Emily Ackerman has a book of letters from her mother, she has used them as a guide since her mom died. After a professional failure she heads back to Nantucket to renovate and sell her grandparents cottage. She meets up with her neighbors who are there for the summer, Hollis and his daughter. She hasn’t seen him in years since she and her grandparents left the island when her mother died. An emotional journey for Emily makes many discoveries during the summer on Nantucket. It’s a really good read. I definitely recommend it!

There is something about the sea air that soothes my soul and warms my heart. Emily has traveled all over the world, but is back in Nantucket and almost immediately runs into Hollis, a friend from her past. Although there are bumps along Emily's journey and secrets to uncover, there is a comforting thread running throughout this poignant story.

Emily has a lot of challenges to overcome and this sweet book allowed for growth, love, and dreams to manifest. I loved the way Emily bonded with Jolie, which unintentionally strengthens their individual relationships with Hollis.

The flashbacks to the past helped to complete this moving story and the whole thing encompassed every inch of my heart.

Content: mild romance (implications to intimacy, kissing), mild+ religion

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

Amazing novel! Although it's considered Contemporary Romance, the personal conflicts the main characters deal with reminded me of the depth WF get into. Emily's mom's journal uses as her guidance, and the male character trying to make up for years lost with his daughter. Just an amazing good read.

Dear reader friend,
I'm writing this to you not even 24 hours after finishing IF FOR ANY REASON and I have so many thoughts about it. Mainly I'm wondering why this beautiful story had to end and how could Courtney Walsh write something so perfectly?
This is a story about secrets and the past and fear and faith and family and home. It was a moving story of hurt and hope and love. It wasn't easy to read in some places because it really hit home for me. But in the end of all that difficulty, this story was worth every tear shed while reading it.
I don't think I've ever read a book that hit as close to home as this one. I don't think I've ever read a book with a message that needs to be communicated more than this one.
Life is hard and full of fear and it's so, so easy to run from that fear and protect ourselves from the pain. But when we walk through that pain and fear, there is beauty like never before on the other side. The pain in life is worth it because of the beauty on the other side. That is one of the many things IF FOR ANY REASON taught me. This book will forever have a place in my heart ❤️
And, readers, if for any reason you come across this book and get a chance to read it, please do so! I have a feeling you won't regret it.

Love,
Kathryn

My Thoughts On This Book My Rating: 5++ out of 5 Stars 

I love IF FOR ANY REASON for so many reasons! I love the setting in Nantucket, the incredible characters were so realistic, the letters from Emily’s mom were priceless, and I love Emily and Hollis, I love the way Emily and Jolie clicked, and I love the chemistry between Emily and Hollis! And there is so much more. Courtney Walsh writes such an awesome story, I didn’t want it to end.

Emily’s main purpose for her visit to Nantucket was to sell the cottage left to her in her grandfather’s will, and leave. What she didn’t expect to find was Hollis and his family still in Nantucket. Upsetting her life even more. I could understand why this was Emily’s choice, so much hurt had happened here. I was really upset at her grandparents for so many lies, but I did respect her grandfather’s letter to try to make amends. But the hurt was so deep, and trying to find answers went even deeper.

I love, love this story, and I will for sure be reading this one again!! IF FOR ANY REASON is so worth a second read. There is so much to be said about this story, it is such a well written story, and so many things happening. Courtney Walsh for sure has us, her readers wanting more and more as the story unfolds. You really need to read the book for yourself to get the full impact of the story and all of its happenings. If you enjoy good, clean Contemporary fiction, this is one you will love so much.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

On the face of it, this would not be a book that I thought I'd enjoy. I generally don't like family drama. I don't like parental romance stories, or stories where one of the love interests has kids. So why did I pick this one up?! Because a good friend told me she loved it - I am so glad I gave it a chance!
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If For Any Reason has major Elin Hilderbrand vibes with an uplifting message. This was honestly the exact type of book I needed to unwind - yes, there was drama and heartbreak, but the faithful reliance that Hollis and Emily had was so realistic and true. I was so encouraged! The Nantucket vibes were so good and I actually really enjoyed 12-year-old Jolie!

I honestly can’t say which part of this book I liked the best. The letters from Emily’s mom, Emily’s story, or her mother’s story. It all flowed together perfectly and beautifully, as Walsh is able to do with all her stories. **Sigh** I’m just sorry that it’s over. I miss Hollis, Emily and JoJo already!

Let’s start with the letters. First of all, what an inspiration. I’ve been writing letters to my daughter periodically in a journal since she was born, but more of a what’s going on in life letter. This? Well this has given me a little inspiration to make it so much more than that. Although I wish I had it 17 years ago, I’ll make the best of it. I could see Courtney’s heart in these letters – at least I believe I could. I love it when authors do stuff like this – it’s kind of like getting a sneak peak at their thoughts.

