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jotiboqc's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tinalynn510's review against another edition
5.0
By far, my favorite in the series so far! I'm in love with this series and these people!
amyreadsandsails's review against another edition
5.0
MF - contemporary romance - moderate steam - pov first dual - white MCs - autumn vibes - class gap (wealthy FMC) - mental health rep (PTSD) - hurt comfort - epistolary - grumpy/sunshine - small town - virgin (MMC) - workplace - 5 stars.
Another much darker one - the FMC had been kidnapped in Latin America while doing humanitarian work and the MMC had escaped from a polygamist cult - but Zach is, I think, my favorite hero of the series.
Sarina Bowen definitely writes these heroes that are all in, and just like Jude in Steadfast Zach has to realize that he's earned the love and place in the Shipley family.
Sarina Bowen definitely writes these heroes that are all in, and just like Jude in Steadfast Zach has to realize that he's earned the love and place in the Shipley family.
As with Steadfast, the ONLY thing I didn't like about this book: frequent use of the word crazy and one instance of use of the word slave (in a trivializing manner ie sex slave)
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping
caseroo7's review against another edition
4.0
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
Let me just say that I absolutely love this series! Sarina Bowen's True North series is seriously one of my favorites ever! These books are so unique and each one is just fantastic from start to finish. Keepsake definitely didn't disappoint, and I cannot recommend these books enough. Each book is a standalone story, but I recommend reading them all because they are such great books!
Lark arrives at the orchard to help her friend at the farmer's markets and to try and heal after a tragic event. Zachariah is battling his own issues after growing up in a cult and being tossed out at the age of nineteen. As Zach and Lark get to know one another, they grow close and things begin to heat up between them. But can Zach show her that she can trust him enough to have a chance at a relationship?
I loved these two so much! Lark was strong and she was such a fighter. After all that she had been through she was still sweet and continued to move forward. Zach was sweet as well, and he had always been the quiet guy that we knew had so much more to him. I was absolutely fascinated by his character and the life he had come from. It shaped who he was, and I loved that he was able to survive just like Lark had. These two were such a perfect match for each other. While he helped Lark and was caring, he didn't push her beyond what she could handle. Their chemistry was there right from the start and their connection was so real and genuine.
I also love that this series while emotional, is also refreshing and different from anything else I have read before. These characters and their lifestyle are something I have no knowledge of, so I love learning things with each of these books. Sarina Bowen does a great job of describing everything for the reader that it is so easy to visualize and feels almost as if you are right there with these characters. I seriously cannot get enough of these books, and can't recommend them enough. This series is a must read, especially for contemporary romance fans. I think that they each have something that everyone can relate to.
**ARC Provided by Bocci PR**
Let me just say that I absolutely love this series! Sarina Bowen's True North series is seriously one of my favorites ever! These books are so unique and each one is just fantastic from start to finish. Keepsake definitely didn't disappoint, and I cannot recommend these books enough. Each book is a standalone story, but I recommend reading them all because they are such great books!
Lark arrives at the orchard to help her friend at the farmer's markets and to try and heal after a tragic event. Zachariah is battling his own issues after growing up in a cult and being tossed out at the age of nineteen. As Zach and Lark get to know one another, they grow close and things begin to heat up between them. But can Zach show her that she can trust him enough to have a chance at a relationship?
I loved these two so much! Lark was strong and she was such a fighter. After all that she had been through she was still sweet and continued to move forward. Zach was sweet as well, and he had always been the quiet guy that we knew had so much more to him. I was absolutely fascinated by his character and the life he had come from. It shaped who he was, and I loved that he was able to survive just like Lark had. These two were such a perfect match for each other. While he helped Lark and was caring, he didn't push her beyond what she could handle. Their chemistry was there right from the start and their connection was so real and genuine.
I also love that this series while emotional, is also refreshing and different from anything else I have read before. These characters and their lifestyle are something I have no knowledge of, so I love learning things with each of these books. Sarina Bowen does a great job of describing everything for the reader that it is so easy to visualize and feels almost as if you are right there with these characters. I seriously cannot get enough of these books, and can't recommend them enough. This series is a must read, especially for contemporary romance fans. I think that they each have something that everyone can relate to.
**ARC Provided by Bocci PR**
readfrenzy's review against another edition
4.0
Keepsake is the third standalone novel in the True North series. With each book I fall more and more in love with the Shipley family, life on the Shipley farm, the Shipleys’ friends—basically anything Shipley related. I’ve been curious about farmhand Zach, and now we finally get his story.
