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. 

A Game of Hearts

Title: A Game of Hearts

Author: Joanna Barker

Publisher: Joanna Barker

Genre: Regency, Historical Fiction, Romance

Source: Own

My Review:

A Game of Hearts is the first book I have read by Joanna Barker, and it won't be my last.  

Double Take

Title: Double Take

Series: Lake City Heroes #1

Author: Lynette Eason

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Christian Fiction, Suspense, Romance

Source: Library

My Review:

Double Take by Lynette Eason is the first book in her newest series, Lake City Heroes. I am already anticipating book two!

The Widow of Falbrooke Court

Title: The Widow of Falbrooke Court

Series: Ladies of Devon #3

Author: Kasey Stockton

Narrator: Victoria Brazier

Publisher: Golden Owl Press

Genre: Historical Fiction, Regency, Romance

Source: Hoopla

My Review:

I immediately started listening to The Widow of Falbrooke Court once I finished The Lady of Larkspur Vale by Kasey Stockton. I wanted to know if Amelia and Charles mend their fences and fall in love.

The Lady of Larkspur Vale

Title: The Lady of Larkspur Vale

Series: Ladies of Devon # 2

Author: Kasey Stockton

Publisher: Golden Owl Press

Genre: Regency, Clean Romance, Historical Fiction,

Source: Kindle Own

My Review:

The Lady of Larkspur Vale is my first book by Kasey Stockton, but it won't be my last. I have not read the first in the series, but I did not feel like I missed anything by starting with the second book.