Not Quite Colonel Brandon

Not Quite #2

by Kim Griffin

A missionary, A pendant, Love

Most women dream of Prince Charming sweeping them away. Not Megan Taylor. God’s call to leave North Carolina to be a missionary came at a young age. It was her mom’s cancer and death that turned those plans upside down. Megan finds herself in London with several men vying for her attention while she finishes her mother’s book on Egyptian antiquities. She soon has more chaos in her life than just the questions of where God wants to send her and if she should date.

Her determination and focus while preparing to be a missionary had left no room for romance. How likely was it that she’d find a man with the same calling, much less one she loved? Besides, she had her Jane Austen novels when she wanted romance. She could read Sense and Sensibility every year of her life and never tire of it. In it, she always rooted for Colonel Brandon and found him more appealing than the immature Willoughby.

After inheriting an antique necklace, Megan gets caught up in mystery, danger, and intrigue. An unlikely partner joins her search for answers and she wonders if there’s romance in her future after all. Will she recognize her own Colonel Brandon? Can they get to the bottom of things before someone gets hurt and can she still fulfill her life’s calling?

Not Quite Colonel Brandon is Christian fiction with a mystery & clean romance (kisses only). It is not a Sense & Sensibility retelling, but there are some fun nods to it throughout including the idea that people are not always what they first seem.

This is the second book in the Not Quite Series but can be read as a standalone. If you have read Not Quite Mr. Darcy, you will enjoy some of the characters and places from it.

Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2024

About the author

Kim Griffin is a former interior designer and homeschool mom who has been leading Bible studies for over 35 years and working in Women's Ministry for over 25.  Several years ago, God led her to begin writing words of hope.  She writes Christian women's fiction with clean romance and devotionals/Bible studies. Her desire is that her books will draw readers closer to the God who sees all of their imperfections and loves them still. 

Reviews

[Storm Shultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this book this month and really enjoyed Megan and Kieran’s story! The faith was so strong 😍 an amazing example of Christian Fiction.

If you’re a fan of Jojo Moyes’ Me Before You but want the Christian, HEA version; add this to your TBR!

[Heather Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Quite Colonel Brandon is the perfect sequel to the characters we met in Not Quite Mr. Darcy. This book is full of scripture, prayer, and characters who seek to live out their faith and walk with the Lord in all their affairs. I've rarely read a Christian fiction book where the main character was so evangalistic-minded. There's mystery, intrigue, and a clean romance involving a wheelchair-bound MMC. Recommended for those who love solidly Christian reads.

I received an arc copy from the author so I could write an honest review and all opinions are my own.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing book! There's so much going on! It has suspense, intrigue, and a huge mystery! It's astounding how a family heirloom can change someone's life. The love story is sweet and romantic!

The characters are wonderful! There are some familiar ones from "Not Quite Mr Darcy." Megan is someone I'd like to emulate. Her faith in God is inspiring! How she lives her life leads others to God.

The absolute best parts of the book for me are the abundance of scripture references! It was encouraging and inspiring to me as the characters encouraged each other with meaningful scriptures.

I had the privilege of reading the other book in this series, and it's amazing, too! I eagerly look forward to the next book!

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jasmine (Jazzie) [Jesus Loves You!!] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y'all, I want to jump up and down right now! I love, love, love, love this book! I couldn't stop smiling throughout it!
Megan was wonderful. There were so many things she said that were very encouraging to me, and I hope that I'll one day be able to encourage people and bring them to Christ like she does. My Favorite Fictional Gentlemen grows longer yet again with the addition of Kieran, I really loved his character.
Their story was so amazing and sweet, and I didn't want it to end!
I didn't want to put this book down after I started it! Y'all absolutely should go read this book as soon as y'all can!

*I received a free copy of this book from the author for my honest review. A positive review was not required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Anna |This Curly Girl Reads| · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75ish⭐️ rounded to 4 (quick review because I was on vacay and forgot to write one sooner!)
I really liked the start to this book and several aspects like…

✨paraplegic character
✨missions minded FMC
✨(some) epistolary
✨mistaken identity
✨mystery
✨faith content

My one complaint, I didn’t feel like I got to know these characters as well as in book one. That made things drag a bit at times—but it was never actually boring! I did like them… they just seemed too perfect. Having a single POV is definitely fine in a book, but in this case, I think hearing from Kieran’s perspective would have added a lot to the story.

This was still a good book with a lot of scripture and encouraging moments! The mystery was interesting. The end was satisfying.

Those who love you got mail and the shop around the corner kind of stories with a dash of suspense and lots of Christian content will like this one, too!

