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Holidays in Hillview #1
Leap Day in the Square
Lucy McGrady only wants two things - to open up her cotton candy truck in time for her town's Leap Day in the Square celebration and to never see Ben Wilson again. And yet, somehow, these two things seem mutually exclusive.
Lucy has spent most of her adult life trying to forget high school, thanks to Ben. Starting up her cotton candy truck, the Farmhouse Floof, is a dream come true and it seems like everything is finally going her way. Until the new health inspector comes over and it's none other than Ben Wilson. What could the Lord possibly be wanting to accomplish in this situation?
On top of everything going on with the Farmhouse Floof, there's also the new Bible study on forgiveness Lucy's sister is dragging her to, weekly family dinners with her extremely tight and usually overly-nosy parents and sisters, and just when it seems like nothing can get worse, insert a stray cat.
Lucy's about to discover that while sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways, sometimes He just has to plop her right in the middle of the impossible to redeem everything that was broken and fix the unfixable.
Leap Day in the Square is a sweet, clean romance that keeps Jesus first always.
Book #1 in the new Holidays in Hillview series!
Lucy has spent most of her adult life trying to forget high school, thanks to Ben. Starting up her cotton candy truck, the Farmhouse Floof, is a dream come true and it seems like everything is finally going her way. Until the new health inspector comes over and it's none other than Ben Wilson. What could the Lord possibly be wanting to accomplish in this situation?
On top of everything going on with the Farmhouse Floof, there's also the new Bible study on forgiveness Lucy's sister is dragging her to, weekly family dinners with her extremely tight and usually overly-nosy parents and sisters, and just when it seems like nothing can get worse, insert a stray cat.
Lucy's about to discover that while sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways, sometimes He just has to plop her right in the middle of the impossible to redeem everything that was broken and fix the unfixable.
Leap Day in the Square is a sweet, clean romance that keeps Jesus first always.
Book #1 in the new Holidays in Hillview series!
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2025
6 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 2, 2025
4.5 stars, personally (rounding up to 5 because I can and will 😌) ⭐️ Christian Fiction - Rom-Com
About this book:
“Lucy McGrady only wants two things - to open up her cotton candy truck in time for her town's Leap Day in the Square celebration and to never see Ben Wilson again. And yet, somehow, these two things seem mutually exclusive.
Lucy has spent most of her adult life trying to forget high school, thanks to Ben. Starting up her cotton candy truck, the Farmhouse Floof, is a dream come true and it seems like everything is finally going her way. Until the new health inspector comes over and it's none other than Ben Wilson. What could the Lord possibly be wanting to accomplish in this situation?
On top of everything going on with the Farmhouse Floof, there's also the new Bible study on forgiveness Lucy's sister is dragging her to, weekly family dinners with her extremely tight and usually overly-nosy parents and sisters, and just when it seems like nothing can get worse, insert a stray cat.
Lucy's about to discover that while sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways, sometimes He just has to plop her right in the middle of the impossible to redeem everything that was broken and fix the unfixable.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Holidays in Hillview” series.