Zach has always been the quiet, kind, and hard working one. Other than the fact that he grew up in a religious cult and he’s a 23-year-old virgin, little is known about his past. Lark is May’s friend. She’s working at the farm during apple picking season and attempting to recover from a traumatic ordeal of her own.
I. Love. Zach. He knows what it’s like to painstakingly rebuild your life after horrific experiences. His gentle and gracious nature makes him the perfect partner for Lark. I really enjoyed the slow burn nature of their relationship and the way they unselfishly give to each other.
I have no issues with the plot itself, but the pacing is very slow making the book feel longer than necessary. I think editing some scenes out would have enhanced my overall enjoyment. That doesn’t detract from the numerous funny and sweet moments that make the story so appealing. The meals around the Shipley table, the gentle ribbing among the men, Zach and Lark’s experiences at the farmer’s market, and the integral roles Griffin and May play are just a few highlights. The epilogue is pure perfection.
Keepsake is a heartwarming addition to this winning series.
Recommended for fans of:
Cider donuts
Apple picking
Farm life
First love
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**
Zach has always been the quiet, kind, and hard working one. Other than the fact that he grew up in a religious cult and he’s a 23-year-old virgin, little is known about his past. Lark is May’s friend. She’s working at the farm during apple picking season and attempting to recover from a traumatic ordeal of her own.
I. Love. Zach. He knows what it’s like to painstakingly rebuild your life after horrific experiences. His gentle and gracious nature makes him the perfect partner for Lark. I really enjoyed the slow burn nature of their relationship and the way they unselfishly give to each other.
I have no issues with the plot itself, but the pacing is very slow making the book feel longer than necessary. I think editing some scenes out would have enhanced my overall enjoyment. That doesn’t detract from the numerous funny and sweet moments that make the story so appealing. The meals around the Shipley table, the gentle ribbing among the men, Zach and Lark’s experiences at the farmer’s market, and the integral roles Griffin and May play are just a few highlights. The epilogue is pure perfection.
Keepsake is a heartwarming addition to this winning series.
Recommended for fans of:
Cider donuts
Apple picking
Farm life
First love
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**
andrea_author's review against another edition
5.0
Lark thirsts for adventure—until a trip to Guatemala turns into a nightmare. Though safely home, she feels like a shell. She visits a friend on a Vermont farm to try and heal.
Zach understands trauma. As a teen, he escaped the cult where he grew up with nothing more than the clothes on his back. Working as a farm hand, he's gradually adapting to life in the real world.
The friendship that grows between Lark and Zach slowly ignites into passion. But can they find a future together when they come from such different worlds?
This deeply heartfelt story is an emotional but ultimately uplifting journey. It's a good choice for readers who like hurt-comfort, opposites-attract romance.
Zach understands trauma. As a teen, he escaped the cult where he grew up with nothing more than the clothes on his back. Working as a farm hand, he's gradually adapting to life in the real world.
The friendship that grows between Lark and Zach slowly ignites into passion. But can they find a future together when they come from such different worlds?
This deeply heartfelt story is an emotional but ultimately uplifting journey. It's a good choice for readers who like hurt-comfort, opposites-attract romance.
ketchuplisa's review against another edition
2.0
Vielleicht sollte ich generell eher bei Fantasy bleiben, damit ich mich nicht nach mehr Spannung sehnen muss.
Natürlich ist meist offensichtlich, wie Liebesromane ausgehen. Zumindest der Weg bis zum Happy End aber sollte sich nicht so ereignislos und dahinplätschernd gestalten wie bei diesem Buch. Dabei fand ich das Setting eigentlich ganz ansprechend, mit dem Leben auf Farm und den potenziell interessanten Nebenfiguren.
Leider hat mich die Geschichte überhaupt nicht mitnehmen können.
Natürlich ist meist offensichtlich, wie Liebesromane ausgehen. Zumindest der Weg bis zum Happy End aber sollte sich nicht so ereignislos und dahinplätschernd gestalten wie bei diesem Buch. Dabei fand ich das Setting eigentlich ganz ansprechend, mit dem Leben auf Farm und den potenziell interessanten Nebenfiguren.
Leider hat mich die Geschichte überhaupt nicht mitnehmen können.
xxbooksilovexx's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! Dare I say that it's my favorite book in the True North Series. I loved Zach & Lark soooo much <3 Excellent narration by Teddy Hamilton & Erin Spencer.