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Nantucket Love Story #1
If for Any Reason
Emily Ackerman has traveled the world, her constant compass and companion a book of letters her mother left for her when she died. With no father in the picture, her mom's advice has been her only true north. But when professional failure leads Emily back to Nantucket to renovate and sell the family cottage she inherited, she wonders if her mom left advice to cover this . . . especially when her grandmother arrives to "supervise." And especially when her heart becomes entangled with Hollis McGuire, the boy next door-turned-baseball star who's back on the island after a career-ending injury.
As sparks fly between her and Hollis, Emily is drawn to island life, even as she uncovers shocking secrets about the tragic accident that led to her mother's death. With her world turned upside down, Emily must choose between allowing the voices from her past to guide her future or forging her own path forward.
As sparks fly between her and Hollis, Emily is drawn to island life, even as she uncovers shocking secrets about the tragic accident that led to her mother's death. With her world turned upside down, Emily must choose between allowing the voices from her past to guide her future or forging her own path forward.
408 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2020
453 people are currently reading
4237 people want to read
About the author
Courtney Walsh
38 books5,057 followersCourtney Walsh is a novelist, theatre director, and playwright. She writes small town romance and women's fiction while juggling the performing arts studio and youth theatre she owns and runs with her husband. Her debut, A Sweethaven Summer, hit the New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller lists. Her novel, Just Let Go, won the Carol Award in 2019 and Just One Kiss was a 2020 Christy Award Finalist.
A creative at heart, Courtney has also written two craft books and several full-length musicals. She lives in Illinois with her husband and three children and a sometimes naughty Bernedoodle named Luna.
Visit her online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com.
A creative at heart, Courtney has also written two craft books and several full-length musicals. She lives in Illinois with her husband and three children and a sometimes naughty Bernedoodle named Luna.
Visit her online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 437 reviews
July 6, 2024
A hopeful, delightful story. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Emily is the main character, and she has a treasure. Her late mother wrote her a series of letters with guidance on life. She needs the letters now more than ever as she travels to Nantucket to prepare the family’s cottage for sale. Her neighbor is a former baseball star who had a serious injury.
My favorite aspect of all was the characters. Emily felt like she could be any one of us, and her story is ultimately heartwarming. I adore hopeful stories and this one is filled with hope, healing, and love. The most touching thing of all was the letters from Isabelle, Emily’s mom. This sweet book left me feeling inspired and uplifted afterwards, and who doesn’t need more of that?!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Emily is the main character, and she has a treasure. Her late mother wrote her a series of letters with guidance on life. She needs the letters now more than ever as she travels to Nantucket to prepare the family’s cottage for sale. Her neighbor is a former baseball star who had a serious injury.
My favorite aspect of all was the characters. Emily felt like she could be any one of us, and her story is ultimately heartwarming. I adore hopeful stories and this one is filled with hope, healing, and love. The most touching thing of all was the letters from Isabelle, Emily’s mom. This sweet book left me feeling inspired and uplifted afterwards, and who doesn’t need more of that?!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
December 31, 2021
Emily is one of those heroines that only exist in romance literature. She is in her late twenties and has never had a relationship longer than three months. That's not the unreal thing. The unreal thing is that she explicitly throws guys over at that point so they don't get attached. No word about her getting attached herself because she won't. Because her mother left her letters written while she grew up telling her to be careful who you trust so you don't get disappointed. So essentially, the author is claiming that her mom dying when she was eleven and then being raised by her grandparents with the extra input of these letters left her a relatiopath who would never look for intimacy, trust, or even friendship. For nigh twenty years?
This is not a normal person. And it'd be fine if you were writing a romance featuring someone emotionally idiosyncratic such that this could be a thing. But for most people, that yearning for connection, to be understood, to share secrets, and to form intimate relationships (I'm not talking sex here, just the emotional relatedness to others) is relentless. Think about your own life. Think about every connection you made in your late teens and twenties. And imagine shutting down every single one that threatened to be real. This might actually work if you posit a few that you took a chance on that burned you. Frankly, that's not even unlikely or rare. But to have someone who has been completely closed off and never accepted any close connections at all is . . . uninteresting, is probably the nicest way I can say it.
For me, at any rate. So I can't buy Emily, and that's before you understand that this is a ginormous negative motivation* that's going to slog the plot down while we're at it.
And then the author skips back in time to give us a couple of scenes of Emily's mother falling for a guy who is eventually going to leave her a single mother, including both hers and his PoV. Which further snaps us out of the story and breaks into itty bitty shards what little pace we've managed to establish. And don't get me started on meeting a guy who will almost certainly turn out to be her father and I couldn't take it any more. It's like the author realized that she'd dragged the pace down to nothing so threw in a bit of red meat to draw readers back in.
Sigh. If you like the overworked drama and are looking to tie into a message of faith while you're at it, this might very well hit the spot. I can see the setup for lots of earnestness and a sideways sermon or two that will satisfy some readers very well. I am, unfortunately, not one of those.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
This is not a normal person. And it'd be fine if you were writing a romance featuring someone emotionally idiosyncratic such that this could be a thing. But for most people, that yearning for connection, to be understood, to share secrets, and to form intimate relationships (I'm not talking sex here, just the emotional relatedness to others) is relentless. Think about your own life. Think about every connection you made in your late teens and twenties. And imagine shutting down every single one that threatened to be real. This might actually work if you posit a few that you took a chance on that burned you. Frankly, that's not even unlikely or rare. But to have someone who has been completely closed off and never accepted any close connections at all is . . . uninteresting, is probably the nicest way I can say it.
