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Looking for Leroy
It's official: Brynna Phillips is done with men. They only break your heart. But just when she makes this declaration, her friend Jan convinces Brynna to join her on a camping vacation in Sonoma Wine Country.
As they wind their way toward their destination, spanking-new mini camper in tow, Brynna recalls her teenage camp romance with a boy named Leroy. How can it have been nearly thirty years ago? All she remembers is that Leroy was a genuinely good guy and that his family owned a vineyard--in Sonoma. She doesn't even remember his last name. Undaunted, Jan insists they look for him ... and the search for a second chance at love begins.
As they wind their way toward their destination, spanking-new mini camper in tow, Brynna recalls her teenage camp romance with a boy named Leroy. How can it have been nearly thirty years ago? All she remembers is that Leroy was a genuinely good guy and that his family owned a vineyard--in Sonoma. She doesn't even remember his last name. Undaunted, Jan insists they look for him ... and the search for a second chance at love begins.
320 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2022
168 people are currently reading
3872 people want to read
About the author
Melody Carlson
419 books3,260 followersMelody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
October 27, 2025
When Brynna’s friend from the school where she teaches a third grade class, invites her to go on a camping trip in her new RV camper-van, Brynna is sceptical but Jan convinces her it is just what she needs. Brynna Philips has decided she is done with men, since Dirk divorced her for a younger woman. And now they’re having a baby when Dirk had flatly refused to entertain the idea of children when they were together. So Brynna heads off with Jan to Sonoma wine country. Brynna finds it brings back memories of her teenage romance with Leroy.
As Jan and Brynna travel they meet Mike who joins their trip. Jan and Mike convince Brynna that she needs to find her teenage romance Leroy, whose family own a vineyard in Sonoma. So that starts to search for him. It’s a slim chance that she will ever find him and even if she does what would be the point? She knows she hurt him deeply thirty years ago,
After a mix up Brynna ends up staying there when she planned not to. She really likes being with Sophie, one of Leroy’s daughters, to whom she introduces herself as Bree. Sophie is pregnant and already has two young children. So Bree is happy to help Sophie at home and at the office. But not everyone is as happy as Sophie is about Bree’s presence at the property.
The setting of the vineyards is lovely. It drew Bree in and drew me in too.
Though I enjoyed this book, it was frustrating at times to watch Leroy and Bree work through their situation. Some interesting complications were added and some aspects were predictable. Leroy’s mother has some godly wisdom from a bible story she imparts. For some reason I was expecting a different reaction from her, so that was a surprise.
While this book is entertaining I thought it was wrapped up and ended a bit abruptly. But still an engaging read and well worth reading
.
As Jan and Brynna travel they meet Mike who joins their trip. Jan and Mike convince Brynna that she needs to find her teenage romance Leroy, whose family own a vineyard in Sonoma. So that starts to search for him. It’s a slim chance that she will ever find him and even if she does what would be the point? She knows she hurt him deeply thirty years ago,
After a mix up Brynna ends up staying there when she planned not to. She really likes being with Sophie, one of Leroy’s daughters, to whom she introduces herself as Bree. Sophie is pregnant and already has two young children. So Bree is happy to help Sophie at home and at the office. But not everyone is as happy as Sophie is about Bree’s presence at the property.
The setting of the vineyards is lovely. It drew Bree in and drew me in too.
Though I enjoyed this book, it was frustrating at times to watch Leroy and Bree work through their situation. Some interesting complications were added and some aspects were predictable. Leroy’s mother has some godly wisdom from a bible story she imparts. For some reason I was expecting a different reaction from her, so that was a surprise.
While this book is entertaining I thought it was wrapped up and ended a bit abruptly. But still an engaging read and well worth reading
.
April 23, 2022
*Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.*
Characters: Brynna was probably my favorite character even though she did have a major problem with always letting everyone push her into doing things she didn't want to do. I did like Sophie and Jan too, but they were side characters :) As for Leroy ... I just didn't connect with him. He spent way too much time in the scenes from his perspective griping about the food he was served and his house guests. I did appreciate that Brynna and Leroy were older characters, though.
Language: Clean.
Moral: This novel had themes of family, second chances, and love. Although the characters prayed and mentioned God, I don't remember there being a pronounced moral.
Plot: This novel had a more laid-back plot that focused mostly on romance.
Romance: Clean. Just kissing. I do wish Brynna and Leroy had taken a bit more time to get reacquainted before getting engaged (because people change over thirty years), but I know this is fiction :)
Writing: Melody Carlson has an easy-to-read writing style, and I could picture what was going on well. I did feel like I was reading a summary of the characters' actions some of the time instead of actually being there with them.
Overall: Although Looking for Leroy wasn't one of my favorites, I'd still recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction and contemporary romance.
Characters: Brynna was probably my favorite character even though she did have a major problem with always letting everyone push her into doing things she didn't want to do. I did like Sophie and Jan too, but they were side characters :) As for Leroy ... I just didn't connect with him. He spent way too much time in the scenes from his perspective griping about the food he was served and his house guests. I did appreciate that Brynna and Leroy were older characters, though.
Language: Clean.
Moral: This novel had themes of family, second chances, and love. Although the characters prayed and mentioned God, I don't remember there being a pronounced moral.
Plot: This novel had a more laid-back plot that focused mostly on romance.
Romance: Clean. Just kissing. I do wish Brynna and Leroy had taken a bit more time to get reacquainted before getting engaged (because people change over thirty years), but I know this is fiction :)
Writing: Melody Carlson has an easy-to-read writing style, and I could picture what was going on well. I did feel like I was reading a summary of the characters' actions some of the time instead of actually being there with them.
Overall: Although Looking for Leroy wasn't one of my favorites, I'd still recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction and contemporary romance.
March 15, 2022
LOOKING FOR LEROY is going to make you want to run to the vineyards of California! The beautiful words Melody Carlson uses to describe the vineyards will have you feeling like you are right there sitting in the dirt and smelling the sweetness from the grapes. Brynna Phillips is a school teacher who believes she is done with men and is looking to spend her summer gardening on her small condo deck. Everything she has planned for the summer goes out the window when she heads to the local nursery to get some plants. Her co-worker Jan finds her at the nursery and ends up talking Brynna into going on a camping trip with her down to California.
I have read many Melody Carlson’s books and have loved them all. LOOKING FOR LEROY is exactly why. Melody is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She makes me feel so many different things while I’m reading her heart-warming stories. One minute I’m giggling and the next there is a huge lump in my throat. They say, you never forget your first love no matter how many years have passed. I know I haven’t and that was forty five years ago. You may have regrets in life, things you did that you knew were wrong and messed up, choices that you wish you could go back and change no matter how many years have passed. What would you do if you could have a second chance with your first love? Can you even imagine getting a chance to try again? All of the characters are flawed in different ways, but you will find yourself cheering for them throughout the book.
My heart melted while Leroy tried to figure out what he really wanted. I tried not to rush through the story of Brynna and Leroy. Bree knows how much his daughters mean to Leroy and she can not be the cause of their fighting. I truly wanted the sisters to work out their problems and accept Bree and repair their relationship. I just wanted to reach in the pages of LOOKING FOR LEROY and give them all hugs. I can’t wait to read more by this wonderful author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I have read many Melody Carlson’s books and have loved them all. LOOKING FOR LEROY is exactly why. Melody is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She makes me feel so many different things while I’m reading her heart-warming stories. One minute I’m giggling and the next there is a huge lump in my throat. They say, you never forget your first love no matter how many years have passed. I know I haven’t and that was forty five years ago. You may have regrets in life, things you did that you knew were wrong and messed up, choices that you wish you could go back and change no matter how many years have passed. What would you do if you could have a second chance with your first love? Can you even imagine getting a chance to try again? All of the characters are flawed in different ways, but you will find yourself cheering for them throughout the book.
