Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley (Arcadia Valley Romance Book 1)

ByMary Jane Hathaway

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Readers` Reviews

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
sarah south
Each story, some more than others, inspired me to draw closer to God, trusting in His perfect plan. Since each story was the beginning of a three-part series, I can not wait to see where each author will take their characters.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
mabs
What a joy to read these introductory stories to a lovely sounding valley in Idaho. Each story will lead to more books by each author based here in Arcadia Valley.

I have never traveled to Idaho, the land of my father's birth over 105 years ago, but through the research done by each of these authors, it sounds like a place we would all enjoy visiting again in the upcoming books! I look forward to the new releases.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
mamad purbo
Inspiring romances about family, friends, food and second chances. Living in the Midwest, I identified with the struggling characters, a beautiful river setting, but we know our farmers and the food they produce! Thanks for this unique boxed set concept! Looking forward to each series of three books equals 18 romances in the next 18 months! This set does not disappoint.
The Defenders of Shannara by Terry Brooks (2015-04-28) :: Angel Fire East :: A guide to creating iconic brand identities (Voices That Matter) :: No logo / druk 1 :: Captured by Love Books 1-3 (The Unwilling Executive
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
mark rayner
“Taking a chance reminds a person they’re still alive.” This is a sweet bouquet of fresh, love stories from some of my favorite authors. Each story brings a unique perspective to Arcadia Valley. Hundreds of pages of love and friendship in these six different novellas. Each will introduce a new series set in this idyllic hometown. There is something for everyone in this collection of kids, bunnies, and even handsome Latinos and Greeks. I loved the quotes that introduce each chapter in Spring’s Blessings. “Kids have changed the world before.” Young Maisie Felton stole the spotlight in Sow in Love. Stories of hope and faith and building community, “It is important to show hospitality to strangers, because you never know when you might be entertaining angels.” Handsome, hardworking men and sweet, sassy, women with hearts of gold come together in stories of faith, family, and forgiveness. “Why does every single person have to follow sports? Is it a crime that I’d rather cook or knit or read?” A Homegrown Love Story was an especially haunting story of second chances that really touched my heart. I highly recommend this exciting collaboration of clean, inspired, romantic novellas.
* I received an advance reader copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. This opinion is uniquely my own.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
tim jaeger
Omnibus edition containing several novellas by different authors.

I downloaded this free on Kindle because I previously read a full length novel, The Pepper in the Gumbo by Mary Jane Hathaway, and loved it.

However, I only made it through two of these novellas, which were pretty similar to each other, before realising that there was no comparison between these and the previous book. The impossibly short 'getting to know you' time frames before the characters are rushing helplessly down the aisle, the 'bad boy' exs lurking in the background, and the perfection of the heroic lead men, are just three of the reasons I couldn't stomach any more of this stuff.

There's no glimpse of reality here, which is perhaps why I should stick to non-fiction. On the positive side, these books are clean; no sexual content, no swearing, no graphic violence.

If you like unlikely plot lines and love at first sight with immediate wedding bells then this might be for you. Enjoy!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
melanie berlin
Six authors of contemporary Christian romance join to create a world of food, friends, and family in the fictional town of Arcadia Valley, Idaho. Each novella kicks off a three-book series, interwoven with the works of the other authors. In Spring’s Blessing (Seasons of Faith) by Mary Jane Hathaway life gets complicated for Charlotte MacGregor when a motherless child and a handsome widower encroach on her carefully laid plans. In Loaves and Wishes (A Baxter Family Bakery Romance) by Elizabeth Maddrey Ruth inherits her friend’s Bed and Breakfast in Idaho and is given a second chance to succeed, but falling for the farmer next door wasn’t in the plan. In Sheltered Hearts (Romance from the Heart) by Lee Tobin McClain a curvy jilted bride gets stranded in a snowstorm with a handsome restaurant cook who’s not what he seems to be. In Sow in Love (A Garden Grown Romance) by Valerie Comer a real estate consultant’s ideas for fulfilling a living trust are shot down by the elderly greenhouse owner’s grandson, but some of the arrows piercing her heart come directly from Cupid’s bow. In The Scent of Romance (Legacy of the Heart) by Danica Favorite a high-powered lawyer must convince a woman determined to protect her family’s legacy to sell the family farm to his father’s development company, but finds his heart leading him away from everything he’s spent his life trying to accomplish. In A Romance Rekindled (A Homegrown Love Story) by Annalisa Daughety Kate and Drew, who were formerly engaged, find themselves thrown together after more than a decade apart and neither of them are thrilled about it.

