Bookmarked for Love is Great End to a Delightful Series

 

After loving book two, Hearts in Circulation, I had high expectations for Bookmarked for Love. I shamelessly stalked my mailbox till I received my book and binged it in two days the second it was in my hands. I'm happy to say, Sarah Monzon totally delivered and then some. 

Little Creek Children's Librarian Martha Aldridge's position and programs are getting cut from the library.  

Julien King is under pressure to turn around the failing children's imprint at his father's publishing company in order to prove he's ready to take over as CEO. 

Martha and Julien's love story is so sweet. I liked how Martha describes falling in love with Julien like coming home. Who doesn't want this kind of love? 

If you love rom coms that are first crush, age-gap, middle-aged romance (it's me, I'm the one. Oh, wait I'm also middle aged.)  and Sabrina vibes you need to add Bookmarked for Love at the top of your precarious TBR pile. It was so great to see an older hero and heroine in a rom-com. I'd love to see more romances with older characters. 

One of my favorite surprises...no annoying third act break-up in Bookmarked for Love. It was nice to see a romance flourishing without unnecessary drama. 

If you've read An Overdue Match and Hearts in Circulation, I liked how the author brings in Evangeline and Hayley from the other books. It made you feel like it was a full circle moment. I wouldn't complain if Sarah wanted to revisit the delightful trio of librarians from Little Creek.

Martha is one of those heroines you find yourself rooting for. Her servant's heart for others especially children and her love of literature. I also liked that she's confident in who she is. I loved her sweet, genuine spirit.  Julien is equally compelling, balancing vulnerability with determination, and he delivers more than a few swoon-worthy lines that have been living rent-free in my head ever since I closed the book.

Because of this I'd probably rate Bookmarked for Love as a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. It's a romance filled with bookish charm, loveable characters, and a satisfying happily ever after that I won't soon forget. 

In The Castle Library Series: Heartwarming Reads

 

Ann Swindell is a new-to-me author, and I may have been feeling a little Christmas in July when I listened to the audiobook versions of Christmas in the Castle Library and Love in the Castle Library.  I wanted to dive into these gorgeous covers before I even read the back.

The narrator does a fantastic job creating different inflections for characters making them distinguishable. 

If you love contemporary books that have mystery that delves into history, romance, and royalty this series is just the ticket. I liked how the author seamlessly wove characters in from the first book to the second giving the reader a more complete sense of the world she created.

Christmas in The Castle Library follows Grad student Ellie Sawyer who has been offered a three-week internship at the Castle Library in Lethersby (fictional European kingdom created by Ann Swindell) to study the disappearance of the country's beloved Queen Alma during WWI for her dissertation. 

In Love in the Castle Library, Castle Steward Delphine Duvant is sent to hire an English scholar from Oxford to further unravel the layers of mystery surrounding Queen Alma's vanishing.  

For me, I appreciated how realistic and relatable the strong spiritual threads were throughout both novels. It made me reflect on my own walk with the Lord and want to strive to draw closer. 

I'd rate Christmas in the Castle Library as 3.5 stars. My reason being at times heroine Ellie's pessimistic personality in the beginning drove me nuts. In the second, book, I liked Ellie's character more. I'd rate Love in the Castle Library as 4 stars. I enjoyed Delphine's character in the first book and was eager to read her story. 

I'm looking forward to reading book 3 (Secrets in the Castle Library) that releases on September 22nd. 

Midsummer Mingle: A Day with Authors 2026

 

I LOVE reader events! I'm still on Cloud 9 from attending Midsummer Mingle (at Baker Book House) earlier this month.

 The combination of authors plus readers is magical. Running into bookworm friends, both old and new, having authors recognize you and call you by name, and browsing the endless maze of books at Baker. It's pure bliss.  

There was lots of laughter. I enjoyed the author panels. Soaking up the knowledge they shared like a sponge. Several authors spoke about the importance of community. This theme resonated with me. We all need one another. I appreciate that particularly in the Christian fiction space there's a seat at the table whether you're a reader, aspiring writer, debut author or a multi-published, award-winning author. Everyone is welcome. 

Bethany Turner, Karen Witemeyer, Jill Kremer, Gabrielle Meyer, Amanda Dykes, Jessica Patch, and Dani Petrey rounded out this delightful group of writers. 

The greatest highlight of the day for me was having lunch with my favorite author Karen Witemeyer. (Cue the excitement) This is a core memory I'll treasure forever. Karen has the wonderful gift of making people feel seen with her kind, gracious, and generous character. She has a genuine care for her readers that shines through. I'm a fan for life! 

