An attractive special events planner is determined to keep her distance.A disfigured musician struggles to guard his heart.By all appearances, both are destined to fail.Liana Tate, a special events planner grew up in a high-profile family. No matter what she does, Liana feels she never measures up.Bryan Langley, a talented musician, was close to signing a recording contract when a barn fire left … feels she never measures up.
Bryan Langley, a talented musician, was close to signing a recording contract when a barn fire left part of his face severely burned. He survived, but his career did not.
When Liana’s father hires Bryan as a caretaker on the family estate outside of Seattle, Liana’s and Bryan’s lives become entangled. He risks public humiliation for Liana’s success, and she encourages him to use his musical gifts, despite his reluctance. Thrown together, will they achieve their elusive dreams? And will the two find the love and acceptance they yearn for, or will their actions only drive each other away?
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Very beautiful, heartwarming and tear-jerking story of love, redemptiom and second chances.
What is there not to love about Bryan. Even though he was scared bodily and on the inside, the sweet man that he was just couldn’t be hidden. An accident sent him into hiding in a ranch where he met the hardworking Liana. Appearances meant everything to her family and she couldn’t be caught socializing with the help.
Their meeting was medicinal for Bryan to heal from the past and open his heart to more of God’s purposes for life. And for Liana to be free from the entanglement of unhealthy expectations.
I enjoyed reading about Bryan’s relationship with God even in his pain. I particularly enjoyed reading how Liana even though skeptical about God opened her heart to him through Bryan’s influence and faith.
Liana’s dad was one of the most delightful characters to me from the book. His faith undoubtedly jumped from the pages.
Dalisay, Liana’s bestfriend is just a sweetheart.
I loved the faith and trust in God’s plan that shined from the pages of this book even when it was hard to trust God.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
This year I’ve met some “forever” characters that will remain nestled in my heart. Bryan Langley is one of those characters. Dawn Kinzer did an excellent job describing his day-to-day struggles as a burn victim. Another reason why I love this character is that he’s based on a real person. That bit of information made me question what it would be like to go through a tragedy like Bryan and deal with the aftereffects for the rest of my life. Would I be as accepting of the situation? Could I deal with cruel people? Could I trust another person with my heart? Would I be courageous, or would I hide from the rest of the world?
On the other side of the story is Liana Tate, a gorgeous event planner who has everything she wants, but nothing she needs. The exact opposite of Bryan. Through her character, I learned about the pressures an event planner faces with every job. And let me say, the description was fantastic. Kinzer loved tormenting her little darling. I fought the urge to skip ahead to see if she would fall on her face or pull it off! Liana also reminded me that everything isn’t as it seems as she struggled with low self-esteem, feelings of being less than perfect, and family issues.
By All Appearances is a well-written story from a Christian and secular worldview. Something to remember if you prefer not reading a non-Christian view. However, I found nothing offensive. Bryan is a believer who depends on God while Liana questions God’s love for her. So imagine my joy when her character arc changed from heart-wrenching to uplifting as she discovered the truth of God’s unconditional love through her circumstances and finally believed the truth. God is love!
However, I felt she never made it past the head knowledge of God’s unconditional love. I really wanted to see her come to the end of herself and accept His gift of salvation provided by His Son. I wanted to hear it from her lips. I wanted to celebrate that moment with her because her problems had become my problems.
Now with that said, I know that not everyone comes to that decision within six months, which is the time frame for this story. I’m also aware every story is different. So, I did take that in mind when rating the book. And although I was a little disappointed, I still had to give By All Appearances 5 stars for all the reasons above. It is an unforgettable story of life’s disappointments, hope after tragedy, second chances, and sweet romance. Don’t miss it!
I received an advanced copy from the author. All opinions are my own. I thought the book
well-written and have pre-ordered my own copy.
Are you looking for an author that has great insights into human experiences, feelings, and even how our tragedies can have good outcomes? Are you looking for an author who understands what true love is all about? Are you looking for an author that understands how you may feel or have felt in the past? If so, then I feel her book, “By All Appearances”, is one in which you may be able to personally identify with in one way or another, just as I have.
