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Walker Family #2
Op het juiste moment
In Op het juiste moment van Melissa Tagg ligt het hart van Amelia Bently aan gruzelementen, maar haar nieuwe baan als redacteur bij de plaatselijke krant van Maple Valley geeft haar iets om voor te gaan. Zeker als die dreigt te worden opgeheven. Misschien dat een artikel over een onopgelost mysterie de krant kan redden…
Als de jonge weduwnaar Logan Walker hoort dat hij het krantje heeft geërfd, is hij van plan het snel te verkopen en zich er verder niet mee te bemoeien. Maar dan raakt hij betrokken bij de zoektocht van Amelia. En hoe gewond hun harten ook zijn, tegen overslaande vonken doe je niets.
Als de jonge weduwnaar Logan Walker hoort dat hij het krantje heeft geërfd, is hij van plan het snel te verkopen en zich er verder niet mee te bemoeien. Maar dan raakt hij betrokken bij de zoektocht van Amelia. En hoe gewond hun harten ook zijn, tegen overslaande vonken doe je niets.
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2016
67 people are currently reading
1501 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Tagg
25 books1,671 followersMelissa Tagg is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and Carol Award-winning author of swoony and hope-filled small-town contemporary romances. She’s also a former reporter, current nonprofit marketing strategist, and total Iowa girl.
Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not happily lost in someone else’s book or plugging away her own, she can be found spoiling her nieces and nephews, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next fictional hero. Connect with Melissa at melissatagg.com.
Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not happily lost in someone else’s book or plugging away her own, she can be found spoiling her nieces and nephews, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next fictional hero. Connect with Melissa at melissatagg.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
April 6, 2016
Melissa, this book got me right in the feels.
It is safe to say that "Like Never Before" is officially right up there with "There You'll Find Me" by Jenny B. Jones as my favourite Contemporary novels of all time!!
Full review coming soon!
March 4, 2017
Wow. Such a great read! Fun... and deep. Enjoyable... and meaningful. This is the best kind of book. The kind that makes you cry, but then it makes you laugh. And it has a fabulous ending! What more could you ask for? ;)
First off, I have grown to love the Walker family-- even though some of my family members think I'm a little strange for saying that about fictional folk... "they aren't even real!" :|
Really, though, this family is so lovable! Each has his own place as a minor character and I love that you get glimpses into the members of this family without feeling that they're taking over the story at all. They're loving and hurting and injured and growing and just so wonderfully imperfect. How could a person not love them? Honestly, I wish they were real so I could go visit them! ;)
Logan and Amelia are both people of strong character and principles. They both come from difficult pasts. And they both have their lives planned out and know what they want for their future... sorta. ;) I loved watching them grow and change through this story. And I also loved that, though it didn't feel like that much time had passed, their relationship developed over a couple months rather than being rushed.
Did Logan live up to my expectations? (Anyone who follows Melissa Tagg online at all will know what I'm talking about here.) Yes! He absolutely did. He's a wonderful character! And Amelia-- she's just so perfect for Logan. And her having a crush on him because of his writing (hope that's not a spoiler for some of y'all) is just adorable!! <3
And Charlie. She's... Well, you'll just have to read the book because I really can't even think how to begin to describe her. She was perfect. Not as a person, of course, but I thought her character was written fabulously. Kudos to you, Melissa Tagg, for making me like this little girl more than I have liked a child in a book in a long while!
I shall end by saying that I am excitedly awaiting another book from this author. She has impressed me to no end and I can't wait to get my hands on more of her writing!! :)
I received a free copy of this book through the Bethany House Blogger Review Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
First off, I have grown to love the Walker family-- even though some of my family members think I'm a little strange for saying that about fictional folk... "they aren't even real!" :|
Really, though, this family is so lovable! Each has his own place as a minor character and I love that you get glimpses into the members of this family without feeling that they're taking over the story at all. They're loving and hurting and injured and growing and just so wonderfully imperfect. How could a person not love them? Honestly, I wish they were real so I could go visit them! ;)
Logan and Amelia are both people of strong character and principles. They both come from difficult pasts. And they both have their lives planned out and know what they want for their future... sorta. ;) I loved watching them grow and change through this story. And I also loved that, though it didn't feel like that much time had passed, their relationship developed over a couple months rather than being rushed.
Did Logan live up to my expectations? (Anyone who follows Melissa Tagg online at all will know what I'm talking about here.) Yes! He absolutely did. He's a wonderful character! And Amelia-- she's just so perfect for Logan. And her having a crush on him because of his writing (hope that's not a spoiler for some of y'all) is just adorable!! <3
And Charlie. She's... Well, you'll just have to read the book because I really can't even think how to begin to describe her. She was perfect. Not as a person, of course, but I thought her character was written fabulously. Kudos to you, Melissa Tagg, for making me like this little girl more than I have liked a child in a book in a long while!
I shall end by saying that I am excitedly awaiting another book from this author. She has impressed me to no end and I can't wait to get my hands on more of her writing!! :)
I received a free copy of this book through the Bethany House Blogger Review Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 6, 2016
I say this about each new book that Melissa comes out with, but each time it's true - this is her best book so far and my new favorite! Her dialogue just sparkles and her characters shine on the page. Melissa's writing grows more and more refined with each book, and it's always so easy to fall into the story and relate to her characters.
In Like Never Before, we get the story of another Walker sibling - Logan Walker, and Amelia Bentley, a tenacious reporter at Maple Valley News - the business that Logan has just inherited...and needs to sell so he can fulfill the ultimate dream of any speech writer – being on the team of a presidential candidate. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, but may put his three-year-old daughter Charlie at risk. And then there’s Amelia. As time goes on, Logan isn’t sure that following his speechwriting dream is the right thing for Charlie or even his dream anymore at all. The town of Maple Valley became a haven for Amelia after suffering a terrible loss, but crusading for the failing town paper her passion or just a cause to hide behind?
There are so many reasons I love this novel, and a big one is the charm of the setting. Maple Valley is such a solid presence throughout the story, quaint enough to be unique, yet realistic enough to feel like it could be a real place. I wish it were a real place, so that I could put it on my bucket list to visit. The characters in the Walker family are all nuanced and realistic. I love how Melissa gives the reader glimpses of stories to come for various characters throughout the story; they flow naturally throughout the present story and made me even more eager to read about the next Walker sibling.
Logan and Amelia are great as a pairing, but even more important, they are fully fleshed-out individuals that have captivating character arcs as the story progresses. Melissa releases details in a very deft way – rather than dumping back story information on the reader, things are revealed through their thoughts and conversations with one another. By the time they begin to trust and rely on one another, I felt like I knew who they were as individuals and could appreciate that separately from the romance. However, don’t let that lead you to believe that romance wasn’t present because it is definitely there! Sometimes the romantic tension was a tangible thing within the story, and there are certainly a few heart-pounding, sigh-worthy moments.
I truly feel that Melissa has reached a high point in her writing. She is able to create moments of humor, romance, poignancy and self-discovery and place them in the story exactly where they need to go. Even though creating a story takes immense time and effort, it all just has an effortless feeling to it, flowing from one scene to the next with ease. I mostly had a silly grin on my face while reading, but there were several instances where tears came to my eyes, and the words on the page resonated deeply within my heart.
