Meet a charming playboy and the gal who might just charm him... Not Always Happenstance by Rachael Anderson (Blog Tour Review & Giveaway)

Welcome to my stop for the newest book in the Power of the Matchmaker series! You can see my reviews of Power of the Matchmaker and Broken Things to Mend. Check out my review of Not Always Happenstance and enter the giveaway below...

Not Always Happenstance

(Power of the Matchmaker)

by Rachael Anderson

Adult Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 220 Pages

February 1st 2016 by HEA Publishing

Summary

Lani has lived in Hana, Hawaii for five years. She’s learned to surf, fish, dive, and manage her grandmother’s bed and breakfast. She’s also learned to take one day at a time the way it should be taken—relaxed and unrushed, savoring every moment.

But, like a large wave on the brink of breaking, her life is about to crash out of control. A proposal of marriage, a conniving grandmother, a cryptic Asian woman, and a handsome guest, and suddenly everything calm begins to churn, everything clear becomes confused, and all that was normal segues into peculiar.

As Lani struggles against the current to hold her ground, she realizes that she can either continue to fight and eventually lose, or take a take a leap of faith, hold her breath, and ride the wave wherever it takes her.

***This book is part of the Power of the Matchmaker series that features one recurring character—the matchmaker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***

  
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My Review

NOT ALWAYS HAPPENSTANCE was a fun, romantic, and picturesque read. The story takes place almost completely in Hawaii and I loved how you could feel the setting come through: the more laid-back island life, the people there who are protective, but once they've invited you in, you're family, and the beauty of the land and people. I also loved how these two main characters and perspective love interests mixed. There was plenty of banter, some swoon-worthy moments, humor, and some good soul searching. There was a little heartache as well as a close relationship between a grand-daughter and her grandmother that added so much to the story. If you're looking for a good, heartfelt romance, with some sparks, a strong feeling of family and island culture, and two characters who have to change their hearts to grasp an opportunity at love, pick this up. I loved it!

This is the third release from this series that I've read and I love that they all can be read on their own with Pearl, the Matchmaker, appearing in each one as the thing that links them. I did miss her thoughts a little in this since the other two stories had some of those added in, but she still leaves plenty of pearls of wisdom (unclear to those she's delivering them to) and is a lovely presence. 

I really came to love these characters. Easton was a little bit of a playboy, but oh is he charming and a little too good looking! I liked how he evolved a little through the story - how Lani challenged his thinking and his heart. I also liked how he did the same to her in some ways. I wasn't sure about Easton at first because he is isn't one to settle down, but he grew on me and by the half-way point he'd charmed me all the way. In fact, here's a note from when I was reading:

Lani really holds her own with Easton and I think because they were equally matched it made this romance work even more while creating some challenges as well. They were willing to test the waters and each other and it opened up the possibility for love and to change their lives. They each had to decide if the other was worth the risk.

Again, this was a fun, enjoyable, romantic read. One I could definitely read again and a great addition to the series. I'm starting to get some pretty high expectations here for the rest of the releases...

Content: Some innuendo, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes for a tour from the host, which did not affect my review in any way.

About the Author

A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

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Tour-Wide Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 2/29/16

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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