Jill LynnBesprekingen

DNF’ed the first time I tried it (I think I was just in the mood for another type of book.) but read it in basically one sitting today.

Tropes: second-chance romance, high school sweethearts

Content: kissing

3 Stars

Kara Tippetts’s story was not a story of disease, although she lost her battle with terminal cancer. It was not a story of saying goodbye, although she was intentional in her time with her husband and four children. Kara’s story was one of seeing God in the hard and in the good. It was one of finding grace in the everyday. And it was one of knowing “God with us” through fierce and beautiful friendship.

In Just Show Up, Kara and her close friend, Jill Lynn Buteyn, write about what friendship looks like in the midst of changing life seasons, loads of laundry, and even cancer. Whether you are eager to be present to someone going through a difficult time or simply want inspiration for pursuing friends in a new way, this eloquent and practical book explores the gift of silence, the art of receiving, and what it means to just show up.

I enjoyed this clean, love-inspired, romance. I bought this at a local Goodwill store and I voluntarily chose to review this story. I've given this a 4.5* rating. Parts of this seemed to move a little slower but it was a good story about second chances. Lots to enjoy with a toddler in this.½

I am a sucker for children in stories, especially when they’re apart of sweet budding romance, and when you triple these little cherubs the adorable wattage goes through the roof! First off, I cannot even begin to imagine having triplets. I barely handled the two I had and they’re fifteen months apart! I loved how all the girls called Finn “Mista Finn”. I could hear those melodic little voices. It’s so adorable!!!

This trio had definitely stolen my heart from the get-go, so I knew Finn was a goner from the first moment they met, which wasn’t even an ideal situation. It takes a real man to brave four women, and Finn was just the right man for the job, despite him never having children of his own, and the wall that he’d erected around his heart. I think it took all four of them to tear it down, and they did it in the sweetest way.

Ivy was a very identifiable character. Her personal insecurities are some that I’ve experienced myself, so I found myself identifying with her more and more as the story went on. Ivy and Finn are really great together, this calming energy emanating from both of them, and when you add the girls it was just a joy to read.

I have read a few other books from the Colorado Grooms series, and I think this has to be one of my favorites. The charming backdrop, the hero and heroine not over the top, and the sense of family really warmed my spirit. This was just the escape I needed , and I am so thankful I had an opportunity to read it!

Colorado Grooms is such a sweet series, and I was so excited to finally be able to read the second book! The Rancher’s Unexpected Baby is very character driven, with oodles of inner dialogue and conversations, which truly helps you get into the minds of both Emma and Gage. The banter between the characters helps keep you engaged, though I did feel like it did get to be repetitive. In other words, it’s true to life, showing the day in and day out responsibilities, as well as all those new parent hijinks. It gives a pretty accurate account of the angst and frustration of a screaming baby, and all those tidbits that go beyond the cute cuddles and that heavenly smell that only a baby can exude, showing the screaming, the smelly, and the nitty gritty.

Baby Hudson adds the perfect charm, especially for this gal that’s been having baby fever lately, and craving her next fix. Emma “just makes everything better” for Gage and for the reader as well. Her and Gage both are so good natured, which really spoke to me, and though there was turmoil as far as their feelings for the future, there wasn’t much more drama, making this a calm, laid back read.

Besides Emma being a ray of sunshine, we also got to see sweet little Ruby from The Rancher's Surprise Daughter again! She is one of my favorite child characters from that novel, full of wonder and spunk, so seeing her make an appearance made my heart happy.

The Rancher’s Unexpected Baby is full of heart and hope, faith and friendship. The laughter and love is something I truly cherished, and who doesn’t love a good, strong man and a baby??

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

Such a sweet read! I was intrigued by The Veteran’s Vow from the get-go. I hold a special place in my heart for veterans, so seeing one featured was revitalizing and deserved. I appreciate the focus of good mental health, especially when it comes to our armed forces. Documenting Behr’s symptoms and internal dialogue made this struggle real, and is something I know many veterans sadly must deal with. Reading Behr and Ellery’s story made me not only appreciate veterans all the more but I have an even greater appreciation for those that have outreach programs like Helping Paws. It is a need that is definitely there.

