For the past 3.5 years, I’ve been “reviewing” books via the StoryChats@InspyRomance podcast, where Elizabeth Maddrey, Narelle Atkins, and I read quite a few ARCs (advance reader copies) of assorted romance novels and interviewed the authors.

We interviewed Becca Kinzer as her debut romance, Dear Henry, Love Edith released. All three of us enjoyed this book so much we were eager to chat with Becca again about her second book, Love in Tandem. However, after receiving our ARCs, we decided to close down the podcast (long story in itself), so here I am with an unaccustomed review back here on my blog! It’s been a while, to say the least.

I enjoy romcoms but, the truth is, I rarely actually laugh out loud at them. I figure a romantic comedy has done its job if I have smirked a few times or gave an inward chuckle. This one made me laugh several times.

The synopsis:

She’s perfectly content leading a quiet life in her small hometown. He’s an adventurer with unquenchable wanderlust. The two couldn’t be any more opposite if they tried. But a tandem bicycle and a 500-mile road trip just might change all that.

After a failed engagement and her mother’s battle with cancer, Charlotte Carter’s life is finally turning around now that she’s landed a dream job teaching music. What she didn’t see coming was the imminent closure of the school’s music program. She’s determined to save it, even if it means getting creative. There’s no way she’s chalking this up as just another failure in her book of recent embarrassments.

Zach Bryant is back in town just long enough to see his brother Ben get married and then he’s off traveling the world again. He never imagined he’d run into Charlotte Carter, his brother’s ex-fiancée, or that everyone would believe he and Charlotte are an item. He certainly didn’t dream he’d end up riding a tandem bicycle hundreds of miles with her in an attempt to raise funds for a defunct music program, but how can he say no when the prize money would help him out of his financial predicament too?

Charlotte is sure she can set aside her differences with Zach long enough to cross the finish line and win the giant cash prize… can’t she? A few hundred miles in, she’s questioning her deeply held assumptions about Zach and wondering if maybe tandem biking is only the start of their biggest adventure yet.

My opinion:

Charlotte is an unlikely heroine for me to love because she hates everything outdoorsy and I love it. Through a series of misadventures, she finds herself tandem-cycling with her ex-fiancé’s brother for ten v-e-r-y long days. How did she get from “here” to “there?” It’s an epic tale and one you’d best read for yourself.

But here’s a touch of Charlotte’s thought process as she talks to someone about her ex, Ben. It doesn’t even matter that she jumps to the wrong conclusion, which she does a lot of times in the story. You’ll just enjoy this hint of the story voice!

Ty’s brow wrinkled in confusion. “How did you hear?”

“Ben’s mom told me. We ran into each other at the farmers market a few weeks ago. I got so flustered trying to prove I wasn’t flustered at the news, I bought fifty-three dollars’ worth of fresh spinach, which made me all the more flustered because I hate spinach and she knows I hate spinach, so somehow in all the flusterment I concocted an imaginary friend who loves spinach, whom I may have suggested wasn’t imaginary but rather special and perhaps male.”

Behind his glasses, Ty’s wide eyes blinked like a befuddled owl’s. “What are you talking about?”

Now it was Charlotte’s turn to blink and ponder. “Ben’s wedding this weekend. What are you talking about?”

And now you begin to see why a 20-something woman who hates the outdoors and hates exercise might find herself on a 500-mile tandem-bike challenge with her ex’s brother. Because Charlotte seems to find herself in a whirlwind often… and nearly always of her own making.

Zach, of course, has his own reasons for agreeing to the bike challenge, but for him, it’s not such a stretch since he’s totally outdoorsy (whew, someone needed to be). But the chemistry between them AND the situations they found themselves in AND the dialogue (internal and vocal) combine to make this a romcom you won’t want to miss.

This romance novel has a subtle but solid faith arc for both characters, if that matters to you. It matters to me.

Love in Tandem releases in a few days on Amazon and, no doubt, a lot of other online retailers. Snag a copy!

What an absolutely charming story this was! I love a good fake dating story, and while this one had moments of that... I loved the unique spin on that. Charlotte and Zach never set out to fake anything... but a series of events lead to some wrong conclusions and they kind of just fall into it... and I absolutely loved it. I found myself laughing out loud right from the very start and those laugh out loud moments continued on throughout the story as they're forced into a tandem bike ride to save her music program. This was definitely an adventure in which everything that could go wrong, DID go wrong--- but in a perfectly hilarious, romcom-y sort of way! There were so many great laugh out loud moments... blended perfectly with more heartfelt ones too. The romance was a bit of a slower burn, but I absolutely adored these two together.

The faith content is perhaps a bit on the lighter end but felt very genuine to the characters. I loved that they both had their struggles and had to work things out. Seeing their faith change throughout the story was just as enjoyable to me as the romance and laughs! This was a great romance and one that fans of romcoms are sure to want to check out.

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

This was a really cute forced proximity, dual POV, kissing only Christian romance (light on the God talk), full of family drama, hijinks and great chemistry between the two MCs (two exs of their mutual siblings). Teamed up to compete in a 500 mile tandem bike ride competition for $250,000 that Charlotte hopes will save her school's music program, she and almost brother in law, Zach, have to overcome a number of obstacles in order to make it to the end of the course, finding love along the way. I enjoyed this book a lot, especially on audio. Recommended for fans of authors like Pepper Basham. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: kissing obly

I enjoyed reading Love in Tandem, a LOL funny romcom featuring a fun bike riding road trip adventure. Charlotte doesn’t like being outdoors. The story opens on the last day of the school year in a small Illinois town where Charlotte is having a hilarious close encounter with a bee. She’s committed to her music teaching role and devastated when she learns the funding for next year has fallen through. Charlotte is prepared to go to great lengths to raise the money needed to keep the music program and her job alive.

Zach has known Charlotte and her family for years. He travels the world working as an outdoor adventure tour guide. Zach has returned to Bailey Springs for his brother Ben’s wedding to a woman Zach used to date. Two years earlier, Ben had broken off his engagement to Charlotte only a week before their wedding date.

Charlotte and Zach reconnect in an unusual way and end up on a tandem bike riding adventure with a goal of winning a quarter of a million dollars. A ridiculous comedy of errors lands them in an accidental fake relationship situation. The stakes are high and their lives are headed in different geographical directions after they finish the ride. Charlotte and Zach encounter many obstacles in their often amusing and always challenging journey to happily-ever-after.

I appreciated the sweet subplot involving Charlotte’s sister, Sophia, who literally crashes into the life of a perfect stranger. I recommend Love in Tandem to contemporary romance readers who like fake relationship romantic comedies with a fun cycling road trip adventure and a relevant faith element in the story.

4⭐️ What a delightful ride. I didn’t know how enjoyable a book about people riding a tandem bike for 500 miles could be, so I went into this one a bit skeptical, but obviously was not disappointed. I read Becca’s debut novel, ‘Dear Henry, Love Edith’ last year, and adored it. This one was no different.

I truly enjoyed every single character, even the ones Zach and Charlotte came across briefly on their journey. I consider each of those characters living angels. Something horribly wrong would happen for Zach and Charlotte, and someone would come through and help in the best way possible for them. It was small miracle after small miracle.

Charlotte was someone I related to in many ways, but specifically her struggle with physical activity (yuck). She was a genuine character who I truly enjoyed reading about. Zach was so sweet, and they truly deserved each other. Their banter was a lot of fun, and all the things they got themselves into was just a good time. I even liked Sophia’s (charlotte’s sister) part of the story, even though it was in the background.

Even though all of these things went wrong and the outcome at the end of their trail was unexpected, God pulled them through and their faith grew even stronger. I was able to relate to their crises of faith, when things go poorly in my life, so I truly appreciated that part of the story. All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and will continue to pick up every book by Becca.

I highly recommend reading this if you enjoy:
- Fake dating
- Opposites attract
- Only one tent
- Forced Proximity
- Multiple POVs
- Christian romance

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Love in Tandem by Becca Kinzer is a sweet, clean romcom with a light faith thread. I thought the story was cute and while I was rooting for Zach and Charlotte, I didn’t really connect with either character for some reason. I also felt like it took a bit too long to get to the main part of the story. That being said, I am sure others will really love this story and its moments of hilarity.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Another great book by Becca Kinzer! I can’t stop thinking about this book! Charlotte and Zach had so many great adventures and taught me so valuable lessons. I found myself laughing and cheering them on as they embarked on their journey. I also love that this book was inspired by a tandem bicycle trip the author took with her husband.

The formatting of this ARC was very weird when reading in the kindle.

I went into this book blind and quite enjoyed it. Charlotte’s engagement to Ben ended when he left her at the altar. Several years later, she goes on an errand for her sister and somehow ends up at Ben’s wedding as Zach’s date. Zach is Ben’s brother. To save her music teaching program, she and Zach must tandem bike 500 miles in 10 days. Throughout this trip, they find that their chemistry is off the charts and it gets harder to keep their feelings at bay. Both of these characters face their own hardships in this book and there is mentions of faith and God but it doesn’t take away from the romance plot line at all.

