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Christiansen Family #3
When I Fall in Love
Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she’d vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled—or maybe yanked—away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.
Maxwell Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away.
Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace’s faith will face its toughest test yet.
Maxwell Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away.
Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace’s faith will face its toughest test yet.
369 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2014
218 people are currently reading
1,706 people want to read
About the author
Susan May Warren
230books3,457followersI can't help be amazed at the gifts God has delighted me with - a wonderful husband, four amazing children, and the opportunity to write for Him.
I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life.
Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights.
Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.
Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.
Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.
I 'm delighted you've stopped in to visit. My hope is that you'll be blessed and encouraged by soul-stirring stories of regular people interacting with a God who loves them.
I'd love to hear from you! I love getting mail, especially from readers and I welcome your questions and comments. Write to me at [email protected]. And, if you're interested, sign up for my newsletter, a quarterly sneak peek into upcoming releases and projects. Thank you for your interest and support.
God Bless and Happy Reading!
In His Grip,
Susan May Warren
I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life.
Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights.
Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.
Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.
Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.
I 'm delighted you've stopped in to visit. My hope is that you'll be blessed and encouraged by soul-stirring stories of regular people interacting with a God who loves them.
I'd love to hear from you! I love getting mail, especially from readers and I welcome your questions and comments. Write to me at [email protected]. And, if you're interested, sign up for my newsletter, a quarterly sneak peek into upcoming releases and projects. Thank you for your interest and support.
God Bless and Happy Reading!
In His Grip,
Susan May Warren
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
July 26, 2014
To be honest, I resisted reading this book at first because it dealt with such a challenging issue: the hero has a medical condition that severely affects his life and his future.
But I trust Susan May Warren as an author and I knew if anyone could write about this topic and do it well, it would be her.
She did not disappoint me.
Warren writes believable characters who are faced with real-life issues -- and they have to make tough choices about life and death and choosing to fall in love and embrace all life has for them. Faith is woven through the story in a very real way.
When I Fall In Love is now one of my favorite Susan May Warren novels.
But I trust Susan May Warren as an author and I knew if anyone could write about this topic and do it well, it would be her.
She did not disappoint me.
Warren writes believable characters who are faced with real-life issues -- and they have to make tough choices about life and death and choosing to fall in love and embrace all life has for them. Faith is woven through the story in a very real way.
When I Fall In Love is now one of my favorite Susan May Warren novels.
March 26, 2023
I THINK this is my favorite out of this series so far. So engaging from the beginning and kept me on my toes. I enjoyed all the characters POVs. The faith aspect’s especially around the end truly brought me to tears and was very touching to me. If it hadn’t had that then it would be a 4 star but the faith really bumped it to a 5 for me.
February 17, 2022
Hoo-boy. I couldn't decide whether to go with four or five stars because I didn't think it was perfect, but I prefer to round up.
So many emotions.
This series is full of abnormal characters and motivations and so much family drama.
I admit, I did not love the older sister telling the younger sister to put on a knockout dress to get the guy's attention and basically step out and take what she wants. Uhhh... Yeah, kinda the opposite of what I was always taught about how to be Christ-like in dating relationships. But I'm not really the judge of all these people's actions.
I also didn't love how God spoke directly to Grace every time she was confused, (using the same verse that "God" used in Redeeming Love to tell Michael to marry Angel and ew). I do believe God speaks to people, I do not believe it's the most common experience of believers but it sure makes the character arc easy for an author if He does.
But this book ripped my heart out multiple times and gives you some serious things to think about, some real-life hard and the grace of God.
So far Casper is my fave, I'm not sure I'm emotionally prepared for his book though!
So many emotions.
This series is full of abnormal characters and motivations and so much family drama.
I admit, I did not love the older sister telling the younger sister to put on a knockout dress to get the guy's attention and basically step out and take what she wants. Uhhh... Yeah, kinda the opposite of what I was always taught about how to be Christ-like in dating relationships. But I'm not really the judge of all these people's actions.
I also didn't love how God spoke directly to Grace every time she was confused, (using the same verse that "God" used in Redeeming Love to tell Michael to marry Angel and ew). I do believe God speaks to people, I do not believe it's the most common experience of believers but it sure makes the character arc easy for an author if He does.
But this book ripped my heart out multiple times and gives you some serious things to think about, some real-life hard and the grace of God.
So far Casper is my fave, I'm not sure I'm emotionally prepared for his book though!
July 21, 2014
Another amazing treat of a read from Ms. Warren!
When I fall In Love is an excellent addition the Christiansen family series! After 'meeting' Grace briefly in the first two books in the series I was excited to get to know her. And it blew me away just how much I found myself relating to her, this made the story much more personal for me as I found myself learning and acknowledging a number of the same things about myself that Grace did about herself. And a certain very powerful scene inspired me to yet again recommit my life to Christ! So needless to say I loved Grace as a character (If she wasn't fictional I could totally see us being best friends!) And I also loved Max! He was a great hero, but I loved that he wasn't perfect, he had flaws and fears which we all have. This was definitely a positive which served to make him even more real and vivid as a character. It was so cool how this book was set mostly in Hawaii which is a state that I know next to nothing about so it was awesome to get some great history tidbits sprinkled through this book, and the surroundings were written so perfectly that I felt like I was there! At times this book made me laugh out loud and at others nearly made my heart break for the characters, further proof of Ms. Warren's brilliant storytelling. This was such an amazing book and I absolutely loved every moment I spent with my eyes glued to it's pages! I highly recommend this entire series! And I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. So hoping it's about my favorite member of the Christiansen clan... Casper! *Crosses Fingers*
I was honored to receive a review copy of this amazing book from Tyndale House publishers in exchange for my honest review!
When I fall In Love is an excellent addition the Christiansen family series! After 'meeting' Grace briefly in the first two books in the series I was excited to get to know her. And it blew me away just how much I found myself relating to her, this made the story much more personal for me as I found myself learning and acknowledging a number of the same things about myself that Grace did about herself. And a certain very powerful scene inspired me to yet again recommit my life to Christ! So needless to say I loved Grace as a character (If she wasn't fictional I could totally see us being best friends!) And I also loved Max! He was a great hero, but I loved that he wasn't perfect, he had flaws and fears which we all have. This was definitely a positive which served to make him even more real and vivid as a character. It was so cool how this book was set mostly in Hawaii which is a state that I know next to nothing about so it was awesome to get some great history tidbits sprinkled through this book, and the surroundings were written so perfectly that I felt like I was there! At times this book made me laugh out loud and at others nearly made my heart break for the characters, further proof of Ms. Warren's brilliant storytelling. This was such an amazing book and I absolutely loved every moment I spent with my eyes glued to it's pages! I highly recommend this entire series! And I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. So hoping it's about my favorite member of the Christiansen clan... Casper! *Crosses Fingers*
I was honored to receive a review copy of this amazing book from Tyndale House publishers in exchange for my honest review!
May 29, 2021
Characters: Both Max and Grace were flawed, relatable characters. I related most to Grace and her desire to stay at home where not much changed. And I enjoyed seeing Max confront his fears.
Language: Clean.
Moral: Living abundantly and trusting God with the future were two themes in this book. I would've liked to see Max grow a little closer to God. Then again, there's always the next book!
Plot: Susan May Warren kept the plot moving--and kept me turning pages. For a non-romantic like me, there was a little too much focus on romance. Then again, I can't really complain ... This is a contemporary romance. I liked seeing Max and Grace work through Max's likely future of Huntington's disease. Their struggle was one I haven't seen often in books.
Romance: Clean. Mostly. Just a few kisses and a not-so-vague implication of immorality between two side characters. I also got a little sick of how often the characters' handsomeness/beauty was discussed.
Writing: As always, I really enjoyed Susan May Warren's writing and thought it fit the story well.
Overall: I liked this book and would recommend it to readers of Christian fiction and contemporary romance.
Language: Clean.
Moral: Living abundantly and trusting God with the future were two themes in this book. I would've liked to see Max grow a little closer to God. Then again, there's always the next book!
Plot: Susan May Warren kept the plot moving--and kept me turning pages. For a non-romantic like me, there was a little too much focus on romance. Then again, I can't really complain ... This is a contemporary romance. I liked seeing Max and Grace work through Max's likely future of Huntington's disease. Their struggle was one I haven't seen often in books.
Romance: Clean. Mostly. Just a few kisses and a not-so-vague implication of immorality between two side characters. I also got a little sick of how often the characters' handsomeness/beauty was discussed.
Writing: As always, I really enjoyed Susan May Warren's writing and thought it fit the story well.
Overall: I liked this book and would recommend it to readers of Christian fiction and contemporary romance.
June 21, 2014
Another great read from Susan May Warren :) Like several of her Deep Haven series, this book had two story lines going on, both are great, but only one gets resolved while the other is setting up a future book (hopefully the next in the series). It doesn't leave you hanging as much as it's just not resolved, so don't let it stop you from enjoying this book now. Grace and Max's story is a fun one :)
June 9, 2014
I love family sagas. I guess it must be something about feeling like I’m being welcomed into the family, to observe, to fell, to cry and laugh with everyone. It’s the sense of belonging to the story almost as much as the book in my hands belongs to me.
That for me is the mark of a true master, someone who writes and sucks me into a story in another time, another place. Susan May Warren is one of those writers on my list and When I Fall in Love is one of those stories. I know because when I picked it up, I hadn’t read the first two of Warren’s Christiansen Family novels but when I put it down, I couldn’t not read them.
I love how her characters are so real and they experience real things. The fear of moving forward into the unknown is a very tangible hurdle most people fear to jump in some way or another. The crippling terror Grace Christiansen faces as her family sends her on vacation is just too true.
The way Max Sharpe handles himself as the life he built careens into the truth of his condition, reminds me too much of the way I’ve seen the men in my life handling disaster, yet admirably stay standing in the midst of it all.
Their love happens quickly, but in my opinion, some of the best romances do. They catch you by complete surprise and knock you on your bottom. It’s one of those romances you get caught up in the development of the characters and the arc of the story so much so the last page leaves you staring at the back covering wondering why there isn’t more.
I love the way each of the characters comes to a deeper knowledge, not only of themselves, but of God. A true knowledge that helps them wade through the difficulties of life and become a better sister, a better brother, a better person by the final page.
There were so many moments as I was reading that I felt the Lord stop me and point at something in my own life. Am I trusting Him? And I afraid to move forward? That’s what I mean by real. There are so many books out there where the story, the characters, and the plot are all contrived. They feel plastic, sound fake, and the dialogue is watery at best. Honestly, those books are back on the shelf before I reach chapter two. With Warren, that is never the case. I am always gripped on page one and changed before I read the last paragraph.
I just can’t get enough of the Christian Family series and I can't wait for the next one!
That for me is the mark of a true master, someone who writes and sucks me into a story in another time, another place. Susan May Warren is one of those writers on my list and When I Fall in Love is one of those stories. I know because when I picked it up, I hadn’t read the first two of Warren’s Christiansen Family novels but when I put it down, I couldn’t not read them.
I love how her characters are so real and they experience real things. The fear of moving forward into the unknown is a very tangible hurdle most people fear to jump in some way or another. The crippling terror Grace Christiansen faces as her family sends her on vacation is just too true.
The way Max Sharpe handles himself as the life he built careens into the truth of his condition, reminds me too much of the way I’ve seen the men in my life handling disaster, yet admirably stay standing in the midst of it all.
Their love happens quickly, but in my opinion, some of the best romances do. They catch you by complete surprise and knock you on your bottom. It’s one of those romances you get caught up in the development of the characters and the arc of the story so much so the last page leaves you staring at the back covering wondering why there isn’t more.
I love the way each of the characters comes to a deeper knowledge, not only of themselves, but of God. A true knowledge that helps them wade through the difficulties of life and become a better sister, a better brother, a better person by the final page.
There were so many moments as I was reading that I felt the Lord stop me and point at something in my own life. Am I trusting Him? And I afraid to move forward? That’s what I mean by real. There are so many books out there where the story, the characters, and the plot are all contrived. They feel plastic, sound fake, and the dialogue is watery at best. Honestly, those books are back on the shelf before I reach chapter two. With Warren, that is never the case. I am always gripped on page one and changed before I read the last paragraph.
I just can’t get enough of the Christian Family series and I can't wait for the next one!
December 10, 2015
This book was wonderful–in a deep, emotional sort of way. I'm only halfway through the Deep Haven series, but jumped ahead to this book for the CFD group read. There's so much emotional stuff to deal with that it's almost overwhelming, but I loved every page, even the painful ones. I'm definitely going to be reading the rest of this series!
August 26, 2014
If ever there was an author in the Christian fiction market who consistently did everything but disappoint this girl, it’d be Susan May Warren. I started with her Deep Haven novels way back with Happily Ever After, then later some suspense and historical (did you ever notice that she writes every genre and does each so very well?) before coming full circle and returning to where it all began: Deep Haven, with a host of new characters to fall in love with. This third novel is all about daughter, Grace of the loving Christiansen family, who is a homebody to a fault. She feels comfortable in her surroundings at the family home and working for the small pizzeria in their hometown. Only that’s all about to change when, shortly after her eldest brother’s marriage, she receives a gift of a Hawaiian vacation from her family � one that involves cooking, which just so happens to be Grace’s passion, so long as it’s merely making pizzas at the local pizzeria. Much to her embarrassment, her almost brother-in-law, Jace, asks his fellow hockey teammate to look out for Grace during the trip he also is taking. Between Grace’s fear of being away from home and Max’s deep-seated fears over his own carefully protected secret, the fun they have in Hawaii may not last once they return to the real world.
Who cares about a tepid start (to this series) in Take a Chance on Me (in my lone opinion), when its peak heads towards the closest thing to book perfection there is � for anyone who is interested, Warren has the market cornered. This series is shaping up to be the definition of a long-running set of novels (it’s going to be a full six books along with a novella or two) that is not fizzling out in the least the longer it goes on. As a story, this has outshone the two prior to this thus far despite them also being able to stand up to the best of the best. The best part is it’s showing no signs of becoming bogged up in any “bad� fates or as if it’s losing its ability to turn ordinary into something so much more.
I absolutely adored Grace. Her personality and character sparkled in everything she did � she may be the “quiet, shy� kid of the group, yet her character is one of the most memorable, add in a hunky honkey star, Max Sharpe and you’ve got a recipe of pure brilliance � one that might not be something either Max or Grace planned on creating. Without giving too much away, let me just say that the plot of this book is� risky in all the ways it should be. It takes happily ever after with a twist to it without ever being sappy (not that I’d have minded) or coming across as unrealistic, because I completely believed in everything Grace and Max said to each other; in their demonstrations of love. For once, a book has a very natural cadence that doesn’t upset the balance of the good and the bad; embedded in the story are the most beautiful lessons on how to live and in this is something we all could learn from even if we’re not in the same situation or face similar choices. In past, the one thing that I’ve been put off by regarding this series is the multiple character arcs � i.e., the additional characters that have equal time as the two main characters. It was something I wasn’t drawn to in book one, liked better in the follow up (because it was limited to one person) and finally felt like this element of prose found its niche in this novel in which we get the perspective of brother Owen Christiansen (well done, Susan. Well done). This subplot leaves us hungering for more especially considering it is Owen’s story that’s rumored to be coming up next. Plus, he’s just an all-around cool dude.
