was going to rate 3 stars but that ending... ( )

I was in love with this book before I even knew what it was going to be about. Before I knew the title, and before I knew who it would be about.

From the book's description, I expected "Until I Met You" it seemed that the story would focus on Libby and Austin, and I was pleasantly surprised that we also get to follow Nate's and Olivia's story and we finally get to see what happened with them and where they go from "You Belong With Me" which I loved!

"Until I Met You" has so many things I love … Broken guys, brothers who are at odds and must figure that out, two girls who become fast friends, a librarian, and so so many more things.

After finding several new favorite books this year, I have quite the list to break down to find my top five or ten favorites this year … And, this one? Well, it parked itself in the first place.

I love, love, love the changes we see in Austin and Libby, they grow so much and their romance is very well done. There is a bit of kissing that isn't graphic, just a warning, there is kissing.

Now, I've said I love this book, I want to be clear that this book is clean, but, it deals with hard topics.

Warning!!! Spoilers!!! Warning!!!
Nate's sins come to light. Since we knew that the tattoed pastor was a former bad boy we could expect this, I just want to say that I am impressed with how well Mrs. Faris handled Nate's past. Among which was that he had a son with an old girlfriend, that he didn't know about since the mom said she would get an abortion. This is clean enough and done in a way that my younger sisters were allowed to read it since the consequences of their sins are shown in a light that can help young readers to learn from the characters’ mistakes.

I'll even go so far as to say that this can be a good book for moms and daughters (12 and up) to read together as a learning experience.

I will be on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book to come out … It is so far away!

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
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3.5 stars--rating shown may vary depending on whether site allows half star ratings.

This is another series that I've read out of order. I believe I won the first book of the series in LibraryThing's Early Reviewers giveaway, and then later, I also won the third book of the series--but somehow, I hadn't yet read the second book of the series. I would definitely say it helps to read them in order because I was a bit lost in the third book--not horribly lost, but there were things in that book that I didn't know when or why had happened.

I liked the idea of a librarian as one of the main characters. I also liked the references to books used by many of the characters.

The themes of the book seem to be grace and forgiveness--both forgiving others and forgiving ourselves. We have brothers who have a broken relationship with each other, a son who feels his father likes his other son better, men who feel that the women they love deserve better, a pastor with a past who hasn't forgiven himself . . . And others.

I thought Austin's and Libby's confusion about Otis (the hippo) was cute. I hadn't heard the cabbage story before, but I am glad Otis moved before the auger came. (If you read book 3, you'll learn some secrets about Otis.) ( )

I loved going back to Heritage, reading about the next two couples to find romance and seeing where Otis the hippo lands this time.
This reminded me of the Prodigal Son. But we also see the Prodigal Brother. With multiple points of view, this is a story of reconciliation and love re-kindleed.
Pastor Nate has been redeemed but still holds on to his past. It takes a friend to remind him:”You aren’t called to have the answers. You were called to point to the One who has the answers.”
This is a tight knit community, where everyone knows just about everything, so reputations are on display. I liked how Ms. Faris portrayed the characters as having flaws but after some stubbornness, they learned to let God lead.”When I push God away, He doesn’t force Himself on me. And when I look for Him, He tends to find me.”
The romance is palpable and I loved the gestures by Austin to win Libby. He took her on a surprise date to see the local Carnegie Libraries. She was trying to collect selfies of them. The back and forth with the baggie of change was very funny. Olivia, trying for a newspaper job agrees to do an article on dating. That whole scenario was a hoot, as Nate tries not to be offended or left out.
Great series so far. I’m looking forward to reading the next book.
*I won this book from Just Reads tour in October 2020. All opinions are my own.* ( )

I've been anticipating Since You've Been Gone from the moment I finished Until I Met You.

Tari Faris has a gift for telling stories about flawed people who want to live their best life but are stumbling over past lies and failures and yet yearn for something better.

Leah Williams comes home for a new beginning and to find where she really belongs. A very persistent part of her past, Jonathan Kensington, keeps getting in her way.

Leah has misinterpreted his comments and motives since childhood. It will take an open mind and an open heart for the truth to set her free.

Jonathan is brought home by his younger sister Abby and the grief she holds. Her antics could have graduation repercussions. While she is not doing what she has committed to, Jonathan is doing all he can to regain control of the legacy his father always intended for him to have. "Not all investments are about the money. Some of them are about investing in someone else's dreams."

Jonathan must choose between the lies of a jealous uncle or the lifetime of loving words of his beloved father. It will require an open heart to believe the truth and be set free.

Each visit to Heritage, Michigan, brings new friendships and adventures. I wish Heritage were a place that I could visit in person, but stepping into the pages of these five books is a rich and satisfying alternative. You will treasure your time and friendships in Heritage in every encounter. Heritage is a regret-free town with a few surprises to discover.

Give yourself the gift of Heritage; you will not regret it.

Restoring Heritage series

#0.5 (author published) P S Goodbye - Caroline Williams and Grant Quinn

#1 (Revell published) You Belong with Me - Hannah Thornton and Luke Johnson subplot: Thomas Thornton and Janie Mathews

#2 (Revell published) Until I Met You - Libby Kingston and Austin Williams / subplot: Olivia Mathews and Nate Williams

#2.5 (author published) While It Was Snowing - Danielle Fair and Gideon Matthews

# 3 (Revell published) Since You've Been Gone - Leah Williams and Jonathan Kensington / subplot: Madison Westmore and Colby Marc ( )