Carla's Book Crush

An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon
Series: Checking Out Love – Book 1
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 
Publication Date: February 12, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Christian Romance
Pages: 320
Format: ebook – Publisher
Add to Goodreads
Buy on Amazon

Can a librarian’s matchmaking mischief lead to a love that rewrites their stories?

If the covers of every romance book ever published didn’t convince librarian Evangeline Kelly that she isn’t heroine material, her fiancé calling off their wedding when she lost her hair to alopecia did. But what’s a girl head over heels for love to do when her feelings are unrequited? Matchmake, that’s what. Armed with library patrons’ check-out histories, she’s determined to make at least one love connection–even if it’s not her own.

Tattoo artist Tai Davis is used to people judging him with a single glance, so it doesn’t surprise him when the town’s quirky new librarian believes his bad-boy reputation without giving him a chance. He can’t help being intrigued by her, though, so when he discovers Evangeline’s secret matchmaking scheme, he’s not above striking a bargain with her. She just has to agree to one date with him for every time she uses his hometown knowledge to set up library patrons on a romantic rendezvous. The deal is made, but in the process, they both might learn you can’t judge a book–or each other–by the cover.

Evangeline Kelly, a librarian in love with love, starts matchmaking in the small town she moved to six months ago. However, not everything goes as planned. Tattoo artist Tai Davis strikes a deal—he’ll provide his hometown knowledge for each of her matches, and in exchange, Evangeline must go on a date for every match-up.   

Why must authors toy with my emotions? I’m enjoying my time with Evangeline and Tai, and suddenly, I find myself crying. Not a hypothetical cry—actual tears welling up and spilling over. I keep reading, laugh out loud about Chuck Norris (you had to be there), and then, before I know it, I’m crying again.   

Evangeline’s internal struggles with alopecia reminded me of my challenges with my birth defect. And Tai—he’s the perfect reminder that first impressions aren’t always the truth. His love is so pure and perfect that you just want to scream at Evangeline, “Stop pushing him away!”   

Several times, I thought this story should be over because my heart felt so full. But then the narrative kept unfolding, and I could feel my heart swelling just a little more—until it overflowed with happiness, melancholy, and love. This book will be the one all other contemporary romances must live up to. 

---

The Mother’s Day Bargain by Martha Fouts
Narrated by:  Lisa Lynn Sandlin 
Publisher: Independent
Publication Date: April 7, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Christian Romance
Pages: 184
Listening Length: 6 hours and 17 minutes
Format: Paperback & Audiobook- Author & Narrator
Add to Goodreads
Buy on Amazon

Their moms only asked for one thing for Mother’s Day . . .

“Sounds like our moms are cooking up a scheme for Mother’s Day. Did Evelyn tell you to bring a date and if you didn’t, she could set you up?”
“What? Yes, did Lois give you the same challenge?” The two old birds must’ve come up with the idea over a pot of their chamomile tea.
“Yep, of course she offered it up with a big dollop of guilt on top so I couldn’t refuse.”
“Lois resorted to guilt? That’s not usually her style. I think maybe my mother has been a bad influence on your mother. Maybe we should treat them like two kids who can’t get along and separate them?”
She put her hands together and wiggled her fingers deviously. “I say we turn the challenge back around on them.”
She spoke as if she had a plan, and for a minute, Gabriel thought she was going to propose they go together. He almost wished she would. What if they could pretend like the past never happened, that they’d just met each other and could go on a date like normal people who had feelings for each other?

If you love small town romances that point people to Jesus, then you will love The Mother’s Day Bargain, and you’ll also love The Mother’s Day Tea and The Mother’s Day Letter.

I read the audio and print versions of the book together. I also read it in mostly one day because I could just not put it down. This is billed as a romantic comedy, and when combined with Sandlin’s narration, the words come to life, and it gives the story a real LOL factor. 

Before the book begins, there is a quote by Fred Rogers that, right there, tells me something. That something is that I’m going to like the book. Right away, you are introduced not only to childhood best friends Rae and Gabriel but also to the fact that their other best friend, Chet, mysteriously disappeared when he was 17. That immediately has me wondering. 

Gabriel is my favorite character. He has all the best lines, whether he speaks them to Rae or they are just in his thoughts. Gabriel is the first one who expresses his feelings, although not to Rae—just to you and me, dear reader—and that gets me in the heart right away. He also has me thinking about my relationship with God right away. 

Rae is a little more traditional in her approach to life. Regular nine-to-five job IT job. She has a hard time saying no to people and puts others’ needs above her own. Such a relatable quality, at least for me.  

