The Fifth Avenue Story Society (By: Rachel Hauck)

The Fifth Avenue Story Society
By: Rachel Hauck

Story Line: 5 Stars
Depth: 5 Stars
Faith: 5 Stars
Love Story: 4 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars

One of our favorites authors, Rachel Hauck, has delivered a home run in her newest book! Not only does the charming cover make you want to get cozy with this read right away, but the very first page draws in its readers from the first line.  
Five seemingly random people in New York City - Jett, Lexa, Chuck, Coral and Ed - are sent mysterious invitations to join the Fifth Avenue Story Society at a little known, out of the way library. Each of them are skeptical, but due to their own personal reasons decide to join: Jett, a professor who may have stumbled on evidence that his literary idol was a fraud; Lexa, an overworked executive assistant who is continually overlooked; Chuck, an Uber driver, desperate to see his kids again; Coral, president of a cosmetics company who recently left her famous groom at the altar; and Ed, a widower trying to write the story of his loving marriage. 

Each person shows up to the society meeting with broken hearts, broken lives and a desperate need for peace. Each continually comes back to the weekly society meeting for reasons even they cannot understand; except that an invisible force continues to draw them into relationship, community and healing with one another. Who sent these invitations, and why? What is the higher power at work here, and how will each character find answers to their questions and desires? 

Reminiscent of movies that follow multiple, seemingly disconnected storylines which all eventually come together, Rachel absolutely blew us away with her expert weaving of these storylines! The entire book was easy to get swept away in and the pace at which she revealed stories kept us eager for more. There were even a couple of twists at the end we did not see coming that helped us finish this ride with a bang! 

The characters in this book were just the right mixture of real, flawed and lovable. Their realistic traits kept us as readers believing we could also be sitting in that library; really flawed, yet worthy of friendship and love, and most importantly, never too far gone for God's gentle grace. His loving kindness pursues all of us, often in quiet ways, meeting us exactly where we are, and inspiring others to see what it's all about. We recommend this book to anyone looking for an enticing read and maybe some inspiration and heart to go with it!.

Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

The Love Letter (By: Rachel Hauck)

The Love Letter
By: Rachel Hauck

Story Line: 4 Stars
Depth: 4 Stars
Faith: 4 Stars
Love Story: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Author Rachel Hauck delivers yet another split-time romance that tells the tell of a long lost love from centuries ago, and a modern love story waiting to happen! Back in the time of the Revolutionary War, Hamilton Lightfoot and Esther Longfellow are from different sides of the battle, but love each other deeply. Hamilton writes a letter proposing marriage - but it apparently never gets to Esther. When this letter is passed down through family centuries later to Jesse Gates, a Hollywood screenwriter, it inspires him to write a love story of what may have happened between the star crossed lovers. Meanwhile Chloe Daschle, daughter of two mega Hollywood stars and talented actress in her own right, is tired of playing the damsel in distress who always dies. Determined to find her destiny in the role of Esther and to find true love in real life, she presses forward through tension and doubt to make this her best role ever - all the while in her personal life, gathering the courage to open her heart to Jesse. 

These two chicks really enjoyed reading The Love Letter with its dual storylines - one historical and one contemporary. The love stories between our main characters were realistic and relatable, yet charming! Also shining brightly in this novel is the faith aspect - Jesus is close to all characters who believe in Him, gently guiding and directing those who are willing to follow Him. Rachel Hauck is mastering both historical and contemporary fiction, and her books always draw us in for an intriguing escape. This was no exception and we eagerly look forward to her next one!

Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

A Royal Christmas Wedding (By: Rachel Hauck)

A Royal Christmas Wedding

By: Rachel Hauck

A Royal Christmas Wedding is the fourth and final book in the Royal Wedding Series. We are true suckers for any royal love story, but add in the Christmas season and you have a recipe for a delightful read! Grab a cup of hot cocoa, a cozy blanket and get ready for an enchanting fairy tale.

Storyline

This story has many of the characters we have already come to love throughout this series. Avery, Susanna's younger sister, whom we were introduced to in book one, is our lovely main character along with Prince Colin, cousin to King Nathaniel. Five years ago they fell head over heels in love but were very young. When Colin abruptly cut off their relationship, Avery was left with a broken heart. Now 21, she has finished college and is at a crossroads in life. Having just lost her father and hearing her sister is pregnant, she and her mom head to Brighton for the Christmas season.

