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Restoring Heritage #0.5
P.S. Goodbye
What if a woman who’s all about the goals and plans falls in love with man who no longer believes his life has a purpose? A novice life coach needs to cement her reputation with one great success story. When a wounded former Special Forces operator walks back into her life looking for a job, she decides to work with him—a win-win for them both.
If Caroline Williams had her way, she’d help everyone in town find their purpose in life—unfortunately, no one seems to want her help. But she refuses to give up, and her new status as a certified life coach should provide her with some badly needed credibility. All she needs is her first client. When Grant Quinn walks in looking for a job, Caroline knows he needs more than that—he needs a new plan for his life. But when Grant refuses to be honest about his dreams and his struggles, Caroline’s business might come crashing down before it starts.
Wounded former Special Forces operator Grant Quinn understood the cost when he enlisted and served his country with pride. The scars on his face are reminders of what he lost, but he is moving on—now if he could just convince his family that he’s fine. When Caroline steps back into his life and offers to help find him a job in exchange for being her Guinea pig in her new life coaching business, he agrees. After all, what better way to show his family he’s okay than with a new, stable job? But when the anxiety he’s been running from ruins his one interview, his plans come crashing down. Can he trust Caroline enough to be honest about everything?
If Caroline Williams had her way, she’d help everyone in town find their purpose in life—unfortunately, no one seems to want her help. But she refuses to give up, and her new status as a certified life coach should provide her with some badly needed credibility. All she needs is her first client. When Grant Quinn walks in looking for a job, Caroline knows he needs more than that—he needs a new plan for his life. But when Grant refuses to be honest about his dreams and his struggles, Caroline’s business might come crashing down before it starts.
Wounded former Special Forces operator Grant Quinn understood the cost when he enlisted and served his country with pride. The scars on his face are reminders of what he lost, but he is moving on—now if he could just convince his family that he’s fine. When Caroline steps back into his life and offers to help find him a job in exchange for being her Guinea pig in her new life coaching business, he agrees. After all, what better way to show his family he’s okay than with a new, stable job? But when the anxiety he’s been running from ruins his one interview, his plans come crashing down. Can he trust Caroline enough to be honest about everything?
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2019
48 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Tari Faris
20 books418 followersI have been writing fiction for more than twelve years. It has been an exciting journey for this math-loving-dyslexic girl. I had read less than a handful of novels by the time I graduated from college and I thought I would end up in the field of science or math. But God had other plans and I wouldn't trade this journey for anything. As someone told me once, God's plans may not be easy, and they may not always make sense but they are never boring.
In addition to my writing, I also work for My Book Therapy as a special project project manager and write for LearnHowToWriteAnNovel.com and you can find me blogging over there on occasion.
When I am not writing or working, I spend time with my amazing husband. We have been married for fifteen wonderful years and have three sweet children. In my free time, I love coffee, rock hounding with my husband and kids, and distracting myself from housework.
In addition to my writing, I also work for My Book Therapy as a special project project manager and write for LearnHowToWriteAnNovel.com and you can find me blogging over there on occasion.
When I am not writing or working, I spend time with my amazing husband. We have been married for fifteen wonderful years and have three sweet children. In my free time, I love coffee, rock hounding with my husband and kids, and distracting myself from housework.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 27, 2020
"Remember, God promises to direct our paths when we submit to Him. He doesn't promise to bless any plan we decide on our own to make. We get that confused sometimes."
What a fantastic contemporary romance novella by Tari Faris! This was my introduction to her writing and you can bet that I'll be reading her full-length novels in the Restoring Heritage series (You Belong with Me is already out and Until I Met You is scheduled to release in Sept 2020). Nestled in a small, historical, yet somewhat forgotten town of Heritage, MI, the characters who are introduced in this novella have deep connections and roots with each other and in the town. The story of Grant and Caroline is fun but also filled with angst and shadowed by their past hurts and assumptions. As their plans go astray, they both need to learn to let go of plans of their own making and look to the One who is the ultimate guide for their lives. I enjoyed that Grant and Caroline were so different from each other, one a former Special Forces solider and the other a certified life coach, but learned to overcome their differences. I can't wait to read the other books!
