Just For The Summer by Melody Carlson

 

Just For The Summer by Melody Carlson - 287 pages

Ginny Masters manages an upscale hotel in Seattle, but the daily challenges and a demanding boss are starting to get to her.  Ginny is longing for a change.  Jacqueline Potter manages her grandfather's fishing lodge in Idaho.  Jacqueline finds working for her grandfather unfulfilling and longs for the city life.  They both decide to entertain a job swap for the summer, but this swap may not turn out to be exactly what they anticipated.   In typical Melody Carlson style, this book does not disappoint.  These two ladies find out that they will find more than just new scenery with their swap, maybe even a little romance.  If you are a fan of Melody Carlson, you will enjoy this fun, clean romance. 

The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson

176 pages / 5 hrs, 5 mins

"Miranda did not put adventure on her Christmas list, but thanks to her eighty-five-year-old neighbor Joy, that's exactly what she's getting this year. When Joy tells Miranda that she plans to drive an old RV decked out in Christmas decorations from their Chicago neighborhood to her new retirement digs in Phoenix—in the dead of winter, no less—the much younger Miranda insists that Joy cannot make such a trip by herself. Besides, a crazy trip with Joy would be more interesting than another Christmas home alone. Unemployed and facing foreclosure, Miranda feels she has nothing to lose by packing a bag and heading off to Route 66. But Joy has a hidden agenda for their Christmas joyride—and a hidden problem that could derail the whole venture." --from the publisher

This was a fun little story that reminds you of the good people in your life and in our world. The reader of the audiobook is one of my least favorite, though. I give it four out of five stars.

Home Sweet (tiny) Home by Melody Carlson

 Home Sweet (tiny) Home by Melody Carlson - 266 pages

Kate Burrows has a life many would envy -  a good job at a design firm, a huge house, beautiful memories of her late husband, and two grown kids.  But it's all begun to ring hollow as she wanders around her house that's too big for her.  So when she starts to binge watch a show all about tiny homes, something clicks - something that soon has Kate embarking on a whole new life.

I loved this book.  I am a huge fan of Melody's books.  She is one of my favorite authors.  This book gave me pause to think (wouldn't life be so much simpler with less stuff)  more time to do the things that matter and enjoy life.  If you are looking for an uplifting, easy read, with a happy ending, this is your book.  Enjoy

The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson

 

The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson - 163 pages

Another heart-warming story from Melody Carlson.  Emma Daley lives in Arizona and is longing for a white Christmas.  Emma's friend Gillian and her family decide to do a house swap this holiday with West Prescott who lives in Colorado.  Gillian demands that Emma come with them to Colorado to celebrate Christmas this year.

West runs into some difficulty getting his flight out of Colorado and ends up still at his house when his guests arrive.  He meets Emma and is taken by her kindness and beauty, so he decides to pose as the caretaker to get to know her better.  When Emma's friend Gillian discovers West's true identity, things get a little messy.

If you like an uplifting, clean read, you can not go wrong with Melody Carlson.

I Heart Bloomberg by Melody Carlson

I Heart Bloomberg by Melody Carlson
(86 Bloomberg Place #1)
312 pages / 7 hrs, 53 mins

"Kendall's managed to wrangle her grandmother's house--free and clear--except for the rules... But that's ok, with the right ad she'll pull in some girls, their rent and if she's lucky, she won't have to go to work any time soon.

"For their part, Anna, Lelani, and Megan all have their reasons for wanting to move in: Anna has got to get out from under her overprotective parents; Lelani can't take another day in her aunt's tiny crackerbox house overflowing with toddlers and Megan needs a place free of her current roommate from Hades. Though they come with assorted extra baggage filled with broken hearts and dreams, they will discover they also have a vast array of hidden strengths.

"As they struggle to become the women they want to be, they'll find new hope and maybe even Kendall will learn a thing or two about life, love and the true meaning of friendship."  --from the publisher

I enjoy Carlson's conversational style of writing and uncomplicated story lines.  I also appreciate the way she treats the subjects of faith and relationships.  I gave it 3 stars out of 5 on Goodreads.