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Where Love Begins #2
Here to Stay
Witty and Heartwarming Contemporary Romance by an Up-and-Coming Author
Blake Hunziker has played nomad for five years and landed in his fair share of trouble too. But now he's finally returning to his hometown--the Lake Michigan tourist town of Whisper Shore. Counting on a not-so-warm welcome, he's surprised at not only a positive reception but also a job offer. Determined to settle down and prove himself responsible, he agrees to the catch that comes with the job offer--coordinating the annual Christmas festival--even though he has no idea how he'll pull it off.
Autumn Kingsley, inn owner and experienced organizer of the Christmas festival, has always dreamed of traveling the world. Now she has a job opportunity in Paris and a surprise potential investor coming to town who just might take on her family's inn and finally leave her free to go. The only problem is that she has just two weeks to whip the inn into shape.
Their families have a long history of not getting along, but when Blake comes to Autumn for help with the festival, she actually agrees...in exchange for his help with the repairs to her inn. They may have struck a simple deal, but complications are quick to pile on when the guy who's had enough of running away and the woman who can't wait to leave join forces.
Blake Hunziker has played nomad for five years and landed in his fair share of trouble too. But now he's finally returning to his hometown--the Lake Michigan tourist town of Whisper Shore. Counting on a not-so-warm welcome, he's surprised at not only a positive reception but also a job offer. Determined to settle down and prove himself responsible, he agrees to the catch that comes with the job offer--coordinating the annual Christmas festival--even though he has no idea how he'll pull it off.
Autumn Kingsley, inn owner and experienced organizer of the Christmas festival, has always dreamed of traveling the world. Now she has a job opportunity in Paris and a surprise potential investor coming to town who just might take on her family's inn and finally leave her free to go. The only problem is that she has just two weeks to whip the inn into shape.
Their families have a long history of not getting along, but when Blake comes to Autumn for help with the festival, she actually agrees...in exchange for his help with the repairs to her inn. They may have struck a simple deal, but complications are quick to pile on when the guy who's had enough of running away and the woman who can't wait to leave join forces.
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2014
38 people are currently reading
1682 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Tagg
25 books1,676 followersMelissa Tagg is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and Carol Award-winning author of swoony and hope-filled small-town contemporary romances. She’s also a former reporter, current nonprofit marketing strategist, and total Iowa girl.
Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not happily lost in someone else’s book or plugging away her own, she can be found spoiling her nieces and nephews, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next fictional hero. Connect with Melissa at melissatagg.com.
Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not happily lost in someone else’s book or plugging away her own, she can be found spoiling her nieces and nephews, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next fictional hero. Connect with Melissa at melissatagg.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
April 22, 2014
Oh, where to start?! Saying I loved this book would be a gross understatement, adored is closer but still doesn't quite describe how amazing this book was! Made to Last was one of my favorite reads of 2013 and I loved Blake's character in that book. So needless to say I had some insanely high expectations for Here to Stay and I am quite happy to announce that Melissa surpassed them all, leaving me giddy happy and totally in love with this new book!
Blake was so completely awesome! I loved his character's sense of humor and fun-loving nature in the first book and while those things were still there we were given a much deeper look into who Blake Hunziker really is, and it just made him even more amazing! I especially loved the scenes where he allowed himself to be vulnerable, I honestly melted and just wanted to wrap him in a big hug. Then there was his caring side, some of the things he did for people were just so stinkin' sweet but I won't spoil them for you! And the last thing I'm going to mention is how much I admired how he was no longer running from his past but was finally ready to stand up and face it.
Autumn was fantastic too! I appreciated how hard she worked to keep her family's inn running even though she was planning to leave and how much she cared for everyone there. Her personality reminded me of myself a bit, funny, cautious but willing to take risks with the right people, wanting to do what was best for everyone, book loving, and remembering random facts. I also loved how perfectly she and Blake fit together, definitely a match made in heaven.
And then there were all the minor characters who were great as well, inn staff, Ellie and Jake, Mrs Satterly, Lucy, the Hunzikers, and the Kingsleys. I thought it was really cute how Melissa incorporated her nephew Ollie, who has Down Syndrome, by having a little boy named Oliver and another character who had DS. Knowing about Ollie made those parts of the book all the more sweet!
One random thing I want to mention that I absolutely loved was the fact that Blake gave Autumn the nickname of Red! If fit so well and I loved the connection to The Philadelphia story.
I could gone on gushing for quite a lot more but this review is already crazy long so I'll wrap up! I love Melissa's writing style, her humor, the way she throws in fun movie references, and it just seems like every word is perfectly placed to create this wonderful story. In short this book was absolutely superb and I think it was even better than Made to Last! Also it is one of those rare books that I wanted to reread as soon as I'd finished it!
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Blake was so completely awesome! I loved his character's sense of humor and fun-loving nature in the first book and while those things were still there we were given a much deeper look into who Blake Hunziker really is, and it just made him even more amazing! I especially loved the scenes where he allowed himself to be vulnerable, I honestly melted and just wanted to wrap him in a big hug. Then there was his caring side, some of the things he did for people were just so stinkin' sweet but I won't spoil them for you! And the last thing I'm going to mention is how much I admired how he was no longer running from his past but was finally ready to stand up and face it.
Autumn was fantastic too! I appreciated how hard she worked to keep her family's inn running even though she was planning to leave and how much she cared for everyone there. Her personality reminded me of myself a bit, funny, cautious but willing to take risks with the right people, wanting to do what was best for everyone, book loving, and remembering random facts. I also loved how perfectly she and Blake fit together, definitely a match made in heaven.
And then there were all the minor characters who were great as well, inn staff, Ellie and Jake, Mrs Satterly, Lucy, the Hunzikers, and the Kingsleys. I thought it was really cute how Melissa incorporated her nephew Ollie, who has Down Syndrome, by having a little boy named Oliver and another character who had DS. Knowing about Ollie made those parts of the book all the more sweet!
One random thing I want to mention that I absolutely loved was the fact that Blake gave Autumn the nickname of Red! If fit so well and I loved the connection to The Philadelphia story.
I could gone on gushing for quite a lot more but this review is already crazy long so I'll wrap up! I love Melissa's writing style, her humor, the way she throws in fun movie references, and it just seems like every word is perfectly placed to create this wonderful story. In short this book was absolutely superb and I think it was even better than Made to Last! Also it is one of those rare books that I wanted to reread as soon as I'd finished it!
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
April 30, 2014
Author Melissa Tagg’s trademark is turning her love of romantic comedies—especially old movie classics—into fun, page-turning novels, and Here to Stay is a prime example!
The story focuses on two adult children of feuding families. Blake Hunziker is the rich prodigal, who reluctantly returns home after years of adventurous wandering. Autumn Kingsley is the obedient daughter, who reluctantly stayed home to tend her family’s dream—even while she yearned to see the world and fulfill her own. As the back cover copy says, this story throws together “a guy who’s done running away with a girl who can’t wait to leave.”
Autumn and Blake both wrestle with feeling they have disappointed important people in their lives. When they join forces to run the town festival, they find themselves growing in appreciation for the unique folks in their town and for each other. Soon the worth they see in each other helps Autumn and Blake believe God sees worth in them. And they discover that His way of making dreams come true will never leave them feeling shortchanged by life.
This novel was so much fun! In Autumn’s desire to see the world, I spotted traces of While You Were Sleeping and It’s a Wonderful Life. (Isn’t the romance in the beginning rom-com like? Come on, Donna Reed in the hydrangea bush?) And maybe because I just finished a Gilmore Girl marathon, a lady innkeeper with a wisecracking male assistant really worked for me. I also enjoyed the Stars Hollow small-town feel of Whisper Shore and its quirky residents.