What a fantastic contemporary romance novella by Tari Faris! This was my introduction to her writing and you can bet that I'll be reading her full-length novels in the Restoring Heritage series (You Belong with Me is already out and Until I Met You is scheduled to release in Sept 2020). Nestled in a small, historical, yet somewhat forgotten town of Heritage, MI, the characters who are introduced in this novella have deep connections and roots with each other and in the town. The story of Grant and Caroline is fun but also filled with angst and shadowed by their past hurts and assumptions. As their plans go astray, they both need to learn to let go of plans of their own making and look to the One who is the ultimate guide for their lives. I enjoyed that Grant and Caroline were so different from each other, one a former Special Forces solider and the other a certified life coach, but learned to overcome their differences. I can't wait to read the other books!
August 30, 2019
This was free from the author when I signed up for her newsletter. Loved it! Sweet, funny but serious life decisions with a thread of faith.
September 21, 2019
P.S. Goodbye by Tari Faris | Novella Review: 'This is a Lovely Old Fashioned Love Story'
STORY | Back when she was “too young,” Caroline Williams had a crush on the best friend of her cousin, Grant Quinn. Then, during her 18th summer, she and Grant meet again, and surprisingly, both end up finding something meaningful. But then Grant returns to active duty overseas, and Caroline promises to write. This she does for a period of time before the letters she writes to this man go unreturned.
Now, years later, Caroline’s life is disrupted by a break up she thought would result in a proposal. Then, Grant returns to her life in need of a job… and a friend. Wounded in more ways than one, Grant’s battle scars leave him running each time something gets complicated. But seeing Caroline again just may be the balm his tattered soul needs…
REVIEW | There is something about a debut author who puts out a novel that sounds like it holds promise. Add in the fact that the author writes in a genre that’s my favorite, and you can be sure I’d pick up Tari Faris’ novel. Working as a lead in to her full-length novel You Belong With Me (available now), this short and sweet novella is full of emotions.
This may only be a novella, but the story is beautiful. I’m not sure what resonates with me so deeply, but something does. For me, that's the sign of a great love story. I love the characters, the story, the romance, and of course, anytime there’s a “wound warrior” for a hero, I’ll never complain. Grant is a noble (to say nothing of swoony) protagonist hiding wounds that hinder his ability to see a future. Caroline is a list-maker who can’t seem to live “in the moment,” and let go. Together, they teach each other so much about life, and love.
What’s so attractive about this story is that it’s an old-fashioned love story that uses letters as a way for these characters form their relationship. This in turn creates a stronger bond on a deeper level. Given this isn’t a full-length novel, the scars of their respective pasts aren’t all cleared up by the final page. But for a story such as this, this is how it needs to end.
P.S. Goodbye will tug on the heartstrings. The characterization is wonderful, and the love story takes lessons from the charming old-fashioned romances we still want, but rarely do, to see in cinema today. If you enjoy contemporary fiction, or are curious about Tari’s debut (You Belong With Me), this is a wonderful introduction to her writing, and the group of characters that will feature in her Restoring Heritage series.
This review was originally posted on Finding Wonderland
STORY | Back when she was “too young,” Caroline Williams had a crush on the best friend of her cousin, Grant Quinn. Then, during her 18th summer, she and Grant meet again, and surprisingly, both end up finding something meaningful. But then Grant returns to active duty overseas, and Caroline promises to write. This she does for a period of time before the letters she writes to this man go unreturned.
Now, years later, Caroline’s life is disrupted by a break up she thought would result in a proposal. Then, Grant returns to her life in need of a job… and a friend. Wounded in more ways than one, Grant’s battle scars leave him running each time something gets complicated. But seeing Caroline again just may be the balm his tattered soul needs…
REVIEW | There is something about a debut author who puts out a novel that sounds like it holds promise. Add in the fact that the author writes in a genre that’s my favorite, and you can be sure I’d pick up Tari Faris’ novel. Working as a lead in to her full-length novel You Belong With Me (available now), this short and sweet novella is full of emotions.