I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
haris
Spring Blessing by Mary Jane Hathaway, When Elena's rabbit decides to go into Charlottes garden she isn't happy. When Charlotte takes the rabbit back she finally meets her neighbors. Elena is a amazing little girl. Nico is truly special, he doesn't talk much but he is always helping people who need help. Nico and Charlotte don't hit it off at first but watching there friendship change is wonderful. Nico's family are all remarkable people. You will feel God working throughout this whole story.
Loaves and Wishes by Elizabeth Maddrey, Ruth is surprised when her best friend left her B&B to her. When Ruth re-opens the B&B she isn't happy when Jaden makes a reservation under another name. The relationship Ruth has with her brothers is wonderful. Corban is a very special person. When he comes to the B&B to see Niaomi he is shocked by the news Ruth gives him. Watching Ruth and Corban become friends is amazing. The characters in this book are all very special people. You will feel God working throughout this book.
Sheltered Hearts by Lee Tobin McCain, When Patricia gets in a accident in Arcadia Valley her whole life will change. Alex is surprised when he opens the door to find a woman and a dog out in the blizzard. When all of Alex's plans for his grandmas party changes he doesn't know what to do. The way Patricia steps in and makes everything come together is amazing. The way these two work together is amazing. The Quintanas family are wonderful people. You will feel God working on Alex and Patricia's life's.
Sow In Love by Valerie Comer, When Joanna came to Arcadia Valley to help her brother with the twins her life completely changed. When she met Grady she vowed not to get close to him. After the way her ex treated her she didn't want anything to do with a guy. Maisie is a amazing young lady you will love her. The characters in this book are real down to earth people. Watching Joanna and Grady's relationship change is wonderful. You will feel God working throughout this whole book.
The Secret Of Romance by Danica Favorite, Caroline and Andrew love living with Grams at Bigby Farm. When Stephen and his family came to the hospital, Caroline knew there would be trouble. When Hayden was told that he had to spend a month at the farm Caroline and Andrew thought he would leave in a couple of days. Caroline felt like God wanted her to help Hayden. When she decides to try to get close to her parents again she is happy to have Hayden there for support. What Stephen does for Hayden and Mark is truly amazing. You will feel God working throughout this whole book.
A Romance Rekindled by Annalisa Daughety, When Kate comes home to be with her father she is reminded of what she left years ago. When the lawyer asks her to come to his office she is shocked to see Drew there also. Kate's extended family are very special people. They are always there for Kate no matter what she needs. When Drew starts coming to Kate's house to do the work her dad hired him to do their lives changes. You will feel God working throughout this whole book.
I reviewed this book for the author for a honest review. The words are my own honest thoughts and reaction to this book. This box set deserves a higher rating than a five star review. You won't be able to stop reading this set. The authors will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
jennifer blaine
Arcadia Valley is a wonderful concept by six very talented ladies. Since it is labeled as Book 1, I'm guessing we have lots of other volumes to look forward to. The novellas all felt like part of a larger world, amongst themselves individually, as well as Arcadia as a whole. This made the transitions from each seem natural and flowing. Though I enjoyed all the stories, Sheltered Hearts by Lee Tobin McClain really stood out for me because of the hero, Alex's, secret and how it makes the entire scenario unfold. Think of it as a tale of an almost-bride and an almost-cook.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
margo conner
What a collection! Each story is different from the other, their only connection the locale. And trust me, the locale is so warm and inviting you'll want to move there. Each and every story in this collection is superb. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
1) Spring's Blessing⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
by Mary Jane Hathaway
The first book is worth the price of the whole thing. It will touch your heart and your funny bone. I laughed and cried, and know I need to read more by this gifted author.
2) Loaves and Wishes
by Elizabeth Maddrey
What a Winner⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When she inherits an already successful B&B, it seems like Ruth's dreams are about to come true – especially after she get a look at the kind – and hunky – farmer next door. But then she discovers an enemy on the home front. Will even her 3 "little" brothers be able to get her out of her depressive hole? Maybe/maybe not , but it's fun to watch God working "all things together for good." Another keeper from this collection.
3) Sheltered Hearts
by Lee Tobin McClain
Lovely romance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How Lee Tobin McClain manages to get me to care about her characters so quickly always surprises me. She paints then in bright engrossing colors that make you care about how they handle the twists of circumstances that bring two people together. Both Alex and Patricia find a lot more than they bargained for one cold snowy evening. I can hardly wait to read Alex's brother's (Javier) love story. Come on April!
4) Sow In Love
by Valerie Comer
Sigh ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Being seen as a gold digger by her former boyfriend's family makes Joanna ripe for fear of the same thing happening again. Watching both her and Grady grow not only in their love for each other but in their understanding of God's unfailing love is heartwarming. The supporting cast of characters — in more than one definition — add depth and humor to a wonderful story.
5) The Scent of Romance
by Danica Favorite
Great Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Aptly named author; she's becoming one of mine. Two people who seem to want different things out of life find out how much they have in common and how listening to God can change your direction. Very enjoyable story.
6) A Romance Rekindled
by Annalisa Doughty
Great Conclusion to a Great Collection ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
,what a great story! This conclusion to the introduction to Arcadia Valley just confirms that I've found 5 new favorite authors — one was already a favorite. This story of misunderstandings, difficult separations, and new beginnings sets me up for the next year.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
joe zeidner
I enjoyed all 6 novellas. Love the idea of multiple authors writing in the same setting; several of the stories included little hints of people, places, and events described in the other stories, which made the setting seem especially real.

4.2 stars: Spring's Blessing by Mary Jane Hathaway

Charlotte surprised her family and friends by moving to the country; her eagerness to garden outstrips her skill, but her new neighbors, especially Nico and his daughter Elena, offer help, advice, friendship, and -- possibly -- love.

(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)

Plot and Setting: 4.25 -- Plot is engaging. Has unique elements and no major holes, but a few shaky bits and/or a slight lack of focus. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline is clear and consistent. This is a short and sweet novella, and is clearly introducing the setting and characters for a series, so the plot is fairly simple. But it's a fun story, and sometimes relatively simple, straightforward romances are nice. My only complaint is the irritating presence of Jarrod. That felt unnecessary.

Characters: 4 -- Main characters are relatable, realistic, interesting, and dynamic. Some minor characters have depth, while others may be slightly stereotyped or simplified. Definite strong points in the relationships between characters. Nico, Charlotte, and Elena are entirely plausible as people, and as a family. I appreciated their shared love of books (though I'm quite sure the scene with Reepicheep -- referenced multiple times -- is actually at the end of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, not The Last Battle), and gardens, and funny drawings of Bunnicula. They're great. Also, way to bust stereotypes by having Charlotte propose. :) Some of the locals (like Nico's family and Charlotte's new friends) have distinct, interesting personalities -- but other minor characters (like Charlotte's mom and Jarrod) are fairly stereotypical.

Mechanics and Writing: 3.75 -- Frequent typos, punctuation issues, and word errors. (>30/100 pgs) None of the errors seriously hinder understanding. Good use of POV. Skillful writing that adds to the story. Errors include: compound word and homophone confusion, mild typos, repeated words and a few other editing errors, some missing periods and commas. Some of these have hopefully been fixed before final publication. POV alternates Charlotte and Nico. A charming writing style, with some delightfully unique phrases.

Redeeming Value: 4.5 -- Partially focused uplifting themes or lessons. Drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. No explicit sex scenes. Clear moral guidelines for behavior. Lessons on the importance of community, the dangers of trying to prove your worth by comparing yourself to others, and the value of being brave enough to speak your heart. The Christian faith of the characters is mainly just implied through mention of attending church. Lots of helpful, self-giving neighborliness.

Personal Enjoyment: 4.7 -- I loved it. It made me feel in all the best ways, and leaves me content and satisfied. I’d enjoy reading it again.

