Just Between You and Me: A Novel of Losing Fear and Finding God

by Jenny B. Jones

“There are few things I love more than curling up with a Jenny B. Jones cast of characters. Save the Date was no exception.” —Kristin Billerbeck, author of The Theory of Happily Ever After

The only thing scarier than living on the edge is stepping off it.

Maggie Montgomery lives a life of adventure. Her job as a cinematographer takes her from one exotic locale to the next. When Maggie's not working, she loves to rappel off cliffs or go skydiving. Nothing frightens her.

Nothing, that is, except Ivy, Texas, where a family emergency pulls her back home to a town full of bad memories, painful secrets, and people Maggie left far behind . . . for a reason.

Forced to stay longer than she intended, Maggie finds her family a complete mess, including the niece her sister has abandoned. Ten-year-old Riley is struggling in school and out of control at home. The only person who can really handle the pint-sized troublemaker is Conner, the local vet and Ivy's most eligible bachelor. But Conner and Maggie keep butting heads—he’s suspicious of her and, well, she doesn't rely on anyone but herself.

As Maggie humorously fumbles her way from one mishap to another, she realizes she's going to need to ask for help from the one person who scares her the most.

To save one little girl—and herself—can Maggie let go of her fears and just trust God?

“Jenny B. Jones strikes a perfect balance of quirkiness and vulnerability.” —Allison Pittman, author of Stealing Home

“Jones’s sassy style is merely one of this romance novelist’s many endearing talents . . . Some subtle faith messages about trusting God despite painful pasts round out this fast-paced, lighthearted romantic escape.” —Publishers Weekly review of Save the Date

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Fiction, Contemporary, Christian Romance, Chick Lit

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2009

About the author

Four-time Carol Award winner Jenny B. Jones writes contemporary romance with wit, sass, and Southern charm. Since writing for both women and teens leaves her with very little free time, she believes in spending her spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits, such as watching E!, going to the movies and inhaling large buckets of popcorn, and writing her name in the dust on her furniture. www.jennybjones.com

Reviews

[Elaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

~3.5 stars~

Hmmm it's hard for me put my feelings about this book into words right now. So I think I'll just do a quick review...I liked it and it did keep my attention while reading it. I didn't feel bored or wanna take a break from it really so that was good lol The characters were just ok to me though, not my favorites or anything. The sarcasm throughout was nice and made me laugh, but it did get annoying at times because of how much there was, not gonna lie xD I did like the overall message of the book though so that was a plus :)

I did really like the progression of Riley starting to trust Maggie and them becoming more close as it went on. It made me happy that she took Riley in to live with her at the end <3

Side note~~Was disappointed we didn't get to see anymore of "Mr. Pickles" than we did xD lol

[Robin Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sass and charm are combined in this novel full of "real life" difficulties and pain.

Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Enjoyed/loved it. Couldn’t put it down. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed other books so much more.
1🌟 = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading and falling in love with the first two installments of Jenny B. Jones's Katie Parker series earlier this year, I was super excited to score one of her other books during an ebook sale. Although I didn't quite like this book as much as In Between and On the Loose, it's still full of Jones's southern sass and charm.

The book centers around Maggie Montgomery, who works on a film crew for a travel show. When Maggie receives a call from her estranged father requesting her to return to her hometown ASAP, she's faced with the dilemma to choose between putting her family or her career first. But, is this the career she really wants? What will God show her once she returns home?

Highlights:
The Humor: When I picked up this book, I totally hoped for the same kind of humor Jones delivered in the Katie Parker series, and I'm happy to say this novel kept me laughing throughout.

Discussing Mental Illness: I admire that this book touched on mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and depression, and what can happen when those conditions are not properly dealt with. Maggie's sister, Allison, takes narcotic drugs to numb her pain, wreaking havoc on her ten-year-old daughter's life. In this day and time, with issues such as these becoming more prominent in society, I applaud the author for addressing overcoming these struggles (or dealing with family members struggling this way) from a Christian standpoint.

The Biblical Messages: I enjoyed the sermon Maggie's pastor gave on Jonah where he emphasized how we as Christians run from our fear of where God's trying to take us. At this time in my life, it greatly resonates with me.