This may only be a novella, but the story is beautiful. I’m not sure what resonates with me so deeply, but something does. For me, that's the sign of a great love story. I love the characters, the story, the romance, and of course, anytime there’s a “wound warrior” for a hero, I’ll never complain. Grant is a noble (to say nothing of swoony) protagonist hiding wounds that hinder his ability to see a future. Caroline is a list-maker who can’t seem to live “in the moment,” and let go. Together, they teach each other so much about life, and love.
What’s so attractive about this story is that it’s an old-fashioned love story that uses letters as a way for these characters form their relationship. This in turn creates a stronger bond on a deeper level. Given this isn’t a full-length novel, the scars of their respective pasts aren’t all cleared up by the final page. But for a story such as this, this is how it needs to end.
P.S. Goodbye will tug on the heartstrings. The characterization is wonderful, and the love story takes lessons from the charming old-fashioned romances we still want, but rarely do, to see in cinema today. If you enjoy contemporary fiction, or are curious about Tari’s debut (You Belong With Me), this is a wonderful introduction to her writing, and the group of characters that will feature in her Restoring Heritage series.
This review was originally posted on Finding Wonderland
January 3, 2022
This was a pretty cute romance. I liked that the hero was flawed and dealing with PTSD. It was great to see the contrast between his struggles and the leading lady’s to-do lists. That last chapter was delicious.
The plot hinged on an illegal request by the main character, so I struggled to get into this story for quite some time. When the man asked if there were any other conditions for his getting a job, the leading lady announced that the deal would include that he would “leave a review—hopefully a good one—on my life coaching website” in exchange for two jobs and free life coaching. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Review Fairness Act (CRFA), it is illegal to ask for positive reviews or to trade for them. Those are then considered “incentivized” reviews rather than consumer reviews, and they mislead consumers by skewing the reviews and ratings to higher than they would be otherwise. In fact, there have been many lawsuits won by the FTC in support of the CRFA’s and the FTC’s own laws about incentivized, fake, and deceptive reviews. Unfortunately, this character was way out of line and breaking federal reviewing law when she demanded that the fellow give her business a positive review in order to receive the jobs and life coaching.
Besides that, this was exactly the sort of lighthearted romance I was in the mood for. It had witty banter, charming characters, a guy with a heart of gold, and a struggling teen. I’m glad I read it and look forward to reading the other two or three books in the series that I haven’t already read. Hopefully really soon!
Content: expletive, tattoos, drugs and alcohol (including teen drug use), replacement expletives
The plot hinged on an illegal request by the main character, so I struggled to get into this story for quite some time. When the man asked if there were any other conditions for his getting a job, the leading lady announced that the deal would include that he would “leave a review—hopefully a good one—on my life coaching website” in exchange for two jobs and free life coaching. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Review Fairness Act (CRFA), it is illegal to ask for positive reviews or to trade for them. Those are then considered “incentivized” reviews rather than consumer reviews, and they mislead consumers by skewing the reviews and ratings to higher than they would be otherwise. In fact, there have been many lawsuits won by the FTC in support of the CRFA’s and the FTC’s own laws about incentivized, fake, and deceptive reviews. Unfortunately, this character was way out of line and breaking federal reviewing law when she demanded that the fellow give her business a positive review in order to receive the jobs and life coaching.
Besides that, this was exactly the sort of lighthearted romance I was in the mood for. It had witty banter, charming characters, a guy with a heart of gold, and a struggling teen. I’m glad I read it and look forward to reading the other two or three books in the series that I haven’t already read. Hopefully really soon!
Content: expletive, tattoos, drugs and alcohol (including teen drug use), replacement expletives
September 6, 2020
This is a new-to-me author. I don’t think this story worked for me but I am curious about the other books in the series. For me, there are lots of misunderstandings that go on for too long. I am not a fan of Caroline. I really didn’t get a sense of why Grant was attracted to her. I get that she had a crush on him as a young teenager and always felt an attraction to him but what did he see in her? I wish there had been more chemistry. The letters and the book title worked well and I liked the angle of helping the young man with addiction and look forward to seeing that played out in the rest of the series.