4.6 stars: Loaves & Wishes by Elizabeth Maddrey

Ruth moves to Idaho to run the B&B she inherited from her friend Naomi, and her brothers soon follow; friendship and romance springs up with her new neighbor Corban, but Jaden, Naomi's jealous sister, arrives to cause trouble, too.

(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)

Plot and Setting: 4 -- Plot is engaging. Has unique elements and no major holes, but a slight lack of focus. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline may be a bit hard to follow. Covers a lot of ground in a short space, and does it well. I appreciated that the romance element was not the main conflict; they both know pretty quickly that they seriously like each other, and their family and friends all support them fully. The enemy is really Ruth's lack of confidence in her abilities, combined with Jaden's troublemaking. Creative and interesting. The timeline seemed consistent, but I would've appreciated a few more definite landmarks in time along the way.

Characters: 4.75 -- Relatable, realistic, interesting, dynamic characters. Most minor characters have depth, as do the relationships between characters. I enjoyed both Ruth and Corban; they are both generous and hardworking, with just enough awkwardness and self-doubt to make them feel real. I liked how they meshed together so well and so easily. The relationships with family and friends are wonderful, too--definite community support for their troubles and endeavors. Jaden was a bit vague and mysteriously insane, and I did wonder at Malachi's lip-reading abilities sometimes, as he seemed to be able to understand everyone, regardless of how clear a view of their lips he had.

Mechanics and Writing: 4.5 -- A handful of typos, punctuation issues, or word errors. (<15/100 pgs) None of the errors seriously hinder understanding. Intelligent use of POV. Skillful writing that adds to the story. Errors include: compound word confusion, one small typo (her for here), a minor inconsistency (regarding who told Ruth that Jonah was coming), and a handful of sentences that use punctuation or syntax in a somewhat cavalier fashion, making them just slightly confusing. POV alternates Ruth and Corban. The scenes we are presented with are very skillfully, deliberately chosen to move the story along without hashing out every detail.

Redeeming Value: 4.75 -- Partially focused uplifting themes or lessons. Drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. No explicit sex scenes. Clear moral guidelines for behavior. Ruth doubts her ability to succeed in business, and more than once is tempted to cut and run, but Corban and her brothers help her see that she doesn't have to be defined by her past. She also notes that claiming Christianity and attending church aren't necessarily indicators of faith or a Christ-like character.

Personal Enjoyment: 5 -- I loved it. It made me feel in all the best ways, and leaves me content and satisfied. One I'll definitely read again.

4.8 stars: Sheltered Hearts by Lee Tobin McClain

Patricia has left a bad relationship and is starting fresh when she gets stuck in the snow just down the street from a little Mexican restaurant; she takes shelter there with Alex and helps him pull together his grandma's birthday party, but feels betrayed when she learns he has kept his lucrative baseball career a secret from her.

(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)

Plot and Setting: 4.75 -- Plot is engaging from start to finish. Has unique elements and no major holes, but a slight lack of focus. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline is clear and consistent. We have a snow storm, a scramble to make a great 80th birthday party, some friends and relatives who come and go, and 2 people who are very attracted to each other but afraid to believe the other will be interested if they really open up about themselves. And it's great. There's kind of a lot going on, but most of it stays quite relevant to the plot. I also rather love that the whole thing covers just 3 days (with 8 months between days 2 and 3).

Characters: 5 -- Relatable, realistic, interesting, dynamic characters. Even minor characters have depth, as do the relationships between characters. Alex is sure Patricia will like him for his money and fame, not for himself. Patricia is sure Alex will find her body unattractive and her dreams foolish. They're both wrong. And they're wise enough to take time apart to figure things out individually before coming back together. Family relationships are clearly strong for Alex, and all the minor characters that pop in and out truly seem to have interesting stories.

Mechanics and Writing: 4.5 -- A handful of typos, punctuation issues, or word errors. (<15/100 pgs) None of the errors seriously hinder understanding. Intelligent use of POV. Skillful writing that adds to the story. Errors include: compound word confusion, some punctuation flubs, and a few spots with the wrong word (an 'and' that should be 'to,' 'of' that should be 'as,' 'him' that should be 'her'). POV alternates Alex and Patricia. Great description and detail, without going overboard.

Redeeming Value: 4.75 -- Partially focused uplifting themes or lessons. Drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. No explicit sex scenes. Clear moral guidelines for behavior. Deals with issues of not letting 'society' define what makes a person worthwhile. Also, Alex learns that he doesn't have to be perfect to be a Christian, and Patricia is very clear that she can and will figure out who she is herself, rather than just defining herself by her relationship to a man (even a good man like Alex).

Personal Enjoyment: 5 -- I loved it. It made me feel in all the best ways, and leaves me content and satisfied. One I'll definitely read again.

4.7 stars: Sow in Love by Valerie Comer

Joanna is hired to help make a plan for property left in trust to her new church, but Grady, grandson of the man who gifted the land, shoots down her first ideas; as they spend time together and catch a vision for the property, Grady also has a vision for their relationship.

(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)

Plot and Setting: 4.75 -- Plot is engaging from start to finish. Has unique elements and no major holes, but a slight lack of focus. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline is clear and consistent. I enjoyed both how young Maisie's passion and vision was adopted for the greenhouses and land, and Grady's determined pursuit of Joanna. His parents' attitudes felt a bit cliché, and there was maybe more focus on Cameron and Evelyn (groundwork for future books) than felt warranted in such a small space. I appreciated the passing references to months, and the use of Mother's Day to help ground the timeline.

Characters: 4 -- Main characters are relatable, realistic, interesting, and dynamic. Some minor characters have depth, while others may be slightly stereotyped or simplified. Definite strong points in the relationships between characters. Joanna's mix of confidence and self-doubt was interestingly believable. Grady is pretty confident and focused the whole time, and even though he doesn't get everything completely right from the start, I liked how he was able to spot mistakes and fix them as he pursued Joanna. We got some basic character development for quite a few minor characters that will most likely feature in later books. How Grady and Joanna relate to his grandpa and her nephews is sweet.

Mechanics and Writing: 5 -- Few, if any, typos, punctuation issues, or word errors. (<3/100pgs) Intelligent use of POV. Skillful writing that adds to the story. Errors include: calling Grady 'Gracy' early on, and swapping the personalities of committee members Wattenberg and Marshall in the very last chapter (it was Mr. Wattenberg who was the foot-dragging grump the first few times, but in the last meeting, they've switched). POV alternates Joanna and Grady.