Spiritual Content- Many Scriptures are read, quoted, mentioned, discussed, & thought about; Many Prayers, Thanking/Praising God, & Blessings over food (including one that Lucy calls disrespectful and she isn’t surprised she didn’t get an answer); Going to church (including a time Lucy is unable to focus on the sermon) & a Bible study (which Lucy doesn’t want to go to for different reasons but goes to a handful of times and does the lesson book at home; The lessons and pastor’s message are often shared); Quotes by Saint Augustine, C.S, Lewis, Lewis B. Smedes, & Jean Sophia Pigott are read in a Bible study, mentioned, & thought over; Many talks about God, Jesus, forgiveness, a Bible study, sin/sinners, & not being enough, but being enough in God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Lucy feels like she isn’t good enough and struggles with that thought which has affected her Bible reading; *Spoilers* ; Lucy recalls her friends calling her parents “stricter than God”; Lucy thinks that if she was Moses, she would have added in an Eleventh Commandment (“Thou shall not hide thy dimples underneath thy scowl”); Many mentions of God, Jesus, forgiveness, & peace; Many mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & Bible studies; Many mentions of churches, church going, services, pastors, sermons, & hymns/worship; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of those in the Bible; Mentions of Christians, becoming one, & being one; Mentions of sins & being a sinner; A few mentions of Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan; A couple mentions of Heaven; A couple mentions of being Blessed; A couple mentions of a children’s ministry at church; A couple mentions of testimonies; A mention of Dallas Theological Seminary; A mention of a prayer request; A mention of something smelling like Heaven;
*Note: Lucy’s sister says that some lies are not sins, but Lucy argues that lying to your sister in church counts as a lie; Lucy thinks “hell hath no fury like the older sister of one scorned”; Lucy thinks her sister looks like an angel; A mention of Cupid.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘crappy’, a ‘holy smokes’, a ‘idiot’, a ‘ticked off’, a ‘what the heck’, two ‘dumb’s, three ‘gosh’s, three ‘stupid’s, and ten ‘oh my gosh’s; Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Lucy lies a couple of times to her family (to hide her feelings or that she’s gotten enough sleep when they ask); Lucy’s sisters mention about killing Ben and burying his body in their family’s acreage because of what he did to her (which Lucy gets concerned one sister might do this); Mentions of selling organs on the black market (which is what Lucy thinks her sister’s fiancé does); Mentions of poison; Mentions of bullies, mean girls, & their pranks; Mentions of hatred; A few mentions of potential kidnappers & being kidnapped; A few mentions of smoking; A few mentions of lies & lying; A couple mentions of World War II & Nazis; A couple mentions of jail & felons; A couple mentions of possible car accidents; A couple mentions of gossip; A couple mentions of “animal jails” (animal shelters); A mention of a Russian mob; A mention of thieves; A mention of serial killer movies; A mention of a con man;
*Note: Lucy struggles with feeling like she isn’t good enough; Lucy and her sisters were bullied in high school about being from a “white trash house” and their lack of money; Lucy has kept from her family about most everything that happened to her in high school, but tells them all of it half-way through (*Spoiler* *Major Spoilers*; Mentions of the foster care system & an implied bad experience; Mentions of movies, TV shows, actors, books, & fictional characters (Pirates of the Caribbean, Marvel movies, Ben-Hur, Angels in the Outfield, The Princess Bride, That Thing You Do, Seinfeld, The Andy Griffin Show, MythBusters, Psych, Chad Michael Murray, Michael Buble, Count of Monte Cristo, Lion King characters, Daffy Duck, the Joker, Mrs. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, Jedis from Star Wars, Jack Sparrow, & Mary Poppins); Mentions of bands, singers, & songs (Eagles, Michael Buble, Michael Jackson, Hanson, N*Sync, Aerosmith & Cupid Shuffle); Mentions of Hallmark movies & HGTV; Mentions of brand names & items (Pyrex, Dr. Pepper, M&Ms, Uggs, Tupperware, & iPhone); Mentions of car brands; Mentions of social media platforms & websites (Instagram, Facebook, Amazon, & Google); Mentions of places (Hobby Lobby, Goodwill, Cracker Barrel); A few mentions of Halloween; A couple mentions of Disney; A mention of ESPN; A mention of Olympic athletes; A mention of the YouTube channel Dude Perfect; A mention of MLM candles; A mention of the grim reaper.
Sexual Content- A cheek kiss and a barely-above-not-detailed kiss; Seeing an engaged couple kiss & embrace (no details); Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Warmth, Nearness, & Smelling (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Remembering touches, embraces, & warmth (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes & Winks; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); *Spoiler* ; A ‘babe’; Mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, exes, break-ups, dates, dating, & asking someone out; Mentions of prom; A couple mentions of blushes; A mention of a heartthrob at school; Some love, the start of falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of unmentionables; A mention of butting into a conversation.
-Lucy McGrady, age 28
P.O.V. switches between them
235 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Five Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars (and a half)
AH! That ending! Well, now I’m counting down the days to a book I don’t know when is going to be released—that’s just mean!
