Top 5 Reads for Spring

Spring is finally here in the Midwest! Here are my top five reads for this season. These books made me laugh but also made me think and stayed with me long after I closed the book. 

Three of my five recommendations rated five stars. I'm curious...what in your opinion makes a 5-star read? For me, it's connection to the characters, rooting for them, a page-turning plot and a book that both entertains, but also makes you think. I realize that's a tall order. 

I hope you enjoy this list. Any books I missed or need to add? I'd love to know. 

5.) 

You can read my review of An Overdue Match here.

4.) 

You can read my review of First Love, Second Draft here.

3.)

                               You can read my review of Cole and Laila are Just Friends here.

2.)

You can read my review of The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton here.

1.)

You can read my review of The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry here.

Reading is an adventure,

     Emilee 

An Overdue Match is Charming and Memorable

I absolutely loved Sarah Monzon's author voice in All's Fair in Love and Christmas and I was eager to read An Overdue Match. Two chapters into this book I had a gut feeling I was going to like this story a lot! 

Hopeless romantic at heart, librarian Evangeline Kelly sees herself as more of a secondary character rather than the heroine after her ex-fiancé calls off their wedding because of her alopecia. What's a girl who's in love with love to do? Play matchmaker among the library patrons like Emma in Jane Austen.

Tatoo artist, Tai Davis accustomed to people judging him. The town's new librarian think he has a bad-boy reputation, he can't help but be fascinated by Evangeline and when he discovers her secret matchmaking scheme, he strikes a deal with her. Every time she uses his hometown knowledge she has to agree to a date with him.

An Overdue Match is a sweet he falls first; opposites attract contemporary romance that'll tickle your funny bone and warm your heart. 

I liked that Evangeline learned to be confidence with her diagnosis of alopecia. I can't image what this is like, but I found myself sympathizing with her and cheering her on, wanting her to realize her own worth.

Hero Tai Davis is pretty swoon-worthy. One trait about Tai that I found especially humorous is all the nicknames he doles out to Evangeline. I liked that he sees and accepts Evangeline for who she is and isn't this what we all want?

An Overdue Match is a solid 5 stars that will stay with you long after you've closed the book. You'll laugh a lot and maybe cry a little. 

I'm excited to read more books by Sarah Monzon in her Checking Out Love series. 

Reading is an adventure,

     Emilee 

 

 

First Love, Second Draft has Humor and Heart

 Author Becca Kinzer totally had my heart when she referenced my favorite Cary Grant movie on page 64 of First Love, Second Draft. As a die-hard Cary Grant fan, I'm a sucker for all CG film references. (Seriously, you guys if you've never watched a Cary Grant movie do so right after you finish my review...you're welcome.) 

I was blown away by Becca's debut Dear Henry, Love Edith and intrigued by her premise for First Love, Second Draft. I don't normally gravitate towards books that deal with divorce, but this being a rom com my curiosity won out to see how the author would write this story.

Romance author Gracie Parker has been having trouble finding her writing mojo since her divorce five years ago to major league baseball star Noah Parker.  An injury, a serious case of writer's block and a rapidly approaching deadline, Grace will accept help from anyone ever her ex-husband Noah.

After the end of a disappointing season, Noah realized he gave up everything up for his career including his marriage, the one thing he should have held onto. When the opportunity to be a tenant in her next-door rental and help Grace while she recovers, Noah jumps at the chance and sees it as a way to hopefully win her back.

It was refreshing to read about slightly older heroines and heroes. Grace is 42 and Noah is 40. I liked that the chapters were shorter. I read First Love, Second Draft in 3 days. 

Grace's nephew Matt's romance was one of my favorite parts of the book. I felt like they were a good foil for Noah and Grace. All I'm going to say is there's a scene in the book (it starts on page 211) where the author manages to make produce look romantic and I wanted my own version. 

You are guaranteed to laugh out loud a lot in First Love, Second Draft. Becca's humor is funny and relatable. I love the way she creates such an immersive experience in her stories with the setting and characters. 

If you like sweet, second chance redemptive romances that have a bookish heroine and a baseball star hero, you need to add First Love, Second Draft to your TBR pile.

I think I'd rate First Love, Second Draft 41/2 out of 5 starts because I would have liked for Grace's ice queen compose to have thawed a little sooner than it did. Although I'm thinking how Becca wrote it in the book is more realistic. 

I look forward to reading more books by Becca Kinzer. She's a fresh voice in contemporary Christian fiction romantic comedy. 