If you like contemporary (of any variety) or have been reading these, do not miss this third novel. Between its setting (may I just give a shout of joy for a new locale?? It was striking in its descriptions and nice to move out of the familiar for a while � a great boaster for sure), plot and characters, this book is sensational � and that’s the honest-to-goodness truth. I was already longing for the fourth novel prior to completing this one because it has a kind of tranquil quality to it that nothing can damper; When I Fall in Love is a must-read for your summer reading list. Trust me. You'll fall hard for this one.
Note: Sincere apologies to the publisher and author for the delay in posting this review. Thanks to the publisher for providing a complimentary ARC copy of this novel for the purpose of reviewing it.
Who cares about a tepid start (to this series) in Take a Chance on Me (in my lone opinion), when its peak heads towards the closest thing to book perfection there is � for anyone who is interested, Warren has the market cornered. This series is shaping up to be the definition of a long-running set of novels (it’s going to be a full six books along with a novella or two) that is not fizzling out in the least the longer it goes on. As a story, this has outshone the two prior to this thus far despite them also being able to stand up to the best of the best. The best part is it’s showing no signs of becoming bogged up in any “bad� fates or as if it’s losing its ability to turn ordinary into something so much more.
I absolutely adored Grace. Her personality and character sparkled in everything she did � she may be the “quiet, shy� kid of the group, yet her character is one of the most memorable, add in a hunky honkey star, Max Sharpe and you’ve got a recipe of pure brilliance � one that might not be something either Max or Grace planned on creating. Without giving too much away, let me just say that the plot of this book is� risky in all the ways it should be. It takes happily ever after with a twist to it without ever being sappy (not that I’d have minded) or coming across as unrealistic, because I completely believed in everything Grace and Max said to each other; in their demonstrations of love. For once, a book has a very natural cadence that doesn’t upset the balance of the good and the bad; embedded in the story are the most beautiful lessons on how to live and in this is something we all could learn from even if we’re not in the same situation or face similar choices. In past, the one thing that I’ve been put off by regarding this series is the multiple character arcs � i.e., the additional characters that have equal time as the two main characters. It was something I wasn’t drawn to in book one, liked better in the follow up (because it was limited to one person) and finally felt like this element of prose found its niche in this novel in which we get the perspective of brother Owen Christiansen (well done, Susan. Well done). This subplot leaves us hungering for more especially considering it is Owen’s story that’s rumored to be coming up next. Plus, he’s just an all-around cool dude.
If you like contemporary (of any variety) or have been reading these, do not miss this third novel. Between its setting (may I just give a shout of joy for a new locale?? It was striking in its descriptions and nice to move out of the familiar for a while � a great boaster for sure), plot and characters, this book is sensational � and that’s the honest-to-goodness truth. I was already longing for the fourth novel prior to completing this one because it has a kind of tranquil quality to it that nothing can damper; When I Fall in Love is a must-read for your summer reading list. Trust me. You'll fall hard for this one.
Note: Sincere apologies to the publisher and author for the delay in posting this review. Thanks to the publisher for providing a complimentary ARC copy of this novel for the purpose of reviewing it.
November 29, 2016
#3 Christiansen Family
I enjoyed Grace and Max's story, set in the very exotic location of Hawaii, and loved how Susan May Warren brought this place to life.
I really liked the theme of "letting go" and I thought Max's illness was handled well.
(Owen is not a favourite with me at the moment!)
Favourite quote:
“The key to finding what God has for you is not reaching for paradise...but letting go. Falling. Losing control...But most of us are too afraid to truly let go, to open our hands and receive what God has for us.� ~ Preacher.
Christiansen Family
0.5 1 2
3 4 5 6
I'm hoping to get at some point novella , which I think comes between #3 and #4.
I enjoyed Grace and Max's story, set in the very exotic location of Hawaii, and loved how Susan May Warren brought this place to life.
I really liked the theme of "letting go" and I thought Max's illness was handled well.
(Owen is not a favourite with me at the moment!)
Favourite quote:
“The key to finding what God has for you is not reaching for paradise...but letting go. Falling. Losing control...But most of us are too afraid to truly let go, to open our hands and receive what God has for us.� ~ Preacher.
Christiansen Family
0.5 1 2
3 4 5 6
I'm hoping to get at some point novella , which I think comes between #3 and #4.
June 24, 2014
Love, love, love the Christiansens and Deep Haven. I'm so glad that John and Ingrid had a large family so that the stories (books) keep coming!
In this book we meet Max and Grace. We've meet them in prior books, but we get to read their story in this book. We also get to see - assuming here - a preview of the next book with Casper and Raina.
I absolutely love how old friends from prior Deep Haven books appeared in this book. That may have been my favorite part.
Can't wait for the next visit with the Christiansen family!
In this book we meet Max and Grace. We've meet them in prior books, but we get to read their story in this book. We also get to see - assuming here - a preview of the next book with Casper and Raina.
I absolutely love how old friends from prior Deep Haven books appeared in this book. That may have been my favorite part.
Can't wait for the next visit with the Christiansen family!
December 4, 2020
4.5 Stars!
I really enjoyed Max and Grace’s story of over coming fears by learning to trust God.
I loved visiting Hawaii and hearing about the local dishes. The author brought the state alive I felt like I was in Hawaii participating in the competition.
I give 5 stars for Joell A Jacob’s for an excellent engaging audio performance.
The secondary story was an added bonus it went in a surprising direction. But the beginning of Raina and Casper’s story has me eagerly wanting to read the next book in this series.
Recommended for all contemporary Christian fiction fans :)
I really enjoyed Max and Grace’s story of over coming fears by learning to trust God.
I loved visiting Hawaii and hearing about the local dishes. The author brought the state alive I felt like I was in Hawaii participating in the competition.
I give 5 stars for Joell A Jacob’s for an excellent engaging audio performance.
The secondary story was an added bonus it went in a surprising direction. But the beginning of Raina and Casper’s story has me eagerly wanting to read the next book in this series.
Recommended for all contemporary Christian fiction fans :)
July 15, 2014
WOWZER! When are the next books coming out? Because I seriously MUST KNOW what happens to Caspar & Owen!!! I agree w/ Romantic Times: "It's a gem." Review to come . . . :)
April 7, 2020
When I fall in love 4.5⭐️
Grace and Max are in Hawaii for three weeks at a culinary program. (I know right. Sign me up for that!) max is a hockey player and Grace is a Christiansen. Meaning their paths were destined to cross eventually and i am for it!
Maxs life is hockey and he doesnt date but he agreed to have fun and be loose during his vacation. He was also supposed to babysit Grace. Keep an eye on her which he did but not because everyone told him to but because grace was wonderful and fun and cute and he had to stop himself from falling for her.
Grace starts reading between the lines of their friendship until she is sure that they should be together. Without saying it obviously, wouldnt want to scare Max off. But he takes care of her and doesnt judge. He encourages her. He’s perfect.
But again after Hawaii hes all hockey and no love so it will never work...
Then back on the mainland...
Casper Christiansen (fyi I need a family tree or something that has ages and whoes married with which kids. Anyone know where i can find that?) and Raina, not friends not enemies but everyone knows what them working together to try and win the Evergreen Resort dragon boat trophy will do to their relationship.
I didnt care for Casper and Rainas relationship. She was rude and bossy and not in the endearing way and Casper is just trying to help. Ah their love hate relationship... But I loved Grace and Maxs journey.
Grace and Max are in Hawaii for three weeks at a culinary program. (I know right. Sign me up for that!) max is a hockey player and Grace is a Christiansen. Meaning their paths were destined to cross eventually and i am for it!
