Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay

Book Description:

Lizzy and Jane couldn’t be further from Jane Austen’s famous sisters for whom they are named.

Elizabeth left her family’s home in Seattle fifteen years ago to pursue her lifelong dream—chefing her own restaurant in New York City. Jane stayed behind to raise a family. Estranged since their mother’s death many years ago, the circumstances of their lives are about to bring them together once again.

Known for her absolute command of her culinary domain, Elizabeth’s gifts in the kitchen have begun to elude her. And patrons and reviewers are noticing. In need of some rest and an opportunity to recover her passion for cooking, Elizabeth jumps at the excuse to rush to her sister’s bedside when Jane is diagnosed with cancer. After all, Elizabeth did the same for their mother. Perhaps this time, it will make a difference.

As Elizabeth pours her renewed energy into her sister’s care and into her burgeoning interest in Nick, Jane’s handsome coworker, her life begins to evolve from the singular pursuit of her own dream into the beautiful world of family, food, literature, and love that was shattered when she and Jane lost their mother. Will she stay and become Lizzy to her sister’s Jane—and Elizabeth to Nick’s Mr. Darcy—or will she return to the life she has worked so hard to create?

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A really good read. Reay, crafts wonderful characters and stories that pull you in. While, I didn't love this one as much as I did her debut novel, Dear Mr. Knightley, I still really, really liked it. I found some wonderful insights the further I got into the book and learned a few things about cancer patients along the way.

There was a touch of romance but really the main theme of this novel is wrapped up more in the two sisters and even more, really about growth - forgiveness, love, sharing, trusting, hoping and I could go on. Reay, has a new fan in me!

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

Book Discription:

Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others—namely, her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story—by giving that story to a complete stranger.

Sam is, to say the least, bookish. An English major of the highest order, her diet has always been Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare. The problem is, both her prose and conversation tend to be more Elizabeth Bennet than Samantha Moore.

But life for the twenty-three-year-old orphan is about to get stranger than fiction. An anonymous, Dickensian benefactor (calling himself Mr. Knightley) offers to put Sam through Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

As Sam’s dark memory mingles with that of eligible novelist Alex Powell, her letters to Mr. Knightley become increasingly confessional. While Alex draws Sam into a world of warmth and literature that feels like it’s straight out of a book, old secrets are drawn to light. And as Sam learns to love and trust Alex and herself, she learns once again how quickly trust can be broken.

Reminding us all that our own true character is not meant to be hidden, Reay’s debut novel follows one young woman’s journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.

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I absolutely loved this book! I wasn't sure at first if I would, as the novel is written as if you are reading letters. However, after a few letters in, I was hooked! I found it hard to put down, when I had to, and it lingered in my mind while I was away from its' pages. I thought that maybe I would miss out on the character interaction and other things from this style of writing but I did not. I found that it was all wrapped up nicely in the letters.

Characters, and not just our main character, Sam, came to life. The story was rich and touching. I cried at times and went through many other ranges of emotion, but most of all I was excited. Excited to see Sam and her relationships grow and mature. There was a lingering suspicion I had throughout the story, about where things might head and I was correct but still so pleased to see it all unfold.

Definitely, a novel I could read again!

Falling Like Snowflakes (A Summer Harbor Novel, Book 1) by Denise Hunter

Book Description:

Eden Martelli is too busy fleeing the clutches of danger to realize she’s running straight into the arms of a new love.

Speeding north through rural Maine, Eden Martelli wonders how her life came to this—on the run with her mute five-year-old son dozing fitfully in the passenger seat. When a breakdown leaves them stranded in Summer Harbor, Eden has no choice but to stay put through Christmas . . . even though they have no place to lay their heads.

Beau Callahan is a habitual problem solver—for other people anyway. He left the sheriff’s department to take over his family’s Christmas tree farm, but he’s still haunted by the loss of his parents and struggling to handle his first Christmas alone.

When Eden shows up looking for work just as Beau’s feisty aunt gets out of the hospital, Beau thinks he’s finally caught a break. Eden is competent and dedicated—if a little guarded—and a knockout to boot. But, as he soon finds out, she also comes with a boatload of secrets.

Eden has been through too much to trust her heart to another man, but Beau is impossible to resist, and the feeling seems to be mutual. As Christmas Eve approaches, Eden’s past catches up to her.

Beau will go to the ends of the earth to keep her safe. But who’s going to protect his heart from a woman who can’t seem to trust again?

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Hunter, once again, crafts a novel sure to delight! For those who read her novel, Married til Monday, you will be a little familiar with Summer Harbor and the Callahan brothers. And hopefully as excited as me to see how their stories pan out! For those who haven't, no worries, it isn't necessary, but I do recommend the read!

Fans will not be disappointed, as per Hunters usual style, they will find all the ingredients that make us love Hunter's stories, and just make a great novel in general. Characters that are not only likable and engaging, but who have depth... and chemistry! There are sub stories building up for the novels to follow, a dash of suspense, life/faith lessons and romance!

One of the take aways from the story is on fear and not letting it rule your life. Fear is not of God, and it can chain you. Eden struggles with this on a few different levels. Fear for her life and Micah's, but also letting her past mistakes and other things affect her present and future. Any way, some good food for thought in there for all of us!

This engaging novel kept the pages flying and leaves me eager to read Zac's story, The Goodbye Bride (due out in March of 2016)!