My heart melted while Leroy tried to figure out what he really wanted. I tried not to rush through the story of Brynna and Leroy. Bree knows how much his daughters mean to Leroy and she can not be the cause of their fighting. I truly wanted the sisters to work out their problems and accept Bree and repair their relationship. I just wanted to reach in the pages of LOOKING FOR LEROY and give them all hugs. I can’t wait to read more by this wonderful author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 15, 2022
I really enjoyed Looking For Leroy. The sweet romance is one for the books. Carlson never disappoints. I can just picture the wedding at the vineyard. This is a must read for those who love a sweet romance.
4 stars and I highly recommend this one.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
4 stars and I highly recommend this one.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
January 28, 2022
This contemporary romance worked its way from the page to my heart. The author is one of my favorites and at each books ending I’m never disappointed. I found the story to be emotional , entertaining ,easy to read, romantic and a page turner. I felt that the time I spent reading this book was time well spent. I loved the characters who made the story seem so realistic that I forgot it was fiction. This writer always has this effect on me and that’s why I read her books again and again!
Brynna Meyers and Leroy Sorrentino first met at summer camp after their high school graduation. She was Leroy’s first love but Brynna had just broken up from her cheating boyfriend she had dated through high school. After camp Brynna and Leroy wrote to each other until she told him that she was going back to her former boyfriend and asked Leroy to stop sending her letters. The years passed and Leroy and Brynna married other people. Brynna got a divorce from her cheating husband when he found a younger woman. Leroy became a widower and raised three girls on his own.
Thirty years later Brynna and her friend decided to take a camping trip together through the Sonoma wine country. They wind up at the camp that Brynna had attended so many years ago only now it was a camp grounds. She and her friend decide to try to find where Leroy’s vineyard was and maybe see if they could get reacquainted again. Would she even recognize him after all these years? Would he want to see her after the rude way she had ended their relationship 30 years ago? Was it even worth putting herself out there for a chance reunion with Leroy when she wasn’t sure how he would react towards her? Still maybe it was worth the effort since they were in the area.
I recommend this book to readers of contemporary romance and fans of the author. It can be read as a stand alone. This book is scheduled to be released on 3/1/22.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Looking for Leroy. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
#lookingforleroy#netgalley
Brynna Meyers and Leroy Sorrentino first met at summer camp after their high school graduation. She was Leroy’s first love but Brynna had just broken up from her cheating boyfriend she had dated through high school. After camp Brynna and Leroy wrote to each other until she told him that she was going back to her former boyfriend and asked Leroy to stop sending her letters. The years passed and Leroy and Brynna married other people. Brynna got a divorce from her cheating husband when he found a younger woman. Leroy became a widower and raised three girls on his own.
Thirty years later Brynna and her friend decided to take a camping trip together through the Sonoma wine country. They wind up at the camp that Brynna had attended so many years ago only now it was a camp grounds. She and her friend decide to try to find where Leroy’s vineyard was and maybe see if they could get reacquainted again. Would she even recognize him after all these years? Would he want to see her after the rude way she had ended their relationship 30 years ago? Was it even worth putting herself out there for a chance reunion with Leroy when she wasn’t sure how he would react towards her? Still maybe it was worth the effort since they were in the area.
I recommend this book to readers of contemporary romance and fans of the author. It can be read as a stand alone. This book is scheduled to be released on 3/1/22.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Looking for Leroy. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
#lookingforleroy#netgalley
February 16, 2022
Brynna Phillips is a school teacher who believes she is done with men and is looking to spend her summer gardening on her small condo deck. But everything goes awry when she heads to the greenhouse to get some plants. Fellow co-worker Jan finds her at the greenhouse and ends up talking Brynna into going on a camping trip with her.
At the same time in a Sonoma vineyard in California, Leroy is looking for some peace and quiet from his daughters and is struggling to keep his family's vineyard out of the red.
Looking for Leroy by Melody Carlson is a contemporary Christian novel with a story that some other mid-life women may be able to relate to. Brynna and Jan go on their camping adventure and are having fun when they end up at the same camp that Brynna met Leroy at after her senior year of high school. She starts wondering where he is and finds him with Jan's help. Jan also has found a new friend in Mike, who also joins then in the search for Leroy. After finding Leroy's family vineyard, Brynna ends up in an unusual position when Leroy's daughter mistakes her for a job applicant.
I enjoyed the characters in Looking for Leroy. It is a book that is more character driven than plot driven. It was a relatively quick read for me. I enjoyed getting to know the characters with their good traits and their flaws. It was interesting to see how "life" worked out for each of them. I also think that many of us who are older have wondered what happened to a former boyfriend/girlfriend so it was fun to see how this story played out. Looking for Leroy would also encourage mid-life people to take more risks and really "live" life--especially, as one reads how Brynna needed to make some changes to really start living her life.
I also enjoyed how God was drawn in to Looking for Leroy and how Leroy's mom shared a bit about a Bible story in making her point. The faith parts felt natural and were clearly part of the plot in Looking for Leroy.
The cover of Looking for Leroy drew me in with the warm sunshine, vineyards and the truck with camping trailer clearly indicating an adventure was going to go on in the book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Interview and Reviews. All opinions within this review are my own.
At the same time in a Sonoma vineyard in California, Leroy is looking for some peace and quiet from his daughters and is struggling to keep his family's vineyard out of the red.
Looking for Leroy by Melody Carlson is a contemporary Christian novel with a story that some other mid-life women may be able to relate to. Brynna and Jan go on their camping adventure and are having fun when they end up at the same camp that Brynna met Leroy at after her senior year of high school. She starts wondering where he is and finds him with Jan's help. Jan also has found a new friend in Mike, who also joins then in the search for Leroy. After finding Leroy's family vineyard, Brynna ends up in an unusual position when Leroy's daughter mistakes her for a job applicant.
I enjoyed the characters in Looking for Leroy. It is a book that is more character driven than plot driven. It was a relatively quick read for me. I enjoyed getting to know the characters with their good traits and their flaws. It was interesting to see how "life" worked out for each of them. I also think that many of us who are older have wondered what happened to a former boyfriend/girlfriend so it was fun to see how this story played out. Looking for Leroy would also encourage mid-life people to take more risks and really "live" life--especially, as one reads how Brynna needed to make some changes to really start living her life.
I also enjoyed how God was drawn in to Looking for Leroy and how Leroy's mom shared a bit about a Bible story in making her point. The faith parts felt natural and were clearly part of the plot in Looking for Leroy.
The cover of Looking for Leroy drew me in with the warm sunshine, vineyards and the truck with camping trailer clearly indicating an adventure was going to go on in the book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Interview and Reviews. All opinions within this review are my own.
April 21, 2022
I’ve previously read four books by Melody Carlson, but this is the first one I’ve read that was not Christmas themed. I didn’t even read the synopsis first, I saw her name, and loved the gorgeous cover, and that was all I needed to know.
I think one reason her books appeal to me is they aren’t always about young twenty-somethings. Brynna and Leroy are closer to my age. Not that I don’t mind reading about younger characters, but I guess I just appreciate a good romance with characters a little easier for me to relate to.
Brynna and Leroy had met at a summer camp the summer before college. They spent all their time together, and after camp was over they wrote letters. Until Brynna wrote Leroy that she wasn’t going to write to him again. Now, some thirty years later, Brynna is an elementary school teacher, and divorced. One of her colleagues has planned a camping trip, and talks Brynna into joining her. Where do they end up the first night? At the same camp where Brynna met Leroy. As those memories come back she tells her friend, Jan, and Mike, who they meet at the camp, about Leroy, and Jan and Mike decide that Brynna needs to look for him.