Seeing Ellery’s heart and passion for her program shined so brightly I couldn’t help but feel the same way. Seeing Behr face his fears, and battle his own inner strife, was completely relatable, as we all tend to be hard on ourselves, but this story also shows how important it is to have a good support system around you.

I love the playful banter between the characters. Behr and Ellery’s relationship is especially refreshing, but Margo stole the show in my book. I always seem to fall more in love with secondary characters and that includes amazing pets like Margo. Service dogs are such blessings, and it was great to see one highlighted in a novel, especially one that stole my heart.

I loved how organic and natural Behr and Ellery felt, this whole novel feeling very realistic and down to earth. I seriously couldn’t put it down and immensely enjoyed this quick and sweet read.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

I really enjoyed this clean, love inspired, romance. I bought this at a local store and I voluntarily chose to review this story. I've given this a 5* rating. The snow storm was so bad, he almost missed the tire tracks going off the road. A woman and her 3 young daughters were hoping for help and it was very cold. This was a very intertaining and inspiring story with a HEA at the very end. Ill be reading more of this author's work.

Choosing His Family brings to a close the Colorado Grooms series by Jill Lynn. This delightful book showcases main characters Finn Brightwood and Ivy Darling, but Ivy’s triplet daughters definitely steal the show. When Finn rescues Ivy and her daughters during a snowstorm, he quite begrudgingly allows them to stay in the bunkhouse at his ranch while their car is being repaired. I especially enjoyed seeing Finn getting to know the three girls and their cute personalities.

While the outcome of the story is a little predictable, it is a charming tale that captured my interest and held it. The characters are endearing and realistic, and it was such fun to see characters from previous stories in the series appear in this one. I’m looking forward to more books from this author.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own

I am a sucker for second chances, and Jill Lynn did an incredible job of bringing Addie and Evan's story to life. Evan and Addie are high school sweethearts that had to part not too long after high school ends, and end up reconnecting when they both find themselves back in their hometown.

It's been ten years since they've seen each other and though their connection is immediate, and still electric as ever, Addie has brought home with her a secret that she knows she must tell Evan, but doesn't know how. Evan agrees to help her with a major project and it is this truth that puts her in bondage, keeps her at arms length from Evan, and gives an air of mystery and apprehension to the novel. You know she's going to tell Evan eventually but, just like Addie, you don't know when or where it's going to happen, or how Evan is going to take this life-altering news. It's hard not to get hooked on the drama and mystery, and I was engaged until the very end.

I loved the playful banter between Evan and Addie, but little Sawyer stole the show, and my heart. He is the perfectly adorable relief amid the adult drama that swarms around him, and I caught myself smiling at several scenes that included him, especially when Belay was with him.

The light and breezy flow of Her Hidden Hope is refreshing, giving the lighthearted hope of love, forgiveness, second chances, and happy endings mixed with the apprehension that comes with untold secrets.

Though this is apart of the Colorado Grooms series, the author does a masterful job of keeping the reader up to speed, so you never feel lost. It is well written with such heart, and was a great quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.

Each book in Jill Lynn’s Colorado Grooms series has been such a treat to read. I love the setting in small-town Colorado, and the characters are so endearing and realistic. Raising Honor is the fifth book in the series and is just as charming and delightful as the others. Charlie Brightwood is a spunky, capable heroine who has just started fostering children with Honor being her first placement. Ryker Hayes stole my heart as the loving uncle who dropped everything to move to Colorado and give his niece a stable home. Honor steals the show as the adorable niece who has been neglected by her mother, Ryker’s sister.

While it’s not hard to guess the ending to the story, there are enough unexpected twists and turns that it kept my interest throughout the tale. I loved the growth that the characters made, although they both had baggage from the past to overcome. This is a wonderful addition to a great series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.

If that book cover doesn’t melt your heart, little Honor and her situation will.

Charlie is strong, independent, and business savvy, but she also dreams of motherhood. And that dream is what leads her to foster care. When she is entrusted with Honor, her heart is on display for this little girl. She’s willing to do difficult things if it means bringing Honor even a moment of happiness.

And the hardest thing Charlie must do is share Honor with her uncle. Ryker explodes into town, not leaving a very favorable first impression, and must prove he’s a good man to care for his niece.