While I think you could read Like Never Before and enjoy it on its own, I highly recommend that you read From the Start first. Kate Walker’s story is wonderful as well, and it gives a foundation for the genuineness that is the Walker family. Like Never Before is even more enjoyable because of the sense of returning home that Maple Valley and the Walkers provide readers. I can’t wait to return to Maple Valley and see what’s next for the Walker family!
In Like Never Before, we get the story of another Walker sibling - Logan Walker, and Amelia Bentley, a tenacious reporter at Maple Valley News - the business that Logan has just inherited...and needs to sell so he can fulfill the ultimate dream of any speech writer – being on the team of a presidential candidate. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, but may put his three-year-old daughter Charlie at risk. And then there’s Amelia. As time goes on, Logan isn’t sure that following his speechwriting dream is the right thing for Charlie or even his dream anymore at all. The town of Maple Valley became a haven for Amelia after suffering a terrible loss, but crusading for the failing town paper her passion or just a cause to hide behind?
There are so many reasons I love this novel, and a big one is the charm of the setting. Maple Valley is such a solid presence throughout the story, quaint enough to be unique, yet realistic enough to feel like it could be a real place. I wish it were a real place, so that I could put it on my bucket list to visit. The characters in the Walker family are all nuanced and realistic. I love how Melissa gives the reader glimpses of stories to come for various characters throughout the story; they flow naturally throughout the present story and made me even more eager to read about the next Walker sibling.
Logan and Amelia are great as a pairing, but even more important, they are fully fleshed-out individuals that have captivating character arcs as the story progresses. Melissa releases details in a very deft way – rather than dumping back story information on the reader, things are revealed through their thoughts and conversations with one another. By the time they begin to trust and rely on one another, I felt like I knew who they were as individuals and could appreciate that separately from the romance. However, don’t let that lead you to believe that romance wasn’t present because it is definitely there! Sometimes the romantic tension was a tangible thing within the story, and there are certainly a few heart-pounding, sigh-worthy moments.
I truly feel that Melissa has reached a high point in her writing. She is able to create moments of humor, romance, poignancy and self-discovery and place them in the story exactly where they need to go. Even though creating a story takes immense time and effort, it all just has an effortless feeling to it, flowing from one scene to the next with ease. I mostly had a silly grin on my face while reading, but there were several instances where tears came to my eyes, and the words on the page resonated deeply within my heart.
While I think you could read Like Never Before and enjoy it on its own, I highly recommend that you read From the Start first. Kate Walker’s story is wonderful as well, and it gives a foundation for the genuineness that is the Walker family. Like Never Before is even more enjoyable because of the sense of returning home that Maple Valley and the Walkers provide readers. I can’t wait to return to Maple Valley and see what’s next for the Walker family!
June 18, 2019
An absolute delight of a book! I have a problem with Melissa Tagg's writing: I put off reading it because I know it's going to be heartfelt, vivid, and heartwarming. I hold off until I just really, really need a true comfort read. I needed a mostly-orange cover for a challenge, so it was the perfect excuse for a true comfort read.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
December 5, 2018
WOW. What did I just read??
February 15, 2017
by Andrea Renee Cox
Although I’ve looked forward to Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg for a full year, I couldn’t have imagined just how incredible it is. This book blew me away, and here’s why:
Melissa Tagg just went to a new emotional and spiritual depth with this one.
She’s said (in blog articles and in the acknowledgements for LNB) that this book was the result of a difficult creative season and a rejuvenation by God in that same area of her life. It shows. The messages, themes, lessons… whatever you choose to call them… they are such a story of her heart, passion, joy, and renewed belief in the talent and job God has gifted to her. The trials and tests she faced during that arduous time period must have been tough ones, because the incredible brilliance that is God’s joy overflowing through a human heart shines so brightly on every page of this precious novel.
(Melissa, I’m sorry if this makes you cry, but I’m sure they’re happy tears. *smiles and hugs*)
Filled with the author’s trademark humor and classic movie references, Like Never Before also contains loads of heart, wise advice, and even a mystery. The family and small-town dynamics fairly burst from the lines of text, and the quirkiness of Maple Valley adds an extra character to the mix.
A delightful read that will surely challenge its readers to dig a little (or a lot) deeper into their own ideals and beliefs, Like Never Before is a great addition to the Walker Family series. But look out! It might steal your heart along the way. (If Charlie doesn’t nab it first.*)
*If you don’t understand this pun, you haven’t yet read the book. What are you waiting for?
Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Although I’ve looked forward to Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg for a full year, I couldn’t have imagined just how incredible it is. This book blew me away, and here’s why:
Melissa Tagg just went to a new emotional and spiritual depth with this one.
She’s said (in blog articles and in the acknowledgements for LNB) that this book was the result of a difficult creative season and a rejuvenation by God in that same area of her life. It shows. The messages, themes, lessons… whatever you choose to call them… they are such a story of her heart, passion, joy, and renewed belief in the talent and job God has gifted to her. The trials and tests she faced during that arduous time period must have been tough ones, because the incredible brilliance that is God’s joy overflowing through a human heart shines so brightly on every page of this precious novel.
(Melissa, I’m sorry if this makes you cry, but I’m sure they’re happy tears. *smiles and hugs*)
Filled with the author’s trademark humor and classic movie references, Like Never Before also contains loads of heart, wise advice, and even a mystery. The family and small-town dynamics fairly burst from the lines of text, and the quirkiness of Maple Valley adds an extra character to the mix.
A delightful read that will surely challenge its readers to dig a little (or a lot) deeper into their own ideals and beliefs, Like Never Before is a great addition to the Walker Family series. But look out! It might steal your heart along the way. (If Charlie doesn’t nab it first.*)
*If you don’t understand this pun, you haven’t yet read the book. What are you waiting for?
Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 2, 2016
As with all of Melissa Tagg's novels so far, I LOVED this book. It was a delightful contemporary romance with humor and great characters. The writing style was very good and made the story engaging to read.
I loved how the book started off with emails and that they were fun to read! Sometimes, emails/notes/journal entries in books are dull, but not in this case -- I had a blast reading them. ;)
All in all, this was a fantastic book. I loved it and definitely recommend it. I can't wait to read Melissa's next book!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
I loved how the book started off with emails and that they were fun to read! Sometimes, emails/notes/journal entries in books are dull, but not in this case -- I had a blast reading them. ;)
All in all, this was a fantastic book. I loved it and definitely recommend it. I can't wait to read Melissa's next book!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
April 3, 2016
Melissa Tagg has written another sweet heart-warming novel. It was an absolute pleasure to read. The Walker's are such a cool family. I just love the whole crew. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
March 29, 2016
The latest installment of Melissa Tagg's Walker Family Series arrived on the 24th, and I finished it four days later. And this is only because of a bustling Easter weekend in between or it would have been finished sooner. The mark of a great book...
The two main characters, Logan and Amelia, were secondary characters in the first book and the in-between novella, From the Start and Three Little Words. But one great thing about Tagg's books? You should read the books in order, but you don't have to to fully understand what is going on. A fantastic semi-sequential, semi-standalone series, this second book drew me right back into perhaps one of my most beloved fictional towns: Maple Valley, Iowa. A Mid-West version of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls or Mount Bedford from It's a Wonderful Life.
