This is the first time I have read anything by this author and was intrigued to read this story. The story focuses on a woman who finds herself in a small town, facing changes in her life that she didn’t expect. She meets a rodeo star who thinks he knows where his life is headed, yet it begins to take a completely different path.

This book was a sweet romance with some unexpected twists and turns that make for an interesting story.

I will say there were some moments where the dialogue surprised me and the characters didn’t remain true to how I expected them to act, but overall it was a good story that I would recommend.

I received this book as part of a launch team in return for an honest review.
Merry Anna is just out for a ride when she stumbles upon a tiny little town and decides to stay, working at a novelty shop, all while hiding the fact she's the coo of the country's largest supply store. Trying to win a bet against her ex about how much she can live on in a month, she is living the simplest life she ever has, and loving it. When she meets her neighbour, rodeo champ Adam, she is drawn to him but they both agree that neither of them are interested in anything more than friendship, and it's an easy friendship. When Adam gets some unexpected news, he turns to Merry Anna first, but will her encouragement to give up his dream pull them apart?
I enjoyed this book, and it was my second book by this author. While they do go to church, there is almost no blatant Christian themes in the book so you could lend it to your non-believing friends without having them feel like you're forcing something on them, it's instead just a good clean book

This book was like a hallmark movie... all wrapped up with love, tenderness, and a magical ending. I was fully engaged in the storyline and the development of the characters as their lives intertwined in this small town where the book takes place. The book is well written and you are drawn in and want to keep reading to know what happens next!

I was disappointed in the moral integrity of the leading male who fathered a child in his life yet claimed to be a Christian, and there was no statement of remorse or any moral change in his thinking or mindset. There were a few other elements that were a bit puzzling and unrealistic in the way the events were presented.

I love a good wholesome book and one of redemption and fresh starts in life. So despite these story struggles for me, I enjoyed the book. But I would not consider it to be a faith-based book as going to church was the faith connection as well as prayer, but no scripture was presented or relationship with God in a meaningful connected manner. Thankful to partner with Waterbrook and read a NetGalley pdf.

Merry Anna left her job as CCO at her family business after a contentious divorce. She made a c.f.deal with her rd to live within the same financial guidelines as the amount of alimony granted to her ex.

A stop for gas at a small town leads her to discover a life she never imagined. She finds a wonderful jib, a unique place to live, friends she never imagined, and a love that started as a friendship.

It's refreshing to read a story that builds a relationship on friendship and not love at first sight. The characters, circumstances, and setting come to life in this book. You'll want to read it: it's a good one!

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

Nancy creates a wonderful story world, one I would love to live in and be a part of.

I enjoyed the many interesting characters in this book. Merry Anna is trying to find her way after her divorce and Adam has his goals that seem to conflict with a relationship. So I wondered how these two would find their way into each others hearts.

Again, Nancy did a great job making that happen and bringing these two opposites together. A wonderful, feel good read.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Merry Anna’s quick stop in Antler Creek was not supposed to last months. But after living her life all planned according to her family’s wishes and married to the high school sweetheart who lived off Merry Anna’s success and broke their marriage vows, she has decided to start embracing new opportunities. First with a new job at an adorable little boutique and renting an old cowboy bunkhouse as her new home, then by making friends and learning new and valuable lessons on friendship, she embraces new opportunities. The handsome cowboy neighbor was not supposed to be one of those things, but the way he looks at her and the way she feels when she is around him make her want embrace Adam Locklear.

If only this was not the year he decided to focus on winning the professional bull riding championship to set up his future outside the arena. If only Merry Anna was sure her future is in Antler Creek. If only complications from the past would stay in the past and not complicate their future. Nancy Naigle writes a romance with just the perfect balance between sweetness and strife, proving her prowess once again in her new release, What Remains True.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

Nancy has done it again. This story takes real grown up problems surrounded in uncertainty and turns it into a book you can't put down. Rodeo cowboy Adam has a plan for his future and no room for complications, especially a daughter. Executive Merry Anna is looking for a way to slow down and find answers to her divorce, her life and her future. Neither one expected to find friendship and love. Add a charming small town, nosy but caring neighbors and the only complaint you'll have is there doesn't seem to be a sequel.

This is a feels good, small town and a uplifting story. The characters are heartwarming to read about. I thought this is a well written story. It has a wonderful storyline. Its a pager turner.. Kept my interested through our the story. I look forward to reading more stories by Nancy.

I voluntarily received an ARC copy from NetGallery and the publisher. The opinions express are my own.

When Mary Anna escapes her manipulative ex-husband Kevin and her life-consuming job in Washington D.C., she ends up in Antler Creek, a small town in North Carolina. She finds friends in Krissy, her new boss, and Tara, her new neighbor. When she meets Adam, a cowboy and bull rider who is another one of her neighbors, she is instantly attracted to his easy manner and witty banter. As Adam and Mary Anna spend more time together, they begin falling for each other. When both of their pasts come to light with complications they didn't foresee, can their growing love for each other survive?

I enjoyed this sweet inspirational romance very much. The characters, setting, and situations seemed so real to me and came to life easily in my mind. I enjoyed Adam and Mary Anna's easy banter and budding romance, and Zan was a welcome, sweet surprise. The inspirational, encouraging messages and the characters' precious times with Zan warmed my heart. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys clean, sweet, country romance with a positive theme.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The setting was my favorite part of What Remains True. Antler Creek is a quaint, little town in the mountains. It's main street is lined with businesses owned and run by hometown folk; no big box stores here. People know one another's business and take care of their own, even though visitors and new comers are made to feel welcome. Merry Anna Foster loved the town so much at first sight that she decided to take a part-time job and settle down for a few months in the beautiful and peaceful surroundings while she recuperated from years running a stressful corporation and a failed marriage.

While What Remains True is a clean read, and it does include some church scenes, it will push the limits for some readers as to whether or not it should be considered Christian fiction. I can't really expound on that without including spoilers, which I choose not to do.

This latest release by Nancy Naigle is a sweet romance and it will make a great vacation read. I would likely have enjoyed it even more than I did if I had not read her book The Shell Collector which is a very hard act to follow. I had wanted to give this book 3 ½ stars, but rounded to four. I will continue to watch for Naigle's new releases, adding her to my list of authors to follow.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of What Remains True from WaterBrook via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Merry Anna Foster is a newly divorced woman on a mission. The mission is to prove to her free loading ex husband that she can live on the alimony she is giving him for three months. After that, he must move on and accept the terms of their divorce. She is blissfully happy living in the small town of Antler Creek working in a small boutique shop after taking a leave of absence from her corporate job in the city. Life in a small town is simpler and she is making friends and settling in. When she meets her new neighbour Adam and his five-year-old daughter Zan, her life takes an unexpected turn. Will Merry Anna leave Antler Creek or will she stay?

I adored this novel by Nancy Naigle. She gives us a feisty female, a stand-offish handsome man and an adorable little girl as the main characters and they are all so well written. The supporting characters also add so much to an already wonderful story. Many thanks to Nancy Naigle, WaterBrook & Multnomah Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with gifted copy of the book to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion. This book just makes you want to pack your bags and move to Antler Creek my friends.

Does a random stop in a small village have the capacity to change one’s live? Merry Ann is about to find out. While distancing herself from her prior life as a businesswoman and an ex-husband, she stops into a gift shop and a new adventure begins in a small town. While keeping her prior life a secret, she is quickly immersed in the small town and starts to realize she really likes this town and its people and is considering making this her permanent home. Learn about the barn quilt pictures, the quirkiness of living in a former bunkhouse. Along the way she meets the former owner of the bunkhouse, a owner of a local business and striving to become a champion roper in the rodeo, Adam. Will a romance develop between these two or is it three persons as Adam has just found out he is a father to a young daughter, Zoe? I loved the flow of this story and how Merry and Adam must face their problems and determine what is really important to them. This is such a delightful read. Thanks to NetGalley and WaterBrook for an ARC of this book; this is my honest review.

After going through a harsh divorce, Merry Anna Foster is enjoying her time in Antler Creek. And part of it may have to do with the Feed store manager, Adam Locklear. Adam runs the Feed store by day, but then spends his time as a bull rider. He has big dreams and is on track to winning a championship, despite past injuries and people wanting him to quit. However, life throws a curveball at him; finding out he has a five year old daughter he never knew existed.

This is a wonderful book about second chances, forgiveness, learning to let go of old dreams, but embracing the excitement of new ones.

I graciously received an advance e-copy from Netgalley for review. All opinions are my own.

What Remains True is a lovely sweet, clean, and heartwarming story. It's not my usual genre to read, but I really enjoyed the characters, the town, the rodeo, and learning about barn quilts (which was fascinating).
Definitely recommend

Many thanks to Nancy Naigle, Waterbrook Multnomah, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

This is my second book by Nancy Naigle, and though it was different than her last novel, I still enjoyed it. I found myself wishing I was living in the idyllic town. This was my first time reading about barn quilts. I was also interested in the rodeo aspect of the story.

Loved this sweet clean romance. Merry Anna needs a fresh start in life after her divorce, and finds it in the small town of Antler Creek working in a gift shop. She rents an old bunk house on the property of professional bull rider, Adam.

Adam is way to the championship this year but soon things will change the path of his life. A friendship develops between Merry Anna, loved the strawberry pie baking. Adam also finds out that he is the father of five year old, Zan. Adam, has no clue on how to raise a daughter.

Loved everything about this book, I had a hard time putting down. Adam or Merry Anna are not looking for love but God has his own plans. Loved sweet Zan, with developing relationship with her dad. I must also mention, Shorty the dog, a perfect secondary character. I highly recommend this book!!

Naigle has given readers a touching story of two people finding their way to being open to love. It is sort of an adult coming of age story. Both Adam and Merry Anna must work through many obstacles to consider the possibility of romance. While all of the characters are written well, my favorite was Zan. What a sweet girl. The plot is typical for romance, a budding relationship progressing with misunderstandings and hurt. The ending seems a bit rushed and is somewhat inconclusive. Perhaps we are to be expecting a sequel.

My frustration with the book is in the mixed messages it contains about sexual morality among Christians. Merry Anna divorced her husband mainly because he had an affair. She appeared to have definite convictions about sexual fidelity in marriage. When she learns Adam has had many sexual encounters outside of marriage, it seems to be of no concern to her. Adam's attitude toward his sexual sin is disappointing. While he admits he has had his share of women, he claims he has always done the “right” thing, I suppose meaning using condoms. (2464/4158) He never owns up to his sin nor is he ever repentant, even though he is depicted as a Christian. Adam's character is certainly not what I expected nor am pleased about.

This is a romance for younger readers who are of the opinion that causal sex outside of marriage is fine and not against God's will as long as one wears appropriate protection. For older Christians who still believe sex outside of marriage is sin and needs to be addressed as such, this novel will be a very frustrating one to read.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

What Remains True by Nancy Naigle is truly an amazing story of new beginnings, relationships, and the results of facing unexpected challenges. Another theme running through is that of honesty and the importance of being honest.

Merry Anna Foster is charmed by the small town of Antler Creek North Carolina as she drives through, decides to take a job at a locally owned, rent an old bunkhouse, and settle in she recovers from a nasty divorce. By slowing down from her hectic life as head of her family business, Merry Anna is discovering all of her hidden talents; gardening, painting, fixing up old items and giving them a new life. Merry Anna doesn't tell anyone in town about her divorce, her background, or where she's originally from; she wants to remain hidden, she wants to figure out what she really wants in life, and she wants to be free from her ex forever.

Adam Locklear, a rodeo bull rider, plans to get to the finals so he can earn enough money to retire from the rodeo and start another career. He does not have time for romance. He did not count on meeting Merry Anna. Adam gets the surprise of his life when he learns he has a five year-old daughter, Zan, and becomes responsible for her care. Having Zan in his life affects Adam's life and his relationship with Merry Anna; causing him to reassess his priorities with his career, with his life, with himself. Zan not only added another layer to the story but this smart, happy, sweet little girl stole the heart of all she met.

Ms. Naigle really captured the sense of community and the small-town feel in this story with the residents of Antler Creek being friendly and welcoming of newcomers. This is a sweet and emotional story. The amazing cast of supporting characters including Tara, Merry Anna’s new neighbor and Krissy, Merry Anna’s boss added to enjoyment of this story which T kept my attention from beginning to end. I highly recommend What Remains True to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Merry Anna stops in Antler Creek, North Carolina for gas. There was something about this place that called her name, and for the first time she was free to think outside the box and explore life not just live under the demands of her parents and their business. She takes a retail job in a small shop. There she connects with people on a whole new level. It’s liberating and fun to be away from the clutches of her x-husband and the demands of her parents’ family business.
She loves being anonymous, it’s a chance to discover what she likes, who she is, and what she was created to do. She would prove to her ex-husband she could live on the same budget he was living on; no more alimony for him.

Adam Locklear is a rodeo cowboy who wants to win big at the finals. He couldn’t be distracted by anything, including the new neighbor next door. He’s chasing a dream. A dangerous dream his parents cannot support.
Then an old friend comes for a visit. Things change dramatically. Both Merry and Adam quickly learn what is important. Who knew that meeting an old friend and sharing his recipe for strawberry pie, with a new friend, a non-cook Merry Anna would develop into something more these two goal seekers did not expect.

I enjoyed the rodeo backdrop and the small town feel of the story, with rich characterization and a storyline that draws readers in hook, line, and sinker. I’ve only watched clips of rodeos on TV, this is an in-depth view, from someone who loves the sport. I highly recommend this heartfelt, homespun, novel with themes of loss, regret, second chances, discovery, family, forgiveness with a splash of romance. It’s a great beach read and one that would be a fun book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a digital copy of this book by the publisher/NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

What Remains True, by Nancy Naigle, is the story of Merry Anna Foster and her arrival in Antler Creek. Stressed, over worked, and fresh from a contentious divorce, Merry Anna closes up her new condo, takes a leave of absence from her COO position at her family’s national office supply company, and heads south from DC towards the South Carolina beaches.

On her travels, Merry Anna finds herself stopping in the little town of Antler Creek where she stops in the Haven House store and falls in love while things begin to fall in place. She is offered a position by the store’s owner Krissy and even a home to rent while she is there. While her reason may falter, Merry Anna follows her heart.

Subsequently, Merry Anna meets her near neighbor Tara, a widowed retiree who has bought the large home next door. Her goal is to follow through on the retirement plans she and her husband had made to restore a large country home.

She also meets her neighbor up the hill, Adam Locklear, who once owned the two downhill properties. Adam also owns the local Feed and Seed store, has attended medical school for sports medicine, and is on the road of contending in the rodeo grand nationals this year. He also learns of his precious daughter Zan when her troubled mother arrives and leaves the little girl behind.

So many interlocking stories in the course of a summer! Wonderful characters, lovely setting, and all my hopes that this will just be the first book in a series! I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!