To say Here to Stay is a feel-good story does not diminish it in anyway. After all, how can any novel leave a reader feeling hopeful and happy without celebrating God’s heart and the many ways He touches our lives with love?
My favorite quotes . . .
“In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary. We can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit.” Romans 5:5, The Message
“You don’t have to see every open door on the way to your end goal, just the one staring you in the face.”
“Maybe you start by thinking back to the last time you can remember when everything felt right. Like you were exactly where God wanted you to be.”
The story focuses on two adult children of feuding families. Blake Hunziker is the rich prodigal, who reluctantly returns home after years of adventurous wandering. Autumn Kingsley is the obedient daughter, who reluctantly stayed home to tend her family’s dream—even while she yearned to see the world and fulfill her own. As the back cover copy says, this story throws together “a guy who’s done running away with a girl who can’t wait to leave.”
Autumn and Blake both wrestle with feeling they have disappointed important people in their lives. When they join forces to run the town festival, they find themselves growing in appreciation for the unique folks in their town and for each other. Soon the worth they see in each other helps Autumn and Blake believe God sees worth in them. And they discover that His way of making dreams come true will never leave them feeling shortchanged by life.
This novel was so much fun! In Autumn’s desire to see the world, I spotted traces of While You Were Sleeping and It’s a Wonderful Life. (Isn’t the romance in the beginning rom-com like? Come on, Donna Reed in the hydrangea bush?) And maybe because I just finished a Gilmore Girl marathon, a lady innkeeper with a wisecracking male assistant really worked for me. I also enjoyed the Stars Hollow small-town feel of Whisper Shore and its quirky residents.
To say Here to Stay is a feel-good story does not diminish it in anyway. After all, how can any novel leave a reader feeling hopeful and happy without celebrating God’s heart and the many ways He touches our lives with love?
What I liked best . . .
The perils of accident-prone Autumn
How Blake transforms from guilt-ridden prodigal to confident hero
The town-wide snowball fight
Sweet Lucy from Hope House, a home for mentally handicapped adults
The photo-taking trip to Susie and Vern’s farm
The bathtub adventure
An earnest discussion about Narnia
The appearance of Miranda Woodruff and the From the Ground Up crew
My favorite quotes . . .
“In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary. We can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit.” Romans 5:5, The Message
“You don’t have to see every open door on the way to your end goal, just the one staring you in the face.”
“Maybe you start by thinking back to the last time you can remember when everything felt right. Like you were exactly where God wanted you to be.”
February 15, 2017
Now available in a book store near you is Melissa Tagg’s sophomore novel, Here to Stay. It’s laugh-out-loud funny and a wonderful sequel to her debut book, Made to Last. The characters are heartwarming, the story easy to connect with, and the small-town family rivalries familiar to us all in some fashion.
Blake Hunziker plays the prodigal son as he returns from wandering the world after a tragedy changed his life forever. He hopes to find forgiveness and closure but doesn’t expect to find it in the father who’s always held him to high standards. When he receives a job offer, he realizes he’ll need help from one of his family’s rivals to pull off Whisper Shore’s annual Christmas festival.
Autumn Kingsley has been stuck in Whisper Shore her whole life and dreams of traveling across the globe. Before she gets the chance to chase her dreams, she must restore her family’s inn to its former glory. Despite the fact that the Hunzikers and Kingsleys have been rivals for decades, she needs Blake’s help to make the necessary repairs to her inn.
Will they put their differences aside long enough to help one another during this holiday season? Or will they allow their families to ruin any chance of bringing success to their little town? Will their different dreams collide somewhere along the way?
Many parts of Here to Stay had the laughter pouring out of me. Among them were a wasp attack, roof prank, and Melissa Tagg’s unique writer’s voice. Believe me, this story will have your giggle box turned on from the get-go. Not only did Melissa write a hilarious story, but she also knew precisely when to turn the tone more serious. Her timing is impeccable. The plot perfectly planned out. The build-up and ending fit together in a greatly satisfying way.
I can’t say enough good things about this story. You’ll just have to read it for yourself and form your own opinion. Here are a few of my favorite lines to pique your interest:
This one made me chuckle.
“Jamie, I’ve already grouched at you this morning. I have no desire to add to that by scaring you with my morning hair.” ~Autumn Kingsley; Chapter Four
After reading this one, I found myself reprimanding Autumn. There’s always reason to pray, girl!
“What was there to pray about? When your dream finally hit the ‘come true’ part, you ran with it, didn’t you?” ~Autumn Kingsley; Chapter Two
This one I found swoon-worthy. Tell me if it doesn’t make you sigh happily.
“Because I think you, my dear, might be my open door.” ~Blake Hunziker; Chapter Six
Here to Stay swiftly leapt up my favorites list. It’s standing firmly in my top three. That’s a tricky spot to earn, but Melissa Tagg did it with flair. Must say, I’m looking forward to more from this author. This one beat her first one, in my opinion, and I’m anxious to see if she can do it again. Come on, girl. You’ve got this!
Thank you to Melissa Tagg and her publisher, Bethany House for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. It’s been a blast being a part of your influencer team. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of spreading the word about your first two books. With such great writing, you make my job so easy.
Blake Hunziker plays the prodigal son as he returns from wandering the world after a tragedy changed his life forever. He hopes to find forgiveness and closure but doesn’t expect to find it in the father who’s always held him to high standards. When he receives a job offer, he realizes he’ll need help from one of his family’s rivals to pull off Whisper Shore’s annual Christmas festival.
Autumn Kingsley has been stuck in Whisper Shore her whole life and dreams of traveling across the globe. Before she gets the chance to chase her dreams, she must restore her family’s inn to its former glory. Despite the fact that the Hunzikers and Kingsleys have been rivals for decades, she needs Blake’s help to make the necessary repairs to her inn.
Will they put their differences aside long enough to help one another during this holiday season? Or will they allow their families to ruin any chance of bringing success to their little town? Will their different dreams collide somewhere along the way?
Many parts of Here to Stay had the laughter pouring out of me. Among them were a wasp attack, roof prank, and Melissa Tagg’s unique writer’s voice. Believe me, this story will have your giggle box turned on from the get-go. Not only did Melissa write a hilarious story, but she also knew precisely when to turn the tone more serious. Her timing is impeccable. The plot perfectly planned out. The build-up and ending fit together in a greatly satisfying way.
I can’t say enough good things about this story. You’ll just have to read it for yourself and form your own opinion. Here are a few of my favorite lines to pique your interest:
This one made me chuckle.
“Jamie, I’ve already grouched at you this morning. I have no desire to add to that by scaring you with my morning hair.” ~Autumn Kingsley; Chapter Four
After reading this one, I found myself reprimanding Autumn. There’s always reason to pray, girl!
“What was there to pray about? When your dream finally hit the ‘come true’ part, you ran with it, didn’t you?” ~Autumn Kingsley; Chapter Two
This one I found swoon-worthy. Tell me if it doesn’t make you sigh happily.
“Because I think you, my dear, might be my open door.” ~Blake Hunziker; Chapter Six
Here to Stay swiftly leapt up my favorites list. It’s standing firmly in my top three. That’s a tricky spot to earn, but Melissa Tagg did it with flair. Must say, I’m looking forward to more from this author. This one beat her first one, in my opinion, and I’m anxious to see if she can do it again. Come on, girl. You’ve got this!