The novel opens just as spring is attempting to arrive in the Mid-West, and finds Logan Walker, the eldest of the Walker clan, burnt out and nearing his breaking point trying to juggle single fatherhood and a burgeoning political writing/campaign career in Los Angeles. When he receives a letter from an old mentor who viewed him like a son, his life turns upside down as he goes home for what he thinks will be a temporary stay. Back in Maple Valley, we find Amelia Bentley--a driven, passionate reporter for the town's newspaper with a Lorelai Gilmore-esque love for the town that embraced her three years earlier when her life fell apart. Seemingly random circumstances draw these two together--but, in reality, it's the Ultimate Author beginning their love story. Their love story together, and the Greatest Love that pulls their faith back up from the quaking, ash-filled depths of their aching hearts to renew and restore their faith.
One thing in this novel I was delighted to see was the small historical storyline that was interwoven as one of the "conflicts" needing solved that kept pushing Amelia and Logan together. Melissa has made no secret online for her great love for this particular fictional hero of hers--Logan Walker, and oh my word, I see why now. He is a steady, common-sense man with a huge heart and need to protect those he cares about that just left me sighing. Not to mention his appearance and quirks Melissa writes into the story makes him all the more swoon-worthy.
For fans of romantic comedies filled to the brim with so much heart set against the vivid backdrop of a Mid-Western Stars Hollow (with comedic and heartwarming characters abounding!), Like Never Before is a must-read.
The two main characters, Logan and Amelia, were secondary characters in the first book and the in-between novella, From the Start and Three Little Words. But one great thing about Tagg's books? You should read the books in order, but you don't have to to fully understand what is going on. A fantastic semi-sequential, semi-standalone series, this second book drew me right back into perhaps one of my most beloved fictional towns: Maple Valley, Iowa. A Mid-West version of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls or Mount Bedford from It's a Wonderful Life.
The novel opens just as spring is attempting to arrive in the Mid-West, and finds Logan Walker, the eldest of the Walker clan, burnt out and nearing his breaking point trying to juggle single fatherhood and a burgeoning political writing/campaign career in Los Angeles. When he receives a letter from an old mentor who viewed him like a son, his life turns upside down as he goes home for what he thinks will be a temporary stay. Back in Maple Valley, we find Amelia Bentley--a driven, passionate reporter for the town's newspaper with a Lorelai Gilmore-esque love for the town that embraced her three years earlier when her life fell apart. Seemingly random circumstances draw these two together--but, in reality, it's the Ultimate Author beginning their love story. Their love story together, and the Greatest Love that pulls their faith back up from the quaking, ash-filled depths of their aching hearts to renew and restore their faith.
One thing in this novel I was delighted to see was the small historical storyline that was interwoven as one of the "conflicts" needing solved that kept pushing Amelia and Logan together. Melissa has made no secret online for her great love for this particular fictional hero of hers--Logan Walker, and oh my word, I see why now. He is a steady, common-sense man with a huge heart and need to protect those he cares about that just left me sighing. Not to mention his appearance and quirks Melissa writes into the story makes him all the more swoon-worthy.
For fans of romantic comedies filled to the brim with so much heart set against the vivid backdrop of a Mid-Western Stars Hollow (with comedic and heartwarming characters abounding!), Like Never Before is a must-read.
January 14, 2019
From the first email between Amelia and Logan, these two had me in smiles or frustrating sighs as they took me along their friendship-relationship journey. Amelia's spunky fighting personality and Logan's love for the adorable, sweet Charlie and "single dad status" (which tucked at my heartstrings), resulted in an enjoyable read.
This author is quite new to me (Only read
and
) and did a great job of making me connect with the characters, in such a way that I found myself a few times where I want to hit Rick (Logan's father-in-law) with something on Logan's behalf.
The mystery about Kendall's security box kept things interesting and history lovers will probably love this addition. The relationship between Kendall and Amelia made me thing of the classic Daddy-Long-Legs (which I still have to read but know about due to a modern book I've read based on the classic).
A love-able, supporting family with a very wise dad, interesting siblings which can joke with each other but also be there when needed and a cute cozy small time set up, all adds to the warmth you as reader experience while reading this story.
Readers who has read the Baxter series by Karen Kingsbury and the Christiansen family series by Susan May Warren will love this family series.
I'm rating this 4.5 stars for now - confused between a 4 and 5 star rating.
"You can’t see into the future. You can’t control what changes are going to come into your lives. You can only control your choices."
“I think sometimes believing is a matter of deciding. Deciding who you’re going to trust and what you know about who you trust. And once that decision starts sinking into your bones, the wide-open spaces of your future get more invigorating than intimidating. Doesn’t mean the choices suddenly get easy. But it does mean we stop worrying so much that we’re going to mess up and pick the wrong door, as if we could possibly out-wander God.”
This author is quite new to me (Only read
and
) and did a great job of making me connect with the characters, in such a way that I found myself a few times where I want to hit Rick (Logan's father-in-law) with something on Logan's behalf.The mystery about Kendall's security box kept things interesting and history lovers will probably love this addition. The relationship between Kendall and Amelia made me thing of the classic Daddy-Long-Legs (which I still have to read but know about due to a modern book I've read based on the classic).
A love-able, supporting family with a very wise dad, interesting siblings which can joke with each other but also be there when needed and a cute cozy small time set up, all adds to the warmth you as reader experience while reading this story.
Readers who has read the Baxter series by Karen Kingsbury and the Christiansen family series by Susan May Warren will love this family series.
I'm rating this 4.5 stars for now - confused between a 4 and 5 star rating.
"You can’t see into the future. You can’t control what changes are going to come into your lives. You can only control your choices."
“I think sometimes believing is a matter of deciding. Deciding who you’re going to trust and what you know about who you trust. And once that decision starts sinking into your bones, the wide-open spaces of your future get more invigorating than intimidating. Doesn’t mean the choices suddenly get easy. But it does mean we stop worrying so much that we’re going to mess up and pick the wrong door, as if we could possibly out-wander God.”
March 18, 2016
adorable !
don't miss Melissa and I talking about our heroes Logan Walker and Ray DeLuca here: http://hillaryonwriting.blogspot.ca/2...
don't miss Melissa and I talking about our heroes Logan Walker and Ray DeLuca here: http://hillaryonwriting.blogspot.ca/2...
April 4, 2016
About this book:
“Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley's haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But her new life as a newspaper editor is shaken when the small-town paper is in danger of closing. Her one hope: A lead on an intriguing story that just might impress the new publisher...if only she new who he was.
After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker now has the chance of a lifetime--a spot on a presidential campaign. But his plans are interrupted when he finds out he's inherited his hometown newspaper. He travels home intent on selling the paper and spending some much-needed time with his young daughter before making the leap into national politics.
But instead of a quick sale and peaceful break from his hectic career, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She's scrappy, but wounded. He's dependable, but lost. They may butt heads more than expected, but a series of leads on Maple Valley's quirky unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.”
