Monday, January 26, 2026

Smoochin' the Right Twin by Madison Love

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Grace, Lawsuits, and the Hard Lesson of Letting Go

If only every legal entanglement in this world could be settled with the grace found in Merdy’s journey, our courthouses would be empty and our hearts would be full. Merdy finds herself in a bind that most would find paralyzing, but she is blessed with a plaintiff who shares her faith and a circle of friends who truly embody the "right kind" of community. The narrative beautifully illustrates that accepting a helping hand doesn't diminish our strength; rather, it empowers us to do even more for the Lord.

We often carry the heavy burden of thinking that if a mistake is ours, we alone must pay the penance. Merdy learns, however, that through humility and cooperation, a solution can be reached where everyone involved benefits more than a financial payout ever could have provided. Parallel to this legal drama is her personal journey with Hunter. She is forced to learn the difficult task of accepting him—and his love—without conditions, mirroring the profound way God loves us in all our imperfection.

The story does take a startling turn at the climax, and I found myself questioning the narrative direction. The medical hurdles Hunter faces seemed to vanish into thin air, leaving the doctor’s warnings feeling a bit "washed over" and unresolved. It felt as though the author was so intent on having God teach Hunter a specific lesson that the consistency of the plot suffered for it. Despite this abrupt shift, the message of communal support remains powerful. It is a thoughtful look at how our mistakes don't have to define us when we allow God—and our friends—to help rewrite the ending.

Sunday, January 25, 2026

Smochin’ the Surly CEO by Madison Love


Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cornhole, CEOs, and One Big Identity Crisis

Gabby has a full-blown identity crisis on her hands, and she’s handling it by hiding her true self from everyone who matters. While she’s busy playing a part, Tim—the CEO of Cornhole for a Cause—is gearing up for a Valentine Fundraiser Gala and trying for a third chance to prove he’s worth the risk.The real struggle here isn't just the romance; it’s how these two handle life when things get messy. Gabby’s decision to manipulate Tim into opening up about his father is a hard pill to swallow. You can’t build a healthy relationship on mind games and curated secrets.Ultimately, this story is a loud reminder that honest communication is the only way to build a life that actually works. Tim is at a major crossroads, facing heavy decisions about his career, his father, and his walk with Jesus. It’s a sobering, direct look at the difference between the image we project and the authenticity required to make a relationship last. If you’re looking for a story about big life choices and the messy reality of faith and family, this hits the mark—just be prepared to want to give Gabby a piece of your mind.

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Smoothin' the Wrong Twin by Madison Love

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Biddies Might Gossip, but God’s Got a Better Playlist

Honey, pull up a rocking chair, because Connie Jo’s return to Baggersville is the sweet tea your soul has been craving. If you’ve ever felt like your life was a demo track over-produced by a committee of strangers, you’ll feel for our girl. Somewhere between the glitter of the pop charts and the pressure to be anything but a Christian artist, she stopped singing her own truth. It takes a ten-year cornhole tournament to pull her back to the Texas dirt—because nothing says "spiritual recalibration" like tossing beanbags for charity while the town watches from the sidelines.

The real kicker is the Miller twins. Hayden has traded his billionaire tech empire for the family ranch to help his brother after their daddy’s stroke—a move the city folk might call "crazy," but we just call "doing the right thing." In a move as bold as it is misguided, Connie Jo mistakes Hayden for his brother and recruits him to be her fake boyfriend to draw out a stalker. Watching her pine for the "wrong" twin while the "right" one is standing right there is like watching someone try to ride a mechanical bull after three margaritas—hilarious, a little messy, and you just can't look away.

This story is a sharp-witted look at how we get blinded by our own preconceived ideas, searching so hard for the life we planned that we walk right past the blessing God actually put in front of us. The author even recorded the songs mentioned in the book; while one is admittedly as corny as a Baggersville field in July, the others are powerful enough to make you pull over on a backroad just to listen. Ultimately, it’s a beautiful reminder that God is the ultimate sound engineer, always ready to correct our course when we start singing off-key. It’s a heartwarming, holy mess of a journey that proves the path back home is usually paved with old friends and the kind of love that doesn't need a spotlight to be seen.

Friday, January 23, 2026

Unexpectedly Engaged to the Duke by Emily Honeyfield

 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️


       Two cowards and a very flawed plan


I enjoyed the story well enough, but the character logic was exhausting. Penelope is allegedly "highly intelligent," yet she can’t see the bigger picture and cowers before the Duchess despite standing up to the Duke. She and Sebastian deserve each other—they are both cowards in their own way.

The plot also falls apart under historical scrutiny. The Duchess’s plan was nonsensical given that Regency marriage laws favored men, and the Ton kept a tight watch on inheritance. Has the author never heard of Debrett’s? Everyone would have known James’s identity. A decent read, but the inconsistencies are hard to overlook.


Taming Her Stallion by Megan Musgrove

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A businessman, a horsewoman, and a warning ignored

"Things are never as you imagine them." This is the warning Jack gives to Ian as they visit the Marquess of Shanbrook, and it’s a fitting theme for the story. While Ian is focused on a mission of vengeance, Jack finds himself completely derailed by the Marquess’s daughter, Jessica.

The characters are the strength of this book. Jessica is refreshing—titled, yes, but also one of the best horsemen in the country, which adds a great layer to her personality. Jack is a successful businessman, though his insistence that he is "unworthy" of a Lady feels a bit heavy-handed at times. It’s an engaging, well-written read with a decent amount of steam, showing that love usually shows up exactly when you’re planning for something else.


The Beanbagger of Cornhole County: The Prequel by Madison Love


 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Master of the Toss: When God Takes the Lead

If you’re looking for a story that will make you weep happy tears into your coffee, Josie’s journey is it. I finished this book feeling like I’d just stepped out of a long Sunday service—refreshed, a little convicted, and deeply moved.

Baggersville, Texas, is the kind of town that feels exactly like my home church. Everyone is perpetually stationed in your business, but in the best way possible; it’s the kind of "nosy" that means they’ve always got your back (and likely a casserole waiting on your porch).

The chemistry between Morgan and Josie as they rebuild after her three-year battle with the "C word" is beautiful to witness. The story is wonderfully quirky, too—the corn jokes are genuinely "corny" in the best sense, adding a layer of levity to a very real struggle.

What I loved most was the spiritual perspective. It’s a powerful reminder that God loves us enough to mess up our plans. He uses life’s detours to nudge us back into His will. And while the book offers a scientific explanation for Josie’s miracle to satisfy the logical mind, the heart knows the truth: it was God’s plan, perfectly timed and brilliantly executed.

Saturday, January 17, 2026

My Unwanted Duchess by Rose Collins


 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Duke & The Deception

The Duke starts out with all the warmth of a frozen pond, but watching him thaw as he lets Charlotte into his life is the real treat here. Charlotte finds him to be a surprisingly kind and considerate man—which is a bit of an irony, considering she’s busy hiding her entire scheme from him. It’s funny how you can find someone is firmly on your side, even when you’re supposedly at odds in what you want from life.

The story is warm and genuinely surprising. There are several twists that manage to catch you off guard, weaving through the plot until they settle into a sigh of affection.

The characters are wonderful, and while the ton is as predictably awful as I usually find in this trope, the real treasure is the surprise I found in the Duke. I hope you find it, too—it’s exactly what makes this story special.

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Worn Sandals by Sean Lyon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Worn Sandals is a true example of how to live Grace. There are at least four moments when I had to stop reading to cry, tears ...