Lowlights:
Predictability: Unlike the Katie Parker series, this novel reminded me more of a Hallmark-type story, where the girl with a big-time job comes back to her small hometown, meets her dream guy, and saves the day. After being forced to watch dozens of Hallmark movies by my momma (one is playing in the background as I type this XD), this plot structure is all too predictable for me now, and I felt more could have been done to make it more compelling.

The Characters: Probably in part to the predictable plot, I didn't like the characters very much. At times, they were entertaining, but for the most part, they gave off a two-dimensional vibe.

Editing: In my Kindle copy, I noticed several typos and formatting errors. In most cases, I don't point this out in reviews, but this was published by a major publishing house, which has the resources to prevent this.

[Rachelle Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, beautiful, BEAUTIFUL book.

[Lynn Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I lived closer to the city, I was in a good book club and I miss that. One of my friends talked me into coming to her book club(a group that alternates inspirational and mainstream fiction) and while I liked the people, this book didn't quite do it for me. I guess it got me thinking, but I can't say it was a book I loved.

The good:

- Writer has a definite voice and an appealing sense of humor
- Even though this book has a "big city heroine returns to small town" plot, there's a believable reason for the return. Maggie's family truly does face a crisis, and her father is at wit's end dealing with Maggie's dysfunctional sister and the effects that her mental illness has on Maggie's niece.
- Related to that, Maggie has some hard choices to make with regard to her family and her agonizing over them is shown pretty realistically. Likewise, Maggie having to face who she was in high school and how hurtful she was to a lot of people makes for painfully real and awkward reading.
- Maggie really does grow throughout the book and since she had some very serious issues to work through, it was satisfying to see her make progress even if some of the circumstances frustrated me(see below.)
- I liked how Maggie's niece, Riley, was written. I've worked around at-risk kids and Riley seemed pretty authentic.

The bad:

- When it comes to Maggie's choices, there aren't too many shades of gray. If she gives up everything to stay in her screwed-up, economic dead end of a small town, then she's being a good girl. If she doesn't throw away that filmmaking career, then she's a terrible,selfish person. Apparently, the idea of Maggie taking her niece and fitting this unquestionably needy child into her own life doesn't occur to anyone. This gets better and changes somewhat toward the end of the book, but by then I had pretty well had it with all the guilt-tripping that gets dished out to Maggie.
- Ivy, Texas sounds awful and I wasn't convinced that anyone in their right mind would want to live there. It sounds like the main economic engine for the town is a factory that's about to close, so why not go where Maggie has a job? I didn't see the virtue of living in Ivy. Also, why was just about all of Maggie's old high school class still living in Ivy? The town doesn't seem to have much of an economy, so I would have expected at least some of these folks to seek their fortune elsewhere.
- Maggie's sister is obviously mentally ill, her family sounds pretty dysfunctional, and yet there seems to be a running thread of blaming Maggie for leaving town, getting an education, and trying to build a life. I can buy that Maggie wasn't as compassionate toward her family as she could have been(and perhaps should have been), but the complete lack of understanding for all that Maggie herself had gone through frustrated me quite a bit.
- Maggie is an educated woman with a career, ergo she can't cook. I'm so tired of this ridiculous cliche that I could scream. For the record, I'm a full-time trial attorney and guess what? My family actually likes me and I've never given them food poisoning. Shocking, I know.

So, there you have it. I can't quite join the parade of rave reviews, but the book did have some good points even as it sometimes frustrated me. One last note: As you can probably tell from the title, the inspirational content in this novel is more overt than in many I've read. I thought it was worked into the book well, and I suspect that readers who like these sorts of themes will enjoy it and those who don't, won't.

[Atleastreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. From Maggie's adventurous heart, and her addiction to sweet treats, to letting fear overcome the desire to do things, and the other characters that make the compelling plotline even more engaging.