Let it be known I don’t usually like the whole “misunderstanding-in-high-school-and-holding-onto-to-a-grudge-for-ten-years” trope, but this is one of my favorite authors, so I was going to read it regardless. This was a harsh misunderstanding though—Ben did something to Lucy in a way that truly hurt her and the effects of it have stayed with her all these years. It’s not serious enough to not wish for them to be together one day, but it’s enough to make me side with her sisters about off-ing him and burying him in their family’s acreage for the first while of the book.
That said, when the conversation happened and everything is shared, it wasn’t a “misunderstanding” that I’ve seen in other books and would (quite honestly) roll my eyes at over the pettiness shown by the characters. Perhaps it’s because I felt Lucy’s pain or how the author wrote it, but I could understand her emotions and I’m really glad she wasn’t petty back to those who hurt her. I think that’s probably the main difference from other times I’ve read this trope before, the main girl there is usually insufferable and acts like she’s still in high school despite being in her late twenties. Lucy was definitely not this way and I greatly appreciated it and it made the story actually believable.
Just like for Lucy, it took a while for me to warm up to Ben. I do wish they would have talked about The Events™️ just a wee bit more when it all came to light, but I think the discussions that they had were shown well with their emotions and regret and moving forward. As I always appreciate with this author’s books and a reason why Erynn Mangum is a top favorite author of mine, there was a ton of faith content and the main character going about her life, but also going to church and a Bible study. There’s something about that that I just love to see, but especially in this book as it highlights forgiveness (despite Lucy not really wanting to hear about that topic) and that we’re not enough because we all need the Lord. Everything was so well done in the faith content and it felt like I was right in there with them in class.
I loved seeing Lucy and her sisters and many of their conversations made me laugh out loud, so I’m so excited that the next book will be Dani’s story! I definitely need Sam’s ASAP, though! This is the problem about starting a series as it’s being released—you have to have patience and wait for the next book, something I still haven’t perfected in my many years of reviewing!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*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.
About this book:
“Lucy McGrady only wants two things - to open up her cotton candy truck in time for her town's Leap Day in the Square celebration and to never see Ben Wilson again. And yet, somehow, these two things seem mutually exclusive.
Lucy has spent most of her adult life trying to forget high school, thanks to Ben. Starting up her cotton candy truck, the Farmhouse Floof, is a dream come true and it seems like everything is finally going her way. Until the new health inspector comes over and it's none other than Ben Wilson. What could the Lord possibly be wanting to accomplish in this situation?
On top of everything going on with the Farmhouse Floof, there's also the new Bible study on forgiveness Lucy's sister is dragging her to, weekly family dinners with her extremely tight and usually overly-nosy parents and sisters, and just when it seems like nothing can get worse, insert a stray cat.
Lucy's about to discover that while sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways, sometimes He just has to plop her right in the middle of the impossible to redeem everything that was broken and fix the unfixable.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Holidays in Hillview” series.
Spiritual Content- Many Scriptures are read, quoted, mentioned, discussed, & thought about; Many Prayers, Thanking/Praising God, & Blessings over food (including one that Lucy calls disrespectful and she isn’t surprised she didn’t get an answer); Going to church (including a time Lucy is unable to focus on the sermon) & a Bible study (which Lucy doesn’t want to go to for different reasons but goes to a handful of times and does the lesson book at home; The lessons and pastor’s message are often shared); Quotes by Saint Augustine, C.S, Lewis, Lewis B. Smedes, & Jean Sophia Pigott are read in a Bible study, mentioned, & thought over; Many talks about God, Jesus, forgiveness, a Bible study, sin/sinners, & not being enough, but being enough in God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Lucy feels like she isn’t good enough and struggles with that thought which has affected her Bible reading; *Spoilers* ; Lucy recalls her friends calling her parents “stricter than God”; Lucy thinks that if she was Moses, she would have added in an Eleventh Commandment (“Thou shall not hide thy dimples underneath thy scowl”); Many mentions of God, Jesus, forgiveness, & peace; Many mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & Bible studies; Many mentions of churches, church going, services, pastors, sermons, & hymns/worship; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of those in the Bible; Mentions of Christians, becoming one, & being one; Mentions of sins & being a sinner; A few mentions of Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan; A couple mentions of Heaven; A couple mentions of being Blessed; A couple mentions of a children’s ministry at church; A couple mentions of testimonies; A mention of Dallas Theological Seminary; A mention of a prayer request; A mention of something smelling like Heaven;