Redeeming Value: 5 -- Well-developed, central, uplifting themes. Drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. No explicit sex scenes. Clear moral guidelines for behavior. Themes of giving back to the community through the trust and community garden. Joanna fears her lack of money and social standing will make her unloveable, but Grady insists that her personality and character is more important. Also a strong statement about the importance of including faith and God in a romantic relationship, which I really appreciated.

Personal Enjoyment: 4.7 -- I loved it. It made me feel in all the best ways, and leaves me content and satisfied. I’d enjoy reading it again.

4.3 stars: The Scent of Romance by Danica Favorite

Caroline's parents are leading an effort to get her Gram sent to a nursing home and the family farm sold to developers, and they bring in lawyer Hayden to work out the details; Caroline and Gram resist, and Hayden soon finds himself on their side.

(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)

Plot and Setting: 4.25 -- Plot mixes cliche/overly convenient with unique/interesting. Has a sense of focus. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline may be a bit hard to follow. Everything seemed to come too easily in this one. So many relationships experience a complete 180, and there's not nearly as much conflict or resistance to change as I would expect. Not that it isn't fun to read, but it lacked that sense of realism. Timeline was fairly clear, but though the epilogue was 6 weeks after Hayden's father rejected his plan, it's not clear how long it took for that plan to be completed. A week? A month?

Characters: 4.5 -- Relatable, realistic, interesting, dynamic characters. Some minor characters have depth, while others may be slightly stereotyped or simplified. Definite strong points in the relationships between characters. I like how Caroline and Hayden bond over their lack of real relationships with their parents, and I really admire their plan of letting change start with them. They do seem to fall in love shockingly quickly, though. Andrew, Gram, and Allie are interesting characters, while the parents all seem to be stereotypically wealthy, career-driven people -- until their sudden and dramatic changes in personality and relationships. It's nice, but feels too easy.

Mechanics and Writing: 3.75 -- Frequent typos, punctuation issues, and word errors. (>30/100 pgs) None of the errors seriously hinder understanding. Good use of POV. Average writing, with strong parts and parts that struggle. Errors include: minor punctuation problems, problems with sentence construction (some are run-ons or need to join statements in better ways, and others just feel awkward), and a repeated failure to capitalize sentences of dialogue when the quotation begins in the middle of another sentence. POV alternates Caroline and Hayden.

Redeeming Value: 5 -- Well-developed, central, uplifting themes. Drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. No explicit sex scenes. Clear moral guidelines for behavior. Strong message that wealth and success, as defined by society, are not keys to happiness. Having Jesus in your life, and following God's leading (even when it seems odd or hard), is much more crucial to happiness. Also, emphasis on first changing yourself when dealing with a strained relationship, and finding your ultimate worth in God, so that another's reaction to you doesn't define you.

Personal Enjoyment: 4 -- I liked it a lot. Highly enjoyable and very entertaining, with perhaps an issue or two that tempered my pleasure. I’d enjoy reading it again.

4.4 stars: A Romance Rekindled by Annalisa Daughety

Kate left home following 2 traumatic events around the time of her high school graduation, and doesn't return until 11 years later, when her father is dying; she honors his last wishes by agreeing to stick around while the house and farmers market office are renovated--by Drew, her former fiance.

(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)

Plot and Setting: 4.5 -- Plot mixes cliche/overly convenient with unique/interesting. Has a sense of focus. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline is clear and consistent. The whole idea of someone shaping their life around a loved one's will/last wishes, and the letters left behind that explain everything -- yeah, that's fairly cliché. But at the same time, there were many twists and revelations that were more unique, and which I didn't really see coming. Plus it avoided the love triangle and jealous ex cliches, which I was grateful for. So it balances out in the end.

Characters: 5 -- Relatable, realistic, interesting, dynamic characters. Even minor characters have depth, as do the relationships between characters. Kate and Drew felt realistic -- though some of the twists in their relationship were certainly unusual (mainly the reason they originally broke up). Their pain, hope, and indecision all felt genuine. I also really liked the family dynamics with Kate's cousins, the community dedication to the farmers market, and how even the lawyer (who really could've been a basic stock character) had emotional depth from his own friendship with Kate's dad.

Mechanics and Writing: 4 -- A handful of typos, punctuation issues, or word errors. (<15/100 pgs) None of the errors seriously hinder understanding. Good use of POV. Generally skillful writing. Errors include: mild punctuation or formatting issues, and several times referring to Kate as Katie in the narration (in a way that seemed much more accidental than intentional -- in parts with her POV, and scattered in randomly, not a consistent change to signal her view of herself or something like that). POV alternates Kate and Drew.

Redeeming Value: 4.75 -- Partially focused uplifting themes or lessons. Drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. No explicit sex scenes. Clear moral guidelines for behavior. Lessons on making decisions, being honest, giving second chances, and being open to council from someone who can give a wise perspective. Attending church, and being open to hearing God speak to your life through songs and sermons, is portrayed as definitely important and life-changing. Also the idea that everyone grieves differently.

Personal Enjoyment: 4 -- I liked it a lot. Highly enjoyable and very entertaining, with perhaps an issue or two that tempered my pleasure. I’d enjoy reading it again.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
jonel
Individually, I would rate each of these novellas as 4-5 star stories. The characters come from all walks of life giving readers a delightfully rich cultural diversity. As a whole, this is definitely a project I'm very excited about! I enjoy the small community setting and unifying themes of faith, hope, redemption, and good fresh food.

