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

Review: Her Off-Limits Charity Date - Unexpected Dates #3

Happy release day to the third book in the Unexpected Dates series ! Her Off-Limits Charity Date by Liwen Y. Ho is a perfect book for summer, and involves a soft-hearted zombie actor with a penchant for cooking. Now who doesn't want to learn more about a man who can do both?! Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis The one man I’m falling for is the one man I absolutely shouldn’t want. As a professional event planner, I’m used to managing chaos. My own love life, however, is another story. Especially after I meet my brother’s new brother-in-law and discover he looks like he walked straight out of a romance novel. Tall? Check. Piercing blue eyes? Check. Broody enough to make my heart do inconvenient things? Double check. Unfortunately, Zane Beckett also happens to be a famous actor. And our first meeting gets off to a rocky start when he finds out I’ve never seen any of his movi...

Review: The Secret Ingredient - Holy Grounds #2

It's such a joy to read Christmas short stories that offer a meaningful punch. If you're looking for a faith-filled book that will fit into your schedule this season while providing a warm welcome to the Holy Grounds Café, The Secret Ingredient by Kirsten Clark is a great accompaniment to your favourite cozy beverage. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Holy Grounds runs on two things: the nutty, caramel scent of coffee and Sebastien Davenport's beloved cranberry-gingerbread muffins. When the pastry chef collapses days before Christmas, owner Bridgette Calloway faces an impossible morning rush and an even harder truth: the beloved chef she's leaned on may need her more than ever. When a frightening diagnosis upends Seb's independence and he's at his lowest, it's his boss he finds himself calling. Perhaps she's more than a boss after all… Bridgette show...

Christian Book Review Programs

Over time, I've been on the hunt for Christian book review programs that readers can join. As a result, I've been able to compile the following list which may be of interest if you are seeking review copies of Christian books. This list mostly applies to print and ebooks, although some publishers offer audiobooks as well. If further information is available for any of the publishers below (or any missing publishers), please let me know as I am happy to update this list—thank you! Please note that you can also search for these publishers on NetGalley and other review sites in case there are no review programs available or you don't qualify for one 😊 List last updated: June 4, 2026 Christian Publishers 10ofThose Availability: US, Canada, and UK residents Format: Only books published by 10ofThose qualify for review requests so as to avoid impeding with other Christian book review programs Genre: Christian non-fiction, children's books Email for availability and eligibilit...