It’s been seven years since Cody Jennings was left standing at the altar. He swore he’d never risk his heart again, throwing himself into the family guiding business and the safety of being single.
But on the anniversary of that heartbreak, a stranger walks into the only bar in Bellamy—a woman with bruises, a baby on the way, and nowhere to turn.
Cody offers her protection, shelter, nothing more. Just until she figures out her next move.
Except a few nights stretch into weeks when her baby comes early. And somewhere in the chaos—through sleepless nights, raw vulnerability, and the endless love and support of his family—their walls begin to fall.
Trust Me is a story where God’s grace weaves two damaged hearts together through faith, family, and a whole lot of love.
⭐️4 If Jordan writes it, I’ll read it! This book was just SO sweet! And where do I find a guy like Cody? He was so incredibly sweet and gentle with Karissa, always being there for her and checking in. Also the way he treated her baby?😭 It was the most precious thing ever!🥹 I loved how this book also carried themes of postpartum depression and anxiety and showed how much we need to rely on God and ask for help, and not deal with it all on our own, because the truth is that we can’t.🥰 this book is full of themes of trust, love, and learning how to continue being there for each other again and again, even if it’s hard.🩷
tropes: - strangers to friends to lovers - roommates - he takes care of her - pregnant heroine - not his baby - protective MMC - forced proximity - found family - cute baby - small town - dual pov
CW: mention of postpartum depression, anxiety, traumatic birth
CONTENT: - kisses and fade to black (between a married couple) and talk of s3x - 12 swear words (no f- words)
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“I just feel like I’m crumbling.” “You’re not. You’ve got me, you’ve got all of us.”
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In this moment, I can’t imagine a life without Cody in it. And a thought hits me—that someday, once I figure out where I’m going, Emma might never know the man who held her for the first few hours of her life while her mom was unconscious. The man who made sure I was okay before he even thought about himself. The man who wiped away my tears and told me it would be okay on more than one occasion. The man who showed up when he didn’t have to…and stayed when it would’ve been easier to walk away.
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If there’s anything I want in life, it’s to make sure she knows, without a shadow of a doubt, that with me, she’s always safe, loved, and wanted.
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I’d marry Cody in a parking lot, barefoot and in a dress I already owned, if it meant I got to be his. That’s how much I love him.
Oh wow! I was looking forward to this book and was not disappointed at all! Once again Jordan has written a heartfelt, faith-filled story that I did not want to put down! Cody and Karissa … From the moment they cross paths, there’s a connection that neither was looking for, but Gods plans were different. Cody steps up to help Karissa make a fresh start and he continues to do that over and over for her and her baby, with patience and care while leading her with faith in the midst of everything- exactly what she needs. I loved seeing their bond strengthen as they began to let each other in, both finding healing in the process. Such a beautiful story! This is the 3rd book in the series and while it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading from book one, and meeting the rest of the Jennings family along the way!
CW - traumatic birth - mention of anxiety - mention of postpartum depression.
This was my first read for the year and what a moving one it was!
This is, perhaps, one of the most tender romances I've read recently... and I was absolutely here for it. Seriously, the way that Cody steps in to care for Karissa (and her unborn baby) when they were very much still strangers? My goodness! How could you not just love these two together? I honestly don't tend to read a lot of pregnancy centered romance, but this one was done so well that it might have changed my mind. It truly brought tears to my eyes; it was so incredibly sweet. That doesn't mean they always got it right, though... which is one of the things that I enjoy most about Jordan's books. Her characters are imperfect characters, just doing their best to figure it all out. They point to God, but don't brush away the struggles that even Christians can face. There's something really refreshing in that and this book was another beautiful example of that. Postpartum depression is a big theme in this story. While I haven't struggled with PPD, I have struggled with depression and anxiety and feel like this is another thing that Jordan does really well- showing the realities of mental health struggles in a way that I feel like we need more of in Christian fiction. I've enjoyed all of Jordan's books, particularly in this series, but Cody and Karissa's is my favorite one yet.
Trust Me is a closed-door Christian romance with fade-to-black between a married couple. (There are mentions of prior intimacy outside of marriage but approached from a Biblical perspective- not glorified.) There is also some minor language throughout. This is the third book in the Jennings Family series, and while I think you could enjoy it as a standalone, I do think that those who have read the previous books will have a better understanding of family dynamics and appreciate the story most.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If Jordan Riley writes it, I’m reading it. Period.
Trust Me completely wrapped me up and refused to let go. This story is tender, emotional, and so deeply human. Cody is the kind of hero that makes you pause and think, this is what love is supposed to look like. Steady. Gentle. Present. He shows up over and over again — not because he has to, but because he chooses to.
Karissa’s journey felt raw and honest, especially in how the book handled postpartum depression and anxiety. It didn’t shy away from the hard moments, but instead showed how important it is to lean on others, to ask for help, and to trust that you don’t have to carry everything alone. The faith elements were beautifully woven in, reminding us that relying on God doesn’t mean weakness — it means surrender.
The way Cody cares for Karissa and her baby had my heart in pieces. Every small act of love, every moment of reassurance, every choice to stay when it would’ve been easier to walk away… it all added up to something incredibly powerful. This book is about trust, found family, healing, and learning how to choose love again and again — even when it’s messy and hard.
Tender, comforting, and quietly swoony, Trust Me is the kind of book that stays with you long after the last page.
Tropes & themes: • strangers to friends to lovers • roommates • he takes care of her • pregnant heroine • not his baby • protective MMC • forced proximity • found family • small town • dual POV
Trust Me follows Cody Jennings, a man still carrying the wounds of being left at the altar seven years earlier, and Karissa, a pregnant woman fleeing an abusive partner with nowhere to go. When Karissa shows up in Bellamy bruised, scared, and alone, Cody offers her a safe place to stay — just until she can figure out her next steps.
What really makes this story work is watching Cody and Karissa slowly lower their defenses. Their relationship doesn’t start with instant romance; instead, it grows through late-night conversations, shared responsibilities, and the vulnerability that comes with preparing for a baby together. I especially loved seeing how Cody’s family rallies around Karissa, making her feel protected and cared for at a time when she needed it most.
The faith element is woven naturally into the story, focusing on healing, forgiveness, and trusting God’s plan rather than feeling preachy. Watching Cody confront his past heartbreak while learning to open his heart again was emotionally satisfying, and Karissa’s strength in leaving an abusive situation and starting over was powerful.
I took off one star because there were moments I wished we’d gotten a little more inner conflict from Karissa, and a bit more page time for some of the secondary characters. Still, this was a heartfelt, tender story about second chances, found family, and learning to trust again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Every time this author releases a book, I’m reminded why I trust her stories completely. What I love most about her writing is how human her characters feel. They’re flawed, messy, and still figuring things out and that honesty is exactly what makes the story hit so hard. Nothing feels polished or unrealistic; it feels like real people learning how to love, heal, and show up for each other.
This story completely stole my heart. The relationship grows slowly and naturally, built on patience, safety, trust, and genuine care. Watching Cody step up not just for Karissa, but for her baby too was incredibly touching. The emotional themes were handled with so much compassion, especially the struggles with mental health and the reminder that we aren’t meant to carry everything alone. Faith, family, and trust are woven into the story in such a meaningful way, and it left me feeling comforted and hopeful by the end.
As an ARC reader, I can honestly say this was impossible to put down. The moments of warmth, the quiet support, the emotional growth and support, it all came together beautifully. This book is proof that imperfect characters can create the most powerful love stories, and that’s exactly why this author’s books stay with me long after I finish the last page.
The Jennings have become one of my favorite fictional families! Jordan has done an amazing job in writing Cody’s story. I have been so curious about his character specifically from what is shared in books 1 & 2 of the Jennings series.
Cody, the MMC, is a strong yet kind gentleman, humble, a family man, does what is right even when it’s hard.
Karissa, the FMC, is a strong, gentle, caring, brave even when she feels scared, single mother.
The way the Lord works never ceases to amaze me. It was by chance that Cody and Karissa met. And neither could have guessed that their loves would be forever changed. I really loved getting to know more of Cody’s story. I appreciate the way the story includes the struggles pregnant women can face. The way some men interact with a child that makes them a father. And the beauty and blessing of having a village behind you. I understand this is not something everyone has the option to have. And of course, little baby Emma and the rest of the Jennings family.
If you enjoy small town, romance, forced proximity, and family-oriented characters, you will enjoy this next installment in the Jennings series!
My review: Jordan has done it again! This book was absolutely amazing! Cody and Karissa were the sweetest! Cody is such a loving and protective guy! Oh my gosh he was amazing! I just can’t! I related so much with Karissa and her struggles with mental health, even though I’m not a mom. Jordan has done an amazing job with every one of her books and her characters growth! I love Emma so much! She is such a sweet baby! Seeing Cody interact with her and love her was the sweetest thing ever! I loved seeing all the other Jennings and seeing what happens after their books! This was one of those books that made me want to study my Bible even more, which is absolutely amazing! I cannot wait for this book to release so everyone can read it and for book 4’s cover and release date be announced!
Ratings: 6⭐️ there hasn’t been a Jordan Riley I haven’t rated below 5 ⭐️ and that says something about how amazing they are! Spice: 2.5🌶️ (multiple fade-to-black scenes between a married couple) Language: 🗣️ TW: Domestic abuse and assault. Traumatic childbirth. Postpartum depression and anxiety.
WOW. This was an absolute beautiful and well written book! Cody and Karissa’s story was emotional and I know it’s going to touch so many people. Karissa does battle with postpartum depression and anxiety, however it was written with such a care and understanding. Her character growth along with Cody’s protectiveness over both Karissa and her baby was so sweet to see. This story shows how much we need to rely on God and ask for help because we can’t do it all ourselves. One thing I really appreciate about Jordan’s writing (that seems to be a common thread in all her books) is how her characters actually communicate with each other and although they still mess up sometimes, they try and strive to seek the Lord first. Both of these factors are so refreshing to read.
Trust Me by Jordan Riley was the perfect addition to the Jennings Family series and definitely a must read!
Jordan Riley's writing is heartfelt and relatable, with just the right mix of emotion, humor, and Christian themes sprinkled throughout. It's perfect for readers looking for a sweet Christian romance, small-town setting, and meaningful character growth.
Arc review Get the tissues ready cause you're gonna need them as we get to know the newest members of the Jennings Family Series. It seems only fitting that it's the beginning of the year which means we all have a new TBR list that this has to be added to. It takes a village to raise a child and sometimes that village isn't always blood. Cody's the sweet, overprotective small town guy who's sworn off relationships. Karissa is the heavily pregnant brunette who's looking to escape her past all while getting ready to welcome the future. And of course we can't forget about adorable baby Emma who's brand new to this world and already so loved. I can say without a doubt this is a 10/10 * read for me and easily my favorite book so far as it reminds me so much of my own story. Get ready for #foundfamily, #slowburn, #cleanromance, #forcedproximity, #smalltown, not his baby and so much more. TW this book does contain mentions of domestic abuse and assault, birth trauma and postpartum depression and anxiety so readers please be mindful of your own mental health. I'm so excited this book is finally out in the world and can't wait for everyone to get their hands on it.
This book was okay. There were sections of the story that I liked, but overall, the story fell flat for me.
The writing kinda felt like someone’s scattered thoughts as opposed to the flow of a story being told, so it was hard to get behind. Also, the plot was so all over the place and felt redundant with the same issues and resolutions over and over again, with no real end in sight or climax of the story.
That being said, I was looking for an easy romance to read during a winter storm and this fit the bill. While I will say it’s not a fluffy rom com by any means, there were some sweet and wholesome moments between Karissa and Cody for sure which bumped up the rating! The author describes this book as a gritty Christian romance which I think is accurate - it’s mostly a story about healing from trauma and postpartum depression. There are some insinuated fade-to-back scenes within marriage, nothing really described at all.
