Code and Couture is a romantic story of fashion, faith, and finding your true purpose among everyone else's expectations. Amy Trinket's perfectly tailored life is unraveling. She allowed success and expectations to be defined by her mother, by society, and by an unspoken need for validation. But when she adjusts her priorities and has her questioning everything from her wardrobe to her ambitions, she resolves to learn the answers on her own. The last thing she expects is to find that her sister’s boss and best friend might hold the answer to all her personal and professional questions. Jason Miller walked away from the expectations that once defined him and programmed his own path. He understands Amy's need to make her own choices and commits to helping her, even when their undeniable chemistry threatens to blur the line of friendship. As Amy steps into the life she never expected to live, her new world collides with the one Jason left behind, leaving them both scrambling to decide what matters most when designing your future.
Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science but always knew she wanted to write. Kristi is an RWA Golden Heart contest winner, an ACFW Genesis contest winner, and a Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award for Excellence winner. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.
Oh y’all, you are in for a treat when you read Code and Couture by Kristi Ann Hunter! It took me zero time to get completely invested in Amy’s story – and Jason’s too – and I could not put down this book until I’d reached the last word. I giggled, I grinned, I swooned, and I even cried a little (because I really felt like I was living Amy & Jason’s lives along with them, thanks to the alternating first person POVs which were exactly right for this story). The romance between Amy and Jason is full of delicious tension and suppressed longing … and some yummy kisses, too! And whew, I loved it. I loved THEM. From the moment Jason saves her from the first time guest kiosk and tunes in to her anxiety and insecurity over being in church – and she lets him – I was a goner for these two. Getting to know each of them only cemented my ‘team Amy & Jason’ support and, goodness, I felt their chemistry sparking right off the page. At the same time, there is such a sweetness and innocence to their romance even with that level of electricity between them.
BUT… brace yourselves… that’s not even my favorite part of Code and Couture. (I know, right?) Don’t get me wrong: the romcom elements in this story are *chef’s kiss* and made my KissingBooks-loving heart oh so happy. But, as someone who worked for over 10 years with people who were entering a church (any church) for the very first time in their lives and were trying to figure out this Jesus thing, my absolute favorite part of Code and Couture is how perfectly Kristi Ann Hunter captured Amy’s journey. A new believer, Amy completely won my heart with her earnest desire to ‘get it right’ and her equally sincere thoughts on church culture. Her first experience with the sacrament of Communion had me (and Jason) in tears of laughter because it’s so spot-on from my experience with others taking it for the first time, and I believe that kind of clueless-but-sincere response tickles Jesus too because He sees that authentic heart and loves them so dearly. It also serves as a wonderful reminder to those of us who grew up in church and assume that everyone knows why we stand up in certain parts of the service (without being told to do so) or what ‘the elements’ are or all these other things that are second nature to us but very odd and confusing for those new to church and new to Jesus. May we all be more like Jason when we see an Amy floundering.
Bottom Line: Code and Couture by Kristi Ann Hunter delivers a delightful and spark-filled romantic comedy while also offering a moving and authentic portrayal of a new believer finding her footing in faith and church life. Equal parts funny, tender, and thought-provoking, this story leaves you swooning with its love story even as it challenges longtime Christians to notice and support those bravely stepping into unfamiliar territory. The author’s writing voice is pitch-perfect for this story and instantly made care about the engaging characters and their journeys. With irresistible chemistry, giggle-out-loud humor, and a thoughtful exploration of faith, Code and Couture is romcom gold.
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I purchased for my own collection.)
4.5 stars Taking off half a star because I'm so not into the opposite sex best friend scene as a backdrop. However, I was pretty impressed by the faith theme for a rom-com in this book. I really enjoyed watching Amy's faith grow in really practical ways. I was impressed that Emma did get called out on how her relationship with Jason needed to change now that she had a boyfriend and also that it was obvious how unhealthy Emma and Jason's "best friendship" really had become. This is one of the healthiest light fiction, Christian romance books I've read. Thumbs up.
It's deeper than Pixels & Paint, and I enjoyed Pixels & Paint more, but I am still glad that I read Code & Couture.
I like the characters, enjoyed the storyline, and loved how the characters from the first book still played a significant part in this book. It's always nice to see a continuing storyline.
It does have spiritual depth, a few humorous moments, and I do sometimes want to shake the two main characters, so overall I do recommend reading both the Trinket Sisters tales.
This was a fun romcom! Watching Amy figure out her new life as a Christian was both amusing and something to keep in mind when meeting people who didn't grow up in church culture--there really are a lot of things that churchgoers instinctively do that are a mystery to others (and frankly, I totally get her response to the styrofoam communion wafers--who makes them? Why are they so terrible?). In spite of the humor and fun moments, it also hit hard emotionally in the climax (apparently I was pretty invested at that point, based on the tears). I enjoyed both leads, and in spite of having almost nothing in common with Amy, I absolutely get where she's coming from in trying to figure things out on her own and avoiding her sister's overenthusiastic help. Her avoidance behavior in situations where she is uncomfortable is absolutely something I would do.
It was a great story! I'd recommend reading Pixels and Paint first for a deeper dive into Amy and Emma's relationship; they come pretty far over the course of the first book.
Cute story with fun characters. Kristi Ann Hunter is a master at taking an unlikeable secondary character from a previous book and causing readers to like and cheer for her (Georgina from the Hawthorne House series, I'm looking at you!). In Pixels and Paint, I did NOT like Amy, the sister who is all about fashion and image and being seen. However, in this book, Ms. Hunter managed to make Amy a multi-faceted person who is striving to learn how to live now that she has become a Christian. I loved how she spontaneously helped the lady at church to feel more confident. This book includes plenty of Ms. Hunter's trademark humor and wit.