*Note: Lucy’s sister says that some lies are not sins, but Lucy argues that lying to your sister in church counts as a lie; Lucy thinks “hell hath no fury like the older sister of one scorned”; Lucy thinks her sister looks like an angel; A mention of Cupid.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘crappy’, a ‘holy smokes’, a ‘idiot’, a ‘ticked off’, a ‘what the heck’, two ‘dumb’s, three ‘gosh’s, three ‘stupid’s, and ten ‘oh my gosh’s; Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Lucy lies a couple of times to her family (to hide her feelings or that she’s gotten enough sleep when they ask); Lucy’s sisters mention about killing Ben and burying his body in their family’s acreage because of what he did to her (which Lucy gets concerned one sister might do this); Mentions of selling organs on the black market (which is what Lucy thinks her sister’s fiancé does); Mentions of poison; Mentions of bullies, mean girls, & their pranks; Mentions of hatred; A few mentions of potential kidnappers & being kidnapped; A few mentions of smoking; A few mentions of lies & lying; A couple mentions of World War II & Nazis; A couple mentions of jail & felons; A couple mentions of possible car accidents; A couple mentions of gossip; A couple mentions of “animal jails” (animal shelters); A mention of a Russian mob; A mention of thieves; A mention of serial killer movies; A mention of a con man;
*Note: Lucy struggles with feeling like she isn’t good enough; Lucy and her sisters were bullied in high school about being from a “white trash house” and their lack of money; Lucy has kept from her family about most everything that happened to her in high school, but tells them all of it half-way through (*Spoiler* *Major Spoilers*; Mentions of the foster care system & an implied bad experience; Mentions of movies, TV shows, actors, books, & fictional characters (Pirates of the Caribbean, Marvel movies, Ben-Hur, Angels in the Outfield, The Princess Bride, That Thing You Do, Seinfeld, The Andy Griffin Show, MythBusters, Psych, Chad Michael Murray, Michael Buble, Count of Monte Cristo, Lion King characters, Daffy Duck, the Joker, Mrs. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, Jedis from Star Wars, Jack Sparrow, & Mary Poppins); Mentions of bands, singers, & songs (Eagles, Michael Buble, Michael Jackson, Hanson, N*Sync, Aerosmith & Cupid Shuffle); Mentions of Hallmark movies & HGTV; Mentions of brand names & items (Pyrex, Dr. Pepper, M&Ms, Uggs, Tupperware, & iPhone); Mentions of car brands; Mentions of social media platforms & websites (Instagram, Facebook, Amazon, & Google); Mentions of places (Hobby Lobby, Goodwill, Cracker Barrel); A few mentions of Halloween; A couple mentions of Disney; A mention of ESPN; A mention of Olympic athletes; A mention of the YouTube channel Dude Perfect; A mention of MLM candles; A mention of the grim reaper.
Sexual Content- A cheek kiss and a barely-above-not-detailed kiss; Seeing an engaged couple kiss & embrace (no details); Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Warmth, Nearness, & Smelling (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Remembering touches, embraces, & warmth (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes & Winks; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); *Spoiler* ; A ‘babe’; Mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, exes, break-ups, dates, dating, & asking someone out; Mentions of prom; A couple mentions of blushes; A mention of a heartthrob at school; Some love, the start of falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of unmentionables; A mention of butting into a conversation.
-Lucy McGrady, age 28
P.O.V. switches between them
235 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Five Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars (and a half)
AH! That ending! Well, now I’m counting down the days to a book I don’t know when is going to be released—that’s just mean!
Let it be known I don’t usually like the whole “misunderstanding-in-high-school-and-holding-onto-to-a-grudge-for-ten-years” trope, but this is one of my favorite authors, so I was going to read it regardless. This was a harsh misunderstanding though—Ben did something to Lucy in a way that truly hurt her and the effects of it have stayed with her all these years. It’s not serious enough to not wish for them to be together one day, but it’s enough to make me side with her sisters about off-ing him and burying him in their family’s acreage for the first while of the book.
That said, when the conversation happened and everything is shared, it wasn’t a “misunderstanding” that I’ve seen in other books and would (quite honestly) roll my eyes at over the pettiness shown by the characters. Perhaps it’s because I felt Lucy’s pain or how the author wrote it, but I could understand her emotions and I’m really glad she wasn’t petty back to those who hurt her. I think that’s probably the main difference from other times I’ve read this trope before, the main girl there is usually insufferable and acts like she’s still in high school despite being in her late twenties. Lucy was definitely not this way and I greatly appreciated it and it made the story actually believable.
Just like for Lucy, it took a while for me to warm up to Ben. I do wish they would have talked about The Events™️ just a wee bit more when it all came to light, but I think the discussions that they had were shown well with their emotions and regret and moving forward. As I always appreciate with this author’s books and a reason why Erynn Mangum is a top favorite author of mine, there was a ton of faith content and the main character going about her life, but also going to church and a Bible study. There’s something about that that I just love to see, but especially in this book as it highlights forgiveness (despite Lucy not really wanting to hear about that topic) and that we’re not enough because we all need the Lord. Everything was so well done in the faith content and it felt like I was right in there with them in class.
I loved seeing Lucy and her sisters and many of their conversations made me laugh out loud, so I’m so excited that the next book will be Dani’s story! I definitely need Sam’s ASAP, though! This is the problem about starting a series as it’s being released—you have to have patience and wait for the next book, something I still haven’t perfected in my many years of reviewing!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*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.
April 3, 2025
4.5 rounded to 5 stars! The only reason I took half a star off was because the turn-around from bitterness to forgiveness in the book was really fast. Full review to come!
April 6, 2025
Leap Day in the Square was such a good book! It’s book 1 in a new series called Holidays in Hillview.
Like every Erynn Mangum book this book had fun, relatable characters and great faith content. Lucy was a great character. I loved her family. I really liked reading about how they were all there for each other and got together regularly for family dinners.
There was a theme of forgiveness in the book and I thought it was well done. I really liked getting to see Lucy go to Bible study.
Erynn Mangum knows how to write a good book and I highly recommend all of her books!
I’m super excited for book 2!
Like every Erynn Mangum book this book had fun, relatable characters and great faith content. Lucy was a great character. I loved her family. I really liked reading about how they were all there for each other and got together regularly for family dinners.
There was a theme of forgiveness in the book and I thought it was well done. I really liked getting to see Lucy go to Bible study.
Erynn Mangum knows how to write a good book and I highly recommend all of her books!
I’m super excited for book 2!
January 19, 2026
Erynn Mangum does such a great job tying in biblical concepts to a story. Not only do I find myself reading a beautiful story, but I find myself being ministered to as I read through the wrestling going on in the mind of the characters with God. Mangum’s books are easy reads, but truth is not always easy.
We aren’t enough and that is okay because Jesus is enough.
We aren’t enough and that is okay because Jesus is enough.
April 11, 2025
4.5 stars
September 20, 2025
Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars.
I bought this in June and planned to read sooner, it looking like a summer read, but actually, it was set in the winter, so hey, that works me getting to it in Autumn, right? 😊🤪
I really liked this one. The faith elements alone were so solid. The forgiveness studies they were going through in their Wednesday night bible studies were 5 🌟 quality.
The realization that "you are not enough and that's okay because Jesus is enough" spot on.
The ability to forgive someone who in the past wasn't saved and as such acted out from a place of brokeness and hurt made this enemies to more trope understandable.
The comedy elements were pretty fun. The cat scenes HILARIOUS. Had me laughing on the inside. The only thing that irked me making this a 4.5 star was the mother in this story still treating her grown adult children like kids with her strict house rules of shoes off or else etc when they visited. As someone with kiddos, I feel when we are empty nesters I will not care about such things like house standards, I'd only care that my kiddos visited and felt welcomed instead of feeling like structured house guests. But maybe that's just me. Everything else in this story was pretty spot on to me and funny.