The beginning of the story starts out with a fiery red-headed girl from a small town in Texas, named Maggie.
She gets an unexpected call from her father who beckons her home in need of some help. As Maggie returns home, all the things she ran away from in the past greet her back with a vengeance. The motive for her dad's siren for help reveals itself when her niece walks through the door. Alison, her unpredictable sister is missing and left her daughter in the hands of a harsh father. Harsh is the only word to describe the man who became a husband to Maggie's mother, who died by drowning. One of the reasons Maggie left home - to run away from the truth of her mom's death.
While in Ivy, Maggie reconciles with her high school friends and some none-high-school-friends.
Maggie's path laces with the town's vet, Dr. Blake, during the book. The two are completely opposites, yet perfectly fit, and they don't realize it.
I loved how in the end God's hand is shown throughout the little things in Maggie's life.
She comes home trying to fix it all herself, thinking she can do it. But God teaches her she can't. She has to give it all to Him, to fully surrender. Even if that means facing the past that terrifies her, even if that means to sacrifice the known future for an un-known one.
Sometimes we think we can handle it, but we need each other. We need healing and help from the One who can ultimately provide it. And that's what I got out of this novel.


God works in mysterious ways. I packed this book along my last mission trip, not having a clue what it was about. The mission team spent most days by a lake, which occurs frequently in this book. The stories and scriptures some of the characters use in the book, were the exact same that God pointed out to me in His word throughout the week. I got goosebumps in 90° weather. Sometimes when those things happen, you have to sit back and wonder at the remarkable timing God has. He's got it, you only need to trust Him fully.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS AT READING, EATING & DREAMING

Jenny B. Jones is AMAZING! Her novels are inspirational, uplifting, romantic, and entertaining.

I recently read and adored Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones. Immediately after completing Save the Date, I purchased Jenny B. Jones’ other adult Christian fiction novel, Just Between You and Me: A Novel of Losing Fear and Finding God. I loved Save the Date, but I have to say that I loved Just Between You and Me even more.

Just Between You and Me was a hilarious and romantic story that delivered some relatable, relevant, and powerful messages. This novel focused on how fear can hold people back, how God should be the one running our lives, and how people get too busy in their lives and forget about what’s important, like family and God.

All of the characters in this novel, even the supporting characters, were sensational!!

Maggie, the main character, was hilarious and relatable. She’s a driven, independent woman whose life is centered around her career as a cinematographer. She never planned on returning to her hometown, helping raise her sister’s daughter, or falling in love. She had her plan, but God had a plan of His own.

I absolutely adored Riley, Maggie’s niece. Her sarcastic personality and her mischievous behavior cracked me up. She’s a wild child; she’s known for putting bubbles in the town fountain, gluing her substitute teacher to a chair, skipping school, running away, and beating up bullies. Her snarky comments and rebellious actions were hilarious; however, the motivations behind her actions weren’t funny at all. Acting out is how Riley copes with the pain and insecurity from being neglected and abandoned by her mother. Riley made me laugh, but her situation broke my heart. She had an extremely hard life for a young child, and there were many times when I just wanted to wrap my arms around her and protect her.

Maggie and Connor’s relationship was perfection! I loved their witty banter, their initial love-hate attraction, Maggie's nerd comments, their late night adventures, and their slow but steady friendship. They have a beautiful story; it’s definitely worth reading :)

I gave Just Between You and Me: A Novel of Losing Fear and Finding God by Jenny B. Jones 4 STARS. This novel was phenomenal; it was a sweet romance with entertaining characters and a moving plot. I have zero complaints! I recommend this novel to all adults who enjoy adult Christian fiction. I can see myself re-reading this story down the road, and I look forward to reading any Christian fiction novel Jenny B. Jones writes in the future.

-XOXO
READING, EATING & DREAMING

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There’s a feeling in the air, and I don’t like it. A feeling that says, Things are about to get messy and out of control. Messy I can handle. The contents of my purse are a testimonial to that. But the relationship business? Let’s just say I’m a better cinematographer than I am a girlfriend.”

This statement out of the mouth of Maggie, world traveler, great at her job, but not so good with relationships of any kind; which she soon discovers when a family emergency brings her home to Ivey, Texas. The last place on earth she wants to be. Talk about messy?

Maggie is going to church and hears the pastor say, “What’s holding you back today? Every single one of us has fears. You know who eats that up? The enemy. He loves nothing more than to see you hanging tight to all those things you’re afraid of. ..”
Maggie wonders if the pastor is talking directly to her, and you’ll wonder if Jenny is talking to you.

