book review: "a marriage in middlebury" by anita higman

"Charlotte Rose Hill enjoys a comfortable life serving up country delicacies, uniquely blended teas, and matchmaking advice for her quirky, devoted customers. The only thing lacking is someone to share it with. 

At eighteen she denied Sam Wilder's marriage proposal after his family convinced her to walk away from their relationship. They both moved on...or so she thought. When Sam walks back into her life more than a decade later, Charlotte is surprised that her heart still quickens. But is it because of his presence? Or because of the presence of Sam's new fiancee?

A second chance at love doesn't happen often, but their past may keep them apart. Is it too late for Sam and Charlotte?"

I always like books set in a small town. I love how quaint the town is - I secretly want to live in such a place someday :) It didn't take me long to get pulled into the story, wondering if Charlotte and Sam would have a second chance to be together. I thought all of the characters to be charming - especially quirky Cricket. My heart broke over Obie and his story. And I really liked the final scene being Sam and Charlotte on the bridge - the same place where he proposed ten years before. I finished the book with a smile - my indicator of a good book! Overall, a fun, easy read. 

I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity for my honest review.

book review: "dear mr. knightley" by katherine reay

A book of letters. Dear Mr. Knightley is a book of letters from Samantha to the man responsible for funding her way through journalism school. I wasn't sure I would like a book in this format but oh, I did. Even though the story is told through these letters, Samantha includes dialogue and specific moments. And then she meets Alex Powell. Their game of quoting lines from stories made me smile because I do the same thing sometimes. I couldn't help but be pulled in to Sam and her struggle to make it as I read these letters. She told Mr. Knightley she was able to be honest with him because she didn't know who he was. So she shared about her past, revealing parts of her no one else knew about. She shared her disappointment when she was about to be kicked out of the program because she wasn't giving her best to the writing assignments and then her excitement and hesitancy when she finally wrote the piece that changed everything. And what made me love the story all the more is the final page of the book. Sam quotes not from Pride and Prejudice the book but from the movie and it just happens to be one of my favorite lines in the movie: "It was a 'completely, perfectly, and incandescently happy' moment," she said." Dear Mr. Knightley is a great read. You go on this journey with Sam as she discovers herself as a writer and who she finds when she finally stops running.

I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. You can read other reviews in the tour by clicking here.

Debut author Katherine Reay is celebrating the release of her delightful novel, Dear Mr. Knightley, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway, a fun Favorite Austen Moments Pinterest contest, and an Austen-themed Facebook Party.

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
• Handmade Austen-themed items (scarf, mug, bracelet, and necklace) 

Two ways to win! Enter today by clicking one of the icons below or participating in the Pinterest contest (see banner below)—or BOTH! 

But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Dear Mr. Knightley" Austen-themed Facebook Author Chat Party on the 3rd. Join Katherine (and Austen fans) for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Katherine's next book.

So grab your copy of  Dear Mr. Knightley and join Katherine on the evening of December 3rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST. Hope to see you on the 3rd!