Robin Lee Hatcher: I'll Be See You

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Generations of secrets unfold as a young college student learns the truth about her great-grandmother’s World War II heartbreak and love.

Brianna Hastings’s life seems dull and full of disappointment until a handsome young man visits her church. She’s instantly smitten by the charming Greg, who leads an exciting, independent life—the kind of life she longs for. But when a college history assignment forces Brianna to interview her great-grandmother about life during World War II, she can’t believe it when Daisy presses her with questions about Greg’s character. “What sort of man is he? Who is he at his core?”

What could her great-grandmother possibly know about love at first sight?

The questions take both women back to Boise, Idaho, in the early 1940s, when war emphasized how fragile life could be. Daisy and her older sister pine for the same handsome bomber pilot—until one night of terrible judgment reveals their true characters and drives them apart. Trying to protect the people she loves the most, Daisy condemns herself to live a lie.

In the years that follow, as Daisy grapples with the consequences, she receives unexpected grace from a man she’s known her whole life but never looked at twice. Could what she learned about love save Brianna from heartache three generations later?

 

My Thoughts:

I’ll Be Seeing You by Robin Lee Hatcher is a time-slip novel between World War II and the present day, which is why I was interested in reading this story. I love World War II novels. While the writing was fabulous, I had a little bit of issue with the plot. This story was 100% predictable. 100% been done before. Nothing original. I have read a number of stories where the same incident that happened to Daisy, the heroine from the past timeline, have occurred to a number of different people. Nothing new there. Whereas, the present-day story is a tale of protecting your heart just a mirror image of the World War II story. Also, a repetitive storyline that has been written a number of times. While these glaring issues stood out to me, I enjoyed Hatcher’s ability to write a captivity story that did keep my attention as I sped through the story. Overall, I’ll Be Seeing You by Robin Lee Hatcher is a feel-good story about protecting your heart and being careful with it, but the plot was not original and has been written a number of times over.

I received a complimentary copy of I’ll Be Seeing You by Robin Lee Hatcher from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:  3 out of 5 stars

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Robin Lee Hatcher: How Sweet It Is

By Kelly Bridgewater

He lost his brother. She lost her dream. Together, they might find what they're really looking for.

Holly Stanford is doing the best she can with the restaurant she inherited from her late uncle. But after her fiancé abandons her and the business, Holly regrets having given up her dream of becoming a pastry chef. Now a few bad financial decisions might cost her everything, including her hope for the future.

Jed Henning has done well with his new company despite his prodigal brother’s behavior. When Jed‘s father , the controlling member of the board of directors, temporarily suspends operations until his sons work out their differences, Jed resentfully chases his brother, Chris, to Boise. There Jed rents a basement apartment from Holly and hopes to convince Chris to get his act together before their company collapses.

Unaware that Holly is the one person who can help him get through to Chris, Jed starts the tough work of reconciliation armed with little more than a few family photographs, a stack of old letters, and a Bible that belonged to his great-grandfather, Andrew Henning. And as romance blossoms between Holly and Jed, the story of Jed’s great-grandfather highlights the power of God across the generations and the legacy of a family’s courageous faith. 

From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

A Legacy of Faith series by Robin Lee Hatcher ties all the characters together with a family Bible. I have my grandfather's old pulpit Bible and a couple of my Daddy's Bibles. It is really neat to go back and see their thoughts on certain Scripture. I have three Bibles that I do most of my studying out of. I have three boys. I have written notes in each one for each individual child. Each boy will own one of the three boys with all my notes in them. I plan to pass them down to them as a legacy too. But Hatcher's stories is a Bible that is passed down to help the grandchildren as they have lost their way from the Lord. The romance is sweet. Just like contemporary romances' fans enjoy. The predictable ending occurs, but it was a nice journey to see how the heroine and hero fall in love and overcome obstacles. As for the cover, I'm usually not a fan of white covers because there is so much dead space, but for some reason, I really like this cover. The yellow on her apron matches the yellow in the title and looks nicely done. I think fans of Hatcher and contemporary romance authors like Courtney Walsh, Kara Issac, or Becky Wade might enjoy this novel too. 

I received a complimentary copy of How Sweet It Is by Robin Lee Hatcher from Thomas Nelson Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Robin Lee Hatcher: Cross My Heart

By Kelly Bridgewater

When Ashley Showalter and Ben Henning meet on Ashley’s horse rescue farm, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Both were raised by single moms. Both want to help where they see a need. And both work with horses in the Boise valley. Ben needs Ashley’s help and expertise after starting an equine therapy barn on his great-great-grandfather’s farm—and the more time they spend together, both Ashley and Ben have the feeling that there could be something more between them.

They also carry the burden of past experiences that may drive them apart if the truth is ever revealed. 
Ben is a recovering alcoholic with five years of sobriety behind him, while Ashley’s brother is an opioid addict residing in court-ordered rehab. Holding fast to the belief that addicts can never be cured, Ashley has promised herself she will never walk knowingly into the chaos created by addiction. Ben knows that with God, all things are possible—but will Ashley find it within herself to give love a chance? Or will her brother’s mistakes and the pain of her past jeopardize her future with Ben?

