"The Cul-de-Sac War" by Melissa Ferguson

Bree Leake's dreams of owning her grandmother’s house are coming true . . . until life at her theater job throws her some curve balls. And then there’s Chip McBride—her handsome and infuriating next-door neighbor. Chip just might be the only person whose stubborn streak can match Bree’s. She would move heaven and earth to have him off her cul-de-sac and out of her life. So begins Bree’s obsessive new mission: to drive Chip out of the neighborhood—and fast. Bree isn’t the only one who’s a tad competitive, and Chip is more than willing to fight fire with fire. But as their pranks escalate, the line between love and hate starts to blur—and their heated rivalry threatens to take a hilarious, heartwarming, and romantic new turn.

This book was really funny. It's a quick read, with a clean, light romance that would translate great to film. Having seen some prank wars gone bad, I can confirm they keep it pretty respectable (though you can bet one will take it a step too far). While the prank war was amusing, it was the writing in general that really made me laugh out loud. 

As fun as it is, it's the character's vulnerabilities that really make the story work. It is when one character realizes that the other is truly hurting--and in spite of the war, forges a truce for an evening--that they develop a real relationship and move from acquaintances to people who will sacrifice for each other.

Overall, it was the lighthearted story I needed for one supremely hard day.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Related novels:

The Dating Charade

"To Steal a Heart" by Jen Turano - Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency, book 1

After a childhood as a street thief, Gabriella Goodhue thought she'd put her past behind her until a fellow resident at her boardinghouse is unjustly accused of theft. In the middle of breaking into a safe that holds the proof to prove her friend's innocence, Gabriella is interrupted by Nicholas Quinn, the man she once considered her best friend—until he abandoned her. After being taken under the wing of a professor, Nicholas is living far removed from his childhood life of crime. As a favor to a friend, Nicholas agreed to help clear the name of an innocent woman, never imagining he'd be reunited with the girl he thought lost to him forever. As Gabriella and Nicholas are thrown together into one intrigue after another, their childhood affection grows into more, but their newfound feelings are tested when truths about their past are revealed and danger follows their every step.

As with every novel by Jen Turano, this one was a delight, full of quirky characters, crazy circumstances, and--what has become something of a standard--comical critters.

I vastly enjoyed the ladies of the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency (particularly since the agency was formed in the midst of the case, and lets just say not all the ladies were proficient in their chosen roles, i.e. the getaway driver). It's fun that these ladies were not remotely professionals to start with, yet they get to learn a lot as the story progresses--some even begin to shine in their new profession (though others are still working on it). I'm looking forward to Daphne's story next (and then, dare I hope, Eunice's?).

It's funny how the story tied into the bible study theme we've been studying: how life's interruptions (when things take a different turn than planned) can be God's interventions--such as how Gabriella was arrested as child and placed in a respectable orphanage that kept her fed and safe; it wasn't what she wanted at the time, yet it was the best thing that could happen to the young girl. Funny how things line up that way!

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency
1. To Steal a Heart
2. To Write a Wrong
3. To Disguise the Truth

Amy Lynn Green's "Things We Didn't Say"

Headstrong Johanna Berglund, a linguistics student at the University of Minnesota, has very definite plans for her future that do not include returning to her hometown. But the US Army wants her to work as a translator at a nearby camp for German POWs. Johanna arrives to find the once-sleepy town exploding with hostility, and they're not afraid to criticize those who work at the camp as well. When Johanna describes the trouble to her friend Peter Ito, a language instructor at a school for military intelligence officers, he encourages her to give the town that rejected her a second chance. As Johanna interacts with the men of the camp and censors their letters home, she begins to see the prisoners in a more sympathetic light. But advocating for better treatment makes her enemies in the community, especially when charismatic German spokesman Stefan Werner begins to show interest in Johanna and her work. The longer Johanna wages her home-front battle, the more the lines between compassion and treason become blurred.

I highly enjoyed the premise of the book (explained in the first chapter) that this is a compilation of letters and telegrams and other documents that Johanna has requisitioned and put together for her defense. It shows her extremely analytical and practical personality right from the outset, and her mildly abrasive (but not uncompassionate) approach to dealing with people. There are a few other documents included, such as documents for the prosecution, some of the censored mail going to and from Germany, and some articles and letters written later, but largely it's all documentation that Jo has compiled.

Given the epistolary nature of the book, the title is perfect; there are many things that Jo doesn't actively write, but much can be read between the lines. I'm not sure if I'm disappointed or really like that the motives of the villain aren't clear-cut and perfectly explained; I'm pretty sure I understand why the villain targets Jo, based on what was said/written and what wasn't, but it's definitely a case where the reader must draw their own conclusions. Much like life.

Besides some clever sarcastic wit and rich historical details, the story is also a thought-provoking one. Jo is trying to show her hometown that the enemy soldiers in their midst are people just like themselves, yet herself is learning to love and forgive her neighbors. Peter, victim of prejudice, is convicted by the prejudice he has meted out in return. I thought Pastor Sorenson was one of the most convicting characters in the book, as he acknowledges his struggle to love his enemy--the very men who may have killed his son--and though the feelings of love and forgiveness aren't there, he pushes forward in obedience to God's word anyway. And those are just a few of the lives changed in the book.

Definitely well worth the read! I look forward to whatever Amy Green has next!

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book; I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

"The Love Note" by Joanna Davidson Politano

Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1859 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor. Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight.

I was delightfully surprised by the story. While it deals with occasional heavy themes, it's still a light-hearted, almost whimsical tale. The way the love note accidentally gets passed around--some believing it's written to them, some believing it was written to someone else in particular--sets the whole household astir, while Willa is trying to track down both it and its rightful owner before the chaos gets out of hand (too late!).