Reading is an adventure,

     Emilee 

The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry is Exceptional

So glad I didn't have to wait long for The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry book two in Susan L. Tuttle's Treasures of Halstead Manor.  After loving The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton.  I confess...I had high expectations for this story and the author delivered!

This time Casper sends the trio (Natalie, Everleigh and Brooke) on a mission to France to find a 1st edition of Alice's Adventures Under Ground thought to be the first account of Alice in Wonderland. 

I personally love it when a hunt for rare books is involved in stories. It's like a story within a story.

In The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton, Everleigh's romance is more of what you find in books. The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry, Natalie and Mason are at a crossroads in their twenty plus year marriage. I liked that you still had all the characters from book one in the series, but an added extra element of depth to the characters with Natalie's struggling marriage. I found myself rooting for them to fall in love again. 

Seeing how Natalie and Mason navigate the empty nest stage and being in different chapters of their marriage yet still wanting to get their relationship back on solid ground. I liked how the author realistically deals with Natalie and Mason's relationship.

Natalie learns that she tends to push her emotions down and is holding onto past issues. Mason learns through the encouragement of Natalie what his gifts and talents are. Will they find their way back to each other? 

I just love the world and characters that Susan L. Tuttle has created in her Treasures of Halstead Manor.

The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry is one of my favorite five star reads of 2025 combining mystery and second chance romance. 

Reading is an adventure,

     Emilee 

 

The Queen's Cook is a Beautiful Story

Tessa Afshar is a new-to-me author who writes Biblical Historical Fiction. The Queen's Cook is the first book I read by this her and will not be my last. 

Roxannah is a young Persian woman whose family was once revered and respected delights in cooking and baking for her family. 

She and her cooking catch the eye of Adin, a young royal physician who opens the door for her to work in the Queen's kitchen as an assistant cook.

One aspect about Roxannah that I admired was her love for her family and how she wasn't afraid to work hard, didn't complain about paying off her family's debt.

Throughout the story, Roxannah learns to stand up for herself. Seeing this growth in her character made you want to root for her.

Adin is one of those heroes you fall in love with because of his character. He's a good, Godly man who cares about others. Meeting Roxannah he's drawn to her, but he wrestles with his attraction because he's a believer and Roxannah is a Persian woman who doesn't believe in God. He doesn't want to be unequally yoked. 

I liked how she slowly built Adin and Roxannah's relationship and that it wasn't solely based on the physical, but on their character. 

Before Tessa's book the only other Biblical Fiction authors I'd read were Francine Rivers and Connilynn Cossette. One detail I liked about The Queen's Cook was that she had Bible verses before each chapter. I think this really set the tone for the story. 

I'd give The Queen's Cook 4 out of 5 stars. The plot, pacing and character development were exceptional. I just wanted a little more romance. 

Reading is an adventure,

     Emilee 

Lake Season is a Delightful Summer Read with a Twist

 After the sudden and tragic loss of their parents, the Bennet siblings, Molly, Levi and Grace decide to open Bluebell Inn to honor their parents' dream. 

Molly was a genuine, hardworking heroine and you find yourself rooting for her because she is authentic and unapologetically herself. Like her siblings, she's made sacrifices to open the B&B, giving up her internship to Europe. 

Adam Bradford has a serious case of writer's block.  He travels to North Carolina to do research for his next book.  Meeting Molly, the pretty young innkeeper who unknowingly becomes his muse. Unbeknownst to Adam, Molly fancies herself in love with his alter ego Nathaiel Quinn, this was one of the fun twists in the story. 

When Molly finds a long-lost love letter, she turns to Adam to help her find answers and they strike up a friendship. Adam has secrets he isn't willing to share. Will they be able to overcome the obstacles to decide if love is worth trusting? 

I'd probably give Lake Season 4 out of 5 stars because of the heroine Molly. Without giving anything away there's a moment in the book there's an issue between Molly and Adam and her reaction was a little like the pot calling the kettle black.

Denise Hunter is my go-to contemporary author when I need a swoony, feel-good, sweet, clean read. With over 40 published titles I've probably read half of her books. I'm glad she's such prolific author and publishes multiple books a year. Plus, I've had the joy of meeting Ms. Hunter in person...she's so inviting and genuine! It makes you enjoy her books all that much more. 

Lake Season is a delightful read to make me excited for the summer. If you're looking for a charming, small-town romance you need to add Denise Hunter books to your TBR pile. 

Reading is an adventure,

     Emilee