The Stepsisters by Susan Mallery

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

Daisy, stepsister to Sage and Cassidy, has got a lot going on. Her husband has left her for reasons unknown to her, and she’s trying to care for their two kids while holding down a challenging job as a nurse anesthesiologist. The last thing she needs is her perfect stepsister, Sage, invading her life. The two were never close. Although Daisy was excited about inheriting a sister when her dad married Sage’s mom when they were young, Sage and her mother were always mean to Daisy. Now Sage, beautiful and worldly, is back in California. How will Daisy keep her shaky marriage to Jordan a secret from Sage, who happens to be Jordan’s former fiancé!

Meanwhile, Cassidy, their stepsister in common (Daisy’s dad and Sage’s mom’s child) of whom Daisy is also not at all close to, has been in an accident and needs to move into the 15,000 sq. ft. family home that Daisy inherited from her biological mother upon her death, and where she currently lives with her husband, Jordan, before he moved out. Daisy’s dad wants his youngest daughter to recuperate there and Daisy isn’t happy about it. Sage and Cassidy were always the close sisters, but even they have drifted apart somewhat over the years. How will these three siblings find peace after nearly two decades of friction?

The stepsisters tells the story of Daisy, Sage and Cassidy. They’ve had issues over the years but now that they’re adults and dealing with challenging circumstances in their individual lives, they begin to realize how much they need each other.  As they draw closer together they learn of the reasons that lead to their disjointed relationships, many of which were instigated by Sage and Cassidy’s selfish, conniving mother, and they find it in their hearts to forgive one another.  A strong bond grows but is severely tested when one sister makes an almost unforgivable mistake. Will the new bond of love and friendship be short lived?

I enjoyed this book. Mainly I liked how the stepsisters found unity, friendship and love for one another.  They had to work through many of their own insecurities and reluctance to form sustainable relationships with their significant others because of incidents that occurred during their adolescent years. Toward the end of the book their growth was evident, although one sister suffered a setback. I found this book to be relatively tame for Susan Mallery and I was glad for that, too. It held my attention and felt realistic. A good listen.

NARRATOR – The audiobook narrator, Tanya Eby, is good. Carla from Carla Loves to Read defined her perfectly when she said, “There are times that her voice is a bit saccharine, but for the most part, her voice, expression and emotion bring this story to life.” I couldn’t agree more. Thanks, Carla. 😉

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Montana Welcome by Melinda Curtis

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 4 stars

I really enjoyed Montana Welcome. There was a satisfying mixture of comedy, adventure and sweet romance that I relished from beginning to end.

Lily Harrison becomes a bride on the run when she finds out, on her wedding day, that her groom to be isn’t in love with her. At almost the same time she learns that she’s not who she thinks she is, but a part of a much bigger family that she never could have imagined. She suddenly finds herself in a motor home on her way to Montana. She’s on a quest for answers about her true identity, but unbeknownst to herself there’s a search party closely following on her heels. Along the way Lily finds friendships in the form of two very dramatic young women; regains confidence in her abilities, acquires a horse and donkey and falls in love with a cowboy.

I love the Blackwell series, and this was a very good start to The Blackwell Sisters. It was great getting reacquainted with the elusive Big E (Elias Blackwell), and the rest of the Blackwell brothers who were sprinkled throughout the pages of Montana Welcome. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

California Girls by Susan Mallery

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

Three sisters are dumped in the same week.

Finola, the eldest of the trio, is a morning-show host who’s blindsided by her husband’s betrayal with a young, famous singer, on her own television show! Just when she was ready to go ahead with a major plan for their marriage, it’s shattered in a moment.

Zennie, the middle sister, feels comfortable being alone. She dates, but always seems more satisfied relaxing at home by herself. She’s content with her job and her friends. Her recent sort-of boyfriend senses her lack of enthusiasm about their relationship and breaks off whatever it is they have together. Zennie is a bit caught off guard by this, but only mildly affected. A free agent, she decides to do her best friend a favor—she’s going to be her surrogate! But did she realize what she was getting herself into? And why does she find herself missing the man she pushed away?

Ali is the youngest of the three sisters and feels the smallest in comparison to Finola and Zennie, both in attractiveness and in accomplishments. Her fiancé didn’t even dump her for another woman, he just didn’t want to be with her anymore. To add insult to injury, he didn’t even have the decency to tell her himself, his brother broke the news to her, and he’s been so helpful in helping her get her life back on track. Why is he doing that?