I bought this in June and planned to read sooner, it looking like a summer read, but actually, it was set in the winter, so hey, that works me getting to it in Autumn, right? 😊🤪
I really liked this one. The faith elements alone were so solid. The forgiveness studies they were going through in their Wednesday night bible studies were 5 🌟 quality.
The realization that "you are not enough and that's okay because Jesus is enough" spot on.
The ability to forgive someone who in the past wasn't saved and as such acted out from a place of brokeness and hurt made this enemies to more trope understandable.
The comedy elements were pretty fun. The cat scenes HILARIOUS. Had me laughing on the inside. The only thing that irked me making this a 4.5 star was the mother in this story still treating her grown adult children like kids with her strict house rules of shoes off or else etc when they visited. As someone with kiddos, I feel when we are empty nesters I will not care about such things like house standards, I'd only care that my kiddos visited and felt welcomed instead of feeling like structured house guests. But maybe that's just me. Everything else in this story was pretty spot on to me and funny.
December 11, 2025
3.3 Stars 🍬
This book has such mixed feelings for me. I didn't know it would be about a guy who used to bully Lucy in high school who would eventually become her love interest. Enemies to lovers is one things but even though a bully deserves forgiveness I found it hard to connect with since I cannot imagine myself ever wanting to date a guy that bullied me. Forgiveness through realizing how God has forgiven us was a central aspect of the story; however, I didn't connect with the main character as much as I would've liked to. She seemed immature and overdramatic to be in her late twenties. She focused on Ben way too much to the point where during a church service she doesn't even remember the worship songs or sermon. The romance had too fast of a turnaround in terms of physical affection that was shared before they even went on their first official date. Some family scenes were cute and forgiveness was a unique topic for a Christian romcom book but I struggled to want to pick it up and continue the story.
This book has such mixed feelings for me. I didn't know it would be about a guy who used to bully Lucy in high school who would eventually become her love interest. Enemies to lovers is one things but even though a bully deserves forgiveness I found it hard to connect with since I cannot imagine myself ever wanting to date a guy that bullied me. Forgiveness through realizing how God has forgiven us was a central aspect of the story; however, I didn't connect with the main character as much as I would've liked to. She seemed immature and overdramatic to be in her late twenties. She focused on Ben way too much to the point where during a church service she doesn't even remember the worship songs or sermon. The romance had too fast of a turnaround in terms of physical affection that was shared before they even went on their first official date. Some family scenes were cute and forgiveness was a unique topic for a Christian romcom book but I struggled to want to pick it up and continue the story.
April 27, 2025
This book has a strong faith base and focuses a lot on forgiveness, which is a nice, refreshing story that also has some romance in it. Lucy and Ben were high school friends, then they turned enemies due to miscommunication and false hatred that brought both Lucy and Ben to hate each other. While Ben becomes the new health inspector, Lucy is opening a cotton candy food truck. They meet again due to Lucy's sister's engagement party. Then over time, they begin to forgive through a Bible Study that they both start attending. They begin to forgive each other and end up falling in love with each other after lots of talking and building a friendship that comes from moving past the history and pain that they experienced in High school. Sadly, this book ended too quickly, and I would have loved to have read more about Lucy and Ben's relationship. I am, however, excited for this new series from a favorite author of mine!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2025
I have not read an Erynn Mangum book since high school, and it truly feels like coming home. Everything about this book was contemporary Christian romance perfection. While it was a romance (and the sweetest one ever), the romance was almost a secondary plot to the themes of forgiveness and Lucy’s journey to self worth in Christ. I read a lot of fiction, but this reminds me why Christian fiction is such an important thing. To read characters that share my same values and have a relationship with God was exactly what I needed. Also, i’m not sure if it is just because we are from the same area as the characters, but Lucy and her family reminded me so much of my own, and I couldn’t help but think she talks exactly how my inner dialogue sounds 😂 Also, also, I’m kind of mad (not really, but a little) at that cliffhanger you left us on. When will book number 2 be out? 😭😭😭
Such a good, sweet, Christ-honoring story. My favorite read this year.
Such a good, sweet, Christ-honoring story. My favorite read this year.