Maxs life is hockey and he doesnt date but he agreed to have fun and be loose during his vacation. He was also supposed to babysit Grace. Keep an eye on her which he did but not because everyone told him to but because grace was wonderful and fun and cute and he had to stop himself from falling for her.
Grace starts reading between the lines of their friendship until she is sure that they should be together. Without saying it obviously, wouldnt want to scare Max off. But he takes care of her and doesnt judge. He encourages her. He’s perfect.
But again after Hawaii hes all hockey and no love so it will never work...
Then back on the mainland...
Casper Christiansen (fyi I need a family tree or something that has ages and whoes married with which kids. Anyone know where i can find that?) and Raina, not friends not enemies but everyone knows what them working together to try and win the Evergreen Resort dragon boat trophy will do to their relationship.
I didnt care for Casper and Rainas relationship. She was rude and bossy and not in the endearing way and Casper is just trying to help. Ah their love hate relationship... But I loved Grace and Maxs journey.
May 22, 2023
This is my favorite so far in the series. I loved both of the main characters, Max and Grace; two really kind-hearted and sweet people. The way their friendship developed was so endearing and fun to watch. The story unfolded in such an unexpected way it was so fun to read about � PLUS, the painfully captivating side story that was developing between Casper, Raina, Owen was unputdownable!
The message in this story was powerful and thought provoking. I especially loved the excerpt at the end where Susan speaks a little about why she chose to write this plot line. I agree with Grace’s decision in the end. Without the Lord, a decision to go on a lifelong emotional journey like this would be one that would not be possible for me... So bittersweet to say the least...
I was debating between a 4 or 5 ⭐️ but settled with the 4 only because I felt like a lot of Grace’s reactions towards some very important conclusions she had drawn were not realistic without at least having a face-to-face conversation with Max. Overall, in the end, the conversation she did have with him was a bit lacking/not completely satisfying. I’m noticing SMW has her characters think and draw conclusions more than they communicate their thoughts with the necessary person, which is not so satisfying to me. But overall, wonderful book and I’m 💯 invested in the Christianson family!
� how on earth are things going to turn out for Casper?!! Poor Casper. I love him.
The message in this story was powerful and thought provoking. I especially loved the excerpt at the end where Susan speaks a little about why she chose to write this plot line. I agree with Grace’s decision in the end. Without the Lord, a decision to go on a lifelong emotional journey like this would be one that would not be possible for me... So bittersweet to say the least...
I was debating between a 4 or 5 ⭐️ but settled with the 4 only because I felt like a lot of Grace’s reactions towards some very important conclusions she had drawn were not realistic without at least having a face-to-face conversation with Max. Overall, in the end, the conversation she did have with him was a bit lacking/not completely satisfying. I’m noticing SMW has her characters think and draw conclusions more than they communicate their thoughts with the necessary person, which is not so satisfying to me. But overall, wonderful book and I’m 💯 invested in the Christianson family!
� how on earth are things going to turn out for Casper?!! Poor Casper. I love him.
June 2, 2019
Oh my, I love this series! Grace is a person who loves her life - her life with a schedule that does not waver. She has never really gone anywhere until her family buys her a cooking retreat, in Hawaii, nonetheless. Max is a professional hockey player who has a disease that he knows will eventually take his life. He lives for hockey and cooking since he feels he will never have anything else. Max and Grace meet on the airplane and hit it off. Opening their hearts is one things that is not on their agenda. God has plans for them. Take your shoes off, get your favorite beverage, and relax with this awesome Christian romance. Loved book three and cannot wait to read book four.
January 20, 2020
My favorite character was Casper. He handled himself well despite everything that was going on around him and he wasn't even the main character of the story. This book had two different stories happening at the same time. A few chapters would be about Max and Grace and then a few chapters would be about Casper and Raina. Of course there were tidbits about the rest of the Christiansen family included as well.
Rating: PG (adult situations, fist fighting, use of "blue" words)
Language: no profanity or use of deity in a negative way (a couple of times it was implied that a "blue" word was used aka: a bad word)
Recommend: yes
Rating: PG (adult situations, fist fighting, use of "blue" words)
Language: no profanity or use of deity in a negative way (a couple of times it was implied that a "blue" word was used aka: a bad word)
Recommend: yes
October 1, 2020
When I Fall in Love (Christiansen Family Book 3) Kindle Edition
by Susan May Warren 4 stars
“Reach out, Grace, and discover what you’ve been longing for.�
I just love the Christiansen family and their support to each other. They gave Grace a fabulous culinary trip to Hawaii! That sounds great but Grace doesn’t want to leave Deep Haven. In this new journey Grace has been fearful but trusting in God’s plan for her life.
I love the scene when 9A and 9B meet each other unexpectedly. Max is a really great person. He is willing to help someone in need. I enjoy their cooking sessions and all the exotic foods that are described in detail. I can see and smell them in my mind. Grace and Max can really work well together even under pressure. They have fun while doing it too.
I am not so sure if I like this pattern of an additional story within the main one. This time it’s about Raina and Casper doing the dragon boat race. But I do like Grace and Max’s story a lot. There is camaraderie and love despite their issues.They just have to let go and let live.
#kindleunlimited
by Susan May Warren 4 stars
“Reach out, Grace, and discover what you’ve been longing for.�
I just love the Christiansen family and their support to each other. They gave Grace a fabulous culinary trip to Hawaii! That sounds great but Grace doesn’t want to leave Deep Haven. In this new journey Grace has been fearful but trusting in God’s plan for her life.
I love the scene when 9A and 9B meet each other unexpectedly. Max is a really great person. He is willing to help someone in need. I enjoy their cooking sessions and all the exotic foods that are described in detail. I can see and smell them in my mind. Grace and Max can really work well together even under pressure. They have fun while doing it too.
I am not so sure if I like this pattern of an additional story within the main one. This time it’s about Raina and Casper doing the dragon boat race. But I do like Grace and Max’s story a lot. There is camaraderie and love despite their issues.They just have to let go and let live.
#kindleunlimited
July 8, 2015
This novel in the Christiansen family series; features Grace Christiansen and Max Sharpe. I enjoyed the fact that the author started the book with Darek and Ivey’s wedding through Graces eyes. She planned, catered and set the mood her brother and fiancé wanted at the reception. Things went so well Eden Christiansen wants her sister Grace to do her and Jace’s wedding. Eden wants it to be Hawaiian themed. Grace is stunned by the request and even more overwhelmed at the fact the whole family chipped in to send Eden off to Hawaii for a 3 week culinary vacation.
Grace is excited and terrified all at the same time! Airplanes weren’t her favorite mode of transportation. This was going to be a long ride. She sits next to a nice man and they get talking she states, “Have you ever felt like there was something more for you, but it seemed just out of reach? Like, you know you want it, but somehow, you’re also scared to reach for it? What if after all this effort, it turns out to be a joke? Or worse-horrible? What if you take the bit leap and-?
Max finishes her thought, “and you fall. And get hurt? “Yeah, then you’re back where you started, only worse because now you know it’s not worth it.�
Max is Graces cheerleader. He encourages her to take a tour of the island, go parasailing, snorkeling and oh compete in a cooking contest for the locals their version of “Chopped�. Enjoyed their participation in the competition and loved watching Max and Grace’s friendship grow, and see Grace bloom and grow as a person. Grace is funny � she thought “I’m going to fall in love with Hawaii if it kills me, ”Max looks at her, “there’s more food adventuring in your future, if you’re ready.�
“No, she wasn’t ready, not all all.”…But maybe that was the poking. If she waited until she was ready to taste life, it might pass her by.�
The other major part of this novel dealt with Grace’s assistant, Raina Beaumont. She had a tragic childhood, which left her looking for love in all the wrong places. She’s a survivor, keeps everyone at a distance; has learned to fit in, can fill a need and easily becomes part of a team.
Raina meets Grace’s entire family at the wedding, and Owen offers to take her home on his motorcycle after the cleanup. Raina invites him in to her apartment. One thing leads to another and Owen spends the night. Then thanks her for everything when he walks out the door the next morning.
Raina wasn’t expecting him to leave like that. She’d known the families reputation they were loving, kind and religious! She had told herself she wasn’t going to go all the way but she thought things would be different with Owen. It was apparent Owen wasn’t like the rest of his family, he was not living for anyone but himself. He was a hot shot hockey player turned Firefighter period the end.
I was surprised by this but then again this happens. You can’t judge or assume one family member embraces the family heritage. There is a problem and things becomes messy when Raina falls for Owen’s brother� Casper and he likes her back.
Both Max Sharpe and Raino Beaumont have devastating repercussions for the secrets they keep! They are trying everything in their power to hide the truth and are controlled by the fear of exposure! Their secrets could cost them loving relationships with the people they care most about.
I delighted in reading about the secondary characters I’ve enjoyed in other books like � Eden, Jace, Ingrid, John, Darek and Ivy, Tiger, Amelia. It was fun to see them here, and learn more about what’s happening their lives.
I like the Christensen Family they are a real; not perfect family� doing their best to love one another, walk in faith through hard times, and help others face their fears, sharing Jesus along the way.
I like the authors� heart she shares, “It pains me to see my children make mistakes. But without mistakes, they won’t learn. And some of my best lessons have come from the mistakes I’ve made…I was in a season of struggling to find the balance between stepping in and letting go � letting them fall. And I realized that their failures were neither my fault nor my responsibility to fix. If I truly wanted to support my kids, I needed to guide them toward their heavenly Father, so He could meet their needs..In letting go, I’m learning that God can meet my needs.�
The author does a beautiful job of showing this through the entire series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone but you’ll miss so much if you don’t read them all. This is a fun, fun read. Loved learning about Hawaii and cooking with Grace and Max and had a hard time reading about Raina and Owen. It’s heart breaking. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series titled, Always on My Mind. This is an engaging read that would make a great book club pick. It’s rich and full of material to talk about. The author has also provided fifteen discussion questions to help you dig deeper.
Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD Sponsored by publisher.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising�
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins
The Book Club Network Blog
Book Fun Magazine
Grace is excited and terrified all at the same time! Airplanes weren’t her favorite mode of transportation. This was going to be a long ride. She sits next to a nice man and they get talking she states, “Have you ever felt like there was something more for you, but it seemed just out of reach? Like, you know you want it, but somehow, you’re also scared to reach for it? What if after all this effort, it turns out to be a joke? Or worse-horrible? What if you take the bit leap and-?
Max finishes her thought, “and you fall. And get hurt? “Yeah, then you’re back where you started, only worse because now you know it’s not worth it.�
Max is Graces cheerleader. He encourages her to take a tour of the island, go parasailing, snorkeling and oh compete in a cooking contest for the locals their version of “Chopped�. Enjoyed their participation in the competition and loved watching Max and Grace’s friendship grow, and see Grace bloom and grow as a person. Grace is funny � she thought “I’m going to fall in love with Hawaii if it kills me, ”Max looks at her, “there’s more food adventuring in your future, if you’re ready.�
“No, she wasn’t ready, not all all.”…But maybe that was the poking. If she waited until she was ready to taste life, it might pass her by.�
The other major part of this novel dealt with Grace’s assistant, Raina Beaumont. She had a tragic childhood, which left her looking for love in all the wrong places. She’s a survivor, keeps everyone at a distance; has learned to fit in, can fill a need and easily becomes part of a team.
Raina meets Grace’s entire family at the wedding, and Owen offers to take her home on his motorcycle after the cleanup. Raina invites him in to her apartment. One thing leads to another and Owen spends the night. Then thanks her for everything when he walks out the door the next morning.
Raina wasn’t expecting him to leave like that. She’d known the families reputation they were loving, kind and religious! She had told herself she wasn’t going to go all the way but she thought things would be different with Owen. It was apparent Owen wasn’t like the rest of his family, he was not living for anyone but himself. He was a hot shot hockey player turned Firefighter period the end.
I was surprised by this but then again this happens. You can’t judge or assume one family member embraces the family heritage. There is a problem and things becomes messy when Raina falls for Owen’s brother� Casper and he likes her back.
Both Max Sharpe and Raino Beaumont have devastating repercussions for the secrets they keep! They are trying everything in their power to hide the truth and are controlled by the fear of exposure! Their secrets could cost them loving relationships with the people they care most about.
I delighted in reading about the secondary characters I’ve enjoyed in other books like � Eden, Jace, Ingrid, John, Darek and Ivy, Tiger, Amelia. It was fun to see them here, and learn more about what’s happening their lives.
I like the Christensen Family they are a real; not perfect family� doing their best to love one another, walk in faith through hard times, and help others face their fears, sharing Jesus along the way.
I like the authors� heart she shares, “It pains me to see my children make mistakes. But without mistakes, they won’t learn. And some of my best lessons have come from the mistakes I’ve made…I was in a season of struggling to find the balance between stepping in and letting go � letting them fall. And I realized that their failures were neither my fault nor my responsibility to fix. If I truly wanted to support my kids, I needed to guide them toward their heavenly Father, so He could meet their needs..In letting go, I’m learning that God can meet my needs.�
The author does a beautiful job of showing this through the entire series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone but you’ll miss so much if you don’t read them all. This is a fun, fun read. Loved learning about Hawaii and cooking with Grace and Max and had a hard time reading about Raina and Owen. It’s heart breaking. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series titled, Always on My Mind. This is an engaging read that would make a great book club pick. It’s rich and full of material to talk about. The author has also provided fifteen discussion questions to help you dig deeper.
Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD Sponsored by publisher.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising�
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins
The Book Club Network Blog
Book Fun Magazine
March 8, 2025
Not a fan of the � forcing people out of their comfort zone repeatedly � - trope. So only 3 stars from me.
September 24, 2019
Grace is my favorite Christiansen sibling.
July 9, 2014
When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren was a wonderful story! I truly enjoyed reading it. For that matter, I have enjoyed reading every book in this series. Grace and Max's story warmed my heart...and it enticed my taste buds.
What I Liked/Loved About This Book:
- The Christiansen family was a salt of the earth kind of family. They loved greatly. They showed compassion to many. They also believed in the power and purpose of God.
- Grace was confident but at the same time she was unsure of herself. She demonstrated her competence over and over again. Despite her paralyzing fears, she eventually opened herself up to change, opportunity, and love. As a result, she found herself. More than that, she found God. I really liked how Warren presented the ideas of surrender and abundant life through her story.
- Max's background or rather his hereditary challenge was devastating. It was completely and utterly unexpected. My heart broke for him and his brother. I loved how, as a reader, I got to see his faith, his frustration, and his walk toward love and freedom. The contrast between his reaction and his brother's reaction to the looming health threat was interesting to see. It was a great touch by Warren.
- Raina was a noteworthy character. I liked her story. It drew me in. I found myself wanting to learn everything I could about her. What drove her? What was she running from? Why did so much tragedy befall her? Why did she put herself into a position like she did? In one sense, I thought she was bold and brazen, but once I got to know her, I realized she was scared, scarred and searching. The way Warren sandblasted me with Raina's Christiansen sandwich...
- It was good to see Owen in this story. I recall him from book two. I liked him then and I liked him now. His rebel without a cause attitude was somewhat understandable. He was grieving. He was angry. He was lost. The thing is, he cared. Even though he tried not to, it was obvious he was going against himself. His whole performance reminded me of how we do as troubled saints. We allow ourselves to sometimes fall into sin or even more so, we totally immerse ourselves into a sinful life so that we don't have to face God. Warren did brilliantly with this setup. She laid the foundation for something greater. I cannot wait to see how grace stuns Owen and leads him to a mighty encounter with God.
- Casper was a Christiansen that I was happy to meet. Bringing him into the mix the way she did, Warren got me. Blindsided is more like it. Whew! It was interesting to see how he was both grounded and unsettled. He was strong and yet sensitive. He wanted adventure but he also craved family, familiarity, friendship or a combination thereof. His departure broke me into pieces. I cannot wait to see the outcome. Man!
- The letter that Grace's mom penned to her daughter was beautiful. It was perfect.
- I adored revisiting characters from books one and two. Being able to glimpse their love for each other, for their family, for their community, and for God was a treat.
- Warren's way of teaching and ministering was just right. She wrote in such a way that Scripture was weaved into the story effortlessly. Her conversation inspired and encouraged rather than burdened or beat up. Lesson after lesson regarding faith, surrender, and love was visited.
- The town of Deep Haven seemed magical. (Wrong word, but you get my meaning.) So much happened there from book one forward. It's like faith Capitol, USA. I want to go for a visit. It's the kind of place where transformation is surely inevitable.
- The matriarch and patriarch of the Christiansen clan always hold it down. I love this! Which leads me to mention Evergreen. Umm...what's next for these two? Warren got my attention. What gives?
- The food and cooking references in this book were delightful. Really! It made me want to go and experience Hawaiian cuisine for myself. I was like, "Food Network TV here I come! Make way for the ninja K." Hahaha...
- The discussion questions were good. It was a thoughtful touch added by Warren.
All in all, this book was well done. It was an easy, fast-paced read with a contemporary feel. The language in this story was clean and engaging. The romance was slow-building, and the chemistry between the main characters was evident. The conflict and POV for Grace and Max were clearly defined and developed. Subplots were presented but they did not take away from the main story in any way. Finally, rich lessons on faith were plentiful.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Bookshelf Worthy: Yes
Book Club Featured Read: Yes
Audience: Young Adult/Adult, Christian and non-Christian
A complimentary review copy of this title was made available by the publisher through the Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have shared are my own. I was neither required nor expected to submit a positive review.
What I Liked/Loved About This Book:
- The Christiansen family was a salt of the earth kind of family. They loved greatly. They showed compassion to many. They also believed in the power and purpose of God.
- Grace was confident but at the same time she was unsure of herself. She demonstrated her competence over and over again. Despite her paralyzing fears, she eventually opened herself up to change, opportunity, and love. As a result, she found herself. More than that, she found God. I really liked how Warren presented the ideas of surrender and abundant life through her story.
- Max's background or rather his hereditary challenge was devastating. It was completely and utterly unexpected. My heart broke for him and his brother. I loved how, as a reader, I got to see his faith, his frustration, and his walk toward love and freedom. The contrast between his reaction and his brother's reaction to the looming health threat was interesting to see. It was a great touch by Warren.
- Raina was a noteworthy character. I liked her story. It drew me in. I found myself wanting to learn everything I could about her. What drove her? What was she running from? Why did so much tragedy befall her? Why did she put herself into a position like she did? In one sense, I thought she was bold and brazen, but once I got to know her, I realized she was scared, scarred and searching. The way Warren sandblasted me with Raina's Christiansen sandwich...
- It was good to see Owen in this story. I recall him from book two. I liked him then and I liked him now. His rebel without a cause attitude was somewhat understandable. He was grieving. He was angry. He was lost. The thing is, he cared. Even though he tried not to, it was obvious he was going against himself. His whole performance reminded me of how we do as troubled saints. We allow ourselves to sometimes fall into sin or even more so, we totally immerse ourselves into a sinful life so that we don't have to face God. Warren did brilliantly with this setup. She laid the foundation for something greater. I cannot wait to see how grace stuns Owen and leads him to a mighty encounter with God.
- Casper was a Christiansen that I was happy to meet. Bringing him into the mix the way she did, Warren got me. Blindsided is more like it. Whew! It was interesting to see how he was both grounded and unsettled. He was strong and yet sensitive. He wanted adventure but he also craved family, familiarity, friendship or a combination thereof. His departure broke me into pieces. I cannot wait to see the outcome. Man!
- The letter that Grace's mom penned to her daughter was beautiful. It was perfect.
- I adored revisiting characters from books one and two. Being able to glimpse their love for each other, for their family, for their community, and for God was a treat.
- Warren's way of teaching and ministering was just right. She wrote in such a way that Scripture was weaved into the story effortlessly. Her conversation inspired and encouraged rather than burdened or beat up. Lesson after lesson regarding faith, surrender, and love was visited.
- The town of Deep Haven seemed magical. (Wrong word, but you get my meaning.) So much happened there from book one forward. It's like faith Capitol, USA. I want to go for a visit. It's the kind of place where transformation is surely inevitable.
- The matriarch and patriarch of the Christiansen clan always hold it down. I love this! Which leads me to mention Evergreen. Umm...what's next for these two? Warren got my attention. What gives?
- The food and cooking references in this book were delightful. Really! It made me want to go and experience Hawaiian cuisine for myself. I was like, "Food Network TV here I come! Make way for the ninja K." Hahaha...
- The discussion questions were good. It was a thoughtful touch added by Warren.
All in all, this book was well done. It was an easy, fast-paced read with a contemporary feel. The language in this story was clean and engaging. The romance was slow-building, and the chemistry between the main characters was evident. The conflict and POV for Grace and Max were clearly defined and developed. Subplots were presented but they did not take away from the main story in any way. Finally, rich lessons on faith were plentiful.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Bookshelf Worthy: Yes
Book Club Featured Read: Yes
Audience: Young Adult/Adult, Christian and non-Christian
A complimentary review copy of this title was made available by the publisher through the Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have shared are my own. I was neither required nor expected to submit a positive review.
November 15, 2022
This is my favorite of the Christiansen family series so far. Warren always manages to create relatable characters and weave in spiritual truths. One of my top books this year, if not ever!
August 3, 2014
I have throughly enjoyed the previous books in this series and did not expect this one to be any different. I was not disappointed. Ms. Warren tends to tackle the core of humanity in her books, and keeps you interested for the next one with characters that interwoven throughout each book. The Christiansen family is one that comes in many shapes and sizes. Grace is different than some of the other siblings in that, I didn’t see her as brash or outgoing like the rest, but instead, she seems more like her mom or that is how I felt.
Without giving any spoilers, I felt this book really talked about the hard part that someone might face if they knew they had a disease that would disable them in the future. The romantic side of me said “Awwww…� and then the practical side of me that lives with a spouse with a mentally debilitating disease said “Wow. I know it is not as romantic as all that. It can be a trail of tears for sure.�
I found that maybe the most ironic of all, was that the sentence that touched me the most from this whole book was in Ms. Warren’s Note from the Author. She states two stories about friends of hers. One that nursed her young husband through early onset Alzheimer’s, cared for him until she couldn’t anymore, divorced him and married someone else and how it haunted her.
Then another woman that married a man with brain cancer, nursed him through it, until he died three years later. She commented how the second woman felt robbed.
I read that and stopped to think. The one woman only lived with it for three years and felt positively, while the other, it was a long process.
As someone that it is a long, slow process of watching your spouse go downhill mentally, I know what that woman felt that left her husband for someone else. I also, know that it would not be easier to leave and find someone else.
