Hey there, bookworms and happy Monday! I don’t know about you, but it definitely felt like Monday. I’ve been in zombie mode all day and my coffee has long since worn off… but I’m determined to get things done outside of the office this week which means *hopefully* blog posts and getting back to my novel I haven’t written a word for in about two months.
Whew.. let’s cut right to the chase and delve into tonight’s book review! This evening, I’m discussing House of Belonging by Andrea Thome!
Belonging is the third installment in this trilogy, so if you need to start at the beginning, check out my combined review of books one and two, Walland & Seeds of Intention here.
House of Belonging is the sweet conclusion to this trilogy and features another set of characters from the beloved gang we met back in the first two books. Logan Matthews is the long-lost-brother of Willow (from book two) and Laina is the new specialty chef who is getting a new start out west with the whole Hesse Creek crew. These guys made a brief cameo in the prior installment, and I’m so thrilled they got their moment in the spotlight to tell their story.
Back in book two, Logan was drawn to Laina, and I believe (if I remember it correctly) it was mentioned in passing. Now, in book three, he’s on the hunt, and has her in his crosshairs and he’s determined to get a date.
Logan is sweet and charming with an absolute heart of gold, and Laina is a star on the rise. It’s not a matter of IF they get together, but rather, when, how will it play out?
“Who can we count on? The family we’re born into, or the one we create for ourselves?
Renowned chef Laina Ming walked away from the culinary spotlight and an unhealthy relationship—one that still haunts her a year later. She’s trying to start fresh in the Rocky Mountains, opening a concept restaurant on the banks of the Roaring Fork River, where she hopes she’ll be able to express her passion for food and bury her heartache.
Horse rancher Logan Matthews moved to Aspen to be near his sister and her husband, grateful for his newfound family. Since a chance meeting with Laina the previous summer, Logan’s been enchanted. But she doesn’t want anything to do with him—which makes her all the more appealing.
Despite Laina’s efforts to protect her heart, Logan has been on her mind, too—and he has a way of turning up in the most unexpected places. Can they learn to trust one another and finally find the sense of belonging they’ve both been searching for?”
This might have been my favorite of the trilogy. I adored Logan and Laina from the moment I met them and couldn’t wait to see how they worked as a couple. I admired her tenacity and innovation with her dreams and career, and I’m a sucker for a nice guy, so every time Logan turned around to do another favor for someone in his life, or was just there for his friends and family, in any way big or small, I swooned.
Throughout my journey with all of these books and these wonderful characters, I’ve gotten more attached and wound up completely enchanted with all of their lives, loves, and universe. I adored the magic portrayed at the ranch/resort out west and just felt transported every time I got back to these pages. I didn’t want to leave.
Logan and Laina were such a carefree and sweet couple despite their pasts and speedbumps along the way. I just cheered them beginning to end, and I even got fully on board with Logan’s relationship/bromance with Van, Laina’s right-hand-man at the restaurant and her best friend. I wish he’d get his own book.. just saying.
I’m so thankful to Thome and JKS Publishing for sending me these books. I’m so glad I got to meet such wonderful characters and got to lose myeslf in such an enchanting, whimsical world. It had all the sweetness and feel-good warm & fuzzy feelings of a Hallmark Christmas movie so I just completely indulged.
Drop what your’e doing and go meet this crew if you’re looking for a handful of sweet stories!
Until next time!
My Final Rating: four out of five stars
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