I love how Cody trusted in God’s timing from the beginning. The way he prayed before eating was so attractive and showed how deeply he values a relationship with God. This book truly highlights the importance of waiting on God’s timing and trusting him in the midst of a storm. It was really sweet how supportive Cody was of Karissa’s craving for a graham cracker. And when he bought her a Bible? I couldn’t contain my smile. In that moment, I knew Cody would be one of my favorite fictional men. Karissa’s attempt to understand the Bible made the book incredibly personal to me, because even when I read it, I don’t always understand it either. Karissa’s journey felt so imperfect and raw. While reading this book, this song came into my mind, and I felt it was perfect for this story. Overall, this book was heartfelt, comforting, and inspiring, and I enjoyed every minute of reading it.
Wow this was such a beautiful book ! This is Cody and Karissa’s story . Cody meets Karissa and she’s pregnant and he helps her .she’s been in a relationship and it’s an abusive relationship. Cody is a tough guy but underneath a teddy bear and is there for her . They both have some issues to work out but they work on the together . There are some tough moments and Cody is there for her all the way . His family is there too his brothers and sister too. Some moments brought tears to my eyes , when the baby is born it bonds them even more . Just because he isn’t her real father doesn’t make him not her father . Thank you Jordan for the arc copy of the book I love the story and I will keep reading your books ❤️
Trigger warnings PPD PPA
Is a clean book and closed door and Christian book Protective hero Strangers to more Slow burn
I was fortunate enough to be an ARC reader for Trust Me and oh my goodness this book was fantastic! It was a fast paced read that I finished in one sitting. The banter was effortless, the swoon-worthy moments had me smiling nonstop, and the emotional depth truly stood out. Jordan’s writing is raw, honest, and beautifully real. I connected deeply with Carissa and her character felt genuine and relatable. Trust Me is a beautiful addition to the series, and I am already counting down the days until Mason and Meagan’s story. This is a book you don’t want to miss! Trust Me releases January 20th, and I couldn’t recommend it more! 💗
Trust Me was such a sweet, heartfelt story. I really loved the healing journey and watching them learn to trust and show up for each other after so much hurt. The faith, family, and grace woven throughout the story added so much warmth.
One of my favorite parts was the family aspect—getting to see all the siblings again and watching their relationships continue after the other books was super sweet and made the story feel even more special. The book was pretty fast-paced, which took a little adjustment at first, but overall this was a comforting, emotional read about love, healing, and learning to trust God through every season 🫶🏻
I love this series but this book is by far my favorite. Cody has been added to my book boyfriend list, Cody saw Karissa and he knew he had to help her and the way he stepped up for her. Karissa is pregnant and she just let her abusive ex and Cody was at the right place and the right time. Cody and Karissa are so perfect for together and I loved how he loved her baby as his own, I loved how Cody saw Karissa and how protective he is over her. Jordan you did an amazing job with this book and I can’t wait to Mason’s story. Thank You Jordan for letting me be part of the ARC team.
Cody Jennings: words of affirmation king 👑 Guys I actually thought this was really sweet!! I loved how real this felt. I love that these characters fight, and I loved how masculine Cody was in that he always took ownership over his wrongs and he knew how to love his woman👏🏼. Beautiful love story and the family dynamic is perfect. I LOOVVVEE the family banter it is everything!!
(Un)fortunately (it’s not really unfortunate coz Jesse is perfect but for the sake of the bit) Jesse still takes the crown for me. Never fear though, as Cody is right in second place. 🤸🏼♀️🤸🏼♀️🤸🏼♀️😛😛😛🤗🤗🤗😇😇😇💖💖💖💖
If I could rate this book higher, I would! This is my new favorite by Jordan! Being someone who had postpartum depression and anxiety, she wrote this story perfectly! Cody and Karissa were at the right spot at the right time. It shows just how much God wants us where he wants us and not where we want to be. It also shows that we don’t have to carry the heavy moments by ourselves. This book has brought all the feels, from crying to laughing! This is 100% a reread! 💕 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I always love Jordan Riley’s books, and Trust Me is no exception! Cody and Karissa are absolutely perfect for each other. Any woman would be lucky to have a man step up the way Cody did. I love feeling like I’m part of the Jennings family while following their journey. I felt a little bad for them when everyone else seemed to have exciting news at the same time and they didn’t feel like they could share theirs. But I’m so excited to see how their story continues!
I loved how Cody was always there for Karissa and Emma. It was so sweet and I could tell how much he cared about them. I really enjoyed getting to see Karissa's journey through post-partum and how she could lean on Cody's family for guidance and support.
tropes: - strangers to friends to lovers - roommates - he takes care of her - pregnant heroine - not his baby - protective MMC - forced proximity - found family - small town - dual pov
I had the pleasure of BETA reading this story for Jordan! This is probably by far my favorite book in this series!! Mason is the so kind and genuine! I love how he treats Karissa in this book, cares for her…provides for her….protects her! Karissa is such a relatable character, especially to readers who are new moms or just mothers who have been there ❤️
This book was such a cute sweet story. I fell in love with the characters and enjoyed watching them fall in love. I would definitely recommend this book.
Tropes - strangers to friends to lovers - roommates - he takes care of her - pregnant heroine - not his baby - protective MMC - forced proximity - found family - cute baby - small town - dual pov
This was my first time reading anything by Jordan, and I loved it. Her stories feel real; the struggles and how they overcome them are beautiful. The honesty about depression you could feel through the book. Everything about this book was good I will be reading more by Jordan. The playlist was on point!
Got the chance to read this before it has been published and I LOVED it. Read it in one day!! I love Jordan’s writing and how real she is. She wrote a perfect description of PPD. Loved Cody and Karissa’s story.
I loved it! I have truly felt so connected to the Jennings family through out the entire series. Jordan Riley has done a great job writing closed door contemporary romance. Ready for her next book to release!
I read the first two books in this series yesterday and couldn't put them down started this one today and again couldn't book it down. I love how Jordan incorporates faith and the characters are always so relatable. its a Christian Romance novel without all the smut.
If I could rate this book higher than a 5 star, I would! Cody and Karissa’s story is a beautiful example of what real love looks like. Not perfect, but full of compassion and understanding even through some of the most heart wrenching challenges.
Coming from an abusive relationship, then fresh into postpartum with trauma and learning to trust someone again. That’s powerful. You can tell these difficult topics were written about with grace and from a place of understanding.
I really enjoyed watching how Karissa’s faith developed over the course of the book. It’s such a real human struggle. Battling with your own mind, while trying to lean on God to get you through. Even if you aren’t quite sure how to do that yet.
Cody is one of my favorite MMCs of Jordan’s to date. The kindness he shows Karissa throughout the book and how he cares for her and for Emma as they navigate newborn life is so incredibly sweet.
I love all of Jordan Riley’s books, but this one really tugged at my heartstrings 🥹. I highly recommend reading!! Be prepared for happy tears and a longing to dive deeper into scripture.
- First Person, Dual POV - Contemporary Romance (with Christian themes) - Fade to Black Romance - some strong language used
Trust Me was my first experience with Jordan's writing and I have to say, I immensely enjoyed it.
This story was beautifully written and full of so much heart, some humor, and wonderfully genuine and imperfect characters. These characters were relatable. They had struggles and made mistakes just like we all do.
I absolutely loved Cody's family. They were constantly stepping up to help each other but there was also so much awesome family/sibling banter. And you know I can't get enough of those beautiful sibling bonds with a side of sarcasm and a whole lot of love. I definitely need to go back now and read the first two books in this series (it seemed to be fine as a standalone) because I'm not ready to be done with this family. They also shared their faith throughout the book, and turned to God when things were hard and heavy.
Trust Me was a really sweet and well written story. If you enjoy romance books with real people, real struggles, real pains, and a plethora of forgiveness and redemption then this one should be on your TBR.
I received an advanced review copy of this book. This review is my honest opinion and thoughts
This book was so good. I loved Karissa and Cody together. Cody was so sweet with Karissa while she was starting over and with her baby. I adored their faith, trust, and respect they had for each other. They had some amazing learning moments and strived to be the best they could be for their little family. The Jenning’s are some of my favorite characters and I cannot wait for Mason next! Five stars