For me, at any rate. So I can't buy Emily, and that's before you understand that this is a ginormous negative motivation* that's going to slog the plot down while we're at it.
And then the author skips back in time to give us a couple of scenes of Emily's mother falling for a guy who is eventually going to leave her a single mother, including both hers and his PoV. Which further snaps us out of the story and breaks into itty bitty shards what little pace we've managed to establish. And don't get me started on meeting a guy who will almost certainly turn out to be her father and I couldn't take it any more. It's like the author realized that she'd dragged the pace down to nothing so threw in a bit of red meat to draw readers back in.
Sigh. If you like the overworked drama and are looking to tie into a message of faith while you're at it, this might very well hit the spot. I can see the setup for lots of earnestness and a sideways sermon or two that will satisfy some readers very well. I am, unfortunately, not one of those.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
August 19, 2023
This is a great summer beach read!
Set on an island in Nantucket, we follow a girl who goes to inspect the cottage she inherited from her grandpa.
Her old flame from childhood is there and happens to live next door!
I liked the characters and how they were written with depth and real life problems.
The romance was slow burn and involved a lot of personal heated discussions before anything physical happened.
There was some serious family scandal and drama in this book! It was entertaining for sure.
Didn’t give me the five star feeling. The romance didn’t take it there.
It was clean and there was one use of the a** word.
Set on an island in Nantucket, we follow a girl who goes to inspect the cottage she inherited from her grandpa.
Her old flame from childhood is there and happens to live next door!
I liked the characters and how they were written with depth and real life problems.
The romance was slow burn and involved a lot of personal heated discussions before anything physical happened.
There was some serious family scandal and drama in this book! It was entertaining for sure.
Didn’t give me the five star feeling. The romance didn’t take it there.
It was clean and there was one use of the a** word.
February 5, 2020
The thing I most found interesting in If For Any Reason is the letters Emily carries from her mom. As a mom, I’m always fascinated by what kind of legacy other moms are leaving for their children. I have a notebook I write into for my boys, but not like Emily’s mom. Still, I loved seeing how Emily treasured these, how they effected her life, and the new insight she gained when her past came forward.
In true Courtney Walsh style, this book hits on a lot of heartache we go through. But there’s always growth, a romance to make you smile, and an ending that gives you the hope that life will get better.
If you’re a fan of Ms. Walsh, you won’t be disappointed. If you’re looking at checking out one of her books, give If For Any Reason a try. There are many insights to glean while reading.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.
In true Courtney Walsh style, this book hits on a lot of heartache we go through. But there’s always growth, a romance to make you smile, and an ending that gives you the hope that life will get better.
If you’re a fan of Ms. Walsh, you won’t be disappointed. If you’re looking at checking out one of her books, give If For Any Reason a try. There are many insights to glean while reading.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.
July 9, 2020
Like usual for this kind of book, this was a sweet love story and a charming tale of overcoming adversity. If you've read a lot of Christian romances, you know what to expect, and that's what you get here.
June 5, 2020
This book really resonated with me. While is started slowly, I came to appreciate how the author took her time to set up the characters, their stories, and the significance of the Nantucket summer setting and the memories it held for the characters. As the second half of the novel starts, the book really packed on the emotional punches. It was about difficult relationships and learning about unthinkable truths that turn your world upside down. It’s about the desire to belong. I really appreciated that not everything was tied up in a pretty bow at the end of the book. A few relationships are left on unsteady ground, in that uncomfortable space where you’re not sure if everything will work out how you want it to. This is so true to life, which is why I appreciated the honesty of leaving those relationships in the in-between space where fractures still exist. And I loved the love interest, Hollis. He’s the type of book hero I like reading about: caring, steadfast, never giving up on the woman he loves and will to stay and fight for the relationship. A truly touching novel.
February 15, 2020
Delightful novel!
My engagement grew as the pages continued to turn. There are several wonderful themes in the novel including the relationship between fathers and daughters, fight or flight in the tough times and the importance put on money.
All of the main characters were lovable and well written. If for Any Reason made my heart sing.
My engagement grew as the pages continued to turn. There are several wonderful themes in the novel including the relationship between fathers and daughters, fight or flight in the tough times and the importance put on money.
All of the main characters were lovable and well written. If for Any Reason made my heart sing.
November 13, 2020
Age Appropriate For: 18 and up. This story is about two different people dealing with the aftermath of a pregnancy out of wedlock and raising those children.
Best for Ages: 18 and up
I have to start by saying that the narrator for this book, Hannah Cabell, added so much to the enjoyment of this story. Her narration was so good, I would give her five stars almost on her own. I would love to listen to more read by her.
Courtney Walsh is a solid author. I don’t always love her books, but I have yet to read one that I hated. She has a skill, writes realistic stories, and her faith shines through. This book has been my favorite by her so far. As both a reader and an author, I was amazed at how she mixed three different threads of the story (Emily’s, her mother’s, and the letters from her mother to her) so well. It wasn’t simply switching back and forth, it was pieced together like a patchwork quilt, a very well done, beautiful quilt. This book shows some serious skills.
Now, the story was full of flawed people struggling, trying to do what is right, and failing sometimes. Hollis has a daughter from a one-night stand and Emily’s own mother hadn’t been married. We get to discover more about her mother’s story as the book progresses. Honestly, I felt Walsh did a fantastic job covering a very sticky issue. She didn’t sugarcoat it. People made big mistakes and life is messy.
The faith element in this one I felt was handled well. It felt very natural and I like how it influenced the characters in the end. There were a couple of points I wish it had been a little more a part of the conversation, but again, it fits the characters so well it was hard to complain.
Speaking of the characters, I just adored all of them. They felt real, lifelike, and I loved each of them. Emily was my favorite.
