Review: The Shortcut - Cedar River #1

The Shortcut book cover on blue background

I'm grateful that I was able to start this series off with The Return Home novella as it set the stage for The Shortcut by Honey Stone. Anyone who is a fan of small town romances will appreciate this series set in Australia, especially with such bright and colourful book covers that reflect the same hopeful content within the books!

Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

Rosemary doesn't belong anywhere. Could God be about to change that?

Only God knows Rosemary Forrester's secret, unspoken longing – to find a place to belong. Fired and harassed by her former employer, the nomadic medical writer flees Sydney to find her next adventure, but ends up stranded in the small country town of Cedar River.

As Rosemary connects with Elsie, a retired maths teacher with a love for soap operas, and Daniel, a software engineer with an awkward charm, for the first time in her life she dares to imagine a future filled with friendship, love, and belonging.

But a jealous local, her mother's expectations, and threats from her past throw that future into jeopardy. Will she trust in the Lord to work all things together for her good, or let fear drive her away from the town that feels like home?

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

I really enjoyed getting to meet Rosemary, a medical writer seeking a new adventure in her life. Moving on from a threatening past, she ends up stranded in the town of Cedar River and befriends some quirky individuals in the community. Along the way, she ends up encountering Daniel, a software engineer with a grumpy exterior who proves that there's more to him than meets the eye. I liked that this book reveals how the detours in life can often be the very places that God is putting us, and for good reason. As a result, nothing is left to coincidence, with Rosemary recognizing more and more that she truly is in God's hands.

The Shortcut delves into more serious topics, including stalking and harassment, but it also highlights the power of a community that cares for one another. Most notably, it's wonderful to see God at work through Elsie, a feisty senior who doesn't take no for an answer when she's determined to see things through. I appreciate that this book introduces us to the world of software engineering from a medical perspective and that we get to see an ethical dilemma played out. If you like small town romances with earnest characters who love the Lord, you'll appreciate this sweet series set in Australia.

Book Summary

Format of book: 📱
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendation: 👍

Comments

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