Carla's Book Crush

Their Surprise Reunion by Shelley Shepard Gray
Series: A Matchmaker Knows Best Romance – Book 1
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Publication Date: April 29, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 355
Format: ebook – NetGalley
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Friendship can turn to more…

When you least expect it!

Kayla Harding knew she’d reached rock bottom when she forced herself to walk through the front doors of Loaves of Love, the food bank in Medina, Ohio, one Saturday morning. Happily, what she finds there is a loving community of people who offer her not just food, but friendship and hope. She also finds Sean Copeland, a former crush, father to six-year-old Jackson and small-town football coach, who volunteers at the food bank. But Kayla is still reeling from her divorce, and Sean is a recent widower. Can they find it in their hearts to fall in love again?

This sweet, quick read will leave you enthralled from the beginning. Even though they are both Amish, Lydia and Thad’s religions are very different. Thad goes to college and drives a truck. Lydia uses a horse and buggy and didn’t get beyond the eighth grade. When you pick up a romance you know that the two main characters are your happy ending but I was on pins and needles wondering who was changing religions. And at what cost?

I could relate with Thad quite easily, being conflicted with drive and passion but also wanting to ensure it doesn’t overshadow the more important things in life. That is such a hard balance and Thad’s struggle was real. And as a fiber artist, Lydia’s crochet joy had me hooked.

Ms. Johns gets so much credit for making this Grinch tear up multiple times. The connections to God, family, and faith were so deep that I could not help it. It all came together so well and with so much thought and care. If you haven’t read an Amish romance but love holiday romances, this would be a great book to dip your toes into the Amish genre. For those who already love Amish romances, you will love this – Christmas time or not. Because, as you will feel when you read this – faith, love, and happiness are available to you year-round.

The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Publication Date: April 22, 2025
Genres: Thriller | Domestic Thriller | Psychological Thriller Pages: 368
Format: paperback – received from author
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She thought she was the only one lying about her identity. Until she stepped into her sister’s life.

Charlotte Kane has always dreamed of a different life, one where she isn’t living paycheck to paycheck. An existence worlds away from the chaos of her own. Then her estranged mother dies, and Charlotte makes a stunning discovery—she has an identical twin who was given up for adoption.

Acelynn Benedict is polished, successful and seems to have everything Charlotte yearns for—a wealthy, doting family in Savannah, a handsome boyfriend, a great career. She’s just as surprised as Charlotte to learn she has a sister. But when tragedy hits and Charlotte is forced to assume Acelynn’s identity in a desperate moment, she uncovers something altogether darker…

No one in her sister’s life is quite who they seem to be. And every discovery leads Charlotte deeper into a web of deadly secrets. Charlotte may have wanted Acelynn’s life, yet now that she’s living it, she wants out. But if she reveals the truth about herself, it will mean returning to her old life—and she’s already a dead woman there.

I received this book from the author as part of a JustRead tour. I wasn’t asked to review it at the time, so it sat on my shelf for a few months. But I recently had some extra time for reading, and I’ve been wanting to focus on authors who will be at the Rendezvous 2025 Event. also knew I wanted to read something a little different for me—but not too different—so I went with a Love Inspired Trade.

If, oh, people of the bookish world, you will allow me to summarize my thoughts on this book in just a few sentences… here they are: I may never sleep again. Oh, the clever mind that wove this tale. I may be just a little bit afraid of meeting Jessica.

You will be on the edge of your seat for this entire ride. I truly never saw the ending coming—not even for a minute. Charlotte Kane is the MC throughout the book, but there are also snippets from the past labeled “Then.” Reading the two timelines together sends chills down your spine. Charlotte has a best friend, Tillie, and at times I questioned the things she said and did. But as the story unfolds, you slowly begin to understand her motives. Once Charlotte has to become her twin, Acelynn Benedict, you realize Tillie is an absolute dream of a friend. If you’ve ever longed for that perfect Instagram life, you definitely won’t after reading this.

This book was so good that, other than work, nothing else got done while I was reading it. No workout, no Bible study, and certainly no sleep.

Yours Blindly by Rose Fresquez
Series: The Office Heartthrobs – Book 2
Publisher: Independently Published
Publication Date: April 27, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 398
Format: ebook – received from author
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He’s the bane of her existence. She’s the reason for his.

Most people at the office consider me a nice guy, friendly even—everyone, that is, except for the graphic designer. Lexi Sinclair branded me the enemy from the day I challenged her designs in a critical meeting. Despite her skill in crafting stunning visuals, I’m the gatekeeper of what ultimately makes it to our platforms. As the marketing director, I’m not just her boss by title; I define the strategy. Yet, she resists me at every opportunity, a challenge I’m tempted to sidestep—before she gets under my skin.

Fate, however, delights in complications. It starts with a blind date, and who else shows up but Lexi? As if that’s not bad enough, she becomes my temporary neighbor in adjoining townhouses. I play my music loud, she craves silence—my uncontrolled Great Dane destroys her porch plants. And now our confrontations spill from the boardroom to our shared driveway, turning every encounter into a battleground.

Yet, beneath her frosty exterior lies something unexpectedly fragile, revealed as life throws its harsh realities and forces us to rely on each other. With every heated exchange, our reasons for rivalry blur, and I can’t pinpoint when we shifted from foes to something resembling friends.

As our defenses crumble, sparks ignite and suddenly we breathe the same air. I realize then that she’s everything I didn’t know I needed, and my world can’t function without Lexi in it. I may never fully understand Lexi Sinclair, but perhaps that’s not necessary. Maybe I’m meant to be hers, blindly.

This is book 2 in the Office Hearthrobs Series. Each book can be read as a complete standalone.

Fresquez’s writing style borders on flowery, making it difficult to engage. However, the intense descriptions do lend themselves to really seeing the tension between Lexi and Nico. Of the two main characters, Lexi felt the most real to me. Her background and experiences were relatable, making her reaction to Nico understandable. I rarely read office romances, perhaps because that’s where I met my husband of 25 years and now nothing can compare. But the ending of this one did give me all the vibes. It had me crying, smiling, wondering how this could even happen, and then back to smiling.

If you enjoy office romance, this is for you. You will also enjoy this book if you like stories with strong friendships, forgiveness, and repentance.