Series: Book #2 in the “Walker Family” series. Review of Book #1 Here! {This series can be connected to the “Where Love Begins” series, if you read the novella “Three Little Words”.}
Spiritual Content- Isaiah 43:19 at the beginning; Prayers; A couple Scriptures are mentioned & talked about; Many talks about God, His plans, trusting & praying; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Amelia doesn’t know if God let her down or she let God down; Logan says some prayers for the first in forever (he isn’t a fan of God’s plan and believes that he has to figure out everything himself); *Spoilers* *End of Spoilers*; Mentions of praying; Mentions of Church; A couple mentions of signs in the Bible; A couple mentions of missionary work; A couple mentions of sins; A mention of Thanking God.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘crapshoot’, a ‘flippin”, a ‘shoot’, a ‘shut up’, an unfinished ‘what the—‘, two ‘darn’s, three forms of ‘stupid’, three ‘dumb’s, and four forms of ‘idiot’; Many mentions of divorce; Mentions of hitting someone; A few mentions of a car accident & a drunk driver; A few mentions of drugs, drinking & parties; A few mentions of tattoos & piercings; a mention of a bar;
*Note: A couple mentions of Starbucks.
Sexual Content- five hand kisses, four cheek kisses, a forehead kiss, two not-detailed kisses, two barely-above-not-detailed, and four semi-detailed kisses; Remembering a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Wanting to kiss; Touches & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Noticing, Nearness & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); A mention of finding a woman in a man’s bed (he slept in another room); A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of an unmarried couple living together; Mentions of a married couple trying seven years to have a baby (no sexual details); Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of crushes, blushes & flirting; Many mentions of unmarried pregnant young women (including a mention of a one-night stand); Love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of a woman whose curves got the attention of all the boys in high school; A few mentions of nakedness, wearing just a robe & adverting eyes; A few mentions of seeing men undressing & pants coming off (no details, nothing sexual at all).
-Amelia Bentley, age 30
-Logan Walker, age 34
P.O.V. switches between them
342 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
Looking at this cute cover (& spine! Ah! The cute spine!) may make you think that this is just a cutesy Contemporary Romance. While “Like Never Before” definitely has it cute Contemporary Romance parts, it’s not just that. There’s quite a bit of Spiritual Content—which it’s been a while since I’ve read a (Christian Fiction) book with both main characters struggling with their faiths. Book Two in the “Walker Family” series has a fun mystery, but also more real-life topics like unwed mothers, divorce, etc are major parts of the story. I did enjoy this book (there was a library date, y’all!) and while I would like to give it a bit of a higher rating, but because of all the kisses, I can’t.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this honest review.
“Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley's haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But her new life as a newspaper editor is shaken when the small-town paper is in danger of closing. Her one hope: A lead on an intriguing story that just might impress the new publisher...if only she new who he was.
After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker now has the chance of a lifetime--a spot on a presidential campaign. But his plans are interrupted when he finds out he's inherited his hometown newspaper. He travels home intent on selling the paper and spending some much-needed time with his young daughter before making the leap into national politics.
But instead of a quick sale and peaceful break from his hectic career, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She's scrappy, but wounded. He's dependable, but lost. They may butt heads more than expected, but a series of leads on Maple Valley's quirky unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.”
Series: Book #2 in the “Walker Family” series. Review of Book #1 Here! {This series can be connected to the “Where Love Begins” series, if you read the novella “Three Little Words”.}
Spiritual Content- Isaiah 43:19 at the beginning; Prayers; A couple Scriptures are mentioned & talked about; Many talks about God, His plans, trusting & praying; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Amelia doesn’t know if God let her down or she let God down; Logan says some prayers for the first in forever (he isn’t a fan of God’s plan and believes that he has to figure out everything himself); *Spoilers* *End of Spoilers*; Mentions of praying; Mentions of Church; A couple mentions of signs in the Bible; A couple mentions of missionary work; A couple mentions of sins; A mention of Thanking God.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘crapshoot’, a ‘flippin”, a ‘shoot’, a ‘shut up’, an unfinished ‘what the—‘, two ‘darn’s, three forms of ‘stupid’, three ‘dumb’s, and four forms of ‘idiot’; Many mentions of divorce; Mentions of hitting someone; A few mentions of a car accident & a drunk driver; A few mentions of drugs, drinking & parties; A few mentions of tattoos & piercings; a mention of a bar;
*Note: A couple mentions of Starbucks.
Sexual Content- five hand kisses, four cheek kisses, a forehead kiss, two not-detailed kisses, two barely-above-not-detailed, and four semi-detailed kisses; Remembering a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Wanting to kiss; Touches & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Noticing, Nearness & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); A mention of finding a woman in a man’s bed (he slept in another room); A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of an unmarried couple living together; Mentions of a married couple trying seven years to have a baby (no sexual details); Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of crushes, blushes & flirting; Many mentions of unmarried pregnant young women (including a mention of a one-night stand); Love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of a woman whose curves got the attention of all the boys in high school; A few mentions of nakedness, wearing just a robe & adverting eyes; A few mentions of seeing men undressing & pants coming off (no details, nothing sexual at all).
-Amelia Bentley, age 30
-Logan Walker, age 34
P.O.V. switches between them
342 pages
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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
Looking at this cute cover (& spine! Ah! The cute spine!) may make you think that this is just a cutesy Contemporary Romance. While “Like Never Before” definitely has it cute Contemporary Romance parts, it’s not just that. There’s quite a bit of Spiritual Content—which it’s been a while since I’ve read a (Christian Fiction) book with both main characters struggling with their faiths. Book Two in the “Walker Family” series has a fun mystery, but also more real-life topics like unwed mothers, divorce, etc are major parts of the story. I did enjoy this book (there was a library date, y’all!) and while I would like to give it a bit of a higher rating, but because of all the kisses, I can’t.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this honest review.
June 14, 2019
The Walker Family and Maple Valley are easy to love. It was fun to spend time with Logan and Amelia. I loved Amelia's fascination with Amelia Earhart and the letters she wrote to Mary. Logan won me over with his love for his young daughter and his cup half full attitude.
May 18, 2020
Like Never Before was sweet, intriguing and moving all at once. Logan and Charlie were too cute to handle, and I loved the ending! 4.5 stars :)
February 1, 2016
Like Never Before just shines. Every word, every character has been created with care and love and it seeps through each and every page. I loved this book. I laughed, I cried and I wanted to stay curled up in its pages forever. It is lovely to sink back into the cozy setting of Maple Valley, catch up with old friends and enjoy a new meeting of hearts.
While the books in the Walker Family series could possibly be read independently it's probably best to read them in series order to stay abreast of who is who and how they fit into Maple Valley and the Walker family. I have read both the first book and the prequel novella and it still took me a few chapters to reacquaint myself with the characters and current setting of events. For those who may have read book one a while ago and find things a little foggy here are a few hints. We met both Logan and Amelia in the first book of the series. Logan is the eldest Walker sibling - the second eldest, Kate, was the heroine of book one, and she is followed by Beckett Walker and then Raegan.
Logan is a political speech writer, has a three-year-old daughter, Charlie, and his wife died in a car crash a few years ago. Logan and Amelia have briefly met once before but Amelia feels like she knows Logan much better after hearing many stories from her boss at the Maple Valley newspaper, Logan's sister Raegan and from reading Logan's speeches. She maybe has a bit of a crush on him and certainly on the way he writes. But getting to know Logan in person, seeing behind that put-together façade and falling in love with the real guy is something else altogether.