Throughout the entire book, I pictured Leroy as Mark Harmon. You know, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. (From NCIS, for those of you who don’t know.) He’s a widower now, running the family vineyard with two of his daughters and his son-in-law. The story really got going when Brynna arrived at the vineyard, and found herself agreeing to take a job in the office, as Bree. That whole situation was almost a little ridiculous, but I still loved it. And loved Sophie, the daughter who hires her. They develop a wonderful friendship, and watching that happen was heartwarming. Since Brynna used her nickname with Sophie, and still carries her married name, Leroy, having only seen her from a distance so far, has no idea who she really is. It was amusing watching Brynna avoid him, though I began to wonder if their paths would ever actually cross!
Brynna and Leroy were both wonderfully written characters, as were Leroy’s daughters, especially Sophie. I saw a couple of reviews that described Brynna as being easily led or not having a mind of her own, but I disagree. Yes, her friends did push her into searching for Leroy, and pushed her not to give up, but when she truly did want to just give up, they supported her. And then she doesn’t give up, and I think she was actually very courageous to stay at the vineyard in the office job and face Leroy. If I were in her position, I don’t think I would have had the guts. Actually, I don’t think Jan could have even talked me into going on the camping trip with her in the first place!
The ending was, of course, a little predictable, as well as a bit abrupt, but the journey there is what matters, and it was an immensely enjoyable journey.
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and have voluntarily reviewed it*
I think one reason her books appeal to me is they aren’t always about young twenty-somethings. Brynna and Leroy are closer to my age. Not that I don’t mind reading about younger characters, but I guess I just appreciate a good romance with characters a little easier for me to relate to.
Brynna and Leroy had met at a summer camp the summer before college. They spent all their time together, and after camp was over they wrote letters. Until Brynna wrote Leroy that she wasn’t going to write to him again. Now, some thirty years later, Brynna is an elementary school teacher, and divorced. One of her colleagues has planned a camping trip, and talks Brynna into joining her. Where do they end up the first night? At the same camp where Brynna met Leroy. As those memories come back she tells her friend, Jan, and Mike, who they meet at the camp, about Leroy, and Jan and Mike decide that Brynna needs to look for him.
Throughout the entire book, I pictured Leroy as Mark Harmon. You know, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. (From NCIS, for those of you who don’t know.) He’s a widower now, running the family vineyard with two of his daughters and his son-in-law. The story really got going when Brynna arrived at the vineyard, and found herself agreeing to take a job in the office, as Bree. That whole situation was almost a little ridiculous, but I still loved it. And loved Sophie, the daughter who hires her. They develop a wonderful friendship, and watching that happen was heartwarming. Since Brynna used her nickname with Sophie, and still carries her married name, Leroy, having only seen her from a distance so far, has no idea who she really is. It was amusing watching Brynna avoid him, though I began to wonder if their paths would ever actually cross!
Brynna and Leroy were both wonderfully written characters, as were Leroy’s daughters, especially Sophie. I saw a couple of reviews that described Brynna as being easily led or not having a mind of her own, but I disagree. Yes, her friends did push her into searching for Leroy, and pushed her not to give up, but when she truly did want to just give up, they supported her. And then she doesn’t give up, and I think she was actually very courageous to stay at the vineyard in the office job and face Leroy. If I were in her position, I don’t think I would have had the guts. Actually, I don’t think Jan could have even talked me into going on the camping trip with her in the first place!
The ending was, of course, a little predictable, as well as a bit abrupt, but the journey there is what matters, and it was an immensely enjoyable journey.
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and have voluntarily reviewed it*
March 14, 2022
A lovely contemporary story about second chances for characters who is closer to their 50’s.
This cover is gorgeous and drew my attention with first glimpse.
Brynna and Leroy both have gone through so much joy and loss during the past 30 years but you never forget your first love. The journey of find themselves in this later season of life, working through this loss to be whole again and to finding each other again was just as beautiful story to read as the setting of the Sonoma region described.
Some of the secondary characters I loved (Sophia) and some I disliked (Judith), but they all played a part in Leroy and Brynna’s journey to a second chance at love. I absolute adored the dog, Babe.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
This cover is gorgeous and drew my attention with first glimpse.
Brynna and Leroy both have gone through so much joy and loss during the past 30 years but you never forget your first love. The journey of find themselves in this later season of life, working through this loss to be whole again and to finding each other again was just as beautiful story to read as the setting of the Sonoma region described.
Some of the secondary characters I loved (Sophia) and some I disliked (Judith), but they all played a part in Leroy and Brynna’s journey to a second chance at love. I absolute adored the dog, Babe.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
December 1, 2022
A cute story on love the second time around.
January 27, 2022
Looking for Leroy is a sweet second-chance love story. Brynna is a teacher who has been roped into a camping trip with her vice-principal, and they end up looking for Leroy, this guy that she met and liked years ago.
Brynna has been divorced for a couple of years, and to make matters worse she just found out that her former husband’s wife is pregnant, something that he didn’t want with Brynna.
Jan, her vice-principal along with Motorcycle Mike who kind of invites himself on their trip, encourages Brynna to take an office manager position at the vineyard that Leroy owns and manages. Only she is hired on a false pretense, and the wrong name, Bree. Leroy remembers Brynna, in fact, he still has photos from their camping trip.
I liked the family atmosphere that was a part of this story. Leroy’s daughters love him but he seems to really bumble along until Brynna arrives. He complains he is surrounded by too many females, but secretly I think he would be kind of lost without his daughters. Leroy doesn’t want change but when he finally meets (again) Brynna, there is still something sizzling between them.
Looking for Leroy kind of bumble along until after Leroy and Brynna finally meet, and while I would’ve liked less of their hit and missing each other, I really liked these two characters
My gratitude to Revell and Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Brynna has been divorced for a couple of years, and to make matters worse she just found out that her former husband’s wife is pregnant, something that he didn’t want with Brynna.
Jan, her vice-principal along with Motorcycle Mike who kind of invites himself on their trip, encourages Brynna to take an office manager position at the vineyard that Leroy owns and manages. Only she is hired on a false pretense, and the wrong name, Bree. Leroy remembers Brynna, in fact, he still has photos from their camping trip.
I liked the family atmosphere that was a part of this story. Leroy’s daughters love him but he seems to really bumble along until Brynna arrives. He complains he is surrounded by too many females, but secretly I think he would be kind of lost without his daughters. Leroy doesn’t want change but when he finally meets (again) Brynna, there is still something sizzling between them.
Looking for Leroy kind of bumble along until after Leroy and Brynna finally meet, and while I would’ve liked less of their hit and missing each other, I really liked these two characters
My gratitude to Revell and Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 6, 2022
Some books have really good characters. Some have really good plots. Some have really good settings and vibes. This one was the latter.
THE CHARACTERS:
Leroy was something like a dry sea sponge. Kinda bland and rough, but he had a firmness to his character. He had a defined voice and was a unique character that didn’t blend into the others. He still felt a little stiff and more like a side to a main dish than a main character.
Bryanna was interesting. She was older than my usual character diet, but very well written. Her behavior and thought process and the way that she responded to situations was definitely proper for her age (as far as I’m aware XD)
Gina, Luna, and Judith were icky. They made me mad. That made me glad. Because I like getting real life feelings from books. Even though the injustice was not fun. I also wish we got to hear more about Gina as she was an influential character at the beginning of the book, but eventually she faded into the background.
And Sophie. Sweet Sophie. I wish we got a book all about her. I want to hear how she met Garth and what makes her tick and what their home life dynamic is like. It was really unique getting to peak into their home through this story.
THE PLOT:
The plot was pretty good. I appreciated the new take on a lot of the older cliches. Having an older character changes the dynamic of a story, but that made it interesting. It felt a bit repetitive, that Bryanna kept going back and forth. And personally I felt like the chemistry between Leroy and Bryanna was a bit rushed, even if the sweetness and genuine interest was there. I would have spent a bit more time developing their curiosity and love for each other than having her ping pong.
