Review of Since You've Been Gone by Tari Faris

About the Book ~

With her vision and his know-how, this thing just might work . . .

Leah Williams is back in the quaint town of Heritage, Michigan, and ready to try again to make her business a success. But blank slates are hard to come by, and a piece of her past is waiting for her there. Heir to the Heritage Fruits company, Jonathan Kensington is the guy who not only made Leah's past difficult, but he also seems determined to complicate her present as well.

In order to avoid forcing a buyout of Leah's building, Jon will have to strike a compromise. Can the two of them work together? Or will their troubled past set the tone for their future?

For more information about Tari Faris and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Since You've Been Gone by Tari Faris is the kind of book I love to curl up with, disappear in, and make into my fictional home!

The Restoring Heritage Series comes full circle in Since You've Been Gone, and I loved every minute of it! Leah returns to Heritage to battle Jon for the WIFI, but Madison also returns! And WOW! The way the author brought the story back to the beginning but also brought love and redemption to these ladies was deeply moving to me. Leah and Jon's romance was touched with some unrequited love AND some love-to-hate vibes, which made it great fun. Colby and Madison's romance brought an incredible redemption arch to Madison's character as well as making my heart happy with their music-laced romance. Additionally, the town of Heritage is just one I want to move to and call my own.

I loved the spiritual themes in Since You've Been Gone! Powerful themes like not compromising on the dreams and direction God has given to you, breaking down the walls we build around our hearts, and not letting the fear of failure hold us back while still recognizing that we will fail and love knows that and continues to love in spite of that. These themes were so beautifully woven into Jon, Leah, Colby, and Madison's stories, and I cheered for their victories until the sweet end!

Five Stars ~ Since You've Been Gone by Tari Faris is a wonderful conclusion to an equally wonderful series! Since You've Been Gone is the final book in the author's Restoring Heritage Series. While it can be read by itself, I recommend reading the series in order for the character development.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of You Belong With Me by Tari Faris

About the Book ~

Realtor Hannah Thornton has many talents.
Unfortunately, selling houses isn't one of them.

When a business tycoon determines to raze historic homes in the small town of Heritage, Michigan, and replace them with a strip mall, Hannah resolves to stop him. She sets about helping Heritage win a restoration grant that will put the town back on the map -- and hopefully restore her disgraced family name. But she'll need help to do it.

As a foster kid, Luke Johnson never truly felt he belonged. Now he has a chance to earn his place in his hometown. But he doesn't anticipate how his relationship with Hannah will set into motion events that reveal the truth about who he is -- and who he was.

For more information about Tari Faris and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

You Belong With Me by Tari Faris stole my heart! Goodness, guys! It is so cute, fun, humorous, and full of God's grace!

I couldn't help but hear the Taylor Swift song with the same title while I was reading -- and it totally fits with this charming story! You will route for girl next door in this friends-to-lovers romance! And you also get to see Hannah's brother -- Thomas -- and his love story. So sweet! Additionally, the town of Heritage was adorable! I want to live there. Thankfully, I can live there vicariously through this sweet story because I automatically adore anything that gives me Gilmore Girls vibes!

There were so many "grace points" and wonderful insights sprinkled throughout the story as the characters navigated their messy lives. I loved how the author worked those truths into the story! And I appreciated that while the author included some things that could have been very triggering, they were handled with loads of -- yup, you guessed it -- grace, so the story still felt light and humorous! Also, I gotta say that I love it when characters overreact in big ways and make big mistakes. Why? Because that's life. It doesn't mean I don't want to shake some sense into those characters, but I can relate to those characters. We all make mistakes. We all break things. But as the Hannah, Luke, and the other characters come to understand, God can use those broken things to make something entirely new and beautiful!

Five Stars ~ You Belong With Me by Tari Faris is full of charm, romance, and the sweet balm of God's truth! You Belong With Me is the first full-length novel in the Restoring Heritage Series by Tari Faris. I'm really looking forward to the next book!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!