Lydia Michaels

This is sappy Romance with a capital R! Of the "sex is precious and emotional" variety. Not sex-negative - there isn't really judgmental messages about sleeping around per se, and there is definitely sex in the book. But a bit too fluffy-cheeseball for me to super love it. But damn, talk about an insecure heroine! I so deeply related to Mallory, it was kind of painful. I know a lot of people don't like insecure heroines who get down on themselves, and as a feminist, I totally understand that. But, there is something comforting about reading that someone else struggles daily with intense self-loathing and internalized fatphobia. I know I should be confident and happy with my body, and that U.S. culture has absurd and oppressive beauty standards, but at the end of the day it is still really, really hard to turn off that negative voice in my head, or believe that someone (who doesn't have a fat-fetish) could truly believe me to be attractive. The duality of being a strong and smart women, and deeply hurt and insecure about my body, is a challenge that I know a lot of us contend with, and I for one appreciated seeing my struggles on the page. (3.5 stars)… (plus d'informations)

It’s her last year of high school. She had plans. Now everything had changed because she behaved stupidly. She had to grow up and leave her dreams behind. Katherine McCullough had no idea what she was going to do. One thing was for sure. There was no way she would do what Nate expected. She was a good Catholic girl.

It was love at first sight. Anthony Marcelli toppled Katie and refused to allow her to run off until she was feeling better. Ant is wise beyond his years. He has goals and dreams to succeed. He is willing to take responsibility for a child he did not help create but loves unconditionally. Ant’s not only Katie’s best friend, but he also wants her as his partner for life.

Katie and Ant show up frequently throughout the stories of her siblings. In the final book, Lydia Michaels is ready to tell the sweet story of how they met. It is heart breaking when Katie announces her pregnancy to her parents while Ant takes the news without judgment. And then we see the love and support both families show as Katie and Ant begin their path to happily ever after.

McCullough Mountain is one series where you really get to know all of the characters inside and out. Lydia makes it feel like they are your long-lost friends. It’s a family that is close and loves each other for who they are and not who they should be. Two thumbs up for a series that makes you want to continue reading and sad when the final page is reached.

I received this book as an advance review copy free from Valentine PRLM. I have read and reviewed this book voluntarily.
--Brenda, JustViews… (plus d'informations)

She propositioned him to celebrate her divorce. Then she ran.

Becca Stevens had a terrible marriage. That was hard enough. What made it worse was her ex had affairs in their marriage bed. And he seemed to enjoy other women more than his wife. Top it off that she did everything at home. With the divorce, nothing changed except now she was classified as a single parent. Even with a few days to herself, Becca refused to make time for a relationship. She was devoted to her son, Hunter, who was on the autism spectrum. Her life revolved around schedules and being the best mum possible. Unfortunately, this included denying herself the happiness she deserved. Along with the man she came to depend on and love.

He never believed anyone would put him first.

Before Becca, it was the Braydon McCullough show. He simply put himself first, middle and last. It was his world, and everything revolved around Braydon. Then he met Becca. Nothing would ever be the same for him. But could Braydon change his outlook?

An exciting look into the world of autism is both intriguing and sad. Kudos to Lydia Michaels for taking on this subject with tact and sensitivity.


I received this book as an advance review copy free from Valentine PRLM. I have read and reviewed this book voluntarily.
--Brenda, JustViews… (plus d'informations)

Maureen McCullough is a firecracker. She and Frank had seven children over the years. Now all are grown and married. The home overflows with love and grandchildren underfoot. Maureen and Frank are lucky to have all of their children around. It wasn’t always the case, so Maureen’s thrilled her babies chose to come home to live in Center County.

Their present-day life seems perfect. It wasn’t always the case. Maureen and Frank had their share of trouble after they married. It didn’t stop them although it did cause a rift between the families when they eloped. Then there was the separation when they came back only to learn, his home had been foreclosed. In Maureen’s world that is when you pull up your bootstraps, buckle down, and make things happen.

With all of their children, they are celebrating 40 years of marriage with a vow renewal. They have watched their children grow. Become parents. And in the end … all is well!

The mountain is their home. Maureen wouldn’t have it any other way.

I received this book as an advance review copy free from Valentine PRLM. I have read and reviewed this book voluntarily.
--Brenda, JustViews… (plus d'informations)