I have to say that while I enjoyed the relationship between Emily and Hollis, it was really the budding relationship between Hollis and JoJo that spoke to my heart. Probably because I have experience with an absent parent, and could see it from JoJo’s perspective. But Hollis brought this whole other point that I never really thought about before. Every side has two stories, and I loved the way Walsh brought that to life.

If For Any Reason is a sweet romance story that offers so much more. Highly recommend reading the latest novel from Courtney Walsh! I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Courtney Walsh is a must-read author for me and this is one of my favorite books of hers! I am really, really hoping for more Nantucket novels with some of the same characters! This is one of my top books of the year for sure as it was such a good story. This is a very moving novel of healing and discovering about yourself and your past, but also finding the strength to do what it takes to move on. The characters come to live on this pages and I did not want my time on the island to end.

My thoughts (LVH): IF FOR ANY REASON is another spellbinding novel by somewhat new-to-me author Courtney Walsh. I read her novel Just Let Go and loved it too. Emily and Hollis are both wounded but for different reasons. Emily is strong where Hollis is weak and vice versa.



This is sort of a daul time-period novel as the mother's romance with Emily's father is included, which is nice. I hated the grandparents' lies and interference and loved how the grandpa tried to make it right after his passing.



I also loved Hollis's family.



Sparks flew between Hollis and Emily, not always sexual, as they helped each other past hurdles, and not always tactfully. The black moment was obvious but well done and the resolution was nice.



If you love contemporary romance you will love IF FOR ANY REASON. And at 400 pages, it was still a quick read. I didn't want to put it down.



I was given an ebook copy free, and all opinions are my own.

n If For Any Reason, Emily Ackerson – broken from professional failure and exhausted from world travels – returns to Nantucket following her grandfather’s death. He left her the family cottage, which she plans to renovate and sell quickly to help her financial situation. She traveled the world, never settling in one place or relationship very long. When she returns to Nantucket, a place she hasn’t visited since her mother’s death, things are about to change for Emily. Meanwhile she meets Hollis McGuire, former professional baseball player, former childhood friend and neighbor. His estranged teenage daughter – JoJo – is spending the month with him. Will Hollis, Emily, and JoJo learn to trust one another and trust in God’s plan, despite their hurts from the past?

Raised by her single mother until her untimely death, Emily has a collection of letters her mother wrote about various topics. She treasures these letters, using them to guide her though life, including not taking chances on love or relationships. Her mother’s letters range in topic from trusting in God, to being cautious with her heart, to following her passions – only are the letters meant to guide her, not dictate her life. Her mother was twenty-five at her death, just five years younger than Emily, so her letters reflect her thoughts as a young adult, without the possibility that her thoughts would change over time.

Walsh pens a second-chance romance with main characters who share a broken past, both searching for a place to belong. Emily was abandoned by her father even before she was born, while Hollis abandoned his daughter JoJo because of his work-related accident and recovery. Faith is clearly evident in the story (both Hollis and Emily are seekers in their faith journey), and theirs is a clean romance. Her cast of realistic characters lead the reader through the journey each one makes. This is not a lighthearted story but one that will make the reader to think about their own life’s decisions and dreams.

Courtney Walsh excels at taking well-developed, complex characters through the paces of self-realization, making peace, and falling in love against a backdrop of interesting minor characters, and, in this case, a beautiful oceanside setting.

Hollis is a guy who's made big mistakes but remains lovable in his desire to make those mistakes right. It's hard not to empathize with Emily, who's lost so much and is desperately trying to live the life she *thinks* her deceased mother wants for her. The story is helped by glimpses of her mother's life and how the present situation came about.

A gem of a contemporary Christian romance!

The cover art captured by attention on this wonderful novel by Courtney Walsh...however, the story held my attention from the first chapter...and did not let go until the final page. Five Stars!

Want to read a sweet Christian contemporary romance with a beautiful setting, great characters, and a compelling storyline?
This is the book for you.


I loved the characters in this book, especially Emily and Jolie. Emily is a former child TV star who has traveled the world in search of a sense of peace about the tragic death of her mother. Almost everywhere she goes, she carries a stack of letters from her mother that she reads for guidance and comfort. She’s reluctantly returned to Nantucket to renovate the beach house left to her by her grandfather. She’s also trying to find her way again after her play on Broadway was a resounding failure. But there’s still somewhat of a mystery surrounding the circumstances of her mother’s death, and Emily is seeking to find out what really happened that night.


Jolie is an eleven year old girl who is spending several weeks with her dad and grandparents on the island. Her mom is on her honeymoon, and Jolie has never spent much time with her dad, who recently retired from Major League Baseball because of an injury. Jolie is out-going and loves to act, so meeting Emily is helping her accept the fact that she’ll be in the island for awhile. Emily and Jolie have much in common as neither ever really knew their fathers. Hollis, Jolie’s father, has many regrets about neglecting his daughter and hope this is the time they can reconnect. Emily and Hollis are old friends, and still feel the spark that was between them when they were younger. As things become complicated for the three, mysteries are solved and hearts are on their way to being healed, but there’s still one more barrier to Emily’s heart.


I liked this book because the characters are good people, but they have their own flaws, and don’t always know what direction they are headed. There’s an element of faith that weaves in and out of the story and gives it an uplifting direction. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if this book’s not nominated for an award or two. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this one.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

If For Any Reason is a story of belonging and changing dreams told through a romance and friendship in the ideal setting of Nantucket. Themes of grace and honesty permeate the world Emily and Hollis find themselves in — literally and figuratively. As they deal with some hard things life has thrown at them, they must find the grace to work out their faith and relationship with God while a tentative connection grows between them.

Courtney Walsh excels at writing stories that blend one part women’s fiction with two parts romance and charm! She manages to include deep themes with endearing characters that stir empathy and thought in the heart of a reader. This story is another prime example, with the spark-laden friendship between Emily and Hollis developing naturally. And, Courtney takes a delicate situation and portrays it with compassion and grace, yet still depicts it appropriately with its consequences and fallout.


The romance between Hollis and Emily feels so realistic. They are simply captivated by each other, but it’s not a superficial connection — both characters are mature, both are intentional in their friendship, even if it scares them to be so vulnerable. I especially like one of the decisions Hollis makes (insert heart eyes HERE) at a moment when Emily needs space for clarity.

This review would not be complete without a paragraph devoted to Hollis’s daugther, Jolie, AKA JoJo. This girl steals every scene she’s in! She has so much spunk and acts exactly her age. I liked that she has a voice and an opinion that matters to the adults around her. It’s great to see a bright character like her add such pivotal value to a story.

One more thing I really enjoyed about this story was its inclusion of letters and a few short flashback scenes. These fill in some blanks of the deeper themes and relate things like grief, family, and the resounding impact of choices in a wonderful story device.

I’m looking forward to more stories in this series set on Nantucket, a place I have just added to my must-visit travel list!

Thanks to Tyndale for the review copy. This is my honest review.

I'm a bit of a newcomer to Courtney's books. But I really like her style. If for Any Reason is the second of her books
that I've read, and I loved it.

First, I will say that I have never been to Nantucket, but reading her beautiful descriptions made me want to visit! I love the beach and seaside towns, and she made it sound just perfect.

Emily Ackerman has returned to Nantucket the summer after her grandfather's death. Her trust fund is depleted, she's basically broke and has no plans for the future.

Her grandfather asked her to renovate the family beach cottage, and left enough money for her to complete the project. She plans to oversee the renovations, sell the house and never see Nantucket again.

But she didn't count on the memories of her mother's death being so close. She really starts to ask herself question. Like, what really happened that night when her mother hit a tree and was killed?

Her neighbor Hollis McGuire has always cared for Emily, but she's too afraid to let him in. As they spend the summer together and with Hollis' family, Emily begins to open up, and maybe even fall in love.

But Emily lives her life following the advice her mother left for her in a series of letters. And when things don't turn out how Emily hoped, will she follow her heart continue to be led by her past?

I din't think there were a lot of surprises in this story. But it was a fun read and written well. I liked how Courtney jumped back in time and told Isabelle's story, too.

I thought the characters in the book were good and relatable. There is an underlying message of forgiveness and starting over that I thought was important. 

If for Any Reason is one of those books that makes you sit back and think about life for a minute. What would you do differently if you had the chance? Are you really living the live you want? Or are you following along with something just because it seems like you should do that?


Lots of food for thought on these pages!

I read If for Any Reason over a series of rainy days. But I think it would be the perfect read for a sunny day at the beach or by pool. Kiddie pool if you're a mom like me. I definitely recommend it.

Overall: 4 stars

This was my first fictional trip to Nantucket, and I wasn't sure what to expect. I looked up pictures online so I could visualize the seaside homes and landscapes. Then I went on to imagine who these characters were.There were several moments in this story that I really connected with the main character, Emily. My own mother passed away a few years ago, and Emily's struggle to stay connected with someone she cared deeply for resonated with me. When you lose someone you care so much about, you cling to the words they've left behind as much as possible. Courtney Walsh really captured Emily's feelings of abandonment and fear so well...the emotions lept off the page. Not only did the heroine have a strong desire to be loved and accepted, the hero did as well. Hollis has had his share of highs and low, made mistakes, and while he has the love and support of his family, he has yet to make a long lasting romantic connection with someone. This book explores these emotions, as well as the need to have the love that will never leave us and never betray us, which is the love of a heavenly Father. Wonderful book by Courtney Walsh!

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in order to give my honest opinion, which I did.**

Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for an E-galley in exchange for my honest review.
I love a Nantucket setting. I also love a story that shows growth in the characters. This novel has all that and more. It's a story about family, faith and learning to forgive. Emily faces her past and must decide how to go forward. She's lived her life according to letters left to her by her mother who died when Emily was young. Those letters have shaped her life to this point. And now, coming back to Nantucket, she'll find out there are options she'd never considered that could lead her to the life she didn't think she could have. I enjoyed it all.

“If For Any Reason”, I loved this title and the way it played into the story. When I first heard it, it sounded a bit strange but I didn’t think much about it. Then as the story of this book started to unfold it made complete sense and I loved it.
Courtney Walsh knows how to put her characters through the hard things in life and she writes in such a beautiful way that their pain, struggles, and emotions become yours. I always connect with her characters in a way that I don’t often do and it’s honestly beautiful. This was definitely the case with Emily and Hollis. Emily was such a broken character, she had lost so much and built so many walls and my heart honestly broke for her. But I loved watching her journey to healing and finding where she belonged. And Hollis, while it was his own choices that led him to where he was he’s deep remorse and dedication to being better was enough to endear him to me. I also loved the quiet way he broke down Emily’s walls and showed her unconditional love. I really enjoyed the way their relationship played out and how real they were able to be with each other.
Jolie was a sweet kid and the author did a great job of writing an authentic preteen who was still likable! I also loved Hollis’s family!
The setting of this story was beautiful and the escape to Nantucket was exactly what I needed on these dreary winter days!
If you like fiction with a lot of heart, tender romance, and emotions that reach deep then I cannot recommend this book enough!

This one is a super sweet and emotional read! Ms. Walsh is so good at that combination. It's been a little while since I read one of her stories, so this was like renewing an old friendship. :)

One of the highlights for me was the details on the theatre. Knowing that Ms. Walsh has a great deal of personal experience in that area, her wealth of knowledge and the joy it brings her shown through her descriptions. I connected with that part of Emily's life, even though I have zero experience and know nothing about it myself. I love when that happens in a story.

Another of my favorite things was Hollis' family. They are so loving and caring for each other! And since Emily is in desperate need of such in her life, I loved seeing how they swept her up into being part of them and made her comfortable. Plus they helped provide a safe place for Hollis to figure out his relationship with his daughter. They truly are one of my favorite fictional families now. They're not perfect, none of the characters are, but the flaws only endear them further.

The romance bits were adorable, of course. (Which was only to be expected! This is a Courtney Walsh novel after all.) I appreciated that they were friends first, a good friends-to-lovers romance is one of my favorite tropes and Ms. Walsh handles the transition really well. Because goodness the chemistry between these two! Yet both Emily and Hollis have a lot of growing to do, so I especially appreciated the slow way the romance heated up, giving both time to process through all the stuff they needed to.

Overall, I really enjoyed the emotions I connected with while reading. The grief, the uncertainty, the fear, the familial love, and most of all the hope that threaded everything together from beginning to end. Several moments brought smiles, while others made me turn the next page as quick as I could to find out how a character would respond. Beautifully written, Ms. Walsh continues to solidify her spot on my list of awesome writers!

**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Goodness. What a rich story, full of complexities. I’m hesitant to get too detailed in my review because I really don’t want to leave any inadvertent spoilers!

The primary story with Hollis and Emily was exactly what I’ve come to expect from Courtney Walsh—complicated pasts, misguided life choices, regrets, and a sweet love story with a hero who stands faithful and true. Then there’s the slight time slip with Isabelle and JD’s teenage history, which—wow. I love JD. I keep reading reviews gushing on Hollis, but I just have to give JD some recognition. Yes, he and Isabelle made a poor choice that had far-reaching consequences. But every time, every step of the way, he wanted to do what was right and simply love Isabelle with all that he had. Sacrifice is what love really is, and Ms. Walsh knows how to write heroes who do this well.

Some have criticized the faith threads through the story as somehow lacking. I’d like to remind readers that faith is an imperfect, individual journey that never looks the same for any two people. Hollis is stronger and further along in his, but is still growing into the man of God he has the potential to become. Emily’s struggle is poignant and realistic and flawed, but there is so much hope there, and we can be confident that she has a lot of life left to get it worked out.