BONUS: the “Christian Part”
Oh boy. Well. First time I wrote this review I had it down pat. So I’m gonna try and make sure I don’t miss anything. First off, it felt very subtle and unnecessary which, all things considered, is not right for a christian! Our Christianity should not be in the background or only there when we need someone to vent to. There was a point in the story where Bryanna says that she had prayed a whole three times in one day, and she wouldn’t really mind if that became a habit. That phrasing really bothered me because Jesus is not a habit. He is a person we have a relationship with. There was no active pursuit. Also, there was no striving for the truth, not touch of Jesus in their lives. There was no church, no wholesome christian fellowship. There was no values or morals held to because of a biblical faith. And there was almost no Bible. The one place where a Bible story was mentioned, it felt out of context and almost misleading, and that bothered me because it seemed to be a critical motivator in the plot line. Honestly, it felt like a very lukewarm faith that meant nothing to the characters in the first place.
As a Christian, our faith should be the boldest thing about us. Our love for our God and our desire to please and obey Him should be the drive in our story. The redemption of a sinner saved by grace should never fade into the backdrop or disappear completely. Yes we fail. We still live in a broken world with broken bodies and minds. But that is what grace was given to us for. And a story without grace is hard to fully enjoy.
BONUS #2: Da Vibez
The settings of this story were the highlight of the whole book. Everything felt real and alive and there. You could see the rich colors of the sunsets and feel the breeze blowing through your hair when you walked through the vineyard. You could smell the sunshine in the fresh linen sheets of the beautiful rustic cabin, and you could taste the grapes and feel the cool dark earth under your bare feet. It was incredible. What this book lacked for emotional feeling it made up for with our senses. I really enjoyed the sense of freedom and hard work presented in a way that was not all hill billy cowboy. I don’t mind hillbilly cowboys. But I can definitely enjoy some romantical settings like this book had.
Also. Camper trailers. Summer trips of self discovery or re-discovery. I love that stuff to death.
CONTENT:
This book was pretty clean! You find out early in the story that Bryanna is divorced because her husband cheated on her, and there is one sweet kiss at the end of the book, but otherwise it was clean and beautiful! There was one spelling mistake and one grammar mistake that I noticed.
IN SUMMARY:
I’m keeping this book for my personal enjoyment when I want to revisit the vibe. Would I recommend this story to a friend? Probably not. Simply because there are so many richer, deeper stories with well developed characters and a Christian outlook that leaves you feeling a hunger for Christ instead of with a complacent attitude with Him as a background character in our lives. It wasn’t a bad book. It just wasn’t all that good.
Thank you to the author and publisher for a free copy of this book. A positive review was not required and all opinions written here are my own.
THE CHARACTERS:
Leroy was something like a dry sea sponge. Kinda bland and rough, but he had a firmness to his character. He had a defined voice and was a unique character that didn’t blend into the others. He still felt a little stiff and more like a side to a main dish than a main character.
Bryanna was interesting. She was older than my usual character diet, but very well written. Her behavior and thought process and the way that she responded to situations was definitely proper for her age (as far as I’m aware XD)
Gina, Luna, and Judith were icky. They made me mad. That made me glad. Because I like getting real life feelings from books. Even though the injustice was not fun. I also wish we got to hear more about Gina as she was an influential character at the beginning of the book, but eventually she faded into the background.
And Sophie. Sweet Sophie. I wish we got a book all about her. I want to hear how she met Garth and what makes her tick and what their home life dynamic is like. It was really unique getting to peak into their home through this story.
THE PLOT:
The plot was pretty good. I appreciated the new take on a lot of the older cliches. Having an older character changes the dynamic of a story, but that made it interesting. It felt a bit repetitive, that Bryanna kept going back and forth. And personally I felt like the chemistry between Leroy and Bryanna was a bit rushed, even if the sweetness and genuine interest was there. I would have spent a bit more time developing their curiosity and love for each other than having her ping pong.
BONUS: the “Christian Part”
Oh boy. Well. First time I wrote this review I had it down pat. So I’m gonna try and make sure I don’t miss anything. First off, it felt very subtle and unnecessary which, all things considered, is not right for a christian! Our Christianity should not be in the background or only there when we need someone to vent to. There was a point in the story where Bryanna says that she had prayed a whole three times in one day, and she wouldn’t really mind if that became a habit. That phrasing really bothered me because Jesus is not a habit. He is a person we have a relationship with. There was no active pursuit. Also, there was no striving for the truth, not touch of Jesus in their lives. There was no church, no wholesome christian fellowship. There was no values or morals held to because of a biblical faith. And there was almost no Bible. The one place where a Bible story was mentioned, it felt out of context and almost misleading, and that bothered me because it seemed to be a critical motivator in the plot line. Honestly, it felt like a very lukewarm faith that meant nothing to the characters in the first place.
As a Christian, our faith should be the boldest thing about us. Our love for our God and our desire to please and obey Him should be the drive in our story. The redemption of a sinner saved by grace should never fade into the backdrop or disappear completely. Yes we fail. We still live in a broken world with broken bodies and minds. But that is what grace was given to us for. And a story without grace is hard to fully enjoy.
BONUS #2: Da Vibez
The settings of this story were the highlight of the whole book. Everything felt real and alive and there. You could see the rich colors of the sunsets and feel the breeze blowing through your hair when you walked through the vineyard. You could smell the sunshine in the fresh linen sheets of the beautiful rustic cabin, and you could taste the grapes and feel the cool dark earth under your bare feet. It was incredible. What this book lacked for emotional feeling it made up for with our senses. I really enjoyed the sense of freedom and hard work presented in a way that was not all hill billy cowboy. I don’t mind hillbilly cowboys. But I can definitely enjoy some romantical settings like this book had.
Also. Camper trailers. Summer trips of self discovery or re-discovery. I love that stuff to death.
CONTENT:
This book was pretty clean! You find out early in the story that Bryanna is divorced because her husband cheated on her, and there is one sweet kiss at the end of the book, but otherwise it was clean and beautiful! There was one spelling mistake and one grammar mistake that I noticed.
IN SUMMARY:
I’m keeping this book for my personal enjoyment when I want to revisit the vibe. Would I recommend this story to a friend? Probably not. Simply because there are so many richer, deeper stories with well developed characters and a Christian outlook that leaves you feeling a hunger for Christ instead of with a complacent attitude with Him as a background character in our lives. It wasn’t a bad book. It just wasn’t all that good.
Thank you to the author and publisher for a free copy of this book. A positive review was not required and all opinions written here are my own.
April 17, 2022
I'm giving this 4.5 stars. Fun and not objectionable, but also not particularly insightful.
Melody Carlson’s books have a special place in my heart. I feel like I’ve “always” been reading them, when in fact, my history with Carlson’s books only dates back about five years, to my senior year of college. After reading the 86 Bloomberg Place books, I quickly moved on to the Dear Daphne series. After that point, I started hunting for her books at the public library (she has a ton) and I’m still nowhere near having read them all, though I have read quite a few. When I saw her newest release Looking for Leroy available for review, I was excited to request the title.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.
Spiritual Content
There is a light thread about God’s plans, interwoven with references to “kismet” (Two of the characters are trying to convince Brynna to do something she doesn’t want to and one of the characters attributes the opportunity to God, or kismet). Then, after praying about the opportunity, Brynna feels more at peace and decides that this may indeed be part of God’s plan.
Throughout the book, Brynna finds herself turning to God more frequently in prayer, placing her situation in His hands and putting her trust in Him.
Brynna notices a verse from Proverbs cross-stitched on a decoration in the home and briefly considers its meaning.
There are references to other characters also believing in God and praying. We also witness a meaningful interaction between Brynna and another character about the biblical Ruth. This conversation strongly influences her subsequent actions.
What I Liked
I read this one the Saturday of spring break, but I think it would make a great summer/beach read, given the summer setting.
I liked the initial premise of the novel. It was a fun twist to watch Brynna become friends with Jan, who is actually something of a work supervisor (Brynna teaches third grade; Jan is the school VP). At the beginning of the novel, Brynna is one of the few employees who is kind and respectful to Jan, nicknamed “Seargent Bart” by the rest of the staff. But, like the others, she’s a bit intimidated by Jan. So, it was entertaining to see the two hit the road together for a surprise vacation.