Logan Walker is charming. He wears ties, loves his little daughter, has a way with words, loves his family and is desperately trying to juggle everything in his life. I can totally understand why in her acknowledgments Melissa Tagg calls him the fictional love of her life. But as much as I fell for Logan I equally enjoyed getting to know Amelia Bentley. My heart ached for her, her past, her loneliness and the heartache she has endured. Yet she is upbeat, full of fun and kindness. It takes a while in the book to learn the full story of Amelia's past. We first met her in the previous book and we know she is working for the local newspaper and that she came to Maple Valley a few years ago and immersed herself in the town after leaving her past behind, but her story really unfolds in this book and it is a delight to share in it.
I love Logan and Amelia's relationship. They make great friends, slowly trusting each other with their pasts and fears. I loved the gentle, teasing banter they share, the sweet moments, and the ladened tension that develops between them (good, kiss-building tension). But their journey is not without its bumps, and the mix of testing times and good times are perfectly balanced. I really loved this book, love the vibrant characters and the charming setting and the promise of plenty of good love stories and family developments to come. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, but for now I am content to bask in the splendour of this story.
The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Find more reviews on my blog Madison's Library.
While the books in the Walker Family series could possibly be read independently it's probably best to read them in series order to stay abreast of who is who and how they fit into Maple Valley and the Walker family. I have read both the first book and the prequel novella and it still took me a few chapters to reacquaint myself with the characters and current setting of events. For those who may have read book one a while ago and find things a little foggy here are a few hints. We met both Logan and Amelia in the first book of the series. Logan is the eldest Walker sibling - the second eldest, Kate, was the heroine of book one, and she is followed by Beckett Walker and then Raegan.
Logan is a political speech writer, has a three-year-old daughter, Charlie, and his wife died in a car crash a few years ago. Logan and Amelia have briefly met once before but Amelia feels like she knows Logan much better after hearing many stories from her boss at the Maple Valley newspaper, Logan's sister Raegan and from reading Logan's speeches. She maybe has a bit of a crush on him and certainly on the way he writes. But getting to know Logan in person, seeing behind that put-together façade and falling in love with the real guy is something else altogether.
Logan Walker is charming. He wears ties, loves his little daughter, has a way with words, loves his family and is desperately trying to juggle everything in his life. I can totally understand why in her acknowledgments Melissa Tagg calls him the fictional love of her life. But as much as I fell for Logan I equally enjoyed getting to know Amelia Bentley. My heart ached for her, her past, her loneliness and the heartache she has endured. Yet she is upbeat, full of fun and kindness. It takes a while in the book to learn the full story of Amelia's past. We first met her in the previous book and we know she is working for the local newspaper and that she came to Maple Valley a few years ago and immersed herself in the town after leaving her past behind, but her story really unfolds in this book and it is a delight to share in it.
I love Logan and Amelia's relationship. They make great friends, slowly trusting each other with their pasts and fears. I loved the gentle, teasing banter they share, the sweet moments, and the ladened tension that develops between them (good, kiss-building tension). But their journey is not without its bumps, and the mix of testing times and good times are perfectly balanced. I really loved this book, love the vibrant characters and the charming setting and the promise of plenty of good love stories and family developments to come. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, but for now I am content to bask in the splendour of this story.
The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Find more reviews on my blog Madison's Library.
April 2, 2016
If you know me at all then you probably know just how much I LOVE Melissa Tagg's books! Like Never Before was no exception! I was so excited to read this book, having fallen completely in love with the Walker family and the entire town of Maple Valley, Iowa! As soon as I turned the first page I found myself sighing in happiness, and thinking "Wow it feels like forever since I've gotten to visit this town and these characters."
While I liked Logan in book one of the series I didn't fall in love until this book! I mean, come on, a gorgeous guy who will ILL a book as a surprise for you! What's not to love? I was glad to learn his story, even though the sadness of his past did bring tears to my eyes at times! It's really interesting because I actually found myself relating to Logan quite a lot, I too have a tendency to blame myself and feel guilt for everything that goes wrong, so the message in this book impacted me personally more than any non-fiction book ever could! I really liked Amelia too,(I especially loved that she loved in a barn!)and I thought she and Logan were a perfect match! Whenever I read one of Melissa's books I know I will end up laughing my head off all the way From the Start (Yes, pun based off the title of the first book in this series most definitely intended!) and that was exactly the case with Like Never Before, the banter was so witty and engaging that as soon as I finished laughing about one line I would wind up in stitches once again! Overall I absolutely loved Like Never Before, I feel like my review isn't even coming close to doing this amazing book justice, but for fear of spoiling something I will finish by saying this, Melissa's books are some of the most funny, entertaining, engaging, romantic, and yet incredibly deep and well rounded books that I have ever read! Folks, I'm serious you NEED to read her books NOW! :)
All fans of Melissa's books will not be disappointed with Like Never Before, my only complaint is the miserable year long wait that I will have to endure until the release of the next book! I can't wait to read Beckett's story when it releases next year but I have to admit that I am most excited for Raegan and Bear's story whenever it finally releases!!!!!!
I was honored to receive a review copy of this amazing book from Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review!
While I liked Logan in book one of the series I didn't fall in love until this book! I mean, come on, a gorgeous guy who will ILL a book as a surprise for you! What's not to love? I was glad to learn his story, even though the sadness of his past did bring tears to my eyes at times! It's really interesting because I actually found myself relating to Logan quite a lot, I too have a tendency to blame myself and feel guilt for everything that goes wrong, so the message in this book impacted me personally more than any non-fiction book ever could! I really liked Amelia too,(I especially loved that she loved in a barn!)and I thought she and Logan were a perfect match! Whenever I read one of Melissa's books I know I will end up laughing my head off all the way From the Start (Yes, pun based off the title of the first book in this series most definitely intended!) and that was exactly the case with Like Never Before, the banter was so witty and engaging that as soon as I finished laughing about one line I would wind up in stitches once again! Overall I absolutely loved Like Never Before, I feel like my review isn't even coming close to doing this amazing book justice, but for fear of spoiling something I will finish by saying this, Melissa's books are some of the most funny, entertaining, engaging, romantic, and yet incredibly deep and well rounded books that I have ever read! Folks, I'm serious you NEED to read her books NOW! :)
All fans of Melissa's books will not be disappointed with Like Never Before, my only complaint is the miserable year long wait that I will have to endure until the release of the next book! I can't wait to read Beckett's story when it releases next year but I have to admit that I am most excited for Raegan and Bear's story whenever it finally releases!!!!!!
I was honored to receive a review copy of this amazing book from Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review!
August 29, 2019
A cute story but There were two major things that I didn't like about it.
A) Good grief, that was a lot of passionate kisses. I don't mind some, but it felt a little over the top. Maybe because it just isn't what I've come to expect from Tagg
B) I didn't care for Logan. I know, shoot me. He is supposed to be awesome and all but I never really connected with him. Amelia, I got, but Logan I didn't I especially was upset when toward the end he did the classic "I'm scared of love so I'm going to leave without saying goodbye." Seriously dude? Right after you planned and super romantic date and kissed her like there was no tomorrow? That makes you a jerk in my book.
