Finding Hope (Melanie D Snitker) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

22. Finding Hope by Melanie D Snitker

Synopsis:

Cancer. That one word has rocked Lexi Chandler's life to the core. Her focus has always been to help others. She loves being a nurse and enjoys spending time with her family. Things had been going according to plan. Now she’s struggling to pick up the pieces and make sense of the changes in her life. Lance Davenport has cared for Lexi since they were kids. Between their age difference and bad timing, he's turned burying his feelings into an art. Now, watching Lexi battle with cancer has made him realize just how much he's missed. He doesn't know what their future holds, but he's determined to not waste another minute. The people closest to Lexi pull together as she tries to navigate her way down a path none of them ever dreamed she’d have to travel.

My Review:

Lexi has everything going for her. In the blink of an eye, all that changes the  she gets diagnosed with what nobody ever wants to hear: cancer. As a nurse, Lexi's used to helping others. When she gets cancer, it puts Lexi in a position she's not used to being in: the patient, the one who needs help. At the beginning of her journey, she doesn't want anyone to really know (except family of course) and wants to do it alone. So that no one has to see the bad days of her battle.

Lance has known Lexi her whole life. He's a friend of her brother's and has always watched out for Lexi growing up. What she doesn't know, he's always had feelings for her, but has kept it hidden because he thinks it would be inappropriate. When Lexi tells her family about the cancer, Lance wasn't going to let her go through it alone. He insists on taking to her appointments and treatments. Finally he realizes that it's his chance to show her how he really feels and don't let a relationship slip away. 

As Lexi goes through her cancer journey, she realizes that it's okay to ask for help, to need help. Her family and closest friends come together to support her in her fight. When a devastating event happens to her family, they all realize what's truly important. That it doesn't necessarily matter about what you have; it's about the little things and the memories you make/have with those you love.

It's about having each other and supporting each other no matter what.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

The Inn at Rose Harbor (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

21. The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber
      Theme/Topic: book that's guaranteed to bring you joy

Synopsis:

Jo Marie Barlow first arrives in Cedar Cove seeking a sense of peace and a fresh start. Coping with the death of her husband, she purchases a local bed-and-breakfast - the newly christened Rose Harbor Inn - ready to begin her life anew. Yet the inn holds more surprises than Jo Marie can imagine. Her first guest is Joshua Weaver, who has come home to care for his ailing stepfather. The two have never seen eye to eye, and Joshua has little hope that they can reconcile their differences. But a long-lost acquaintance from Joshua’s high school days proves to him that forgiveness is never out of reach and love can bloom even where it’s least expected. The other guest is Abby Kincaid, who has returned to Cedar Cove to attend her brother’s wedding. Back for the first time in twenty years, she almost wishes she hadn’t come, the picturesque town harboring painful memories from her past. And while Abby reconnects with family and old friends, she realizes she can only move on if she truly allows herself to let go.

My Review:

As a way of coping with her husband's death, Jo Marie decides to purchase an inn. She feels like the inn will help her heal, by starting over Ina new town. She has a lot to learn about managing an inn, but with the support of another innkeeper in Cedar Cove, it's not long before she gets a grasp of things. 

Jo Marie not only wants the inn to be a place of healing for herself, but for her guests as well. Joshua comes to Cedar Cove to help with his stepfather's care in his final days. Even though they haven't gotten along (moreso after Josh's mom died), Josh is the only one family his stepdad has left. With the help of an old friend, he is asked to look past all the hurt and pain and attempt to make things good again. And if a relationship (with Josh's friend) blooms in the meantime, then so be it. It turns out quite interesting, but you're going to have to read this book to see what happens. 

Abby is back in town for her brother's wedding. The town she's run away from and never looked back. She was involved in an accident that killed her best friend as a teen. Even though it was a complete accident, Abby's been living with guilt and hasn't been able to let it go and move on with her life. And hasn't faced her classmates since that day, as she believes they'll blame her for what happened. A chance encounter with one of them leads to a reunion type of thing with the rest and Abby realizes that they cared about her. Being back forces Abby to face what she's been avoiding: visiting her friend's grave and her friend's parents. It's not easy, but Abby realizes that she needs forgiveness to truly accept what happened, to heal her pain, and to move forward. Abby's story is heartbreaking and heartfelt at the same time. Her story will resonate to anyone who's ever felt guilt (and let's face it, we all do) over losing someone. 

Fans of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series will enjoy the Rose Harbor series.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Let Them Eat Cake (Sandra Byrd) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

20. Let Them Eat Cake  by Sandra Byrd

Synopsis:

Lexi Stuart is at a critical crossroads. She’s done with college but still living at home, ready to launch a career but unable to find a job, and solidly stalled between boyfriends. When a lighthearted conversation in French with the manager of her favorite bakery turns into a job offer, Lexi accepts. But the actual glamour is minimal: the pay is less than generous, her co-workers are skeptical, her bank account remains vertically-challenged, and her parents are perpetually disappointed. Her only comfort comes from the flirtatious baker she has her eye–but even may not be who he seems to be!
So when a handsome young executive dashes into the bakery to pick up his high profile company’s special order for an important meeting–an order Lexi has flubbed– she loses her compulsion to please. “What am I going to do?” he shouts. “Let them eat cake!” she fires back with equal passion and a nod to Marie Antoinette. And then, something inside Lexi clicks. Laissez la révolution commencer! Let the revolution begin! Instead of trying to fulfill everyone else’s expectations for her life, Lexi embarks on an adventure in trusting God with her future–très bon!