Cross My Heart threads together a contemporary love story with the heartwarming tale of Ben’s great-great-grandfather, Andrew Henning—reminding us that God’s Word is timeless and that His promises are new every morning.

From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Robin Lee Hatcher's second novel in her Legacy of Faith series with Cross My Heart is a wonderful time-slip novel showing the faith of a grandfather as he struggles and prays for his family during World War II mirrored against the present day story of Ben and Ashley as they work together to start a horse therapy farm. While the romance wasn't over the top, the romance between Ben and Ashley moved slowly and patiently. I really enjoyed how Ben didn't rush his feelings or rush throwing them onto Ashley when she was clearly ready for a relationship of any kind. Ben was a patient pursuer, just like God is to us. I really enjoyed the historical sections of the novel. But then again, I LOVE anything to do with World War II. Hatcher did a great job at showing how heroic this generation is. Overall, Cross my Heart was a lovely story. Definitely something to keep on my keeper shelf with the first book. I believe fans of Hatcher's writing or Rachel Hauck's stories should pick this book up.

I received a complimentary copy of Cross My Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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About the Author:

From Amazon

Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher, author of more than 75 books, is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Robin is an eleven-time finalist and two-time winner of the prestigious RITA® Award. In addition to the RITA and many other awards, she is the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from both Romance Writers of America® and American Christian Fiction Writers, When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin and her husband make their home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon puppy named Boo and a persnickety tuxedo cat named Pinky.

Robin is active on her Facebook Author Page where she loves to interact with readers. Please join her there: http://www.facebook.com/robinleehatcher

For more information, please visit her website at https://www.robinleehatcher.com (Taken from Amazon.)

Robin Lee Hatcher: You're Gonna Love Me

By Kelly Bridgewater

Who knew fate could twist a tragedy into a second chance at love?

Samantha Winters lives her life the way a good accountant should—measured, deliberate, and safe. 

After watching her father die in a tragic skiing accident, she decided never to allow risk into her life again. But she didn’t count on falling for Nick Chastain, who embodies everything she doesn’t want in her safely constructed world.

Against Samantha’s warnings, Nick plans a dangerous kayaking trip over spring break. Furious that he’s so careless with his life, she ends their fledgling relationship with harsh words.
Two years later, Samantha is desperately in need of a change. When she learns her grandmother has had an accident and is in need of a caretaker, Samantha quickly packs her bags and heads to Thunder Creek, Idaho. But nothing could prepare her for the surprise awaiting her in her grandmother’s hospital room . . . Nick.

With the charming backdrop of small-town friends, beloved cousins, and a whole church congregation rooting for them, can they set aside the disastrous ending of their first try at love? Has Nick changed enough to meet Samantha in the middle—and can she realize that a risk in love might be worth taking?

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

You're Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher has a gorgeous cover that gripped my attention. I love how the woman is totally focused on the man in the picture, and he leans in capture her gaze. This drew me into the story right away. As for the novel, I knew it was a contemporary romance, so I knew what I was expecting when I picked up the book. I knew I was going to get a quick romance with a lot to tension thrown at the couple as they decide if they want to be together over everything else fighting for their attention.

With predictable plot, I knew that Sam and Nick would end up together. But I think the fun part of some contemporary romances is trying to figure out what conflicts keep them apart and why. What does it take for the couple to decide that they were completely right for each other? This time around with You're Gonna Love Me I had a hard time enjoying the novel. I knew where the novel was headed, so I got bored. Sam and Nick seemed very one-dimensional to me. I really didn't care what happened to either one of them. There story wasn't that interesting.

While I enjoyed returning to the small town of Thunder Creek and seeing Derek and Brooke from the first novel in this series, You'll Think of Me, and how much their marriage and life has changed since the first book, I wasn't drawn into Sam and Nick's stories as much. I enjoying watching the world around them interact with the couple. I love the old house that Nick bought, but I knew that it was a home that he bought with Sam and a future family in mind.

Overall, You're Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher is a predictable, unoriginal novel that does return to Thunder Creek, Idaho, but I had a hard time getting engrossed in the novel and the couple. They didn't seem realistic enough for me. I wanted more from the story.

I received a complimentary copy of You're Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Robin Lee Hatcher: You'll Think of Me

By Kelly Bridgewater

Her mother abandoned her, her father disowned her, and her husband left her. Can Brooklyn be convinced that it is possible to forgive the greatest of betrayals?

Brooklyn Myers escaped her broken home and her embittered, unloving father by eloping to Reno at the age of 17. But when she was pregnant with their first child, her husband abandoned her as well. Not welcome back home in Thunder Creek, Brooklyn stayed in Reno and raised her daughter Alycia on her own, doing her best to make sure Alycia never knew the heartache and rejection Brooklyn herself had known.

