Tag: books

Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson//Lighthearted Romance Book Review

Eliza Noel2 Comments

Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson is a lighthearted romance book that I highly recommend. It kept me smiling and made me want to keep reading. I caught myself several times saying I’d be done at the end of a chapter and then skimming the first few pages of the next chapter to see what happened. As an author, I loved reading about another writer and her struggles.

Audience

Older Teen Girls & Women

Genre

Lighthearted Romance, Clean Contemporary Romance, Rom-com

Author

Melissa Ferguson

Buy on Amazon


“And for the love of all, pick different names. This is not an opera. You can have Renaldo. You can have Cecilia. You cannot have both.”

…this is just one of many strongly worded notes Savannah Cade finds in the margins of her manuscript. It upsets her at first to find someone has been reading her manuscript. Her private manuscript written under a pen name, not to mention. Savannah works as an editor in a publishing house where romance is strongly frowned upon. Because of that, she stores her manuscript in a secret room inside the Victorian office. When she finds out someone else has found the room and her manuscript she’s terrified. But when she realizes the secret editor’s comments are actually improving her story she begins taking their advice. The pressure of a tight deadline is only made more stressful by the fact that her sister will soon be marrying her ex-boyfriend and she’s meant to just grin and bear it all.

Like all the other Melissa Ferguson books I’ve read, I found myself smiling through it all.

A few of my favorite things…

  • the Victorian house setting
  • a grumpy, but lonely male MC
  • a somewhat awkward, insecure and real female MC
  • the behind-the-scenes of publishing houses

I didn’t care for…

  • I can’t think of anything!

Know that…

  • most of the romance is through notes, so it’s fairly clean!

Perfect for…

Any women looking for a lighthearted romance that will keep a smile on their face!

If you love reading clean Christian fiction (especially contemporary) sign-up for my email list here. I send reviews and giveaways here and there.

Books for Jane Austen Fans (& one movie)

Eliza NoelLeave a comment

It’s a rare occasion when I meet a woman who doesn’t love at least one of Jane Austen’s stories. Something draws us to her characters even if they are prideful, passionate, or obnoxious (what excellent boiled potatoes). When it comes to humor, I believe Jane Austen was far ahead of her time. While some people may think her stories are better left untouched, I’ll continue to be drawn to new spins on her stories (even if they don’t match up to the original). There is just something so comforting about characters and storylines that feel familiar. Here are just a few books that feel like Jane Austen in some way or another.

Books for Jane Austen Fans

Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham

Amazon//Goodreads

  • Sense & Sensibility references
  • regency romance
  • matchmaking mishaps
  • ballroom social scenes
  • cute children
  • a scandalous secret (well, for that time period, anyways)

Not Exactly Mr. Darcy by Carolyn Miller (The Silver Teapot #1)

Amazon//Goodreads

  • contemporary fiction
  • Darcy-like male mc
  • restoration of a Pemberley-type home
  • written by an Australian author which almost makes it feel more authentically British

Dearest Josephine by Caroline George

Amazon//Goodreads

  • dual timeline historical/contemporary fiction
  • British setting
  • cozy-by-the-fireplace vibes
  • Jane Austen with a modern twist

Movie for Jane Austen Fans

Sense & Sensibility: A Modern Retelling

  • cheesy (but at the same time well done) modern version of Sense and Sensibility
  • Christmas scenes
  • clean girly movie
  • Jane Austen characters redone well

Tell Me About Your Love for Jane Austen

I’ve been a lover of Jane Austen stories since before high school. Pride and Prejudice was a long time favorite, but I’ve grown a new appreciation for Sense and Sensibility. Even Emma (whom I originally loathed) has grown on me. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m passionate about both literature and health. I even named my self-taught health coaching package Elinor Dashwood because it’s an independent course just like Elinor is an independent character. You can learn more about it below.

If you’d like to talk more about this package you can email me (eliza.noel.writes@gmail.com) or…

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson//Squeaky Clean Mystery Book

Eliza Noel1 Comment

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson is a squeaky clean mystery book that I highly recommend. It was probably one of my top fiction reads next year. Picture the perfect blend of Murder on the Orient Express, Knives Out, and Clue. It’ll be published next month, so be sure to pre-order a copy!

Audience

Older Teen Girls & Women

Genre

Squeaky Clean Mystery, Clean Contemporary Romance, Eccentric Murder Mystery, Rom-com

Author

Melissa Ferguson

Buy on Amazon


“It’s that bad isn’t it?”
“Perhaps a double shot of espresso. We don’t typically allow triple shots given the number of pacemakers on board, but just this once, I could slip you a third upon request.”