I requested the opportunity to read and review this book through the authors. The opinions expressed are my own.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
ddust102
One of my favorite romance authors, Mary Jane Hathaway, kicks off this 6-novella series ... which, by the way, is free on Kindle. Each novella is written by a different author, but they are set in the same place: Arcadia Valley, Idaho. The characters overlap a little ... and I'm guessing that they will overlap more in the 18 books of the series which are to be released one each month.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
chelsea booth
“Taking a chance reminds a person they’re still alive.” This is a sweet bouquet of fresh, love stories from some of my favorite authors. Each story brings a unique perspective to Arcadia Valley. Hundreds of pages of love and friendship in these six different novellas. Each will introduce a new series set in this idyllic hometown. There is something for everyone in this collection of kids, bunnies, and even handsome Latinos and Greeks. I loved the quotes that introduce each chapter in Spring’s Blessings. “Kids have changed the world before.” Young Maisie Felton stole the spotlight in Sow in Love. Stories of hope and faith and building community, “It is important to show hospitality to strangers, because you never know when you might be entertaining angels.” Handsome, hardworking men and sweet, sassy, women with hearts of gold come together in stories of faith, family, and forgiveness. “Why does every single person have to follow sports? Is it a crime that I’d rather cook or knit or read?” A Homegrown Love Story was an especially haunting story of second chances that really touched my heart. I highly recommend this exciting collaboration of clean, inspired, romantic novellas.
* I received an advance reader copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. This opinion is uniquely my own.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
paul mccain
Omnibus edition containing several novellas by different authors.

I downloaded this free on Kindle because I previously read a full length novel, The Pepper in the Gumbo by Mary Jane Hathaway, and loved it.

However, I only made it through two of these novellas, which were pretty similar to each other, before realising that there was no comparison between these and the previous book. The impossibly short 'getting to know you' time frames before the characters are rushing helplessly down the aisle, the 'bad boy' exs lurking in the background, and the perfection of the heroic lead men, are just three of the reasons I couldn't stomach any more of this stuff.

There's no glimpse of reality here, which is perhaps why I should stick to non-fiction. On the positive side, these books are clean; no sexual content, no swearing, no graphic violence.

If you like unlikely plot lines and love at first sight with immediate wedding bells then this might be for you. Enjoy!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
javier gilmore
Six authors of contemporary Christian romance join to create a world of food, friends, and family in the fictional town of Arcadia Valley, Idaho. Each novella kicks off a three-book series, interwoven with the works of the other authors. In Spring’s Blessing (Seasons of Faith) by Mary Jane Hathaway life gets complicated for Charlotte MacGregor when a motherless child and a handsome widower encroach on her carefully laid plans. In Loaves and Wishes (A Baxter Family Bakery Romance) by Elizabeth Maddrey Ruth inherits her friend’s Bed and Breakfast in Idaho and is given a second chance to succeed, but falling for the farmer next door wasn’t in the plan. In Sheltered Hearts (Romance from the Heart) by Lee Tobin McClain a curvy jilted bride gets stranded in a snowstorm with a handsome restaurant cook who’s not what he seems to be. In Sow in Love (A Garden Grown Romance) by Valerie Comer a real estate consultant’s ideas for fulfilling a living trust are shot down by the elderly greenhouse owner’s grandson, but some of the arrows piercing her heart come directly from Cupid’s bow. In The Scent of Romance (Legacy of the Heart) by Danica Favorite a high-powered lawyer must convince a woman determined to protect her family’s legacy to sell the family farm to his father’s development company, but finds his heart leading him away from everything he’s spent his life trying to accomplish. In A Romance Rekindled (A Homegrown Love Story) by Annalisa Daughety Kate and Drew, who were formerly engaged, find themselves thrown together after more than a decade apart and neither of them are thrilled about it.

I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
henry a
Spring Blessing by Mary Jane Hathaway, When Elena's rabbit decides to go into Charlottes garden she isn't happy. When Charlotte takes the rabbit back she finally meets her neighbors. Elena is a amazing little girl. Nico is truly special, he doesn't talk much but he is always helping people who need help. Nico and Charlotte don't hit it off at first but watching there friendship change is wonderful. Nico's family are all remarkable people. You will feel God working throughout this whole story.
Loaves and Wishes by Elizabeth Maddrey, Ruth is surprised when her best friend left her B&B to her. When Ruth re-opens the B&B she isn't happy when Jaden makes a reservation under another name. The relationship Ruth has with her brothers is wonderful. Corban is a very special person. When he comes to the B&B to see Niaomi he is shocked by the news Ruth gives him. Watching Ruth and Corban become friends is amazing. The characters in this book are all very special people. You will feel God working throughout this book.
Sheltered Hearts by Lee Tobin McCain, When Patricia gets in a accident in Arcadia Valley her whole life will change. Alex is surprised when he opens the door to find a woman and a dog out in the blizzard. When all of Alex's plans for his grandmas party changes he doesn't know what to do. The way Patricia steps in and makes everything come together is amazing. The way these two work together is amazing. The Quintanas family are wonderful people. You will feel God working on Alex and Patricia's life's.
Sow In Love by Valerie Comer, When Joanna came to Arcadia Valley to help her brother with the twins her life completely changed. When she met Grady she vowed not to get close to him. After the way her ex treated her she didn't want anything to do with a guy. Maisie is a amazing young lady you will love her. The characters in this book are real down to earth people. Watching Joanna and Grady's relationship change is wonderful. You will feel God working throughout this whole book.
The Secret Of Romance by Danica Favorite, Caroline and Andrew love living with Grams at Bigby Farm. When Stephen and his family came to the hospital, Caroline knew there would be trouble. When Hayden was told that he had to spend a month at the farm Caroline and Andrew thought he would leave in a couple of days. Caroline felt like God wanted her to help Hayden. When she decides to try to get close to her parents again she is happy to have Hayden there for support. What Stephen does for Hayden and Mark is truly amazing. You will feel God working throughout this whole book.
A Romance Rekindled by Annalisa Daughety, When Kate comes home to be with her father she is reminded of what she left years ago. When the lawyer asks her to come to his office she is shocked to see Drew there also. Kate's extended family are very special people. They are always there for Kate no matter what she needs. When Drew starts coming to Kate's house to do the work her dad hired him to do their lives changes. You will feel God working throughout this whole book.
I reviewed this book for the author for a honest review. The words are my own honest thoughts and reaction to this book. This box set deserves a higher rating than a five star review. You won't be able to stop reading this set. The authors will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
camille mood
Arcadia Valley is a wonderful concept by six very talented ladies. Since it is labeled as Book 1, I'm guessing we have lots of other volumes to look forward to. The novellas all felt like part of a larger world, amongst themselves individually, as well as Arcadia as a whole. This made the transitions from each seem natural and flowing. Though I enjoyed all the stories, Sheltered Hearts by Lee Tobin McClain really stood out for me because of the hero, Alex's, secret and how it makes the entire scenario unfold. Think of it as a tale of an almost-bride and an almost-cook.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
meghan
I really enjoyed this collection of books from several different authors, all set in the fictional town of Arcadia Valley! I think it's a brilliant idea the authors have had to write these books together and weave their characters lives into each other's books. I can't wait to see where they go with it! They've gotten a fabulous start in this collection which is a whole bunch of great stories in and of itself!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
tanmay
What a collection! Each story is different from the other, their only connection the locale. And trust me, the locale is so warm and inviting you'll want to move there. Each and every story in this collection is superb. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
1) Spring's Blessing⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
by Mary Jane Hathaway
The first book is worth the price of the whole thing. It will touch your heart and your funny bone. I laughed and cried, and know I need to read more by this gifted author.
2) Loaves and Wishes
by Elizabeth Maddrey
What a Winner⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When she inherits an already successful B&B, it seems like Ruth's dreams are about to come true – especially after she get a look at the kind – and hunky – farmer next door. But then she discovers an enemy on the home front. Will even her 3 "little" brothers be able to get her out of her depressive hole? Maybe/maybe not , but it's fun to watch God working "all things together for good." Another keeper from this collection.
3) Sheltered Hearts
by Lee Tobin McClain
Lovely romance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How Lee Tobin McClain manages to get me to care about her characters so quickly always surprises me. She paints then in bright engrossing colors that make you care about how they handle the twists of circumstances that bring two people together. Both Alex and Patricia find a lot more than they bargained for one cold snowy evening. I can hardly wait to read Alex's brother's (Javier) love story. Come on April!
4) Sow In Love
by Valerie Comer
Sigh ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Being seen as a gold digger by her former boyfriend's family makes Joanna ripe for fear of the same thing happening again. Watching both her and Grady grow not only in their love for each other but in their understanding of God's unfailing love is heartwarming. The supporting cast of characters — in more than one definition — add depth and humor to a wonderful story.
5) The Scent of Romance
by Danica Favorite
Great Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Aptly named author; she's becoming one of mine. Two people who seem to want different things out of life find out how much they have in common and how listening to God can change your direction. Very enjoyable story.
6) A Romance Rekindled
by Annalisa Doughty
Great Conclusion to a Great Collection ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
,what a great story! This conclusion to the introduction to Arcadia Valley just confirms that I've found 5 new favorite authors — one was already a favorite. This story of misunderstandings, difficult separations, and new beginnings sets me up for the next year.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
mellanie
I enjoyed all 6 novellas. Love the idea of multiple authors writing in the same setting; several of the stories included little hints of people, places, and events described in the other stories, which made the setting seem especially real.

