace will capture your heart. The themes of loss, forgiveness and love are told with compassion and humor.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the publisher