Content: unwed pregnancy references but no details

[Izzy Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ personally
This is my second book by this author and I was a little disappointed in the first book…Not Quite Mr. Darcy However… I really like the faith content and the hidden identity trope!😊😁
I will try a few more of Kim Griffin’s books although I’m not really wanting to read the next book in the series.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve come to realize that when I read a Kim Griffin book that it will be soaked in God’s Word and that it’s characters show no compromise in their Faith. This is extremely true of Ms. Griffin’s latest release, Not Quite Colonel Brandon. Not Quite Colonel Brandon tells the story of Megan, a Missionary in England who is working on finishing her Mother’s book after she dies of cancer, and Kieran, a former ladies’ man battling to come to terms with what his life used to be and what his life is now after a motorcycle accident. After getting to know one another through an app called Pulse, Megan and Kieran realize they have mutual friends and many other things in common, especially their relationship with Jesus (after Megan introduced Kieran to Him). Megan and Kieran are thrust into the world of criminal activity when Megan’s life is put in danger because of a precious family heirloom. Megan, along with Kieran, soon discover that things aren’t always as they seem, but that God is always in control and that regardless of the bombshells that explode in our lives, He has a Perfect Plan for each us that is better than any of us ever imagined.

Kim Griffin’s writing takes my breath away in Not Quite Colonel Brandon because of her detail to scenery description and how she is boldly unafraid to write in her books Scripture, what in means, and how to live it out. I especially love how Ms. Griffin wrote Megan and Kieran’s relationship to honor God and showed examples of you can have a dating/romantic relationship that honors God. I love the dash of mystery and intrigue that is in Not Quite Colonel Brandon because it adds an element that differs from the previous book in the Not Quite series. I love the relationship that develops between Megan and Kieran and how the foundation of their relationship is Christ and devouring His Word. I truly admire Megan due to how Megan honestly and truly does want everyone to come to know Christ and is not afraid tell others about Him. The way Ms. Griffin writes Megan’s character, Megan not only talks the talk, but walks the walk, and knows the Scripture to back it up! (I plan on incorporating some of Megan’s and Kieran’s notes on Scripture and will keep them in mind when I share Jesus with others.) I love how Kieran came to know the Lord. Kieran’s Hunger and Love for the Lord is inspiring and challenges me in my personal walk with the Lord. I love the support system that both Megan and Kieran had around them, praying for them boldly and for each other. I also love the element of Biblical Fasting that was brought out in Not Quite Colonel Brandon because that is not something Authors usually include in Christian Fiction. If you are looking for an uplifting read soaked in God’s Truth and unabashed boldness of Faith, then I highly recommend Not Quite Colonel Brandon by Kim Griffin! I’m looking forward to reading what Ms. Griffin writes next!

Have you read Not Quite Colonel Brandon? What did you think of the book?

I would like to thank Kim Griffin for giving me a copy of Not Quite Colonel Brandon to review, for giving me the information I needed for this post, and for letting me be on the ARC Team. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My review is also on Amazon and my blog, Leslie's Library Escape.

[funkelbunt.liest · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars, rounded to 5
Not Quite Colonel Brandon is a Christian romance full of Scripture, prayers, tough questions and sound theology in the answers the characters give.

Aside from a sweet romance, the book includes a mystery about an heirloom and the danger that evolves when people try to steal this specific necklace.
While the main characters grow in faith, they deal with grief, letting go of anger and hurt and trusting in God instead of making their own plans.

The faith elements were really strong in this book and I loved that the characters always tried to give biblical answers, to support their opinions with Scripture.
I even had a moment, where a verse I read so many times kind of clicked for me. A verse I always understood, but never realized how absolutely perfect it describes a situation I lived through over 10 years ago.

I loved Megan and Kieran as characters and also the side characters like Kate, Corbyn or Peter are a great addition to the book.

One thing that could have improved the story for me would have been more details about the character’s feelings, especially in between dialogue. I sometimes felt like a distant observer instead of being immersed in the story and couldn’t always emotionally relate. This was especially the case with Kieran. I loved how he came to faith and how God brought him and Megan together. But for me as a reader this came a bit too sudden. I would have loved to read more about what he was struggling with, the questions he asked earlier on in his search for God, to see his progress from the beginning and not like mere moments before he accepted Christ.

I still loved his character growth and how confident he was not only in his faith, but also in his pursuit of Megan and I think they were a great match.

I recommend this for readers who like mystery mixed with romance and are looking for a clean read with strong faith messages and Scripture not as a footnote, but as the basis for the character’s actions and answers.

* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.

[Myra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet and mystery-filled story of how our lives and the people in them are not always as they seem. Megan finds out that everything she always believed about a particular family member is not as she was told. Disgruntled and grumpy people usually have an unhappy reason for being that way and they can change with the right influence. Evil exists and can touch our lives but doesn’t always prevail. And best of all, chivalry is not dead.

In her pursuit of following God’s call to be a missionary to China, Megan learns a lot about seeing God at work and finding out that the call is sometimes not a specific location but the beginning of learning the true path and purpose set before us. It is in the journey that we are grown and used to reach God’s ultimate purpose for us. Our mission is to follow God.