I enjoyed this book about three sisters who reinvented their lives after breakups. While single they took a closer look at themselves and went after what they believed in, even if their actions weren’t immediately received favorably. But of course, in Susan Mallery fashion, each woman’s story ends on a positive note. ☺️

Have a great weekend everyone!

Love Shadows (Shores of Indian Lake ~ Book 1) by Catherine Lanigan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5 stars

Luke Bosworth is consumed by the clutches of grief after losing his young wife two years ago. He prefers to stay stuck in the past where memories of Jenny remain constant; he’s neglecting his two small children as a result, and can’t get his anger issues in check which could cost him his job if he doesn’t get help. So he does, and while doing so he’s reacquainted with the annoying woman with the out of control dog who he seems to keep running into. Sarah Jensen is also trying to overcome the grief that’s caused her to lose her focus and drive; and although she’s grappling with feelings of inadequacy and loneliness, she can help Luke’s children in so many ways if he’d stop being so overly-protective and prideful. She has her mind set on a monumental project that involves Luke’s children, but all she ever gets from him is anger, rage and negative feedback. The man needs serious help. But as it turns out, Luke is also a multifaceted person with many talents, including an ability to discern the motives and emotions of others, as Sarah soon learns during one of their grief-counseling therapy sessions. Both Sarah and Luke have issues that aren’t obvious to themselves, so why are they so apparent to each other?

I loved this book! It gave me all the feels. It was a tender, emotional story with an excellent cast of characters that continue to linger in my mind. I always enjoy reading Catherine Lanigan’s books. Her depth of knowledge and wisdom shines through in them. You can sense her life experience from the various objects, places, and expressions of human emotions and advice that’s written. There’s substance within its pages, and not superficial fluff. The contents gives me pause for reflection. I appreciate when there’s an obvious maturity level existent in a book because not only do I enjoy the story, but I learn new things as well.

Overall, Love Shadows was a great read that exceeded my expectations. At times it seemed borderline Inspy fiction, IMO, with the religious backdrop and views, so I’m giving you a heads up on that aspect of it. Nevertheless, I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more books in the series.

Thank you, Catherine Lanigan, for a complimentary copy of Love Shadows. All thoughts expressed about it are my own.

Have you tried reading a Harlequin Heartwarming book? Do you like sweet romance? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Stay tuned for my upcoming Heartwarming giveaway, and thanks for visiting Cozynookbks. Have a great week everyone. 😊

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 4 stars

After losing her job and her boyfriend, Dillon Michaels heads back to the place she’s always known as home, her grandparents’ farm in Oregon where she grew up. Her grandpa lives there alone since her grandma passed away about a year earlier. Deciding that her grandpa could use some help and cheering up, she says goodbye to her roommates and heads to Oregon where she plans to spend quality time with her grandfather while figuring out what she should do with her life. But when she gets there she discovers that her elusive mother has beaten her to it. Dillon’s comfy little room has been taken over by her mom who’s experiencing relationship troubles of her own, and Dillon is relegated to the lumpy couch. This, she decides, will not work. As she contemplates leaving the farm, her grandfather surprises her with an old, rundown camper that Dillon sees as a diamond in the rough that she can fix up and live in while staying on the farm. She’s beginning to feel super excited about fixing up her camper, the handsome hardware store owner, and the progress she’s making on the strained relationship she has with her mother. Things are looking up. But when her ex-boyfriend shows up unexpectedly, proclaiming his undying love at a very inopportune time, could his crazy antics cause Dillon to lose out on the prospect of a new love?

I truly enjoyed The Happy Camper. It didn’t hurt that I love everything associated with RVing and cute little vintage campers. So when I saw this book I knew I had to read it, and I was not disappointed. It contained so much that made my little heart happy—sweet romance, camp trailers, a farm, an adoring grandfather, a contrite mother, a cute set of young twin girls and so much more. I read intently and envisioned one old, neglected camp trailer carefully restored, inside and out, and then meticulously decorated to appease the new owner, who made it into a cozy, cute living space for herself. I could picture the interior with its turquoise and orange accessories and original appliances. It was a vintage camper-lover’s dream book! The pace of the book was even with many sweet scenes that brought a smile to my face. And although it ended a bit abruptly, it contained all the makings for a lovely story that was fun and uplifting.

Thank you, Revell Books, for an ARC of The Happy Camper. All opinions expressed about it are my own.

Have a great weekend everyone! 😊