Thank you to Melissa Tagg and her publisher, Bethany House for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. It’s been a blast being a part of your influencer team. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of spreading the word about your first two books. With such great writing, you make my job so easy.
August 10, 2016
I really enjoyed Melissa Tagg’s debut last year, Made to Last, so I knew that I would at the very least enjoy Here to Stay. Happily I can say that “enjoy” was an understatement considering much I loved this book! Great characters, terrific plot and writing that flowed from one sentence to the next with ease – I fell into the story effortlessly and loved every minute I spent reading it.
Autumn is such a relatable character; she felt so realistic, and I loved the small nuances of her personality that really made her character pop. I easily empathized with her struggles and loved her for her flaws and imperfections. Blake and the supporting characters are all wonderful as well – there are just so many gems in this story, be it characters, scenes or dialogue. From the town Christmas festival to Autumn’s run-down family inn and tense family past that she and Blake are up against, I loved it all. My favorite scenes include a trip to a photograph-worthy farm, a thrown-together snowball fight amongst the whole town, and the appearance of Miranda from Made to Last – I was really hoping for that cameo.
The setting is so well done; Whisper Shore perfectly embodies quirky small-town charm without coming across as cliché or boring. The author brought the town and its people to life in the best way possible, reminding me of all the best things about this type of story.
Though the story is hopeful and has a feel-good vibe, that is not at all saying that there is not wonderful depth to be found in Autumn and Blake’s journey. Watching them let go of their guilt and what they thought would make them happy was one of my favorite parts of the story. Though there were many humorous moments, and some times that I laughed out loud (three words: the bathtub scene!), their genuine changes were what drew this reader’s heart along the way.
Made to Last made me a fan of Melissa Tagg, but Here to Stay has left no doubt that she is staying on my list of authors to always read. I am so looking forward to seeing where she goes next.
Here to Stay is a favorite of the year!
Autumn is such a relatable character; she felt so realistic, and I loved the small nuances of her personality that really made her character pop. I easily empathized with her struggles and loved her for her flaws and imperfections. Blake and the supporting characters are all wonderful as well – there are just so many gems in this story, be it characters, scenes or dialogue. From the town Christmas festival to Autumn’s run-down family inn and tense family past that she and Blake are up against, I loved it all. My favorite scenes include a trip to a photograph-worthy farm, a thrown-together snowball fight amongst the whole town, and the appearance of Miranda from Made to Last – I was really hoping for that cameo.
The setting is so well done; Whisper Shore perfectly embodies quirky small-town charm without coming across as cliché or boring. The author brought the town and its people to life in the best way possible, reminding me of all the best things about this type of story.
Though the story is hopeful and has a feel-good vibe, that is not at all saying that there is not wonderful depth to be found in Autumn and Blake’s journey. Watching them let go of their guilt and what they thought would make them happy was one of my favorite parts of the story. Though there were many humorous moments, and some times that I laughed out loud (three words: the bathtub scene!), their genuine changes were what drew this reader’s heart along the way.
Made to Last made me a fan of Melissa Tagg, but Here to Stay has left no doubt that she is staying on my list of authors to always read. I am so looking forward to seeing where she goes next.
Here to Stay is a favorite of the year!
April 12, 2019
WOWWW so that took me way too long to read but I'm finally done! This was a super sweet story and I loved the characters, particularly Blake. I also loved getting some backstory on Ava. While at times it was a struggle to stay interested in the story and keep reading, I'm attributing that to this awful reading slump I've been in. ;) Tagg once again spins a beautiful story of grace and forgiveness with authentic characters and a dash of sweet romance mixed in.
Also, extra bonus for the Michigan setting! Somehow Tagg managed to school this Michigander-for-life on some local geography. ('Cause somehow I thought Traverse City was like way north-east??? But it's not, apparently. XD)
Also, extra bonus for the Michigan setting! Somehow Tagg managed to school this Michigander-for-life on some local geography. ('Cause somehow I thought Traverse City was like way north-east??? But it's not, apparently. XD)
December 26, 2015
4.5 stars.
I like Melissa Tagg better and better with every book she releases...and her debut was pretty far up in my ratings, so that's saying a lot. I knew I was going to enjoy Blake's story, and I certainly did! I love this type of small-town tale, and there's even a brief appearance from Randi Woodruff from the first book.
I like Melissa Tagg better and better with every book she releases...and her debut was pretty far up in my ratings, so that's saying a lot. I knew I was going to enjoy Blake's story, and I certainly did! I love this type of small-town tale, and there's even a brief appearance from Randi Woodruff from the first book.
January 6, 2018
Cute contemporary novel. I especially loved the attitude of Blake's parents about life following the loss of a son and the brief appearance of Miranda.
June 30, 2016
Very cute! I really enjoyed this book, the cute banter, the sweet romance, and Tagg's just awesome writing style.
July 20, 2015
"Just one more chapter, just one more chapter" was pretty much what I said every time I sat down to read this book. Until I realized it was after midnight and my little ones would probably wake me up at 6:00. Totally worth it though! =)
This book was fantastic! I have come to the conclusion my favourite romances are the ones where there is funny banter back and forth between the two main MC's. The dialogue in this book had my laughing so many times! Super sweet moments, also some very heartbreaking ones. This book is more than just a romance novel and I loved seeing the growth of Autumn and Blake, together and separately.
Melissa Tagg has definitely become a auto read/buy author for me, and I REALLY hope there is more in this series!! =)
This book was fantastic! I have come to the conclusion my favourite romances are the ones where there is funny banter back and forth between the two main MC's. The dialogue in this book had my laughing so many times! Super sweet moments, also some very heartbreaking ones. This book is more than just a romance novel and I loved seeing the growth of Autumn and Blake, together and separately.
Melissa Tagg has definitely become a auto read/buy author for me, and I REALLY hope there is more in this series!! =)
April 19, 2020
About this book:
“Blake Hunziker has played nomad for five years and landed in his fair share of trouble too. But now he's finally returning to his hometown--the Lake Michigan tourist town of Whisper Shore. Counting on a not-so-warm welcome, he's surprised at not only a positive reception but also a job offer. Determined to settle down and prove himself responsible, he agrees to the catch that comes with the job offer--coordinating the annual Christmas festival--even though he has no idea how he'll pull it off.
Autumn Kingsley, inn owner and experienced organizer of the Christmas festival, has always dreamed of traveling the world. Now she has a job opportunity in Paris and a surprise potential investor coming to town who just might take on her family's inn and finally leave her free to go. The only problem is that she has just two weeks to whip the inn into shape.
Their families have a long history of not getting along, but when Blake comes to Autumn for help with the festival, she actually agrees...in exchange for his help with the repairs to her inn. They may have struck a simple deal, but complications are quick to pile on when the guy who's had enough of running away and the woman who can't wait to leave join forces.”
Series: Book #2 in the “Where Love Begins” series. (Book #1, “Made to Last”’s review Here!)
