Beth K. Vogt

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a RomCom that was absolute perfection and completely blew me away, but Dedicated to the One I Love did that and more!

First, let’s talk about the cover.

I am head over heels in LOVE with this cover!! Two of my signature colors are highlighted and every time I look at this cover I smile. It truly makes me happy to look at, so kudos to whomever designed this simple yet stylish cover. It mirrors this charming story perfectly and deserves a shout out.

Now, show more about the story itself.

Joe and Kylie have more than one connection with one another, though they do not know this fact right away. Not only are they both successful writers in their respective genres, but they also have connected online, and has struck up a friendship that is reminiscent of You’ve Got Mail (one of my all-time favorite RomCom’s). When the online pair finally decide to meet it’s clear that the relaxed relationship that they’ve had online is not the relationship they share in their professional lives, which makes their upcoming collaboration all the more messy.

I love the enemies-to-lovers troupe but in Dedicated to the One I Love you also get a friends-to-lovers troupe as well, which feels like a cute little bonus. Joe and Kylie are both so much alike, with both being insanely stubborn and both are so passionate about the genres that they write in, that it’s clear that they’ve met their match. Joe’s stubbornness was especially grating, especially when he continuously refuses to see the blessings that are right in front of him, even when Kylie is just trying to do what needs to be done. It takes a lot of patience, and some pretty crazy mishaps to occur before Joe opens his eyes to this amazing and unique situation, and the blessing that is right in front of him.

Kylie had my heart, especially as she adjusts to widowhood on top of dealing with hard-headed Joe, but my favorite part of this novel was actually the supporting cast which is serious #friendgoals. They don’t overshadow the leads, but complement them both to perfection, and man do I want a friend group like what Kylie has! There were some frustrating moments, some swoon moments, and some heart melting moments, and I was here for it all! I wish so much that this could’ve been part of a series because I could see so many more stories that could blossom from this novel, and I hated to see this story end.

To say I am in love with this novel is an understatement, as this was hands down my favorite read so far this summer. I did not put it down and read it in one sitting, staying up into the wee summer hours, and losing sleep, but it was worth it! The cover gives you the vibe and the story brings it all home. It’s truly the perfect RomCom package, and a must read for sure.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. show less

Moments We Forget is the second book in Beth Vogt’s Thatcher Sisters series. I somehow missed book 1, but that did not keep me from fully engaging in this touching story of loss and hope. The novel is contemporary women’s fiction at its best. Vogt’s characterization is spot-on as she develops the sometimes uneasy relationship between sisters Jillian, Johanna, and Payton. The book is told in Jillian’s first person voice with third person POV glimpses into Johanna and Payton’s lives. show more And while the story focuses mostly on Jillian, Vogt does a great job of advancing the other two’s story lines. Jillian has come out on the other side of breast cancer clinging to the hope for a return to normal. Unfortunately, there is a new normal. I am the daughter of a breast cancer survivor and have several close friends who have come through that fight, but (to my shame) I never realized the struggles that survivors face even as they get a cured report. Moments We Forget really opened my eyes. But while Jillian’s breast cancer journey is part of the story, it is not the final word. Her search for identity and turn towards God are more than believable. This middle daughter who has always lived with the label of just Jillian, learns a lot about herself, her marriage, her family, and the relationship she can have with God who impacts all those things.

Complex family dynamics, well-written dialog, believable characterization, relevant themes — you will find all these and more in Moments We Forget. I flew through this book and am eager to go back and read book 1, Things I Never Told You (it’s already waiting on my Kindle). I highly recommend this book — it is one of the best I have read this year.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

4.5 stars.

In her latest release, Beth K. Vogt does a magnificent job of turning what could be a stereotypical romance storyline into an incredibly moving story that tugs, no yanks, at the heartstrings. Somebody Like You is a beautiful story of love, loss and healing that will move readers to tears as widow Haley Ames unexpectedly finds love with her husband's estranged twin brother, Stephen.

Haley is a tough, strong, independent woman who has lost her way following her husband Sam's death in show more Afghanistan. Grieving her loss is difficult enough, but trying to pick up the pieces of her life while preparing for the birth of their child is almost impossible. Haley prides herself on being able to handle what life throws her way but figuring out what comes next leaves her immobilized at this juncture. Coupled with her grief are her regrets of how she handled events in the weeks prior to Sam's death. And learning the secrets that Sam kept raises questions that will never be answered and causes her to doubt herself and her marriage.

Stephen is riddled with guilt and regret after he learns about Sam's death. Following their parents' acrimonious divorce when they were teenagers, divided parental loyalties slowly destroyed their once close relationship. Stephen went to live with their father and stepmother while Sam lived with their mom and their visits soon became infrequent and strained. Sam's decision to enlist in the army following graduation culminates in the twelve-year estrangement between the brothers. Stephen made a couple of half-hearted gestures to reconcile that led nowhere and after Sam's death, he hopes Haley can fill in the blanks about the intervening years. Stunned to learn that Sam never mentioned he had a twin, Haley is at first unwilling to give him the answers he is looking for. But his persistence pays off and both he and Haley are surprised by their growing feelings for one another.

Stephen and Haley's relationship is incredibly complex and not only are there issues standing in the way of them as a couple, they are also facing individual problems as well. Haley struggles to admit that sometimes, everyone needs help and that this does not make her weak. She is forced to face her fears and doubts about her marriage. Stephen wrestles with his guilt over letting his estrangement with Sam last without making a concerted effort to repair the rift between them. Making peace with his long ago decision means accepting the unintended consequences that go with it but that is easier said than done. Both Haley and Stephen have to come to terms with the fact that they have questions that may never get answered.

There is also a strong element of faith in Somebody Like You. Haley and Stephen have an unwavering faith in God and both believe in the power of prayer. It is no coincidence that Stephen enters Haley's life just when she needs him the most, but they both have strong reservations about entering into a relationship with one another. It isn't until God's voice becomes too powerful to avoid that they accept the path He has chosen for them to follow.

Beth K. Vogt's Somebody Like You is a captivating and heartfelt journey of healing, forgiveness and love that is poignant but uplifting. This must read novel is one that touches the heart and lingers long after the last page has been turned. show less

I was immensely charmed by this story. The flow is exceptional, the holiday cheer is near bursting, and the relationship between Ben and Mila is something special. This novel had me as soon as I read the words ‘Tiffany’ and ‘Thanksgiving’. I am so ready for all of the upcoming holiday festivities!

Mila is blind, and her stubbornness is almost her downfall in the ways of love. She’s let past misconceptions cloud her judgement and has a skewed view of reality. I see a lot of a younger show more me in her character, which isn’t a good thing. The more I read, the more I appreciated Ben’s integrity. While he can’t help his feelings for his best friend, he also doesn’t want to be the reason she breaks up her current relationship and wants her to choose him with no malicious intent. This is the kind of protagonist I can get behind! I did not, however, like how Mila’s boyfriend was written, and by the end, Mila herself was a bit annoying, but other than those small qualms, I was pretty smitten.

Friends-to-more isn’t one of my favorite tropes, but I was won over by the whole cast in this book. The good-natured characters paired with the dreamy holiday setting had my Hallmark-loving soul reveling in it all. The Christmas traditions and moments were some of my favorite scenes in the book, where the holiday cheer is maxed out!

One thing that mirrored real life were the wedding pitfalls that happened. When I was reading, I was in the middle of helping my sister plan her wedding, and let me tell you, it is not for the faint of heart. It was fun to read about wedding planning that I did not have to actively be part of. Such a charming Christmas story!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. show less