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Off-Limits Love in Shenandoah
Not yet published
Expected 6 Mar 26Unrequited love isn't so bad. Lynette Manns would know. Her crush on Benjamin Painter is longstanding, like her entire life.
It's a shame Benjamin is seven years older than her, and also her brother's best friend.
Nothing can happen, but what if it did?
Coming late 2026
It's a shame Benjamin is seven years older than her, and also her brother's best friend.
Nothing can happen, but what if it did?
Coming late 2026
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 6, 2026
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 3, 2026
ARC Review:
This book is a perfect, lighthearted, fun and clean read. Olivia’s writing style flows well and is easy to read and her character development is relatable and believable. I enjoyed the outdoorsy, hiking and trail life aspect incorporated throughout the book. While lots of pining and repetition of unsureness about relationship status isn’t my first go to for reading—the book quickly resolved itself and had some other minor plot lines along the way. This was my first introduction to the West Virginia crew of friends and I was thankful for the advanced copy. 📚
This book is a perfect, lighthearted, fun and clean read. Olivia’s writing style flows well and is easy to read and her character development is relatable and believable. I enjoyed the outdoorsy, hiking and trail life aspect incorporated throughout the book. While lots of pining and repetition of unsureness about relationship status isn’t my first go to for reading—the book quickly resolved itself and had some other minor plot lines along the way. This was my first introduction to the West Virginia crew of friends and I was thankful for the advanced copy. 📚
Review of advance copy received from Author
Clean romcom recommendation: Off-Limits Love in Shenandoah by @oliviamccarthyauthor , releasing March 6th!
I was looking forward to Lynette's story after I met her and Ben in Olivia's book New River Gorge(ous), and I was so excited to finally read it!!! I immediately liked both Lynette and Ben, and the mutual pining as they fought their feelings for each other was so incredibly well done. The setting of the Appalachian Trail and especially Shenandoah National Park was so cool, and I learned a lot--now I kind of want to go out and hike the Trail myself! 😁 (I'd be nervous about bears and creepy strangers, though, so I'd prefer to have somebody with me--as Lynette finds in the story!)
Some favorite things:
🥾This quote. “Swoony butterflies are bad?” “When the reason for the swoony butterflies wants nothing to do with you, they are!”
🥾The goodbye scene in the garage (who knew packing boxes of socks could be so CUTE?)
🥾Lynette helping Fiona on the trail
🥾Ben showing up to protect Lynette
🥾Seeing Brooke and Beck from New River Gorge(ous)
🥾Logan being the overprotective brother (although he also drove me crazy keeping Ben and Lynette apart)
🥾Ben singing John Denver around the campfire
🥾Ben and Lynette talking about faith
🥾The CUTEST romantic scenes
🥾 Lynette's mom recognizing Ben from his footsteps in the next room!
The plot is well-done, the characters feel true to life, and the whole story has so much heart!!! Five stars--I loved it!!! And I can't wait to see more of some of these characters in Olivia's future books!
#ursiengebretsenauthor #cleanromanceauthor #catholicauthor
I was looking forward to Lynette's story after I met her and Ben in Olivia's book New River Gorge(ous), and I was so excited to finally read it!!! I immediately liked both Lynette and Ben, and the mutual pining as they fought their feelings for each other was so incredibly well done. The setting of the Appalachian Trail and especially Shenandoah National Park was so cool, and I learned a lot--now I kind of want to go out and hike the Trail myself! 😁 (I'd be nervous about bears and creepy strangers, though, so I'd prefer to have somebody with me--as Lynette finds in the story!)
Some favorite things:
🥾This quote. “Swoony butterflies are bad?” “When the reason for the swoony butterflies wants nothing to do with you, they are!”
🥾The goodbye scene in the garage (who knew packing boxes of socks could be so CUTE?)
🥾Lynette helping Fiona on the trail
🥾Ben showing up to protect Lynette
🥾Seeing Brooke and Beck from New River Gorge(ous)
🥾Logan being the overprotective brother (although he also drove me crazy keeping Ben and Lynette apart)
🥾Ben singing John Denver around the campfire
🥾Ben and Lynette talking about faith
🥾The CUTEST romantic scenes
🥾 Lynette's mom recognizing Ben from his footsteps in the next room!
The plot is well-done, the characters feel true to life, and the whole story has so much heart!!! Five stars--I loved it!!! And I can't wait to see more of some of these characters in Olivia's future books!
#ursiengebretsenauthor #cleanromanceauthor #catholicauthor
Review of advance copy received from Author
One piece of advice... don't start this book right before bed! I couldn't put it down! I read it in one sitting. Such an uplifting story. I loved the different POVs and the banter. The characters are so endearing and the friendships are strong. The HEA is hard fought but worth the wait.
Tropes: second chance love, "my wife", and only one tub
I DID have to look up what "the yips" are. LOL.
Also, make sure you visit the link at the end of the book for an extra chapter!
I received this book as an ARC in hopes of a review but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
clean reads | clean romcom | second chance love | witty banter | Shenandoah | Appalachian Trail | protective MMC | HEA
Tropes: second chance love, "my wife", and only one tub
I DID have to look up what "the yips" are. LOL.
Also, make sure you visit the link at the end of the book for an extra chapter!
I received this book as an ARC in hopes of a review but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
clean reads | clean romcom | second chance love | witty banter | Shenandoah | Appalachian Trail | protective MMC | HEA
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews