Josie is not a risk-taker or a rule breaker. Could the handsome, yet irritating, new teacher make her want to change her ways?
Josie has everything she needs—a loving dad, a mischievous cat, a cozy little house, a supportive church family, and her dream job as an algebra teacher at Maple Valley High School—but something is missing. Everything changes when her beloved mentor retires, prompting Josie to step into leadership as head of the math department. Complications arise when Cooper Donahue, the attractive but annoying new teacher, moves into the classroom across the hall and the house next door. Josie is sure Cooper Donahue is nothing more than an obnoxious man determined to make her life miserable. Could he actually be the one person who could make her life feel complete?
Cooper is looking for a fresh start in the picturesque town of Maple Valley, Tennessee, eager to slow down after years in a demanding career. Not only does he find the peace he craves in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, but he also finds himself irresistibly drawn to Josie Bloom, the most captivating woman he has ever met. Unfortunately, she seems determined to keep him at arm’s length.
Finding new ways to get under Josie’s skin gives Cooper a thrill he has been missing since he left his former career. However, the school district’s policy prohibiting romantic relationships between teachers presents a dilemma for Should he risk his job—and the newfound tranquility of his life—for a chance at love with the girl next door? The more he gets to know Josie, the more he’s convinced she would be worth the risk.
A sweet and thoughtful love story. Laura delivers a well-written Christian romance that beautifully weaves faith into the narrative without feeling overdone. The story is relatable and heartfelt, and her portrayal of the Christian walk feels both authentic and accessible.
This was the sweetest story! Very much a forced proximity story, coworkers, opposites attract, neighbors, and lots of banter!
When Josie meets her new coworker, Cooper, she is anything but pleased. He is far too good-looking, comes across as arrogant and flirty...but is he really all those things? Who knows? And she doesn’t care to find out. She has no interest in getting to know him.
Finding out he is also her neighbor... that’s the icing on the cake! Cooper and Josie have no choice but to get more and more acquainted as the walls start coming down. But both of them are cautious, putting space between them when they worry their hearts may get broken. As they finally start to face the fact they may, in fact, want more than just a friendship, they realize their job doesn’t allow them to date. Do they take the risk and date anyway, or walk away and risk their hearts?
I loved this! The added thread of faith and the introduction to the Bible for Cooper was such a wonderful addition to the story. I loved the banter in the beginning and the way Cooper wanted to give her time to get to know him while he was falling for her quite quickly. Such a sweet story! I can’t wait for book 2 in the series.
I loved watching Josie and Cooper grow personally as well as together. The fact that they were next-door neighbors, co-workers and he fell first was just what I was looking for. It was only made better because of the cute cows and fiesty cat that meddled in their lives.
Josie’s love of the Body of Christ is so evident in this book. She talks and reflects often about their love of her and her dad. The way they were there for them when support was needed. It was so inspiring to see the Church talked about this way, I left praying that my local church looks like that to others.
I also loved the way the Gospel was shared and woven throughout the whole story. It’s unapologetically a Christian Romance Book, not a romance book written by a Christian.
I can’t wait to read it again! I also received an ARC Copy of this book, but I would have read it on my own!
This book was everything my heart needed and more. Sometimes Love is Worth the Risk made me feel all warm inside from the very first page. The romance? Oh, it made me blush and swoon—truly the sweetest kind. And let’s just say… he falls first, and it’s absolutely precious.
What stood out most to me was how intimate yet godly the love story was. The author beautifully portrays a Christ-centered relationship, showing the beauty of love rooted in faith. I could genuinely feel Laura’s love for God through how her characters spoke about Him and lived out their faith. It wasn’t just a romance—it was a testament to what a godly relationship can look like.
And the comedy! I laughed out loud more than once—Laura’s sense of humor shines through in the most delightful way. The playful moments gave the book such heart and balance, making it even more enjoyable.
We desperately need more books like this in the world—ones that are not only swoon-worthy and funny but also point readers to something deeper. I will absolutely be buying this book the moment it’s released. It’s a story I’ll carry with me, and one I already can’t wait to re-read.
”There’s something special about Josie Bloom. She can draw my attention across a crowded room. Her voice is like honey, and she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”🥰
Josie is a rule-follower through and through, so when Cooper steps into her world—literally as the new math teacher at her school and also as her new neighbor—things start to shift in the best possible way. Josie is immediately skeptical, pegging him as a flirt, while Cooper is instantly drawn to her.
Their relationship really begins to unfold when Josie falls ill and Cooper steps in to take care of her. From there, their connection deepens, though they believe school rules forbid them from dating. This leads to a sweet and secret relationship full of chemistry, tension, and tender moments.
One of the aspects I loved most was how Josie shared her faith with Cooper, and how his journey to knowing the Lord was portrayed in such a natural, heartfelt way. It didn’t feel forced—it was sincere and beautiful to watch unfold.