My Review:

Lexi has been struggling to get her life together. Life after college isn't always easy as it may seem. Getting a job (and keeping a job at that rate) is harder than. She assumed. And living with and up to her parents' high expectations is no easy task either. A chance encounter finally lands her a job that she's good at in a bakery. It's still not good enough for her family, but she ends up enjoying it. Lexi discovers that baking is what truly makes her happy, even though she starts ad a counter person. As she begins to progress through her newfound career, Lexi is able to develop her skills little by little. It shows that you have to start at the bottom and work yourself up the career ladder, just like in real life. 

As Lexi is making something of herself, she still has to prove that to everyone else. Whether it's messing up an order by accident (mistakes happen), not having a job that doesn't please her parents or coworkers that don't believe in her skills, Lexi has a lot to prove. She soon realizes that the only way to live her life is by trusting in God's plans, as well as living her life the way that makes her happy. I liked how the relationship between Lexi and Sophie developed and grew as they started believing in each other. And I appreciated how Lexi was able to help Sophie in believing in God again, just like herself. I feel like it's okay to doubt God at times, but then go through the process of rediscovering Him and trusting in His ways. 

Lastly, I enjoyed the French sayings and phrases throughout the book, especially at the beginning of each other. I took French for four years in high school and I can still read and understand a little. Don't worry, the phrases are also in English.

♥Meg♥

Resolutions (Jenn Faulk) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

19. Resolutions by Jenn Faulk

Synopsis:

Three friends, ten resolutions, and a year full of big life changes.
For Emily Fisher and her friends, New Year’s Eve has never been about more than eating cake and watching the minutes until midnight disappear. This year, though, Emily, Sara, and Melissa decide that as they approach the age of thirty, they’re going to make some bold resolutions together and see them through in the year ahead, never guessing how dramatically life will change for them in the process. As the daughter of a megachurch pastor and the assistant to a sensational and exhausting wedding coordinator, Emily already has her hands full. Using the resolutions as a challenge to make life about more than being a mindless drone at work, she ventures out of her comfort zone – trying new hobbies, picking up new exercise habits, travelling abroad, helping out in new ways at church, DATING – and discovers in the process that there’s more to life than weddings and work. When her family experiences unexpected hardships, Emily is forced to re-evaluate all of her priorities, and the lessons she learns lead her to stronger faith, a new dream for her career, and a romance greater than any that she could have imagined for herself.

My Review:

Although this book is about the resolutions that three friends make, the story centers around Emily. Emily has her hands full working for an over-demanding wedding coordinator. With the support of her friends, they embark on a life changing journey. Together, Emily, Sara, and Melissa agree on ten resolutions for the new year. As the year progresses, they are forced to go out of their comfort zone. Things don't always go according to plan and unexpected events come up and they learn what's really important in life. Of course, they learn other life lessons along the way, especially Emily. 

The 10 Resolutions

1. February - get in shape

2. March - amp up your love life

3. April - volunteer somewhere new in church 

4. May - go somewhere exotic

5. June - begin attending weekly Bible session 

6. July - help someone truly in need

7. August - improve your home

8. September - start a new hobby

9. October - move forward in career

10. November - improve social life

♥Meg♥

A Girl's Guide to Moving On (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

18. A Girl's Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber
      Theme/Topic: book published in 2016

Synopsis:

When Nichole discovers that her husband, Jake, has been unfaithful, the illusion of her perfect life is indelibly shattered. While juggling her young son, a new job, and volunteer work, Nichole meets Rocco, who is the opposite of Jake in nearly every way. Though blunt-spoken and rough around the edges, Rocco proves to be a dedicated father and thoughtful friend. But just as their relationship begins to blossom, Jake wagers everything on winning Nichole back - including their son Owen’s happiness. Somehow, Nichole must find the courage to defy her fears and follow her heart, with far-reaching consequences for them all.
Leanne has quietly ignored her husband’s cheating for decades, but is jolted into action by the echo of Nichole’s all-too-familiar crisis. While volunteering as a teacher of English as a second language, Leanne meets Nikolai, a charming, talented baker from Ukraine. Resolved to avoid the heartache and complications of romantic entanglements, Leanne nonetheless finds it difficult to resist Nikolai’s effusive overtures - until an unexpected tragedy tests the very fabric of her commitments.

