When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden
Series: The Women of Midtown
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Genres: Christian Historical Romance
Pages: 352
Format: ebook – Publisher | NetGalley
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In a world on the brink of war, two hearts must navigate shadows of uncertainty.

Inga Klein’s carefree life in New York takes a dramatic turn when she sails for Berlin, Germany, to serve as the secretary for America’s ambassador. Amid the glamour of life at the embassy, she continually finds herself at odds with the straitlaced and imposing Benedict Kincaid, the diplomatic chief of staff who harbors deep misgivings toward the German-born Inga.

As Europe hurtles toward World War I, Benedict’s determination to keep America out of the conflict adds to the already tense atmosphere. Despite their relentless sparring, Inga and Benedict succeed in keeping the embassy afloat through one crisis after another. But when they run out of diplomatic options, a marriage of convenience may be Inga’s only hope of escape from the impending war.

My Review and Reflections

This soft, sweet book pulls you in with its descriptive, romantic, and beautiful writing. I drifted off into Inga’s life, starting with her immigration to the U.S. as a ten-year-old in the prologue. At twenty-six, Inga Klein is a strong, independent woman at a time when those traits weren’t exactly celebrated. Her external and internal beauty makes it hard for people not to warm up to her. She has no desire to marry—at least not yet—because she enjoys dating and the freedom to do things she might not be able to as a married woman. Benedict Kincaid is formal, precise, and all business. He comes across as unyielding, but underneath that rigid exterior, he’s a teddy bear.   

The rich storytelling and historical setting transported me to early WWI Berlin. I felt Inga’s fear as she navigated the dangers of working for the U.S. Embassy as a German-born woman. She was caught between her heritage and the only country she truly knew and loved. Meanwhile, Benedict’s determination to do his job well, even at the risk of alienating others, made him both frustrating and endearing. As you hear his thoughts and see how he slowly warms to Inga, you just want to reach out and hug him.

This book reminded me of my German-born grandfather, who immigrated to the U.S. as a young boy. During WWII, he became a decorated U.S. Army sergeant, but his German accent made navigating the world difficult. He rarely spoke about the war because of that conflict. It gave me a glimpse into what Inga might have felt, and it touched my heart.   

The secondary characters in this book are all endearing, even Inga’s boss and friend, James Gerard. He seemed to rub people the wrong way—especially Benedict—but he had everyone’s best interests at heart, including Inga’s. Even though bringing a German-born immigrant to Berlin at that time wasn’t exactly the smartest decision.   

This book made me nostalgic for a time I never experienced, including Inga’s wardrobe, which Benedict seemed to admire. It has everything you want in a slow-burn romance—rich history, compelling characters, and a love story that stays with you long after the final page.  

Small Town Harmony by Milla Holt
Series: Rhapsody of Grace
Publisher: Reinbok Limited 
Publication Date: February 5, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Christian Romance
Pages: 436
Format: ebook – Author
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Faith, fame, and family collide as a Christian music power couple hides a secret discord.

Ezra Falconer’s career with his brothers’ band always took center stage while his shy wife Martha was content to play a supporting role in the background. That all changed when Martha’s hidden talent was discovered and she became a breakout singing star. Shedding her frumpy image, her old-timey name, and 100 extra pounds, she transformed into the sultry and sophisticated “Morgan.”

Ezra, grappling with his own career setbacks, struggles to reconcile the confident superstar with the unassuming woman he married.

Martha returns from a sell-out international tour to a marriage on shaky ground. Unprepared for the pressures of fame, she navigates new opportunities that threaten to pull her and her husband even further apart.

As they hide their crumbling marriage from family, friends and fans, Ezra and Martha are asked to collaborate on a charity album, forcing them to confront the growing silence between them. How can they rediscover harmony while they’re singing in different keys?

My Review and Reflections

This is a book I picked up and didn’t put down until I was finished. I have the stiff joints to prove it. No amount of discomfort from sitting all day would have stopped me from reading this.  

I am so oblivious to the obvious. I read through this book and kept wondering why Martha was so emotionally wrecked by Ezra’s relationship with his business partner Liz. When Holt spelled it out to me, I was devastated that I did not realize this truth. It was in that moment that Martha opened up to Ezra about everything, I was emotionally wrecked. While I hadn’t connected with her feelings until that point, in that instant everything clicked in my heart and head.

This book spoke to the boundaries of marriage that can be blurred even without physical intimacy outside of marriage. It is raw and real. It also highlighted that we are children of God and our worth is not found in the things of this world. God values are not on physical appearance, wealth, or fame and that’s not where we should place our values either.  

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy emotionally deep stories about marriage, faith, and personal transformation. If you enjoy stories that weave faith into real-life struggles, this one is for you. 

Madly Yours by Elle M. Adams
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Christian Romance
Pages: 224
Format: ebook – Publisher
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Whippet Moran is a single mom with no job and no home, and now, after the death of her grandmother, she’s got to return to the last place she wants to go: her grandmother’s hometown of Normal, Missouri. She arrives in true Whippet fashion, speeding into town, where she is promptly pulled over by Normal’s chief of police, Sam Beaufort. Things are about to go from bad to worse because, with a few unpaid tickets under her belt, Whippet soon finds her car impounded. Now she’s stuck in Normal—indefinitely.

Determined to make the most of her stay, Whippet works a series of odd jobs and dips her toe into the dating pool, but nothing seems to stick—until she learns she’s inherited a building from her grandmother and inspiration strikes. As she works to make something more of her life, there is one constant presence, whether she likes it or not: Sam Beaufort, the cop whose speeding ticket welcomed her to town. Amid all the mishaps of her stay in Normal, Whippet’s connection to Sam, though often infuriating, is undeniable. But can two people with broken pasts build a lasting future together?

My Review and Reflections

This was a quick read that was easy to get drawn into. Whippet is a realistic single-mom mess. Anyone who has been in her shoes trying to make ends meet will understand where she is coming from. Sam is the town hero and a great guy but he has a past. And he can’t seem to get rid of her (ahem, ex-wife).  I really enjoyed Whippet’s daughter, Everly. She has all the sass of a nine-year-old. No longer a small child but not yet a teen. It was also really fun to have towns that I frequent mentioned in the book – St. Louis, Town & Country, and (my favorite) Rolla.

There is another book, 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘮𝘮𝘢, that introduces some of the characters, like Elle’s brother Tucker, but I would still consider this stand-alone. Although after reading this one, you’ll likely have the other on your TBR like me. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a strong dose of reality with a happy ending in their romances.