September 19, 2019
I love finding new authors and this novella by Tari Faris is exceptional. I liked everything about this book. The characterizations were very well done, the small town charm, the romance. It was all wonderful. And now I've read her debut full length novel and it's amazing. Don't miss this. I intend to follow Faris always. Highly recommended.
*I received a copy of this book by subscribing to the author's newsletter.
*I received a copy of this book by subscribing to the author's newsletter.
September 1, 2020
Good introduction to the town of Heritage and several characters likely to appear in the series. In this novella, twin Caroline Williams is set to marry her boyfriend of four years. She is a planner and Mason fits the bill for what she sees as the perfect husband. There are a couple of kinks in her plan including the return of childhood friend Grant Quinn. Lots of good humor in the pages. I look forward to continuing the series.
September 12, 2019
Fabulous read! I loved everything about this book so much and can't wait to read You Belong With Me! I could totally relate to Caroline thinking that her lists and plans would guarantee that everything would be perfect, so needless to say her journey touched me deeply! Love, love, LOVED IT! I highly recommend this book!
September 18, 2019
This Novella sets up her first book perfectly! You will fall in love with the characters and the small town of Heritage. You will not want it to end. Love this novella and the two characters Grant and Caroline in it! And I can't forget Otis the town mascot! Love him!
I received an ebook copy of this title through the author's newsletter. The opinions expressed are my own.
I received an ebook copy of this title through the author's newsletter. The opinions expressed are my own.
February 23, 2020
Got this as a freebie for signing up for the author's newsletter. It was a fun contemporary romance!
November 13, 2021
Tari Faris is quickly moving up to one of my favorite authors! I read Until I Met You first because I won it in a giveaway. But I loved it so much that I had to go back to catch Caroline's and Hannah's stories. This novella was the perfect length. Caroline's story was amazing! It had all the feels – kisses, angst, doubt, swoons, and of course the happily ever after!
And I love the faith threads!! I love how God used both Caroline and Grant to help the other learn life lessons and grow in their faith.
Favorite quotes:
“Yearning for someone sounded … torturous. Why would she want someone to have that kind of power over her?” (ch 1)
“'How ironic that a store called WIFI can't get online.'” (ch 2)
“Safe may be a sad second to love, but it was a whole lot better than heartbreak.” (ch 3)
“...crossing into enemy territory in fluorescent gear would be easier than getting past her defenses.” (ch 4)
“Yearning. See, this was what yearning looked like, and this was exactly why she wanted nothing to do with it.” (ch 9)
“Why was everyone against the word fine?” (ch 11)
“'God promises to direct our paths when we submit to Him. He doesn't promise to bless any plan we decide on our own to make. We get that confused sometimes.'” (ch 13)
(I received a copy for free from the author. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own, as was the decision to write this review.)
And I love the faith threads!! I love how God used both Caroline and Grant to help the other learn life lessons and grow in their faith.
Favorite quotes:
“Yearning for someone sounded … torturous. Why would she want someone to have that kind of power over her?” (ch 1)
“'How ironic that a store called WIFI can't get online.'” (ch 2)
“Safe may be a sad second to love, but it was a whole lot better than heartbreak.” (ch 3)
“...crossing into enemy territory in fluorescent gear would be easier than getting past her defenses.” (ch 4)
“Yearning. See, this was what yearning looked like, and this was exactly why she wanted nothing to do with it.” (ch 9)
“Why was everyone against the word fine?” (ch 11)
“'God promises to direct our paths when we submit to Him. He doesn't promise to bless any plan we decide on our own to make. We get that confused sometimes.'” (ch 13)
(I received a copy for free from the author. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own, as was the decision to write this review.)
September 6, 2019
Full review on FaithfullyBookish.com
Caroline is my kindred spirit and lists and spreadsheets are our friends! Besides drooling over Caroline's colorful post-it note arsenal, I completely fell in love with small town Heritage, Michigan! Grant is an irresistible wounded warrior hero and his heart of gold places him in a class of his own. This novella is a brilliant introduction to an entire cast of characters and I look forward to getting to know them all in the Restoring Heritage series!
