Bookmarked for Love by Sarah Monzon: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

Can a jeopardized children's library program spark a partnership that saves their careers but costs them their hearts?

When children's librarian Martha Aldridge learns about budget cuts that will not only put her out of a job but also shut down the library's children's programs, she's determined to raise the funds needed to save both. The good news is, she knows just who to ask for a large donation on the library's behalf. The bad news? She swore she'd never step foot in his office again.

Julien King has been groomed to one day run his family's publishing empire, and now he must prove he's ready to take the helm by turning around the company's languishing children's imprint. That wouldn't be a problem, except he doesn't know the first thing about children's literature. So when Martha waltzes into his office, he sees an opportunity and makes her an offer she can't refuse. He'll give her the money she needs for the library in exchange for her help in acquiring a bestselling manuscript that will resurrect the dying imprint. The longer they're forced to work together, however, the more they come to realize their jobs may not be the only thing on the line.

In her charming rom-com style, Sarah Monzon delivers a bookish novel brimming with forced proximity, workplace romance, a curvy and plus-size heroine, the silver fox trope, and middle-age romance. For fans of Pepper Basham, Courtney Walsh, and Becky Wade.

The Author

Winner of the Holt Medallion and Selah Award, Sarah Monzon is a stay-at-home mom who makes up imaginary friends to have adult conversations with (otherwise known as writing novels). As a navy chaplain's wife, she resides wherever the military happens to station her family and enjoys exploring the beauty of the world around her.

Book Review

I have enjoyed every book that I have read by Sarah Monzon, but I have to say, I think the Checking Out Love series has been my favorite of hers so far! I mean, bookish heroines and punny titles, not to mention stories that are both heartfelt and humorous... what's not to love? I think the thing that I really love about this series is the unique variety of characters and the struggles that set them apart. In this book, we see that with Martha being a plus-size heroine and in both characters being a little older as well. Beyond that though, the romance between Martha and Julien was just really sweet. They knew each other when she was a child, him a teenager so there was a bit of familiarity there, and I loved getting to see them get to know one another as adults and get their happily ever after. This is another great addition to the series and a must read if you love bookish themes! 

Bookmarked for Love is a Christian romance with kisses only and no language. It is the third book in the Checking Out Love series and while I do recommend the series as a whole, I do think this one could be enjoyed as a standalone as well. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4vmEKaf