Emily Ackerman has traveled the world, her constant compass and companion a book of letters her mother left for her when she died. With no father in the picture, her mom’s advice has been her only true north. But when professional failure leads Emily back to Nantucket to renovate and sell the family cottage she inherited, she wonders if her mom left advice to cover this. . . especially when her … when her grandmother arrives to “supervise.” And especially when her heart becomes entangled with Hollis McGuire, the boy next door-turned-baseball star who’s back on the island after a career-ending injury.As sparks fly between her and Hollis, Emily is drawn to island life, even as she uncovers shocking secrets about the tragic accident that led to her mother’s death. With her world turned upside down, Emily must choose between allowing the voices from her past to guide her future or forging her own path forward.
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I have been wanting to try Courtney Walsh’s books for a long time now, and I finally got the chance when I signed up for the tour even though I would only be reviewing a part of the book. I happened to enter a giveaway for a paperback copy of If For Any Reason … And won! I was so surprised, happy, and excited, I would get to read one of Courtney Walsh’s books, and it was a paperback!
When I got my SIGNED giveaway copy I put it on my shelf since I wasn’t able to read it yet, I, of course, in my usual way forgot all about it.
Le sigh.
So, the day before reviewing If For Any Reason I D-E-V-O-U-R it. It was so good, at first I had struggled to get into it but after a while, I was so captivated I read it until it was too dark to read and my throat itched horribly due to the smell of grass, (we were taking a ride, and I’m allergic to grass at times. Ick!), and I finally had to stop until we got home. Once home I finished the rest of the book with a sad swiftness.
The start of the book was perfect for a romance, much like a Hallmark movie, and sweet with a bit of sadness.
If you like romance I should tell you now … You’ll love this one!
I really don’t want to say much on the content in the book since I don’t want to spoil it, it’s really good though and I absolutely L-O-V-E-D the themes featured in If For Any Reason.
There is content that isn’t appropriate for younger readers; mentions of unwed pregnancy, sleeping together, a fling, and seeing a boy behind her parents’ backs … While I feel bad for the reasons they did it, I don’t really agree.
I especially loved how Emily grew, and her love for the kids and the theater. Especially Jojo, it was so sweet to read about them both!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
This is one story I didn’t want to see end. It flowed so easily yet had layers of secrets, pain, unforgiveness and second chances that took effort to rip open. Each character complimented the other whether by sadness or hope. Emily was a woman who ran from her problems. It was easy to not commit to anything for her. All her life she has found it easy to guard her heart and run the second she felt anything . There is so much pain inside her that I knew someday she would come face to face with her past. I appreciate how the author showed us how people can turn away from God and blame Him for everything. Emily has had this anger towards God because she feels like He abandoned her.
Hollis is not hard to figure out. He has made mistakes but he has never forgotten a certain person who he has always loved. Finding Emily back in Nantucket will change his life and allow him to face his feelings of failure. Two people each coming face to face with their past brings readers a story that shows second chances can happen. Does everyone deserve a second chance? The easy way to answer that is to remind ourselves what Jesus did for us.
This is a powerful story that at times made me cry. I wanted to help Emily through her pain. I wanted to sit beside her as she read letters from her mother. What Emily really needed was to feel the love of God. He had never abandoned her yet she continued to feel alone.
I loved how the author went back in time to let us glimpse into Isabelle’s life. I loved reading about her relationship with her parents and how much she loved with her whole heart. Her letters allude to having her heart broken and encouraging her daughter to always be cautious of love.
The author provides readers with a story that gives hope to those who feel lost and alone. It brings us an understanding of second chances and the power of unconditional love. Above all it shows how God never leaves us.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Courtney Walsh transports readers to Nantucket while giving them all the pain, heartache, growth, and lessons we expect from her in If For Any Reason.
With a book of letters from her mother for guidance, Emily returns to Nantucket. A place where heartache and happy memories collide. She is a broken character with a trail of shattered dreams and disappointments behind her—some of her own making and others brought on by life.
Hollis is attempting to make his own amends for his past mistakes, especially where his daughter is concerned. As he and Emily form a friendship, they challenge each other and, of course, there’s some romance in there too.
Walsh digs into her theatre experience and some of those scenes with the children who join the production are the most heart-felt. But expect emotions to run the gamut throughout this wonderful story.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
After a little slow start the book just got better and better and I had trouble putting it down. Even though this is basically a romance, there was a little mystery in it that really kept you turning pages. Great book.
If For Any Reason is a story of belonging and changing dreams told through a romance and friendship in the ideal setting of Nantucket. Themes of grace and honesty permeate the world Emily and Hollis find themselves in — literally and figuratively. As they deal with some hard things life has thrown at them, they must find the grace to work out their faith and relationship with God while a tentative connection grows between them.
Courtney Walsh excels at writing stories that blend one part women’s fiction with two parts romance and charm! She manages to include deep themes with endearing characters that stir empathy and thought in the heart of a reader. This story is another prime example, with the spark-laden friendship between Emily and Hollis developing naturally. And, Courtney takes a delicate situation and portrays it with compassion and grace, yet still depicts it appropriately with its consequences and fallout.
The romance between Hollis and Emily feels so realistic. They are simply captivated by each other, but it’s not a superficial connection — both characters are mature, both are intentional in their friendship, even if it scares them to be so vulnerable. I especially like one of the decisions Hollis makes (insert heart eyes HERE) at a moment when Emily needs space for clarity.
This review would not be complete without a paragraph devoted to Hollis’s daugther, Jolie, AKA JoJo. This girl steals every scene she’s in! She has so much spunk and acts exactly her age. I liked that she has a voice and an opinion that matters to the adults around her. It’s great to see a bright character like her add such pivotal value to a story.
One more thing I really enjoyed about this story was its inclusion of letters and a few short flashback scenes. These fill in some blanks of the deeper themes and relate things like grief, family, and the resounding impact of choices in a wonderful story device.
I’m looking forward to more stories in this series set on Nantucket, a place I have just added to my must-visit travel list!
Thanks to Tyndale for the review copy. This is my honest review.
In her new novel, If for Any Reason, Courtney Walsh takes us to Nantucket island. Whether a small town like Harbor Pointe or the island of Nantucket, Ms. Walsh creates an adventure of the heart, soul, and family.
Emily and Hollis are imperfect people with complicated pasts that are littered with mistakes and regrets. They long for just a moment of knowing they’re doing something right.
Throughout the story Ms. Walsh’s love for the theater comes through the heroine, Emily Ackerman, a former Broadway performer.
While this is a contemporary romance read, Ms. Walsh has placed a time-slip element through secondary character’s Isabella and JD. I am a huge time-slip fan so I love seeing it pop up in a book.
I love the letters Isabella wrote to Emily. They gave the novel Isabella’s story. As a mom and daughter, I think handwritten letters is the most precious gift a mother could give her daughter.
My bottom line . .
This is a book that you’ll think about not only as you read but after you’ve turned the last page. I enjoyed every minute I spent in Nantucket getting to know Hollis, Emily and Jolie. Go take a vacation to Nantucket. You won’t regret it!
” . . .sometimes you have to lose everything in order to figure out what’s really important. Not an easy lesson to learn. Especially because I hadn’t put any time into the things that mattered. . . . ”
The things that mattered, the hard things, the real things. Emily Ackerman has returned to her grandparents’ summer home feeling like she has managed to lose everything that she once dreamed about accomplishing; traveling, performing, staging, producing . . . all that remains is a lonely, dilapidated cottage on the island of Nantucket. A place which once held her best memories, and tragically; her worst. Tucking a book of letters written by her deceased mother back into her purse, Emily is determined to rennovate and evacuate; never imagining that the boy next door would re-appear. Hollis McGuire, a retired baseball star; all grown up, and with a pre-teen daughter in tow. My, my, so he has secrets, too.
It’s almost impossible to encapsulate the depth of this story; the author has created living, breathing characters who have an immediate, palpable connection; they share page space with family members who have made irrevocable mistakes . . . . but deserve grace, their pasts hiding secrets that deserve to see the light of day. It’s all there, wrapped up beautifully within a young woman’s dream of belonging, when in fact she already does.
Courtney Walsh excels at taking well-developed, complex characters through the paces of self-realization, making peace, and falling in love against a backdrop of interesting minor characters, and, in this case, a beautiful oceanside setting.
Hollis is a guy who’s made big mistakes but remains lovable in his desire to make those mistakes right. It’s hard not to empathize with Emily, who’s lost so much and is desperately trying to live the life she *thinks* her deceased mother wants for her. The story is helped by glimpses of her mother’s life and how the present situation came about.
A gem of a contemporary Christian romance!
Wow wow wow! Talk about a whopper of a book! At the heart of the story is Emily, and the letters from her deceased mom that has guided her life. Courtney Walsh knit together a wonderful story from there, including showing how Emily’s parents met (through a fabulous split timeline that really pulled me in). The present-day hero, Hollis, was a testament to how God can change people, no matter how far they’ve fallen. The emotions and faith elements in this novel were spectacular. I hope Courtney Walsh brings us back to Nantucket in future books, because it was the perfect place to visit.
I loved the idea of this story revolving around letters that a mother had written to her daughter. I’m a hoarder of letters myself (having kept letters written to me from when I was just a kid). I enjoyed the characters as well as the setting. The pacing was perfect and I often found myself loathe to put it down. I did guess one thing pretty early on, but it didn’t take away from the story at all. The faith element in this story was spot on and very organic to the story. It was refreshing!
First I have to just say I don’t pre-order many books but this one called to me from the first time I read what it was about. (I am a sucker for any book written about Nantucket for some reason). I am also so glad I did not wait to long to read this (as we all know about TBR piles). Oh my, just finished this wonderful book “If for any Reason”. It made me want to cry with those letters, It made me want to cry many times during the reading of this wonderful story because you made me feel so many emotions. Thank you so much Courtney Walsh, you are such an incredible writer.
Emily Ackerman, world traveler, actress, and director, returns to the island of Nantucket after suffering a serious career setback. Emily is not a quitter so she’s determined to try and tackle her present challenges one at a time starting with the renovation of an older inherited cottage. Entangled in the past and guided by a book of letters from her deceased mother, Emily must learn to decide for herself what is really important in her life.
Emily begins trying to figure out her life starting with her cottage renovation. She is assisted by an old friend from the past, Hollis McGuire, a handsome retired baseball player, who is home for the summer accompanied by his bitter teenage daughter. As he and Emily each muddle through their separate issues, they find themselves connected through an old theatre on the island, a teenager with a love of acting, and a community full of support.
The novel is filled with some beautiful lessons learned; importance of love, the joy of having a passion and pursuing it, and the fact that bad choices don’t make you a bad person. Sprinkled with spiritual lessons as well, the story tells of a beautiful and damaged young woman and a handsome and equally flawed man searching for their path in life.
I enjoyed the book and I think it would make a perfect read for putting you in a back to the beach frame of mind on a chilly, winter day. The book is well-suited to readers of contemporary romance or women’s fiction.
This ARC copy was received from Tyndale House Publishers and Netgalley.com. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
#IfForAnyReason #NetGalley
“When you find something worth fighting for, fight.”
What a treat to read another fantastic book by Courtney Walsh. She’s one of my favorite contemporary Christian fiction authors. There were so many things I loved about If for Any Reason. The setting on Nantucket Island was so fascinating. I’ve never been there, but this book had me putting it on my bucket list.
I loved the well-developed characters. Emily and Hollis were endearing, realistically flawed main characters, and I enjoyed seeing them growing through their trials and also seeing their relationship develop. The stellar cast of secondary characters was colorful and added such depth and interest. I loved Jolie and the way she gave Hollis a chance to redeem himself as a father. Hollis’s family was a treat to meet. I’d love to live next door to them!
The story was creative and the children’s musical theater angle was such a fun addition. Including letters from Emily’s mother as a major part of the story was a special touch.
“People will tell you God will never give you more than you can handle. I disagree. God allows us more than we can handle so we have to rely on him. After all, if we could handle everything life throws at us, why would we need God at all?”
Walsh is a master at seamlessly including inspirational messages in her stories. Uplifting themes of redemption, forgiveness, and healing are woven through If for Any Reason and give added depth and dimension to it.
“Because life isn’t only about the good things. It’s about the roller coaster of emotions. It’s about diving in headfirst even when you’re scared. It’s about finding the place where you belong and then holding on with both hands. And it’s especially about working through the hard to get to the beautiful.”
I recommend this story to those who enjoy well-written contemporary romance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Tyndale Publishers through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
A perfectly, beautiful journey to the island of Nantucket. This story will carry you along as you discover the beauty of honesty, love, and forgiveness. These characters will leave you wanting more and just may teach you something about yourself. I loved everything about this story from beginning to end and am hoping there may be a sequel! And…I’ve discovered I’d love to make my way to Nantucket some day!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
Courtney Walsh is one of my favorite authors, and she does not disappoint with her new book! I love that Emily’s story is interspersed with the letters from her mom, and chapters that go back in time to show us glimpses of her mother’s life. Hollis and Emily’s friendship developed beautifully, as they got reacquainted and began to fall for each other. Jolie, Hollis’ daughter, added sweet, tender, and thought-provoking moments, both for Hollis and Emily and for us as readers. Hollis and Emily each came to Nantucket facing their own challenges, and I loved how they challenged each other and encouraged each other to grow.
After tragedy and failure, Emily vowed to take her mother’s advice and protect her heart, running away before anyone could get too close. But Hollis (and Jolie) slipped through her defenses and helped her realize life is so much richer when you give your heart to someone who will take care of it, even when it means taking risks. I loved Emily’s story of finding what she was meant to do in an unlikely way, and Hollis’ story of connecting with his daughter and finally being the father she needed. This poignant, heartfelt story is quintessential Courtney Walsh, with her signature layered plot and rich characters – a must-read for any fan of contemporary romance!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Want to read a sweet Christian contemporary romance with a beautiful setting, great characters, and a compelling storyline?
This is the book for you.
I loved the characters in this book, especially Emily and Jolie. Emily is a former child TV star who has traveled the world in search of a sense of peace about the tragic death of her mother. Almost everywhere she goes, she carries a stack of letters from her mother that she reads for guidance and comfort. She’s reluctantly returned to Nantucket to renovate the beach house left to her by her grandfather. She’s also trying to find her way again after her play on Broadway was a resounding failure. But there’s still somewhat of a mystery surrounding the circumstances of her mother’s death, and Emily is seeking to find out what really happened that night.
Jolie is an eleven year old girl who is spending several weeks with her dad and grandparents on the island. Her mom is on her honeymoon, and Jolie has never spent much time with her dad, who recently retired from Major League Baseball because of an injury. Jolie is out-going and loves to act, so meeting Emily is helping her accept the fact that she’ll be in the island for awhile. Emily and Jolie have much in common as neither ever really knew their fathers. Hollis, Jolie’s father, has many regrets about neglecting his daughter and hope this is the time they can reconnect. Emily and Hollis are old friends, and still feel the spark that was between them when they were younger. As things become complicated for the three, mysteries are solved and hearts are on their way to being healed, but there’s still one more barrier to Emily’s heart.
I liked this book because the characters are good people, but they have their own flaws, and don’t always know what direction they are headed. There’s an element of faith that weaves in and out of the story and gives it an uplifting direction. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if this book’s not nominated for an award or two. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this one.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
If For Any Reason by. Courtney Walsh is a beautifully written tale of a woman living her mother’s dreams and following her words left behind. I absolutely loved the depth of emotion in this novel and the letter/diary form that her mother’s words came in. This novel is put together in such a way that you won’t be able to stop reading— it’s a seamless, beautiful work form start to finish. With sweet romance and second chances, this book is for anyone who loves women’s fiction and books about family relationships. I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the author with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.
Packs an emotional punch! Courtney Walsh knows how to write genuine, heartfelt, romances. Emily is a strong, but currently broken woman, who returns to Nantucket to repair and flip her old family cottage. She did not intend on reuniting with Hollis, returning to her acting roots, or uncovering the deeply buried secrets behind her mother’s death. Emily has long been guided by her mother’s letters, and as a mother, I resonated with many of her nuggets of truth from her own experiences. I really enjoyed the character development, the demonstration of community support, and the sweet progression of friends to more. A deeply satisfying, clean, inspirational romantic story.
I received a complimentary copy of this from the publisher. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
A retired baseball player crosses paths with his childhood actor-friend in Nantucket, where old memories burn deep and the future seems as rocky as the waves beyond the shoreline.
Emily Ackerman is still reeling from a failed theater venture; Hollis McGuire has a tween-age daughter he barely knows. Despite the years that have passed since they last saw each other, their connection is somewhat instant, though the fight for a lasting relationship is thwarted by their respective baggage. Who knew that a book of letters from her late mother and a history of misunderstandings would be the guiding force keeping her life in limbo?
If For Any Reason is the story of Emily and Hollis, but also of Emily’s mother and the real story behind the letters she penned for her daughter. As the two stories unravel in tandem, readers are treated to front-row seat to Emily’s discovery of the truth–that some things in life are worth fighting for.
Another sweet story, another dose of pure heart, another must-read from Courtney Walsh. Now… anyone up for a trip to Nantucket?
I love a good romantic beach read and “If for Any Reason” did not disappoint. The setting of Nantucket Island was tranquil and enchanting. Emily’s story was relatable and yet was complex. A romantic spark with her next door neighbor, Hollis, was a focus of the novel but it was refreshing to see Emily come into her own and figure out her life without his help. He was more supportive of her discoveries and healing than being the catalyst of it. The children’s theater played an important role in Emily discovering what she wanted out of life. I loved the messages woven throughout the pages – one being that God has a purpose for each of our lives. I appreciated the relationship Emily had with her mother and the letters her mom left her. We were able to get a better view of Isabelle’s background and that gave her great character development. I wanted to keep reading so that I could find out what happens next – a sign of a great story! This was my first Courtney Walsh novel and certainly won’t be the last.