Without Reservations by Shonda Ramsey
Methods for Reading:
Available in eBook, Paperback, and Special Edition Hardback. I was on the ARC team, so I read the eBook and purchased the Special Edition Hardback.
Would I recommend the method I chose?
Through no fault of the author, eBook is just not my favorite method to consume books, however it is handy for on-the-go reading. The eBook had the artwork at the beginning of the chapters, just like the printed copies do, so there is no sacrifice there!
Book Info:
About The Author
The author, Shonda Ramsey, is a long-time friend of mine. We started our writing journey together, but she was braver and published first! Without Reservations is her first fiction book. She previously released two non-fiction books. If you are interested in learning more about her and her other works, check out her website
Is the Book a Stand Alone or Part of a Series?
Without Reservations is Book 1 of her series called Roadmap to Romance.
Spice Level:
This book is a clean and wholesome Christian romance. There are several kisses, but no fade to black scenes that would indicate deeper physical intimacy.
My Spice Rating: 1-1/2🌶️
Emotions: (Did I laugh out loud or cry)
To avoid spoilers, I will not dive into specifics. There are several moments from their childhood that made me laugh or tugged at my heart strings. The present day, I often found myself frustrated with the MMC, but I think that was intentional on the author’s part. He seems to be the one that needs a little more convincing to move forward with this relationship and with good reason.
Happily Ever After?
Again, avoiding spoilers, what I really enjoyed about the HEA was how the author tied in, what I assume, will be characters in future books of the series. It was just enough to leave you eager to learn more about these characters without them taking over the featured couple’s moment.
As a READER I…
LIKED:
The imagery the author used to put them in the setting. I could picture the places.
The way that the past was weaved in with the present throughout the story.
The FMC, particularly the way that she handled disagreements with the MMC.
DISLIKED:
The MMC’s (at times) hot & cold emotional immaturity and his focus on money.
As a FELLOW WRITER I….
will take away some lessons of imagery and putting the reader in the scene. Shonda does a beautiful job of this, and I think I could do better with this as a writer.
Final Thoughts
I’m more of a 3-4 spice level reader in general, so I missed some of that physical intimacy in the story. However, I did enjoy this story overall. It was an easy read, great for a long weekend or mini vacation. The Christian elements of the story felt right in the moments they were placed. I appreciate that it did not feel “preachy” as some in the genre can.
For more of my personal thoughts, check out my review on Goodreads
