Love For a Lifetime by Mandi Blake Review

 Happy Wednesday Sweet Friends :)

I pray today finds you all doing well, and I'm so thankful you've taken the time to drop on by The Preppy Book Princess.

I'm still not a hundred percent back to normal after surgery, but I'm trying my best to get back to regular posting on here. It helps when it's an amazing book that I want to share about with you all, as it gives me an extra dose of motivation to want to get on here.

While I was recovering and on my blogging hiatus, I had the chance to read the upcoming release from one of my all time favorite authors.

Today I can't wait to tell you guys all about it, and I hope you'll all keep reading down below for today's full review.

Love For a Lifetime by Mandi Blake:

Source: Complimentary Copy Provided by the Author

Publication Date: May 17th, 2024

Genre: Christian Fiction/Contemporary

Series: Love in Blackwater

Synopsis:

They’ll always be friends, but they can never be more.

Dawson Keller has held a torch for his best friend’s little sister for as long as he can remember. He might be a flirt, but his heart will always belong to Olivia.

Olivia Lawrence lives to serve others and work on the family farm. Helping people and tending animals keep her mind off the one thing she wants but can’t have—a family.

Her brother’s best friend might joke that they’re meant to be, but he doesn’t know how little she has to offer a husband. Especially a man like Dawson who loves kids and makes everyone laugh.

On top of that, Olivia’s best friend is head over heels for Dawson, and hurting her friend is out of the question.

Dawson keeps showing up to save her at all the wrong times. From a disastrous wedding date to an unfortunate camping incident, Dawson is always there when Olivia needs him.

When Dawson finds out her secret, and her friend feels betrayed, Olivia is at risk of losing them both. If you loved the Blackwater Ranch series and the Wolf Creek Ranch series, get ready to fall in love all over again in Blackwater, Wyoming.

(synopsis from goodreads)

My Review:

I know to expect great things whenever I pick up a new Mandi Blake title, and I've yet to be disappointed. I'm guilty of stating that every one of her books is my favorite once I've finished it, but this time I really mean it. This friends to something more/brother's best friend romance was swoon worthy, Christ honoring, and heart wrenching, and without giving too much away, it also dealt with some issues that I could relate to personally that really touched my heart.

Dawson and Olivia have been friends for as long as they can remember, and both secretly wish it could be something more. Unfortunately, Olivia has been dealing with devastating hurts that she's chosen to keep secret, and she refuses to give into her feelings for Dawson, when she's insistent that he deserves more than she is able to give him. As the two see their friendship gradually start to grow into something more, the reader gets emotionally wrapped up in their swoon worthy and adorable romance, with plenty of hi jinks and chaos thrown in for good measure.

Above all, they both love the Lord, and are willing to listen to His leading, but sometimes that can be hard when He doesn't seem to be leading us in the direction we want him to, and I think Mandi did an excellent job of illustrating this. The faith element is authentically blended into the story, the romance is exhilarating and breath taking while still being clean and sweet, and as always, it was wonderful to get to see various characters from previous books make side appearances.

I truly think this wonderful title is the best of the best, and I can't possibly recommend it enough. It had me ugly crying in some moments, swooning in others, and outright laughing at the chicken/goat moments that were too hilarious to believe.

I think everyone could benefit from reading this sweet title, and it's going to stick with me long after finishing it.

The bonus epilogue also has me now excited to get to read the next book when she releases it!

Final Rating: 5/5.

Thanks so much to Mandi Blake for allowing me to read and review this title!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this title from the author. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review. 

Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your day :)