I love reviewing books. I especially love reviewing Julie Lessman’s books. Beautifully written, with heartfelt drama and witty storytelling, Surprised by Love is bound to win over many hearts, as it did mine. It’s the kind of story that makes reading fun. It was entertaining from the start and downright charming from first to last page.
While the characters are haunted by past hurts, they’re also torn between their heart’s desires and fears, and along the way they learn some valuable lessons. I wanted to hug each and every member of the McClare family. Or at the very least join them at that amusing dinner table of theirs. What lively conversations they always have. π
And those love triangles had me turning the pages faster than I could read! The last half of the book was especially captivating. Yes, I’m baiting you. Go read it! π
My only regret is not having read the first in the series yet. Having been given the chance to review the second and third books in The Heart of San Francisco series, I couldn’t resist jumping ahead. While each one holds its own nicely, I would recommend you starting from the beginning if you have the chance. I have a feeling you’ll be that much more enthralled with the McClare family and friends.
Another thing I like and appreciate about this writer’s style is that I never quite know how it’s going to end. How “we” will get to the “Happy Ending” β the characters and I β is still a mystery up to the last page. The ending never comes prematurely, but continues on in perfect rhythm and delivers in due time, rewarding its readers wonderfully by book’s end.
What can I say? I love watching (and reading) when best friends fall in love. It’s a beautiful thing. I married my own best friend two years ago and I have a small plaque hanging in our home that always makes me smile. “True love is friendship set on fire.”Β I love that. And it fits perfectly for this story too.
Love is a fire, alright. And Julie Lessman knows how to write it very well. π
This review is my honest opinion.Β Thanks to the publisher for my copy.
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ-
ABOUT THE BOOK:
From Ugly Duckling
to Swimming with the Swans β¦
but is she over her head
when it comes to love?
As a shy and pudgy child, Megan McClare has always been ridiculed by her classmates, but when she returns from her senior year in Paris, the wallflower has suddenly blossomed into a beauty. Hopeful of becoming a lawyer or doctor to help the disadvantaged women of the Barbary Coast, Megan accepts an internship at the District Attorneyβs office only to discover sheβll be working with the boy who mocked her in school. She turns to her best friend Bram for support and advice, and Bramβfighting an unwelcome attraction to a friend heβs always perceived as a little sisterβencourages Meg to forgive Devin and pursue a friendship. The friendship with Devin evolves into a serious romance, but when a sailboat accident tosses Bram and Meg into the seas of attraction, both her heart and her emotions capsize, threatening to change the course of love β¦
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ-
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of βPassion With a Purposeβ underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. Winner of the 2009 ACFW Debut Author of the Year and Holt Medallion Awards of Merit for Best First Book and Long Inspirational, Julie is also the recipient of 14 Romance Writers of America awards and was voted by readers as βBorders Best of 2009 So Far: Your Favorite Fiction.β
Chosen as the #1 Romance Fiction Author of the Year in the Family Fiction magazine 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie was also awarded #1 Historical Fiction Author of the Year in that same poll and #3 Author of the Year, #4 Novel of the Year and #3 Series of the year. She resides in Missouri with her husband, daughter, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter and is the author of βThe Daughters of Bostonβ seriesβA Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied. Book 1 in herβWinds of Changeβ series A Hope Undaunted ranked #5 on Booklistβs Top 10 Inspirational Fiction for 2010.
Learn more at www.julielessman.com
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ-
Loved your review of “Surprised by Love”, Savanna!! Thank you!!
Julie is one of my very fave authors – I’ve read every one of her books, including her writing manual, and have both paperback and eBook in each of them. Such an entertaining and inspiring writing style she has – with those heart-warming realistic families of characters who steal my heart!! I love those unexpected twists and turns in each of her books, just as you do – never get enough her passion and angst.
“Surprised by Love” was the perfect ending to this series and I’m thrilled she is writing novellas about characters from some of her books so that I can revisit them again. I’m also eagerly awaiting the future release of her first contemporary books, knowing I will love those characters also.
Love Julie and each of her books – such an inspiring lady and author!!
Shared post!!
Thank you, Bonnie! So good to see you here. I have to say, I was so surprised when I met “Bonnie Roof” in the book. I was like, “Hey, I know her!!” π What fun! It’s always great to chat with you. And I agree, I can’t wait for more from our sweet writing friend! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
SAVANNA!!! Thank you SO much for this FABULOUS review, my sweet friend — beautifully written!! And hugs to Bonnie, too, for bringing it to my attention. What a great way to kick off my day!!
LOVE that quote — “βTrue love is friendship set on fire.β
This week, in particular, is a week to thank God for “friendship,” and I thank Him for yours and Bonnie’s!!
Hugs and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Julie
Hi Julie!! Thank you so much for stopping in and reading my review. I can’t wait to pass your book along to another reader. π I am grateful for your friendship as well and I hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving!
Great review.
Thanks for reading, Kim!