This book grabbed my heart and attention right from the start. Jenny B. Jones not only has Maggie discover she might have a few fears she’s holding on to but she made me think about fear in a deeper, personal sense. What does facing your fear look like? I think that this author does an amazing job of showing Maggie how to identify her fears, but it made this reader think about the issue of fear as well.

Bravo, Jenny! for penning such a dynamic, funny, heartfelt story of unconditional love, forgiveness, and letting God take the drivers’ seat of our lives. It’s a scary thing to do. Can Maggie pull it off, could you? Jenny gives you hope and a little bit of her testimony about dealing with fear, in the back of the book. I can’t stop thinking about this book and neither will you!

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how this entire story played out. The emotional landscape was rich and thoroughly plowed. The hero was incredibly dreamy and yet realistic and believable. The heroine's issues were compelling, interesting, and clearly well-researched. The minor charactor, Riley, was probably the best portrayal of a screwed up kid that I've ever read. She was totally real and perfectly developed. Everything about her issues rang true. Even the sister, Allison, was shown in a believable fashion. I've worked with numerous mentally ill and drug abusing people in my lifetime and Allison's issues were spot-on as well as her way of dealing with them.

This story really tugged at my heart strings because each character was well-done and could easily be people I've known and loved. On top of all of those high praises I have to add that the romantic tension was delicious and the emotional and spiritual arcs were perfectly done. I can't stand contrived tension or plastic faith inserted into a story to make it fit the Christian label. Worse, it really bugs me when a book is labeled Christian and there is no mention of Christ anywhere in the story.

Everything in this book rang true to me. Just Between You and Me was so good, in fact, that it's making my best of 2009 fiction list. I highly recommend this story.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, Jenny B. Jones had me shocked at how much I enjoyed a contemporary novel, especially one that I would classify as “chick-lit.”

Jones has a wonderful way of integrating humor and seriousness in a story without being inconsiderate of the heaviness in the circumstances or becoming overly-dramatic. I seriously chuckled and laughed out loud at several scenes.

The relationship between Maggie and her neice Riley developed in a really genuine way. Jones portrayed the frustration and love very well.

What I was not so fond of, was the guilt-trips that the supporting characters kept putting on the main character, Maggie. She made her mistakes, but so did a lot of the other people. Some of the people from her past were just very irrational and unrealistic in certain scenes with their reaction to her.

Other than this aspect, the story flowed really well, and I hated to put the book down! I enjoyed this one just as much as Save the Date, if not more. I'm looking forward to reading more Jenny B. Jones in the future.

[Tressa (Wishful Endings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie has had a huge wake-up call. The family she has been somewhat estranged from needs her help and it is in the form of her 10-year-old niece whose chemically imbalanced mother is no where to be seen. It requires her to go back home where she will be forced to face her high school reputation, the father who has never noticed her except to yell at her, and the death of her mother. There she runs into Connor. She doesn't remember him from high school, but he does and he doesn't like her very much. He is ruggedly handsome and, against her will, she is almost instantly attracted to him.

Another book to add to my favorites' list! There was a lot going on and reading this evoked some pretty strong emotions. I am very protective of kids and this story really broke my heart in some places. I loved the characters! Maggie is much stronger than she thinks she is and Connor is a steady rock. They have some great witty conversation and romance. There were some lengthy religious passages when Maggie is in church, but otherwise not overly preachy.

[Kathleen Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I read So Not Happening I've been a Jenny B. Jones fan. While I've enjoyed all her YA books I was excited to find out she'd written an adult novel. Just Between You and Me has the perfect blend of humor, romance, poignancy, and faith, all intertwined into a touching story that stays with you long after you close the cover. Her best book so far (and I've read every one of them). Don't miss this wonderful story. You'll fall in love with it just as I did.

[Orinthia Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amen.

[Meggen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great escape read for me after several heavy reads. Charming, witty, sweet and engaging.

[Rebekah Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three-legged puppies, overcoming fears, lots of junk food, World Vision, a cute veterinarian, trusting God and surrendering your whole life, & found family. I love Jenny’s writing!!

[Evangeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Between You and Me is a perfect example of what women’s fiction is supposed to be—moving, meaningful, and freaking hilarious.