I could go on about this story, but I think I will leave it at that and say that I highly recommend this book for adults who like realistic situations, unique storytelling, and lovable characters.
Best for Ages: 18 and up
I have to start by saying that the narrator for this book, Hannah Cabell, added so much to the enjoyment of this story. Her narration was so good, I would give her five stars almost on her own. I would love to listen to more read by her.
Courtney Walsh is a solid author. I don’t always love her books, but I have yet to read one that I hated. She has a skill, writes realistic stories, and her faith shines through. This book has been my favorite by her so far. As both a reader and an author, I was amazed at how she mixed three different threads of the story (Emily’s, her mother’s, and the letters from her mother to her) so well. It wasn’t simply switching back and forth, it was pieced together like a patchwork quilt, a very well done, beautiful quilt. This book shows some serious skills.
Now, the story was full of flawed people struggling, trying to do what is right, and failing sometimes. Hollis has a daughter from a one-night stand and Emily’s own mother hadn’t been married. We get to discover more about her mother’s story as the book progresses. Honestly, I felt Walsh did a fantastic job covering a very sticky issue. She didn’t sugarcoat it. People made big mistakes and life is messy.
The faith element in this one I felt was handled well. It felt very natural and I like how it influenced the characters in the end. There were a couple of points I wish it had been a little more a part of the conversation, but again, it fits the characters so well it was hard to complain.
Speaking of the characters, I just adored all of them. They felt real, lifelike, and I loved each of them. Emily was my favorite.
I could go on about this story, but I think I will leave it at that and say that I highly recommend this book for adults who like realistic situations, unique storytelling, and lovable characters.
March 7, 2020
If For Any Reason is a story of belonging and changing dreams told through a romance and friendship in the ideal setting of Nantucket. Themes of grace and honesty permeate the world Emily and Hollis find themselves in — literally and figuratively. As they deal with some hard things life has thrown at them, they must find the grace to work out their faith and relationship with God while a tentative connection grows between them.
Courtney Walsh excels at writing stories that blend one part women’s fiction with two parts romance and charm! She manages to include deep themes with endearing characters that stir empathy and thought in the heart of a reader. This story is another prime example, with the spark-laden friendship between Emily and Hollis developing naturally. And, Courtney takes a delicate situation and portrays it with compassion and grace, yet still depicts it appropriately with its consequences and fallout.
The romance between Hollis and Emily feels so realistic. They are simply captivated by each other, but it’s not a superficial connection — both characters are mature, both are intentional in their friendship, even if it scares them to be so vulnerable. I especially like one of the decisions Hollis makes (insert heart eyes HERE) at a moment when Emily needs space for clarity.
This review would not be complete without a paragraph devoted to Hollis’s daugther, Jolie, AKA JoJo. This girl steals every scene she’s in! She has so much spunk and acts exactly her age. I liked that she has a voice and an opinion that matters to the adults around her. It’s great to see a bright character like her add such pivotal value to a story.
One more thing I really enjoyed about this story was its inclusion of letters and a few short flashback scenes. These fill in some blanks of the deeper themes and relate things like grief, family, and the resounding impact of choices in a wonderful story device.
I’m looking forward to more stories in this series set on Nantucket, a place I have just added to my must-visit travel list!
Thanks to Tyndale for the review copy. This is my honest review.
Courtney Walsh excels at writing stories that blend one part women’s fiction with two parts romance and charm! She manages to include deep themes with endearing characters that stir empathy and thought in the heart of a reader. This story is another prime example, with the spark-laden friendship between Emily and Hollis developing naturally. And, Courtney takes a delicate situation and portrays it with compassion and grace, yet still depicts it appropriately with its consequences and fallout.
The romance between Hollis and Emily feels so realistic. They are simply captivated by each other, but it’s not a superficial connection — both characters are mature, both are intentional in their friendship, even if it scares them to be so vulnerable. I especially like one of the decisions Hollis makes (insert heart eyes HERE) at a moment when Emily needs space for clarity.
This review would not be complete without a paragraph devoted to Hollis’s daugther, Jolie, AKA JoJo. This girl steals every scene she’s in! She has so much spunk and acts exactly her age. I liked that she has a voice and an opinion that matters to the adults around her. It’s great to see a bright character like her add such pivotal value to a story.
One more thing I really enjoyed about this story was its inclusion of letters and a few short flashback scenes. These fill in some blanks of the deeper themes and relate things like grief, family, and the resounding impact of choices in a wonderful story device.
I’m looking forward to more stories in this series set on Nantucket, a place I have just added to my must-visit travel list!
Thanks to Tyndale for the review copy. This is my honest review.
February 1, 2020
4.5 Stars
A beautifully written story that takes you on an incredible journey of discovery, healing and hope.
So clever the way the plot intertwined. I enjoyed all the aspects. I couldn’t resist the cover, I mean a gorgeous Nantucket beach, and a cottage that is in need of transformation- it’s not lost on me that the owner of the house is in desperate need of it herself. Almost everyone has some unresolved business that has to be challenged- and all the way throughout, an insight into the authors own real life world of theater production. That was a fun element I really enjoyed.
Descriptive enough, not over powering I was sucked right into this story. Plenty of tension, mystery regarding the truth that has eluded Emily since the death of her mother.
I also enjoy the non-overbearing way the text inspires and lifts without being preachy. A fantastic Christian Fiction read.
Thanks to Tyndale House & Netgalley for the eARC. This is my honest review.
A beautifully written story that takes you on an incredible journey of discovery, healing and hope.
