Book Review: "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Allison Ashley

I can always count on Allison Ashley to deliver a heartwarming love story with a medical slant, but this may be my favorite of hers. I love books that make you think while they make you feel, and this one sure did that!

“On the evening before her untimely demise, Elliott Holland went on someone else’s date. Okay, possible demise.”

Cancer has been a part of Elliott’s life for as long as she can remember. She’s dealt with leukemia twice and is about to undergo a stem cell transplant in the hopes this will be the key to beating the disease permanently.

The night before her procedure, she goes to a bar. There she starts talking with a handsome stranger, Jamie, who has apparently been stood up by his date. Jamie and Elliott enjoy each other’s company so much that she agrees to accompany him on the date he had planned. At the end of the night they share a romantic kiss, but since she doesn’t know the outcome of the transplant, they don’t trade contact information.

A year later, her cancer is in remission and she goes to meet Carly, her stem cell donor. Much to Elliott’s surprise, Carly’s boyfriend is Jamie, whom Elliott hasn’t stopped thinking about. It’s clear their feelings for one another haven’t dulled, but how can Elliott betray the woman who essentially saved her life?

I thought this was such a great story. The characters were so much fun and I loved their banter, and I was completely drawn into their lives. Plus, all the baked goods sounded amazing!

The book will publish 4/1/2025.

Book Review: "Cross My Heart" by Megan Collins

”…the beginning was so blindingly beautiful, it kept me from seeing the end.”

Rosie believes in love, in happy endings. After a broken engagement, she works in her parents’ bridal shop, helping others achieve their dream weddings. But she wholeheartedly believes there’s someone out there who’s right for her.

After receiving a heart transplant, Rosie is grateful to be alive and is grateful to the donor whose heart she now has. With the help of a friend who works in the hospital, she’s figured out that her heart donor was Daphne Thorne. Daphne was a college professor and the wife of famed thriller author Morgan Thorne, a local celebrity in Rosie’s town.

Rosie follows Morgan on social media and has read his books. The two begin corresponding via an anonymous service for transplant recipients and donor families. The more Rosie learns about Morgan and Daphne, the more she becomes convinced that she is the right person for Morgan. She has his wife’s heart, after all.

As she becomes more infatuated with Morgan and feels he understands her, she also starts hearing rumors from those who believe Morgan might’ve been responsible for his wife’s death. She’s determined to figure out the truth before letting herself fall for Morgan completely. But nothing is quite what it seems.

I was hooked on this book from the very first page. The concept of the book and the shifting perspectives were both really compelling, and I loved how Megan Collins kept me guessing. While I did figure out one twist pretty early on, I couldn’t wait to see how everything was tied up. It was quite a read!

Book Review: "The Christmas You Found Me" by Sarah Morgenthaler

“WANTED: HUSBAND FOR HIRE.” The day that Sienna’s divorce became final, an ad with this headline started appearing all over her small town of Caney Falls, Idaho. It’s the handiwork of Sienna’s best friend Jess, who was never a fan of Sienna’s ex-husband anyway.

While everyone in town knows the ad is a joke, Guy, a newcomer, doesn’t. When he introduces himself to Sienna he explains that his four-year-old daughter Emma is in end-stage kidney failure, and needs a transplant. But in order for her to remain on the transplant list, he must demonstrate financial stability, which he doesn’t have. A few hours after hearing this story, Sienna proposes to Guy, promising to be there for him until Emma gets the kidney she desperately needs.

Living and working on her family’s ranch is satisfying, but since her marriage ended, it’s been difficult to manage on her own, not to mention lonely. Guy and Emma’s presence makes things more enjoyable, and it’s not long before Sienna thinks of Emma as her stepdaughter and someone she’d do anything for.

While there’s no denying the chemistry between her and Guy, Sienna is afraid to get too close in case Guy wants out once Emma gets her kidney. But to be needed and wanted are feelings she’s not had in a long time, and there’s definitely a part of her that wants to be in this “marriage of purpose” for the long haul.

I’ve been a fan of Sarah Morgenthaler since reading her Moose Springs, Alaska series. (I would love another book in that series!) She creates such memorable, complex characters you can’t help but grow attached to.

I loved this book with every fiber of my being. It made me smile, made me blush, made me laugh, and made me sob. It’s not the jolly Christmas romance I was expecting, but it was simply amazing.