My Review:

As the story of Cassie, Nichole and Karen continues, it's time for Nichole to take the spotlight. When Nichole learns that her husband has been cheating on her, she gets support from an unlikely source: her mother-in-law Leanne. Unbeknownst to everyone, Leanne's own husband has been cheating on her for years. They both file for divorce and get apartments right across from each other. To help them deal with the pain, Leanne comes up with a plan. With Nichole's help, they create a list of rules to follow:

1. Don't allow yourself to wallow in your pain. Reach out. Volunteer. Do something you love or something to help others.

2. Cultivate new friendships.

3. Let go in order to receive.

4. Love yourself.

These rules seem simple, but they are hard to do, except for maybe the first one. The divorce process is different for both ladies. Leanne's is simple and over with fairly quick. Nichole's is more drawn out and more extreme.

Throughout the process of moving forward, both Nichole and Leanne befriend new men in their lives. For Nichole, that would be Rocco. They meet by accident, literally, but come to mean more than that. From the outside looking in, they're complete opposites. Rocco is a mechanic and owns a tow truck company and is a husky fellow. He reminded me of one of those security guards that you don't want to mess with. But the more you get to know him, the more oh realize that o. The inside, he has a caring and tended heart. I liked how Rocco handled Owen (Nichole's son with her ex), as well as the whole Jake situation. My favorite character just happened to be Kaylene (Rocco's daughter); she had a great supporting role when jt came to Rocco and Nichole.

For Leanne, Nikolai was tne new man in her life. Nikolai was from the Ukraine and a student in her ESL night class. He showed his appreciation and love for Leanne by gifting her with a loaf of bread after each class. While I couldn't understand that at first, I came to appreciate the symbolization of the gesture (apparently a loaf of bread symbolizes love in Ukraine). What I didn't like was the whole expecting Leanne to love him back without hesitation, even though they had a language barrier. Saying that, I kind of felt that Nikolai shouldn't have been jealous of Sean (Leanne's ex). I get why he didn't want her involved with him on any level, but it really wasn't his call. On the other hand, I understand why Leanne wanted to be there for Sean at a time when he needed it the most and had no one else to turn to. I felt that they shared a friendship with each other, even though the love they shared didn't exist anymore.

Once again, Debbie Macomber told a genuine and heartfelt story. She definitely doesn't disappoint. A Girl's Guide to Moving On is a follow up to Last One Home, however they can be read as stand alone novels as well. If you want to check out my review of Last One Home, click here.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Last One Home (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

17. Last One Home by Debbie Macomber

Synopsis:

Growing up, Cassie Carter and her sisters, Karen and Nichole, were incredibly close -- until one fateful event drove them apart. After high school, Cassie ran away from home to marry the wrong man, throwing away a college scholarship and breaking her parents’ hearts. To make matters worse, Cassie had always been their father’s favorite -- a sentiment that weighed heavily on her sisters and made Cassie’s actions even harder to bear.
Now thirty-one, Cassie is back in Washington, living in Seattle with her daughter and hoping to leave her past behind. After ending a difficult marriage, Cassie is back on her own two feet, the pieces of her life slowly but surely coming together. Despite the strides Cassie’s made, she hasn’t been able to make peace with her sisters. Karen, the oldest, is a busy wife and mother, balancing her career with raising her two children. And Nichole, the youngest, is a stay-at-home mom whose husband indulges her every whim. Then one day, Cassie receives a letter from Karen, offering what Cassie thinks may be a chance to reconcile. And as Cassie opens herself up to new possibilities -- making amends with her sisters, finding love once more -- she realizes the power of compassion, and the promise of a fresh start.

My Review:

After reaching rock bottom and able to finally rid herself of her abusive ex-husband, Cassie wants to start a better life for her and her daughter Amiee. She also became estranged from her family when she ran away from home at eighteen for all the wrong reasons - to marry the boyfriend her parents didn't approve of just because she was pregnant. After her mom dies, she's given, what Cassie thinks, a chance to mend the relationship with her sisters. They, Karen and Nichole, don't know if they're willing to forgive Cassie and put the past behind them and give Cassie a much deserved second chance. They obviously don't know what Cassie has been through since that night and only know what she put her family through when she left and aren't sure if Cassie has changed. Although it takes some work, time and patience, all three of them begin to realize how much they need each other.

In the meantime, Cassie decides to start volunteer work with a Habitat for Humanity type of company in the community. It's not exactly what she expects at first, as she butts heads with the manager, Steve. Both are stubborn in their own ways, but when an unfortunate accident occurs, Steve starts showing his softer side. As his story starts to unfold, I can see why he was the way he was. You'll have to read this book to find out. Cassie also discovers that it's okay to ask for help and not to just rely on herself for everything. 

Debbie Macomber's books never fail to disappoint. She has a way of creating compelling characters. What I enjoyed about this particular book was that it showcased the importance of family. No family is perfect and we may not always get along with each other, but at the end of the day, they'll always be there for you. Just like Cassie and her sisters, my mom and her sister weren't on speaking terms for a few years. While I won't get into the circumstances, eventually they worked it out and became closer than they ever were, in my opinion. 

 Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