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whatallisonwrote's review against another edition
5.0
Sweet story
What a sweet story! I may be a married mom of 4, but this is a fun, light read anyone can enjoy!
What a sweet story! I may be a married mom of 4, but this is a fun, light read anyone can enjoy!
amandainpa's review against another edition
3.0
This was a super cute and sweet story (no pun intended) about a girl named Grace who becomes the Watermelon Queen. Grace is dealing with a lot of difficult things in her life and finds herself caught between two boys…one who she finds super dreamy and the other who drives her crazy.
Under the surface of the fun and cute scenes of watermelon pageants and banquets is a plot with depth and drama. The character of Grace was lovely and the way she handled her grief was very realistic. There were moments when I just wanted to wrap her in a hug.
I enjoyed the story but found that the pacing was a bit slow at first and took some time to get going.
This is a very clean, sweet story that teenagers would really enjoy. It’s a great alternative to the mainstream contemporary that is in the market today.
My Rating: 3 stars
I received this book from the author/publisher to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Under the surface of the fun and cute scenes of watermelon pageants and banquets is a plot with depth and drama. The character of Grace was lovely and the way she handled her grief was very realistic. There were moments when I just wanted to wrap her in a hug.
I enjoyed the story but found that the pacing was a bit slow at first and took some time to get going.
This is a very clean, sweet story that teenagers would really enjoy. It’s a great alternative to the mainstream contemporary that is in the market today.
My Rating: 3 stars
I received this book from the author/publisher to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
cctblog's review against another edition
3.0
Loving Grace has left me with some seriously mixed feelings. I love that it's clean Christian YA romance, so it's safe for everyone to read and is a great alternative to much of the highly sexualized offerings in the YA genre. The setting—on a watermelon farm and the watermelon beauty queen circuit—is unique and fun, and I loved the interaction between Grace and the Baron family. Author April Smith obviously knew what she was talking about regarding watermelon queens, and that entire aspect of the plot had a ring of authenticity.
It's very common in YA novels for the main character's romantic relationships to be at the forefront of the plot, and this is true of Loving Grace. There are three boys in Grace's life who could be potential partners: Bennett Baron, the boy she's had a crush on forever; Warren Hartley, a boy she meets on the watermelon circuit; and Beau Baron, her late brother's best friend and her longtime nemesis. Unfortunately the romance aspect of this novel is what didn't quite work for me.
I get that teenage girls are sometimes oblivious to what's in front of them. I get that when a guy pays attention to you, you might be blind to his faults. But Grace's naivete when it came to Warren definitely pushed the bounds of credulity. Fairly late in the novel, she does begin connecting with Beau, and at that point, I started enjoying the romance aspect more. There are some really fun, cute scenes with Beau and Grace, and I would have liked the story more had the love triangle aspect not been so prominent.
I also noticed some continuity errors, and I think they are obvious enough that many readers would catch them, such as the site of an event switching from Atlanta to Orlando and one character seemingly vaporizing in the middle of a scene. I don't normally comment on things like this, but these instances were so glaring that they completely pulled me out of the story.
Overall, I did enjoy Loving Grace, and I think that it's a great alternative to much of what's out there. I also think that, as a teen girl, I wouldn't have been nearly as critical a reader. So I don't know that I'd recommend this to my girlfriends, but I do think it's a great book for teens.
Disclosure of material connection: I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
It's very common in YA novels for the main character's romantic relationships to be at the forefront of the plot, and this is true of Loving Grace. There are three boys in Grace's life who could be potential partners: Bennett Baron, the boy she's had a crush on forever; Warren Hartley, a boy she meets on the watermelon circuit; and Beau Baron, her late brother's best friend and her longtime nemesis. Unfortunately the romance aspect of this novel is what didn't quite work for me.
I get that teenage girls are sometimes oblivious to what's in front of them. I get that when a guy pays attention to you, you might be blind to his faults. But Grace's naivete when it came to Warren definitely pushed the bounds of credulity. Fairly late in the novel, she does begin connecting with Beau, and at that point, I started enjoying the romance aspect more. There are some really fun, cute scenes with Beau and Grace, and I would have liked the story more had the love triangle aspect not been so prominent.
I also noticed some continuity errors, and I think they are obvious enough that many readers would catch them, such as the site of an event switching from Atlanta to Orlando and one character seemingly vaporizing in the middle of a scene. I don't normally comment on things like this, but these instances were so glaring that they completely pulled me out of the story.
Overall, I did enjoy Loving Grace, and I think that it's a great alternative to much of what's out there. I also think that, as a teen girl, I wouldn't have been nearly as critical a reader. So I don't know that I'd recommend this to my girlfriends, but I do think it's a great book for teens.
Disclosure of material connection: I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
booksforchristiangirls's review against another edition
4.0
About this book:
“Grace Summer lands herself in a melon load of trouble when she becomes torn between the boy of her dreams and the boy almost next door. As the newly-crowned Watermelon Queen, she is thrust into the spotlight, meets the dreamy Warren Hartley, and continues trying to get over an accident that rocked her world. Mix in working with Beau Baron who Grace happens to fight with just about as much as breathing and the metaphorical sparks fly.
Like most things in life, Grace must learn to take the good with the bad. While the good is the handsome and fun Warren Hartley, the bad is Beau Baron—or at least being around his annoying and rude self way more than she would like. For Beau, Grace is nothing more than aggravating and an irritating reminder from the night of the accident. Tensions soar as Grace and Beau fight to love themselves and maybe, just maybe, each other.”
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are mentioned & quoted; Prayers; Church going; Talks about God & His plans; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches, church going, services, sermons, hymns, a pastor (Grace’s Grandfather), & a mission trip; A few mentions of miracles; A couple mentions of those in the Bible; A couple mentions of Christians; A couple mentions of blessings & being blessed; A mention of divine intervention.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘shoot’, two ‘dumb’s, two forms of ‘shut up’, two ‘suck it up’s, three ‘stupid’s, and four ‘idiot’s; Sarcasm & Eye rolling; Going to an under-twenty-one club; Mentions of an accident & deaths (up to semi-detailed, *Spoiler* Grace’s parents and twin brother died in a car accident & she deals with pain from it *End of Spoiler*); Mentions of clubs; A few mentions of injuries & bleeding; A couple mentions of lies & lying;
*Note: A couple mentions of political people; A mention of Hollister clothing.
Sexual Content- a hand kiss, a forehead kiss, a almost kiss, and a boarder-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss; Touches & Embraces (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Smelling; Grace sneaks away with a boy (violation of her contract); *Spoiler* Catching a boy cheating on his “girlfriend” & kissing another girl *End of Spoiler*; a ‘hot’; Mentions of kisses, kissing, almost kisses, & having a first kiss; Mentions of a player/flirt who’s got a reputation; Mentions of dates, boys, boyfriends, & girlfriends; Mentions of crushes, feelings, winks, & flattery/flirting; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of asking parents how having kids work (no details); A mention of a guy only having one thing on his mind; A mention of a married couple kissing; Some love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A couple mentions of wearing shorts & tanks; A mention of a figure-fitting tank top; A mention of butting out of someone’s relationship.
-Grace Summer, age 17/18(?)
1st person P.O.V. of Grace
224 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I’m not sure what it is about YA Contemporary books, but I typically really enjoy that genre. This was a fun, light read that made me in the mood for summer and watermelon eatin’. The writing did seem a bit choppy at times, but I did like Grace. She was a bit stubborn at times, but I think it also had to do with everything she’s gone through. It was a bit predicable with who Grace would end up with and who the “bad boy” was, but that’s a YA contemporary for you! ;)
Overall, it was really cute, clean, and a fun, relaxed read. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2018/04/loving-grace-by-april-smith.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Ambassador International) for this honest review.
“Grace Summer lands herself in a melon load of trouble when she becomes torn between the boy of her dreams and the boy almost next door. As the newly-crowned Watermelon Queen, she is thrust into the spotlight, meets the dreamy Warren Hartley, and continues trying to get over an accident that rocked her world. Mix in working with Beau Baron who Grace happens to fight with just about as much as breathing and the metaphorical sparks fly.
Like most things in life, Grace must learn to take the good with the bad. While the good is the handsome and fun Warren Hartley, the bad is Beau Baron—or at least being around his annoying and rude self way more than she would like. For Beau, Grace is nothing more than aggravating and an irritating reminder from the night of the accident. Tensions soar as Grace and Beau fight to love themselves and maybe, just maybe, each other.”
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are mentioned & quoted; Prayers; Church going; Talks about God & His plans; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches, church going, services, sermons, hymns, a pastor (Grace’s Grandfather), & a mission trip; A few mentions of miracles; A couple mentions of those in the Bible; A couple mentions of Christians; A couple mentions of blessings & being blessed; A mention of divine intervention.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘shoot’, two ‘dumb’s, two forms of ‘shut up’, two ‘suck it up’s, three ‘stupid’s, and four ‘idiot’s; Sarcasm & Eye rolling; Going to an under-twenty-one club; Mentions of an accident & deaths (up to semi-detailed, *Spoiler*
*Note: A couple mentions of political people; A mention of Hollister clothing.