So clever the way the plot intertwined. I enjoyed all the aspects. I couldn’t resist the cover, I mean a gorgeous Nantucket beach, and a cottage that is in need of transformation- it’s not lost on me that the owner of the house is in desperate need of it herself. Almost everyone has some unresolved business that has to be challenged- and all the way throughout, an insight into the authors own real life world of theater production. That was a fun element I really enjoyed.
Descriptive enough, not over powering I was sucked right into this story. Plenty of tension, mystery regarding the truth that has eluded Emily since the death of her mother.
I also enjoy the non-overbearing way the text inspires and lifts without being preachy. A fantastic Christian Fiction read.
Thanks to Tyndale House & Netgalley for the eARC. This is my honest review.
February 9, 2020
The book is a sweet story of blending the past with the present. It is a story of personal growth, hope, understanding and forgiveness. While the storyline is somewhat predictable , it really doesn’t take away from experiencing Emily’s journey to self-fulfillment. I appreciated the Christian undertones to the book which added a special element. My favourite part of the book are the letters Emily receives from her late mother Isabelle, as well as Isabelle’s own story of falling in love.
I recommend this book to fans of Christian fiction and PG Romance.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Tyndall House Publishers for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.
I recommend this book to fans of Christian fiction and PG Romance.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Tyndall House Publishers for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.
February 3, 2020
Originally posted on Inkwell Inspirations
Courtney Walsh takes readers on a breathtaking journey to the beautiful island of Nantucket in her latest contemporary romance novel, If for Any Reason. After inheriting her late grandfather’s house, Emily Ackerman returns to Nantucket for the first time in eighteen years and reconnects with her childhood friend, now former professional baseball player, Hollis McGuire. Emily’s time on the island unexpectedly leads to answers about her mother’s death years before as she embarks on a journey that will change her life forever.
Courtney Walsh’s passion for theatre definitely shines through in this novel as former Broadway performer Emily Ackerman finds herself in charge of the Nantucket children’s theatre production. Readers who share in the author’s love for theatre will delight in those aspects of the storyline.
One of my favorite parts of If for Any Reason is Emily’s late mother Isabelle’s story. Throughout several chapters of the novel, readers are taken back to the years between 1989 to 2001 to Isabelle’s teenage and younger adult years. The letters that Isabelle wrote to her young daughter are touching and filled with the love and wisdom that only a mother can give. If for Any Reason is highly recommended for readers of contemporary romance, especially readers who have a passion for theatre.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Courtney Walsh takes readers on a breathtaking journey to the beautiful island of Nantucket in her latest contemporary romance novel, If for Any Reason. After inheriting her late grandfather’s house, Emily Ackerman returns to Nantucket for the first time in eighteen years and reconnects with her childhood friend, now former professional baseball player, Hollis McGuire. Emily’s time on the island unexpectedly leads to answers about her mother’s death years before as she embarks on a journey that will change her life forever.
Courtney Walsh’s passion for theatre definitely shines through in this novel as former Broadway performer Emily Ackerman finds herself in charge of the Nantucket children’s theatre production. Readers who share in the author’s love for theatre will delight in those aspects of the storyline.
One of my favorite parts of If for Any Reason is Emily’s late mother Isabelle’s story. Throughout several chapters of the novel, readers are taken back to the years between 1989 to 2001 to Isabelle’s teenage and younger adult years. The letters that Isabelle wrote to her young daughter are touching and filled with the love and wisdom that only a mother can give. If for Any Reason is highly recommended for readers of contemporary romance, especially readers who have a passion for theatre.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
June 25, 2024
Emily returns to Nantucket kind of lost and unsettled. She reunites unexpectedly with her childhood best friend and he is able to get her to open up like she hasn't with anyone else in years. Hollis' 12 year old daughter is staying with him, and he is struggling to connect with her, but she automatically connects with Emily. We follow these characters as they live their lives and try to figure out their next path. I really enjoyed the way the story was told with a mix of present day, flashbacks sharing Emily's parents' story and letters to Emily from her mom. While I enjoyed the interactions of Hollis and Emily and any Jolie scenes, I was engrossed in the flashback scenes the most. We know early on they didn't get a happy ending but I was so drawn into their story. There is some family drama and a scandal revealed. Is all revealed and can peace be found? I enjoyed following these characters and I especially liked how Hollis' parents and siblings welcomed Emily back into their family fold even after so many years away. There were times I did find the story dragged a bit that my attention drifted easily.
February 24, 2020
If for any reason, you want to be transported to sunny, idyllic Nantucket beaches - then read this book.
If for any reason, a long-ago accident with mysterious circumstances piques your interest - I recommend this one.
If for any reason, you love a juicy family drama with realistic, relatable flawed characters - this one’s for you.
If for any reason, second chances, forgiveness and a Hallmark-esque story warms your heart - dig into this book.
So many reasons!
If for any reason, a long-ago accident with mysterious circumstances piques your interest - I recommend this one.
If for any reason, you love a juicy family drama with realistic, relatable flawed characters - this one’s for you.
If for any reason, second chances, forgiveness and a Hallmark-esque story warms your heart - dig into this book.
So many reasons!
April 29, 2020
4.5 stars (No Spoilers!)
This book took me longer to read than any novel ever should. Why? I totally savored every second and every minute of every day on Nantucket Island—with its small town charm, cozy beach cottages, cobblestone streets, seashells, and pounding surf—and quite frankly I didn't care to leave. Oh, and don't let me forget to add a certain heart-throbbing ex-baseball player to the mix!
