The Designated Valentine, Twin, and Date

Title: The Designated Valentine, The Designated Twin, and The Designated Date

Series: Designated #2, #3, #4

Author: Drew Taylor

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Edenbrooke

Title: Edenbrooke

Series: Edenbrooke #1

Author: Julianne Donaldson

Source: Library

My Review:

I have a confession to make. This book has been on my "want to read" list for years. After checking it out of the library multiple times, including on Hoopla, and never reading it, I decided I didn't want to read it. Then, I decided to give it one more try. You all, I almost missed a fabulous book because of some weird mood I had previously been in!!

Mistletoe and Malice

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Mistletoe and Malice
Series: Guarded Hearts Series #1
Author: Lori DeJong
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Genre: Romantic Suspense

My Review:

Mistletoe and Malice is the first book that I have read by Lori DeJong, but it won't be my last.

Jane Eyre

Title: Jane Eyre

Author: Charlotte Brontë 

Publisher: Dover Publications

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Classics, Gothic

Source: Own

My Review:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is a dense book. I can't remember the last time a book took me eight days to read. I feel like I accomplished something, LOL.

Bittersweet

Title: Bittersweet

Series: California Historical #2

Author: Cathy Marie Hake

Publisher: Bethany House

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance

Source: own

My Review:

Bittersweet by Cathy Marie Hake lives up to its title. 

Letter Perfect

Title: Letter Perfect

Series: California Historical #1

Author: Cathy Marie Hake

Publisher: Bethany House

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance

Source: own

My Review:

Letter Perfect by Cathy Marie Hake is delightful! I have had this book on my bookshelf for years, and I regret not getting to it sooner.

Sense and Suitability

Title: Sense and Suitability

Author: Pepper Basham

Narrators: Fiona Hardingham and Christopher Ashman

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Audible Audio

Genre: Regency, Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, Classic Retelling,

Source: Net Galley

RELEASES: October 14, 2025

My Review:

I did not like Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. But when I saw Pepper Basham had a book coming out loosely based on it, I knew I had to read Sense and Suitability. Why? Because Pepper Basham wrote it. Also, this is Basham's first foray into the Regency genre.

North and South

Title: North and South

Author: Elizabeth Gaskell

Publisher: Penguin Books

Genre: Classic, Historical Fiction, Victorian era, romance

Source: Kindle Own

My Review:

I finally did it! I finally read North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell!! Did I love it? No. Did I hate it? No. It had an interesting storyline that kept me invested. I did, at times, feel the length of the novel and felt it could have been shorter, LOL!

Hope Like Wildflowers

Title: Hope Like Wildflowers

Series: My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge #3

Author: Pepper Basham

Publisher: Barbour

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance

Source: Library

My Review:

Hope Like Wildflowers is the third book in the My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge series. While I recommend reading them in order, this book can stand alone. 

The Lady and the Highwayman

Title: The Lady and the Highwayman

Series: Dread Penny Society #1

Author: Sarah M. Eden

Narrator: Justine Eyre

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, 

Source: Hoopla

My Review:

The Lady and the Highwayman is the first book I have read by Sarah M. Eden. I have been meaning to read her books for a long time, so I am glad I finally did! Justine Eyre did a great job of narrating the book.

A Beautiful Disguise

Title: A Beautiful Disguise

Series: The Imposters #1

Author: Roseanna M. White

Narrator: Susan Lyons

Publisher: Bethany House & Recorded Books

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Christian Fiction, Romance

Source: Hoopla

My Review:

What a fabulous start to The Imposters series!

The Burning of Rosemont Abbey

Title: The Burning of Rosemont Abbey

Author: Naomi Stephens

Publisher: Bethany House 

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance

Source: Bethany House

My Review:

The Burning of Rosemont Abbey was my first introduction to Naomi Stephen's, but it won't be the last. 

A Defense of Honor

Title: A Defense of Honor

Series: Haven Manor #1

Author: Kristi Ann Hunter

Narrator: Beverley A. Crick

Publisher: Bethany House

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Regency Era, Romance,

Source: Library

My Review:

A Defense of Honor is the first book in Kristi Ann Hunter's Haven Manor series.

Of Gold and Shadows

Title: Of Gold and Shadows

Series: Time's Lost Treasures #1

Author: Michelle Griep

Publisher: Bethany House

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Mystery, Romance

Source: Bethany House

My Review:

Of Gold and Shadows is the first book I have read by Michelle Griep, but it won't be my last. She is an author I have been meaning to try, so when the opportunity to review this book presented itself, I accepted.

The Blue Castle

Title: The Blue Castle

Author: L. M. Montgomery

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Genre: Classic, Historical Fiction, Romance, Young Adult

Source: Own

My Review:

The only books I have read by L.M. Montgomery are the Anne of Green Gables series. I enjoyed them as a child and have always wondered if I would enjoy them as an adult. I have had The Blue Castle on my shelf for a few years. 

At Love's Command

Title: At Love's Command

Series: Hanger's Horsemen #1

Author: Karen Witemeyer

Publisher: Bethany House

Genre: Christian Fiction, Westerns, Historical Fiction, Romance

Source: Hoopla

My Review:

I put off At Love's Command for several years, even though I enjoy Karen Witemeyer's writing because it is a Western. If you follow me at all, you know that is not something I read much of.

Phoebe and the Rock of Ages

Title: Phoebe and the Rock of Ages    Audiobook

Series: The Gustafson Girls #3

Author: Becky Doughty

Narrator: Becky Doughty

Publisher: Bravehearts Press

Genre: Christian Fiction, Romance,

Source: Hoopla

My Review: 

I am enjoying binge-listening to this series! Phoebe is the sister whose story I couldn't wait to dive into, as she is the most mysterious sister (to me). Phoebe and the Rock of Ages did not disappoint. I am also enjoying the author, Becky Doughty, narrating each story. Her character voices are consistent throughout the stories.

The Bookish Bandit

Title: The Bookish Bandit

Series: The Bookish Romance (TBR series)

Author: Erica Dansereau & Britt Howard

Publisher: Erica Dansereau & Britt Howard

Genre: Christian fiction, Books about books, romance

Source: Library

My Review:

I believe The Bookish Bandit is the first book these authors have written together. I love the play on words as it is the TBR series. The cover is super cute and drew me in.

Compared

Title: Compared

Series: The Sweet Rom "Com" #1

Author: Kortney Keisel

Publisher: Independently Published

Genre: RomCom, Contemporary Fiction, Romance,

Source: Kindle Own

My Review:

Compared is the first book I have read by Kortney Keisel, but it won't be my last. 

Engaging the Earl

Title: Engaging the Earl

Author: Mandy Goff

Publisher: Love Inspired Historical

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance

Source: Library

My Review:

Technically, this is the second in the series. The first book is The Blackmailed Bride, and follows Marcus's sister, Olivia. I loved that book, so I picked this one up to read.