April 8, 2025
This book touched my heart 🫶🏻
Having read the Maya Davis series, I knew that this book would be just the sweet read I wanted. My favorite thing about Erynn Mangum is how she seamlessly works scripture and Bible studies into her stories. You never feel like they are just shoved in to make the novel Christian, they just fit so perfectly.
From the first page I loved Lucy. She has such a big heart and is so awkwardly relatable. I also loved her family and I cannot wait for the rest of the books in this series!!!
At first, I really disliked Ben. And even though we didn’t know what happened between them, it was obviously very painful. But I never expected the emotion filled conflict resolution (I just melted into my couch reading it, it was so sweet 😆🫠).
I loved everything about this book and I very strongly encourage everyone to read it! You won’t regret it!
Having read the Maya Davis series, I knew that this book would be just the sweet read I wanted. My favorite thing about Erynn Mangum is how she seamlessly works scripture and Bible studies into her stories. You never feel like they are just shoved in to make the novel Christian, they just fit so perfectly.
From the first page I loved Lucy. She has such a big heart and is so awkwardly relatable. I also loved her family and I cannot wait for the rest of the books in this series!!!
At first, I really disliked Ben. And even though we didn’t know what happened between them, it was obviously very painful. But I never expected the emotion filled conflict resolution (I just melted into my couch reading it, it was so sweet 😆🫠).
I loved everything about this book and I very strongly encourage everyone to read it! You won’t regret it!
April 21, 2025
I just finished this and my heart is filled to the brim 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷 I loved this story sooooooo much! I was so there in the story that I could feel every emotion and I felt like I was in the family! And ohhhhhh in typical Erynn Mangum fashion, the spiritual lesson I so desperately needed to hear was on point and so moving! His grace is sufficient, so I don't have to be 🩷🩵 That good enough status is something that I've been trying to chase for a lifetime, so this was balm to my weary soul. I was so sad when the book ended because I just wanted more.... including a cotton candy food truck 😻🩷🩵Such a beautifully written novel, I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!!!! 🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵
April 13, 2025
Overall I thought this was a great opener book for the McGrady sisters series with the story of Lucy and Ben who struggle with forgiveness and are brought together due to their family members being engaged to each other. I give the book 4 stars instead of 5 due to the forgiveness issue being more of a misunderstanding and wrapped up much tok easily. I loved seeing Lucy work towards her dreams and her family gathering around to help her. I also loved her leaning on her faith to fave the past head on.
April 25, 2025
3 ⭐
It was a nice and sweet story ! Like cotton-candy, it is was very light and felt like a little snack. I do have to admit that I would have liked for some aspects of Ben's past or even of his and Lucy's feelings and present relationship to be explored a bit more and, in the second half of the book, everything seemed to happen a bit too fast. But if one is in the mood for an hallmark christian romance, a simple story to just relax, this is a good book to pick up.
It was a nice and sweet story ! Like cotton-candy, it is was very light and felt like a little snack. I do have to admit that I would have liked for some aspects of Ben's past or even of his and Lucy's feelings and present relationship to be explored a bit more and, in the second half of the book, everything seemed to happen a bit too fast. But if one is in the mood for an hallmark christian romance, a simple story to just relax, this is a good book to pick up.
July 24, 2025
Erynn Mangum's books are always comforting - real characters dealing with real-life drama (that doesn't involve high end fashion or CIA investigations or the like, LOL). There will be mentions of coffee :)
And faith is a real element in the characters' lives. It doesn't make things perfect, but rather provides a shelter amidst life's struggles.
This is another lovely read that I'm happy to have in my personal library, and I look forward to getting to know the McGrady family better.
And faith is a real element in the characters' lives. It doesn't make things perfect, but rather provides a shelter amidst life's struggles.
This is another lovely read that I'm happy to have in my personal library, and I look forward to getting to know the McGrady family better.
May 20, 2025
We need more simple stories like this in the world. Erynn includes actual scripture in her writing, and allows it to be taught through the development of her characters. It’s very heartwarming and meaningful.
