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The Brothers' Bond #1
A Season For Grace
The moment they met, social worker Mia Carano knew Officer Collin Grace was the perfect mentor for a runaway teen in her care. After all, the boy looked up to him, and desperately needed a role model.
Though a childhood spent in foster care had hardened Collin, Mia would reveal the caring man she knew was inside. After all, breaking through his gruff exterior would fulfill a boy's Christmas wish…and maybe even her own.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 27, 2010
16 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Linda Goodnight
222 books522 followersNY Times and USA Bestseller, Linda Goodnight writes novels of faith and family that point to hope through Christ. Her emotional stories have won the RITA , the Carol, the Reviewer’s Choice, and numerous other industry awards. Her two great passions are faith in Jesus and her large extended family. (And pie. she loves pie.)
Readers may connect with Linda through her website at www.lindagoodnight.com or on Facebook.
Readers may connect with Linda through her website at www.lindagoodnight.com or on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 13, 2022
I only recently discovered this author and have been trying to work my way through her back list. This series was recommended by several folks and when I read this first book, it touched me deeply. Linda Goodnight is very talented at conveying emotion to the printed page. I was captivated by this story and can’t wait for the stories of the other two brothers. Well done!
December 7, 2019
This is the first book in a trilogy of 3 brothers separated by the foster system as little boys, and the search by the oldest one for the other two. I loved Colin's story, and the great set up for this great trilogy. I lean towards the suspense novels by Love Inspired, but Linda Goodnight is one of the best non suspense authors they have, and this was an awesome book.
January 7, 2009
I loved these characters. Of course some of the stuff was really unrealistic but the characters seemed really real. I can't wait to get the other brother book. :)
November 7, 2023
I didn’t like this book, as it was totally lacking. I read the last book in this series (“Heart of Grace”, which is Drew’s story) and it was amazing, so I was really surprised that this book sucked.
My reasons why this book was bad:
1. Mia Carano was an annoying character. She was always talking and pushing Collin to do things he didn’t want. She was really not a good character because she was annoying and there wasn’t really anything that made her stand out.
2. Mia’s family supposedly owns a bakery, but there isn’t a single scene where people are at this bakery (which doesn’t make sense, because the front of the bakery is literally the cover of this book).
3. Mia’s family was annoying and it feels like there’s no real reason for them to be in the book.
4. The romance poorly written! Because of this, I wasn’t rooting for Collin to get with Mia. There was not a single spark between them and then one day Collin just kisses Mia after saving her from the barn fire, and now they’re in love? Give me a break. After book 3 in this series being really good in the romance area, I was expecting good romance here, too.
5. What on earth is this “I can’t kiss you unless you’re a Christian” thing? I mean, that’s just weird. Like, I understand if Mia wants to create and uphold some personal boundaries based on her religion, but she says that it’s a legit rule in the Christian faith, and that’s not true. The Bible doesn’t say that romantic kissing is a sin, and it doesn’t mention anything about not kissing non-Christians. That part was weird, but I guess it’s cool that Collin stuck around after that trick she pulled.
6. The kidnapping scene was badly written and confusing, and then the author just skipped over it without really explaining anything.
7. Mitchell, the kid that Mia was trying to help out, was annoying. Haha, I guess a lot of this book was annoying to me. He never really did anything important for the story.
8. Possibly the most disappointing thing about this book: It. Wasn’t. Christmasy. The title of the story suggests a Christmas theme (and Goodreads says this book is in the Christmas genre), and the book is set at Thanksgiving + Christmastime, but there is literally no hint of holiday vibes. I was reading this for the Christmas vibes and there were none to be found. Oh well.
Collin was a great guy and character overall, but everybody else was pretty basic and-surprise, surprise, I’m gonna use the same adjective again- annoying. I was actually expecting Mia and Collin to get together and then adopt Mitchell, but her parents ended up fostering him instead. Also, the ending was lame because Collin thinks that Drew is dead and then as he is about to go follow up on a lead that might lead to his other brother Ian, the book ends.
The moral to this review is that I recommend just reading book 3 of 3 in this series (Heart of Grace), because this just missed the mark.
My reasons why this book was bad:
1. Mia Carano was an annoying character. She was always talking and pushing Collin to do things he didn’t want. She was really not a good character because she was annoying and there wasn’t really anything that made her stand out.
2. Mia’s family supposedly owns a bakery, but there isn’t a single scene where people are at this bakery (which doesn’t make sense, because the front of the bakery is literally the cover of this book).
3. Mia’s family was annoying and it feels like there’s no real reason for them to be in the book.
4. The romance poorly written! Because of this, I wasn’t rooting for Collin to get with Mia. There was not a single spark between them and then one day Collin just kisses Mia after saving her from the barn fire, and now they’re in love? Give me a break. After book 3 in this series being really good in the romance area, I was expecting good romance here, too.
