SOOO CRAZY GOOD!!!

Absolutely loved this book - one of my new favorites from this author!

Finola is determined to never marry. She has her heart set on being a nun and so purposefully drives away every suitor that she is paired with by the matchmaker.

Riley is hesitant at first to use a matchmaker but when he is paired with Finola he decides he is all in, and not just because it will help his business and his run for mayor...

Finola's determination to NOT fall for Riley falters the more she spends time with him but their growing feelings may not be enough to overcome pride, guilt, and a deadly outbreak of cholera.

What to expect:
1840s St. Louis
Dual POV
Matchmaker trope
He falls first, and he falls harder
Main characters with wounded pasts
Memorable meet-cute
Sooo much chemistry!!
The "List"
Ice skating
Caretaking scene
The ring
That first kiss!!
The Shanahan siblings
The grand gesture
Light themes of redemption and forgiveness
THE LAST CHAPTER!!!!

Oh my, does Jody Hedlund know how to write a swoony romance or what?! So much tension between Riley and Finola from the beginning and I loved the push and pull of their relationship as they both learned to let go of the past. There was a lot of physical attraction but I loved that they loved each other for so many other reasons too!

Love the unique setting and the many wonderful themes woven throughout the story about family and loss and love and forgiveness. I am hoping based on the series name that we will get stories for the other Shanahan siblings and I cannot wait!

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

TW: Loss of family members, infant death35 s1 comment Nicole Williamson204 24

Ehh… DNF. How is this Christian fiction?? In the first chapter we get a line this:

“This time she was breathless because the heroic Rylie Rafferty saved her life. Her body awoke to the realization that his full length was covering her, a broad chest, muscular torso, thick arms, and long legs. She knew from watching his dripping wet body emerge from the river that he was a strong man with muscles in every conceivable place. He was the kind of man that could make a nun blush.”
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