When her estranged husband Chad Hallston dies, he leaves the family home in Thunder Creek to his 
daughter. Believing it is the best way to give her daughter a stable home, Brooklyn does what she thought she would never do. She goes home to the orchard and wine country of Southwest Idaho. 

There, she encounters Chad’s best friend, Derek Johnson, a part time sheriff's deputy who also owns an organic produce farm next door. Derek was never a fan of former bad girl Brooklyn Myers, but he made a promise to his dying friend that he would be the father to Alycia that Chad had never been.

Although Derek and Brooklyn get off to a bumpy start, he and Alycia quickly form a bond. And soon, Derek realizes that he wants Brooklyn to trust him too . . .  even knowing that her trust won’t come easily. And then he realizes he wants even more than her trust. He wants to win her love.
While Brooklyn may be tempted to give her heart to Derek, risking her daughter’s happiness is another story. Will Brooklyn hold onto her self-reliance for dear life, or will she come to understand that the greatest gift she can give her daughter is showing her how to love and trust others?

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

Robin Lee Hatcher creates feel good love stories with little to no conflict. I enjoy her stories with their sweet Hallmark style love stories and how her characters appear realistic. In her latest novel, You'll Think of Me, Hatcher creates a love story that shows the conflict of how the past can affect a person. Hatcher also includes a lesson of forgiving those who hurt us. Brooklyn has a hard time moving on from the hurt of her father and the abandonment of her recently deceased husband, Chad. I rooted for Brooklyn to find a better view of herself and keep relying on God to love her just the way she is. While Derek Johnson, the next door neighbor and friend to Chad, starts to open his heart to loving the woman who kept his friend from him. The story takes place in a small town in Idaho, but I'm glad many women who attended church with Brooklyn accepted and welcomed her with open arms. As for the romance, it follows the conventions of a contemporery romance. At the end of the novel, Brooklyn and Derek find their happily ever after. I enjoyed this novel and spending a couple of hours watching Brooklyn and Derek navigate life and their blooming romance. Fans of Becky Wade, Rachel Hauck, Beth K. Vogt, Melissa Tagg, and other contemporary romances will enjoy this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of Robin Lee Hatcher's You'll Think of Me from Thomas Nelson Publishing and the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Keeper of the Stars: Robin Lee Hatcher

By Kelly Bridgewater

Synopsis:

Forgiveness is the only cure for heartbreak. But can Penny forgive the man she holds responsible for her brother’s death?

When her mother died from pneumonia, Penny Cartwright was heartbroken. But now, after burying her younger brother just 12 years later, she is devastated. Anger, guilt, and sorrow cloud Penny’s mind, and the last thing she wants is to be reminded of her pain—but that’s exactly what happens when a stranger comes to town.

Trevor Reynolds has been chasing fame for more than a dozen years, but his musical career can’t get off the ground. While on the road, an accident kills his young drummer, Brad Cartwright. Trevor wasn’t behind the wheel, but he still blames himself… and so does Brad’s sister, Penny. Now Trevor finds himself in Kings Meadow, determined to follow through on his final promise to his friend.

Still feeling the pain of Brad’s death, Penny and Trevor must learn that forgiveness is the only thing that can heal their hearts. And if they do, something beautiful may rise from the ashes of heartbreak.

I love this cover!!! From Amazon

My Thoughts:

In Robin Lee Hatcher’s newest contemporary romance and addition to her widely popular King Meadows series, Keeper of the Stars, I believe it will satisfy every fan of romance books. Breaking through the ashes of disappointments and hurt, Penny Cartwright learns to find forgiveness and love. On the other hand, Trever Reynolds comes to King Meadow after making a promise to Brad, Penny’s deceased brother, and learns to let go of his past anger and follow completely after God. Using plenty of descriptive images, King Meadows, Idaho came to life in my imagination filled with a surrounding cast of characters who show the good side to a close-knit community. I really enjoyed watching Penny and Trevor mature as they slid off the past anger and allow love to thaw even their darken hearts. Using the right amount of dialogue and prose, I felt like I was walking along Penny and Trevor as they traveled through this difficult time in their life. I enjoyed seeing their path to transformation. Some of my favorite stories have the characters doing a complete 180 when it comes to their viewpoint on life, and Hatcher does exactly that. She isn’t afraid to dig deep and show the dark side of the human soul. I, also, truly enjoyed how Hatcher allowed the characters to question God, which reminds me of what I do. I may believe in God and study his Word every day, but there are still moments of asking him why?

True to the contemporary romance genre, Robin Lee Hatcher’s Keeper of the Stars will satisfy romance fans and give them a joy ride as they travel the road of pain and forgiveness to reach the happily-ever-after. I highly recommend this book for fans of Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, and Beth K. Vogt.

I received a complimentary copy of Keeper of the Stars from Thomas Nelson publishing and the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Do you believe that every romance should have a happy ending? Why?