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are mentioned, read, & discussed; Prayers, Thanking God, & Blessings over food; Talks about God & trusting Him; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Autumn wonders if God has forgotten about her but realizes things by the end of the book; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of a Bible; Mentions of churches & church going; Mentions of Christmas & a Nativity set; A few mentions of faiths; A few mentions of miracles; A mention of a Bible study;
*Note: A mention of a pet from the fiery pits of you-know-where; A mention of a superstition.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘crummy’, a ‘dumb’, a ‘sheesh’, two ‘drat’s, nine forms of ‘idiot’, and ten ‘stupid’s; Sarcasm & Eye rolling; Fighting, Injuries, Pain & Blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Blake (prior to the story) pretended to be a TV show host’s husband and the truth came out when she fell in love with someone else; Many mentions of an accident & a death (and wondering if the person wanted to die, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of someone nearly drowning; Mentions of fighting, injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding; Mentions of fires; Mentions of drugs, prescription-drugs, someone being addicted, & being high; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of divorces/separations & leaving a spouse; A few mentions of a war & execution; A few mentions of (kidding about) spiking the punch; A couple mentions of burglars; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of lying; A mention of cigarettes;
*Note: Mentions of car brands; Mentions of singers & songs; Mentions of actors/actresses, TV shows, movies, books, & fictional characters; A few mentions of clothing brands; A few mentions of social media; A mention of magazines (GQ).
Sexual Content- A cheek kiss, a nose kiss, two forehead kisses, two almost kisses, a not-detailed kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, a semi-detailed kiss, and a detailed kiss; Remembering kisses & almost kisses (up to semi-detailed); Touches, Embraces, & Hand Holding (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes & Winks; Noticing, Nearness, & Smelling (including muscles, barely-above-not-detailed); a ‘babe’; Many mentions of dates, dating, crushes, boyfriends, girlfriends, breakups, & exes; Mentions of kisses, kissing, & almost kisses; Mentions of flirting; A few mentions of a make-out spot; A mention of men being sexy when doing laundry; A mention of catcalling & whistling; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A couple mentions of Blake’s wet shirt & muscles; A mention of (not) dancing in your skivvies with a guy; A mention of being the butt of jokes.
-Autumn Kingsley, age 28
-Blake Hunziker, age 29
P.O.V. switches between them
361 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
While this book started off slow (to me) at first, I quickly enjoyed Autumn and Blake’s banter and seeing their friendship (to relationship) grow. This book was more than just a contemporary book or a book good for Hallmark movie fans, it had a lot of depth to it from both Autumn and Blake. I personally would have preferred a little less noticing/touches, but it’s still a really cute read. :)
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this review.
“Blake Hunziker has played nomad for five years and landed in his fair share of trouble too. But now he's finally returning to his hometown--the Lake Michigan tourist town of Whisper Shore. Counting on a not-so-warm welcome, he's surprised at not only a positive reception but also a job offer. Determined to settle down and prove himself responsible, he agrees to the catch that comes with the job offer--coordinating the annual Christmas festival--even though he has no idea how he'll pull it off.
Autumn Kingsley, inn owner and experienced organizer of the Christmas festival, has always dreamed of traveling the world. Now she has a job opportunity in Paris and a surprise potential investor coming to town who just might take on her family's inn and finally leave her free to go. The only problem is that she has just two weeks to whip the inn into shape.
Their families have a long history of not getting along, but when Blake comes to Autumn for help with the festival, she actually agrees...in exchange for his help with the repairs to her inn. They may have struck a simple deal, but complications are quick to pile on when the guy who's had enough of running away and the woman who can't wait to leave join forces.”
Series: Book #2 in the “Where Love Begins” series. (Book #1, “Made to Last”’s review Here!)
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are mentioned, read, & discussed; Prayers, Thanking God, & Blessings over food; Talks about God & trusting Him; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Autumn wonders if God has forgotten about her but realizes things by the end of the book; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of a Bible; Mentions of churches & church going; Mentions of Christmas & a Nativity set; A few mentions of faiths; A few mentions of miracles; A mention of a Bible study;
*Note: A mention of a pet from the fiery pits of you-know-where; A mention of a superstition.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘crummy’, a ‘dumb’, a ‘sheesh’, two ‘drat’s, nine forms of ‘idiot’, and ten ‘stupid’s; Sarcasm & Eye rolling; Fighting, Injuries, Pain & Blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Blake (prior to the story) pretended to be a TV show host’s husband and the truth came out when she fell in love with someone else; Many mentions of an accident & a death (and wondering if the person wanted to die, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of someone nearly drowning; Mentions of fighting, injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding; Mentions of fires; Mentions of drugs, prescription-drugs, someone being addicted, & being high; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of divorces/separations & leaving a spouse; A few mentions of a war & execution; A few mentions of (kidding about) spiking the punch; A couple mentions of burglars; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of lying; A mention of cigarettes;
*Note: Mentions of car brands; Mentions of singers & songs; Mentions of actors/actresses, TV shows, movies, books, & fictional characters; A few mentions of clothing brands; A few mentions of social media; A mention of magazines (GQ).
Sexual Content- A cheek kiss, a nose kiss, two forehead kisses, two almost kisses, a not-detailed kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, a semi-detailed kiss, and a detailed kiss; Remembering kisses & almost kisses (up to semi-detailed); Touches, Embraces, & Hand Holding (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes & Winks; Noticing, Nearness, & Smelling (including muscles, barely-above-not-detailed); a ‘babe’; Many mentions of dates, dating, crushes, boyfriends, girlfriends, breakups, & exes; Mentions of kisses, kissing, & almost kisses; Mentions of flirting; A few mentions of a make-out spot; A mention of men being sexy when doing laundry; A mention of catcalling & whistling; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A couple mentions of Blake’s wet shirt & muscles; A mention of (not) dancing in your skivvies with a guy; A mention of being the butt of jokes.
-Autumn Kingsley, age 28
-Blake Hunziker, age 29
P.O.V. switches between them
361 pages
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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
While this book started off slow (to me) at first, I quickly enjoyed Autumn and Blake’s banter and seeing their friendship (to relationship) grow. This book was more than just a contemporary book or a book good for Hallmark movie fans, it had a lot of depth to it from both Autumn and Blake. I personally would have preferred a little less noticing/touches, but it’s still a really cute read. :)
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this review.
October 19, 2015
Blake Hunziker and Autumn Kingsley are not friends. Their families basically hate each other because one cannot run a hotel and get along with those who run an inn in the same little town, right? To make things worse though, something dreadful happened in the past and did not help their relationship get better. But now, after six years, these two young people that are apparently “enemies” need to join forces to help their town, and maybe they will have the chance to show their families that there is always hope when one learns to forgive.
What did I love about this book? Every. Single. Thing. I will attempt to explain my feelings but I must warn whoever will decide to read my review that they will see the expression ‘I loved’ thousands of times!
I loved the cover. Is it not the cutest one? Well, it is definitely one of my favourite covers. I loved the title. ‘Here to Stay’. It makes me think about other words such as: commitment, dedication, faithfulness... forever. I loved the story. What happened in the past of these two families is indeed tragic, but I liked how everything was described and handled. I liked the atmosphere that is present in the book, because it was relaxing and lovely, despite some difficult moments to face. It was so engaging I really wanted to forget all the things I had to do and just read it. I loved Blake Hunziker. He is wonderful, period. I loved... can I say Blake Hunziker again? Because he really deserves to be mentioned twice! I loved Autumn and her love for books. We are so similar! I could not live without my books. I loved Whisper Shore. I would love to live in a place like that! But most of all, I loved the way Blake admired and teased and took care of Autumn, and I loved all the things he did for her without expecting anything in exchange. He did everything because it was the right thing to do, and that was just wonderful!
“Here to Stay” is a book you need to read if you want to spend great hours with beautiful and lovable characters, and if you are looking for a sweet, romantic and emotional read. This is the second book in the “Where Love Begins” series, but in my opinion it can be read as a standalone. Though I recommend to read the first one, Made to Last, as well because it is a lovely novel and Melissa Tagg is a fantastic author!
