Mia Ross

I've read Mia Ross before and must have liked those well enough to recognize her name when a friend sent me a box of Love Inspired books. This is the first book in the sub series Oaks Crossing.

The author does a good job creating characters that I care about and pulling me into their story. Lily St. George is a rich girl who wants more out of life than being a trophy wife. She's been burned in the past by others liking her only for what she can give them so she doesn't tell others about her family connection. Mike Kinley is a single parent who's moved back home to help his family keep their family business running after his father passed away. His wife walked out on him and their daughter, Abby, when Abby was very young. For Mike, the life lessons are learning to forgive and learning to trust in love again.

My biggest complaint about the book is one that is common to Love Inspired stories: how short a time the couple has known each other before they end up engaged and married. In this book, they meet in early May and become engaged sometime during Lily's summer break from teaching (a span of at most 3 to 4 months). The epilogue has them getting married--not sure how much time elapsed between the engagement and the marriage but it didn't seem like too long of a time had passed. For real life, I'm not sure such a short time span would lead to the happily ever after romance these books imply.… (meer)

I like the Oaks Crossing region and the Kinley family. Oaks Crossing seems quick to embrace Bekah, a hurting soul. Though I was sad that Rosie getting hurt was part of the storyline, I was glad to see that there was an animal rehabilitation place nearby and that Rosie recovered and was set free to the life that God intended for her. The love of animals was present throughout the book.

I thought the author did a good job with the romance part of this book too. There was a bit of the love at first sight idea (mostly from Drew's side) but the author was able to create a believable friendship between the two and also not belabor the reasons why Drew and/or Bekah wouldn't be interested in a relationship or wouldn't believe the other capable of liking him/her in a romantic way.… (meer)

The characters are likable but the plot is formulaic. Lauren Foster finally wakes up to what's happening with her New York City relationship and flees to Holiday Harbor, Maine where an old friend gives her a job and a place to stay. Serendipitously, this same friend is also marrying her "prince charming" (and the house of their dreams comes on the market shortly before their wedding, leaving Lauren a convenient place to stay now that she's decided to stay in town after all).

Lauren seems to want to stay for the "wrong" reasons (because Ben lives there) rather than because she realizes she really likes the town (though she does in other sections of the book). And again, the two main characters dance around whether they're in love and whether they should admit it to the other if they are--a common (and in my opinion overused) issue in this genre.… (meer)

I received this book through the Goodread's Member Giveaway. I would like to thank the author and publisher for sending me the book to review.
First of all, I would like to say that I have enjoyed many of the Love Inspired books. They always prove to be light, quick reading, without being plot-less or boring. They are nice to keep in the car for a quick chapter while waiting for the kids, or in your bag for a nice lunchtime getaway. I appreciate the fact that these books provide that Happily Ever After without all the TMI that we all can just use our imaginations for.
I really enjoyed the way author Mia Ross described the town of Holiday Harbor. I could practically smell the salty air, and hear the call of the sea gulls. What a lovely place she has created. I would love to live there!!
I also have to say that I really enjoyed the cover of this book as well. What a beautiful scene with the lighthouse perched on the rocky shore, and the colors were soft and soothing! I found myself looking at it again and again. I know it sounds weird to go on about a book cover, but I can honestly say that a book with a nice cover will have me reaching for that certain book way before the plain covered one next to it.
This whole story was just a joy to read. I like the author's writing style, as well as the whole "feel" of the book.
I won't go into all the details of the story as you can find that on the back cover, or in several other reviews. But what I will do is tell you that you should give this book a try if you enjoy reading lighthearted romances like I do.









… (meer)