On the other side of this, I did love Logan's daughter, Charlotte and her part of the story. I love Maple Valley and once again I really like Chase Walker. The guy reminds me of my Dad.
Yes, I plan to read the rest of the series. Hopefully when it is not about Logan, it will be better.
A) Good grief, that was a lot of passionate kisses. I don't mind some, but it felt a little over the top. Maybe because it just isn't what I've come to expect from Tagg
B) I didn't care for Logan. I know, shoot me. He is supposed to be awesome and all but I never really connected with him. Amelia, I got, but Logan I didn't I especially was upset when toward the end he did the classic "I'm scared of love so I'm going to leave without saying goodbye." Seriously dude? Right after you planned and super romantic date and kissed her like there was no tomorrow? That makes you a jerk in my book.
On the other side of this, I did love Logan's daughter, Charlotte and her part of the story. I love Maple Valley and once again I really like Chase Walker. The guy reminds me of my Dad.
Yes, I plan to read the rest of the series. Hopefully when it is not about Logan, it will be better.
May 28, 2017
4.75 stars - mild pg13
Loved it, loved it loved it!! It's my favorite in the series so far, and I'm looking forward to books 3 and 4. (The only super-minor complaint was that there seemed to be way too many descriptions of weather changes.)
"It must be a Walker thing --- landing on a dream and making it happen." -- I want to be a Walker!
"Please don't say the word naked." Ha! Funny!
"But I'm starting to think maybe the worst was abandoning God when I needed him most."
"But real faith is bigger than that. Deeper. And maybe it can find you again, even years later, after you've let it go."
Loved it, loved it loved it!! It's my favorite in the series so far, and I'm looking forward to books 3 and 4. (The only super-minor complaint was that there seemed to be way too many descriptions of weather changes.)
"It must be a Walker thing --- landing on a dream and making it happen." -- I want to be a Walker!
"Please don't say the word naked." Ha! Funny!
"But I'm starting to think maybe the worst was abandoning God when I needed him most."
"But real faith is bigger than that. Deeper. And maybe it can find you again, even years later, after you've let it go."
March 15, 2019
I didn't like this one as much as the first, and I kind of skimmed the last one-third of it (would've DNFed it but I wanted to see what happened with Charlie).
March 31, 2016
Oh my goodness! I don’t even know where to start . . . .maybe with a really loud, “I loved this book!” all in caps! I came to adore Melissa’s writing when I first discovered her blog 2 years ago, I think. Then I fell in love with her books and she immediately became one of my very favorite authors! I wait all year for another of her books and then cheer when it arrives. They are always incredibly sweet and funny and witty and little heart wrenching all at once. She can take me from laughing, to almost crying, and back again. I reread her books when I’m having a rough day, simply because they make me smile, and this book is definitely no exception.
Like Never Before is the second book in Melissa’s Maple Valley series and I was so excited to return to this delightful town full of quirky people and sometimes odd festivals. I loved getting to visit with these characters who have become like family and meeting new ones to fall in love with. I don’t know how I’ll say “goodbye” to Maple Valley when the final book comes! I’m really hoping that there are two, or three, or maybe [insert number] books, before I have to deal with that.
The writing is exceptional, as always, and her details and descriptions still just blow me away! How she can create such beautiful scenes and bring every setting so fully to life within my imagination is one of my favorite things about her books. I love the mental images her words evoke and the uniqueness of how she describes even the smallest details. I also adored the dialogue between the characters! I was cracking up time and again at the witty comebacks and the situations the characters sometimes found themselves in the middle of.
Melissa creates such amazing characters, bright and colorful and full of life, and Amelia and Logan are perfect examples of that! Amelia is delightfully quirky and staunchly loyal to her people. She is sweet and stubborn, and curious and I just adored her! She’s found a home in Maple Valley, among people that recognize her, but she slowly realizes don’t truly know her. I immensely enjoyed getting to know her and see behind the mask she so carefully crafted. And Logan (sigh). I don’t even know where to start with him. He is incredibly swoony and I entirely understand the author’s major crush on her character now. If you’ve read the first book, then you may remember him a bit, though he wasn’t in it a huge amount. He is the steady sibling, or so it seemed. But the more I got to know him, the more I discovered who he really is - a great single father, a man trying to make decisions that pull him in so many different directions, and something of a lost soul. I loved how real he is, how open he forces himself to be. He’s trying so hard, but finally begins to realize that he doesn’t have to be strong every moment of every day. He is definitely making my mental list of all time favorite heroes!
There are so many quotes from this book that I’d love to share and do further fangirling, but I’ll stop here. I don’t want to take the chance of possibly spoiling something for someone, so I’ll stop babbling. My final comment to add is that I loved the wisdom woven through several of the conversations. It made me stop and think and so perfectly fit things going on in my own life. I greatly appreciate the fact that though this book is a work of fiction, it’s real. The words, the truth found within the pages touched my heart and I know this is a book that I’ll be reading again.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romantic comedies!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
Like Never Before is the second book in Melissa’s Maple Valley series and I was so excited to return to this delightful town full of quirky people and sometimes odd festivals. I loved getting to visit with these characters who have become like family and meeting new ones to fall in love with. I don’t know how I’ll say “goodbye” to Maple Valley when the final book comes! I’m really hoping that there are two, or three, or maybe [insert number] books, before I have to deal with that.
The writing is exceptional, as always, and her details and descriptions still just blow me away! How she can create such beautiful scenes and bring every setting so fully to life within my imagination is one of my favorite things about her books. I love the mental images her words evoke and the uniqueness of how she describes even the smallest details. I also adored the dialogue between the characters! I was cracking up time and again at the witty comebacks and the situations the characters sometimes found themselves in the middle of.
Melissa creates such amazing characters, bright and colorful and full of life, and Amelia and Logan are perfect examples of that! Amelia is delightfully quirky and staunchly loyal to her people. She is sweet and stubborn, and curious and I just adored her! She’s found a home in Maple Valley, among people that recognize her, but she slowly realizes don’t truly know her. I immensely enjoyed getting to know her and see behind the mask she so carefully crafted. And Logan (sigh). I don’t even know where to start with him. He is incredibly swoony and I entirely understand the author’s major crush on her character now. If you’ve read the first book, then you may remember him a bit, though he wasn’t in it a huge amount. He is the steady sibling, or so it seemed. But the more I got to know him, the more I discovered who he really is - a great single father, a man trying to make decisions that pull him in so many different directions, and something of a lost soul. I loved how real he is, how open he forces himself to be. He’s trying so hard, but finally begins to realize that he doesn’t have to be strong every moment of every day. He is definitely making my mental list of all time favorite heroes!
There are so many quotes from this book that I’d love to share and do further fangirling, but I’ll stop here. I don’t want to take the chance of possibly spoiling something for someone, so I’ll stop babbling. My final comment to add is that I loved the wisdom woven through several of the conversations. It made me stop and think and so perfectly fit things going on in my own life. I greatly appreciate the fact that though this book is a work of fiction, it’s real. The words, the truth found within the pages touched my heart and I know this is a book that I’ll be reading again.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romantic comedies!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 25, 2016
Oddly enough, this book is the second in this series and for some reason I decided to read it first. I think it was the cover that made me pick it up and go "I'm going to read the second book before the first".