What did I love about this book? Every. Single. Thing. I will attempt to explain my feelings but I must warn whoever will decide to read my review that they will see the expression ‘I loved’ thousands of times!
I loved the cover. Is it not the cutest one? Well, it is definitely one of my favourite covers. I loved the title. ‘Here to Stay’. It makes me think about other words such as: commitment, dedication, faithfulness... forever. I loved the story. What happened in the past of these two families is indeed tragic, but I liked how everything was described and handled. I liked the atmosphere that is present in the book, because it was relaxing and lovely, despite some difficult moments to face. It was so engaging I really wanted to forget all the things I had to do and just read it. I loved Blake Hunziker. He is wonderful, period. I loved... can I say Blake Hunziker again? Because he really deserves to be mentioned twice! I loved Autumn and her love for books. We are so similar! I could not live without my books. I loved Whisper Shore. I would love to live in a place like that! But most of all, I loved the way Blake admired and teased and took care of Autumn, and I loved all the things he did for her without expecting anything in exchange. He did everything because it was the right thing to do, and that was just wonderful!
“Here to Stay” is a book you need to read if you want to spend great hours with beautiful and lovable characters, and if you are looking for a sweet, romantic and emotional read. This is the second book in the “Where Love Begins” series, but in my opinion it can be read as a standalone. Though I recommend to read the first one, Made to Last, as well because it is a lovely novel and Melissa Tagg is a fantastic author!
October 3, 2015
Loved this to bits. Really. One of the best contemporary romances around. There's a campy Gilmore Girls vibe about this story. Autumn might not have a teenage daughter but she's got the small town inn and the quirky employees that go along with it. And oh my goodness, there are so many laugh out loud scenes I think I cracked a rib or two laughing so hard! Tagg wields the unexpected with delightful aplomb. And all that witty mayhem is punctuated with toe-curling romance. Best almost kisses ever!
Let's take a moment to exhale a happy sigh over Blake. He's the epitome of good hero material. Endearing charm matched with a tortured soul. He is finally ready to come back home after a family tragedy has kept him wandering for the past five years. Determined to prove himself, he's blindsided by his attraction to Autumn. She's just as confused. Her plans are set and they don't include a romance. Delicious complications tied this reader's heart into way too many knots before reaching the end.
A contemporary romance that will make you a tad shy of giddy -- both during the read and for a long while after!
Let's take a moment to exhale a happy sigh over Blake. He's the epitome of good hero material. Endearing charm matched with a tortured soul. He is finally ready to come back home after a family tragedy has kept him wandering for the past five years. Determined to prove himself, he's blindsided by his attraction to Autumn. She's just as confused. Her plans are set and they don't include a romance. Delicious complications tied this reader's heart into way too many knots before reaching the end.
A contemporary romance that will make you a tad shy of giddy -- both during the read and for a long while after!
September 15, 2014
So I would give this story more than 5 stars if Goodreads gave me the option. This is an amazing story of redemption and overcoming tragedies and the rough stuff of life. Blake and Autumn are real people with real hurts to overcome and face and the way Melissa weaves their stories makes for a great read. I love how everything comes together in the end. If you enjoyed Made to Last, then this is a MUST read!!
May 23, 2014
Here to Stay was one of those books that I had trouble setting down when I needed to accomplish other things! I truly enjoyed every bit of it and the characters found their way into my heart. Having read Made to Last, I was familiar with Blake’s (aka Blaze’s) character. He was a fun addition to Made to Last and toward the end of that book, we got a hint that there was much more to Blaze than meets the eye.
Well, in Here to Stay, you truly get to know the real Blaze, or Blake, as the case may be. He is REALLY trying to shake the nickname that has followed him around for years! There is so much to this guy. You get to see his true character shine in this story and can’t help but root for him to be able to let go of his guilt from the past and find his place in this world.
Autumn was also a great character. She has felt overlooked and burdened for so many years and just yearns for freedom. When she had to give up on the chance to travel years earlier, she questioned how much God really cared for her and this caused her relationship with God to suffer. She definitely wants to shake the dust of her little town off her shoes and start living her dreams. But, when she begins working alongside Blake, she begins to question the feelings that she is having for him. Is she supposed to forfeit the dream she has been working toward for years? Is God asking her to sacrifice again?
This book was so refreshing! It is a feel-good book with great depth. There are hard questions asked and sacrifices to be made. I loved it from start to finish! It is book two in the Where Love Begins series and you will appreciate knowing more about Blake if you read about him in Made to Last , but Here to Stay can definitely stand on its own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.
You can read this review on my blog at:
http://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.co...
Well, in Here to Stay, you truly get to know the real Blaze, or Blake, as the case may be. He is REALLY trying to shake the nickname that has followed him around for years! There is so much to this guy. You get to see his true character shine in this story and can’t help but root for him to be able to let go of his guilt from the past and find his place in this world.
Autumn was also a great character. She has felt overlooked and burdened for so many years and just yearns for freedom. When she had to give up on the chance to travel years earlier, she questioned how much God really cared for her and this caused her relationship with God to suffer. She definitely wants to shake the dust of her little town off her shoes and start living her dreams. But, when she begins working alongside Blake, she begins to question the feelings that she is having for him. Is she supposed to forfeit the dream she has been working toward for years? Is God asking her to sacrifice again?
This book was so refreshing! It is a feel-good book with great depth. There are hard questions asked and sacrifices to be made. I loved it from start to finish! It is book two in the Where Love Begins series and you will appreciate knowing more about Blake if you read about him in Made to Last , but Here to Stay can definitely stand on its own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.
You can read this review on my blog at:
http://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.co...
August 10, 2016
Melissa Tagg wrote another heart warming romance. I loved Autumn and Blake and their Whisper Shore romance. I would go on but don't want to give anything away. It's sufficient to say I enjoyed it and can't wait for the next book by Ms. Tagg.
October 28, 2016
Loved it! The story, the setting, the characters... The first book in a while that had me eager to turn more pages.
April 27, 2014
Blake Hunziker always enjoyed taking a risk until the day his only brother, Ryan, took that step out of his plane. That day was like any other, flying the plane while his brother and a friend skydived, but when Ryan's shoot failed to open Blake knew his life was changed forever. He felt so much pain and guilt over his brother's death that he fled his hometown and family thinking he could leave his past behind, but as we all know you can't escape your past. For the past 5 years he traveled all over the world experiencing many adventures, but now he's ready to face not only his past decisions, but also those he hurt.
Autumn Kingsley has always dreamed of traveling and seeing the world. When her mother gifts her with the deed to the family inn several years ago she felt the weight of responsibility drop heavily on her shoulders. She has taken out loans to keep the inn open, but with a drop in business and needed repairs Autumn has reached her limit. she feels if she can give the inn a quick facelift that she would be able to interest investors which in turn would fee her up to finally live out her dreams.
Blake arrives in town and obtained the welcome he expected, but what he doesn't expect is how much the town has changed during his absence. The annual Christmas Festival is only weeks away and when offered the job of organizing it he feels this is a way to show everyone how much he's changed. Knowing he needs help with the coordination Blake seeks out Autumn's assistance. Autumn usually helps out with the festival , but she only has two weeks to whip the inn in shape for a visit from an investor. Blake offers to exchange his home repair skills with Autumn if she will help him with the festival. Sounds simple, but the Hunzikers and the Kingleys have never gotten along so this idea is far from simple.