5. What on earth is this “I can’t kiss you unless you’re a Christian” thing? I mean, that’s just weird. Like, I understand if Mia wants to create and uphold some personal boundaries based on her religion, but she says that it’s a legit rule in the Christian faith, and that’s not true. The Bible doesn’t say that romantic kissing is a sin, and it doesn’t mention anything about not kissing non-Christians. That part was weird, but I guess it’s cool that Collin stuck around after that trick she pulled.
6. The kidnapping scene was badly written and confusing, and then the author just skipped over it without really explaining anything.
7. Mitchell, the kid that Mia was trying to help out, was annoying. Haha, I guess a lot of this book was annoying to me. He never really did anything important for the story.
8. Possibly the most disappointing thing about this book: It. Wasn’t. Christmasy. The title of the story suggests a Christmas theme (and Goodreads says this book is in the Christmas genre), and the book is set at Thanksgiving + Christmastime, but there is literally no hint of holiday vibes. I was reading this for the Christmas vibes and there were none to be found. Oh well.
Collin was a great guy and character overall, but everybody else was pretty basic and-surprise, surprise, I’m gonna use the same adjective again- annoying. I was actually expecting Mia and Collin to get together and then adopt Mitchell, but her parents ended up fostering him instead. Also, the ending was lame because Collin thinks that Drew is dead and then as he is about to go follow up on a lead that might lead to his other brother Ian, the book ends.
The moral to this review is that I recommend just reading book 3 of 3 in this series (Heart of Grace), because this just missed the mark.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2018
The description on the back of the book is different than the actual story I'm going to give you my own summary ! 😀
Collin :😀 Guarded ,aloof ,insecure,loyal, trust issues
Collin is an officer who tries to forget his past . At the age of ten he and his two younger brothers were separated by social services . Collin hasn't seen then since that day , but he still searches for them online and in police records .
Social workers are people that Collin does his best to avoid , but he can't avoid Mia .
Mia : 💙 Sassy ,bubbly,persistent,compassionate
Mia is persistent as she tries to convince Collin to mentor a young troubled boy who reminds Collin too much of himself and his list brother drew .
Collin and Mia make a deal Collin must take the troubled boy under his wing and in exchange Mia will search for his list brothers.
Thanks for reading !! 💋
Collin :😀 Guarded ,aloof ,insecure,loyal, trust issues
Collin is an officer who tries to forget his past . At the age of ten he and his two younger brothers were separated by social services . Collin hasn't seen then since that day , but he still searches for them online and in police records .
Social workers are people that Collin does his best to avoid , but he can't avoid Mia .
Mia : 💙 Sassy ,bubbly,persistent,compassionate
Mia is persistent as she tries to convince Collin to mentor a young troubled boy who reminds Collin too much of himself and his list brother drew .
Collin and Mia make a deal Collin must take the troubled boy under his wing and in exchange Mia will search for his list brothers.
Thanks for reading !! 💋
November 30, 2020
Finding God and My Brothers
I chose this rating because although I loved the book it went a little slow in some areas and super fast in others. It was the type of book needed for this time of year. A police officer, A social worker, A grade school, troubled young man had very little in common but very much when you started investigating. This book had it all, A mystery, A love worth reading about, A large Christian family with big open hearts.MS.. Goodnight did an outstanding job on this book.
I chose this rating because although I loved the book it went a little slow in some areas and super fast in others. It was the type of book needed for this time of year. A police officer, A social worker, A grade school, troubled young man had very little in common but very much when you started investigating. This book had it all, A mystery, A love worth reading about, A large Christian family with big open hearts.MS.. Goodnight did an outstanding job on this book.
December 8, 2017
pushy heroine.
I love the author, just didn't care for the pushing, at you all the time, heroine. She was a little annoying, but other than that it was a cute story.
I have read the others in the series. It was a great topic for a series.
I love the author, just didn't care for the pushing, at you all the time, heroine. She was a little annoying, but other than that it was a cute story.
I have read the others in the series. It was a great topic for a series.
July 17, 2018
16 chapters
250 pages
It doesn't appear I've written a review for this book, so I'll have to read it again and write one up. The only notes I can find is a smiley face, which tells me that I was pleased with it.
250 pages
It doesn't appear I've written a review for this book, so I'll have to read it again and write one up. The only notes I can find is a smiley face, which tells me that I was pleased with it.
October 10, 2024
Another good book
I have worked with social workers and my husband retired from law enforcement. This book and the other books of yours that I have read are very truthful and well written. I have enjoyed the characters and interesting plots.
I have worked with social workers and my husband retired from law enforcement. This book and the other books of yours that I have read are very truthful and well written. I have enjoyed the characters and interesting plots.
March 20, 2020
Christian mystery
May 31, 2020
A mostly sweet but also sad story. the kidnapping scene was creepy and did not really add anythig to it though. I enjoyed it and will read it again but skip that part. I would recommend it
January 25, 2020
This is a wonderful "seasonal" story but can be read any time of the year.
Inspite of his difficult childhood and growing up in foster care, Collin Grace became a respected police officer. Social worker Mia Carano knew he would be a great mentor and role model for one of the troubled teens in her care... if she can brake down the barriers Collin has built up around himself. He is also searching for his two younger brothers that were seperated from him at age ten. Will he be able to find them after all these years. Collin also comes to realize that God has a special plan for his life.
Half way through the book I realized this was Book 1 of 3 so I immediately had to purchase the rest of the series :))) On to the next...
Inspite of his difficult childhood and growing up in foster care, Collin Grace became a respected police officer. Social worker Mia Carano knew he would be a great mentor and role model for one of the troubled teens in her care... if she can brake down the barriers Collin has built up around himself. He is also searching for his two younger brothers that were seperated from him at age ten. Will he be able to find them after all these years. Collin also comes to realize that God has a special plan for his life.
Half way through the book I realized this was Book 1 of 3 so I immediately had to purchase the rest of the series :))) On to the next...
January 26, 2020
A really sweet book about second chances and persistence. This a good solid 3 star book, the characters are put together that you just had to love them apart and together...opposites attract in this first book in the series. The only downfall was that I felt a lot of parts throughout the story were rushed or just not mentioned at all especially when some moments about the main characters backstory are just left hanging. Overall a really sweet book and very easy read, this would make for a decent palette cleanser in between longer or in depth reads.
June 20, 2016
Mia Carano is the kind of woman that could get under a man's skin, with her exotic Italian beauty and a talent for conversation . . . . the woman talks all the time! Oklahoma City policeman Collin Grace is a man of few words, but when Miss Carano, a local social worker, approaches him about mentoring an at-risk teen, Collin figures that she won't take "no" for answer, so he strikes a deal.
Hanging out with the handsome cop, while troubled teen Mitchell Perez works off community service time at Collin's farm, is actually fun; trying to locate Collin's missing siblings, separated years ago to the foster care system, is a daunting task. Collin has survived such a lonely, traumatic past; one that only the Lord can fully heal. Will Collin ever realize that his God never left him and joyfully embrace a season of amazing grace? Mia prays for a miracle.
This opening episode of the "Brothers' Bond" is exceptional, a masterful segue into an enjoyable series.
Hanging out with the handsome cop, while troubled teen Mitchell Perez works off community service time at Collin's farm, is actually fun; trying to locate Collin's missing siblings, separated years ago to the foster care system, is a daunting task. Collin has survived such a lonely, traumatic past; one that only the Lord can fully heal. Will Collin ever realize that his God never left him and joyfully embrace a season of amazing grace? Mia prays for a miracle.
This opening episode of the "Brothers' Bond" is exceptional, a masterful segue into an enjoyable series.
July 28, 2008
the book was amazing i got it as a gift from my grandmother i wasn't super excited until after i read it i told my whole family to read it i don't want to ruin the book for you but it is about a social worker and cop who are completly different one has a wall that the other breaks down and gets inside now the reason they came together i he used to be an orphan but he was the oldest of the three and are split up and he has deticated his life to finding them and to find out if he finds them and him and the social worker fall in love you have to read the book but reading it isn't a loss because it is truly love insired
December 26, 2014
This is the 5th book I read by Linda Goodnight. This book's story line was sad & heartbreaking. The beginning was very sad & brought tears to my eyes. I liked Collin character. I thought Collin was very strong for all he been through. I liked how Collin helped Mitchell. I liked Mia's character also. I liked how Mia helped Collin. I liked the ending.
December 5, 2007
This is a typical light reading book in the (Christian)romance genre. It had a little bit of mystery in it, and I liked the hero's conversion. I'd like to read the others in the series that are about his brothers.
August 4, 2008
this is my favorite book ever i told my whole family to read it i absolutley
January 25, 2012
Good story about three brothers separated by social services, but more loving than I can stomach in a book. I wish she had written it without the romance.
December 20, 2014
This is another great series that I have read a lot!!
December 29, 2014
I have found a new favorite author! This was The third book I read in the Christmas box set. This was just as good as the other two.
March 24, 2015
Superb, awesome, a must read!! The story is compelling, heart breaking, powerful and the characters will become your best friends! One of the best books I've read in years!!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews