Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Review - Lean on Me

DESCRIPTION:

First in an emotional, poignant romantic women's fiction series by acclaimed inspirational romance author Pat Simmons.

No caregiver should ever have to go it alone...

Tabitha Knicely loves her career as a pharmaceutical rep, but even her health care knowledge isn't much help with the daily challenges she now faces caring for her aunt with Alzheimer's. Her once organized lifestyle is in disarray and her patience is tested. On Sunday mornings, when Aunt Tweet drags her to church, though Tabitha isn't a believer, the peaceful presence of faith is a welcome relief.

Marcus Whittington believes in second chances, so he hires former inmates to staff the industrial cleaning service he owns with his brother. When a mystery woman who keeps showing up on his porch turns out to be an elderly neighbor, Marcus is outraged at what he perceives as neglect on the part of her caregiver.

Marcus soon learns that being a caregiver is a demanding, compassionate act of kindness that he has never experienced before. After several encounters with Aunt Tweet and Tabitha, his heart is drawn to the family's distress. Marcus is determined to help Tabitha, and a friendship that started out with a grave misunderstanding soon begins to blossom into a relationship filled with love, faith, and partnership. Life is easier, when you have someone to lean on. 



MY THOUGHTS:

Title:   Lean on Me
Author:  Pat Simmons
Series:  Family is Forever #1
Genre:   Romance; Women's Fiction
Publisher:   Sourcebooks Casablanca
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   260
Date of Publication:   January 7, 2020
My Rating:   4.5 Stars

I really love two things when I read: Finding a new author, and being able to start the first book in a new series. That was exactly the case with Lean on Me. Discovering the author, Pat Simmons, through the pages of this book was quite rewarding.

Tabitha Knicely and Marcus Whittington cross paths. She is a busy pharmaceutical rep who is now caring for her aunt who is suffering from Alzheimers. Marcus has his own business and he hires men who need a second chance, and that includes ex-cons. The way they meet is that someone keeps landing on Marcus's doorstep. The woman happens to be Tabitha's Aunt Tweet and it doesn't take long before Tabitha and Marcus meet. 

So we have three principal characters in this book, Tabitha, Marcus and the wonderful Aunt Tweet. Marcus sees a real need when it comes to Tabitha and her aunt, although at first he was concerned that Tabitha was shirking her responsibilities in her role as a caregiver.

I so loved this book. It was touching in both an emotional and spiritual way. Marcus and Tabitha start off as friends, but their growth has a solid background when it comes to faith. This was not the turn I expected when reading this book, but I was floored by how much this book touched my soul. This is the first book in the Family is Forever series, and I will definitely be looking out for the next book, Here for You, which is scheduled to release in September. 

Meanwhile, as time permits, I will be perusing Ms. Simmons backlist for more inspiring reads. I rarely get the opportunity read AA characters, and with the addition of faith, her novels are definitely for me. 

Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

My mission as a Christian romance  author is to inspire readers with with heartwarming stories, godly interventions, and sweet romance. Meet the strong Black men in the Jamieson; the sweet Carmen sisters, the series that has touched lives--Restore My Soul, and Love at the Crossroads--where love is tested.


9 comments:

  1. She is new to me too - lovely review, Robin.

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  2. This sounds like a sweet, moving story.

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  3. That cover is GORGEOUS! I want that to be my back yard.

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  4. I think this one would hit close to home forme. Lovely review.

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  5. Amazing review Robin, this is a new book to me as well and it really looks and sounds like my kind of book that I would so love and enjoy reading too. I am really glad you fully enjoyed reading this book. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.

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  6. I've never heard of the book or author before, so thanks for putting her on my radar. Lovely review.

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  7. Great review, this is a new author to me.

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  8. Great review! Love the cover. :)

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