Romance in Rehoboth Boxed Set by K.L. Montgomery – Review by Liz Vrchota

Romance in Rehoboth Boxed Set by K.L. Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fat Girl: Romance in Rehoboth Book #1

Besides the Autumn poets sing
A few prosaic days
A little this side of the snow
And that side of the Haze…
Grant me, Oh Lord, a sunny mind-
Thy windy will to bear!
~Emily Dickinson

Once again, like I so often find myself with anything written by KL Montgomery, I am at a loss of how to do this novel justice with a review. It is hard when a book so greatly resounds with you and your life to put exactly into words how that makes you feel as you are reading, and long after you are finished. I think most of us book fanatics understand the feeling and so a simple opinion will just have to do. I highly recommend that you pick up this novel, and the rest of the series that is available now! One-click the whole series, and prepare to fall in love with Rehoboth.

Claire Sterling is dealing with a lot of life changes. You could call it a midlife crisis, but that is just because it happens to be taking place just shy of her 40th birthday. See, Claire is now a newly single mom, a divorcee to be, and a, well, a ‘fat girl’. She is struggling to find her identity as a woman facing all these obstacles that have just been dumped in her path. Throw in the fact that she now has to move home with her parents in Delaware and that she has a job writing a blog type reoccurring spot for the New York Times, and well you have a perfect equation for some funny stories and times.

In her column, Her Reinvention, she faces her problems head on, and very publically. Her Reinvention is full of her self-depreciating antics, funny dating mishaps, basically her actual ‘reinvention’ is on display, and it makes for some awesome reading material. Her humor really resounded with me. I feel like I often make something funny so that I don’t have to cry. This is something that I know a lot of women face and could connect to. I loved following her journey. I was sad when the book ended. Claire still has a lot to learn and fix so to speak, but she is stronger and a bit more confident by the end of the novel.

Another positive that I feel is worth mentioning, KL Montgomery incorporates the seasons in the novel by breaking it up into sections with poems/quotes that ring true to the seasons of life. This is something I love to see in novels. Poetry/quotes are a huge addiction of mine and I feel like it really is another great way to connect the reader to the story.

Thank you for another strong, body positive, and realistic story KL Montgomery. I can’t wait to see what else is to come from you!

How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!
-Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Behold, my friends, the spring is come;
the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun,
And we shall soon see the results of their love!
-Sitting Bull

Then followed that beautiful season…
Summer…
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light;
And the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn’t it?”
-Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

The Flip: Romance in Rehoboth Book #2
KL Montgomery is an automatic one-click author for me. I am always finding things I can relate to in her characters. This book was not anything different and I loved every second of my time spent at the beach with Andrew and Sonnet. This is the perfect poolside read, if you are like me and don’t have access to a beach, otherwise, go read this at the beach!

“Tonight is one of those brilliant sunsets you never want to end.”

The Flip is the second book in the Romance in Rohoboth series, but it can be read as a standalone. I don’t know why you would though because it too is a five-star read! The Flip has the same ring of rom-com that is prevalent in a lot of KL Montgomery’s work. I found myself laughing a lot of the book. Who doesn’t need a little more laughter and love in their lives?

Andrew and Sonnet can’t stand each other, at least that is what they thought at first. High school rivals they were glad to be rid of each other after graduation. Well not for long. Penelope Vaughn has a different plan in mind. Upon her death she gifts her beachfront property to both of them. Penelope was Andrew’s great aunt. Her connection to Sonnet is that she used to be her neighbor that she went to and sought comfort from in times of need.

The house really needs some work. The two feel like they could manage to ‘flip’ the house together. They both could use the money and have the profits set to be used for their dreams. The process isn’t as easy as it sounds though for them. Can they work together to get through this or will they continue to bash heads at every turn? What will happen when they start to see more than an irritant and enemy in each other? Will they be willing to open up their hearts to the idea of love?

I loved Sonnet. Her classy but sassy attitude is very much like myself and I really connected to her on that level. I also loved that she was strong-willed and knew what she wanted. She didn’t back down ever to Andrew and I loved that. We need more strong positive women to read about and represent for the women of this world that aren’t afraid to live in the skin they are in.

“I roll my eyes. I figure by the end of the summer, my eye muscles will be the strongest ones in my entire body, they’re going to get such a work out from dealing with Andrew Clark.”

“Boundaries, Andrew, ever heard of them?”

Andrew was also a fun guy to read about. He is strong willed as well, hence their clashing personalities. He also has a joker personality, and is funny and entertaining. His secret is that he is just a big teddy bear. A soft and sweet heart, and I loved that about him. He really grew on me.

I can’t wait to see what will come with the next book, Badge Bunny! I am sure whatever is to come will be my next obsession from KL Montgomery!!

“I know this look. And I know what it means. And I know what is happening. Every single one of my brain cells is telling me to step back, to turn my cheek, to purse my lips, but my thundering heartbeat is drowning out their pleas. Even my brain can be ignored.”

Plot Twist: Romance in Rehoboth #3
K.L. Montgomery really hits the nail on the head with this funny and entertaining Rom-Com. I have not read the other books (yet) in the Rehoboth series from her but I will be doing so soon. I loved that this book was its own force though and I was able to get lost in it without reading the others. I found myself laughing out loud, and rooting for our main characters to find the happiness they so much deserved.

Lindy is a strong curvy woman, with an attitude. She doesn’t let her self-conscious issues stop her from trying to accomplish her dreams of being in the entertainment industry. Instead she feels like she could be the next big cartoon character’s voice, maybe even a Disney princess someday? She needs flexibility in her life as she right now is tasked with taking care of her aging parents and is living with them. During the day she is a teacher at Delmarva Academy, when school is in session. She does get summers off and during this time her best of friends manage to convince her to try out for a local musical.

It is there that she meets the dashing Meric Chandler. Meric is an accountant by day, with a personality of a reserved hermit. What most people don’t know about him is his passion for theatre. It is when he is on stage that he comes out of his shell and shines brightest.

One disaster after another leaves the two finding themselves front and center of the production. Both of them begin to develop feelings for each other but are putting a hold on them because of their past issues. Lindy is terrified of putting her heart on the line. Meric is healing his heart after a bitter divorce and is not looking for a new relationship right now. Sometimes life has a way of changing our best intentions and plans and these two find themselves having a difficult time avoiding the strong feelings at the forefront. Will they be able to overcome their fears and find that happily ever after they both think that is impossible to achieve? Or will the pressures they self-impose get in the way of any future happiness they could have together?

I am itching to read the other books that are part of the Romance in Rehoboth series. I will also be keeping an eye for more installments in the future from KL Montgomery. I can guarantee this book promises laughter, love, and the right amount of tearful moments to balance it all. You won’t be disappointed you joined Lindy and Meric on their journey together. I am sure you will be finding yourself falling in love with these characters as much as I have. This is a strong five star read that will take you away from the stresses of life and have you laughing for a few hours. This is the perfect rainy day read, or even a day by the pool read.

Review by @lizaileen
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