Sexual Content- a hand kiss, a forehead kiss, a almost kiss, and a boarder-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss; Touches & Embraces (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Smelling; Grace sneaks away with a boy (violation of her contract); *Spoiler*
*Note: A couple mentions of wearing shorts & tanks; A mention of a figure-fitting tank top; A mention of butting out of someone’s relationship.
-Grace Summer, age 17/18(?)
1st person P.O.V. of Grace
224 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I’m not sure what it is about YA Contemporary books, but I typically really enjoy that genre. This was a fun, light read that made me in the mood for summer and watermelon eatin’. The writing did seem a bit choppy at times, but I did like Grace. She was a bit stubborn at times, but I think it also had to do with everything she’s gone through. It was a bit predicable with who Grace would end up with and who the “bad boy” was, but that’s a YA contemporary for you! ;)
Overall, it was really cute, clean, and a fun, relaxed read. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2018/04/loving-grace-by-april-smith.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Ambassador International) for this honest review.
daphself's review against another edition
4.0
Loving Grace is an Young Adult novel that echoes the novels of the 80's and early 90's.
Written from a teenager's point of view, we see the ups and downs, the angst, and the indecisions that only come with those teenage years.
Although slow and slightly choppy in the beginning, the writing and storyline evened out and flowed extremely well. With Loving Grace the reader is immersed into the world of the Watermelon pageants and watermelon farms, complete with the expectations and responsibilities of each.
At times it read as though some points within the story seemed contrived; but, they paled in contrast to the whole story. This isn't a simple romance, but a story of forgiveness, growth, and acceptance.
Each chapter brought me a little closer to the truth and what kept Grace from being trusting of Beau. And it is a doozy! The emotional depth portrayed was well written and I felt compassion and empathy for both characters.
With all the YA books out there that seem to highlight the immorality of this world, Loving Grace not only places importance on the Christian lifestyle, but it shows that there is honor in remaining pure and true to the Christian faith in all things.
For conservative readers, there is a point where a certain political figure is mentioned and that might cause some raised eyebrows. This also dated the novel, but it didn't detract from the story so I hope readers will not hold that against the book.
I hold this book in high esteem and will gladly recommend it for readers of all ages. How nice to see the beautiful style of true young adult books again!
Written from a teenager's point of view, we see the ups and downs, the angst, and the indecisions that only come with those teenage years.
Although slow and slightly choppy in the beginning, the writing and storyline evened out and flowed extremely well. With Loving Grace the reader is immersed into the world of the Watermelon pageants and watermelon farms, complete with the expectations and responsibilities of each.
At times it read as though some points within the story seemed contrived; but, they paled in contrast to the whole story. This isn't a simple romance, but a story of forgiveness, growth, and acceptance.
Each chapter brought me a little closer to the truth and what kept Grace from being trusting of Beau. And it is a doozy! The emotional depth portrayed was well written and I felt compassion and empathy for both characters.
With all the YA books out there that seem to highlight the immorality of this world, Loving Grace not only places importance on the Christian lifestyle, but it shows that there is honor in remaining pure and true to the Christian faith in all things.
For conservative readers, there is a point where a certain political figure is mentioned and that might cause some raised eyebrows. This also dated the novel, but it didn't detract from the story so I hope readers will not hold that against the book.
I hold this book in high esteem and will gladly recommend it for readers of all ages. How nice to see the beautiful style of true young adult books again!
erindecker's review against another edition
3.0
I thought Loving Grace was a sweet Christian YA novel and I enjoyed the plot line and interactions between the characters, especially the boys : Beau and Bennett. The author brought Christian aspects into this book without it being overbearing or taking over the entire plot of the book. The writing was well organized and well thought out. I honestly had no idea that there were such things as Watermelon Queens or pageants in the farming world. The only thing that truly bugged me about this book was the fact that the main character Grace, was so naive and so painfully fit the stereotype of a pageant queen. She was oblivious to the fact that her best friend was in love with her and oblivious to the fact that the guy she liked was an outstanding jerk. She seemed to be flighty with her own emotions and was more focused on her outfits and hair style and impressing boys than she was with dealing with her emotions, caring about the people that loved her (she was more annoyed with them than anything), and being a successful business woman. I don’t need to love the main character in the books I read, and Beau’s character made up for Grace’s in my opinion, so I ended up giving this 3.5/5 stars. I would recommend this to young Christian teens because I do remember feeling like Grace at that point in my teen years, maybe I am just too old now to appreciate her character. I would also recommend this to anyone who enjoys Christian YA contemporaries, especially those who can appreciate a rural setting.
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