Book Review: Almost Like Being in Love by Beth K. Vogt

ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE by Beth K.  Vogt
SERIES: Destination Wedding #2
GENRE: Contemporary Romance (Christian)
PUBLISHER: Howard Books
RELEASE DATE: June 28, 2016
PAGES: 386

From the author of Somebody Like You, a RITA finalist, and one of Publishers Weekly’s top ten books of 2014, comes the story of a woman who has everything for a perfect wedding—except the groom!

Winning an all-expenses paid Colorado destination wedding might seem like a dream come true for some people—but Caron Hollister and her boyfriend Alex Madison aren’t even engaged. How is she supposed to tell him she’s won their wedding and honeymoon when he hasn’t asked her to marry him? Being “perfect for one another” seems like the absolute best reason to get married. But what if their supposedly faultless relationship is merely a safe place to protect his secrets and a way to keep their families happy? After quitting her job, Caron accepts her best friend’s offer to visit Colorado. She needs to catch her breath. Who knows, maybe visiting the destination wedding site will make a future with Alex seem like a reality.

Kade Webster just landed the biggest deal of his life with his company, Webster Select Realty, participating in the Colorado Springs Tour of Homes. He never imagined he would run into the woman who broke his heart—Caron Hollister—right when his career is taking off. Seeing her again, Kade can’t help but wonder why Caron walked away from him years ago, leaving him with no explanation. When Kade learns his home stager won’t be able to help with the Tour of Homes, he vaults past all the reasons he should stay away from Caron, and offers her a temporary job helping him on the project. This time, their relationship is purely business.

Spending time with Kade has Caron questioning everything. The man intrigues her—at times infuriates her—and reminds her of what she lost. Has she been settling for what everyone expects of her? Just because others believe she and Alex are an ideal couple, does that mean they should get married? And how can Caron say “I do” to one man when she’s wondering “what if?” about another?

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Two years ago, Caron Hollister chose her father’s approval over Kade Webster’s love. Not long after that, she began dating her childhood neighbor/best friend Alex Madison. Things were going smoothly… but now everything seems to be falling apart as issues that long needed to be addressed are bubbling to the surface. And at the beginning of Almost Like Being in Love, it feels like Caron Hollister has 99 problems.

• Problem #1 – she is jobless after impulsively quitting her realtor job.
• Problem #2 – her now-former boss is also her dad. Awkward!

Aha! But there’s a temporary solution! Her engaged best friend Margo invites Caron to head to Colorado earlier than planned to help with Margo’s wedding preparations.

Oops! That causes more problems!

• Problem #3 – she accidentally wins a destination wedding at a beautiful mountain resort.
• Problem #4 – she and Alex are dating but he has definitely not proposed (Problem #4.5 – the mountains are NOT his choice for a wedding destination)
• Problem #5 – while in Colorado, she runs into Kade aka Margo’s realtor (Problem #5.5. – he hasn’t gotten over her)
• Problem #6 – She hasn’t gotten over him either.

Now, if I lost anyone over the possibility of a love triangle, please come back. I loathe love triangles. Really and truly hate them. But I did NOT hate this one. One is clearly right for her, one is clearly wrong, but I honestly liked both guys and didn’t want to see anybody hurt. Which is why I absolutely loved how Vogt handled this potentially-sticky situation. It was perfect for these characters and their relationships with Caron, and if I hadn’t already been a big fan of this author’s books, this aspect of the story would have made me one!

Beyond the romance, Almost Like Being in Love gently addresses deeper topics like alcoholism, family dysfunction, forgiveness, giving back to veterans, and being a people pleaser. All three main characters – Caron, Alex, and Kade – have some firmly-rooted issues they need to work through before they’re ready to be anyone else’s ‘forever’. Helping them on their respective journeys of personal & spiritual growth are a handful of fantastic supporting characters like Kade’s best friend Mitch and Mitch’s girlfriend Lacey, Caron’s best friend Margo, single mom Jessica and her adorable little boy Scotty, and Caron’s brother Logan & sister-in-law Vanessa (who I met and loved in Crazy Little Thing Called Love). It was great to get reacquainted with Vanessa & Logan as well as meet these other supporting characters. I know this is an older series that I’m behind on reading but I would love a follow-up story exploring ‘where they are now’ or a prequel novella featuring Mitch & Lacey.

Bottom Line: Layered & lovable characters, heartfelt themes, beautiful settings, lots of chemistry and some swoonilicious kisses – all of these and more are in store for you when you begin reading Almost Like Being in Love by Beth K. Vogt. This novel left my heart smiling and my spirit uplifted, all while being completely drawn in to the plot & characters. It’s one of those feel-good stories that we all need to read more of, while also portraying lifelike characters with lifelike problems. The ideal choice for your beach or mountain vacay – or just your fave reading spot in an ordinary weekend at home.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher eons ago. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4.5 stars / loved it! 

KissingBook Level: 3+ / will forget to breathe on occasion

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Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s authored 15 novels and novellas, both contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Beth is a Christy Award winner, an ACFW Carol Award winner, and a  RITA® finalist. Her newest contemporary romance novel, Dedicated to the One I Love, releases June 20, 2023. Her novel Things I Never Told You, book one in her Thatcher Sisters Series by Tyndale House Publishers, won the 2019 AWSA Golden Scroll Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people. Connect with Beth by visiting bethvogt.com

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