The cliffhanger was actual a nice touch. I’ve read all her other books, and there normally isn’t a cliffhanger. I’m looking forward to Book 2
The cliffhanger was actual a nice touch. I’ve read all her other books, and there normally isn’t a cliffhanger. I’m looking forward to Book 2
July 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ This book is so heartwarming and sweet! I loved the character development, and the passion to pursue dreams. I felt this was a perfect beach read, and I would definitely recommend this one!
There were great themes of forgiveness and redemption, and I loved every moment!
There were great themes of forgiveness and redemption, and I loved every moment!
April 5, 2025
😲 That ending, though!
I loved this book 4.5 Stars 🌟
The main character was so nice and awkward! It was so funny and relatable!!!
I loved this book 4.5 Stars 🌟
The main character was so nice and awkward! It was so funny and relatable!!!
April 5, 2025
I love the way I get sucked into Erynn’s books. I also learn (or get reminded of) so many truths. A beautiful story.
April 7, 2025
I've read many other books by Mangum, and enjoy them! This was fine but I DNFed at 16%; like several other series of hers, the editor in me was just frustrated with the writing style and method.
May 17, 2025
Another amazing book from Erynn Mangum!! About forgiveness🙏🏽 let go and let God. Absolutely loved this cozy read and life lessons from it.
CANT WAIT FOR BOOK 2!!🫣
CANT WAIT FOR BOOK 2!!🫣
May 18, 2025
light-hearted, fun, sweet read
May 25, 2025
this was so good until the end and then right in the middle of a big moment you turn the page and it's just.. the end! what a cliff hanger! 😩
June 6, 2025
This was such a cute, fun read! I loved the themes of forgiveness and learning that we are not, and never will be enough, but Jesus is. So well done!
June 14, 2025
Erynn Mangum always brings the best comfort reads to the table and this one is no exception! 💕
June 27, 2025
a cliffhanger, really
July 13, 2025
Another new favorite from one of my top favorite authors!!! This one is going to be a frequent re-read, I’m sure!
August 6, 2025
This was cute, but very simple. Not much of a plot and ended very abruptly. I loved the Bible study on forgiveness though!
April 10, 2025
Classic Erynn Mangum! It is similar to the Lauren Holbrook books, which I really enjoyed.
September 9, 2025
This was a super cute read! I have loved every Erynn Mangum book that I read, and this one did not disappoint.
I felt for Lucy. She was trying to move forward in her life, and when she finally had everything that she wanted, things started to feel shaky. High school is a hard time for everyone, and she did not have an easy run for it. While she struggled with forgiving Ben, I loved her accurate portrayal of learning how to forgive because Christ has forgiven her. Also, her relationship with her sisters was so much fun. While I would have loved to see more of their interactions, I did feel like we got a lot of Sam and I am intrigued to see her story next.
It took me a bit to warm up to Ben, but once we got to see his side of the story, I was totally hooked. While his actions were not justified by any means, they made sense because of what he went through. I thought it was so sweet to see him interact with Lucy and care for her. It was fun to see him join Lucy’s family as well.
As always, this book is low stress for me which I really enjoy. It is light and clean while still having some great themes of forgiveness. I would totally recommend it!
I felt for Lucy. She was trying to move forward in her life, and when she finally had everything that she wanted, things started to feel shaky. High school is a hard time for everyone, and she did not have an easy run for it. While she struggled with forgiving Ben, I loved her accurate portrayal of learning how to forgive because Christ has forgiven her. Also, her relationship with her sisters was so much fun. While I would have loved to see more of their interactions, I did feel like we got a lot of Sam and I am intrigued to see her story next.
It took me a bit to warm up to Ben, but once we got to see his side of the story, I was totally hooked. While his actions were not justified by any means, they made sense because of what he went through. I thought it was so sweet to see him interact with Lucy and care for her. It was fun to see him join Lucy’s family as well.
As always, this book is low stress for me which I really enjoy. It is light and clean while still having some great themes of forgiveness. I would totally recommend it!
August 13, 2025
This Book was just what I needed! So fun yet not overly sweet, if you get my meaning. It felt like a dream come true, the real way, lol. stops in the road, but God has it all perfectly timed and orchestrated.
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