Love at Any Cost (Book 1, The Heart of San Francisco Series) by JulieLessman

     If you read my previous post "I confess..." then you will know that I just couldn't hold out any longer!  I love reading books by Julie Lessman and this one did not disappoint!  I was excited & nervous about the new series... Hoping that I would love this new family and all it's characters as much as I did the O'Connor Family series. Wondering if there would be any similarities in the characters and storytelling.  I had nothing to worry about, Lessman created a new series that stands on it's own.

   I really liked spunky Cassidy and "pretty boy" Jamie, not to mention the rest of the family!  I am SO excited about the future books... There are so many secondary characters in this book that just grab your attention and your heart.  One story I am really looking forward to seeing played out is that of Cassidy's Aunt and Uncle!  Should be VERY interesting!

     The one thing I wasn't too crazy about was when Cassidy dove in to her Texan vernacular... it wasn't bad but it was just hard to rectify the words with the image of her I had in my mind.  Again, this wasn't that big of a deal. 

     What I did love was the sparks, the witty banter, the friendships and family ... all of it combined into a page turning frenzy (especially towards the end, where you will find some surprises)!  I also, found myself with a permanent grin on my face!  It really was wonderful!  I stayed up way too late last night because I just couldn't put it down.  And even once I did I had trouble going to sleep because I was still thinking about it and wondering about what would happen next with these characters in future books!  Yay! More thrills and romance to come!

     Lessman wove a nice thread of faith into the story.  One of the main lessons was about trusting God.  Letting go & letting God be the One in control of your life and circumstances... Verses how we many times try to control & manipulate our lives and circumstances. When we do this, we are not trusting God, not believing in His love nor His promises.  He does care for & provide for His children. He loves to show up & do big things for us, if we will step back & let go. All He ask is for us to have the faith of a mustard seed, childlike, trusting faith... He will move mountains.

Super excited for book 2 and 3 and many, many more!