I received an ebook copy of this title through the author's newsletter. The opinions expressed are my own.
Caroline is my kindred spirit and lists and spreadsheets are our friends! Besides drooling over Caroline's colorful post-it note arsenal, I completely fell in love with small town Heritage, Michigan! Grant is an irresistible wounded warrior hero and his heart of gold places him in a class of his own. This novella is a brilliant introduction to an entire cast of characters and I look forward to getting to know them all in the Restoring Heritage series!
I received an ebook copy of this title through the author's newsletter. The opinions expressed are my own.
September 19, 2019
Wow...a seriously great novella! It totally read like a novel and met all the happy places in my heart. PS Goodbye revolves around letters written and forgotten between Carolyn and Grant years ago. Then when they meet again the sparks fly, but there’s so much residual hurt the wall is up between them. I loved the chemistry and the spiritual aspect of forgiveness and finding love again. High praise and I’m looking forward to this author’s next book.
September 20, 2019
Okay, everyone needs to go sign up for Tari Faris’ newsletter so y’all can read this wonderful free prequel novella! P. S. Goodbye gave me (okay, I hate this saying, but I’m gonna say it) All. The. Feels. I laughed, got teary eyed, sighed, gave the characters some advice (not that they listened often!), and might’ve swooned a bit (if I were the swooning type!) I didn’t want this story to end! I really loved everything about it. This is definitely an author to keep your eye on!
September 23, 2019
Cute opener to the Restoring Heritage series. The romance was sweet and I enjoyed meeting all the faces we are sure to see as this series continues. Really looking forward to Luke & Hannah’s story!
January 1, 2020
Good book. It could have been a little more heavy on the details, that would have made the story smoother. But good read.
August 30, 2021
I liked and didn’t like parts of this story.
I liked Caroline even though her obsession with plans and lists really bugged me. I wanted to tell her to lighten up and loosen up, and that her list of what a good husband should be was nothing but trash! She obviously didn’t see what the Bible says he should be.
Grant was hurt and struggling but didn’t want to admit it. I’m glad he realized that he couldn’t do everything on his own.
I enjoyed watching them both grow and change.
I wish there had been more about Seth and Grant’s ideas because Seth interested me almost more than the main characters.
What I didn’t like:
The kissing was passionate in a few places which I didn’t enjoy.
There were a few scenes that made me feel uncomfortable.
The Christian aspects of this story seemed vague and few. Perhaps it was because neither character was really seeking to follow Christ and so it wasn’t really in there much. I don’t know. I just know that I finished the story and felt as though I had read a mostly secular story.
I am willing to give this author another try.
I liked Caroline even though her obsession with plans and lists really bugged me. I wanted to tell her to lighten up and loosen up, and that her list of what a good husband should be was nothing but trash! She obviously didn’t see what the Bible says he should be.
Grant was hurt and struggling but didn’t want to admit it. I’m glad he realized that he couldn’t do everything on his own.
I enjoyed watching them both grow and change.
I wish there had been more about Seth and Grant’s ideas because Seth interested me almost more than the main characters.
What I didn’t like:
The kissing was passionate in a few places which I didn’t enjoy.
There were a few scenes that made me feel uncomfortable.
The Christian aspects of this story seemed vague and few. Perhaps it was because neither character was really seeking to follow Christ and so it wasn’t really in there much. I don’t know. I just know that I finished the story and felt as though I had read a mostly secular story.
I am willing to give this author another try.
December 30, 2020
This is the prequel to the Restoring Heritage series. This is a feel good and easy to read story. The chemistry between Caroline and Grant is amazing! I love the banters too! They are sweet and funny. Though flawed, I like all the characters in this book. Caroline and Grant's characters have evolved and their life experiences helped them find their true passion. I look forward to reading the rest of the series! I just enjoyed this so much!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
#kindle
December 20, 2020
Cute prequel to the series which I enjoyed greatly this summer!
February 15, 2022
Faris's prequel to her debut novel is a sweet, well-written romance with believable characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.