4.2 stars: Spring's Blessing by Mary Jane Hathaway

Charlotte surprised her family and friends by moving to the country; her eagerness to garden outstrips her skill, but her new neighbors, especially Nico and his daughter Elena, offer help, advice, friendship, and -- possibly -- love.

(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)

Plot and Setting: 4.25 -- Plot is engaging. Has unique elements and no major holes, but a few shaky bits and/or a slight lack of focus. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline is clear and consistent. This is a short and sweet novella, and is clearly introducing the setting and characters for a series, so the plot is fairly simple. But it's a fun story, and sometimes relatively simple, straightforward romances are nice. My only complaint is the irritating presence of Jarrod. That felt unnecessary.

Characters: 4 -- Main characters are relatable, realistic, interesting, and dynamic. Some minor characters have depth, while others may be slightly stereotyped or simplified. Definite strong points in the relationships between characters. Nico, Charlotte, and Elena are entirely plausible as people, and as a family. I appreciated their shared love of books (though I'm quite sure the scene with Reepicheep -- referenced multiple times -- is actually at the end of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, not The Last Battle), and gardens, and funny drawings of Bunnicula. They're great. Also, way to bust stereotypes by having Charlotte propose. :) Some of the locals (like Nico's family and Charlotte's new friends) have distinct, interesting personalities -- but other minor characters (like Charlotte's mom and Jarrod) are fairly stereotypical.

Mechanics and Writing: 3.75 -- Frequent typos, punctuation issues, and word errors. (>30/100 pgs) None of the errors seriously hinder understanding. Good use of POV. Skillful writing that adds to the story. Errors include: compound word and homophone confusion, mild typos, repeated words and a few other editing errors, some missing periods and commas. Some of these have hopefully been fixed before final publication. POV alternates Charlotte and Nico. A charming writing style, with some delightfully unique phrases.

Redeeming Value: 4.5 -- Partially focused uplifting themes or lessons. Drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. No explicit sex scenes. Clear moral guidelines for behavior. Lessons on the importance of community, the dangers of trying to prove your worth by comparing yourself to others, and the value of being brave enough to speak your heart. The Christian faith of the characters is mainly just implied through mention of attending church. Lots of helpful, self-giving neighborliness.

Personal Enjoyment: 4.7 -- I loved it. It made me feel in all the best ways, and leaves me content and satisfied. I’d enjoy reading it again.

4.6 stars: Loaves & Wishes by Elizabeth Maddrey

Ruth moves to Idaho to run the B&B she inherited from her friend Naomi, and her brothers soon follow; friendship and romance springs up with her new neighbor Corban, but Jaden, Naomi's jealous sister, arrives to cause trouble, too.

(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)

Plot and Setting: 4 -- Plot is engaging. Has unique elements and no major holes, but a slight lack of focus. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline may be a bit hard to follow. Covers a lot of ground in a short space, and does it well. I appreciated that the romance element was not the main conflict; they both know pretty quickly that they seriously like each other, and their family and friends all support them fully. The enemy is really Ruth's lack of confidence in her abilities, combined with Jaden's troublemaking. Creative and interesting. The timeline seemed consistent, but I would've appreciated a few more definite landmarks in time along the way.

Characters: 4.75 -- Relatable, realistic, interesting, dynamic characters. Most minor characters have depth, as do the relationships between characters. I enjoyed both Ruth and Corban; they are both generous and hardworking, with just enough awkwardness and self-doubt to make them feel real. I liked how they meshed together so well and so easily. The relationships with family and friends are wonderful, too--definite community support for their troubles and endeavors. Jaden was a bit vague and mysteriously insane, and I did wonder at Malachi's lip-reading abilities sometimes, as he seemed to be able to understand everyone, regardless of how clear a view of their lips he had.