I highly encourage you to read this story and discover all the charming side characters and delightful moments for yourself. It was truly a joy to read!
A few of my favorite fun details: • Cooper taking care of Josie when she was sick • His adorable niece • The STEAM presentation • A cozy fall moment in the corn maze • Josie’s obsession with Converse shoes
Love this book! I’m not one to reread a book, but I’m definitely reading this one again. I instantly connected with Josie. I have a lot in common with her, so I saw myself in this character. When you start reading, you are instantly transported to the world of Maple Valley. I could see it perfectly in my mind thanks to the author’s excellent writing. I didn’t want to put it down. Cooper Donahue had me squealing and kicking my feet several times throughout the book. I haven’t come across many stories where the man pursues first. That along with how God focused this relationship was reminded of me of what I want and should strive for in a relationship. The faith aspect of the book was done very well. I want more books like this, and I hope Laura keeps writing for these characters.
This is such a cute rom-com—I absolutely loved it and didn’t want to put it down! The characters are so relatable, and there were parts that had me literally laughing out loud. It’s a clean romance, which I really appreciate, and it makes the perfect summer read.
As a Tennessee girl, I recognized some of the places mentioned, which made it even more fun. I also loved the references to Harry Potter, Bluey, and some of my favorite country music stars!
Another thing I really enjoyed was how the author wove faith into the story. The main character’s relationship with God and the reminder that His timing is perfect was such a beautiful and uplifting part of the book. Highly recommend!
My friend and I were on the lookout for a romance that aligned with Christian values, and she stumbled upon the author, which seemed like a fantastic match!
The characters were sweet and funny, and I enjoyed getting to know them. However, the storyline felt a bit lacking, and I did find myself getting a little bored towards the end. While it’s a light and cosy read, it was a tad too easy for me, and the moment of drama felt a bit cheesy.
That being said, I really appreciated the Christian themes and how they were woven throughout the story, which really made the book for me.
This book pulled me in from the beginning. I loved every moment of it. It is so well written and keeps you wanting more. I love that it is a Christian novel and the characters are not ashamed to share their faith. I highly recommend!
This is such a wonderful read! A well written story with such wonderful characters. I really enjoyed the story line of the main characters and their journey together! It won’t disappoint!
What an incredibly sweet story. There was so much to love- the relatable MCs, the faith elements, the fun and witty banter, and the thoughtfulness behind their actions towards one another. I really loved Josie and found myself relating to her a lot, especially her love of cats and crafts. Cooper was such a cool guy, and was a cinnamon roll at his core. One of my favorite things from this story is watching Josie help and encourage Cooper’s curiosity of the Gospel. I really enjoyed seeing his faith grow. I may have a cavity after consuming all that sweetness, but it was totally worth it- this is one you don’t want to miss out on!
This was a very good book, a great pick when your looking for just the right sweet Clean and funny romance, I loved how light this book was and don't get me wrong I do love when a book discusses the hard topics of real life but I also like to throw a nice sweet and light read in there every now and then to remind me just how much I love reading and this book did just that!
The swoon was just great... like excuse me the way this man takes care of her... it really deserves a whole review just for itself🤣🤭 . Another thing I really loved was the enemies to lovers vibes this book gave off. Even though it wasn't really listed as one of the tropes I feel like it very easily could have!!
This was such an amazing book! I bought it back in June but didn’t get a chance to read it until vacation. But once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down!
I loved how real Josie felt. Yes she is a Christian and loves the Lord. And yet she also loves Harry Potter (I am a Hufflepuff myself) and Converse (best shoes on planet earth!!). I related to Josie a lot, and I thought she was an amazing character!!!
Here are some of the best quotes to describe Josie as a person:
“Who will placate me with M& Ms and Dr. Pepper and convince me that I’m making a difference?”
“I own almost every color of classic high-tops that Chuck Taylor has released in the last five years.”
“I grin at my new white high-tops with stalks of lavender among purple daisies growing from the sole, and a circle of purple daisies with sage-green leaves around the logo. They’re the statement piece of my otherwise simple outfit: my favorite high-waist denim shorts, an oversize purple t-shirt with the quote “Grow in Grace” above a row of white wildflowers, and my hair pulled up in a claw clip.”
“In no world do we make sense. He’s a Slytherin, and I’m a Hufflepuff, for Dumbledore’s sake. He’s classically handsome, athletic, smooth, and outgoing. I’m uniquely beautiful, quirky, and a little clumsy, and I’d prefer to spend the day with my cat and a good book than in a crowd of people. He is my polar opposite. But based on the butterflies dancing in my stomach and how my heart feels offbeat, my body isn’t getting the memo.”
“I love that he wants to study the Bible.”
“It has always amazed me that the Creator of this incredible, vast universe decided that I should be part of it.”