I was very happy to find that it did not give away too much from the first book. I thought this book was super cute. I loved all of the characters. It was one of those books where I found myself laughing out loud or randomly smiling.
I recommend this book to all but, I would encourage you to read the first book first.
I was very happy to find that it did not give away too much from the first book. I thought this book was super cute. I loved all of the characters. It was one of those books where I found myself laughing out loud or randomly smiling.
I recommend this book to all but, I would encourage you to read the first book first.
May 26, 2016
Like Never Before is a warm embrace from the Walkers with the added sweetness of a heroine who feels like your best friend. Amelia just wants a home. Logan just wants to keep moving. Both are burdened by deep pain from the past. In Like Never Before, you will be reminded that love is worth the risk no matter what hurt you in the past. And by opening your heart, you may just find a home. This is another keeper from an author who somehow makes each novel better than the last.
August 15, 2016
Of course I loved it, it was by Melissa Tagg! I haven't read anything I didn't like by her, and I have read everything she has written. She is an auto-buy author for me!
Can't wait till her next book! :)
Can't wait till her next book! :)
April 5, 2016
Loved it, loved it, loved it!
This has been the first book I’ve had the pleasure of reading by the lovely Melissa Tagg, but it most certainly will not be my last!
“Like Never Before” is truly one of the most adorable-est books I’ve ever read. And what helps make it so fabulous is Melissa – yes indeed. She is one of the most refreshing and happy people I’ve ever met, and her excitement is contagious!! Being on her “TaggTeam” has been an amazingly fun experience. And truth be told, I was so eager to join her team because of her. Every post I’d read on her facebook and her blog was inspiring, and exciting, and encouraging. She is truly an uplifting person. Okay, I’ll move on from gushing about the author to gushing about the book itself now. :)
So. Like Never Before is written so amazingly well, and captured me right from the start. It begins so cleverly, and the characters are utterly love-able. I really loved Amelia and Logan and little Charlie!! So sweet. Another added thing that guaranteed my love for this book is that Amelia has a love for “The News” – she’s the editor of the town’s newspaper. And some might already know this, but I’ve been in love with the idea of reporter/newspaper since I was little. :) And the Amelia Earhart thread!!! That made me happy instantly. Another one of my childhood obsessions. I always loved AE and chose her for homeschool reports, etc. :)
Logan is a fantastic character, and yes, he’s as love-able as Melissa has been saying he is!
And the plot is oh-so good, and the faith-thread is great. There were definitely parts that really hit me. One of my favourite verses was quoted frequently (“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19) and reading it came at a great time – I very much needed to hear that and know that it is hope.
“Maybe her wasteland wasn’t a place, and her river wasn’t a job or a person or a plan. But simply a hope.”
Really beautiful. All of this. This book is beautiful. I don’t read a ton of books that are labeled “contemporary romance” but this…yes, I will read this over and over again. The romance was sweet, and cleaner than some romance I’ve read in Biblical fiction even. So very sweet.
It was a refreshing book, and I highly recommend it! You won’t be disappointed!!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publishers in exchange for my honest review which I have given.
This has been the first book I’ve had the pleasure of reading by the lovely Melissa Tagg, but it most certainly will not be my last!
“Like Never Before” is truly one of the most adorable-est books I’ve ever read. And what helps make it so fabulous is Melissa – yes indeed. She is one of the most refreshing and happy people I’ve ever met, and her excitement is contagious!! Being on her “TaggTeam” has been an amazingly fun experience. And truth be told, I was so eager to join her team because of her. Every post I’d read on her facebook and her blog was inspiring, and exciting, and encouraging. She is truly an uplifting person. Okay, I’ll move on from gushing about the author to gushing about the book itself now. :)
So. Like Never Before is written so amazingly well, and captured me right from the start. It begins so cleverly, and the characters are utterly love-able. I really loved Amelia and Logan and little Charlie!! So sweet. Another added thing that guaranteed my love for this book is that Amelia has a love for “The News” – she’s the editor of the town’s newspaper. And some might already know this, but I’ve been in love with the idea of reporter/newspaper since I was little. :) And the Amelia Earhart thread!!! That made me happy instantly. Another one of my childhood obsessions. I always loved AE and chose her for homeschool reports, etc. :)
Logan is a fantastic character, and yes, he’s as love-able as Melissa has been saying he is!
And the plot is oh-so good, and the faith-thread is great. There were definitely parts that really hit me. One of my favourite verses was quoted frequently (“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19) and reading it came at a great time – I very much needed to hear that and know that it is hope.
“Maybe her wasteland wasn’t a place, and her river wasn’t a job or a person or a plan. But simply a hope.”
Really beautiful. All of this. This book is beautiful. I don’t read a ton of books that are labeled “contemporary romance” but this…yes, I will read this over and over again. The romance was sweet, and cleaner than some romance I’ve read in Biblical fiction even. So very sweet.
It was a refreshing book, and I highly recommend it! You won’t be disappointed!!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publishers in exchange for my honest review which I have given.
April 28, 2016
Once again I was happy to be back in Maple Valley with the lovable Walker family, but found myself missing a connection with the main characters and their romance. The plot of the story moves along nicely and I enjoyed getting to know Amelia's tenacious personality and more members of the tight-knit community. She and Logan have a solid friendship and fun banter, but when it came to chemistry, I felt it was lacking that tension and emotion- kind of like watching an interesting movie without the musical soundtrack that really gets you feeling. I'm still looking forward to reading more in the series, especially about Walker siblings Reagan and Beckett.
(Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
(Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
July 25, 2016
I always enjoy Melissa's books! My contemporary romance reads are few and far between but she's one such author I won't miss. Among many other fine writerly qualities, she has a talent for creating a broader setting/fictional community across several books. You'll want to spend as much time in this one as you can, and enjoy getting to know the Walker clan.
May 16, 2017
SO, so much cuteness and fun! Not sure why it took me so long to finally finish, but I loved it for sure. :) Review to come.
April 18, 2016
I am not even sure how to describe the awesomeness that is this book! I always anxiously await the release of each new Melissa Tagg book but my anticipation for this one was off the charts for many reasons. First of all I swear she gets better with each and every book though I don't know how it's possible considering each time I finish a book of hers I think it's the pinnacle of awesomeness. Secondly I love the town of Maple Valley, I seriously would move there in a heartbeat if only it was a real place. And the third (and final reason I'm going to mention though I could go on for awhile) was because Melissa has been incessantly (in a good way) gushing about Logan for months and months and I honestly couldn't wait to meet this guy and find out if he lived up to the hype. (And oh my goodness he did, a swoon-worthy hero if ever I saw one.) Melissa has an amazing ability to write characters who are genuine, flawed human beings but she writes them in such a beautiful way that they completely capture your heart and that was definitely the case with Logan and Amelia! Logan, as I already kinda mentioned, was amazing. He was always putting others above himself and was determined to be the best he could be in every area of his life. I absolutely adored the way he loved his adopted daughter and my heart broke for him in the moments when various people questioned his ability to love and care for her! Amelia was fantastic as well, I loved her quirkiness, the way she embraced Maple Valley, her determination to save the newspaper, and her love of history! They both had been married previously, marriages that had ended with an unexpected accident and an unwanted divorce, so there was a lot of pain that still hadn't healed and some understandable hesitancy about pursuing a relationship. But as they spent more time together God used them to help each other heal and it was adorably beautiful to watch their romance bud, blossom, and bloom! They really were a perfect match!