May 9, 2022
sweet read
An amazing story of second chances, redemption and finding one’s place in the debris of a life that didn’t go as planned.
An amazing story of second chances, redemption and finding one’s place in the debris of a life that didn’t go as planned.
September 17, 2020
Fun beginning to the series
Loves this novella and can’t wait to get to know what happens next as the series continues! Definitely a great read!
Loves this novella and can’t wait to get to know what happens next as the series continues! Definitely a great read!
March 18, 2021
FREE today (February 15, 2021) on Amazon.
February 28, 2021
This novella has a lot packed into it--felt like a full length novel by the end--with an introduction to the town of Heritage and some of its residents. Grant and Caroline had an interesting relationship, with a lot of baggage to work through. I liked the focus on Grant's struggles to move on after all he went through in the military. He was a wounded warrior with a good heart; it was easy to want a happy ending for him after what he went through. Caroline was a conflicted person, kind of uptight and controlling it seemed, but she had her own set of struggles. I like how they both finally think about how God could help them move forward, reaching out to Him after hitting bottom.
A nice start to a small town contemporary inspirational romance series. 3.5 stars
A nice start to a small town contemporary inspirational romance series. 3.5 stars
November 13, 2019
Romance, clean; Christian faith elements; Series but stand alone read
Gorgeous lovely read. Misunderstandings, past feelings, but perfect time for them now. Beautifully heartfelt, hurting, honest, and sweet romantic read as Grant works through his faith and post-military problems, and C works on her business and family issues. Nate is a great character as well. Loved reading the before! The list at the end was perfect!
Faith definitely plays an important part of this novel.
Hoping for more in this series!
Gorgeous lovely read. Misunderstandings, past feelings, but perfect time for them now. Beautifully heartfelt, hurting, honest, and sweet romantic read as Grant works through his faith and post-military problems, and C works on her business and family issues. Nate is a great character as well. Loved reading the before! The list at the end was perfect!
Faith definitely plays an important part of this novel.
Hoping for more in this series!
October 27, 2021
My first trip into the contemporary Christian romance genre. As it is, this wasn't my favorite style or story. And that's okay. It was cute and sweet and had a decent amount of depth. It was a nice little get-away for an afternoon, but I guess contemporary romances aren't my thing. Or maybe I just haven't read enough in the genre. If you like romance, a little more on the sentimental side, but clean and sweet, you might love this more than I did : )
September 19, 2019
This long novella introduces characters from Faris's Restoring Heritage series, but it's also a self-contained story. I loved it! It really felt like a full-length novel to me (and a few parts did drag on a bit)—I loved getting to know the characters, and reading it made me so anxious for You Belong with Me! 4-1/2 stars
December 1, 2020
Freebie on Kindle. It's a good story that contemporary romance fans will enjoy.
October 23, 2020
(3.5 / 5)
When Caroline Williams, expecting a proposal, is dumped instead, the last person she wants to see is Grant Quinn, on whom she had a huge crush when she was thirteen. But he's moved to town, and comes to the store she runs with her sister, looking for work. Caroline offers a trade--he can work for them if he lets her help him find a more permanent situation...somewhere else. But Grant is a harder nut to crack than she thought he'd be, and she can't afford to let her ordered, list-driven life fall apart by letting him in.
This is a short book, only about 170 pages. Grant's character has some depth, but I think Caroline stayed in the shallow end. The most interesting thing about her was related to love letters she wrote to Grant when she was thirteen, and then letters she wrote him after the two had a short-lived connection when Caroline was 18. But that part of the story wasn't fleshed out nearly enough for me (especially considering that the title of the book is related to it). Caroline also had a tendency to impose ground rules, only to break them herself. She was said to live her life by lists, but in the end, her actions did not prove that about her.
There were also some romance tropes in this book that aren't my favorite, like one pretending to be the other's girlfriend/boyfriend to get family off the one's back. And then the pretend girlfriend/boyfriend initiating a steamy kiss just to make it seem more real. And this leads to one of the other things I didn't like about it--it was more about the physical than I prefer, especially in a Christian story. There was nothing graphic at all, but definitely more emphasis was put on physical attraction and touching than I like.