From the get-go, I was in love with the author’s style, her stellar one-liners, the expertly woven threads of tension, and the sizzling romance.

Maggie Montgomery is a cinematographer who’s not afraid of anything—except going home. But when a family crisis has her cooling her heels in her hometown of Ivy, Texas, Maggie must face her demons and the reality behind her own façade.

I especially loved Maggie’s fight or flight tendencies and how they played out as the author unfolds the story. Readers are allowed to see through Maggie’s responses to the hidden depths they come from, and the result is a three-dimensional character you can’t help rooting for.

The secondary characters in this novel are expertly drawn as well. Particularly, Riley, Maggie’s neglected ten-year-old niece. I could see her hardened little face and hear her angry words. And, as in the real world, there are no pat solutions for wounded people, but that doesn’t mean there’s no hope.

Jenny B. Jones weaves a poignant tale full of delectable dialogue, believable situations, and toe-curling romantic tension. I highly recommend this book for lovers of women’s fiction. You will not be disappointed.

[Carla Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny B. Jones debut into women’s fiction, Just Between You and Me, has been chosen as a 2009 WOMEN OF FAITH novel. In a departure from her quirky, action-filled Young Adult books, Jenny brings the same fun style to an adult audience.

Ivy, Texas is the last place Maggie Montgomery wants to go, but at the urgent request of her dad, she returns to her hometown. She’d rather be skydiving or rappelling or any number of other things in her adventurous life as a photojournalist. Once there, getting away is not as easy as she’d hoped. Neither is facing the fears from her past and the people she’s hurt growing up in Small Town, America.

The story is one fraught with mishaps and filled with tenderness. Maggie’s niece, Riley, has experienced more than any ten year old should, and it is only to save her that Maggie agrees to stay. A budding romance with the local vet, a sister (Riley’s mom) with a drug addiction, and a haunting memory give Maggie’s story layers that kept me guessing and reading until the last page. The author packs a lot of humor into the pathos for a light, faith-filled book with a message for young and old alike. Only by reliance on God can we embrace and conquer our deepest fears.

Highly recommended for a summertime read . . . or anytime you need a pick-me-up!

[Carol Nicolas · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Just Between You and Me (by Jenny B. Jones), the main character captured my attention and drew me into the story. Maggie comes back to her home town for the weekend to find that her wild reputation is still alive and her family is a mess. Her sister’s daughter has been abandoned again, and her father has work and health problems. Her niece, Riley, has seen things no ten-year-old should see, and she is rebellious, wild, and destructive because of it. Maggie has decisions to make about her career, boyfriend, and a new job offer. As the weekend extends into weeks, she has to deal with her sister’s drug addiction, her niece’s problems, and she must face the people that she hurt in the past. She begins to truly love Riley, she falls in love with the local vet, and she learns to rely on the Lord. She grows to have the courage to face her past and her phobias, and look at what she really wants in her life. I really enjoyed this uplifting story and found myself laughing out loud at Maggie’s outrageous sense of humor. I closed the book with a smile and a satisfied sigh. I look forward to reading more from Jenny B. Jones.

[Celestial · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book so much!
I am definitely buying this book. :D Maggie is a great character. She is super sarcastic, which I love. This story is so touching. I cried so many times while reading this book.
Also I love Maggie's niece Riley. She reminds SO much of a kid I know. :D Connor, Maggie's love interest, is also really really sweet. Maggie and Connor are a perfect couple, and their relationship was wonderful to read.

I will warn younger readers that there is a lot of mature content and a lot of kissing. I am okay with this 'cause Maggie was not a Christian for a lot of the book, so it makes sense, and it wasn't all inappropriate, just more mature. Again, there are quite a few kisses, so I won't recommend to really young kids like thirteen maybe fourteen (depending on your views).
However, I do LOVE this book. It is a fun book, but it is meant to be touching and meaningful, so it isn't a super light chick-flick.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn't so much about loosing the fear, more the fact that you can discover happiness while having the courage to face the fears in your life, when you have the knowledge that you are loved by God. The circumstances of our lives are different for all of us, and I can bet we all at some point feel cheated of something. For me that's often been the fact my parents both died far too soon, and have left me with a void impossible to fill, no matter how I try. But running, or escaping or trying to blame God is ultimately ineffective. You find peace with yourself and your life, when you surrender your troubles to God & allow Him to help you look forward.