Growing up, one of my favorite books was “Cherry Ames, Cruise Nurse“. Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson reminded me of that one. They’re both mysteries that take place on a cruise ship. I’ve read a number of Melissa Ferguson’s books now, and this one is my favorite. It tells the story of Pip, the assistant to an eclectic group of well-known authors. After organizing a cruise for them and all their fans, she finds the body of her boss, Hugh. The most likely suspects are the other authors, people she thought she knew and trusted. Overall, this book was the perfect blend of mystery, romance, and comedy! I definitely recommend it.

A few of my favorite things…

  • the fancy cruise ship setting
  • author MC’s
  • a protective and manly male MC
  • a mystery that kept me guessing the whole time

I didn’t care for…

  • I can’t think of anything!

Know that…

  • a man sleeps in a woman’s room to protect her from the lurking murderer, nothing sexual
  • the romance doesn’t go further than a few kisses (nothing over-the-top)

Perfect for…

Any women looking for a lighthearted mystery that will keep them guessing!

If you love reading clean Christian fiction (especially contemporary) sign-up for my email list here. I send reviews and giveaways here and there.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Terms and Traditions by Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht//Christian Christmas Fiction

Eliza Noel2 Comments

Terms and Traditions by Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht is a humorous Christian Christmas fiction novel that tackles some heavy topics. It tackles broken family relationships, scars from past relationships, and chronic illness. Despite all of that, somehow the tone remains light and seasonal. If you want a Christmas book that will make you laugh in the mood for the Christmas season read this one.

Audience

Older Teen Girls & Women

Genre

Christian Christmas Fiction, Christian Contemporary Romance, Closed-door Romance, Rom-com

Author

Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht

Buy on Amazon

Stephanie is perfectly organized and put together at her job as handsome millionaire Nash’s personal assistant. But her dating life- not so much. It’s anxiety-ridden and pretty much non-existent. Unless you count her 2-year crush on her boss who also happens to be part of her friend group. When Stephanie’s dad pressures her to bring a date to their very dysfunctional family Christmas trip, Stephanie speaks before thinking and asks Nash to be her fake boyfriend. Surprisingly, he says yes.

A few of my favorite things…

  • references to Christmas movies and songs I love
  • just alll the Christmas-y vibes, even the explanations and descriptions were enveloped in Christmas (for example, the exclamation “Sugarplums!” and the description “warm cocoa hug”)
  • Nash’s determination to not sleep with anyone but his future wife
  • Stephanie’s nana’s positive influence in her life, pointing her to Jesus
  • Stephanie’s tight friend group that walks through the ups and downs of life together
  • Nash being protective and deeply caring
  • cute kid characters
  • family holiday traditions

I didn’t care for…

  • clean, but it was still a bit kiss-y for me. At one point, characters sneak into a pantry to make out, but there’s no talk or thought of going further.

Know that…

  • some mean girls speculate that Stephanie slept her way to the top of the company (absolutely not true)

Perfect for…

Any woman looking for a Hallmark-y clean Christian Christmas fiction book to read!

If you love reading clean Christian fiction (especially contemporary) sign-up for my email list here.

Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham//Clean Regency Romance Novel

Eliza Noel2 Comments

I’m not typically a historical fiction girly, but I’m so glad I picked up this clean Regency romance novel. Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham had me tearing up, smiling, and even laughing. Like a warm cup of tea, it was my cozy go-to novel. I was originally attracted to it because of the cute cover (shallow, I know) and the fact that I’ve enjoyed a few other Pepper Basham books (you can read my Some Like it Scot review here). It inspired me to watch Sense and Sensibility again (it’d been 10+ years) so I could get all the references.

Audience

Teen Girls and Women

Genre

Clean Regency Romance, Christian Historical Fiction

Author

Pepper Basham

Two years ago Emme Lockhart’s heart was broken by the Simon Reeves. She knew his status was way above hers, but he had given her reason to believe they had a future together. And then he called the whole thing off, with no explanation. Now Emme’s aunt is forcing her back into the social scene, determined to have Emme married well. And by well she means with good social standing and plenty of money, love plays no part in her matchmaking. Things become complicated for Emme when Simon returns to the area. Just being near him is still difficult. Yet when she finds out his family’s estate is in trouble, she wants to help him. Even if that means helping him find a bride who is not her.

A few of my favorite things…

  • The fact that Emme is an author, even though that was scandalous for women back then
  • The Jane Austen references and overall Austen feel to the story
  • Sweet, caring and mischievous little kid characters, they always brighten a story!
  • Aunt Bean. Even though her matchmaking skills were terrible she made me laugh!
  • Emme and Simon’s caring and playful friendship
  • Emme’s sweet relationship with her dad
  • Simon’s care for his younger siblings
  • Ballroom social scenes

Know that…

  • There’s a little bit of kissing, but nothing over the top
  • The book ends with a newly married couple kissing and stepping into their bedroom. Nothing else is described.

Perfect for…

Any woman looking for a cozy Jane Austen-like read!

Amazon

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Notes: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I’m also an Amazon Affiliate, so I receive a commission on anything purchased through links I share.