For Your Love by Beverly Jenkins (review)

4.75 out of 5 stars

For Your Love by Beverly Jenkins is part of the ‘Blessings’ series that centers around a small town called Henry Adams, in Kansas. The population is increased by four, when Kelly ‘Kiki’ Page, her boyfriend Bobby Douglas, and their twin babies are welcomed through the auspices of Crystal Chambers Brown. Besides the culture shock of a very different climate, the new couple must adjust to the unique town that was purchased on eBay by the indomitable Bernadine Brown, Crystal’s mother, and become integrated into a society that believes in giving a helping hand to anyone willing to work hard and live in a positive fashion. All is not rosy, though, as a rival mayor strives to undermine the progress made in Henry Adams, and the mayor of Henry Adams, Trent July, faces unexpected stresses both professionally and privately, and must depend on his personal fortitude and on the strength of everyone around him to overcome the crises. Fortunately, as always, there are plenty of blessings for everyone to share.

This lovely contemporary novel is both inspirational and romantic, even as it blends a touch of whimsy and realism. The characters are deftly presented, and even though this book is part of a series, there is absolutely no problem getting drawn into the wonderful tapestry of this fascinating town. I love that there are multiple threads woven together as the magic of acceptance and camaraderie exert their effect on a young man who is defensive and prickly yet wants the best for his small family, even as he gets to see a society that works to bring everyone up, rather than being judgmental and competitive. Admittedly, there is a fairy-tale quality to the concept of Bernadine and her very deep pockets—complete with a wicked witch who tries to undermine everything, but there is also a very uplifting quality to the story and a poignant twist with regard to Trent and the pain of his past. I was fascinated by the presentation of so many blended families, both in terms of biological, ethnic, and social backgrounds, and delighted by the positive message of acceptance and teamwork. There are a couple of things I think were glossed over a bit in order to make the story work but overall, this was a beautiful story that celebrates love, acceptance, and neighborliness and makes me wish there were plenty of towns like Henry Adams…but until then, I will savor the books in this series and enjoy the blend of realism and idealism, as very real issues are worked out and most problems are solved with love. This is the first story that I have read by this author and I am enchanted by her style and her message and will look forward to reading other of her works.

© Night Owl Reviews 

I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.