Loved this book. Great message & very inspiring.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just by reading a couple of pages, I knew I am going to love this book and I was right. That's due to the humor. "Just of between you and me" is filled with the kind of humor that I like - self-deprecating and sarcastic. Since the book is in first person narrative, the author exploits that for humor.

After the great humor, comes the romance. It is delightful. Conner is an adorable, perfect guy for Maggie.

Next comes the faith. Just by reading the book's blurb, you would not realize the amount of faith present in the book. But the title "Novel of losing fear and finding God" gives it away. That's exactly what happens to Maggie. The faith elements are organically written.

It's no wonder this book won 2010 Carol Award.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four and a half Stars!
Absolutely wonderful! I zipped through this novel today and enjoyed every moment! I sit here now after finishing the last page, with a grin on my face and a smile in my heart. This novel was drenched lovingly in truth, grace, hope and love - all without being preachy!

Looking for some encouragement, it's wrapped up in this tale. I loved the characters, the romance, the struggle our heroine faced. I would gladly again devour this novel! Add this to your must read list this year... it will be worth it!

***There were a few typos, but overall very well written.

[Shanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Successful cinematographer Maggie Montgomery has to learn to face her fears when she is called back to her dreaded hometown for a family crisis.

I'm still a little torn about Christian fiction and this one was a bit cheesy for me. Prayer and testimony are such personal, sacred things that reading a fictional account of it makes me squirm a little.

Just Between You and Me is a predictable, been-done-before plot that I still enjoyed reading.

[Sally Lindsay-briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Between You and Me possessed the elements of an engaging, spirit-filled story. Maggie leaves her cinematography job to care for her young, troubled niece (along with her father). Connor, the great looking vet, comes along to save the day, more than once, and an interesting love story erupts. Our heroine also confronts her fears and we see how God works in her life. This is a really enjoyable book for many.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book about testing your faith and leaving the restraints of self-imposed boundaries. Maggie is an interesting character to get to know, and more importantly, to cheer on. Loved how her faith was portrayed as an ongoing struggle that she didn't give up on.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so heart warming! I loved how she finally let God take her life

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one day! Serious issues combined with humor. It's something only a talented author could pull off and she does and well!

[Iola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just read this again (because it was on my to-read pile), and I didn't remember any of it. I'm not sure if that is bad (it was forgettable) or got (I got to enjoy it a second time).

[Nicole]

Loved! Loved! Loved!

[Grace Tolman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Ms Jones. You truly are a gifted writer! This is my second book read from this author and I just love, love, love the way she writes. Full of sassyness, humor, wit, and of course swoony romance.
The tension and consequent attraction between Conner and Maggie was palpatable and it was so fun watching their love grow for each other. At times I didn't like Maggie. She was a supposedly Christian and yet she still criticizes the people of Ivy, and did not seem to be repentant of her wild ways when she was young. I can't believe a Christian would do that. I also felt a bit annoyed with her at other times because her fear was causing her, and the people that love her, more hurt than anything. I knew this was going to have a happy ending. But when she let Conner go, I wanted to hit her in the head so she can wake up from her stupidity. Thankfully Ms. Jones corrected her path and led her back to the awesome Dr. Conner Blake.
Despite that, I cannot really dislike Maggie. Cause, after all, her characteristic was what made Conner a swell of a guy. Their banter was so beautifully written. Even when it was so sassy and flippant. I couldn't help but laugh out loud and at times cry at their moments together. Oh and don't even start with me on the date to the "prom". Oh my goodness, I could not stop from crying at the sweetness of the gesture Conner did for Maggie. If I weren't married yet, I swear, I want someone like Conner. He seemed like your genuine "perfect" guy. But we all know that there's no such thing as perfect, but if there was, I would like it to be someone like Conner.
I also did like the other characters. Young Riley has such a spirit about her that you couldn't help but love and feel sorry for this kid. The preachy stuff was ok too but honestly even if you take all that out, this book would still be one of my faves. Ms. Jones just really knows how to carve a story that is remarkable in aspects of the word.