Melissa Tagg: Like Never Before

By Kelly Bridgewater

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 knew 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.

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My Thoughts:

I actually really enjoy Melissa Tagg’s writing. She writes with such clarity that I feel like I’m right there with her characters as they are interacting with one another. As for her newest book Like Never Before, I enjoyed seeing Amelia in her own story with Logan, the heartthrob that Tagg has been gushing about on Facebook for a while now. I really couldn't wait to read their love story.

Like I mentioned, I enjoyed seeing Amelia tell her own story. She has appeared in two novellas and another book by Tagg, so it was nice to see Tagg finally give Amelia her own story. Like Tagg, Amelia is a journalist who wants to find a place to belong and call home. Journalist writing is her passion, and when she finds out the paper is going to be sold, she believes she can save this small town paper. Enter Logan. The man who can write and steals Amelia’s heart with every word he crafts. He is a single dad, raising his three-year-old daughter, Caroline while trying to make a difference on the political trail.

Tagg is a great writer at descriptions. I really feel like I’m standing in this small town in Iowa and watching the Walkers and the city interact with one another. I really enjoy how Tagg makes her setting comes to life for me. Likewise, her dialogue keeps up a lightly banter between her characters. I enjoy watching them converse and move the story forward.

The story starts out with a hint of Amelia wanting to save the newspaper, but about forty-five percent in, I got bored. It appeared to be the same scenario over and over again. To spice up the story, Tagg includes a mystery of an older gentleman in the novel who funded Amelia’s college education, if she would have finished. I kept flipping through the story because I couldn't wait to see what would happen with Amelia and Logan's research. Would it bring them closer together? Would they actually solve the mystery?

Melissa Tagg’s Like Never Before creates characters and settings that jump off the page with her traditional role of romantic comedy. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what story Tagg comes up with next. 

I received a complimentary copy of Like Never Before from Bethany House and the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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