It is easy to see what is behind the mother’s bargain, but that doesn’t spoil the book or make it any less entertaining. The vibe that the women gave off is that they were older (maybe in their 70s ) by their actions and their understanding of technology. Which did give the book a little bit of a The Grandmother’s Day Bargain feels. But everything still worked together cohesively. 

I recommend any format of this book. No matter which version you go with, you will be entertained by this wonderfully sweet, funny romance. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Farmer’s Marriage Bargain by Heidi Main
Series: Triple C Ranch – Book 3
Publisher: Love Inspired
Publication Date: April 1, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 208
Format: paperback – author
Add to Goodreads
Buy on Amazon

They agreed to a practical marriage

But love never goes as planned…

Raising three children alone was never part of the plan, but after losing her husband, Emma Bailey is doing the best she can. Until she discovers that she can’t afford the medication her youngest child needs. Suddenly, her late husband’s best friend comes to the rescue. Carter McCaw promised he’d always watch over the family and the farm. But when he proposes a marriage of convenience, Emma’s not so sure. It seems like the perfect solution…until love blooms between them and complicates everything.

What I really appreciate about this book is how Emma and Carter approach the marriage of convenience – not just practically but also by seeking God’s will. They even talked to their pastor, asking if they were still honoring marriage if their commitment wasn’t about love but about meeting a need. They plan to stay together forever because they respect the sanctity of marriage, but neither of them wants a romantic relationship because of past hurts.

Given how difficult insurance is, especially in the U.S., this storyline feels so germane. I could absolutely see this happening in real life just because of the circumstances so many people face. I really liked how the author showed Emma and Carter’s struggles—not just with their situation but with the possibility that maybe there was more between them than just a friend helping a friend.

I adore both main characters equally. Their strengths made sense based on their backgrounds. I couldn’t personally relate to everything Emma was going through—like being an orphan—but I could understand how this impacted her relationships and made it hard for her to accept any feelings she might have for Carter. And Carter’s own medical struggles really shaped how he lived his life, which felt very real.

This is a touching and relevant read with just the right amount of sweetness. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves small-town romance, Love Inspired books, or stories that show how God can glorify any type of marriage.

Finding You by Amy Clipston
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: July 9, 2024
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 352
Format: paperback – library
Add to Goodreads
Buy on Amazon

Both of them want a relationship–but is beginning it a big mistake?

On the outside, twenty-seven-year-old Darcy Larsen is a pretty, put-together professional–but inside she’s falling apart. Eighteen months ago, she lost her fiancé in an accident she still blames herself for. After a successful transplant, her kidney disease seems to be in check, but she worries that her future children–if she has any–will also suffer from the same condition. And she’s overcome with indecision about finding her birth mother, discovering potentially devastating information, and hurting her adoptive parents.

Mechanic Carter Donovan seems to have everything going for him at first glance–stunning good looks . . . a wicked sense of humor . . . and a heart of gold. But Carter’s seemingly perfect exterior hides a host of secrets. After a rough breakup and mounting bills from a medical emergency that left him drowning in debt, he doesn’t feel like the catch everyone says he is. Plus, he’s about to turn thirty–with no romantic prospects on the horizon.

When Darcy’s Lexus breaks down in her doctor’s parking lot, Carter appears on the scene to try to jump-start her car–and her heart. But despite their immediate connection, the two have perhaps too many obstacles to overcome. Carter questions if getting involved with Darcy will be his next big mistake. And Darcy wonders if she can ever move past her grief and guilt to embrace the gift of Happily Ever After that’s dangling in front of her.

Finding You is a standalone novel set in the same charming town as the Flowering Grove series, filled with sweet romance without the spice, relatable characters, and themes of second chances and hope. With its compelling storyline, relatable characters, and a touch of mystery, Amy Clipston’s newest novel is a must-read for fans of clean romance and those seeking a heartwarming tale of love and redemption. Discussion questions are included.

I really do love Amy Clipston and think she is a great author. It is also very touching that she drew from her experience with her husband’s kidney disease. However, by page 20, you know exactly what the plot twist is going to be. Slightly disappointing because we all know how a romance is going to end anyway. Additionally, their lives had too many similarities, which didn’t really feel realistic.

The inner dialogue of how Darcy and Carter were thinking made everything come together despite the other issues I had with the book. The way they talked to themselves, their thoughts, and how they reacted to things gave the story the sincerity it needed. The conversations with the side characters also brought together some great elements and provided a little more depth to the book.

What are you reading?

In some instances, I receive books through the publisher or author. This is marked next to “Format”. This in no way sways my opinion. All opinions are my own.