🎣🚣🏻‍♂️🛶 “Winning His Trust” (2023) 🛶🚣🏻‍♂️🎣– Book Review

MY REVIEW

 

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired (February 21, 2023)

Language: English

ISBN: 1335585591

ISBN-13: 978-1335585592

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“To build a future together

 

They must both let go of the past…

 

Returning home after a bad breakup, Jordan Wood is eager to prove she can run her family’s store. Setting up a partnership with Declan Porter’s struggling adventure business might do the trick. But the handsome single dad is set in his ways—in business and in love. Can winning his—and his son’s—heart help them all heal?”

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Toni Shiloh, for providing a complimentary review copy through her launch team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

This is connected to the author’s previous release, Her Christmas Redemption, but this can definitely be a standalone read. I do have that book on my TBR list.

 

Despite having the other book on my TBR, this is the first book I’ve read by the author, and I have to say she is definitely among my Love Inspired “to read” authors (which is a growing list).

 

The adorable cover drew me right in! Seriously, how cute is Declan’s little boy, River?

 

Shiloh gives us a wonderful cast of characters:

 

📜 Jordan

🚣🏻‍♂️ Declan

🎣 River

🏕️ Mike

 

Along with Declan’s ex-wife (Mekayla) and Jordan’s siblings.

 

Right off, Shiloh shows us the Wood family dynamic. Jordan hasn’t told her brother about getting her degree, and he’s reluctant to let her make changes. She also feels like a failure – in business and in her love life.

 

Then, a former high school classmate enters the scene – Declan Porter and his son River.

 

Immediately, River takes to Jordan. And, she takes to the little boy as well.

 

Declan is there to ask Mike about using the store to sell some items. He’s also trying to prove to the bank his business is successful as his ex-wife and River’s mom, Mekayla, wants a “loan” repaid and the bank has turned him down. It isn’t long until Jordan sees a chance to show off her skills by helping Delcan’s business. And, it is clear Declan needs some help to become competitive in his outdoor venture.

 

Mike agrees to Declan’s business proposal, and Declan agrees to Jordan helping him with his business and website. Jordan has her work cut out for her. Declan is a pretty hopeless dude when it comes to website designs, logos, “tour packages”, though Jordan is definitely a saving grace there.

 

And, it isn’t long until he discovers Jordan is good outdoors as well.  

 

And, it isn’t long until the two start discovering they’re good together.

 

But, Declan’s focus is on his son and on his business.

 

He also has another problem when his ex-wife, Mekayla, wants to see River after abandoning him four (4) years before.

 

Declan and Jordan both have hurdles to overcome before they can come together and be a family. Though, adding in the matchmaker River is – that isn’t going to be a problem in this sweet book.

 

A book that, had I not had some stuff come up, would easily be a day read.

 

The pacing didn’t lag at all, and the shortish chapters kept me reading and reading when I had the time.

 

I will say this – don’t read this if you’re hungry! Shiloh included a few dishes that are my favorite, so now I’m craving them – chicken fried steak. In addition – fried fish (I like beer-battered fish), fries, and coleslaw. I almost drooled on the pages!

 

The storyline was definitely unique in the aspect of business. Despite Jordan’s degree in business and merchandising, she definitely knew how to talk to Declan and make her suggestions so that he could understand the correlation and effect they’d have. Jordan definitely had a keen mind and reminds me of those who work in NASCAR when it comes to merchandising. I absolutely loved the idea of questioning making “changes” – change simply to change or change for the better?  

 

Having her and Mike talk about the store also highlighted another aspect of grief and how even a little change can feel like the erasure of a loved one. I deeply loved Jordan’s family and their closeness.  

 

As far as Mekayla and River – that was a spot where I really felt so sorry for Declan. I wondered what the woman’s motivation really was considering why she didn’t take the kid the first time she left. I also wondered why Declan didn’t move to terminate her parental rights instead. Slight spoiler – it is clear she wasn’t cut out to be a mother, and I fear for the baby she’s carrying.

 

There is a part when Declan texts Mekayla and her current husband answers, highlighting a horrible truth about focusing on new family rather than blending. My own male bio-parent ditched me to focus on his six step-children, so my heart truly broke for River. It was great that he was mature enough to know his father loved him and was comforted by that.

 

Fans of the author and genre are sure to love this read. I am looking forward to seeing if Shiloh returns to this “series” as I felt there was no “final” resolution to Mekayla’s storyline (I have a feeling she’s up to no good).

 

As this is from the Christian line of Harlequin’s books, there will definitely be strong themes of faith in it.

 

 

 

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;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and multipublished Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni loves connecting with readers via social media. You can learn more about her at www.tonishiloh.com.

 

 

You can also find her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: http://facebook.com/authortonishiloh

 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/tonishiloh

 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/tonishilohwrite

 

 

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