Although at first I preferred to read Brynna’s perspective, I ended up enjoying the double narration, which alternated between Brynna and Leroy’s perspectives. This definitely added to the interest as the characters’ paths came closer to crossing.
The gardening scenes were fun! I liked reading about how Brynna considered gardening to be a treat and made up fun stories as she was weeding. What a great idea!
The antagonist (though that may be too strong of a word) was pretty funny. I kept laughing at the ridiculous things she would say and do. In many ways, she reminded me of the step-mom from Disney’s Cinderella. The novel is not at all a Cinderella retelling, but that character did feel familiar in an amusing way. I disliked her, but I think she lent a good deal of comedic relief– at least, for me.
Fun bonus: There was a Little House on the Prairie reference! This is a show I watch a lot with my mom, so I enjoyed seeing a brief conversation about Half-Pint.
Romantic Content
Overall, this is a book I would describe as “clean.” In addition to the fact that the kissing is nice and light (and not until a commitment has been established), there’s not a lot of junk about one person “completing,” “fulfilling” or “always being there” for the other. While spiritual content is light and there is not a strong emphasis on relationship with Jesus, I glad that there’s also not that all-too-frequent idolizing of the romantic partner. In fact, both people are showed to be quite human.
Recommendation Status
This is a fun, light read– excellent if you’re looking for a book that is entertaining and relaxing. Content-wise, I consider this book appropriate even for teens. However, interest level may be more suited to adults, since the main characters are in their late 40s.
Melody Carlson’s books have a special place in my heart. I feel like I’ve “always” been reading them, when in fact, my history with Carlson’s books only dates back about five years, to my senior year of college. After reading the 86 Bloomberg Place books, I quickly moved on to the Dear Daphne series. After that point, I started hunting for her books at the public library (she has a ton) and I’m still nowhere near having read them all, though I have read quite a few. When I saw her newest release Looking for Leroy available for review, I was excited to request the title.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.
Spiritual Content
There is a light thread about God’s plans, interwoven with references to “kismet” (Two of the characters are trying to convince Brynna to do something she doesn’t want to and one of the characters attributes the opportunity to God, or kismet). Then, after praying about the opportunity, Brynna feels more at peace and decides that this may indeed be part of God’s plan.
Throughout the book, Brynna finds herself turning to God more frequently in prayer, placing her situation in His hands and putting her trust in Him.
Brynna notices a verse from Proverbs cross-stitched on a decoration in the home and briefly considers its meaning.
There are references to other characters also believing in God and praying. We also witness a meaningful interaction between Brynna and another character about the biblical Ruth. This conversation strongly influences her subsequent actions.
What I Liked
I read this one the Saturday of spring break, but I think it would make a great summer/beach read, given the summer setting.
I liked the initial premise of the novel. It was a fun twist to watch Brynna become friends with Jan, who is actually something of a work supervisor (Brynna teaches third grade; Jan is the school VP). At the beginning of the novel, Brynna is one of the few employees who is kind and respectful to Jan, nicknamed “Seargent Bart” by the rest of the staff. But, like the others, she’s a bit intimidated by Jan. So, it was entertaining to see the two hit the road together for a surprise vacation.
Although at first I preferred to read Brynna’s perspective, I ended up enjoying the double narration, which alternated between Brynna and Leroy’s perspectives. This definitely added to the interest as the characters’ paths came closer to crossing.
The gardening scenes were fun! I liked reading about how Brynna considered gardening to be a treat and made up fun stories as she was weeding. What a great idea!
The antagonist (though that may be too strong of a word) was pretty funny. I kept laughing at the ridiculous things she would say and do. In many ways, she reminded me of the step-mom from Disney’s Cinderella. The novel is not at all a Cinderella retelling, but that character did feel familiar in an amusing way. I disliked her, but I think she lent a good deal of comedic relief– at least, for me.
Fun bonus: There was a Little House on the Prairie reference! This is a show I watch a lot with my mom, so I enjoyed seeing a brief conversation about Half-Pint.
Romantic Content
Overall, this is a book I would describe as “clean.” In addition to the fact that the kissing is nice and light (and not until a commitment has been established), there’s not a lot of junk about one person “completing,” “fulfilling” or “always being there” for the other. While spiritual content is light and there is not a strong emphasis on relationship with Jesus, I glad that there’s also not that all-too-frequent idolizing of the romantic partner. In fact, both people are showed to be quite human.
Recommendation Status
This is a fun, light read– excellent if you’re looking for a book that is entertaining and relaxing. Content-wise, I consider this book appropriate even for teens. However, interest level may be more suited to adults, since the main characters are in their late 40s.
January 31, 2022
Over the years Melody Carlson has become one of my very favorite authors, and I know I can always count on her to deliver a sweet and clean contemporary story with heartfelt characters and a plot that will leave me not wanting to put it down. Her newest story is a heartwarming second chance romance with a beautiful vineyard setting, and an animated cast of secondary characters.
I've long appreciated how Melody often includes older characters as her main protagonists, as it's not something too common in Christian fiction. Looking for Leroy tells the story of Brynna and Leroy who met thirty years ago as teenagers at a church camp, and quickly fell for one another. Soon after, life got in the way and they went their separate ways. It's only been recently that they've started thinking of one another again, and when Brynna's co worker Jan invites her along on a camping trip that ends up being in the same area as Leroy's winery, things quickly get out of control. Brynna ends up accepting a job at his winery, and he has no idea. With everything working against them, it'll take a big leap of faith to give romance a second try, and the reader will enjoy every moment of Brynna and Leroy's heartfelt journey to finding love once again.
Melody Carlson is a brilliant storyteller, and I love how her stories truly come to life on the page for her readers. While this one is definitely predictable, I still wholeheartedly enjoyed it, and I loved the vineyard setting and the emphasis on family and friendship that's illustrated throughout. I also loved how effortlessly the faith element is blended in with the rest of the story, and it made a great story even better.
My only small complaint was I thought the back and forth between the main characters was a little annoying and definitely went on longer than it needed to. However, overall I really enjoyed this one, and will be highly recommending it. It definitely reminded me of The Happy Camper which is one of my all time favorite Melody Carlson stories.
Final Rating: 4/5.
Thanks so much to Revell for allowing me to read and review this!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Revell) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I've long appreciated how Melody often includes older characters as her main protagonists, as it's not something too common in Christian fiction. Looking for Leroy tells the story of Brynna and Leroy who met thirty years ago as teenagers at a church camp, and quickly fell for one another. Soon after, life got in the way and they went their separate ways. It's only been recently that they've started thinking of one another again, and when Brynna's co worker Jan invites her along on a camping trip that ends up being in the same area as Leroy's winery, things quickly get out of control. Brynna ends up accepting a job at his winery, and he has no idea. With everything working against them, it'll take a big leap of faith to give romance a second try, and the reader will enjoy every moment of Brynna and Leroy's heartfelt journey to finding love once again.
Melody Carlson is a brilliant storyteller, and I love how her stories truly come to life on the page for her readers. While this one is definitely predictable, I still wholeheartedly enjoyed it, and I loved the vineyard setting and the emphasis on family and friendship that's illustrated throughout. I also loved how effortlessly the faith element is blended in with the rest of the story, and it made a great story even better.
My only small complaint was I thought the back and forth between the main characters was a little annoying and definitely went on longer than it needed to. However, overall I really enjoyed this one, and will be highly recommending it. It definitely reminded me of The Happy Camper which is one of my all time favorite Melody Carlson stories.
Final Rating: 4/5.
Thanks so much to Revell for allowing me to read and review this!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Revell) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 23, 2022
#lookingforleroy #netgalley
I liked the premise of the story, it was just a little slow progressing. The back and forth also drove me a little crazy. But I loved the basic outline of the story.