Sometimes it's a little annoying how stubborn Willa is about seeing what's right in front of her, but at the same time, I've been known to do that too--dig in my heels and reject something out of hand simply because too many people have been pushing me toward it. And the more they push, the more I want nothing to do with it, no matter how much I may actually like it. It's not my most sterling quality, nor is it Willa's. 

Gabe was solid and perfect, and I actually really liked Golda, even if she is cantankerous and not terribly kind to begin with. I did guess some of the mystery before it was revealed (the author sprinkled little hints and clues from the beginning), but it pleased me that I was right. The ending surprised me--it wasn't standard for a romance, yet it was wholly satisfying romantically anyway.

Thank you Revell and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

"Her Secret Song" by Mary Connealy - Brides of Hope Mountain, book 3

After a rough winter spent alone, Ursula Nordegren realizes she must overcome her fears of the outside world and begins a trek down Hope Mountain. Along the way she finds a badly wounded stranger and realizes God may have used her decision to leave as a way of saving the man. Wax Mosby was climbing Hope Mountain in part to atone for his terrible choices. He was hired to drive out the Warden family and now knows he was duped. But when he's wounded during the climb, the last person he expects to rescue him is a beautiful blond woman with the voice of an angel. As both Ursula and Wax weigh the costs of living new lives, the two find an unlikely bond. And they're joined by Ursula's sisters and the Warden family as the final showdown over the family ranch looms with the coming of spring.

I think this was my favorite book of the series--Ursula came off the least likeable of the sisters in the first two books, but here we get to see her wrestle with her fears, her regrets, and her path forward. It humanizes her, and we see what a sympathetic character she really is. Wax is the perfect hero for her--respectful for her need of solitude and full of encouragement, recognizing her strengths that others have overlooked. 

I laughed over an over after that sermon about worrying, when the characters mentally assent to what terrible sinners they are each time they find themselves worrying. It's written quite humorously, but I could easily be in Ursula or Wax's position .The showdown has all the girls at their best for a bang-up finish. I was glad for the epilogue, which ties up old loose ends that I hadn't actually expected to resolved. 

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Brides of Hope Mountain
1. Aiming for Love
2. Woman of Sunlight
3. Her Secret Song 

"The Gentleman Spy" by Erica Vetsch - Serendipity and Secrets, book 2

When his father and older brother suddenly pass away, the new Duke of Haverly is saddled with a title he never expected to bear. To thwart the plans of his scheming family, the duke impulsively marries a wallflower. After all, she's meek and mild; it should be easy to sequester her in the country and get on with his life―as a secret agent for the Crown. But his bride has other ideas. She's determined to take her place not only as his duchess but as his wife. When his secrets are threatened with exposure, will his new wife be an asset or a liability?

This was a highly enjoyable story; not quite as spy-centered as I expected, but delightful nonetheless. It wasn't too heavy; there were some weighty subjects discussed, considering that Charlotte develops a heart for women in prostitution, but the story did not lack humor to lighten it. 

Charlotte was a delight, especially when she would accidentally blurt out her thoughts instead of keeping them in her head. Sometimes I wanted to bash Marcus over the head (really, you think you can completely compartmentalize your life, particularly a wife?), but he was also a dashing hero, recognizing Charlotte's best qualities, even when her appearance and approaching spinsterhood did nothing to recommend her. I look forward to reading Sophie's tale in the next book!

Thank you Kregel and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Serendipity and Secrets
1. The Lost Lieutenant
2. The Gentleman Spy
3. The Indebted Earl

"The Kissing Tree" - a novella collection by Witemeyer, Jennings, Dykes, and Deese

Bestselling novelist Karen Witemeyer joins award-winning authors Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese for this Texas-sized romance novella collection. Each of the authors' unique voices is on display in stories where courting couples leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark.

All the stories tie together nicely, though a generation or two separates each one. Familiar families and places trickle down through the tales, but the town and surrounding area grow, too, adding new faces and places. And all are thoroughly tied to the ancient Texas oak dubbed the Kissing Tree.

"Broken Limbs, Mended Fences" by Regina Jennings: in which a small-town teacher has her credentials questioned by a traveling salesman. 

It's a sweet romance that begins the tradition of the Kissing Tree. The story was loaded with contrast: progress versus tradition, pride versus humility, division and reconciliation, dashed hopes versus new dreams. I loved the ending, particularly how the contest ended up.

"The Kissing Tree Inn" by Karen Witemeyer: which tells the tale of an unlikely woman building a very unexpected lover's retreat.

Wonderfully sentimental. The tradition of the Kissing Tree has grown, and Phoebe has grown up with the stories of romance found carved into its trunk. I love the balance that Phoebe and Barnabas bring each other, and even when they disagree over something, they actually listen to each other and make concessions. They are far stronger together than apart.

"From Roots to Sky" by Amanda Dykes: which follows a young WWII naval airman who heads to Texas to meet the sister of a lost compatriot.

No question this was a story by Amanda Dykes, written with her trademark lyrical writing. I really enjoyed Luke and Hannah's story, how they were first able to bond over love of her brother via letters, and now finally meet in person and truly get to know each other--to see what lies beneath the surface. I found it the most romantic of the stories.

"Heartwood" by Nicole Deese: in which the aftermath of a giant storm brings changes for the owner of a historic inn.

An almost bittersweet end to the stories of the Kissing Tree . . . Both Abby and Griffon had been--well, still are--dealing with grief in their own way, which makes for a more subdued atmosphere than the other stories. However, though all things inevitably end, it also gives hope and the encouragement to move forward.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.