Hollis McGuire is everything good book heroes are made of...sensitive, kind, attentive, and having nice biceps and striking good looks didn't hurt a bit either! ;) But, and it's a big BUT, Emily Ackerman and I didn't connect very well. And she certainly gave Hollis a run for his money! I absolutely loved the dual timeline which takes us back in time to Isabelle's romance, Emily's adorable mom. Filled with angst a'plenty, searing kisses, and family secrets...be sure not to miss out on this amazing summer read!
This book took me longer to read than any novel ever should. Why? I totally savored every second and every minute of every day on Nantucket Island—with its small town charm, cozy beach cottages, cobblestone streets, seashells, and pounding surf—and quite frankly I didn't care to leave. Oh, and don't let me forget to add a certain heart-throbbing ex-baseball player to the mix!
Hollis McGuire is everything good book heroes are made of...sensitive, kind, attentive, and having nice biceps and striking good looks didn't hurt a bit either! ;) But, and it's a big BUT, Emily Ackerman and I didn't connect very well. And she certainly gave Hollis a run for his money! I absolutely loved the dual timeline which takes us back in time to Isabelle's romance, Emily's adorable mom. Filled with angst a'plenty, searing kisses, and family secrets...be sure not to miss out on this amazing summer read!
April 16, 2020
This review is for extended preview of Courtney Walsh's If For Any Reason. I received a copy of this extended preview from Tyndale House Publishers via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Courtney Walsh has a way of drawing you completely in to her setting, characters, and plot. From page one, you will feel like you are traveling to Nantucket with Emily as she relives her summers spent on the island and tries to forge a new life renovating her grandfather's cottage. She embarks on this journey bogged down by sense of failure from her failed theater production but encouraged by her deceased mother's book of letters and fond memories of her Nantucket days. There is a sense of mystery and intrigue as Emily's mother's story slowly unfolds parallel to Emily's. Hollis, a retired baseball player, is a somber, practical, protective hero who is trying to find his way to his preteen daughter during the summer days on Nantucket. Hollis and Emily's friendship goes way back and their reconnection is sweet. There is a lot of heartbreak even in the beginning chapters of this book but there is also a glimpse of hope and healing on the horizon. Courtney Walsh does an amazing job, as always, creating her characters that you want to read more about them with each turn of the page.
If you enjoy heart-tugging contemporary romance, you will want to read this one. Fans of Courtney Walsh will fall head over heels again and newbies to her writing will find a new favorite author.
Courtney Walsh has a way of drawing you completely in to her setting, characters, and plot. From page one, you will feel like you are traveling to Nantucket with Emily as she relives her summers spent on the island and tries to forge a new life renovating her grandfather's cottage. She embarks on this journey bogged down by sense of failure from her failed theater production but encouraged by her deceased mother's book of letters and fond memories of her Nantucket days. There is a sense of mystery and intrigue as Emily's mother's story slowly unfolds parallel to Emily's. Hollis, a retired baseball player, is a somber, practical, protective hero who is trying to find his way to his preteen daughter during the summer days on Nantucket. Hollis and Emily's friendship goes way back and their reconnection is sweet. There is a lot of heartbreak even in the beginning chapters of this book but there is also a glimpse of hope and healing on the horizon. Courtney Walsh does an amazing job, as always, creating her characters that you want to read more about them with each turn of the page.
If you enjoy heart-tugging contemporary romance, you will want to read this one. Fans of Courtney Walsh will fall head over heels again and newbies to her writing will find a new favorite author.
February 11, 2020
Goodness. What a rich story, full of complexities. I’m hesitant to get too detailed in my review because I really don’t want to leave any inadvertent spoilers!
The primary story with Hollis and Emily was exactly what I’ve come to expect from Courtney Walsh—complicated pasts, misguided life choices, regrets, and a sweet love story with a hero who stands faithful and true. Then there’s the slight time slip with Isabelle and JD’s teenage history, which—wow. I love JD. I keep reading reviews gushing on Hollis, but I just have to give JD some recognition. Yes, he and Isabelle made a poor choice that had far-reaching consequences. But every time, every step of the way, he wanted to do what was right and simply love Isabelle with all that he had. Sacrifice is what love really is, and Ms. Walsh knows how to write heroes who do this well.
Some have criticized the faith threads through the story as somehow lacking. I’d like to remind readers that faith is an imperfect, individual journey that never looks the same for any two people. Hollis is stronger and further along in his, but is still growing into the man of God he has the potential to become. Emily’s struggle is poignant and realistic and flawed, but there is so much hope there, and we can be confident that she has a lot of life left to get it worked out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The primary story with Hollis and Emily was exactly what I’ve come to expect from Courtney Walsh—complicated pasts, misguided life choices, regrets, and a sweet love story with a hero who stands faithful and true. Then there’s the slight time slip with Isabelle and JD’s teenage history, which—wow. I love JD. I keep reading reviews gushing on Hollis, but I just have to give JD some recognition. Yes, he and Isabelle made a poor choice that had far-reaching consequences. But every time, every step of the way, he wanted to do what was right and simply love Isabelle with all that he had. Sacrifice is what love really is, and Ms. Walsh knows how to write heroes who do this well.
Some have criticized the faith threads through the story as somehow lacking. I’d like to remind readers that faith is an imperfect, individual journey that never looks the same for any two people. Hollis is stronger and further along in his, but is still growing into the man of God he has the potential to become. Emily’s struggle is poignant and realistic and flawed, but there is so much hope there, and we can be confident that she has a lot of life left to get it worked out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 26, 2019
Warm and inviting, If for Any Reason is a delightful read. I fell in love with the characters and with my time in Nantucket. Don’t miss this one.
P.S. I absolutely loved the letters from mother to daughter. They melted my heart.
P.S. I absolutely loved the letters from mother to daughter. They melted my heart.
