Love by the Numbers

GIVEAWAY

HILTON, LAURA V.
LOVE BY THE NUMBERS

After a buggy accident claims the life of her fiance, Lydia Hershberger makes a fresh start in Jamesport, Missouri, managing a gift store. It isn't long before she meets the young man hired to handle the bookkeeping -- Caleb Bontrager, whose handcrafted cuckoo clocks are sold in the store.

And it isn't long before Caleb has made up his mind about her: bright and sparkly but not right for him. Alarmed by his attraction to her, he determines to settle down with someone more practical. Less sparkle. More logic. But he can't seem to shake his feelings for Lydia.

When false allegations by the bishop back him catch up with Lydia and threaten to ruin her reputation, can she clear her name and find lasting happiness? Or will Her sunny disposition fade away into heartbreak?

My Review:

Not your typical Amish novel, that's for sure! Not with the emphasis on physical attraction and passion that leaps off the page right from the start. I'll admit, it was off-putting at first, because it seemed so shallow, especially when you think 'Amish romance' so I'm going to tell you what I wish I'd known before I started reading:

 There's a reason for Caleb's thoughts and actions and it shadows everything to do with Lydia. She is quite the woman of mystery living out the repercussions of a past not of her own making that has skewed her sense of self-worth. You won't understand any of that until you've reached the half way point, but keep it in mind because it brings an unexpected depth to what otherwise might appear to be a superficial love story.

The romance sizzles -- scorches, actually so crank up the air conditioning and stick your feet in a bucket of ice before you commence reading.

And you need to be a fan of love at first sight in order to embrace Caleb and Lydia's story. I actually know a couple who just celebrated their 62nd anniversary -- it was love at first sight for him, but she fell head over heels within a week and they were married within the month! I always think of them when I read this kind of love story but I know that some readers don't care for that kind of instant romance so consider yourself forewarned!

Hilton makes this hero and heroine go to battle for their happily ever after -- both physically and spiritually. "What if Gott is waiting for you to stop trying to be gut enough..." (p 174) Caleb's preacher daed cuts to the heart of the matter and what follows is a celebration of forgiveness and grace that took my breath away.

A cast of secondary characters to love -- and to hate -- brought this Jamesport community to life. There's plenty of angst and not all the rough edges are smoothed away by the end, but there's tremendous reader satisfaction over a hard earned HEA!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Love by the Numbers, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of AT and DOT in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 29 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!