Thank you in advance to the author, Meghann Whistler, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required and all words are my own.

How could I not want to read and review this – favorite genre, single mom with a cute kid, cozy inn, Cape Cod – what wasn’t to like? All this from a debut author! So needless to say I was pretty excited to see this.

Right off, I simply adored Emma with her “Mr. Jonafin” and that instant connection – his way with Emma as well as the other kids, and I really liked Laura. I am deeply going to miss them, despite their early hiccups and mistrust. I really want to somehow return to this little town and see what they’re going to be up to. That is the problem with standalone reads – you want more, then again a series is a commitment. However, that doesn’t work against this book.

Whistler’s writing kept me wanting to turn the pages and NOT put this book down until the end. I was so deep into this book that I read three full chapters before I even thought about taking notes. Right off, I LOVED how the premise is already sweet and that Jonathan starts off already having doubts, self-assessing his own goals in life. So, it isn’t a stretch as he spends time with Laura and her daughter.

Another bonus was how much I really identified with Laura and Emma as my mom was a single mom (from when I was 4), so I knew how hard she worked for us. My father was not interested in me or my life so there was this “hey, I get this situation” connection. At one point, my mom was driving my grandma’s 1982 Toyota Corolla-Tercel. Adding the Toyota Corolla was a bit like having a warm blanket on the couch with a cozy fire - comfortable. In short – I definitely related.

Moving on …

Did I say how much I really loved Jonathan? I really started supporting this guy around page 41 – “You’re better off without him. You know that, right?” – his support for Laura was truly awesome! And, I was screaming “SNAG THIS GUY! For goodness sakes … SNAG THIS GUY!!”.

Another thing that drew me in – some “international” candy bars the author wrote in. Years ago, someone from Canada introduced me to Aero and Coffee Crisp which I STILL love (but I can’t find). And, had the author thrown in YORKIE – I’d have literally screamed in delight! The idea that a guy had a sweet tooth was just awesome!

The author threw in a LOT of things I could connect with. The parenting advice of kids being their own little people was spot-on from what my mom believes and how she raised me. The pineapple on a pizza was another as I LOVE Hawaiian in addition to meat lovers. Incidentally, if pineapple on a pizza is upsetting to some – I wonder how they feel about cherries. Side note: one Hawaiian pizza my mom and I got on vacation had Canadian bacon, pineapple, and cherries. Still wish I could remember where we got it.

I could probably go on for a few hundred more words as to how much I LOVED this book which was a day read for me.

Whistler actually highlighted the struggles some people face between a career or family. The boss’ unreasonable rules would’ve seen leave that place on the spot. As long as personal stuff isn’t distracting, disruptive, lewd and a desk area isn’t shared – don’t see the problem. Obviously, that boss did.

Also, Laura and Jonathan both discover that rich doesn’t equal good parents, nor does poor equal bad. There is both good and bad on the rich and poor scale.

There are a few sad moments in this novel. Then again, what would a romance novel be without them? And, I’ll admit, there were a few tears at the end.

While some Love Inspired books are of course Christian/Faith themed, some are light on that theme. This had a strong theme of faith and Christian tones, but wasn’t preachy nor was it essential to the plot and definitely fit the “theme” of the series. The quote “God doesn’t love us because we’re amazing. He loves us just because we are who we are” is spot on! The author sent a magnet with that quote, which appears on page 95. It is a good reminder and affirmation for all of us.

This is definitely geared for readers of inspirational fiction and romance. Quite honestly, this book played out more like a Hallmark movie leaving me just delighted and a hopeful believer in romance. This was a delightful, endearing, smile in a book. I definitely recommend this for readers of Christian romance who enjoy short, sweet romances. ( )

Take a trip to a charming Cape Cod inn in Meghann Whistler’s Falling for the Innkeeper!

Laura Lessoway cannot just let her mother sell her grandmother’s inn, the place she considers home. Of course, big-city attorney Jonathan Masters arrives in town to change her mind. They may be at cross purposes, but the spark between Laura and Jonathan proves hard to deny—but they have plenty of complications to sort through in order for their romance to succeed.

As the pair does so, it is easy to fall in love with their story—and them as characters. I enjoyed getting to know Laura and Jonathan, their personalities and backstories, through Falling for the Innkeeper and seeing how they could move from enemies to something else. It is a delightful, fun story, and I now look forward to reading more from Meghann Whistler in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )

For Laura Lessoway growing up largely away from her parents, her grandmother's inn has always been the place that she called home and hopes to share that with her young daughter. But upon her grandmother's death Laura finds her mother trying to sell her refuge to a company that wants to build a seaside resort. Laura is a fantastic mother and wants to give her daughter a safe and stable place to grow up, along with the things that she never had herself. I admired her faith, and loved that she has supportive friends. Emma, her daughter is just so cute! I adored her relationship with Jonathan.

A heartwarming enemies to friends romance, both Jonathan and Laura have a lot on their minds, and their individual pasts play a large part in who they have become. Jonathan is a a man with a roadmap to life all plotted out, always chasing the next step to success, he is very driven, I loved how Laura takes him by surprise and makes him take a deeper look at his life.

This is a heartwarming read, Jonathan and Laura are characters to cheer for throughout. I enjoyed the beautiful setting, and how well they worked together as their friendship grew. There's a lot to love about this book, with strong themes of faith and family, great character growth and interaction, as well as an absolutely adorable little girl. You won't want to miss it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ( )

Falling for the Innkeeper is a debut novel with all of the elements needed for a winning story: a single mother, her adorable four-year-old daughter, a beautiful setting, and a handsome hero with a troubled past. Laura Lessoway's only desire is to keep her late grandmother's inn open and to provide a safe and loving environment for her daughter Emma but the arrival of lawyer Jonathan Masters threatens to take this dream away. What follows is a story of conflict and discovery, as they both learn that perhaps their original goals weren't what they wanted after all. Is Jonathan's need to achieve actually a shield to keep from getting hurt? Will Laura accept that she can't use her ex-husband's actions to hold others at arms length?

Author Meghann Whistler has written the perfect story for summer reading and I found myself wanting to vacation at The Sea Glass Inn and experience the beauty of Cape Cod. I wanted to get to know these very human, but complicated, characters and I wanted to cheer them on as they worked to build a future. Falling for the Innkeeper is a sweet, entertaining romance and I recommend it to all who enjoy contemporary Christian romance. I also look forward to more books from this first-time author!

I received a copy of this book from the author. I was under no obligation to post a positive review. These are my own thoughts. ( )

Falling for the Innkeeper was a sweet, romantic, Hallmark-movie-worthy journey--one I thoroughly enjoyed! I loved the small-town feel of the story, set in Cape Cod, and how Laura was friends with most business owners in the area. It made her life at the inn more genuine and down-to-earth. The playful banter between Laura and Jonathon was amusing and having Laura’s daughter Emma as a go-between was just too adorable. The interactions and affection between Jonathon and Emma were heartwarming and only added to Jonathon’s swoon-worthy charm. Watching him transform from uptight lawyer to relaxed vacationer made it easy to fall for such a hunky man with a huge heart. I loved how he was always willing to try something new--especially if Laura was involved. I might have gotten frustrated a little at Laura for how she treated Jonathon a few times, but I understood why her heart was hesitant to trust and love again. But I respected her, her hard work at the inn, and the time she took to connect personally with her daughter every day. She’s an amazing woman!
Any fan of Christian contemporary fiction will love this book. It’s strong family themes and small-town, beachy feel make it a perfect summer read. I would highly recommend this book.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )