Adeline Rhodes has spent years locked away in a New Orleans apartment controlled by her criminal boyfriend. After a daring escape, she realizes just how far she has grown from the things in which she once believed.Declan King has lived a life of solitude and duty for the U.S. Army. When the deaths of his grandparents bring him home to his family farm, he is forced into contact with people who … people who know too much about his past to simply leave him alone.
When Adeline’s past catches up to her, the two strangers find themselves thrust into a fake relationship to protect Adeline from her vengeful ex. As their chance meeting begins a journey that heals old wounds, they struggle to stay ahead of the danger and deny their growing attraction to each other.
Declan will do anything to protect her, and failure isn’t an option when Adeline’s life is on the line.
A sweet, Christian romance about trust and redemption.
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Declan and Adeline’s story is all about trust and new beginnings. I enjoyed the element of suspense and getting to know the close-knit circle of friends.
I hesitated to read because I did find the description intriguing I did wonder about how is one locked away for years. I’m glad I tried. The way the story was introduced put that worry to rest. I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrarator was good. This was a nice easy read. Good for a vacation, beach, by the fireplace read. There was drama of course, not too light and not to hard, simply because of the plot. The romance was sweet and Declan’s friends were good. Written well enough that I’d read their stories as well. A good story to unwind to at the end of the day if you like the synopsis.
I loved this book!!! I’ve read all of the other books in the series, but somehow missed this first one!!! Oh, man!!! I knew I loved Declan, and this just confirmed it!! He and Adeline meet under unusual circumstances, but they each realize that they’ve met their match. With all that they go through, they are drawn closer together and realize that God has put them together. You can read this series as standalones, but you’ll get a much richer read if you read them in order.
Just As I Am was the second book that I had read written by Mandi Blake. I had read the sixth book, What If I Loved You, in her Unfailing Love series first, and since I liked it so much I decided to read them all. Just As I Am is the first book in Mandi Blake’s Unfailing Love series. It was super sweet and cute, and I adored the characters. Adeline and Declan were relatable characters and I loved reading about their faith in God.
Adeline Rhodes has spent the last few years locked up in a New Orleans apartment by her controlling criminal boyfriend, she has finally taken the first steps to get her life back on track and finds herself in Carson, Georgia. Declan King has spent the last few years in the U.S Army. But the death of his grandparents brings him back home and forced into contact with people who knew him too well to simply leave him alone. When the demons of Addie’s past come back to haunt her, Declan and Addie find themselves in a fake relationship in order to protect Addie from her vengeful ex. As they work together, they begin a journey that heals old wounds and maybe could lead to a relationship.
This was a great debut novel! Addie was such a sweet character, she was learning how to stand back on her own two feet. She cared for Declan and she trusted him from the beginning. I felt bad for her as she was living in fear from her ex. She tried so hard to be strong, but she was worried about these new friendse had made. I liked her character development, as she learned to be herself and turn to God.
Declan was a big softy, he reminded me of a teddy bear. I loved his character, he was so protective of Addie and yet he was also shy. I found it sweet how comfortable he was with Addie. He had some things to work through, as he learned to let people in but Addie was worth it for him. He had to learn what it meant to be in a relationship with Addie, although he had been hurt before. He had to let go of his anger and turn to Christ.
I was intrigued by the plot of the book and I ended up reading it in one day! Declan and Addie had to work together to save Addie from her ex, but they may not be able to do it on their own. They will have to turn to God for guidance and trust their friends to help them.
Just As I Am was really good and one of the things that I really liked about it, was the character’s faith in God. Their faith didn’t feel forced or fake. I also liked the side characters, Declan’s friends were super nice and I am super excited to read their books! I would definitely recommend this book! Just As I Am is a clean, contemporary Christian book that has a slight element of suspense.
Addie is trying to start over and stay safe from her ex. Declan never thought when her aunt and uncle asked him to look out for her that it would change his life forever. The author made me believe that these two really did fall in love at first sight. Great suspense wondering when or if the ex would show up. I have read the other books in this series out of order so it was great getting to know them – loved the card playing scene. There is of course some angst but true love wins in the end. I actually listened to this book and the narrator did a great job.
I really enjoyed this novel, this is a new author for me. Lorena Hoopes’s narration was very well done easy to listen to. This book gives everyone hope that there is a chance of getting out of an abusive/controlling relationship and start over and that a new love in a healthy way is possible. Also the help of friends is so important. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. The wonderful guy in this book is a Veteran, to all the Veterans out there, including my husband Mike whom I am very proud of Thank You For Your Service.
The danger of controlling relationship and the mutual healing that can take place in those who are being redeemed.
Sweet, clean, suspense, friendship, family, loyalty, HEA… it’s all in here! Declan and Addie both have things in their past to overcome, as they help each other do that, a love develops that neither of them thought they would ever have. Healing from emotional and verbal abuse as well as an unhealthy and controlling relationship. Mandi Blake gave her readers a lot to chew on in this book but brought it all together nicely.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
This was great fun to read. Mandi creates wonderful characters and a story that draws you inMandi Blake
She had been kept on a short leash by someone who was supposed to care for her. After stealing from her and having her live in fear and seclusion, she finally finds out something that gives her the push she needs to get away. He returned home after loosing the grandparents he held dear, to clear out their home and come to terms with the loss. He kept himself alone and separate from his childhood friends unable to release the demons that held him captive. This is a story of two finding that thing in another person that gave them the strength to want and fight for more. It’s an emotional story that has some great intrigue and suspense. I truly enjoyed the character development and the story. I only wish the author had come up with a stronger ending. This is my first read by this author and I will most definitely be reading more as I find more and more wonderful authors who can bring me a clean story filled with all the feels.
This is an awesome book! This book has it all, action, drama, suspense and romance. Her writing is so vivid that this book plays like a movie in your mind. I can’t wait to read more from this author. I highly recommend this book to everyone that likes good christian fiction
I was greatly disappointed in this book, which dwells mainly upon physical attraction between the main couple, who seem to have failed to mature beyond middle or high school. Rarely can I not finish a book but I finally gave up trying after 4 hours of hoping that it would improve. In short, there was no character depth or development and it is predictable and sappy.
A Clean Christian Romance
Though they both have personal issues, Adeline Rhodes and Declan King have an instant attraction. Whether or not they can get past the threats she faces, and find their happy ever after, is yet to be determined.
I had both likes and dislikes about Just As I Am; a stand-alone book by Mandi Blake.
I really liked the story and the main characters, as well as the supporting characters, in this clean and tender Christian romance. The chemistry between Declan and Addie felt real, even though they limited their physical interaction to kissing. I also enjoyed reading a modern day romance without any swearing or descriptive sex.
What I had a difficult time getting past was the excessive internal dialogue (some of which I skimmed over) and the “tell” rather than “show” style of writing. I also was a bit disappointed in the ending. It was not very satisfying.
Content alert: There are several instances of violence.