Additionally, with COVID-19 having had me isolated up in the Southern Peruvian Andes Mountains and not being able to easily return back to the USA, this wonderful book translated me back to the greater Seattle, Puget Sound, and Issaquah areas where I had spent so many years of my life. I miss those ferry boat rides!
So, no matter where you are currently living in our world; no matter what culture or language is native to you, this book touches on human nature, love, and acceptance. The latter two are inherent needs in each of our lives – yours and mine.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this well-written book, and couldn’t put it down. I immediately fell in love with the main characters. I can actually see it as a movie. It would be great if the author writes a sequel too so we can read more about Liana and Bryan.
Liana is put down by her mother for not having a model body like her sister. She does care about appearances and Bryan’s scars put her off at first. Bryan was that shallow attention grabbing singer until his accident. Now he hides away afraid of how people react to seeing his external scars while not fully recovering from his internal ones. Both Liana and Bryan are scarred on the inside, but they help each other heal with their friendship. I loved his friendly lab Rainey and how great he was with young burn victim Kylee. I didn’t like the guy Liana dated, who was attractive on the outside, but not so much inside. Liana’s sister Camryn was a piece of work with her short tight dresses stealing men away from Liana. But she changes in the book. I would love to read more about her and Liana’s friend Dalisay in future books.
Wow. What a ride! This contemporary romance delivered a rich mixture of emotion, passion, tension – relationally and situationally. At the outset, I carried a hint of skepticism at how this non-conventional match up involving a disfigured hero and a well-to-do event planner would work, particularly given the heroine’s first response to his appearance. Focused solely on his face, she reacted believably…as most of us would. But the beauty of her heart transformation and sincere desire for him as the story unfolded and as she came to see and love what God sees – the heart – was precious. Throughout the story I cheered for them both as a couple and as individuals seeking to achieve worthy goals. Readers, you will, too!
What was I expecting when I opened the book? Well, a good story and I wasn’t disappointed. In the pages, readers meet a young lady who is trying her hardest to live up to expectations she saw modeled as she grew up. Liana is a fictional character who loves to plan events and is working on one that would help raise funds for those with medical needs but who lack the funds to pay for the care. Her father is a believer in God and at first it is quite apparent that Liana doesn’t share her father’s faith.
The other main character is named Bryan and he is a survivor. Bryan has a smooth and calming voice, but he suffered burns from a fire and is disfigured. He is trying to find his way through a new “normal” called life and with the help of Liana’s father he might just make it. When Liana and Bryan first lay eyes on each other, there aren’t sparks of romance, but there was something in Bryan that reached into Liana’s heart.
Throughout the novel one is reminded of Beauty and the Beast by Disney, but there is an aspect that is way different than the fantasy. You see, unlike in the Disney version, Bryan’s appearance doesn’t change. He learns with his various interactions with Liana that there is more to life than what one looks like. Liana learns that maybe appearances aren’t all they are cracked up to be, that the heart of a person is what should be seen. Most of the time, however, humans aren’t quick to see that deeply.
Here is a novel that doesn’t gloss over the trials, temptations and humanity that isn’t all that pretty. I think it shows the internal struggles humans go through when they have been hurt or disappointed. There is romance in the book, and faith is another strong theme. The way the writer describes Seattle makes me want to visit the area; it sounds wonderful.
It’s a story of hope and redemption with the bark on, in other words, there is the element of the human heart but with the spirit of hope, faith and love.
By All Appearances is one of those books that you just can’t put down. It’s a book that you can sit down curled by a fire, under a blanket with a cup of coffee and just let the characters draw you into their lives. As you read The pages, you just can’t help but connect with the Characters. I really enjoyed this book and hope that the author, Dawn Kinzer, decides to write a second book to continue with the lives of the characters in By All Appearances.
