Another month has flown by. This one was super fast though. I blame vacation time. You take two days off work and not only do those days go by fast, but the rest of the month, too.
Somehow though, with time flying by faster than a cheetah, I was able to get more reading done this month! Miracles do happen 🥹
Let’s talk about it:
The Sacred Search by Gary Thomas
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I think I got this at a thrift store months ago. I was going to read it then, but I was like… I’m not ready to date so why bother? Then I got interested in dating again. I was rearranging my million books and it was there. It was time to read.
This was so good. It was biblical, practical and thought-provoking. I’d recommend this especially to someone who isn’t actively dating anyone (like me) because I think it’s important to keep these things in mind from the very beginning. It’s also important to read as you near an engagement because you need those reminders of what is our goal as a couple? How are we or are we not honoring God? Among other many things he touches on in this book, what stands out is the obvious need for communication, not settling and being equally yoked.
Many reviews take a critical side to this book because he’s not a counselor. But He points you back to Jesus and he’ll tell you over and over that this is based on research, personal experience and what’s given to us through His Word. I would not be quick to discount this advice that he provides just because sometimes the questions and meat of said advice isn’t always what we want to hear.
I also liked that there were questions and interactive things you can walk through and think about now, wherever you are in your dating for marriage journey.
Betrothal or Breakaway by Leah Brunner
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
Best friends to lovers always gets me 🫶🏻
I enjoyed the easy relationship Ford and Amber had. Even with time and distance apart, they were close. I know it took me a week to read, but this story went by fast. I felt bad for Amber’s situation, but she handled it all with grace and Ford stepped in so easily because it was her, it was always her.
I’m looking forward to more from Leah Brunner!
Book three in the DC Eagles series.
The Quit List by Katie Bailey
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I LIKED this one. It was funny, quirky, and the characters showed obvious growth throughout the story which I did like.
It was a bit on the steamier side. Cussing was throughout, a bit heavier I feel like than her other books were… so wasn’t a huge fan of that.
Some notable quotes I found and liked:
“I’m not sure I want you to be honest anymore,” I say, my cheeks warming a little under his scrutiny.
He simply shrugs. “I’d apologize, but I’m not sorry for telling you that you’re underestimating yourself. That being you is the best thing you can be.”
Because in the end, if it comes down to it, my heart breaking for Holly is still preferable to having an unbroken heart that never got to experience beating for her.
Wouldn’t recommend to all, but a good read if you’re already a fan of Katie Bailey.
Helps if you’ve read Season’s Schemings, but not necessary.
John: Life Application Bible Commentary
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
John was such a good study. I recommend a commentary to go along with reading, especially when you come upon details. It adds so much color and understanding at times that even my study bible doesn’t have in the notes.
I appreciate the Life Application commentaries because they point out multiple arguments and viewpoints.
I used this alongside the John study for Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and we’ve reached the end. I loved my group and I’ll miss them.
Next semester we’ll be studying Revelation!
Reunited with the Hero by M.E. Weyerbacher
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I realized when I went to mark this as “read” on GoodReads, that I never did mark it as currently reading to begin with. BUT, I did figure I started it after reading the book before it, so that helped. I feel like I’d been on this book for over a month, but I couldn’t have been based on the day I finished the other, so that’s cool.
Anyway, the book itself was a sweet Christian story! Second chance romance between high school sweethearts who were separated due to circumstances really out of their control. I loved their quick and fun relationship that also included a smart little girl who was always getting into things.
I feel like there was a bit of mystery as to the past and what really happened and I don’t know if I got all the answers… but it was still a 5 star read for me.
This is book five in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series and this one was set close to Christmas so could be a Christmas read.
Falling for your Brother’s Best Friend by Emma St Clair
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I love a good brother’s best friend story. 🫶🏻
The only thing I didn’t like was the brother. 😂
The rest of the book? Hilarious and sweet. I loved Mason and Chelsea as a couple. They were just perfect. 🥺
Novella in between the fourth and fifth books of the Love Cliches series.
Book reading goal for 2024: 75
Books reads this month: 6
Books read this year so far: 35
Let me know what you read in April in the comments!
Not Your Season: Summer's Blog 
Glad that you got a mini vacay last month! And glad you got some good reading in! I haven’t read any of these books, but they sound good. I especially like the commentary on John. That sounds so good. And the Emma St. Clair book. I haven’t read anything by her yet. But I think I would like her stories. The M.E. Weyerbacher book sounds really good too. I have not read anything by that author either. Actually I don’t think I have read any of these authors before. LOL.
Last month I completed:
– My Lucky Charm by Courtney Walsh. I loved it. And I loved that there really wasn’t much conflict. But I’m now anxiously awaiting book 3. From things I saw on Courtney’s IG, it sounds like it’s not even in the works yet. 😩
– God is Able (10th Anniversary Edition) by Priscilla Shirer. A good book that is centered around Ephesians 3:20-21 (“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”)
– Making God Smile by Kim Taylor Henry. This was a 365 day devotional. I’m terrible with devotionals that last that long, so with this book I read more than one entry at a time. But it was a good book, all about the fruit of the Spirit.
– Love, Unscripted by Denise Hunter. A great book. It reminded me a lot of My Phony Valentine. Except this one blew up in their faces. 🤦🏼♀️ And by the way, I realized that I still haven’t read book 4 from Denise’s last series.
– When Forever Comes by Tawni Suchy. I don’t know how I heard about Tawni, but I also somehow learned that she is a Christian, so I wanted to give her a shot. This novella was really good and I think in time her talent could be close to some of our favorite authors. One great thing was that this book has a heavy faith theme. But looking on Amazon, I don’t really see many books by her yet.
– Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen. Wow! So many twists and turns in this book! It definitely kept me guessing! I think I only have one more of her books that I haven’t read (except for the new series).
– The Presence of God by R.T. Kendall. This is the third book that I have read by this Pastor. They are always good with a lot of info. One thing about his writing is that many times he pulls in topics that you wouldn’t think are related, but he shows how they are. It opens the eyes in a broader way.
Don’t be too impressed with my numbers because 1 was a novella, 2 I listened to the majority on audio, and 1 I kind of rushed through. Lol. 🤷♀️
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I think you’d enjoy Emma St Clair if you like Courtney Walsh!! A pretty good month all around for me, for sure!
So glad you enjoyed My Lucky Charm!! So good. I hadn’t seen anything posted by her actually, I’ll have to check!
God is Able sounds really good.
You’ll need to catch up on Denise Hunter!! I think she has another book releasing in the fall, but could be wrong.
Lady Maybe was the first book I read by Julie Klassen! It’s not my favorite, but it’s memorable because it was what got me interested in her as an author.
I’ve wanted to read RT Kendall! I have at least one book by him. Will need to give him a read.
lol we gotta get our reading in how we can! 🫶🏻 Thanks for sharing, Bridget!! 🤗
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