Emma Mitchell may enjoy sprinkling romance into the lives of others, but her own plans involve a single first-class ticket to culinary school in Europe. When her best friend, Jon Noble, suddenly moves back to Ransom, Emma’s fairly certain her life can’t get any better…until her matchmaking schemes nosedive, her culinary future falls flat, and a life-long friendship begins to teeter on the brink … the brink of something unexpected.
With a little inspiration from Jane Austen’s classic and a touch of Blue Ridge charm, will Jon and Emma discover that what they need the most may be the last thing they’re trying to find?
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I’m starting out this review by saying that I love everything about this book. I love the contemporary setting of the story. I loved the hometown characters; the beautiful small town setting in the Blue Ridge mountains: the dialogue that flows easily; and the discussions of faith that are scattered through the storyline. But most of all, I loved Pepper Basham’s characterization of Emma.
I’ve been a Jane Austen fan for many years. “Emma” is one of my favorite books ever, and I reread it at least once a year. So when it comes to “fan fiction” books that attempt to retell the story of “Emma”, I’m very picky about every detail in those books. This is my favorite retelling of ‘Emma” to date because the author truly understood the character of Emma. Emma has always been a character who is truly compassionate; loves her family deeply; tries to help those in need; and wants the best for her friends. She’s also somewhat unknowingly proud and self-absorbed, so she misses cues around her that her plans may not be working. And so it is with this Emma who lives in this small southern town. The characters of Jon and Emma work well together to and the romance between them blossoms as it should all the way through the book. The last chapter has a romantic scene that’s sweet and perfect. (I’m not giving anything away here. You’ll have to read it for yourself.)
I loved this quote from Emma’s mom when she’s comforting Emma:
“….There’s no mistake you can make that God can’t work out for your good and His ultimate glory. There’s no brokenness too big for his love. He works with the pieces, even the jagged and chipped ones, to make a beautiful picture of our lives, even if we can’t see it at first.”
That quote is truly the heart of this book. Even if you’ve never read any of Jane Austen’s books, you’ll love the this heart-touching and romantic story of love, forgiveness, and redemption.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
My bags are packed, and I am ready to move right into Mitchell’s Crossroads! I loved Emma’s big dreams & her desire to help others find their happily ever after. I completely identified with Jon and his desire to forge a new path, & empathized with his catharsis when he realized what he was running from. But most of all, I adored the perfection of Jon & Emma’s unique, lasting friendship, and feeling their amazement as it became the kissing kind. Some seriously swoony moments, folksy wisdom and revealing the absolute beauty of God’s love even in our ugliest moments had me in tears the last quarter of the book. There was nothing about this journey that was anything less than sublime. #BlameItOnABashamBook #NobleEverAfter
‘She’s Emma. She just moved her fairy tales and dolls to real people. God help us.’
Pepper Basham gives us book 3 in her Mitchell’s Crossroads series and we now get Emma’s story. Sweet, helpful, lovable, matchmaking Emma. Emma also has a dream to go to culinary school in Europe and she has her travel plans made and two thirds of her money already paid. She can’t wait. Then Jon Noble comes back to Ransom with his dad. Jon, who has been Emma’s best friend since she was a small girl. But Jon doesn’t seem much like a friend anymore. Is it possible there is more there? Watch now as this wonderful couple discover that sometimes friendship does indeed lead to love.
Pepper Basham is a master at romance. Seriously. The woman knows how to do it. She builds it up and involves the heart like no one else. My heart smiled reading this book. Her swoon worthy heroes are just so wonderful, too! And, there is a very important spiritual lesson to be learned here, one all believers would do well to examine. I was ministered to during the reading of this book. I declare, I loved it so much! I’d love to visit this fictional town. I truly would. I highly recommend this book.
*My thanks to the author and publisher for a preview copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.