February 11, 2020
This one is a super sweet and emotional read! Ms. Walsh is so good at that combination. It's been a little while since I read one of her stories, so this was like renewing an old friendship. :)
One of the highlights for me was the details on the theatre. Knowing that Ms. Walsh has a great deal of personal experience in that area, her wealth of knowledge and the joy it brings her shown through her descriptions. I connected with that part of Emily's life, even though I have zero experience and know nothing about it myself. I love when that happens in a story.
Another of my favorite things was Hollis' family. They are so loving and caring for each other! And since Emily is in desperate need of such in her life, I loved seeing how they swept her up into being part of them and made her comfortable. Plus they helped provide a safe place for Hollis to figure out his relationship with his daughter. They truly are one of my favorite fictional families now. They're not perfect, none of the characters are, but the flaws only endear them further.
The romance bits were adorable, of course. (Which was only to be expected! This is a Courtney Walsh novel after all.) I appreciated that they were friends first, a good friends-to-lovers romance is one of my favorite tropes and Ms. Walsh handles the transition really well. Because goodness the chemistry between these two! Yet both Emily and Hollis have a lot of growing to do, so I especially appreciated the slow way the romance heated up, giving both time to process through all the stuff they needed to.
Overall, I really enjoyed the emotions I connected with while reading. The grief, the uncertainty, the fear, the familial love, and most of all the hope that threaded everything together from beginning to end. Several moments brought smiles, while others made me turn the next page as quick as I could to find out how a character would respond. Beautifully written, Ms. Walsh continues to solidify her spot on my list of awesome writers!
**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
One of the highlights for me was the details on the theatre. Knowing that Ms. Walsh has a great deal of personal experience in that area, her wealth of knowledge and the joy it brings her shown through her descriptions. I connected with that part of Emily's life, even though I have zero experience and know nothing about it myself. I love when that happens in a story.
Another of my favorite things was Hollis' family. They are so loving and caring for each other! And since Emily is in desperate need of such in her life, I loved seeing how they swept her up into being part of them and made her comfortable. Plus they helped provide a safe place for Hollis to figure out his relationship with his daughter. They truly are one of my favorite fictional families now. They're not perfect, none of the characters are, but the flaws only endear them further.
The romance bits were adorable, of course. (Which was only to be expected! This is a Courtney Walsh novel after all.) I appreciated that they were friends first, a good friends-to-lovers romance is one of my favorite tropes and Ms. Walsh handles the transition really well. Because goodness the chemistry between these two! Yet both Emily and Hollis have a lot of growing to do, so I especially appreciated the slow way the romance heated up, giving both time to process through all the stuff they needed to.
Overall, I really enjoyed the emotions I connected with while reading. The grief, the uncertainty, the fear, the familial love, and most of all the hope that threaded everything together from beginning to end. Several moments brought smiles, while others made me turn the next page as quick as I could to find out how a character would respond. Beautifully written, Ms. Walsh continues to solidify her spot on my list of awesome writers!
**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 3, 2020
If For Any Reason is a charming summer read about second chances, connecting with your purpose in life and looking beyond the mistakes of your past. It’s a story about family and belonging. It’s easy to read with relatable characters and Courtney Walsh’s fantastic writing style. If For Any Reason is perfect fans of Christian contemporary romance.
Emily is returning to Nantucket Island. It holds good and bad memories- fun summers spent in the community theatre program and the year an accident took her mother away for ever. Now, after travelling aimlessly and an opportunity to direct her own play that ended in disaster, Emily has no choice but to return and claim the beach house her grandfather left her. She plans to do it up and sell it as quickly as possible, but she didn’t count on running into boy-next-door Hollis, who is now all grown up, or his charming daughter who inspires Emily to revive her love of theatre. As the summer warms up, Emily will have the chance to uncover the truth about her mother’s death, but it might change things forever.
I so love friends-to-lovers romance. While Emily and Hollis haven’t been friends for many, many years, they were once very close friends and shared secrets and many happy memories. But a lot has changed. Hollis has had a big career in baseball, but regrets his lifestyle choices, the distance between him and his daughter and the way his career ended. Emily has seen the world, has lived large under the guidance of her mother’s letters. But the shame she faces over her failed play and the way she burned through her finances has killed her certainly for the future. As Emily is reminded about all the things she loves and hates about life on the island, she is also presented with answers from the past and a new hope for the future. Hollis has a chance to rekindle a relationship with his daughter and Emily seems to hold the key to unlocking his daughter’s love of the theatre. So they rebuilt their friendship and can’t deny the growing spark between them.
The complexity about Emily’s past and the letters from her mother and the flashbacks to the summer she fell pregnant with Emily bring a depth and touch of intrigue to the story. I really enjoyed these parts of the book and it’s the perfect offset to the romance, alongside Hollis’ relationship with his daughter.
If For Any Reason is a delightful novel, with a touch of mystery, plenty of joy and a big heart.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
Emily is returning to Nantucket Island. It holds good and bad memories- fun summers spent in the community theatre program and the year an accident took her mother away for ever. Now, after travelling aimlessly and an opportunity to direct her own play that ended in disaster, Emily has no choice but to return and claim the beach house her grandfather left her. She plans to do it up and sell it as quickly as possible, but she didn’t count on running into boy-next-door Hollis, who is now all grown up, or his charming daughter who inspires Emily to revive her love of theatre. As the summer warms up, Emily will have the chance to uncover the truth about her mother’s death, but it might change things forever.
