Be Mine (Book 2 in the Love and Trust Trilogy) by Shannon Guymon

Synopsis taken from Goodreads: Men are terrifying to Bailey Downing. Not that she wants anyone to know that, but with her mom insisting she fall in love and Kam Matafeo pushing her to feel things she doesn't want to feel, Bailey is determined to make a nice, safe choice. Dean Hogan is the perfect man for her. Smart, wealthy, charming and best of all, safe. But when her romance begins to unravel with Dean, she's faced with a choice: open her heart, or stay safe, cold and lonely. Kam is determined to help Bailey no matter what it takes and with the support of her sister Taryn and her brother Rob, she makes the decision to be brave. But Kam's ex-girlfriend Meredith isn't shy about wanting him back. Bailey will have to learn to fight for what she really wants. The question is, would she rather be safe or would she rather be loved.

Christina's Review: Another great read from Shannon Guymon! Be Mine continues from where Come to Me leaves off; only this time the story focuses more on Bailey and Kam. One thing that I love about reading Shannon Guymon's series are the characters from the previous stories show up and you get to read more about them and their story. In the Love and Trust Trilogy you get appearances from the Kendall sisters from the Love and Dessert series. It's so nice to sit back and relax with a good book. This one won't disappoint. It is a good clean story with good characters and good conflicts. I also love that you get to read the next book in the series so quickly. It always stinks to wait months or even years for a sequel to come out. And isn't the cover incredible!?! I'm excited to read book 3!!!

Come to Me (Book 1 in the Love and Trust Trilogy) by Shannon Guymon

Book Synopsis taken from Goodreads: Will the past repeat itself? Rob hasn't had the best of luck when it comes to women and his epic failure with Kit  Kendall is still very fresh. Rob might be successful in sports and in business but does he have what it takes to be successful in love? When Rob gets to know Wren Tyler, his sous chef, he's willing to try again even knowing he could get hurt. Wren on the other hand, is very attracted to Rob, but she knows she's not in his league. So when he starts to pay her attention, who could blame her for being a little suspicious? But have Wren's past heartbreaks destroyed her ability to trust? And will Rob be able to overcome his past failures and become the man Wren needs him to be? Only true love will be able to heal Wren's heart and help her trust again.

Christina's Review: If you loved the love and dessert trilogy, you will love the first book in Shannon's newest Love and Trust trilogy- Come to Me. It was fun to read about Rob to see if he had learned from his past mistakes or would history repeat itself? Shannon does a fabulous job developing her characters. In fact you get to see more of the characters from the love and dessert series! The characters are great. There is more chocolate and other yummy sounding desserts and entrees! Reading this might make you hungry :) I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down. And look at that cover, it's gorgeous!! I'm looking forward to books 2 and 3!!

My Sweetheart (Love and Dessert #3) by Shannon Guymon

Loved it! Strong finish to the trilogy. Loved Jane's story. Great to see all the story lines tied up. Shannon Guymon is a great writer! She has a way of pulling you into her story, into her character's life. There were moments in the story that my eyes got a little misty :) I loved the trilogy. Each book was fabulous! Loved the Kendall sisters and their special bond . I recommend this book -- after you read the first two of course!! And I am already looking forward to whatever Shannon writes nex...more Jane Kendall loves her new life. She loves baking. She loves working with her sisters. And oh yeah, she loves Tate Matafeo most of all. Which would be great if he loved her back. Jane refuses to let heartbreak rule her life though, so she turns to Google and finds 10 easy steps on How To Fall Out Of Love. As helpful as Google is, Tate Matafeo is a hard habit to break especially when her new friend Meredith insists she come to a Rugby game and Tate happens to be on the team. Alex Foster is one man willing to take her mind off of Tate, but Jane knows trouble when she sees it and ends up getting a restraining order. Between Kit’s wedding, Tate’s mixed signals, Alex’s obsession and her father’s rehab, Jane wonders if she’ll ever get her happy ending Christina's Review: Loved it! Strong finish to the trilogy. Loved Jane's story. Great to see all the story lines tied up. Shannon Guymon is a great writer! She has a way of pulling you into her story, into her character's life. There were moments in the story that my eyes got a little misty :) I loved the trilogy. Each book was fabulous! Loved the Kendall sisters and their special bond . I recommend this book -- after you read the first two of course!! And I am already looking forward to whatever Shannon writes next.

I Belong With You (Love and Dessert #2) by Shannon Guymon

Kit Kendall moved to Fircrest with her sisters, Layla and Jane in the hopes of starting over. Baking bread instead of painting is quite the transition but she's never been happier in her life. Too bad life has a habit of throwing her curve balls and Rob Downing, the owner of the Iron Skillet might just be too much to handle. She's not sure whether or not she should catch him or throw in her mitt. Especially when Hunter shows up and decides she's the woman for him. As Kit tries to figure out what her heart has been telling her all along, the bakery comes under attack from a saboteur intent on ruining Belinda's Bakery. With Layla and Michael's wedding only weeks away, they're determined to find the culprit because no one's getting in the way of this happy ending.

