Is It Any Wonder By Courtney Walsh

Is It Any Wonder

by Courtney Walsh

Publisher: Tyndale

ISBN: 978-1-4964-3443-2

It was an incredible surprise when Courtney asked me to read and review her book. Last year I read If For Any Reason (which I loved) so I knew I absolutely HAD to say, "Yes," to the offer! She sent me my copy for review.

Summary:

Can a promise made as kids bring them back together as adults? In this Nantucket-set beach read, “master of the genre” (Midwest Book Review) Courtney Walsh delivers a sparkling inspirational romance about first love and second chances. Twelve years ago, Cody Boggs and Louisa Chambers made a pact that no matter where their lives took them, they’d return to Nantucket Island’s Brant Point Lighthouse on July 30, their shared golden birthday, and continue their tradition of exchanging birthday wishes. But that was before a tragic accident upended both of their lives, irrevocably pulling them apart.

Their worlds collide just months before that particular day when Louisa’s fledgling event planning company is hired by the local Coast Guard station, where she discovers Cody has recently returned to the island as the second in command. As they plan a regatta fundraiser, hoping to promote positive PR in the community, neither can deny the fireworks each encounter ignites. But working together also brings up memories of the day Cody’s father died, revealing secrets that have Cody and Louisa questioning everything they thought they knew and felt about their families and each other.

My Review:

Let me just say from the gate, if you're looking for a fantastic Christian Romance read, look no further than Is It Any Wonder! I know you don't see a heck of a lot of contemporary romance in my posts, so when I share them and love them, you know I'm not joking!

I enjoyed so many spots in this book I have a ton of sticky tabs on the pages! I got so involved in the story during the second half I forgot to put the tabs on the pages!

Let's talk about Nantucket. Can anyone make you want to visit there more than Courtney Walsh? She paints this vacation town in such a way that it makes you feel like you could be a part of it.

Cody is the hero of the story literally and figuratively. He comes onto the scene in a whirlwind and his life collides with Louisa's once again. You could've cut the tension with a knife with them together for the first time in so many years. I love when you can "feel" the emotions of the characters through an author's writing. He's the brooding sort and she's all warm fuzzies. A perfect combination if there ever were one. lol

Louisa is wonderful! She is a fixer and sakes alive she's surrounded by people who need fixing and her business The Good Life is such a great funnel for her care of others. When she ends up working with Cody because of the Coast Guard trying to repair all I could do was sit on pins and needles along with Louisa while she hoped for the rift to be fixed.

Louisa's co-worker, Ally, cracked me up. She just said whatever came to mind, especially about Cody, and made even better when done with Louisa in the vicinity. Her parents and her ex-boyfriend all wanted to make me lose my mind. How they treated her had me rooting for Cody even more. He could see in her what others couldn't.

The faith thread in this story was so sweet, especially with their mutual friend, Maggie. She really tried to get them to see how important forgiveness is and that sometimes wrongs couldn't be righted, but you could move on. Maggie was definitely the bright spot in this story. Through Cody's dad, the reader is able to understand how you can show Jesus to others through your actions. I loved that about this story.

I think for me, when I read Christian Romance, it has to be REALLY good for me to want to give it more than 3 stars. I've got to REALLY love it, and this one knocked it out of the ballpark for me. I don't know if I've rooted for another contemporary couple more! Life has taken a toll on both Cody and Lou, but God!

About the Author:

Courtney Walsh is the author of Just Look Up, Just Let Go, Paper Hearts, Change of Heart, and the Sweethaven series. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, was a New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller and a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. In addition, she has written two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Illinois, where she is also an artist, theater director, and playwright.Visit her online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com.