When You Make It Home by Claire Ashby

Synopsis: Meg Michaels, a bookstore owner, has already walked away from two cheating exes. She’s learned her lesson and has her mind set on success—until she gets knocked up. Embarrassed and unwilling to discuss her situation with friends and family, she wears layers to hide the pregnancy. 

When Meg gets sick at a party, she’s mortified. Even worse, Theo Taylor, the guest of honor, discovers her secret. Theo, an Army medic wounded in the war, agrees not to reveal her condition, and the two forge a bond of friendship that blossoms into love. 

Theo is soon filling all of Meg’s late-night cravings—and not just the pregnancy-induced ones. But can their love overcome all the obstacles that stand between them and creating a happy family?

Review: I've had this book on my want to read list for nearly a year, so when the opportunity arose to read and review it, I jumped at the chance. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed! This is one of the best debut novels I have read this year.

This story is overflowing with secrets--it seems everyone has one. It's a very realistic tale of family, friendship, and romantic relationships. The characters are well rounded, and you feel as if you know them. The situations they are in are those where you may have found yourself, or know someone who has been there, done that.

This book ran me through a gamut of emotions, from wanting to slap someone, to laughing at situations, to crying happy tears. I can't wait to see what the author will write next!

**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

My rating: Five stars

The Genesis Reversal by Jillian Cornell

Synopsis: Tommy Kelly is a deep thinker for a nine-year-old and can’t understand why the United States has never had a male president. After he is kicked out of school for defending men’s rights, his strict grandmother sends him to Catholic school as a disciplinary action. There, he is taught the story of Eve and Adam and why God created men to serve and submit to women. 

Tommy has several eye-opening experiences regarding gender inequality after his father becomes entangled in an abusive relationship, and his mother marries a much younger man. Despite the absence of strong male role models in his life, will Tommy learn to value himself in a world where men are second-class citizens?

Thoughts: This was a fun read, and yet at the same time one that makes you stop and think. As the subtitle says, "What if God had created Eve first?" However, this is not a feminist book in my estimation. It is a book about humanity, and how we ALL deserve to be treated better--men, women and children.

There are a lot of social issues found throughout this book: abusive relationships, divorced parents and their relationship (or lack of one) with their children, equal rights for both genders, etc. The story also touches on how some people are always looking for a wealthier partner, or a younger one, or a more powerful one.

I love the main character, Tommy, as well as his sister Ruthie. In the end, it is Tommy, a nine year old boy, who seems destined to show society the error of their ways.

**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

My rating: Four stars

because by Jack A. Langedijk

Synopsis: Robert had reached the summit of many mountains. His adventures took him to unimaginable heights, yet his greatest achievements were not in conquering these majestic beauties, but in his ability to reach people in need. That is, until he’s the one facing the toughest climb of his life. 

Roberto Sanchez is living the dream; one could say the man had it all. He is blessed with a beautiful wife and daughter who complete him. A career that reaches at-risk kids that brings him true joy. Then a tragic accident leads Robert to a chasm of dark despair. Although his interventions have reached many, he found he is incapable of helping himself off the edge of a cliff, jeopardizing his career, his marriage, and himself. 

because takes us on a journey of two Roberts as he struggles to find a way to once again believe.

Thoughts: I really wanted to like this book, but it just never really held my attention and sucked me in the way books do which I truly enjoy. I get the premise behind it, but it didn't really bring out any emotions in me. I was not inspired the way I expected I would be. I was incredibly disappointed by this book. 

My biggest problem with it was the way the story jumped from the present day to four months prior and back again. I would have been able to follow it much easier if it had been in chronological order.

**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

My rating: One star

A Ghost For Christmas, by J.D. Winters

Synopsis: Be careful what you wish for 
Mele Keahi wasn't looking for excitement when she came to Destiny Bay. She'd just lost her man, her job and her self esteem, and she needed comfort. Instead, she found herself involved in a murder, sparring with a suspicious detective and coming face to face with a ghost from her Hawaiian childhood. Not what she'd bargained for--but then--sometimes you just have to deal with what the cat dragged in. 

Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters are very well defined, most of them are immediately likable, and the ones who aren't so likable are that way for a reason. 

There is action, humor, romance and a bit of the paranormal to this story. I look forward to reading more of this series in the future, and hope it continues for a long time to come.

**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

My rating: Four stars

Just Beginning (A Prequel To Just Destiny), by Theresa Rizzo

Synopsis: From award-winning author, Theresa Rizzo, comes this prequel to bestselling Just Destiny. 

Twenty-something Jenny Campbell's life has been a series of screw-ups, and the latest one endangered her little brother's life. But when she falls for sophisticated Gabe Harrison, she has a chance to turn her life around...if she can keep her past a secret.

Gabe's career as a successful doctor has left just enough time for his teenage children and little else. But when beautiful, vivacious Jenny comes along, she breathes love and happiness into his lonely life. There's only one problem: their families are opposed to their relationship. Money and age differences mean nothing to Gabe as long as they have trust, love, and respect.

But can two out of three be good enough?

Thoughts: I'm glad that I got this before I started reading Just Destiny, because now I know the full back story of all the characters. This was a truly sweet story, with just the right touch of drama and humor. 

As someone in a relationship where there is an age difference, I've been through some of the same feelings Jenny has in this book--dealing with people presuming your husband is your father, for example. I think that helped make her and Gabe more real to me, too.

While I like Jenny, Gabe, Alex, Ted, Michael and Steve, I have negative feelings toward several characters,as well. George made me angry several times, as did Annie, Judith and Jenny's mother, whose name escapes me at the moment. 

Now I can hardly wait to read Just Destiny, which is waiting on my Kindle. 

**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of the above opinions are entirely my own.**

My rating: Four stars