I immediately loved Blake and felt so much empathy for him. He carries so much guilt over his brother's death. Autumn on the other hand is very compassionate to everyone, but seems like she has tunnel vision when it comes to traveling the world. She thinks if she can fix the inn then the investors will flock to her wanting to invest. To me her expectations were unrealistic, but you know we all harbor unrealistic expectations at times about things we love. She saw more in Blake than his entire family and she gave him the compassion he needed over his grief, but then again it appears that Autumn is the only person Blake opens up to.
This is a very touching story and I loved it. The storyline will pull the reader in and keep them turning pages. The author's ability to author's ability to weave words together and draw out such strong emotions is amazing. The characters will have you laughing one minute and close to tears the next. The author takes you on an emotional journey of facing fears, dreaming dreams and following the directions God is leading you. This is a story of trust, faith and love. I would recommend it to anyone.
I was given this book by the author for an honest review without prejudice.
Autumn Kingsley has always dreamed of traveling and seeing the world. When her mother gifts her with the deed to the family inn several years ago she felt the weight of responsibility drop heavily on her shoulders. She has taken out loans to keep the inn open, but with a drop in business and needed repairs Autumn has reached her limit. she feels if she can give the inn a quick facelift that she would be able to interest investors which in turn would fee her up to finally live out her dreams.
Blake arrives in town and obtained the welcome he expected, but what he doesn't expect is how much the town has changed during his absence. The annual Christmas Festival is only weeks away and when offered the job of organizing it he feels this is a way to show everyone how much he's changed. Knowing he needs help with the coordination Blake seeks out Autumn's assistance. Autumn usually helps out with the festival , but she only has two weeks to whip the inn in shape for a visit from an investor. Blake offers to exchange his home repair skills with Autumn if she will help him with the festival. Sounds simple, but the Hunzikers and the Kingleys have never gotten along so this idea is far from simple.
I immediately loved Blake and felt so much empathy for him. He carries so much guilt over his brother's death. Autumn on the other hand is very compassionate to everyone, but seems like she has tunnel vision when it comes to traveling the world. She thinks if she can fix the inn then the investors will flock to her wanting to invest. To me her expectations were unrealistic, but you know we all harbor unrealistic expectations at times about things we love. She saw more in Blake than his entire family and she gave him the compassion he needed over his grief, but then again it appears that Autumn is the only person Blake opens up to.
This is a very touching story and I loved it. The storyline will pull the reader in and keep them turning pages. The author's ability to author's ability to weave words together and draw out such strong emotions is amazing. The characters will have you laughing one minute and close to tears the next. The author takes you on an emotional journey of facing fears, dreaming dreams and following the directions God is leading you. This is a story of trust, faith and love. I would recommend it to anyone.
I was given this book by the author for an honest review without prejudice.
May 14, 2014
Blake Hunziker returns to his hometown of Whisper Shore, Michigan on the heels of his "celebrity" status as Miranda Woodruff's fake husband. He's ready to come to grips with his past and to put his years of wandering the globe behind him. When his father and the town's Chamber of Commerce offer him the job of getting the town ready for the Christmas festival, Blake agrees. There's only one problem. He has no idea how to run a festival. Autumn Kingsley is running her family's inn and dreaming of leaving her small town. Her inn is in need of a lot of TLC and when a high profile potential investor checks in, Autumn is determined to put her inn at its best. Though with no money for repairs, Autumn doesn't know how she will put the inn's best forward to her investor. When she runs into Blake, he offers a solution to both of their problems. He'll help with the repairs around the inn if she'll help him with the festival. Autumn knows that both of their families will protest the bargain due to a long held feud between them, but she agrees to Blake's offer. What she doesn't expect is to start to fall for the man. What's Blake to do when the man who has stopped running begins to fall in love with the girl who can't wait to leave?
After loving Melissa Tagg's debut novel, Made to Last, last year, I eagerly anticipated Blake's story. I'd grown to love him in Made to Last and had very high expectations for this book. I'm pleased to say that this book exceeded all of my expectations.
This one was filled with humor like the first. I loved how Blake wanted to show he'd changed and had moved far from his nickname of "Blaze." I loved how he went out of his way to help someone or to assist Autumn. For her part, Autumn needed to discover who she really was and what made her happy. I loved her journey.
Seriously, if this were a movie, it had all of the makings of a chick flick that I'd enjoy over and over. I loved this book just as much as the first.
I received this book for free from the author as part of her Tagg Team to help promote the book. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of romantic comedies, chick lit, Janice Thompson, Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, contemporary romance
Rating - 5 stars
After loving Melissa Tagg's debut novel, Made to Last, last year, I eagerly anticipated Blake's story. I'd grown to love him in Made to Last and had very high expectations for this book. I'm pleased to say that this book exceeded all of my expectations.
This one was filled with humor like the first. I loved how Blake wanted to show he'd changed and had moved far from his nickname of "Blaze." I loved how he went out of his way to help someone or to assist Autumn. For her part, Autumn needed to discover who she really was and what made her happy. I loved her journey.
Seriously, if this were a movie, it had all of the makings of a chick flick that I'd enjoy over and over. I loved this book just as much as the first.
I received this book for free from the author as part of her Tagg Team to help promote the book. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of romantic comedies, chick lit, Janice Thompson, Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, contemporary romance
Rating - 5 stars
June 4, 2014
A small town girl that can’t wait to leave for the big city and the boy who could win her heart that doesn’t want to leave. From the minute I heard the pitch of this book I was hooked. What reader doesn’t have a little bit of both characters in their heart? And how does that get reconciled when the whole plot of the book is centered smack dab in the middle of the romance genre?
“Here to Stay” is charming. Witty. A pure pleasure to read. And characters that will live on the screen of your mind, jumping off the page to invite you into their world. That is what I felt like: I had been invited into Autumn’s inn while Blake pounded away at whatever needed fixing. I felt like I was a friend experiencing their lives with them—that alone makes this book one for the keeper shelf!
I could relate to both characters in this book. Blake’s pull to stay in his hometown and Autumn’s desire to feel some different dirt between her toes—particularly the kind on French shores. But one thing after another after another keeps happening to this poor girl’s inn. Almost to the point of comedic. I appreciate that Autumn could see the humor in the moment.
From great kisses to snappy dialogue to characters that become friends, I give this book a thumbs up!
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
“Here to Stay” is charming. Witty. A pure pleasure to read. And characters that will live on the screen of your mind, jumping off the page to invite you into their world. That is what I felt like: I had been invited into Autumn’s inn while Blake pounded away at whatever needed fixing. I felt like I was a friend experiencing their lives with them—that alone makes this book one for the keeper shelf!
I could relate to both characters in this book. Blake’s pull to stay in his hometown and Autumn’s desire to feel some different dirt between her toes—particularly the kind on French shores. But one thing after another after another keeps happening to this poor girl’s inn. Almost to the point of comedic. I appreciate that Autumn could see the humor in the moment.
From great kisses to snappy dialogue to characters that become friends, I give this book a thumbs up!
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
November 7, 2014
I saw Melissa Tagg's debut novel, Made to Last, last year and thought it sounded good enough to take a chance on a new author. So happy I made that decision. I loved, so when I saw her second novel, I snatched it right up!
Here to Stay tells the story of Blaze Hunziker, Miranda Woodruff's play acting husband in Made to Last. Blaze's story is one of regrets, fear and deep pain. But Melissa Tagg tells it well.
Blaze has gone from home for five years, traveling all over the world, doing all sort of things. He's finally had enough of this lifestyle and decides to come home. He's pretty sure he'll not find a welcoming committee but determined to return home.