Christina's Review: I Belong With You is a cute love story. Shannon Guymon has delivered once again another great story! I loved the first one and was so excited to read the second book in the series. It continues following the Kendall sisters' lives and relationships. There is a happy mix of new and old characters. This one follows Kit's search for a happy ending. Will she find it? Shannon writes so well. The characters have you smiling along with them. When they face heartache you feel for them. It is fun to read about sisters who share such a strong bond!! I definitely recommend this series and I am already excited for book 3!

You Belong With Me (Love and Dessert#1) by Shannon Guymon

 

Layla Kendall is the oldest of three sisters. She's a burned out social worker one step away from a major depression and she needs a fresh start. When she and her sisters Kit and Jane inherit their grandmother's bakery, she doesn't know if she can trust her good fortune or not. Life has taught her that happiness is just an illusion. But the chance to be with her sisters and get away from the heart ache and pain she's faced day in and day out is a chance she's going to take. The fact that they don't know anything about running a bakery won't stop them. With Layla's new life, come new connections and friendships including Michael Bender, a single dad and someone who wouldn't mind getting to know Layla better. She doesn't trust men and she doesn't want to change her mind but Michael's little girl Stella grabs her by the heart and won't let go. When Layla and her sisters realize that there are people who want to see them fail, it will take a lot of heart and courage to keep going. Layla will have to let go of the past in order to grab onto the future if she'll ever find the love she needs.



Christina's Review: I have always been a fan of Shannon Guymon. I was sad when her Alpine series finished. I was happy to hear she was starting a new series, the Love and Dessert trilogy. You Belong With Me is the first book in the trilogy. It is a really good story. The series is about three sisters: Layla, Kit, and Jane. You Belong with Me is Layla's story. Layla is a strong woman. The oldest sister who feels like she needs to watch over and protect her younger sisters. I could really relate to her because I am the oldest and I feel that same way. This book is so touching as you read about the three sisters. You can truly feel their love for each other. It is a great book and a great start to the trilogy. You'll be hooked just like I was and will want to continue with book 2!! Loved it! Highly recommend this book!!! Go read it!!

Do Over by Shannon Guymon

Taken from Goodreads.com:  Who wouldn't be tired of dating after falling for the wrong woman over and over again? Trey has decided to take a much-needed break from the fairer sex, until Iris tumbles into his life. Their romance will either be a disaster waiting to happen or the best fairy tale since Sleeping Beauty. This final installment of the Alpine series will have you giving love another chance.

Christina's Review: I absolutely love Shannon Guymon's books. I have all of them and I have read all of them over and over again. I love the Alpine series and I am sad to see it end. This is her last book in the Alpine series. I LOVED it. I started it and couldn't put it down. It was so fun to read about the characters that are in the other books; to see Maggie, Sophie, Jacie, and Allison again. Trey and Iris are great characters and it is fun to read about the journey together as they move forward in life after both suffering heartbreak. . . although Trey's heartbreak in the book I think is a little overdone (if you read the Broken Road you will understand). But it is his heartbreak so who am I to judge? The writing is great, the story is great. You see a side of Sophie that you haven't seen before. You cheer for Iris as she confronts her past and lets herself be the person she wants to be. She is an independent woman and doesn't need to be the person her ex or her parents have molded her into. It is a great way to end the series of books about so many wonderful women who have to deal with different issues that have helped them learn and grow closer to each other. I highly recommend this book and the others she has written BUT I would recommend reading them in order: Makeover, Taking Chances, The Broken Road, and then Do Over. She is definitely one of my favorite authors!!!

The Broken Road by Shannon Guymon

Synopsis from Goodreads.com: When Allison moves her two younger siblings back to Alpine, Utah, she's hoping they can overcome their father's dark legacy. Reuniting all your favorite characters from Makeover and Taking Chances, this inspirational tale of love and forgiveness will remind you that a family consists of the people who love you most and that nothing in the past can dim the brightness of your future.

Christina's Review: Shannon Guymon is one of my favorite authors in the LDS fiction genre. I love that her characters from previous stories appear in her new books. . . so it would be best to read them in order or it will ruin her other books. I love how she picks different real life situations to write about.

The characters are likeable and interesting. They have their conflicts and personal issues. Allison has to deal with people who blame her for her father's mistakes and who use her past against her. She has to rise above that to take care of her two siblings.

I hope that Shannon Guymon has more in store for us!