All that to say, this book is not just a happy story, but one that you will set down and think. It has some romance in it, and it geared with topics that are more appropriate for an adult audience, not teens. I found that it really walked you through the emotional turmoil of the characters without seeming overly dramatic.
One of my favorite parts of this story was the talk of the food. I am not a seafood lover, but I love cooking, so it was amazing to me to read about the food!
If you visit this site now, there is a contest going on with your own food creations. You could win a kitchen aid mixer.
Without giving any spoilers, I felt this book really talked about the hard part that someone might face if they knew they had a disease that would disable them in the future. The romantic side of me said “Awwww…� and then the practical side of me that lives with a spouse with a mentally debilitating disease said “Wow. I know it is not as romantic as all that. It can be a trail of tears for sure.�
I found that maybe the most ironic of all, was that the sentence that touched me the most from this whole book was in Ms. Warren’s Note from the Author. She states two stories about friends of hers. One that nursed her young husband through early onset Alzheimer’s, cared for him until she couldn’t anymore, divorced him and married someone else and how it haunted her.
Then another woman that married a man with brain cancer, nursed him through it, until he died three years later. She commented how the second woman felt robbed.
I read that and stopped to think. The one woman only lived with it for three years and felt positively, while the other, it was a long process.
As someone that it is a long, slow process of watching your spouse go downhill mentally, I know what that woman felt that left her husband for someone else. I also, know that it would not be easier to leave and find someone else.
All that to say, this book is not just a happy story, but one that you will set down and think. It has some romance in it, and it geared with topics that are more appropriate for an adult audience, not teens. I found that it really walked you through the emotional turmoil of the characters without seeming overly dramatic.
One of my favorite parts of this story was the talk of the food. I am not a seafood lover, but I love cooking, so it was amazing to me to read about the food!
If you visit this site now, there is a contest going on with your own food creations. You could win a kitchen aid mixer.
July 30, 2014
When visiting Susan May Warren's Christiansen family, it's like visiting your aunt & uncle - you know there will be a warm welcome and the familiar strength of family love, but you never know the fun you'll have or the life lessons you'll learn until the day is over. That's how the latest in the Christiansen Family series is, When I Fall In Love.
Grace Christiansen, homebody and local restaurant manager, wants something more from life in Deep Haven, but she’s a little reluctant to risk any major changes. When her family surprises her with a culinary trip to Hawaii, she faces her fear of failure and sets out to realize her dreams and God’s plans for her life may be more � and better � than even she could imagine. When she teams up with Blue Ox player Max Sharpe for a cooking competition, he starts to show her that adventure can be found in everyday life. Max has his own problems and reasons for keeping his distance from Grace, but a vacation in paradise may prove to change his attitude toward finding a future with a family.
Watching Grace and Max's relationship develop through this story is quite the ride. We see them each experience trials and struggles with self-worth, the fun and possibility of pursuing dreams, and the fulfillment Christ gives when we let Him direct our steps. The message of grace and Christ's love is beautifully woven through this story.
It's hard for an author to establish a large, loving family on the page without making them sound too "perfect", but Susan does a fantastic job depicting realistic characters. I love how the Christiansens are such a model family. Though not without their flaws, each one loves and supports their siblings or children through joys and struggles.
There's a small side plot with one of Grace's siblings, Casper (the fun treasure-hunter one), and it takes place back in Deep Haven while Grace is in Hawaii. The occasional perspective from the woods and lakes of Minnesota was an interesting contrast with the beaches of Hawaii. I'm anxious to see where Casper's (and brother Owen's) stories go in the next book in the Christiansen Family series, Always On My Mind (releasing 2015).
You can also read this review on my blog.
Note: Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.
Grace Christiansen, homebody and local restaurant manager, wants something more from life in Deep Haven, but she’s a little reluctant to risk any major changes. When her family surprises her with a culinary trip to Hawaii, she faces her fear of failure and sets out to realize her dreams and God’s plans for her life may be more � and better � than even she could imagine. When she teams up with Blue Ox player Max Sharpe for a cooking competition, he starts to show her that adventure can be found in everyday life. Max has his own problems and reasons for keeping his distance from Grace, but a vacation in paradise may prove to change his attitude toward finding a future with a family.
Watching Grace and Max's relationship develop through this story is quite the ride. We see them each experience trials and struggles with self-worth, the fun and possibility of pursuing dreams, and the fulfillment Christ gives when we let Him direct our steps. The message of grace and Christ's love is beautifully woven through this story.
It's hard for an author to establish a large, loving family on the page without making them sound too "perfect", but Susan does a fantastic job depicting realistic characters. I love how the Christiansens are such a model family. Though not without their flaws, each one loves and supports their siblings or children through joys and struggles.
There's a small side plot with one of Grace's siblings, Casper (the fun treasure-hunter one), and it takes place back in Deep Haven while Grace is in Hawaii. The occasional perspective from the woods and lakes of Minnesota was an interesting contrast with the beaches of Hawaii. I'm anxious to see where Casper's (and brother Owen's) stories go in the next book in the Christiansen Family series, Always On My Mind (releasing 2015).
You can also read this review on my blog.
Note: Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.
March 29, 2016
*happy sigh* That was my first reaction during and after finishing this wonderful story! Ms. Warren certainly knows how to write characters who I fall in love with immediately. Grace and Max are simply delightful to get to know! :)
The thing about Ms. Warren's writing though, isn't just that she has great characters, it's that she tackles some tough subjects in her stories and strikes you in the heart with how real it feels. Grace and Max both have things in their lives that are hard. Max most especially, and the way Ms. Warren handles it is brilliant. Max's choices aren't always the right ones, but yet you understand why he makes them. He's got such a tender heart and doesn't want anyone else to suffer with him. Which is noble, but still. Nobility is for the birds! Grace is so good for him though. I really enjoyed watching their friendship bloom.
Relationships that start from a friendship are one of my favorites to read about. And Max and Grace have an amazing friendship! They understand one another and work so great together, especially in the kitchen. The cooking competition was fun! Plus it gave them something to bond on. And the way that continues throughout the rest of the story is so sweet. They take care of each other.
Yes, obviously their relationship is the highlight of the entire story. But there's so much more awesomeness in between their bickering and fun! I loved seeing the other couples from the first two books show up. (Another thing I love about a series like this. Where each book can be a stand alone, yet the characters all connect and show up in each one.) And just the Christianson family as a whole is wonderful. The way they care for and love each other is just how a family should be. It made me want to jump into the story just to be part of them all! :)
So. In short, I think you should definitely read this one. It's fabulous and lovely and fantastic and...well, you get the picture. Read it!
The thing about Ms. Warren's writing though, isn't just that she has great characters, it's that she tackles some tough subjects in her stories and strikes you in the heart with how real it feels. Grace and Max both have things in their lives that are hard. Max most especially, and the way Ms. Warren handles it is brilliant. Max's choices aren't always the right ones, but yet you understand why he makes them. He's got such a tender heart and doesn't want anyone else to suffer with him. Which is noble, but still. Nobility is for the birds! Grace is so good for him though. I really enjoyed watching their friendship bloom.
Relationships that start from a friendship are one of my favorites to read about. And Max and Grace have an amazing friendship! They understand one another and work so great together, especially in the kitchen. The cooking competition was fun! Plus it gave them something to bond on. And the way that continues throughout the rest of the story is so sweet. They take care of each other.
Yes, obviously their relationship is the highlight of the entire story. But there's so much more awesomeness in between their bickering and fun! I loved seeing the other couples from the first two books show up. (Another thing I love about a series like this. Where each book can be a stand alone, yet the characters all connect and show up in each one.) And just the Christianson family as a whole is wonderful. The way they care for and love each other is just how a family should be. It made me want to jump into the story just to be part of them all! :)
So. In short, I think you should definitely read this one. It's fabulous and lovely and fantastic and...well, you get the picture. Read it!