Colin is shocked when he spots Avery at a ball. Why is she here in Brighton? And why does his heart still long for her after so many years? Many twists and turns bring these two together throughout the book, and the presence of an age old tradition of a royal getting married on Christmas day continues to press on both of them. But can Avery open her heart and risk having it broken again? Can Colin make up for the past, and overlook his parents' expectation that he marry a Brightonian wife?

Depth

This book, unlike some of the others, was rather lighthearted. We have come to love the depth of Rachel's stories but this one lacked somewhat in that area. It was a fairy tale of second chances that needed forgiveness, healing and hope to reach happily ever after! Set in a charming foreign city - too bad it's fictional! - and being surrounded by loved ones made this read delightfully enchanting.

Additionally, some of the main characters either have a broken past to deal with or currently have great pain to contend with. Broken families, past mistakes, and unfulfilled dreams are addressed.

Faith

One of our favorite aspects of Rachel's writing is her willingness to be bold in her faith, to not shy away from miracles and the presence of angels. Many of her books offer these in the storyline and this one is no exception - sometimes things are "God moments" with no other explanation. Both of our main characters lean heavily on the Lord's leading and must choose to trust and follow His path, rather than relying on themselves.

Additionally, the true meaning of Christmas is continually threaded into this story, demonstrating the emptiness of celebrating the holiday without remembering the birth of Christ.

Love Story

Once upon a time Avery and Prince Colin were madly in love, but both have now suffered broken hearts, years apart and thousands of miles separating each other. What will it take to bring their hearts and souls together to reach their happily ever after? These two have many sweet moments together as you watch their journey unfold..

Overall

What a joy it has been to travel through each of the books in this series. The characters will stay with us and we may still dream of going to Brighton one day! This final installment, though lacking a little in depth, wraps things up nicely and we are sad to see it come to an end. We look forward to whatever Rachel Hauck brings us next!

Find it on Amazon: A Royal Christmas Wedding

Note: We were given this book free in return for our honest review

The Wedding Shop (By: Rachel Hauck)

The Wedding Shop

By: Rachel Hauck

Storyline

Decades apart, two women want to help others achieve their dreams through The Wedding Shop, even if each may never see her own come true.

In 1930's Tennessee, Cora has inherited the shop from her aunt and delights in helping blushing brides choose the perfect wedding gown and accessories. She hopes that one day her man will finally be able to marry her and then she too can be the one walking down the aisle. But as the Depression hits, life changes forever for both her family and all the families around her. Will her waiting for Happily Ever After never end?

Today, Haley Morgan moves back home to Heart's Bend, Tennessee after her childhood best friend, Tammy, dies. She is drawn to the old, abandoned wedding shop where they used to play, promising to one day reopen the magical store. When Haley finds out the shop is scheduled to be torn down and turned into a parking lot, she takes a leap of faith and decides to renovate and reopen the shop - even with opposition from every side. Can she overcome the odds to fulfill God's plans for her future? Especially with a past like hers?

There is no one better than author Rachel Hauck at seamlessly interweaving the past and present, creating a fascinating plot with vivid detail and heartfelt characters. She tells little bits of the story at a time, leaving us hungry for more and satisfying us with answers at just the right times.

Depth

Many deep issues are touched on in The Wedding Shop. The Depression Era is often taught in history as a financial problem. Everyone knows that money was tight, and hard times were had by many all over the country. But this book explores the emotional side of the Depression as well. What must families have gone through when the dads were out of work? How did the husbands and fathers feel at being unable to provide for their families? How did the women feel when their men were depressed and when some even left their families out of shame? The raw pain of this era is boldly brought to life.


Additionally, some of the main characters either have a broken past to deal with or currently have great pain to contend with. Broken families, past mistakes, and unfulfilled dreams are addressed.

Faith

Light shines brightest in the darkest places. Author Rachel isn't afraid to show the depths of sin the human heart can plunge into, but that makes the redemption all the sweeter. And what better way to parallel what Jesus did for us on the cross, than with the white of a wedding dress and the purity of the bride wearing it? She shows through these stories that God is a God of second chances and complete forgiveness. No matter what our past holds, Jesus cleans our souls whiter than snow.

Love Story

The romances in The Wedding Shop are fulfilling pictures of true love! They are genuine, deep and contrasted against a backdrop of what true love is NOT. Past relationships and romances are shown for what they are - shallow imitations. The heartaches and joys are so well written, we felt what the characters felt and loved journeying with them.

