🏫 📚 🚲 "Until I Met You" (Restoring Heritage #2) (2020) 🚲 📚 🏫 - Book Review

MY REVIEW

Series: Restoring Heritage (Book #2)

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Revell (September 8, 2020)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800736486

ISBN-13: 978-0800736484

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“When she hears that the small town of Heritage, Michigan, is looking for a new librarian, Libby Kingsley jumps at the opportunity. Little did she know the library is barely more than a storage closet stuffed with dusty, outdated books. What the community really needs is a new building. But the only funds available are those being channeled into the new town square, and the landscape architect in charge of the project wants nothing to do with her plans.

All Austin Williams wants to do is get the town square project finished so he can do right by the family business and then extricate himself from the town that reveres the brother who cost him so much. But the local media and the town's new librarian seem to be conspiring against him at every turn. Will the determined bookworm find her way into his blueprints--and possibly even his heart?”

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell Reads and the author Tari Faris for providing an advanced review copy as part of a launch team. A positive review was not required or requested, and all words are my own.

After being accepted to the launch team, I decided to purchase the first book “You Belong With Me” (YBWM), which was the author’s debut book. This cover is similar to that one in keeping with the series. And, it is definitely adorable. Until I Met You (UIMY) is definitely a series book, and is best read after the first one to get a better idea of the theme and characters. It can be a standalone, but I think the reader will get a better idea by reading the first one.

Where to begin with this review?

It hasn’t been that long since I read YBWM (about three weeks ago) and I felt something was off with this novel. It was a bit difficult to get into at first. I didn’t remember the first one being this … difficult.

To be honest, I loved and loathed this book at the same time. As I haven’t read too many triple series (usually I get books 1 & 2; or just #3; sometimes #1) in a row, it is hard to measure it against everything else I’ve read, but this was one of the books that I was struggling with – definitely a ping-pong battle here.

At times I wanted to keep going, other times I wanted to stop. But, I cannot DNF (did-not-finish) a book. I can’t. Unless it is a library borrow, I read it to the end.

And, I’m glad I did. The messages at the end were definitely some strong messages that I think would benefit almost anyone in this beautifully written book.

This continues about 8-9 months after YBWM. Some of the characters from that story return. And, it is obvious that Luke and Hannah had a happy ending (they are not the only characters that did – Janie and Thomas did as well). Luke and Hannah are expecting their first child and there are complications.

This is Libby’s tale. She was introduced in the first book – she is Luke’s cousin/adopted sister. Is a bit tragic with Libby’s history.

This round there seems like that are too many characters to follow; Otis is still the real star here – up to his old antics. Trust me, Otis is a real character. One unnecessary and unneeded character was Becky. Though I get why she showed up – she was definitely unneeded. At least Madison didn’t show back up. Derek Kensington is mentioned but doesn’t seem to have a regular appearance. I also wonder what Derek and his father are scheming.

As this is an ARC, there are some inconsistencies; otherwise very similar to the other book in the series.

I enjoyed it at times, frustrated at times. At times I didn’t quite know where it was going or what to think. And, that is life, for the most part – you don’t know where it is going, you get frustrated, and you enjoy.

Anyway …

There is so much going on in this book:

** Budding romance between Libby & Austin

** “Will they/won’t they” with Olivia & Nate; continuing from YBWM

** Moving the schoolhouse to be used as a library

** Saving the Williams’ business

** Austin & Nate’s father with Alzheimer’s

** Austin & Nate’s tiff from the past

** Nate’s past that gets revealed by Dale Kensington

The Libby/Austin; Olivia/Nate; Austin/Nate discord seemed like too much at once and it seems overloaded with conflict. This has more conflict than most romance novels, so for me, it was far more realistic. Which I wasn’t sure was a good thing or bad thing.  

This is told in third person, alternating with Libby and Austin.

I actually connected with Libby due to her love of books and loved the cute idea of a “serial reader”. The idea of her bike, Petunia, was a sweet moment as well.

There is an abundance of miscommunication with the characters and it is center on the Libby/Austin; Olivia/Nate; Austin/Nate dynamics.

Faris does have serious moments in here, namely with Luke’s newborn; but there is also some humor. One such gag is a bag of change going back and forth between Libby and Austin. I truly enjoyed that light-hearted moment between the characters. Austin, despite his own issues and hang ups was cute in those moments with Libby. The speed-dating article with Olivia was a bit funny as well.

The restoration of Heritage seems like less of a plot here than in the previous novel. This story centers more on the characters than the town.  

It takes a while to really get things going between the characters as well as the “heart” of the novel – about 2/3 of the way in. When you think they’re making headway – something happens to set them back. At times I was absolutely heartbroken by some of the issues Libby faced, such as her feeling bad for everything including Luke’s kidnapping when she was younger. But, as her adopted mother tells her – everyone makes their own choices, which sometimes leads to mistakes. Libby is also told that she can only do what she can with what she’s given.

Faris weaves in some beautiful moments, heartfelt drama, and high tensions in this novel. It’s emotionally engaging and detailed. I have never read a novel that twisted my thinking and emotions more than this one. And, I really did end up enjoying it.

There are strong Christian themes in this clean read distributed by Revell – church attendance, references, themes of forgiveness, grace, and mercy are also abundant. This is evidenced more so when Nate’s past is revealed by Kensington.

This is where forgiveness by God and man become two different things. While God forgives us – others may not. And, that is what people often grapple with – the forgiveness of others.

It is the last 1/3 of the book that really grips the reader – God’s grace can transform us is a huge theme there at the end and it will be telling to see where Austin/Libby and Nate/Olivia are in the next novel. There was one “plot hole” in this – I was wondering about the key Nate found.

The last chapter was the reveal of title “until I met you” is a reference to one of the characters not loving again until they met the person.

As I said, I am definitely glad I read this emotionally charged, deeply emotional book with the rich, deep Christian/faith themes and poignant messages. The reader is treated to a wonderful quote from a book by Corrie ten Boom – “never be afraid to trust an unknown future with a known God”. It is a beautiful quote and definitely quite relevant in these unknown times.

Recommended for those who read the previous novel – “You Belong With Me” as well as those who enjoy Christian Fiction and Christian Romance. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

RATING:

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

Other Books in the Series:

Series: Restoring Heritage (Book #1)

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Revell (September 3, 2019)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800736478

ISBN-13: 978-0800736477

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“Realtor Hannah Thornton has many talents. Unfortunately, selling houses in the town where her family name is practically poison 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 finally repay the financial debt Hannah's mother caused the town. But at first no one supports her efforts--not even her best friend, Luke.

Luke Johnson may have grown up in Heritage, but as a foster kid he never truly felt as if he belonged. Now he has a chance to score a job as assistant fire chief and earn his place in the town. But when the interview process and Hannah's restoration project start unearthing things from his past, Luke must decide if belonging is worth the pain of being honest about who he is--and who he was.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tari Faris is the author of You Belong with Me. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers and My Book Therapy, she is the projects manager for My Book Therapy, writes for www.learnhowtowriteanovel.com, and is a 2017 Genesis Award winner. She has an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary and lives in the Phoenix, Arizona, area with her husband and their three children. Although she lives in the Southwest now, she lived in a small town in Michigan for 25 years.

You can follow her on the following social media accounts:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tari.faris.author/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarifarisauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FarisTari

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