I did enjoy this book more often than not, which was mostly due to Grant, because Caroline was a flat heroine/romantic lead. This is a prequel to a short series of full-length romances, and I would be interested in seeing how the author does with a novel-length story.
When Caroline Williams, expecting a proposal, is dumped instead, the last person she wants to see is Grant Quinn, on whom she had a huge crush when she was thirteen. But he's moved to town, and comes to the store she runs with her sister, looking for work. Caroline offers a trade--he can work for them if he lets her help him find a more permanent situation...somewhere else. But Grant is a harder nut to crack than she thought he'd be, and she can't afford to let her ordered, list-driven life fall apart by letting him in.
This is a short book, only about 170 pages. Grant's character has some depth, but I think Caroline stayed in the shallow end. The most interesting thing about her was related to love letters she wrote to Grant when she was thirteen, and then letters she wrote him after the two had a short-lived connection when Caroline was 18. But that part of the story wasn't fleshed out nearly enough for me (especially considering that the title of the book is related to it). Caroline also had a tendency to impose ground rules, only to break them herself. She was said to live her life by lists, but in the end, her actions did not prove that about her.
There were also some romance tropes in this book that aren't my favorite, like one pretending to be the other's girlfriend/boyfriend to get family off the one's back. And then the pretend girlfriend/boyfriend initiating a steamy kiss just to make it seem more real. And this leads to one of the other things I didn't like about it--it was more about the physical than I prefer, especially in a Christian story. There was nothing graphic at all, but definitely more emphasis was put on physical attraction and touching than I like.
I did enjoy this book more often than not, which was mostly due to Grant, because Caroline was a flat heroine/romantic lead. This is a prequel to a short series of full-length romances, and I would be interested in seeing how the author does with a novel-length story.
December 24, 2025
P.S. Goodbye by Tari Faris is my first read by this author, but it definitely will not be my last. For a novella, this story sure packs a punch. It actually didn’t feel like a novella to me at all. It felt like a full-fledged, totally flushed out story. I found the pacing to be perfect, and I was completely engaged from page one until done. Caroline and Grant are totally realistic and relatable characters. Personally, I struggled a little with Caroline and all of her lists and hard-and-sharp expectations for people and life. I actually felt a little suffocated by her. I wanted Caroline to chill out. Her personality is quite cold, then hot, then cooler than before, then hot again. It was hard to keep up. One minute I thought, “Yes, she’s getting real!”, and then she’d go cold and go back to being stiff and distant seemingly out of nowhere. I get that she is in constant protect-mode, but I feel like she should have thawed a little sooner in the storyline than she does. But I get it, protect-mode is a tough place to be stuck. Grant is a former military man, so he’s got that protective streak that I love so much in my heroes. His issue, aside from PTSD, is that he holds everything super-duper close to his vest. He lets no one in…I mean, no one. His reasoning for doing so makes total sense, but my heart really hurt for him. I appreciate the fact that Caroline and Grant are childhood friends, so there is a good amount of history between the two before the book even begins. It does allow for their relationship to grow naturally and not feel forced or contrived. There is no unbelievable insta-love in this story and I really appreciate that. But the romantic tension between the two is there from the beginning of the story, and it is great. It’s what made me turn pages furiously well into the night. I just wish Caroline and Grant would have communicated better. Most of this story is a lot of miscommunications or no communication. It could get frustrating at times.
Overall, P.S. Goodbye is a lovely short story. It’s filled with real-life issues, struggling characters that feel real and genuine, and a whole lot of heart. If you’re a fan of sweet Romances that will leave you smiling as you turn the last page, then this is definitely the book for you!
I received a copy of this novella from the author after joining Ms. Faris’s mailing list. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Overall, P.S. Goodbye is a lovely short story. It’s filled with real-life issues, struggling characters that feel real and genuine, and a whole lot of heart. If you’re a fan of sweet Romances that will leave you smiling as you turn the last page, then this is definitely the book for you!
I received a copy of this novella from the author after joining Ms. Faris’s mailing list. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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