Deena’s May Reads & a Giveaway

Bitter and Sweet by Rhonda McKnight

Genre: Contemporary Southern Fiction (Releases June 11)

Format: Kindle (Advance Reader Copy)

Stars: Four

If you enjoy dual timeline fiction that revolves around family drama and strained relationships but highlights healing from emotional pain, you’ll like this one. The author does a great job leading the reader through each characters’ struggles and bringing a satisfying conclusion. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

*I shared this in my “April Reads” post but I’m sharing again here because I didn’t finish reading it until mid-May.

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley

Genre: Contemporary Rom-Com

Format: Audiobook

Stars: Five (Made my favorites list)

I’m not usually a big rom-com reader, but when an author friend raved about this book, I decided to give it a try. I expected to laugh, which I did. I expected there to be a romantic relationship, which there was. I did NOT expect the emotional depth I found in this story or to love it, but I absolutely did!

I listened on audio, and the narrator was fantastic! She certainly ramped up my enjoyment of this story to a higher level. 

My one complaint is that the story doesn’t have a spiritual arc, like at all. Isadora grew so much in the story, emotionally and mentally, and was a different person at the end, but God received no credit for any of that. It was purely because of other people and her making different choices.

I’m all for books that entertain, which this one definitely does, but as a Christian and avid reader of Christian fiction, I’m always looking for a spiritual arc, even if it’s small. I’m honestly not sure if a sinful human being can find true happiness and contentment on this earth apart from God. We may think we’re happy, but once we know Christ, He takes that concept to a whole new level and we realize we didn’t know the true meaning of a happy life before He came in and changed us.

All that said, I still really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for readers who want a feel-good story about relationships and learning to let go of grudges and bitterness, embrace life, and learn to connect with others on a deeper level.

Loyally Luke by Pepper Basham

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Audiobook

Stars: Five

Loyally, Luke was the perfect wrap up to this royal series. The audiobook narration is fantastic and certainly added to the pure pleasure of this amazing book.

Luke is the perfect hero, and this story provides such a fun journey through the pages toward his happily ever after. Heart-warming, funny, sentimental, and so much more. The sibling love between Luke, Penelope, and Izzy is a joy.

Well done, Pepper Basham!