Delightful: "The Two of Us" by Victoria Bylin
about the book....
After two broken engagements, Mia Robinson is done with dating. From now on, she's focusing on God and her goal to join an international aid organization as a nurse practitioner. But when her 18-year-old sister, Lucy, calls with an invitation to her Vegas wedding, it throws a wrench into Mia's plans.
Jake Tanner has recovered from the injuries he sustained as a police officer--on the outside. Inside, he's yet to heal from losing his partner in the tragedy, but finds some solace in keeping an eye on her young adult son, Sam, who's asked him to be best man at his wedding.
Mia expects a mess when she arrives to sort out the situation with Lucy, but she wasn't expecting Jake, who views the marriage a little differently. As Jake's and Mia's lives slowly become more intertwined, could his courage and her caring heart be enough to bring them a lifetime of healing?
my review....
Confession time: I don't normally rave about romances. In fact, though I do read them, they are not my regular choice when I am looking for a book to help me pass the time.
But something about Victoria Bylin's latest novel, "the two of us", was just deeply satisfying in every way, and I found myself enjoying it more than I even expected! Mia and Jake are characters with heart and depth, pains and struggles that make them easy to relate to. Watching their journey was utterly enjoyable, as each had things from their past that impacted their ability to move forward in the way they needed to, yet they submitted to God's will for their lives instead of their own desires. I greatly appreciated how Bylin brought their paths together, and how they were committed to friendship first before finding out if more lay in their future. I am firmly convinced that an integral part of any marriage is that friendship precedes anything else, and so seeing this lived out on the pages of this novel was greatly encouraging. I also liked the direct way that Bylin speaks to Mia's sister Lucy's situation with getting pregnant before marriage, that she doesn't blow the sin out of proportion, yet isn't afraid to label it what it is either. The author brings absolute blessing out of Lucy and Sam's story-line, speaking to commitment and real love in a way that our society just doesn't see anymore. And have I mentioned Jake's mom's struggle with Alzheimer's disease? Her character adds a whole other layer to the story that made the journey all the more rich. Bylin does a great job at bringing all of these elements of the plot together into a wonderful whole, with a beautiful spiritual narrative underpinning the story that unfolds.
With powerful characters and a love story that will appeal to readers of all types, "The Two of Us" is a well written contemporary Romance that deserves a place on your shelves (or on your e-reader of course!) I award this novel a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
But something about Victoria Bylin's latest novel, "the two of us", was just deeply satisfying in every way, and I found myself enjoying it more than I even expected! Mia and Jake are characters with heart and depth, pains and struggles that make them easy to relate to. Watching their journey was utterly enjoyable, as each had things from their past that impacted their ability to move forward in the way they needed to, yet they submitted to God's will for their lives instead of their own desires. I greatly appreciated how Bylin brought their paths together, and how they were committed to friendship first before finding out if more lay in their future. I am firmly convinced that an integral part of any marriage is that friendship precedes anything else, and so seeing this lived out on the pages of this novel was greatly encouraging. I also liked the direct way that Bylin speaks to Mia's sister Lucy's situation with getting pregnant before marriage, that she doesn't blow the sin out of proportion, yet isn't afraid to label it what it is either. The author brings absolute blessing out of Lucy and Sam's story-line, speaking to commitment and real love in a way that our society just doesn't see anymore. And have I mentioned Jake's mom's struggle with Alzheimer's disease? Her character adds a whole other layer to the story that made the journey all the more rich. Bylin does a great job at bringing all of these elements of the plot together into a wonderful whole, with a beautiful spiritual narrative underpinning the story that unfolds.
With powerful characters and a love story that will appeal to readers of all types, "The Two of Us" is a well written contemporary Romance that deserves a place on your shelves (or on your e-reader of course!) I award this novel a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
about the author....
Victoria Bylin writes contemporary and historical romances known for their realistic, relatable characters. Her work has finaled in contests such as the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and the RT Reviewers' Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky. Visit her website at www.victoriabylin.com to find out more.
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