I loved the way MS Griffin uses scripture and prayer so fluidly in the lives of the characters and the way Megan never loses sight of the fact that she is a child of God called to share Him with those around her.
I was gifted with an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! It was lovely to see characters from the previous book, Not Quite Mr Darcy, peek in, like Kate and Corbyn. The cozy English setting and the mysterious unravelling of the suspenseful plot were the perfect backdrop for this Christian romance. I loved how saturated in Scripture this book was and how the characters truly followed the call to pray unceasingly. Watching Kieran become a faithful follower of Christ thanks to Megan’s devoted encouragement and support through the Pulse app and in real life was beautiful. His gentlemanly ways and protectiveness of her made my heart warm. The mystery surrounding the necklace kept me flipping the pages until the heartwarming end. The faith elements were beautifully done and truly inspired me to be more open about my faith. I also love how the author encourages adoption and missionary work in her books. She realistically depicts the struggle between intellectually knowing what God says and trusting Him in our actions and lives. Thank you to the author for my ARC; all opinions are mine.

[Ann Leatherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Quite Colonel Brandon is a faith filled Christian novel with lots of scripture and solid teachings and a HEA. Megan is an American living and working in London trying to complete a work her mother had started but had been unable to complete due to cancer. She had always wanted to be a missionary and had been trying to help people by sharing hope in Christ through an app she'd signed up for after her mom's death. Kieran is a paraplegic who is confined to a wheel chair after a serious motorcycle accident. Their lives are totally different. She is a devout Christian and he is not. Their story has a lot of twists and turns. Her past is a lot different than she thought it was and he helps her get through the difficulties she encounters. I was hooked from the beginning and had a hard time putting it down until I finished reading. I received this as an ARC and this is my honest opinion. Thank you Kim for this opportunity.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the sequel to Not Quite Mr. Darcy, author Kim Griffin masterfully draws you into Megan Taylor’s story of grief, healing, faith, unexpected family history, and love.

Megan has moved to England to finish the book her mother started before she died. She faces not only her grief over her loss of her mother but also the loss of her dreams of being a missionary.

As she works through her grief, Megan focuses on her work, helping Kate and Declan with their family, and encouraging others in their faith through social media. As does this she is introduced to the very cranky and elusive Kieran, reminiscent of Colonel Brandon.

But when Megan’s very life is endangered, Kieran plays a major role in solving the mystery surrounding the family history.

While there are overtures to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility-this story highlights the need to not judge a book by its cover. It is a sweet romance that I highly recommend.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
#whattoreadnext #cleanromancebooks #notquitecolonelbrandon #newrelease #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks

[Heidi Sjostrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded to 5

Not Quite Colonel Brandon by Kim Griffin is a wonderful sequel to Not Quite Mr. Darcy. Even though it is a sequel, one could read it as a standalone. I loved seeing characters from the first book show up in the second. Means I never have to fully say goodbye to them. 🙂 The romance was very sweet and tender. Not Quite Colonel Brandon was full of scripture and prayer. Something that stood out to me was how frequently the characters would stop and pray in the moment for the friend they were with. So often we say we will pray for someone which is a good thing but how comforting it is to have someone pray with/for you at that moment. Megan’s passion for evangelism was a reminder to look for opportunities in daily living to share the gospel.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC from the author. No positive review was required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

KIm Griffin writes characters who ask questions many of us ask in real life.
Megan felt a calling from God to missionary work from a young age. Like most of us, she finds out God's will is rarely a straight path. Her mother's death leads her to London, and to finish the book on Egyptian antiquities her mother had been writing, The appraisal of an inherited family heirloom leads to an intriguing mystery. Everyone she comes into contact with is included in her faith and calling, and she finds love when she was least expecting it.
I received this book as a free eARC, as I did the first book of the series, Not Quite Mr. Darcy, and I love them both. Refreshing to read a Christian fiction book that has scripture, prayer, and faith on every page.

[Leann Arave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, But can be read as a standalone. It is an intriguing story of mystery and romance. There are many different facets of this story, Megan is in London to finish her mother‘s book, after her mother‘s passing. Her desire is to be a missionary and bring people unto Christ. her Christian Beliefs being one of her top priorities, but also her love of history and her family heirloom pendant. I was quite surprised with the complexity of the story and yet it flowed seamlessly. There are many references to Christian beliefs and scripture. There is a lot of faith and relationship building moments. The romance was sweet and endearing.

[CassE · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about Kim Griffin's books is that the faith of her characters isn't cotton candy fluff; these people are tested, they have doubts, they walk through darkness and at the end of the day they see that God has been with them every step of the way. Megan's life is nothing like my own, but I feel her search for what God has called her to and the unusual way that works out.

[Tiffany St. Germain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet book and a great reminder that God uses all things for His glory. A reminder to be bold in your faith. There was mystery and sweet romance. I loved that it played off of characters from Not Quite Mr. Darcy.
If you enjoy sweet Christian romance, this is a great book for you!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book illustrates how important encouraging others & speaking God’s truths into their lives can be life changing for them & for you. The story was well written & drew me in quickly. Hoping there will be a 3rd or more books in this series.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was right up my alley. It's a sweet romance with plenty of substance and scripture to support it and even a few mysteries to solve. I loved both of the MCs and it made me want to visit all the places they mentioned.

[Kim Cabeza · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great blend of mystery and romance! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel!

[Kriste · Rating 4 out of 5]

liked the main characters and the settings; has a bit of mystery