I so love friends-to-lovers romance. While Emily and Hollis haven’t been friends for many, many years, they were once very close friends and shared secrets and many happy memories. But a lot has changed. Hollis has had a big career in baseball, but regrets his lifestyle choices, the distance between him and his daughter and the way his career ended. Emily has seen the world, has lived large under the guidance of her mother’s letters. But the shame she faces over her failed play and the way she burned through her finances has killed her certainly for the future. As Emily is reminded about all the things she loves and hates about life on the island, she is also presented with answers from the past and a new hope for the future. Hollis has a chance to rekindle a relationship with his daughter and Emily seems to hold the key to unlocking his daughter’s love of the theatre. So they rebuilt their friendship and can’t deny the growing spark between them.
The complexity about Emily’s past and the letters from her mother and the flashbacks to the summer she fell pregnant with Emily bring a depth and touch of intrigue to the story. I really enjoyed these parts of the book and it’s the perfect offset to the romance, alongside Hollis’ relationship with his daughter.
If For Any Reason is a delightful novel, with a touch of mystery, plenty of joy and a big heart.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
June 25, 2021
Courtney Walsh’s books just warm your heart. They are sweet and hopeful and honest and wholesome. Christian romance with some great lessons about familial love and forgiveness and grace. I really loved that Emily directed a children’s musical because Courtney does that too and her love for theater just jumps off the page. Her books are like coming home- full of warm comfort.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 11, 2021
This would have been 5 stars, except there was a lingering feeling throughout the book that there were too many parallels between the two main characters. But besides that, this was a well-written book that dealt with some heavy issues.
July 10, 2025
Cute little clean romance read!! I think I’ll always remember this one as the one I’ve been reading on my lunch breaks right after moving to Tennessee 🤍
December 27, 2022
If for Any Reason was an enjoyable beach read that pulled me in with its family drama, charming Nantucket setting, and sweet contemporary romance. Admittedly, it took me a while to warm up to this story, but I grew to like it more as it progressed. There were lots of lovable elements in this book: a single dad / childhood friends-to-lovers trope, a musical production, a book of letters, and second chances. The book’s themes of letting go your past to move forward, reconciliation, letting people in, and not running away when things get hard tied all these pieces together in an engaging and endearing way. Overall, If for Any Reason was a good read with summery vibes and a likeable story.
*There was a fade-to-black scene between unmarried, secondary characters in the time-slip sequence of the novel. This is not my personal preference, but this book doesn't go into detail.
*There was a fade-to-black scene between unmarried, secondary characters in the time-slip sequence of the novel. This is not my personal preference, but this book doesn't go into detail.
January 11, 2020
Romance, clean; mild faith elements
More of a 4.5 for me as a reader. Emily story her past present and we get a glimpse at her new future, is a sweet, introspective, romantic lovely read. Her past with her mother, grandparents and the bits of her father that she knows, collide in the present when secrets start coming to light. Second chances for many people. Hollis' worries with regard to his daughter, his want for Emily, lovely, hurting, wondering, and romantic as the tender, soft spoken, and kind man is trying to figure out his present after bumbling his past as he navigated his career as a professional baseball player. His parents' tender, romantic and family center marriage is an example to both Hollis and Emily. Strong characters, beautifully peaceful setting, and moving backstories for both MC made this a strong read for me.
As a house is renovated, and a play is scheduled, they both find bits of themselves, fix the present, and create a lovely future for themselves. Time is the best gift of all, and the words expressed by the heart so lovely to see as they heal the bitter wounds of Emily and Hollis' pasts and weave their hearts together.
Lovely, cathartic, reflective, beautifully romantic read, and gorgeous setting on Nantucket.
I think this is one of my favorite books I have ever read of C.W. Truly a masterfully created story that will resonate in your heart for a long time after reading it. I know I will re-read this to savor this story and gather bits I missed on my first voracious read through. Hard to put down, and definitely wanting more of this story. It was hard to stop turning the pages.
I received an ARC from the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinions are my own.
More of a 4.5 for me as a reader. Emily story her past present and we get a glimpse at her new future, is a sweet, introspective, romantic lovely read. Her past with her mother, grandparents and the bits of her father that she knows, collide in the present when secrets start coming to light. Second chances for many people. Hollis' worries with regard to his daughter, his want for Emily, lovely, hurting, wondering, and romantic as the tender, soft spoken, and kind man is trying to figure out his present after bumbling his past as he navigated his career as a professional baseball player. His parents' tender, romantic and family center marriage is an example to both Hollis and Emily. Strong characters, beautifully peaceful setting, and moving backstories for both MC made this a strong read for me.
As a house is renovated, and a play is scheduled, they both find bits of themselves, fix the present, and create a lovely future for themselves. Time is the best gift of all, and the words expressed by the heart so lovely to see as they heal the bitter wounds of Emily and Hollis' pasts and weave their hearts together.
Lovely, cathartic, reflective, beautifully romantic read, and gorgeous setting on Nantucket.
I think this is one of my favorite books I have ever read of C.W. Truly a masterfully created story that will resonate in your heart for a long time after reading it. I know I will re-read this to savor this story and gather bits I missed on my first voracious read through. Hard to put down, and definitely wanting more of this story. It was hard to stop turning the pages.
I received an ARC from the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinions are my own.
February 24, 2020
" . . .sometimes you have to lose everything in order to figure out what's really important. Not an easy lesson to learn. Especially because I hadn't put any time into the things that mattered. . . . "
The things that mattered, the hard things, the real things. Emily Ackerman has returned to her grandparents' summer home feeling like she has managed to lose everything that she once dreamed about accomplishing; traveling, performing, staging, producing . . . all that remains is a lonely, dilapidated cottage on the island of Nantucket. A place which once held her best memories, and tragically; her worst. Tucking a book of letters written by her deceased mother back into her purse, Emily is determined to rennovate and evacuate; never imagining that the boy next door would re-appear. Hollis McGuire, a retired baseball star; all grown up, and with a pre-teen daughter in tow. My, my, so he has secrets, too.