The reason I gave 4 1/2 stars rather than 5 is that there were several typos and incorrect names (somehow Michael's wife's name changed from Veronica to Michelle from page 146 to page 168, although Michael was dating Victoria in Pixels and Paint...unless there are three minor characters named Michael in this series?) This might seriously bother some readers, but I was interested enough in the story that it wasn't a huge concern to me.
Since the series is called "Trinket Sisters," I have to assume that Ms. Hunter is finished with it. However, I'd love to read more about their mom and/or Aunt Jade and see them come to Christ (and maybe find some romance along the way).
Kristi's characters are never perfect but very human. They get themselves into humorous predicaments or make us want to offer them a little advice. In Trinket Sisters #2 we see Amy struggle with lifestyle changes of becoming a new creation in Christ. Old friendships and activities no longer feel comfortable. She's been groomed her whole life by her mother to be a social climber and to think too highly of appearance. Amy's becoming aware of people her mother sees as beneath her. Jason is also feeling changes. His come from changes as his friends marry or get engaged and his social life is no longer the same. Couples become busy being couples. As Jason's best friend since college and then his employee, Emma Trinkett knows he comes from a wealthy, influential family he purposefully keeps in the background. Too many people in the past wanted to use him to meet his family. Emma is just sure Amy and Jason can't be good for each other. Things aren't going to always go smoothly but that's why we all need grace.
I’m so sad. I’ve been looking forward to this book for two years and the premise is good but it reads as a rough draft, needs heavy editing and felt like the author wasn’t sure which direction she wanted to go with certain topics. A character I have loved since the first book is utterly ruined in my opinion by being randomly uncharacteristically cruel at around the 75% mark and with absolutely no apology to the point that I was actually hoping the FMC would end up with someone else. Some main focal points had no conclusion (the app?!). I did enjoy a few bits and pieces, game night was so much fun and it really has potential hence the 2 stars. I wish the author would revisit and get an editor and maybe a beta reader or two.
Also I say all this in love because I understand how hard it is to write a book, and none of this is to hurt anyone’s feelings. It’s really hard for me to write a review like this but it’s not fair to other readers if I’m not honest.
Second in The Trinket Sisters series, Code and Couture by Kristi Ann Hunter exceeded my expectations! Seriously, this story made me so happy! Both of the MCs are hovering around 30, and are business owners, so they are more grounded and self aware. Their Points of View really took us into their heads and hearts. I loved how the FMC, Amy, is learning to "be" a Christian - to not get burdened down by rules and meld the old Amy with the new. Jesus changes her priorities, and that's the best confidence booster of all.
Family relationships and friendships are explored and strengthened.
I love how the relationship happened and matured. Pre-conceived notions had to be left behind. Dying to self, considering another's best interests is a pivotal part of this story. I even cried. This is a top notch RomCom, and I highly recommend it! After you read Pixels and Paint, of course!
This was such a great read with lots of profound moments, too. As someone who became a believer in Jesus as a child, I love hearing stories of people who accepted Christ as an adult. Amy’s journey is full of relatable and encouraging moments as she walks out her faith journey. And I loved seeing Emma and Carter again. Jason is a sweetheart even though I wanted to smack him several times, he makes up for it in the end lol.
Kristi Ann Hunter is the queen of side-characters-that-need-their-own-book-because-you-fall-in-love-with-them-too. Why yes, I did just make that title up but it stands! I really hope Robert gets his own book, and maybe Sydney, too!!
I think I'm just not a contemporary romance girlie. I thought maybe one of my favorite modern authors could change my mind, but it's just not my favorite. I do have to say that this was far better than most contemporary Christian romance, but I still kind of don't get the point.
I did love the twist, though. I enjoyed that moment immensely. Everything before and after was just sort of average for me though. And...it could have used a proofread. Lots of missing words, extra letters at the end of words, one word missing an 'l' that completely changed the meaning. Oof, it was distracting.
the Trinket sisters are back with more wit and fun
Amy Trinket cannot be more different from her sister Emma, but her story is just as much a treat to read as Pixels and Paint is. Amy is quite the fashionista, but when she makes life changes and see how the world around her reacts to them it is a delightful and engaging tale of a surprising love interest and how fashion can make a difference in life. I didn’t stop reading until I reached the end, and it deserves all of its five stars.
I will admit that it took me a few chapters to like this book, but by the end I was cheering for Amy and Jason. This story is predominantly about Amy’s faith journey and discovering her relationship with God. There are fancy shindigs, flirting and plenty of talk about clothing, but the story is really about religion. That being said, I love where this went and how it got there. Life is about discovering your gifts and how to use them to help those around you. Amy is able to do exactly that and it is wonderful to see. And of course, the romance between Jason and Amy is pretty spectacular!
I've been waiting so long for this book to come out!! I loved the angst, forgiveness, family dynamics, and faith walks in this book. The story of grace woven through every aspect is thrilling and comforting! I can't wait to go read Emma's story again so I can reread this one again!
I highly recommend Kristi Ann Hunter's second contemporary novel in the Trinket Sisters series. I appreciated the character siblings Amy and Emma's relationship. I also really liked the witty repartee between Amy and Jason.
This was a great book! I enjoyed the characters, the storyline and the humour. I bought the Kindle edition through Amazon and it was a bargain for how much enjoyment I gained from it. Thank you Kristi Ann Hunter. Please write more.
I loved seeing Amy and Jason's story but also getting more of Emma and Carter's story. Brilliant characters and as usual a wonderful story that made me think about gifts we can share as Christians in a new way.
This was such a fun, sweet, romantic story about real people trying to figure out life. Easy read, likable characters, swoony moments, lots of growing and becoming better versions of yourself. I really enjoyed it.