Autumn Kingsley has lived in Whisper Shore all her life and now she's been running the family inn for the last 3 years. A potential investor is on his way to look at the inn and good thing, too, because the inn is about to go under. Autumn Kingsley, however, has her heart set on a job in Paris, her dream job, so she needs to get this inn spruced up to impress this investor. She just has to go to Paris.
Blake has been offered a job: coordinate the town's annual Christmas festival. He has no idea how to do this job, but Autumn Kingsley does. The only trouble is: Kingsleys and Hunzikers do NOT get along and everyone knows this.
Autumn agrees to help Blake (Blaze is only his well deserved nickname), but only if he will help her whip the inn into shape to coax the investor into putting his money into the place.
Simple deal, right? Wrong. Blake and Autumn soon realize they really like one another. But Autumn has to go to Paris, right? And Blake still has a lot of things to work out in his mind.
Melissa Tagg writes very convincingly and has created characters the reader wants to know personally. Her Whisper Shore reminded me of Susan May Warren's Deep Haven. I wanted to visit that little town.
Blake and Autumn spar with each other, get into small scrapes and just generally have such a good time that Autumn begins to wonder if she really belongs in Paris after all. But she refuses to let her feelings override her dream. After all, isn't this what she is destined to do?
Tagg pulled my heart strings many times during this book and had me laughing right out loud in others. Many times I found myself with a big ole grin spreading across my face while reading. I finished this book in 2 days! I hated tearing myself away from it!
I very much look forward to her next offering. I only wish it wouldn't take so long!
Here to Stay tells the story of Blaze Hunziker, Miranda Woodruff's play acting husband in Made to Last. Blaze's story is one of regrets, fear and deep pain. But Melissa Tagg tells it well.
Blaze has gone from home for five years, traveling all over the world, doing all sort of things. He's finally had enough of this lifestyle and decides to come home. He's pretty sure he'll not find a welcoming committee but determined to return home.
Autumn Kingsley has lived in Whisper Shore all her life and now she's been running the family inn for the last 3 years. A potential investor is on his way to look at the inn and good thing, too, because the inn is about to go under. Autumn Kingsley, however, has her heart set on a job in Paris, her dream job, so she needs to get this inn spruced up to impress this investor. She just has to go to Paris.
Blake has been offered a job: coordinate the town's annual Christmas festival. He has no idea how to do this job, but Autumn Kingsley does. The only trouble is: Kingsleys and Hunzikers do NOT get along and everyone knows this.
Autumn agrees to help Blake (Blaze is only his well deserved nickname), but only if he will help her whip the inn into shape to coax the investor into putting his money into the place.
Simple deal, right? Wrong. Blake and Autumn soon realize they really like one another. But Autumn has to go to Paris, right? And Blake still has a lot of things to work out in his mind.
Melissa Tagg writes very convincingly and has created characters the reader wants to know personally. Her Whisper Shore reminded me of Susan May Warren's Deep Haven. I wanted to visit that little town.
Blake and Autumn spar with each other, get into small scrapes and just generally have such a good time that Autumn begins to wonder if she really belongs in Paris after all. But she refuses to let her feelings override her dream. After all, isn't this what she is destined to do?
Tagg pulled my heart strings many times during this book and had me laughing right out loud in others. Many times I found myself with a big ole grin spreading across my face while reading. I finished this book in 2 days! I hated tearing myself away from it!
I very much look forward to her next offering. I only wish it wouldn't take so long!
October 2, 2021
Whisper Shore, Michigan
Characters:
Autumn Kingsley: Proprietor of Kingsley Inn
Blake Hunziker: Competitor hotel owner's son
Harrison, aka, Harry: Inn's front office clerk
Ava: Autumn's sister
Ellie: Autumn's best friend
I thoroughly enjoy Melissa Tagg's writing. And this being her second book was pretty impressive.
The characters Autumn and Blake were such fun people to get to know. Both had incredible hearts, both wanted to do the right thing, both suffered loss and were working their way towards healing. A struggle, yes, but a maturing one.
Watching their friendship grow was absorbing. "Listening" to their witty exchanges was at times hilarious. Hoping against hope their relationship could go somewhere (permanent) was bittersweet. But God had His hand in it and He certainly knew what He was doing.
If I had one critique it's that it seemed a bit long.
But still, very cute and very good.
Characters:
Autumn Kingsley: Proprietor of Kingsley Inn
Blake Hunziker: Competitor hotel owner's son
Harrison, aka, Harry: Inn's front office clerk
Ava: Autumn's sister
Ellie: Autumn's best friend
I thoroughly enjoy Melissa Tagg's writing. And this being her second book was pretty impressive.
The characters Autumn and Blake were such fun people to get to know. Both had incredible hearts, both wanted to do the right thing, both suffered loss and were working their way towards healing. A struggle, yes, but a maturing one.
Watching their friendship grow was absorbing. "Listening" to their witty exchanges was at times hilarious. Hoping against hope their relationship could go somewhere (permanent) was bittersweet. But God had His hand in it and He certainly knew what He was doing.
If I had one critique it's that it seemed a bit long.
But still, very cute and very good.
March 24, 2025
This was a great sequel that didn’t disappoint. Blake was everything in this book I wanted him to be, and Autumn was a great “enemies to lovers” partner. I loved the small town life, family trauma they had to work through, and sweet romance. There were some really good messages about living your dreams and moving beyond a hard past.
April 2, 2016
What an amazing piece of inspirational fiction nestled securely within a contemporary romance! It's an absolutely impossible book to put down!
Autumn Kingsley is determined to follow her dream; to travel the world, at least as far as Paris, France when a long-awaited job opportunity becomes available. But first things, first. She must "right a sinking ship"; her beautiful, vintage family inn needs increasingly serious repairs and a boatload of reservations in order to prevent it from dissolving into bankruptcy and disappearing from Whisper Shore's alluring landscape. Could the offer of assistance from a family nemesis possibly be the answer to her problems, or only the beginning of many, many more? Old wounds leave deep scars.
Blake "Blaze" Hunziker has decided to stop "globe-trotting" and come home to Whisper Shores where his family owns a beautiful posh hotel with five-star amenities in his small, nostalgic home town. But can he be taken seriously, especially after recently starring in a reality television show that featured him pretend-married to its host? And what about the memories of his brother's death; the memories that continue to pervade his thoughts and dreams without warning? Fortunately or unfortunately, when Blake is offered a temporary civic duty; to plan Whisper Shore's upcoming Christmas Festival, he literally runs into Autumn Kingsley and they form a partnership; his help at the inn in return for her help planning the festival. After seeming success on both fronts, there's no "replay button" to push once Autumn and Blake realize that their hearts have formed an alliance of their own.
Melissa Tagg is "here to stay" as well; she has demonstrated her literary skills after crafting a sincere, genuine, lovely romance between two souls who desperately needed each other.
Autumn Kingsley is determined to follow her dream; to travel the world, at least as far as Paris, France when a long-awaited job opportunity becomes available. But first things, first. She must "right a sinking ship"; her beautiful, vintage family inn needs increasingly serious repairs and a boatload of reservations in order to prevent it from dissolving into bankruptcy and disappearing from Whisper Shore's alluring landscape. Could the offer of assistance from a family nemesis possibly be the answer to her problems, or only the beginning of many, many more? Old wounds leave deep scars.