It's almost impossible to encapsulate the depth of this story; the author has created living, breathing characters who have an immediate, palpable connection; they share page space with family members who have made irrevocable mistakes . . . . but deserve grace, their pasts hiding secrets that deserve to see the light of day. It's all there, wrapped up beautifully within a young woman's dream of belonging, when in fact she already does.
The things that mattered, the hard things, the real things. Emily Ackerman has returned to her grandparents' summer home feeling like she has managed to lose everything that she once dreamed about accomplishing; traveling, performing, staging, producing . . . all that remains is a lonely, dilapidated cottage on the island of Nantucket. A place which once held her best memories, and tragically; her worst. Tucking a book of letters written by her deceased mother back into her purse, Emily is determined to rennovate and evacuate; never imagining that the boy next door would re-appear. Hollis McGuire, a retired baseball star; all grown up, and with a pre-teen daughter in tow. My, my, so he has secrets, too.
It's almost impossible to encapsulate the depth of this story; the author has created living, breathing characters who have an immediate, palpable connection; they share page space with family members who have made irrevocable mistakes . . . . but deserve grace, their pasts hiding secrets that deserve to see the light of day. It's all there, wrapped up beautifully within a young woman's dream of belonging, when in fact she already does.
February 6, 2020
The letters between Emily and her late mother provided a fresh twist on a tried-and-true plot device. Allowing readers to experience Isabelle and JD's story through the letters and also in a few well-placed scenes throughout the novel added a richer layer to If for Any Reason. Emily's reliance on the letter as both a link to her mom and a compass for her life choices made for interesting reading.
Real life is messy and the struggles and setbacks humans often encounter are carefully examined in this novel. Second chances after personal and professional failures, acknowledging deception, asking forgiveness, and overcoming fear are consistent themes. Walsh does an excellent job of creating a story line that resonates with readers. I feel readers will relate to the characters' faith journeys as well.
My favorite aspect of If for Any Reason is the hero, Hollis. Super swoon worthy! Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. The pace in the first half was a bit slow for my liking. Hollis kept me reading though and I'm so glad because the second half is fantastic.
Real life is messy and the struggles and setbacks humans often encounter are carefully examined in this novel. Second chances after personal and professional failures, acknowledging deception, asking forgiveness, and overcoming fear are consistent themes. Walsh does an excellent job of creating a story line that resonates with readers. I feel readers will relate to the characters' faith journeys as well.
My favorite aspect of If for Any Reason is the hero, Hollis. Super swoon worthy! Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. The pace in the first half was a bit slow for my liking. Hollis kept me reading though and I'm so glad because the second half is fantastic.
July 23, 2024
This book was very sweet and I appreciated the depth it had. We got to see the characters personal growth as well as some spiritual growth which I wasn’t expecting but really liked. I was longing for a little more between the main characters but overall really enjoyed this book!!
June 10, 2021
Read my full review here: https://www.howdidthatbookend.com/if-...
I signed up to read Is It Any Wonder, the second book in this series, with Uplit Reads for an Instagram book tour. If you stop by my blog often, you know I HATE jumping into the middle of a series, so I obviously had to read If For Any Reason first.
There were so many things I loved about this book. The location: I used to vacation to different parts of Cape Cod and the islands every year as a kid, so the Nantucket setting was absolutely perfect for me. The letters: I love the idea of a mom writing letters to her child, “if for any reason” she isn’t there to tell them herself. My mom passed away when I was young, and I would kill for a book full of letters from her. This is something I’ve already decided to do for my child (well, a journal addressed to them), so it was cool to read about it in a book. And finally, the love story: I’m a sucker for the-one-who-got-away love stories, especially when there’s a home reno involved. All in, this was the perfect beachy romance to add to my shelf this summer!
The only downside was that I didn’t realize this was Christian fiction. I’m not religious and don’t usually like books with Christian themes, but I definitely can resonate with someone who can’t believe in a god that would allow such terrible things to happen in their lives. I think the god parts made the prose a little awkward, but it wasn’t overly preachy. I would have preferred a lighter touch, but it was easy enough to skim those parts. The love story made it work it!
I’m definitely looking forward to Is It Any Wonder, and can’t wait to read more about this community.
I signed up to read Is It Any Wonder, the second book in this series, with Uplit Reads for an Instagram book tour. If you stop by my blog often, you know I HATE jumping into the middle of a series, so I obviously had to read If For Any Reason first.
There were so many things I loved about this book. The location: I used to vacation to different parts of Cape Cod and the islands every year as a kid, so the Nantucket setting was absolutely perfect for me. The letters: I love the idea of a mom writing letters to her child, “if for any reason” she isn’t there to tell them herself. My mom passed away when I was young, and I would kill for a book full of letters from her. This is something I’ve already decided to do for my child (well, a journal addressed to them), so it was cool to read about it in a book. And finally, the love story: I’m a sucker for the-one-who-got-away love stories, especially when there’s a home reno involved. All in, this was the perfect beachy romance to add to my shelf this summer!
The only downside was that I didn’t realize this was Christian fiction. I’m not religious and don’t usually like books with Christian themes, but I definitely can resonate with someone who can’t believe in a god that would allow such terrible things to happen in their lives. I think the god parts made the prose a little awkward, but it wasn’t overly preachy. I would have preferred a lighter touch, but it was easy enough to skim those parts. The love story made it work it!
I’m definitely looking forward to Is It Any Wonder, and can’t wait to read more about this community.
July 5, 2020
a sweet story
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