On my drive home with a bag full of books, my heart was overflowing thinking back to encouraging conversations, hugs and memories to last a lifetime. I'm thankful to be a part of the Christian fiction community. While it's the stories that bring us together it's the authors behind the books that keep us coming back. 

Happy reading! 

Spies, Lies and Alibis: A Fun Summer Read

 

If you love books with mystery, espionage, and romance you need to check out Natatlie Walters new novel Spies, Lies, & Alibis. 

Bennet "Ben" Bradley is deep undercover with the FBI posing as a financial advisor with a reputation for helping the wealthy launder money. His mission requires him to maintain his cover navigating a world of deception and danger. 

Running into childhood friend Cybil Langford throws his world off kilter.  Spies, Lies, and Alibis is a 1st person dual POV novel. The banter between Ben and Cybil is the best part of the story. I love the "will they won't they get together" tension that the author carries through the story. 

Ben and Cybil embark on a dangerous game of cat and mouse wondering if they can trust the other person. The author does a great job with character building, the pacing and keeps the reader guessing until the end. 

Like all good books, the ending left me wanting more. I feel like Natalie purposely left the book open ended possibly hinting at additional adventures with Ben and Cybil. I hope to see more rom com style books by this author. It's clear she enjoyed writing this book.  Spies, Lies, and Alibis was a fun summer read that I'd rate 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Books that Became Me

  I wrote this essay for my newsletter subscribers in May's newsletter and wanted to share it with all of you in hopes that it would bring you joy.

If you like this content, you can subscribe to my newsletters through this link (Blonde Classic). 

 

Books.

Just seeing this five-letter, one syllable word brings a smile to my face.

My life has never been the same since I wore out three copies of the Little Golden Book, I Can Fly by the age of three. (Sorry Mom.) Even then, I recognized books can take you on quests.

If it’s true your cells regenerate every seven years, then over my lifetime of reading I’ve changed many times over. I like to think that pieces of my favorite books remain stitched into my DNA.

One of my favorite lines from You’ve Got Mail Kathleen Kelly says, “When you read a book as a child it becomes part of your identity in a way no other reading in your whole life does.” I’ve always believed this is true.

In middle school and high school, books became long- lost acquaintances. I found a real home as a spunky red-headed orphan in Anne of Green Gables, watched old maid Valancy Stirling become who she was meant to be in The Blue Castle, crossed swords with The Three Musketeers, and quietly carried the moral weight of To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s also where my love and slight obsession of all things Jane Austen began. (Emma is still my favorite).

College deepened my relationship with literature. My major (and I’m sure you can guess what it was) required reading I might never have selected on my own. Some books challenged me, intimidated me, and some stayed with me long after the semester ended. The Faerie Queen, The Lady of Shalott, Middlemarch, and The Souls of Black Folk all expended my understanding of what literature could do. They taught me books are more than stories, but conversations across generations.

Whenever someone asks me for my favorite book, my mind immediately short circuits under pressure. Choosing one feels impossible and disloyal because the books I love are tied to different versions of myself.

Over the years, I’ve changed as a reader. When I was younger, I read for adventure. Today, I still see reading as an escape from reality, but I read a little slower. I find myself relishing the beautiful cadence of words, insights, and themes of a book. The excitement of opening a book knowing I may not be the same person when I close the book remains the same.

Perhaps that’s why I continue to love reading so deeply. Books do more than entertain us. They accompany us. They leave fingerprints on our lives in ways we don’t always recognize until years later.

Isn’t it wonderful that pieces of all these stories will remain with me forever?

Part of Your World is Delightfully Nostalgic

When I heard Karen Witemeyer was writing a fairytale retelling of Disney's The Little Mermaid, I was thrilled because of my connection to the film. When I was five years old, I got a VHS of The Little Mermaid (1989) for my birthday and promptly played it on repeat till I practically wore out the tape. Ariel's world of adventure and longing completely captured my imagination. (Be honest, aren't you still singing along to the unforgettable soundtrack?)

Fun fact: Jodi Benson who is the iconic voice of Ariel is from my hometown which only made my childhood obsession that much more magical. 

Part of Your World is Karen's clever reimaging of this fairytale. It's evident that this story is close to the author's heart. 

Fairytale retellings can be tricky to pull off. Lean too heavily on the original storyline and readers feel the story is too predictable. Karen manages to have enough nuanced Easter egg references to the Disney classic that are innovative and subtle.