Blake "Blaze" Hunziker has decided to stop "globe-trotting" and come home to Whisper Shores where his family owns a beautiful posh hotel with five-star amenities in his small, nostalgic home town. But can he be taken seriously, especially after recently starring in a reality television show that featured him pretend-married to its host? And what about the memories of his brother's death; the memories that continue to pervade his thoughts and dreams without warning? Fortunately or unfortunately, when Blake is offered a temporary civic duty; to plan Whisper Shore's upcoming Christmas Festival, he literally runs into Autumn Kingsley and they form a partnership; his help at the inn in return for her help planning the festival. After seeming success on both fronts, there's no "replay button" to push once Autumn and Blake realize that their hearts have formed an alliance of their own.
Melissa Tagg is "here to stay" as well; she has demonstrated her literary skills after crafting a sincere, genuine, lovely romance between two souls who desperately needed each other.
May 11, 2014
After reading and loving Made to Last earlier this year, I was eagerly anticipating Here to Stay. But I'm not gonna lie, I had such high expectations for this book that I was a little bit nervous that there was no possible way this story could meet them. I am delighted to say that Here to Stay totally and completely surpassed every single one of my expectations! I loved this book so much that it is now impossible for me to choose a favorite of Melissa Tagg's books! I loved Blake in the first book and I was so looking forward to reading his story, and all I can say is oh my gosh, he totally has a permanent spot on my all time favorite heroes list! Autumn was a great heroine, and she and Blake were absolutely perfect for each other. I don't want to risk spoiling anything so I will just say that I loved that this story was set in a small town! At the end of every chapter I remember thinking "This book can't possibly get anymore amazing" and yet with every consecutive chapter that theory was continuously proven wrong and by the ending this book's awesomeness had risen to truly epic proportions!
In closing this was a truly fabulous book that earned Melissa Tagg a forever spot on my list of all time favorite authors!
I was honored to receive a review copy of this amazing book from Bethany House publishers, in exchange for my honest review!
In closing this was a truly fabulous book that earned Melissa Tagg a forever spot on my list of all time favorite authors!
I was honored to receive a review copy of this amazing book from Bethany House publishers, in exchange for my honest review!
January 2, 2016
A small town where everyone knows everyone else is the setting for this Contemporary Christian Romance. The main characters are from rival families in the hotel business. It is the perfect setting for a well written and entertaining romance.
Blake comes home after years away. He has been harboring guilt about his brother's death, but is finished running from his past and ready to settle into his future. Some embrace him, while others hold him responsible for the unfortunate events. The biggest challenge is Autumn, the woman he can't get off of his mind.
Autumn is trying to keep her families hotel together. Lack of funds have run it into disrepair. She wants to travel, but feels a responsibility and obligation to her family legacy. Blake was not part of the plan, but his help is vital to her perfect plans for her future.
I loved that this book had characters who were just trying to do their best, when love came unexpectedly. They both want to do the right thing for their family and friends, but dealing with a long held family feud makes life a bit more challenging.
The characters are easy to like and the story is easy to read and follow. Melissa Tagg held my interest throughout the book and I fell in love with the setting and people. This is the second book in a series, but it can be read as a stand alone.
Blake comes home after years away. He has been harboring guilt about his brother's death, but is finished running from his past and ready to settle into his future. Some embrace him, while others hold him responsible for the unfortunate events. The biggest challenge is Autumn, the woman he can't get off of his mind.
Autumn is trying to keep her families hotel together. Lack of funds have run it into disrepair. She wants to travel, but feels a responsibility and obligation to her family legacy. Blake was not part of the plan, but his help is vital to her perfect plans for her future.
I loved that this book had characters who were just trying to do their best, when love came unexpectedly. They both want to do the right thing for their family and friends, but dealing with a long held family feud makes life a bit more challenging.
The characters are easy to like and the story is easy to read and follow. Melissa Tagg held my interest throughout the book and I fell in love with the setting and people. This is the second book in a series, but it can be read as a stand alone.
April 18, 2014
An intriguing tale of forgiveness, discovery and second chances unfolds within the pages of Here to Stay. Blaze first captivated my interest in Melissa Tagg’s debut novel, Made to Last, quickly claiming his spot as my favorite character. I eagerly awaited the opportunity to learn more about his story and background. The author didn’t disappoint, raising the bar exponentially with Blake and Autumn’s journey. Tagg created characters I could truly connect and relate to, immersing me fully into their story.
Autumn often felt like a mirror reflection of myself — a bookworm with hopes of seeing the world. I easily imagined myself slipping into her shoes. Blake was exactly the kind of guy a girl could picture herself falling for — strong, loyal and caring. The quaint setting of Whisper Shore simply sealed the deal for me. I would have happily stayed to run the Kingsley Inn. Alas, reality and the end of the book, made it impossible.
I strongly recommend Here to Stay to romance fans who enjoy escaping to another place for a few hours. Whisper Shore is one town you’ll want to visit. For those of you who liked Made to Last, just wait until you get your hands on this one!
Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank You!
Autumn often felt like a mirror reflection of myself — a bookworm with hopes of seeing the world. I easily imagined myself slipping into her shoes. Blake was exactly the kind of guy a girl could picture herself falling for — strong, loyal and caring. The quaint setting of Whisper Shore simply sealed the deal for me. I would have happily stayed to run the Kingsley Inn. Alas, reality and the end of the book, made it impossible.
I strongly recommend Here to Stay to romance fans who enjoy escaping to another place for a few hours. Whisper Shore is one town you’ll want to visit. For those of you who liked Made to Last, just wait until you get your hands on this one!
Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank You!
October 2, 2014
Here to Stay is a beautiful story many of us can relate to. Either we're the heroine who feels trapped and just wants a chance to live her dreams, or we're the hero and our past has kept us running and now we just want to grow past it and put down roots. Add in some family rivalries, a past tragedy that overshadows the present, and delights of humor and romance, and this was a book I could barely put down! I so wanted Autumn and Blake to grow past their difference, family hang-ups and find a way to forge a future. Both have to sacrifice dreams that made me ache for them. Yet the small-town life, the fantastic cast of characters, and the sweet message of faith and hope kept me glued to the pages. And I loved the cameo by Miranda from the first book. This book is a keeper for all fans of contemporary romance laced with humor and lifted by a gentle message of faith.
May 21, 2016
Here’s another favorite for 2014! :)
Before I ever finished the first book in this series, Made To Last, I was hoping that the author would write a book about Blake (aka Blaze). You see, he was my favorite character and I really wanted to read more about him. So I was super excited to get to read his story! This is a great book and I thoroughly enjoyed it! :)
I am now anxiously awaiting Melissa Tagg‘s next book — From The Start — which, I’m sad to say, doesn’t come out until next spring.
Before I ever finished the first book in this series, Made To Last, I was hoping that the author would write a book about Blake (aka Blaze). You see, he was my favorite character and I really wanted to read more about him. So I was super excited to get to read his story! This is a great book and I thoroughly enjoyed it! :)
I am now anxiously awaiting Melissa Tagg‘s next book — From The Start — which, I’m sad to say, doesn’t come out until next spring.
June 21, 2017
As pretty darn close to flawless a book I’ve read in a long, long time! This book delivered everything I was expecting. Melissa’s voice as a writer was noticeably improved from her debut novel—which was a pretty high bar! Witty dialogue and prose melted perfectly with some seriously deep, heartfelt moment (no joke, keep the Kleenex close by) to produce an impeccably well-rounded story that touched all the right nerves and funny bones.
April 30, 2014
I loved the well-developed characters in Here to Stay, as well as the backdrop Melissa Tagg created with the town of Whisper Shore. Yes, Here to Stay is a sweet, fun romance, but Tagg writes a story with depth -- imaginary people facing real-life problems.
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