Overall

This book was like a breath of fresh air to these 2 Chicks who have been in a drought of good reads lately. Believe it or not, this is only the second book this year to make it to our Golden List! But The Wedding Shop's placement there is well deserved. The characters are flawed, lovable and realistic. This book is raw, not shying away from the harsh realities of mistakes and life's circumstances. All loose ends were tied up and when we had turned the last page, we were completely satisfied.

Find it on Amazon: The Wedding Shop

Note: We were given this book free in return for our honest review

The Wedding Chapel (By: Rachel Hauck)

The Wedding Chapel

By: Rachel Hauck

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Storyline
This story centers around residents from Heart's bend, Tennessee, a small town outside of Nashville. Three of its natives have found a new life in New York City, but are being drawn back to their hometown: Jack, Taylor and Colette. 

Jack and Taylor, former high school classmates, are now married after a whirlwind elopement six months earlier, but are both facing a very real question after the honeymoon: Are they truly committed to seeing this marriage through for life? 

Taylor's great Aunt Colette, also in New York City, has just retired from acting and has an illustrious career behind her. But she cannot forget the one man she has ever truly loved - the one who built a wedding chapel for her back home. Sixty years ago, Jimmy Westbrooke declared his love for and his intention to marry Colette, but then went off to war - and she never saw him again. 

Meanwhile back in Heart's Bend, Coach Jimmy Westbrooke has been living all this time without the love of his life. His once cherished wedding chapel and his heart have remained empty. But when Taylor shows up at his door to take photographs of the chapel, will his heart awaken again to second chances? This engaging read goes back and forth between the past and present, and it's easy to get hooked on this story right from the beginning!

This book captivated us from the first page and never stopped pulling us in. We were completely swept away into the story, so much so that we didn't want the book to end! Author Denise gave us her usual intriguing characters and dynamite romance, but she also ventured into the world of mystery and suspense and nailed it!

Depth

Real life family drama and marriage struggles are at the heart of this story! Author Rachel gives us a vivid inner look at the thoughts, emotions and motivations of her characters, and paints a vivid picture of what might lie behind people's outer actions.

Faith

The faith doesn't ramp up too much until the end of this read, but when it does, it is powerful! Some characters have a solid relationship with the Lord, and for those who have drifted away, the Lord leads them back to Himself gently, softly and faithfully. We are reminded that true freedom is not found by anything or anyone until it is found in Him.

Squeal Factor

As we journey through the love stories both of past and present, our hearts are definitely hooked! The tender love and emotions in Jack and Taylor's marriage have us cheering for them right from the start and only get deeper as the book goes on. Jimmy and Colette's romance from ages past is sweet, tender and deep.

Overall

Rachel Hauck's newest novel is a solid, enjoyable read that you will be swept away in almost right from the beginning. She seamlessly weaves past and present into the plot and reveals more of the story with each chapter. Enjoy a few late nights while reading this one!

Find it on Amazon: The Wedding Chapel


Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review 

Novella - A Brush with Love (By: Rachel Hauck)

 

A Brush with Love
By: Rachel Hauck

Ginger Winters is a gifted hairstylist who loves to make others feel beautiful. However, because of her outward scars from a fire when she was young, she has given up on ever feeling loved and beautiful herself. Ginger is chosen as hairstylist for a big Alabama society wedding, but doesn't expect Tom, her high school crush and the man who disappeared on her, to be back in town for the wedding - and to stay! When he visits the salon for a haircut and asking for forgiveness, it's almost too much for Ginger to take. Will she be able to open her heart to Tom and forgive the past? 

You won't want to put this novella down. It is beautifully written and almost feels more like a full length novel. 

We loved getting swept away in this story!
 
Find it on Amazon: A Brush with Love

How to Catch a Prince (By: Rachel Hauck)

How to Catch a Prince
By: Rachel Hauck

Book three in the Royal Wedding Series is the best of this trilogy! If your heart pitter-patters at the lives of royals and romance, you won't want to miss this read - it was so good, in fact, that we have added it to our Golden List!

