Mallory Johansen has nearly given up on thinking she’ll get her act together – the one where she plays the part of an adult – by the time she hits thirty. As it is she’s desperate and depressed. Her only friend is leaving town, she’s paired to work with a man who can’t stand her, and she finds herself homeless. Definitely hasn’t mastered being a grown-up yet.Otis Bell wants nothing more than to … more than to play his guitar, book acoustic bands to perform at his upcoming music venue, and be in charge of his own life. Instead, he’s working full time in his family’s auto shop. He only owns half the supposed music venue, which stands as an abandoned church and needs more than a little work. When his best friend moves away, he’s paired with an aloof girl he’s never liked as partner, and stretches himself thin working too many hours.
The Chapel is the little music venue that could. Full of potential. Full of ugly carpet, peeling paint, and exhausting work. Mallie and Otis navigate their way through a fledgling partnership, trying their darnedest to get the place up and running, while trying pretty hard not to fall in love in the process.
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This book is so easy to read, and I really enjoyed reading it. The storyline was smooth and clear, except for the slight bump in the final few chapters. I didn’t have any expectation for this book, but I was surprised at how good it was after reading it.
The story was so good in so many ways, and the plot was too easy to understand. It was basically about Mallie and Otis, they had to work together to give The Chapel a new look, and during their partnership, they discover something more is happening between them.
It wasn’t only about that, but it was also about finding a purpose in life, taking a chance at falling in love, and wanting to reach the point of success. Reading this book made me feel like the story isn’t even fictional due to everything that happens felt way too real. It was like a mix of fictional and reality which can be scary and yet entertaining.
The characters that appeared in the story are so likable, especially Tyler, Mallie and Otis. Usually, you have characters that you like and dislike in books, but in this one, I couldn’t even find a single character that I don’t like. It was really surprising that the author managed to write big or small characters and make them all amazing.
Mallie is a very hardworking person who still have yet to find what kind of career she want to have, and what path she want to take. Reading the whole situation from her view really hit me so hard. I totally can relate to her character the most because as a 23-year-old adult, I also didn’t know what I want to do, which career path I want to pursue and all I know is that I want to continue being a book blogger. Same as Mallie, despite not knowing what she actually want to do, she still continue doing photography because it’s her passion. This is partly the reason why I really like Mallie’s character. I also admired her for not giving up working on whatever project she had to do, and that she have enough faith in her that life would be better for her. Mallie is strong despite looking so weak, she’s also quite smart and creative in a quiet way, and is an overall a nice person that has a good personality.
Otis on the other hand is the total opposite of Mallie. Anybody can mistook him for having a cold heart. Actually, he is a kind and very responsible guy. He had to shoulder a lot of burden due to his tough life, especially having to step up and take a lot of responsibility ever since his older brother moved out. I feel really bad for him since he had it rough. But I admired his strength for being able to handle any problems, and also I was glad that his motivation to take on the The Chapel project never goes away. He stays motivated the whole time and he really put a lot of effort in trying to give The Chapel a new look. His partnership with Mallie only makes it more lighter for him, at least he doesn’t have to handle the project alone. He is actually a kind man with a big heart who hides behind his cold mask, I loved seeing the different side of him and getting to know who he is when he was and wasn’t around Mallie. Otis is a charmer and also a hardworking person who cares about other people in his life. The fact that he never once complain about Mallie needing his help just shows that he actually has a lot of kindness in him. His character amazed me, surprised me, and I can admit that he is a gem.
Tyler is Mallie’s cousin, and he is the most sweetest human being ever. I loved how he always have a close and strong bond with Mallie. He always be there whenever Mallie needed him. He literally is a man who live his dream. I also melted at the sight of him defending Mallie and standing up for her. He truly cared for his one and only cousin. Tyler is an amazing character just like Mallie and Otis, and he’s also quite the charmer just like Otis. I truly appreciated the author for putting Tyler in the story too and making his character become the reason why Mallie and Otis met.
As for the romance between Mallie and Otis, it was actually a very slow process but worth it. I really loved the build up process, seeing how they went from two people who couldn’t stand each other to two people who slowly fall in love with one another was a beautiful thing to witness. It doesn’t take Mallie and Otis longer for them to realize that all these time they secretly have feelings for each other. They just had a very hard time trying to acknowledge those feelings and showing it. But I loved how later on they confessed their feelings and put a lot of effort into making their relationship work. Obviously, there are a few uncertainties and they needed to be cautious, but I’m just happy that these two take the risk of falling in love and hope for the best. The development of their romance was on point, really brings out all the wonderful moments they shared.
My only problem with this book is the family drama in Otis’ family. The problem with his sister doesn’t feel like it was necessary. I don’t see the importance of it other than trying to create a tension between the Bell’s siblings and making Mallie overthink things which clearly served no purpose at all. The book would do just fine without the little drama in it.
Overall it was a very enjoyable book. I really loved reading this type of simple romance story minus the drama because I’m not the drama-type of person. Mallie and Otis’ story may sound simple, but there are actual life lessons in their story and I find it so relatable. I had a great time reading their story.
I loved this book! I loved the mutual attraction that is denied by both. It did take me a sec to figure out who Tyler was, but the excitement, pace, and overall flow of the rest of the book were great! I will definitely be checking out more books by Jess B Moore. I recommend! For both of these reasons, 5 stars!
Favorite Quotes:
That is never good. Never. The we need to talk and the I have to tell you something is always followed by news that you do not under any circumstances want to hear.
I couldn’t sit around alone for the rest of my life. I was two steps from adopting fourteen cats and giving up.
There was a sturdiness about Otis Bell that had always been appealing to me, and yet it was his vulnerability that did me in.
The truth was, I’d always been a charity case. My parents died when I was four, and from that moment on I’d been at the mercy of other people looking out for me.
“You’re beautiful, Mal.” … He didn’t say you look beautiful, but you’re beautiful. Somehow there was a difference, and it landed on me with substantial force.
My Review:
I don’t know she does it but Jess B. Moore has magical skills, she writes from a dual POV with such keen insights, regardless of the age or gender, and transports me into her compellingly flawed characters’ lives as well as implanting me under their skin. I’m right there, either by their side or behind their retinas. I feel their uncertainties and annoyances while absorbing their inner musings. Her emotive tales conjure empathy and sympathy along with heart-squeezes, rapid blinking, and thoughtful reflection on her expert character development of not just the main characters but the secondary and tertiary players as well.
This installment featured an unlikely pair. Mallory was a fretful and fragile little bird who was riddled with insecurities and social anxiety. She strived to be independent but was in a near-constant state tension after her only friend moved hours away. She frequently felt awkward and worked at being invisible, yet she overflowed with kindness toward others. And she loved cats, how could I not adore her after she rescued an abandoned puss? Poor Mallory had been cursed with a life-long crush on Otis, who had been a major anus toward her most of their lives. I wanted to give him more than a few swift kicks in a tender area for being such an ass, but he made up for it, eventfully, and gradually won me over when he finally stopped acting like a tool.
I am no fan of angst but, oddly, I don’t seem to mind at all when it comes to Ms. Moore’s captivating and perceptive scribblings. The engaging storylines of The Chapel were relevant, original, well-crafted, and realistic, and seemed to keep me a bit on edge as Mallory was frequently tense. I enjoyed Otis’s sweetness once they fell into sync and hit their stride, and heard myself sigh contentedly at the stories end. I can hear their fiddles, guitars, and mandolins being tuned and am already looking forward to my next trip to Bluegrass country.
The CHAPEL Jess B Moore
I enjoy reading Jess B Moore’s books for a beautiful and fun read that combines the best things in life and to be honest my favorite tropes such as family and music in a setting of small town atmosphere for the perfect place to fall in love in. In this fifth installment of the Fox River Romance series, we get to spend some time with Mallie, Otis, the church cat and the picturesque Chapel.
I enjoyed the characters and the coziness of Moore’s writing. It is like sipping lemonade on your veranda watching the town as folks go about their day. I highly recommend this book for a guaranteed swoon read and your happily ever after.
The Chapel by Jess B. Moore is a sweet story about Mallory and Otis. She has loved him for what seems like forever. He seems to hate her – or at least tolerates her. Now they are thrust into a partnership and are compelled to work together. Will they be able to overcome their preconceived notions about each other and get the job done? Will they find out something about each other that will surprise them?
This is a story filled with drama and finding oneself. It is a story worth reading. I received a copy of this book from Quirky Blind Date with an author. This is a great way to meet new authors and different genres that I may not normally read. When I finish reading, I always review. I recommend this story.