Jill Lynn takes readers through the roller coaster of emotions foster parents must go through. From the joy of caring for a child and celebrating the small victories to the heartbreak of them returning to family. While the romance between Charlie and Ryker is fraught with questions, uncertainty and moves fast, it also is believable.

In the end, it’s Honor who steals the show, but the entire book is a wonderful read.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Just Show Up is easy to read, and it's hard to read. Easy, because it's conversationally written. Hard, because it deals with hard.

A year ago, we were in the midst of our own "hard." My father was gravely ill; he even spent time in hospice.

If you want a book to help you know how to Just Show Up for a friend or loved one who is going through a hard time in life, this book will show you just that. I can relate to Jill so much, since I'm an introvert to the core.

Be sure to have a box of tissues nearby.

Ah, young love. So intense and so unpredictable, a whirlwind like no other. Luc and Cate got swept up in love and when things ended it was a hard fall. That would've been the end of the story but when Cate walked out of the relationship she was carrying a secret with her: Luc's baby.

Fast forward a few years and Cate is raising a beautiful daughter named Ruby on her own. Cate has recently made another important step in her life, giving her life to the Lord. With this decision she knows she has to make things right. It's time to tell Luc that he's a father.

The Rancher's Surprise Daughter is the story of a family struggling to move past the pain of the past, and find a new normal, all for the sake of a spunky, spirited four year old. Love, forgiveness, and living by faith flow through the pages which weaves a beautiful tapestry. The ranch setting is idyllic, and you really feel like you know the characters.

Despite it being a sweet story, the pace is incredibly slow, and it did take me a bit to get through the entire book. If you're in the mood for a slow paced story about family, faith, and forgiveness then this is the perfect book for you!

I needed this book. I was looking for something that would provide some guidance on meeting the needs of a loved one with terminal cancer and this book not only gave good advice on how to provide assistance but also dealt with many of those thoughts and feelings that occur when you are in the midst of the suffering. I'm in a similar situation as Jill Lynn Buteyn and my relationship with my person is similar to her relationship with Kara. I heard my voice and my person's voice many times while reading this book. I'm grateful for it.

If you are in the midst of suffering with a close friend, I cannot recommend this book enough.

A friend sent this book in a box of books and when I read the back cover, I thought that I'd read it previously, but when I checked, I hadn't. So apparently the summary of this book is very similar to one I've already read. I found the plot somewhat similar as well though some details were changed.

Olivia helps her sister, Lucy, get a temporary job as the office manager for a doctor. Lucy also teaches dance part-time. When she meets the doctor's serious young daughter, she wants to bring some fun to the girl's life and starts teaching her dance.

Despite Lucy thinking she only wants fun out of life and the doctor thinking he won't find the level of love again that he had with his late wife, the two do fall in love with each other. But the doctor also has to contend with his late wife's parents who have concerns of their own.

I do think the doctor should have stood up to his in-laws' bad behavior sooner. Even if he wasn't dating Lucy at the time, his in-laws shouldn't have treated her the way they did, yet he never called them on it. He also made an implied "deal" with his in-laws and didn't tell Lucy--then when she found out later, she was hurt. (I didn't quite understand why she was feeling so hurt, but that is beside the point. The doctor obviously agreed that he'd done something wrong based on his actions.) He should have said something like "If YOU choose not to allow your granddaughter into YOUR lives, that is your business. I would like YOU to be part of her life, but YOU cannot dictate my life to me, so if YOU cannot accept this, then it is YOUR choice to not be part of her life."

While insanely depressing, this book is important and will hopefully find its way to those in times of need. Thankfully, I don't need all the advice this book has to offer now, but I did learn some other important information and will be well prepared should tragedy strike. This book is a practical guide on how to be there for someone suffering cancer or loss or some other tragedy. It talks about how to show up, what to say and do, and how to make the greatest impact on your friend and on your soul. Written by the late Kara Tippets, a cancer patient, and her good friend Jill Lynn Buteyn this book offers good faith based and common sense advice. A must read for anyone wanting to help out others in their time of need.

I received this book for free from Litfuse publicity in return for my honest, unbiased review.