Love Everlasting (Isle of Hope series Book 2) by Julie Lessman

Book Description:
He sets hearts on fire. 
She’s been burned by love. 
Can hope survive the flames of the past? 

School teacher by day, ghostwriter by night, sweet and shy Shannon O’Bryen doesn’t mind writing romance on the sly, but to live it? No, thank you, not since the man she loved turned out to be a player who broke both her heart and her spirit. Now focused more on her faith and her fiction, she vows the next time she falls in love, it will be safely—through the pages of a book. 

Dr. Sam Cunningham is a charismatic player who breaks hearts as regularly as he washes his pearl-white Corvette. Abandoned as a baby, Sam was an orphan shuffled through the foster-care system, bitterly driven to prove he is worthy of love—the kind that lasts forever. Once he learns Shannon is a romance writer, he enlists her help in winning back his ex-girlfriend. She teaches him about faith and the true definition of love, and he soon discovers he’s been seeking it in the wrong place all along—and with the wrong girl. But can he convince a woman who's been burned by love to open her eyes—and her heart—to a love everlasting? 
*** This book will be released on Sept. 30, 2016.

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   WARNING - Reading this novel is addictive! Seriously! Julie Lessman is one of my favorite authors and I absolutely look forward to reading each and every novel she produces. She has once again captured my attention, heart and emotions with her newest release, Love Everlasting. From page one I was hooked, and to be honest I had a really hard time putting the book down last night and going to bed. I wish I could have devoured this novel in one sitting. Then again, I really did not want it to end either! 

   Lessman is gifted with the ability to write not only witty, humorous and romantic stories, but also ones with heart, hope, faith and true love. She organically weaves in messages of faith and deep truths, that elicit hope and meditation. She did no less with this story. Her characters, main and secondary just shine. They are written with depth and live with you long after you turn the last page. I love the dialogue, and seeing the interactions not only between the two main love interest, but with their families and friends as well.

   In Book 2, we get to see Shannon and Sam, a.k.a Dr. Love, take the forefront but do not worry Tess and Ben's story continues to play out as well! Each of these stories plus getting to catch back up with characters from Book 1 is completely delightful. There were moments that left me grinning, as I am now; and other moments that took me through a range of emotions but left me completely satisfied! Also, completely eager for Book 3, Love Unchanging due out next year!

   Now back to our focus, Book 2! I love, love, loved it! Shannon is a study of contrasting traits, that blend to draw you to her; being both sweet and shy, a woman of faith but also feisty and a woman with deep hurts. Shannon battles with trust issues for a very good reason. She battles with trusting men but also with herself. Sam, is the GQ looking guy who seemingly has it all; he is charming and kind but also a complete player. Watching their friendship and story unfold was beautiful. Their story painting a reflection of the truth of God's everlasting love. Love that is a real, 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love. Love that is patient and forgiving, love that endures and does not fail. (Click here to see the way Julie pictures her characters.) 

   I simply cannot say enough good things about this novel and series! If you have not read Book 1 or its' prequel, I highly encourage you to do so. And if you have not ever read a book by Lessman this series is a great place to start. This is Lessman's first contemporary series. Her previous, historical series are fabulous! When starting there check out A Passion Most Pure; still one of my absolutely fave books by any author. 

Blessed and happy reading,

 

*** Thank you to the author for the ARC. This is my honest and sincere review.