Storyline

American Heiress Corina Del Rey and Prince Stephen of Brighton (fictional European country much like England) fell in love a lifetime ago - or at least it seems that way. War, death and devastation tore them apart five years ago and each has done their best to forget and move on. Living on different continents, she is trying to get her career as a journalist started and he is a star rugby player. But when Stephen's brother, the King of Brighton, discovers what really lies in their past, Stephen is forced to reconnect with Corina and sort things out. Can these two work through the pain of the past to find love again? At first glance, it appears this book will be utterly predictable (although definitely enjoyable!). But it really isn't! There are surprises along the way, right from the very beginning, and with a bit of mystery thrown in. Seems that just when we knew where the story might be headed, it took another turn in a fantastically exciting direction. With exactly the right amount of plot, character development and action, this book quickly became a page turner.  

Depth

This category we were surprised at! Many times books centering around fairy tales, royal weddings and the like are largely fluff, merited on squeal factor and storyline, but this one went the extra mile to be deep and deal with some very harsh realities. Stephen and Corina, although born into privileged lives, are not strangers to grief and devastation. It is a frustrating, arduous journey for each of them (and subsequently us as readers!) to face their pasts, but ultimately is resolved in satisfying redemption.

Faith

God is all over this book, from Corina's strong dependence on Jesus to Stephen's journey back to the Lord from bitterness and anger. Corina's ability to hear her Creator speak to her heart, and her obedience to those Words are inspiring, and the Lord gives her the strength to obey Him. Stephen wrestles with where God has been when He has needed him, but (SPOILER alert) his redemption near the end of the book is one of the best we have ever read in a book. A few tears may have even leaked out of our eyes at that point. Also of note in the faith category is the very original storyline of some "heavenly beings" come down to earth to help Corina. Hebrews 13 says we must be sure to entertain strangers, for some may be angels - and this book delves into what that could look like. It was delightful to read!

Squeal Factor

Stephen and Corina have a very deep love for one another, and the chemistry is electric. As they remember their time together from five years previous, their memories are full of intimate, sweet moments that left us cheering for this relationship to find its ground again!

Overall
 
It's been awhile since we have put a book on our Golden List, and this one found it's way there quite unexpectedly! How to Catch a Prince has all the elements needed for a fabulous read. Romantic European settings, a royal family, Heavenly angels masquerading as people, and the depth of story to keep it all realistic makes this a must read for all book lovers. 

Rachel Hauck outdid herself with this one!  
 
Find it on Amazon: How to Catch a Prince

Once Upon a Prince (By: Rachel Hauck)

Once Upon a Prince
By: Rachel Hauck

Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck is the first book in the Royal Wedding Series. It is a modern day fairy tale that will leave you satisfied and wanting to read the next book in the series!

Storyline

Susanna Truitt has never been one for fairy tales; she's content marrying the man she has dated for the last 12 years. Adam, her Marine Corps boyfriend, is finally home from his last stint in Afghanistan, and Susanna is hoping for a proposal. Adam, however, breaks up with her; and Susanna comes to see she was more in love with "her plan" than Adam. What will she do now? 

Prince Nathaniel, aka "Nate Kenneth" when traveling and under disguise, is visiting St. Simons Island, GA when he comes to the aid or "rescue" of Susanna more than once. Nathaniel had no intentions of falling for someone, as he is to head home soon and take the place of his ailing father. What happens when a prince and an ordinary girl start falling for each other, but protocol from Brighton Royalty mandates that he may not marry a foreigner? 

Depth

Why is Susanna so cautious and wanting to trust in her plan and not "let go?" What in her past is keeping her from living freely in God's will for her? Nathaniel is under immense political pressure at home in Brighton. Not only is he to be King, but he also is being heavily influenced to marry a woman he does not love. We see character development in both Nathaniel and Susanna. It is a light read, a modern day fairy tale, but has more meat to chew on than meets the eye.

Faith

Faith is interwoven throughout the story. Both characters rely heavily on prayer and speaking freely to God. Themes of forgiveness, guidance, surrender and trust are beautifully portrayed in this book.

Squeal Factor

Who doesn't love a good fairy tale? That in itself gets us all giddy, wondering how in the world these two will end up together, if in fact they do! Susanna and Nathaniel are great together and the tension between them is real as they are both left wanting something they cannot have.

Overall

Anyone who has ever loved a fairy tale will thoroughly enjoy this book! A prince and an ordinary girl falling in love? Yes, please! Enjoy the journey as you read about the challenges and speed bumps that come along the way. By the end I promise you will be wearing a big ol' smile on your face! 

For more after you read this, check out a novella following this storyline called A March Bride; then onto the second and third book  in the series, Princess Ever After and How to Catch a Prince. 

Find it on Amazon: Once Upon a Prince