I once again fell in love with the whole town of Maple Valley and especially the Walker family! I love how close all the siblings are and how they're willing to drop everything to help each other out! I really can't wait to get the rest of their stories!
I also thoroughly enjoyed the whole Kendall Wilkins mystery and had fun learning little bits of history I'd never really heard about before!
And of course I can't forget to mention the hilariously entertaining humor that Melissa is famous for! I seriously cannot count the number of times she had me smiling, chuckling, or flat out laughing out loud throughout this book!
Well I guess I should stop gushing at some point so while this review in no way does this book justice I hope it at least piqued your interest and has convinced you to try this amazing author out for yourself-I promise you won't be sorry!
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I once again fell in love with the whole town of Maple Valley and especially the Walker family! I love how close all the siblings are and how they're willing to drop everything to help each other out! I really can't wait to get the rest of their stories!
I also thoroughly enjoyed the whole Kendall Wilkins mystery and had fun learning little bits of history I'd never really heard about before!
And of course I can't forget to mention the hilariously entertaining humor that Melissa is famous for! I seriously cannot count the number of times she had me smiling, chuckling, or flat out laughing out loud throughout this book!
Well I guess I should stop gushing at some point so while this review in no way does this book justice I hope it at least piqued your interest and has convinced you to try this amazing author out for yourself-I promise you won't be sorry!
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
April 29, 2019
My feelings are mixed about this book.
Things I liked:
The setting! Maple Valley is just such as delightfully charming town, and I wish I could go visit. I love all the different town characters with their quirks and personalities. The shops made me want to explore. And can I mention the celebrations?
The bit of mystery around an actual historical event was fun. I’m grateful the author put a note in the back about what was real and what was imagined.
Charlie! Yes, I loved Charlie!
I did enjoy getting to see the rest of the Walker family members.
Main Characters:
Logan was likable most of the time. There were a few times I wanted to get in his face and tell him a thing or two, but I couldn’t. I liked his interaction with Charlie, though he did act a little like an overprotective father a few times.
Amelia wasn’t my favorite character, but I did still like her.
Things I didn’t like:
The kissing. Good grief! How many times do we have to put up with Logan kissing Amelia? It really got old and I don’t care for that much kissing between unmarried people!
The fact that Amelia was divorced bothered me. Yes, I know people get divorced a lot these days and then remarry, but that doesn’t mean I want to read books about it that make it seem all right.
One thing that annoyed me was how many times this story cut a scene off in the middle of something, or just when a new character showed up. Then we changed times and places. Ugh! We never got to know exactly what happened, just a sort of mention of it after the fact. Had it just happened once, I wouldn’t have minded so much, but it happened several times leaving me frustrated because I wanted to know what happened.
The Christianity seemed rather shallow in this book. Yes, they went to church some. A few “prayers” were mentioned, but they weren’t really more than “help” requests. Yes, I understand that both main characters were struggling with their faith and learning to trust, but where were the encouraging words and the pointing to Scripture to answer their questions? Where were the friends and family coming alongside and telling them they are praying for them? There was even a lack of prayer and seeking direction in the ending. It wasn’t all bad, I just wish it had a stronger message.
I probably won’t read this story again, but I want to read the next book in the series.
Things I liked:
The setting! Maple Valley is just such as delightfully charming town, and I wish I could go visit. I love all the different town characters with their quirks and personalities. The shops made me want to explore. And can I mention the celebrations?
The bit of mystery around an actual historical event was fun. I’m grateful the author put a note in the back about what was real and what was imagined.
Charlie! Yes, I loved Charlie!
I did enjoy getting to see the rest of the Walker family members.
Main Characters:
Logan was likable most of the time. There were a few times I wanted to get in his face and tell him a thing or two, but I couldn’t. I liked his interaction with Charlie, though he did act a little like an overprotective father a few times.
Amelia wasn’t my favorite character, but I did still like her.
Things I didn’t like:
The kissing. Good grief! How many times do we have to put up with Logan kissing Amelia? It really got old and I don’t care for that much kissing between unmarried people!
The fact that Amelia was divorced bothered me. Yes, I know people get divorced a lot these days and then remarry, but that doesn’t mean I want to read books about it that make it seem all right.
One thing that annoyed me was how many times this story cut a scene off in the middle of something, or just when a new character showed up. Then we changed times and places. Ugh! We never got to know exactly what happened, just a sort of mention of it after the fact. Had it just happened once, I wouldn’t have minded so much, but it happened several times leaving me frustrated because I wanted to know what happened.
The Christianity seemed rather shallow in this book. Yes, they went to church some. A few “prayers” were mentioned, but they weren’t really more than “help” requests. Yes, I understand that both main characters were struggling with their faith and learning to trust, but where were the encouraging words and the pointing to Scripture to answer their questions? Where were the friends and family coming alongside and telling them they are praying for them? There was even a lack of prayer and seeking direction in the ending. It wasn’t all bad, I just wish it had a stronger message.
I probably won’t read this story again, but I want to read the next book in the series.
March 25, 2016
'Like Never Before' is only the second in the Walker Family Series, however Melissa has written a beautiful story here. The coming together of these 2 characters - Logan & Amelia is a sheer joy! Logan, the oldest is a widower, living in LA with his adopted 3 year old daughter Charlie. He's a successful political speech writer, with hopes that he will soon be part of a Presidential campaign. His daughter has speech delays, and he is struggling to balance his family life with work. Amelia, has finally found a home in Maple Valley, Iowa. The small town life has helped her recover from a difficult past of divorce and lost dreams. As the editor of the local newspaper, she is desperately trying to save it from a takeover by a larger paper that would not carry on the same level of local, personal news stories Amelia loves to share with the town - she is determined, no matter what it takes. The ensuing story that brings them together, draws you in so deep - you barely feel like you are just reading a book. I got lost in this story, which feels so real that you keep on turning every page. Imagining yourself right there, in the moment, a part of their experiences, conversations, feeling every single emotion that is running through. So much is at stake for both of them, and clearly you can see that they can help heal each other, and will create something wonderful together. But its a journey, and they travel it with the usual ups and downs, and plenty of heart warming moments in between. I loved this book, probably one of my favourites yet from Melissa Tagg. I cannot wait to get Beckett & Raegans stories!! You will not be disappointed in this series. As always I appreciate the many references to God, and in particular the reminder that He is always patient with us, waiting for the time when we feel we can let Him in, and look for that direction. There's a paragraph about 'Believing is deciding' and deciding to trust what you know about who you know. I loved that. It really helped me see that believing is a choice that we make based on what we know in our hearts, and the trust we can confidently place in the hands of not only God but the people in our lives who will add richness, love and happiness to this life on earth.
I received this ARC from Bethany House & Netgalley, in return for my honest review.
I received this ARC from Bethany House & Netgalley, in return for my honest review.
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