I liked the premise of the story, it was just a little slow progressing. The back and forth also drove me a little crazy. But I loved the basic outline of the story.
March 11, 2022
This is a story of the best kind! It doesn't take long to read, there are some wonderful characters, and there is romance! Author Melody Carlson shares a tale of two people who met at a summer camp after their high school graduation. They enjoyed being together and never saw each other again! Is it possible that there might be embers left from a summer romance that ended 30 years ago? Can someone who suffered the pain of a cheating husband ever completely trust again? How about a widower who has raised three daughters and is fully committed to his family's vineyard in Sonoma, California? Is he ready to give his heart away one more time?
Much of this story revolves around memories of a special first love and the painful break-up that still hurts thirty years later. Brynna Phillips discovers that her visit to a Sonoma vineyard has unearthed the young man who stole her heart. Her initial reluctance to acknowledge her presence at Leroy Sorrentino's vineyard and her attempts to reconcile their past are often clumsy and misunderstood. Throw in adult daughters who don't want another woman in their father's life, and the situation seems hopeless!
I admit that I'm a Melody Carlson fan, so it's hard not to like her books. I truly enjoyed Looking for Leroy, and I was there, walking in the Sonoma Wine Country and viewing the beautiful scenery. I was totally invested in Brynna's confusion and attempts to do the right thing. I could feel Leroy's sense of needing something else in his life. Carlson depicts these emotions while weaving a faith element in her story. She convinces readers that forgiveness is necessary. A second chance at love is possible at any age. There truly is a chance for 'happily ever after'! If you enjoy contemporary romantic fiction, you will want to read Looking for Leroy.
This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews. A favorable review was never required.
Much of this story revolves around memories of a special first love and the painful break-up that still hurts thirty years later. Brynna Phillips discovers that her visit to a Sonoma vineyard has unearthed the young man who stole her heart. Her initial reluctance to acknowledge her presence at Leroy Sorrentino's vineyard and her attempts to reconcile their past are often clumsy and misunderstood. Throw in adult daughters who don't want another woman in their father's life, and the situation seems hopeless!
I admit that I'm a Melody Carlson fan, so it's hard not to like her books. I truly enjoyed Looking for Leroy, and I was there, walking in the Sonoma Wine Country and viewing the beautiful scenery. I was totally invested in Brynna's confusion and attempts to do the right thing. I could feel Leroy's sense of needing something else in his life. Carlson depicts these emotions while weaving a faith element in her story. She convinces readers that forgiveness is necessary. A second chance at love is possible at any age. There truly is a chance for 'happily ever after'! If you enjoy contemporary romantic fiction, you will want to read Looking for Leroy.
This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews. A favorable review was never required.
April 8, 2022
If you’re looking for an easy-flowing, contemporary romance novel with a middle-age pair, Looking for Leroy by Melody Carlson deserves a read. The tone of this story made me smile and laugh.
Brynna is a divorced, elementary school teacher whose vice-principal invites her along on a summer camping trip out west. It is a trip that has the potential to change her life.
Leroy Sorrentino is the widowed vintner of a small California vineyard. Preparing to celebrate the historical longevity of the vineyard, two of his three grown daughters attempt to market and make Sorrentino’s profitable.
I liked the premise of the storyline and the predictable but realistic conflicts Carlson presents for her characters to overcome.
“Had he settled? Both in life and in marriage? He sometimes wondered.” This is a very sad, possibly tragic, thought for a person to have to ponder after it seems to late to make changes.
I also wondered if LeRoy were my friend, what advice I would give him about his love life. Each of his daughters certainly has an opinion! Some characters didn’t grow as much or as fast as I wanted them to. Honestly, people in real life are like that, though. We people don’t always grow as quickly and steadily forward as we should.
Sophie is my favorite character. She seems warm, accepting, able to see the best in others, and willing to forgive. Plus, she’s a hard worker!
I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Training dogs was much easier than training daughters.”
“Wisdom, understanding, knowledge. More than ever, she longed for those elusive qualities—because she felt foolish, confused, and just plain stupid.”
Brynna is a divorced, elementary school teacher whose vice-principal invites her along on a summer camping trip out west. It is a trip that has the potential to change her life.
Leroy Sorrentino is the widowed vintner of a small California vineyard. Preparing to celebrate the historical longevity of the vineyard, two of his three grown daughters attempt to market and make Sorrentino’s profitable.
I liked the premise of the storyline and the predictable but realistic conflicts Carlson presents for her characters to overcome.
“Had he settled? Both in life and in marriage? He sometimes wondered.” This is a very sad, possibly tragic, thought for a person to have to ponder after it seems to late to make changes.
I also wondered if LeRoy were my friend, what advice I would give him about his love life. Each of his daughters certainly has an opinion! Some characters didn’t grow as much or as fast as I wanted them to. Honestly, people in real life are like that, though. We people don’t always grow as quickly and steadily forward as we should.
Sophie is my favorite character. She seems warm, accepting, able to see the best in others, and willing to forgive. Plus, she’s a hard worker!
I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Training dogs was much easier than training daughters.”
“Wisdom, understanding, knowledge. More than ever, she longed for those elusive qualities—because she felt foolish, confused, and just plain stupid.”
April 4, 2022
Contemporary romance is not a genre I typically enjoy reading, but I discovered Melody Carlson this past Christmas and quickly binged through 10+ of her holiday novellas. The way she writes characters is so realistic and I love the faith elements she brings into her stories. All of the characters were vulnerable and flawed, allowing me to truly root for their happiness.
Brynna Phillips is a divorced third grade teacher living in Oregon. After discovering her cheating ex-husband and his new wife are now expecting the baby he never wanted with her, Brynna has an identity crisis of sorts. Her friend Jan convinces her to go on a camping trip for the summer. On one of their excursions, Brynna fondly recalls meeting Leroy Sorrentino at the same location a lifetime ago.
Leroy operates a family vineyard with his three daughters after the death of his wife nine years prior. His youngest daughter, Gina, finds old correspondence between he and Brynna. Full of complicated family dynamics, Leroy and Brynna find themselves back in each other's lives, giving them a second chance at their first love.
Thank you to the publisher, Revell, for providing an e-ARC for review via Netgalley; all opinions are my own.
Brynna Phillips is a divorced third grade teacher living in Oregon. After discovering her cheating ex-husband and his new wife are now expecting the baby he never wanted with her, Brynna has an identity crisis of sorts. Her friend Jan convinces her to go on a camping trip for the summer. On one of their excursions, Brynna fondly recalls meeting Leroy Sorrentino at the same location a lifetime ago.
Leroy operates a family vineyard with his three daughters after the death of his wife nine years prior. His youngest daughter, Gina, finds old correspondence between he and Brynna. Full of complicated family dynamics, Leroy and Brynna find themselves back in each other's lives, giving them a second chance at their first love.
Thank you to the publisher, Revell, for providing an e-ARC for review via Netgalley; all opinions are my own.
June 24, 2023
Rating: 3.5 Stars!!
Review:
This was only the 3rd Novel ive read by Melody so i kind of knew what to expect since i loved The Happy Camper and The Christmas Swap before but sadly this one started off too slow for me and too much complaining from the main character which made me dislike this one more then i thought i would.
The Characters were fun and interesting to read about. I liked Brynna til she started complaining about her Ex-Fiance which to me is a big turn off when a character of a book does that.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall it was an OK Contemporary Fiction!! If Brynna hadnt complained so much i would of rated it 5. I will read more by Melody in the future but hope all her other books arent like this one was!!
Review:
This was only the 3rd Novel ive read by Melody so i kind of knew what to expect since i loved The Happy Camper and The Christmas Swap before but sadly this one started off too slow for me and too much complaining from the main character which made me dislike this one more then i thought i would.
