The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery is a Stirring Read

 

If you've been living under a rock for the past five or six years and haven't read Amanda Cox's books you're seriously missing out! Amanda writes rich, powerful, thought-provoking, dual-time POV stories that make you think, but also tug at your heart strings and make you cry. Every story I've read of Amanda's I always think I'm not going to cry while reading it, but inevitably there's some good tears shed before I've read the last page. 

This was my second time reading The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery for my book club. Wow! It was even more intense the 2nd time listening to it on audiobook. To me that's the power of an exceptional story.

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery is set in a smalltown Tennessee town and explores the complex grandmother/mother/daughter relationships between Glory Ann Clearwater, Rosemary Anderson, and Sarah Ashby and how the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives around us. 

While Amanda's stories contain some romance that's not the main storyline. As I've gotten older, I find that while I always want to romance, I don't always need it. She also writes compelling and complex heroes in all of her books, and The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery is no exception. The heroines (Glory Ann, Rosemary, and Sarah) were gripping, I found myself draw to the heroes. I'm curious if you felt the same way. 

I'd rate it 5 out of 5 stars. One aspect of Amanda's books I enjoy and have come to expect from her is the distinct way she weaves her dual-POV stories and how each character is essential and well-written in her books. She's become an auto-buy author for me. If you're interested, you can read more of Amanda's book reviews here. 

Reading is an adventure,

    Emilee 

About Last Christmas is a Charming Romantic Read

 

Rachel Scott McDaniel's books have been on my TBR pile for a while. After reading About Last Christmas, I want to read more books by this author.  

Greta Carlton is a caretaker for her grandmother and is content running her antique shop in the charming town of Silver Creek. 

She meets Leo, a handsome stranger during the Christmas festival, and they share a memorable and romantic evening causing her to believe in the movie-style romance. They agree to meet, and she is stood up leaving her wondering if it was all too good to be true.   

Greta was a unique heroine. I liked that she appreciated vintage/antique things but was also an expert in her field. I loved her care of others and her generous heart. 

The romance between Greta and Leo is a sweet, Hallmark-style romance that readers expect from rom-coms, but there was more depth than I was expecting for a holiday rom-com. This was an unexpected delight. 

One aspect I loved About Last Christmas was the author's humor. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments in this story. 

I'd rate About Last Christmas 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. The ending felt a little rushed, but overall, it was a charming, heartwarming holiday read that left me smiling long after I closed the book. 

Reading is an adventure,

    Emilee