October 22, 2014
Review on Amazon:
Review on my blog (to be posted 7/30):
When I Fall In Love is the third "Christiansen" novel and another stunning read. This series has become one of my favorite family sagas -- right up there with Dani Pettrey's Alaskan Courage -- and I can't wait to read more!
When I Fall In Love was Grace and Max's story, although parts of the book featured Casper and his possible new relationship. I loved everything about Grace's and Max's journey -- from the plane ride, to the Hawaii trip, to their nicknames for each other (so cute!). Their journey wasn't easy and there were some sad moments, but it was very touching and had a great message.
Overall, another wonderful read from Susan May Warren. Very realistic and I can't wait to see what happens in the next Christiansen story -- especially with the way things left off with Casper! I definitely recommend When I Fall In Love!
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
Review on my blog (to be posted 7/30):
When I Fall In Love is the third "Christiansen" novel and another stunning read. This series has become one of my favorite family sagas -- right up there with Dani Pettrey's Alaskan Courage -- and I can't wait to read more!
When I Fall In Love was Grace and Max's story, although parts of the book featured Casper and his possible new relationship. I loved everything about Grace's and Max's journey -- from the plane ride, to the Hawaii trip, to their nicknames for each other (so cute!). Their journey wasn't easy and there were some sad moments, but it was very touching and had a great message.
Overall, another wonderful read from Susan May Warren. Very realistic and I can't wait to see what happens in the next Christiansen story -- especially with the way things left off with Casper! I definitely recommend When I Fall In Love!
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
January 18, 2016
I liked this book. Yes, it's Christian chic-lit, but it's also a lot more than that. Yes, the main characters are always beautiful and nearly perfect physically, but their emotions/struggles makes the story something more. Yes the story is predictable, but it's still an enjoyable light read that has depth to it.
I enjoyed the Hawaii setting as it brought back wonderful memories of a trip I took there several years ago. I enjoyed the cooking aspect to the story and thought it was a fresh plot device.
And I appreciated the author including something so tough as Huntington Disease in her story. Max's struggle was very realistic and the ending I thought was likewise realistic. Perhaps this book struck a cord with me because it's happened to small degree in my own world. My sister married a man who was struggling with a chronic life-long illness that eventually killed him. She went into the relationship knowing this was a possibility, but she still chose to marry him. They had tough times, but they also had a wonderful marriage that lasted 9 years before he died. She never regretted her decision. Life has pain, life has death, but because we will face these things it doesn't mean we shouldn't live and love life today. The "lessons" that Grace and Max learn in this book are valid and real.
As for the side story - at first I really just blew through those portions of chapters. I felt like they were "interruptions" to the main story, but I realize the author needed to bring this side story in so she can follow up with it in a later book. Honestly, I never really liked the heroine in this side-story, but since she's not going away I figure I'll eventually warm up to her.
I enjoyed the Hawaii setting as it brought back wonderful memories of a trip I took there several years ago. I enjoyed the cooking aspect to the story and thought it was a fresh plot device.
And I appreciated the author including something so tough as Huntington Disease in her story. Max's struggle was very realistic and the ending I thought was likewise realistic. Perhaps this book struck a cord with me because it's happened to small degree in my own world. My sister married a man who was struggling with a chronic life-long illness that eventually killed him. She went into the relationship knowing this was a possibility, but she still chose to marry him. They had tough times, but they also had a wonderful marriage that lasted 9 years before he died. She never regretted her decision. Life has pain, life has death, but because we will face these things it doesn't mean we shouldn't live and love life today. The "lessons" that Grace and Max learn in this book are valid and real.
As for the side story - at first I really just blew through those portions of chapters. I felt like they were "interruptions" to the main story, but I realize the author needed to bring this side story in so she can follow up with it in a later book. Honestly, I never really liked the heroine in this side-story, but since she's not going away I figure I'll eventually warm up to her.
July 10, 2014
When I Fall In Love is a wonderful read, and an enjoyable return visit with the Christenson family. Of course, there are family conflicts, and Owen; the bad boy is still having a hard time. If you remember from the last book he was badly injured in a hockey brawl. He still has that chip on his shoulder, if you haven’t read the previous two books in this series, I heartily recommend that you do, but information is given to get you up to date to read this one alone.
As the book opens Darek and Ivy have just begun their lives together, and we are planning the wedding [from the second book] of Eden and Jace. Grace, another sister, has just put on the reception for Derek and Ivy and the family has gifted her with a trip to Hawaii, nice gift!
We also have a sort of set up with Max Sharpe, another hockey player, he happens to be going to a three week, also in Hawaii, getaway of cooking, his other passion. He has so many daemons and I couldn’t blame him, but living his faith, he needs to lean on God. God doesn’t give us any guarantees and life is very fragile and can be gone in a moment, one never knows, thank goodness.
Is there a possible romance here? You can see the passion, and enjoy you time on the big Island, and then back to Minnesota. This is another page turning read by Ms. Warren, it deals with some very tough issues, and there are more than one. I personally cannot wait for the next book in this series!
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
As the book opens Darek and Ivy have just begun their lives together, and we are planning the wedding [from the second book] of Eden and Jace. Grace, another sister, has just put on the reception for Derek and Ivy and the family has gifted her with a trip to Hawaii, nice gift!
We also have a sort of set up with Max Sharpe, another hockey player, he happens to be going to a three week, also in Hawaii, getaway of cooking, his other passion. He has so many daemons and I couldn’t blame him, but living his faith, he needs to lean on God. God doesn’t give us any guarantees and life is very fragile and can be gone in a moment, one never knows, thank goodness.
Is there a possible romance here? You can see the passion, and enjoy you time on the big Island, and then back to Minnesota. This is another page turning read by Ms. Warren, it deals with some very tough issues, and there are more than one. I personally cannot wait for the next book in this series!
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
July 25, 2014
Grace Christiansen is preparing to go culinary school. When her family surprises her with a trip to Hawaii for a cooking retreat, she is forced out of her safe, comfortable world. She didn't expect to fall in love while she was there though. Maxwell Sharpe lives on the ice as a hockey player, but he really loves cooking. For the past few years he has gone to the culinary retreat in Hawaii. When he's asked to help Grace out, he reluctantly agrees. As he and Grace get to know one another, he finds himself falling for her. Only that's something he knows he can't do. Will he figure out a way to battle his own demons to find happiness with Grace?
I think that this may be my favorite one of this series so far. The Christiansen family is one of faith and love. Yet each of the siblings must come to understand that faith and love in their own ways. I loved Grace. I loved how her family saw something in her that others didn't and pushed her out of her comfort zone. I loved how Max doubted and wanted to protect Grace. I loved the relationships with the other siblings. I cannot wait for the next book. I'm hoping it's Casper's story.
I read this book for pure pleasure as part of Tyndale's Summer Reading Program. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Karen Kingsbury, Laura Frantz, Julie Lessman, Melissa Tagg, Becky Wade, Debbie MacComber
Rating - 5 stars
I think that this may be my favorite one of this series so far. The Christiansen family is one of faith and love. Yet each of the siblings must come to understand that faith and love in their own ways. I loved Grace. I loved how her family saw something in her that others didn't and pushed her out of her comfort zone. I loved how Max doubted and wanted to protect Grace. I loved the relationships with the other siblings. I cannot wait for the next book. I'm hoping it's Casper's story.
I read this book for pure pleasure as part of Tyndale's Summer Reading Program. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Karen Kingsbury, Laura Frantz, Julie Lessman, Melissa Tagg, Becky Wade, Debbie MacComber
Rating - 5 stars
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