The Characters were fun and interesting to read about. I liked Brynna til she started complaining about her Ex-Fiance which to me is a big turn off when a character of a book does that.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall it was an OK Contemporary Fiction!! If Brynna hadnt complained so much i would of rated it 5. I will read more by Melody in the future but hope all her other books arent like this one was!!
January 25, 2022
Oh the possibilities! Two educators embark on a camping adventure along the west coast for one summer. Both will find romance, although neither is particularly looking for it. I liked Jan’s character. She buys a camper and is going to have an adventure. She spontaneously invites Brynna, who is having a bad summer.
It’s a quick, breezy, fast read.
I was most enamored of the red camper.
Thanks to the Revell publishing company and NetGalley for the early copy.
It’s a quick, breezy, fast read.
I was most enamored of the red camper.
Thanks to the Revell publishing company and NetGalley for the early copy.
October 17, 2022
Looking for Leroy by Melody Carlson is a sweet story. I count always count on Melody Carlson to provide a story that will engage me and distract me from reality. Brynna Phillips goes on a camping trip with co-worker, Jan Barton who has a new red travel trailer. When they stop at a campground that was formally a Christian camp that Brynna went to as a teen, she tells Jan about Leroy. Since they will be traveling through Sonoma Valley, Jan suggests they locate Leroy and their new camping companion, Mike agrees with her. Reluctantly, Brynna goes along with them. When they find the vineyard, Brynna is ready to run. She regrets how she ended things with Leroy thirty years ago and is not sure how he will react to her presence. Brynna is wandering around the property when she encounters Sophie, Leroy’s pregnant daughter. She mistakes Brynna for the woman coming to interview for the office manager position. Brynna gets the job, and her friends convince her to take it. Brynna wonders what Leroy will think when they encounter each other? I thoroughly enjoyed Looking for Leroy. It is a charming Christian romance. I started reading and did not want to put it down. I found Looking for Leroy to be well-written with developed, realistic characters. This is a character driven story. I liked getting to know Brynna, Leroy, and Leroy’s large family especially Sophie and Gina (two of Leroy’s daughters). I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Sonoma Valley. It sounds like a lovely place to live. The Christian element was seamlessly woven into the story. There is humor as well. I found myself chuckling several times while reading Looking for Leroy. This was a delightful second chance romance. Looking for Leroy reminds me of Melody Carlson’s The Happy Camper (another fun story). Looking for Leroy is a delightful book to read on a lazy Saturday afternoon. I was sorry to see it end. Looking for Leroy is a captivating tale with a red travel trailer, a Christian Camp recollection, Motorcycle Mike, a vineyard vista, a massive misunderstanding, a wily woman, and a magic moment.
March 27, 2022
Brynna Phillips is a third grade teacher getting ready to start her summer vacation. Her plans are to stay home and plant flowers on the deck at her condo. When she goes to the garden shop, her day is ruined when she sees her ex-husband and his new young wife there. Bryanna wanted children when they were married and he refused. When she sees that his new wife is pregnant, all she wants to do is cry. While she is crying, one of the other teachers at her school shows up and tells her that she needs to get way and go on a camping trip with her in her new mini camper. Bryanna isn't thrilled with the idea of camping and but decides to take a chance and agrees to go.
When they arrive in Sonoma, she remembers that she spent two weeks at a camp in the area and fell in love with another camper named Leroy. Their romance ended on a bad note with a letter that she sent to him asking him not to write any more. She does remember that he lives in the area and it becomes a bit of a game to try to find Leroy. When she finds his winery and ends up working in the office, she isn't sure how she ended up there or how he'll feel when he sees her. Will he be angry at the way she ended their relationship years earlier or will he be happy to see her?
I really enjoyed the descriptions of the scenery in wine country. Both characters were well written but I thought that they were both kind of wishy-washing in their decision making. Leroy let his daughters make most of his decisions and Bryanna got pushed around a lot. The plot is what makes this book fun to read -- the thought of re-connecting with a boyfriend from over 25 years ago is a possible game changer in both of their lives.
Looking for Leroy is a well-written second-chance at love story. The two main characters are middle-aged which is always a plus for me. The beautiful Sonoma wine country is so well described that you may want to pack a suitcase and visit. It's a nice clean Christian romance that is an easy read and leaves readers with a smile at the happily ever after ending.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book to read and review.
When they arrive in Sonoma, she remembers that she spent two weeks at a camp in the area and fell in love with another camper named Leroy. Their romance ended on a bad note with a letter that she sent to him asking him not to write any more. She does remember that he lives in the area and it becomes a bit of a game to try to find Leroy. When she finds his winery and ends up working in the office, she isn't sure how she ended up there or how he'll feel when he sees her. Will he be angry at the way she ended their relationship years earlier or will he be happy to see her?
I really enjoyed the descriptions of the scenery in wine country. Both characters were well written but I thought that they were both kind of wishy-washing in their decision making. Leroy let his daughters make most of his decisions and Bryanna got pushed around a lot. The plot is what makes this book fun to read -- the thought of re-connecting with a boyfriend from over 25 years ago is a possible game changer in both of their lives.
Looking for Leroy is a well-written second-chance at love story. The two main characters are middle-aged which is always a plus for me. The beautiful Sonoma wine country is so well described that you may want to pack a suitcase and visit. It's a nice clean Christian romance that is an easy read and leaves readers with a smile at the happily ever after ending.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book to read and review.
April 3, 2022
Looking for Leroy by Melody Carlson is a delightful read. Brynna is a third grade teacher putting her life back together after her divorce who finds herself with her friend Jan driving down the west coast in a camper. The trip brings back memories of an old love. Leroy is widowed and works at the old world Vineyard his family has owned for the last 180 years. Both remember their first true love.
The beautiful setting of the west coast and Sonoma wine country made the story almost magical. The author painted the sunsets and scenery in such a pleasing way, I felt as if I was there. The cast of characters were delightful and varied. I loved walking through life with Brynna as she discovered who she was and realized her worth. Leroy was a wonderful man who worked hard and was figuring out what is next in life. Jan and Mike were comic relief and Leroy’s daughters were full of life.
The author wove this story together in a beautiful way that spoke to themes of second chances, forgiveness, and opening yourself up to God's love and purpose for your life. I enjoyed the many layers of depth in the story and will forever be able to picture the Vineyard in my head. I loved the humor and wisdom sprinkled throughout the book. I highly recommend Looking for Leroy.
I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a review.
The beautiful setting of the west coast and Sonoma wine country made the story almost magical. The author painted the sunsets and scenery in such a pleasing way, I felt as if I was there. The cast of characters were delightful and varied. I loved walking through life with Brynna as she discovered who she was and realized her worth. Leroy was a wonderful man who worked hard and was figuring out what is next in life. Jan and Mike were comic relief and Leroy’s daughters were full of life.
The author wove this story together in a beautiful way that spoke to themes of second chances, forgiveness, and opening yourself up to God's love and purpose for your life. I enjoyed the many layers of depth in the story and will forever be able to picture the Vineyard in my head. I loved the humor and wisdom sprinkled throughout the book. I highly recommend Looking for Leroy.
I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a review.
January 27, 2022
This review by librarian Christine Barth first appeared in the January 2022 issue of Library Journal.
No one writes clean, contemporary romance quite like Carlson (The Happy Camper) who delivers another winner with this novel. Shy teacher Brynna Phillips's friends want to help her find Mr. Right online, but she's still beaten down by the betrayal and divorce of her husband of 20 years. Through a series of unlikely circumstances, Brynna winds up camping with one of the most feared teachers at the school. As the unlikely pair journey west, they decide to search for Brynna's summer camp love, Leroy, but all she remembers is that his family owned a vineyard.
Meanwhile, Leroy Sorrentino is raising three daughters on his own and has sworn off all romance after the death of his wife, claiming he's too busy with work.
VERDICT: Hallmark will be salivating over this script. With plenty of humorous encounters, delightful misunderstandings, and realistic characters, this is one to hand to readers looking for a fun read with a hint of faith.