Muriel Quinn feels far more at home beneath the waves than within the rigid expectations of society on land. As the youngest daughter, her father expects her to embrace the duties and decorum of respectable womanhood even if that life feels confining to her adventurous spirit.

Zane Erickson understands that same tension between expectation and passion. Despite coming from a wealthy and respected family, he chooses to pursue architecture instead of following the path laid out for him, creating friction between his ambitions and his family’s wishes.

Together, Muriel and Zane’s struggles reflect the heart of every great fairytale retelling: the desire to pursue the life that calls to you, even when the world expects something else entirely.

One of the strongest elements of the novel is its underlying message of redemption. The theme that God can redeem anyone is woven naturally throughout the story, giving the novel both emotional depth and spiritual encouragement without overwhelming the narrative.

Fans of fairytale retellings, historical romance, and faith-filled fiction will find a great deal to enjoy in this read. Karen Witemeyer once again delivers a story that feels imaginative, heartfelt, and delightfully nostalgic. I'd rate it a solid 4 1/2 out of 5 stars not to be missed. I loved Part of Your World and am looking forward to re-reading it when it's released in June. It's the perfect summer read not to be missed.

**I received an ARC copy of Part of Your World in return for my honest opinion. All views expressed are my own. **

 

Singleness Isn't a Waiting Room Essay

 I wrote this essay for my newsletter subscribers and got such positive responses; I wanted to share it with all of you in hopes that it would encourage you.

If you like this content, you can subscribe to my newsletters through this link (Blonde Classic). 

Singleness Isn't a Waiting Room by Emilee Hill

At 41, I have been “single as a Pringle” for most of my adult life. And yes, now I’m craving Pringles. I’ve had two serious relationships in my life. I ended both of them because of unhealthy issues on their part that they were unwilling to seek help for, and I knew I couldn’t live with that.

 Friends and family often ask if I’m dating, and the current answer is no. Because honestly, how do you meet normal people these days?

 Usually after I say, “No, I’m not dating anyone,” the next question is, “Are you okay with that?” Lately, my answer has been yes. I am at total peace with it.

 That answer made me pause and ask a deeper question. Is it the right kind of peace? Peace is defined as a state of tranquility or quiet. Have I become so comfortable being alone that I now see future relationships as disruptive to my peace? Or am I finally okay on my own and just overthinking it?

 I don’t have a clear answer yet. But I do know this. The right relationship would not take away my peace. It would meet me where I am.

 Over the past six years, I’ve grown accustomed to and often truly enjoy my alone time. As a single person, I have total autonomy and freedom over every area of my life. I can hog the remote control, bake brownies at midnight, or take a two-hour bubble bath with a good book.

 It’s easy to settle into that independent mindset, like Flowers by Miley Cyrus or You Don’t Own Me by Lesley Gore. Sometimes I find myself leaning into the attitude of “I don’t need anyone.”

 And if I’m honest, there are moments when that independence feels strong and freeing. But there have also been quieter moments. Times when I’ve wondered what it would be like to share life with someone or questioned if I’m missing something. Not constantly, but enough to remind me that I’m still human.

 Society sends mixed messages about singleness. On one hand, independence is celebrated and praised. On the other hand, there’s an underlying pull that suggests if you aren’t paired up, you’re somehow missing out. Between those two extremes lies the truth.

 Singleness isn’t a waiting room where life is on pause until something better comes along. It’s a life that is already happening.

 From a faith perspective, singleness isn’t a consolation prize or something to be fixed. It is a season with its own purpose. In First Epistle to the Corinthians 7:32–34, Paul speaks about the unique freedom unmarried people have to focus on the things of God and give Him undivided attention. This does not make marriage less valuable, but it does affirm that singleness is not lesser.

 If you are in a season of singleness, I want to encourage you. Maybe you’re struggling with loneliness, comparison, or the feeling of being overlooked. Jesus does not promise marriage to all of us. If we are in Him, what more do we truly need?

 That doesn’t mean your feelings don’t matter. They do. Acknowledge them. Be honest about them. But don’t let them define you or keep you stuck there.

 What has helped me most is surrounding myself with godly people, whether that is family, pastors, or friends, who offer wise and loving guidance. People who care enough to speak truth, even when it’s not always what I want to hear.

 Stay open to what God is doing in your life. Be intentional with your relationships and your experiences now, instead of putting your life on hold for what might come next.

 As for me, I’m still learning, still growing, and still working on contentment. But I believe the right kind of peace is this. Being grounded enough that whether love comes or not, my life is already full.