Mechanics and Writing: 4.5 -- A handful of typos, punctuation issues, or word errors. (<15/100 pgs) None of the errors seriously hinder understanding. Intelligent use of POV. Skillful writing that adds to the story. Errors include: compound word confusion, one small typo (her for here), a minor inconsistency (regarding who told Ruth that Jonah was coming), and a handful of sentences that use punctuation or syntax in a somewhat cavalier fashion, making them just slightly confusing. POV alternates Ruth and Corban. The scenes we are presented with are very skillfully, deliberately chosen to move the story along without hashing out every detail.

Redeeming Value: 4.75 -- Partially focused uplifting themes or lessons. Drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. No explicit sex scenes. Clear moral guidelines for behavior. Ruth doubts her ability to succeed in business, and more than once is tempted to cut and run, but Corban and her brothers help her see that she doesn't have to be defined by her past. She also notes that claiming Christianity and attending church aren't necessarily indicators of faith or a Christ-like character.

Personal Enjoyment: 5 -- I loved it. It made me feel in all the best ways, and leaves me content and satisfied. One I'll definitely read again.

4.8 stars: Sheltered Hearts by Lee Tobin McClain

Patricia has left a bad relationship and is starting fresh when she gets stuck in the snow just down the street from a little Mexican restaurant; she takes shelter there with Alex and helps him pull together his grandma's birthday party, but feels betrayed when she learns he has kept his lucrative baseball career a secret from her.

(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)

Plot and Setting: 4.75 -- Plot is engaging from start to finish. Has unique elements and no major holes, but a slight lack of focus. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline is clear and consistent. We have a snow storm, a scramble to make a great 80th birthday party, some friends and relatives who come and go, and 2 people who are very attracted to each other but afraid to believe the other will be interested if they really open up about themselves. And it's great. There's kind of a lot going on, but most of it stays quite relevant to the plot. I also rather love that the whole thing covers just 3 days (with 8 months between days 2 and 3).

Characters: 5 -- Relatable, realistic, interesting, dynamic characters. Even minor characters have depth, as do the relationships between characters. Alex is sure Patricia will like him for his money and fame, not for himself. Patricia is sure Alex will find her body unattractive and her dreams foolish. They're both wrong. And they're wise enough to take time apart to figure things out individually before coming back together. Family relationships are clearly strong for Alex, and all the minor characters that pop in and out truly seem to have interesting stories.

Mechanics and Writing: 4.5 -- A handful of typos, punctuation issues, or word errors. (<15/100 pgs) None of the errors seriously hinder understanding. Intelligent use of POV. Skillful writing that adds to the story. Errors include: compound word confusion, some punctuation flubs, and a few spots with the wrong word (an 'and' that should be 'to,' 'of' that should be 'as,' 'him' that should be 'her'). POV alternates Alex and Patricia. Great description and detail, without going overboard.

Redeeming Value: 4.75 -- Partially focused uplifting themes or lessons. Drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. No explicit sex scenes. Clear moral guidelines for behavior. Deals with issues of not letting 'society' define what makes a person worthwhile. Also, Alex learns that he doesn't have to be perfect to be a Christian, and Patricia is very clear that she can and will figure out who she is herself, rather than just defining herself by her relationship to a man (even a good man like Alex).

Personal Enjoyment: 5 -- I loved it. It made me feel in all the best ways, and leaves me content and satisfied. One I'll definitely read again.

4.7 stars: Sow in Love by Valerie Comer

Joanna is hired to help make a plan for property left in trust to her new church, but Grady, grandson of the man who gifted the land, shoots down her first ideas; as they spend time together and catch a vision for the property, Grady also has a vision for their relationship.

(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)

Plot and Setting: 4.75 -- Plot is engaging from start to finish. Has unique elements and no major holes, but a slight lack of focus. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline is clear and consistent. I enjoyed both how young Maisie's passion and vision was adopted for the greenhouses and land, and Grady's determined pursuit of Joanna. His parents' attitudes felt a bit cliché, and there was maybe more focus on Cameron and Evelyn (groundwork for future books) than felt warranted in such a small space. I appreciated the passing references to months, and the use of Mother's Day to help ground the timeline.

Characters: 4 -- Main characters are relatable, realistic, interesting, and dynamic. Some minor characters have depth, while others may be slightly stereotyped or simplified. Definite strong points in the relationships between characters. Joanna's mix of confidence and self-doubt was interestingly believable. Grady is pretty confident and focused the whole time, and even though he doesn't get everything completely right from the start, I liked how he was able to spot mistakes and fix them as he pursued Joanna. We got some basic character development for quite a few minor characters that will most likely feature in later books. How Grady and Joanna relate to his grandpa and her nephews is sweet.

Mechanics and Writing: 5 -- Few, if any, typos, punctuation issues, or word errors. (<3/100pgs) Intelligent use of POV. Skillful writing that adds to the story. Errors include: calling Grady 'Gracy' early on, and swapping the personalities of committee members Wattenberg and Marshall in the very last chapter (it was Mr. Wattenberg who was the foot-dragging grump the first few times, but in the last meeting, they've switched). POV alternates Joanna and Grady.

Redeeming Value: 5 -- Well-developed, central, uplifting themes. Drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. No explicit sex scenes. Clear moral guidelines for behavior. Themes of giving back to the community through the trust and community garden. Joanna fears her lack of money and social standing will make her unloveable, but Grady insists that her personality and character is more important. Also a strong statement about the importance of including faith and God in a romantic relationship, which I really appreciated.

Personal Enjoyment: 4.7 -- I loved it. It made me feel in all the best ways, and leaves me content and satisfied. I’d enjoy reading it again.

4.3 stars: The Scent of Romance by Danica Favorite

Caroline's parents are leading an effort to get her Gram sent to a nursing home and the family farm sold to developers, and they bring in lawyer Hayden to work out the details; Caroline and Gram resist, and Hayden soon finds himself on their side.