No one writes clean, contemporary romance quite like Carlson (The Happy Camper) who delivers another winner with this novel. Shy teacher Brynna Phillips's friends want to help her find Mr. Right online, but she's still beaten down by the betrayal and divorce of her husband of 20 years. Through a series of unlikely circumstances, Brynna winds up camping with one of the most feared teachers at the school. As the unlikely pair journey west, they decide to search for Brynna's summer camp love, Leroy, but all she remembers is that his family owned a vineyard.
Meanwhile, Leroy Sorrentino is raising three daughters on his own and has sworn off all romance after the death of his wife, claiming he's too busy with work.
VERDICT: Hallmark will be salivating over this script. With plenty of humorous encounters, delightful misunderstandings, and realistic characters, this is one to hand to readers looking for a fun read with a hint of faith.
April 8, 2022
Looking for Leroy is a fun second chance romance story! I enjoyed the beautiful setting of Sonoma; I could picture the beautiful vineyards and sunsets. The little cottage seemed like the perfect retreat. Brynna was sweet and kind, she had a hard time speaking up for herself. I think a lot of people can relate to that. Leroy was quiet and seemed a bit gruff, but inside I think he just wanted to be loved. There are so many good parts to this story! The unexpected friendships, the sense of adventure, taking chances, and putting yourself out there. Fans of contemporary romance will love this trip into wine country with the hope of a second chance at love. I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 22, 2022
Looking for Leroy was a really cute read. It had substance and kept me entertained. The more I read, the more I had to find out how it ended. I loved the description of the vineyard and the guest cottage and even the varying differences in the characters – from Judith and her mean stepmother qualities to the varying personalities of Leroy’s daughters. I fell in love with Sophie and her family. The only thing I felt lacking in this book was the presence of biblical truths sprinkled throughout. The main character didn’t even go to church. For a Christian novel, I missed that element, but otherwise? A great read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was under no obligation to review it. All opinions are mine.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was under no obligation to review it. All opinions are mine.
March 15, 2022
This is Melody Carlson's best book yet -- a romance that breaks all the rules. After all, aren't the hero and heroine supposed to meet in the first chapter, not 2/3 of the way through the book? Of course, this is a second chance at love story, so they've already met, but it was thirty years ago. Watching the two of them find their way together again is pure delight. I highly recommend Looking for Leroy.
August 21, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
This was such a great summer read! All the descriptions of the vineyard and sunsets were amazing and made me want to visit one just like this some day! I loved Melody Carlson’s writing and will definitely read more by her.
This was such a great summer read! All the descriptions of the vineyard and sunsets were amazing and made me want to visit one just like this some day! I loved Melody Carlson’s writing and will definitely read more by her.
January 15, 2022
I tagged this book as a romance, but, really, it’s much more than that. If there were such a genre as coming-of-age for adults, then that would fit this book. Brynna has had some major tragedies and disappointments in her life. As a teenager, she thought she was in love, but a two-week trip to a camp might have changed her mind when she met Leroy. But then, her parents died in a car accident, her old boyfriend reentered her life, and marriage was inevitable. However, a happily ever after was not in her future. Now divorced, an unsettling discovery about her exhusband has sent her reeling. A chance meeting with a colleague from her school has both women off on a summer camping trip. They meet a nice guy on a motorcycle, discover that Brynna’s former teen crush now owns a vineyard close to where they are traveling, and soon their favorite new game is “Looking for Leroy.” It’s a delightful tale, peopled with interesting and likable characters. It illustrates the necessity of forgiveness, both of others and of one’s self. It shows that it’s never too late to seek that elusive HEA ending. Brynna learns that from an 85 year old woman, and she is wise enough to heed her advice. Author Melody Carlson writes a delightful and tender love story, full of ups and downs, troubles and happiness, aloneness that ends with the acquirement of family and friends, because isn’t that just what life if made of? Recommended to anyone who likes a bit of romance. You don’t have to like camping to enjoy this novel!
January 11, 2022
With summer vacation approaching, teacher Brynna Philips plans to spend much of it working on a small garden. But seeing her ex-husband and his very pregnant current wife leaves her falling down so she agrees to go on a camping trip with Vice Principal Jan Barton. As they travel through wine country, Brynna is reminded of Leroy Sorrentino, a summer crush. For his part, Leroy, now a widower has never forgotten Brynna. Will these two meet and find love again?
For the most part, “Looking for Leroy” is an enjoyable romance novel by Melody Carlson. Carlson takes her time developing the romance between the two (both past and present) allowing readers to get to know both characters – the book alternates between Brynna’s viewpoint and Leroy’s viewpoint. By the end of the book I felt like I knew both Leroy and Brynna as characters – truthfully I liked Leroy a bit more as Brynna could be a little flaky. I loved reading about the background of each character and the relationship between them and the other characters in the book – mostly Leroy’s family but also Brynna’s friend Jan and their new friend Mike (those two need a book of their own!). I also l liked the vineyard setting – I felt like I was there while reading the book. Unfortunately, I felt that while the characters and setting were fully developed, the current day romance of Brynna and Leroy wasn’t – they didn’t meet again until the book was more than halfway over and I felt their relationship after that was rushed. Still, I did enjoy the book and the ending –I just wish we had more time to see Brynna and Leroy fall in love again.
For the most part, “Looking for Leroy” is an enjoyable romance novel by Melody Carlson. Carlson takes her time developing the romance between the two (both past and present) allowing readers to get to know both characters – the book alternates between Brynna’s viewpoint and Leroy’s viewpoint. By the end of the book I felt like I knew both Leroy and Brynna as characters – truthfully I liked Leroy a bit more as Brynna could be a little flaky. I loved reading about the background of each character and the relationship between them and the other characters in the book – mostly Leroy’s family but also Brynna’s friend Jan and their new friend Mike (those two need a book of their own!). I also l liked the vineyard setting – I felt like I was there while reading the book. Unfortunately, I felt that while the characters and setting were fully developed, the current day romance of Brynna and Leroy wasn’t – they didn’t meet again until the book was more than halfway over and I felt their relationship after that was rushed. Still, I did enjoy the book and the ending –I just wish we had more time to see Brynna and Leroy fall in love again.
February 27, 2022
Looking For Leroy by Melody Carlson is a most delightful contemporary novel that will warm your heart.
You never forget your first love no matter how many years have passed. There may be regrets in life, choices that have not worked out. What would you do if you could have a second chance at first love?
The reader sees the importance of retaining a spirit of adventure, no matter what your age. Life is for living and for exploring new places and having new adventures.
Sometimes we face crossroads in life and don’t know what to do – “Why don’t you try praying about it too.” Involving God in our lives is always a good idea. We need to pray and then listen for His voice.
We all have dreams. Sometimes life happens and interrupts our dreams. We can always revisit our dreams at a later date. There are those who squash our dreams and trample on us. If we are in a toxic relationship, we need to get out.
Family is important. Family does not always run smoothly but is fiercely loyal, protecting its members.
All the characters were well drawn, likable and realistic. I loved the kind hearts that showered love wherever they went.
Looking For Leroy was a charming read that left me smiling.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
You never forget your first love no matter how many years have passed. There may be regrets in life, choices that have not worked out. What would you do if you could have a second chance at first love?
The reader sees the importance of retaining a spirit of adventure, no matter what your age. Life is for living and for exploring new places and having new adventures.
Sometimes we face crossroads in life and don’t know what to do – “Why don’t you try praying about it too.” Involving God in our lives is always a good idea. We need to pray and then listen for His voice.
We all have dreams. Sometimes life happens and interrupts our dreams. We can always revisit our dreams at a later date. There are those who squash our dreams and trample on us. If we are in a toxic relationship, we need to get out.
Family is important. Family does not always run smoothly but is fiercely loyal, protecting its members.
All the characters were well drawn, likable and realistic. I loved the kind hearts that showered love wherever they went.
Looking For Leroy was a charming read that left me smiling.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
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