How refreshing to read a novel without an oh-so-hot hero and gorgeous heroine. By All Appearances gives the reader a hero badly scarred by burns and a heroine who believes she can’t compete with her knock-out mom and sister. It’s a reminder that no one is, as a whole, what they look like. It’s also a story of seeking God’s desire for our lives rather than relying on fear and our own flawed judgement.
In itself, the way the theme is presented deserves five stars. Then there’s the romance, the heart wrenching scenes, the description and lovely writing. I highly recommend this book!
Wow this was a great story! Each character was more than what appeared on the surface. The author gave us the outside and the inside of the characters. What we appear like is not always what is going on deep within us. Being so scarred from a fire Bryan was afraid of how people would react to him. Liana was so insecure from how her mother and sister treated her all her life. The story unfolds and reminds me that we are all this way about something in our lives. I highly recommend this book because you just might see yourself in some of these characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Beauty and the Beast retold
Liana had never felt like she could measure up. Her mother and sister were gorgeous models. Her father was a renowned plastic surgeon. And Liana? She was just a struggling event planner, hoping to finally make a name for herself.
Bryan’s scars from the fire went much deeper than what could be seen. Other than his sister, he had lost all those he loved. Determined to live a reclusive life other than when he was encouraging other burn victims at the hospital, he settled quietly on the Tate estate working as the caretaker.
By All Appearances has great characters! I loved Bryan and his quiet ways. Though he was not exactly content with his scars, he was resigned and resolved to not wallow in his pain. The accident that left him disfigured helped him to refocus on his relationship with the Lord. Liana was insecure and therefore quite relatable. She went through a gradual journey from ignoring the Lord to faith.
I loved the concept of the theme for the gala! I was having so much fun picturing the venue all ready for the event with the twinkling lights and the magical feel. How fun it would be to have a place like that to visit.
You may have guessed that there were elements from Beauty and the Beast in this story. Happily, author Dawn Kinzer chose to loosely tie them in instead of attempting to make this a copy in a new setting.
Readers who enjoy inspirational romance will enjoy this sweet story.
Read my review of By All Appearances by Dawn Kinzer at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
By All Appearances by Dawn Kinzer
Starts with dedication page. Story begins with Llana Tate and she is involved with a huge gala event in Seattle that would make childrens’ medical needs taken care of.
She walks to the stables where her dad is a good sounding board and he’s usually with the horses at night. She finds Brian there-the new hire and she’s taken back to his physical appearance, so much pain he’s endured from the scars left.
Her dad is a doctor and Brian is one of his patients from the hospital and he needs purpose. Hes also met the new owner of the estate up the road and her dad thinks they can work together as they need a venue for the gala.
Erik and his wife own the building and they meet with them and Bryan to go over some things they’d like them to consider incorporating into their reno job to benefit them and all nearby facilities. Bryan is the clencher!
She has a bit of time and rushes to accept Kevin’s request for dinner. things go further and she has to put a halt and she’s able to find out more from Bryan’s sister about him and the circumstances of his disfigurement.
Things completely change when her sister shows up with her new fiance and conversations are overheard and they hurt.
She finally realizes just who she really loves and why-the inside is all that matters. She’s got a lot on her plate and is under stress at times.
Like the location, theme, all hidden treasures (Horses, lodge, reno) devotion to helping others get their medical at all costs, family gifts passed down through the generations for each of them.
Love the reinforcement of hope, it comes in many forms.
Love hearing of Snoqualmie as we’ve visited a few times and hope to again this coming summer. Such a treat to find it mentioned in a book.
Love that they all have religious callings and follow the good book in their daily lives.
Like all hidden details to what Llana does for work-so busy and coordinated from start to finish.
Love how he learns to lean on God, this is priceless!
Feel like I hit the jackpot following both of their stories, instead of just one.
She needs to prove to others that she is good at her job but Bryan’s dog health emergency gets in the way…
Passages from the Bible. Acknowledgements, about the author, other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Found there were a lot of characters but they are easy to keep track of. Some play a small part and some a large part. Didn’t want to exclude a lot of them but they all make the novel what it stands for.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.