(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)

Plot and Setting: 4.25 -- Plot mixes cliche/overly convenient with unique/interesting. Has a sense of focus. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline may be a bit hard to follow. Everything seemed to come too easily in this one. So many relationships experience a complete 180, and there's not nearly as much conflict or resistance to change as I would expect. Not that it isn't fun to read, but it lacked that sense of realism. Timeline was fairly clear, but though the epilogue was 6 weeks after Hayden's father rejected his plan, it's not clear how long it took for that plan to be completed. A week? A month?

Characters: 4.5 -- Relatable, realistic, interesting, dynamic characters. Some minor characters have depth, while others may be slightly stereotyped or simplified. Definite strong points in the relationships between characters. I like how Caroline and Hayden bond over their lack of real relationships with their parents, and I really admire their plan of letting change start with them. They do seem to fall in love shockingly quickly, though. Andrew, Gram, and Allie are interesting characters, while the parents all seem to be stereotypically wealthy, career-driven people -- until their sudden and dramatic changes in personality and relationships. It's nice, but feels too easy.

Mechanics and Writing: 3.75 -- Frequent typos, punctuation issues, and word errors. (>30/100 pgs) None of the errors seriously hinder understanding. Good use of POV. Average writing, with strong parts and parts that struggle. Errors include: minor punctuation problems, problems with sentence construction (some are run-ons or need to join statements in better ways, and others just feel awkward), and a repeated failure to capitalize sentences of dialogue when the quotation begins in the middle of another sentence. POV alternates Caroline and Hayden.

Redeeming Value: 5 -- Well-developed, central, uplifting themes. Drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. No explicit sex scenes. Clear moral guidelines for behavior. Strong message that wealth and success, as defined by society, are not keys to happiness. Having Jesus in your life, and following God's leading (even when it seems odd or hard), is much more crucial to happiness. Also, emphasis on first changing yourself when dealing with a strained relationship, and finding your ultimate worth in God, so that another's reaction to you doesn't define you.

Personal Enjoyment: 4 -- I liked it a lot. Highly enjoyable and very entertaining, with perhaps an issue or two that tempered my pleasure. I’d enjoy reading it again.

4.4 stars: A Romance Rekindled by Annalisa Daughety

Kate left home following 2 traumatic events around the time of her high school graduation, and doesn't return until 11 years later, when her father is dying; she honors his last wishes by agreeing to stick around while the house and farmers market office are renovated--by Drew, her former fiance.

(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)

Plot and Setting: 4.5 -- Plot mixes cliche/overly convenient with unique/interesting. Has a sense of focus. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline is clear and consistent. The whole idea of someone shaping their life around a loved one's will/last wishes, and the letters left behind that explain everything -- yeah, that's fairly cliché. But at the same time, there were many twists and revelations that were more unique, and which I didn't really see coming. Plus it avoided the love triangle and jealous ex cliches, which I was grateful for. So it balances out in the end.

Characters: 5 -- Relatable, realistic, interesting, dynamic characters. Even minor characters have depth, as do the relationships between characters. Kate and Drew felt realistic -- though some of the twists in their relationship were certainly unusual (mainly the reason they originally broke up). Their pain, hope, and indecision all felt genuine. I also really liked the family dynamics with Kate's cousins, the community dedication to the farmers market, and how even the lawyer (who really could've been a basic stock character) had emotional depth from his own friendship with Kate's dad.

Mechanics and Writing: 4 -- A handful of typos, punctuation issues, or word errors. (<15/100 pgs) None of the errors seriously hinder understanding. Good use of POV. Generally skillful writing. Errors include: mild punctuation or formatting issues, and several times referring to Kate as Katie in the narration (in a way that seemed much more accidental than intentional -- in parts with her POV, and scattered in randomly, not a consistent change to signal her view of herself or something like that). POV alternates Kate and Drew.

Redeeming Value: 4.75 -- Partially focused uplifting themes or lessons. Drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. No explicit sex scenes. Clear moral guidelines for behavior. Lessons on making decisions, being honest, giving second chances, and being open to council from someone who can give a wise perspective. Attending church, and being open to hearing God speak to your life through songs and sermons, is portrayed as definitely important and life-changing. Also the idea that everyone grieves differently.

Personal Enjoyment: 4 -- I liked it a lot. Highly enjoyable and very entertaining, with perhaps an issue or two that tempered my pleasure. I’d enjoy reading it again.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
lorin
Individually, I would rate each of these novellas as 4-5 star stories. The characters come from all walks of life giving readers a delightfully rich cultural diversity. As a whole, this is definitely a project I'm very excited about! I enjoy the small community setting and unifying themes of faith, hope, redemption, and good fresh food.

I requested the opportunity to read and review this book through the authors. The opinions expressed are my own.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
lara torgesen
Romance Grow’s In Arcadia Valley (Arcadia Valley Romance)
Six different authors of contemporary Christian Romance has gotten together and written six different novellas. Each one is set in Arcadia Valley. This is the start of each three book series. A Fiction town of Arcadia Valley, Idaho foodie culture and romance grow.
Spring In blessing
By: Mary Jane Hathaway
I enjoyed this very sweet novella of Charlotte and a very handsome neighbor with his very sweet daughter and a bunny rabbit.

Loves and Wishes
By: Elizabeth Maddrey
This author is also new to me , but I enjoyed her novella with Ruth inherited a Bed and Breakfast from a friend. She also meets up with her neighbor the farmer.

Sheltered Hearts
By: Lee Tobin McClain
I loved this novella and the characters, both were easy to follow. Does Alex and Patricia find more than they are looking for?

Snow in Love
By: Valerie Comer
Valerie Comer has did it again, the start of a great new series not to be missed. She knows how to capture you right at the start. Loved the story and the characters. Joanna is a real estate consultant and Grady the grandson of an elderly greenhouse owner.

The Scent of Romance
By: Danica Favorite
Enjoyed this wonderful novella, but was my first time to read by this author, hopefully want be my last. Is things what they seem to be?

A Romance Rekindled
By: Annalisa Daughety
Enjoyed this novella . What does a couple do after being apart for a decade?Kate and Drew, what will they do?

I was given a complimentary copy of this book , but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Please RateRomance Grows in Arcadia Valley (Arcadia Valley Romance Book 1)
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