Now for Cooper! His conversion was so well written! What a great way to share the gospel! I loved his character, and how sarcastic he was. I did really appreciate his respectfulness towards Josie as well!
And some quotes to best describe Cooper:
“I let loose dancing in the kitchen to “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten. And, no, I’m not ashamed of that in the slightest.”
“My brows scrunch as I frown. “Be careful, Bloom. You keep asking questions like that, and I might think you care.” The bell rings, and she shrugs. “Maybe I do.” With that, she turns and walks away, leaving me stunned and speechless in the middle of my classroom.”
“I don’t have the heart to correct her. I didn’t do it for the credit anyway. I just wanted to do something nice for her while she’s sick.”
“I’ve spent my entire life up to this point looking for something, someone, to explain... everything: life and its purpose, death and its questions, love and its intricacies. The answer to all of those things is God.”
This book is EXACTLY how romance should be! Clean, cute and sweet! I love how faith was integrated into the entire story in an honest and real way. Plus the pumpkin patch scene was hilarious!!!
What a great book! I can’t wait to read whatever you write next!!!
Josie Bloom is having a hard time with her mentor and friend retiring and the changes that is bringing. Josie is now the head of the math department at Maple Valley High School when an annoying but attractive new teacher joins her department. Cooper Donahue has left his former profession - he just wants a fresh start and is ready to slow down a bit. Cooper is instantly drawn to Josie. He can’t help but tease and push Josie’s buttons. This does nothing but make Josie more annoyed with Cooper.
Although Cooper drives Josie crazy, at first, I absolutely adored him from the start. There are so many moments that had me smiling because of Cooper’s teasing and Josie just getting annoyed.
Josie doesn’t like change, doesn’t take risks, and definitely doesn’t break the rules. Cooper comes off as an arrogant flirt, but really is just a charmingly confident guy who really wants to get to know Josie. Their story is so sweet and fun! I enjoyed watching her take a chance on something more and him totally adoring her. I also love the elements of faith and their friends and family. Sometimes Love Is Worth the Risk is certainly worth the read!
Some of my favorite things: Cooper's niece Ava and the rest of his family, Cooper's teasing, the shopping list, the pumpkin patch, the STEAM presentations, the elements of faith and God.
- Romcom - Flirty tease MMC - Rule following FMC - Neighbors & coworkers - Forbidden romance - He takes care of her - Secretly dating - Fun family & friends
Readers are swept into the warm, everyday charm of high school hallways and heartwarming chances. At the center of the story is Josie, a sweet and endearing math teacher whose dedication to her students and kindhearted nature make her instantly likable. She's content in her routine—single but surrounded by friends, papers to grade, and the familiar comfort of her classroom.
Enter Cooper Donahue, the mysterious and unexpectedly handsome new teacher across the hall. With his quiet confidence and goofy nature, Cooper is the kind of man who makes Josie pause. Their story takes off and you can’t put this book down.
Sometimes Love is Worth the Risk is a cozy, feel-good Christian romance that reminds us that the best love stories often begin in the most unexpected places—like across the hall.
When the “grumpy sunshine” trope is used, it’s typically a happy, go lucky FMC and an MMC who is quiet, broody and doesn’t fall all over himself for the FMC right away. Reverse grumpy sunshine, on the other hand, is often a normal, nice. regular MMC and a rude FMC who hates him for absolutely no reason at all. The MMC then has to somehow prove that he’s not an asshole because the FMC is irrational and ridiculous. Definitely sounds like he’s going to fall for that train wreck when he can have anyone he wants.
This is one of the sweetest and cleanest rom coms I’ve read in a long time! I loved every moment of it and couldn’t put the book down or stop smiling while reading it. The story was charming and very well written. I loved the character growth and especially loved how the author wove Christ into the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and wholesome book! I cannot wait for the second book!!
With this book, Laura Hawkins has moved into my "favorite author" list. This book was just what I needed to read. It was sweet, emery to lovers troupe, and becoming a brother in Christ story. He was a baseball celebrity and she was an energetic, Converse loving teacher, who became neighbors at school and at home. Any age can read this book and enjoy the blooming of a new relationship when the main characters were not looking for love. I highly recommend this book!
This may be my favorite book of the year! Wow! What a great story! It was a captivating fast paced read that was a great clean romance story. My favorite part was that the Gospel was shared in this story. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
If you’re looking for something funny, clean, and light then you need to read this!
I often like to read something more lighthearted after reading thrillers or books with heavier elements, and this hit the spot. The characters had personality, the plot wasn’t boring, and the romance was perfectly cheesy in the best ways!
I haven’t read many Christian Romances, an oh my gosh! This is BY FAR one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE books!!! I loved all of it BEGINNING TO END!!!! I cannot wait to read it again!!!
Clean, rom com. Christian, closed door. Cute relationship throughout. Love she’s a Middle TN author. One true kiss scene minimally described. The other kisses are simple.