Really cute Christian rom-com. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. The bicycle journey was a unique way to bond the characters and the shared history added a depth to the relationships that may have not seen them last otherwise. This book reminded me how important it is to continue to share my faith with those around me, even when they may have lost their own faith because you never know when a person will have a change of heart. I do wish the sister’s story had been given more attention and detail because it reads a lot of red flags as is, but it still fit in nicely for what it was. I look forward to reading more by this author!

I would like to thank NetGalley, and Tyndale House Publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

this story in all was a very sweet one.. but that’s all it was to me in my opinion.. just sweet.. and there was absolutely zero steam.. like zero of it which for me is a complete turn off.. if I don’t get that hot chemistry between the 2 main characters than the story just becomes an automatic no for me..

Love in Tandem takes readers on a whimsical journey filled with laughter, mishaps, and romance. Charlotte, our endearingly quirky protagonist, grapples with pushing past her comfort zone and facing a crisis of faith, all while navigating the winding roads of love. Paired with Zach, a wonderfully flawed hero, their banter and near disasters create moments that will leave readers smiling.

While the story is undeniably sweet and entertaining, it leans heavily on humor rather than deep Christian themes. For those seeking a light-hearted read and a focus on wholesome content, this book delivers. Readers expecting a stronger emphasis on Christian faith may find themselves longing for more substance.

The chemistry between Charlotte and Zach is palpable and their journey, filled with laugh-out-loud moments and banter (think Gilmore Girls), keeps the pages turning.

Overall, Love in Tandem offers a delightful blend of humor, romance, and quirky characters, making it a charming choice for readers in search of a feel-good rom-com. Its threads of family, healing, and humor ensure an enjoyable ride from start to finish.

While its lighter approach to Christian themes may not resonate with everyone, its threads of family, healing, and humor ensure a thoroughly enjoyable read for those looking to escape into a charming world of love and laughter.

I received a digital copy of Love in Tandem via Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

This is an extremely sweet christian romance about a woman who pushes herself out of her comfort zone, has a crisis of faith and falls in love.

When I say sweet I mean really sweet - maybe too sweet in parts.

And zero steam. Although this book is well-written and the characters and storyline were interesting enough to keep me reading, I need chemistry between the couple to really love a romance.

But if you want to read something that makes you laugh and you could recommend to your most conservative friend, then this book is for you.

I received an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is my first Becca Kinzer book and now I must go read Dear Henry, Love Edith since I loved this book so much. I immediately fell in love with Charlotte's over-the-top, slightly hysterical, and absolutely adorable third person voice. She has such a heart of gold but trails of near disasters follow her everywhere. And Zach - what a wonderful hero. Somewhat broken, a bit confused, yet loyal with a big heart, he captivated me from the moment he showed up in the story. They have great laugh-out-loud moments but deep, thought-provoking moments as well. I enjoyed their faith journey and loved witnessing the reconciliation and discovery of purpose and calling. I didn't expect a second romance sub-plot nor a mystery sub-plot, but Charlotte's younger sister Sophia provided both and her story tied nicely into Charlotte's story.

If you're looking for an incredibly funny, sweet, witty, and heart-warming romcom, look no further.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale via Interviews & Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

Love in Tandem is a very well written and entertaining romance. I loved the plot and the characters. I highly recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read!! Do you need to laugh? Then, you need to read this book! Like pronto!! This story is so entertaining, and the characters are now my best friends!! Every single one of them. I loved the storyline, zaniness of the scenes, and most of all, the precious romance between Zach and Charlotte. The book even has a secondary romance, too. These characters will forever be my book besties!! Did I say this is a fun book? Why, yes, I did. Because it is!! Thank you Ms. Kinzer for writing this story!!
#loveintandem #romcom #closeproximity
#tyndalehousepublisher #christianfiction #cleanreads
#bookstagram #tandembike
#netgalley

This was my first Becca Kinzer read and I just LOVED her writing. I’ve heard a lot of praise for her first book, “Dear Henry, Love Edith”, so I can’t wait to go back and read that one soon.

Charlotte Carter had my heart – a nature and adventure lover she is NOT. 100% me. Lol So what is one to do when presented with the opportunity to win BIG BUCKS by riding a tandem bike for a 500 mile road trip challenge. The money would surely save her school’s failing music program. Teaching music is her passion…she doesn’t want to give up on the dream. What if the person you had to ride tandem with was your ex-fiancé’s brother, Zach? Yikes!

Such great banter between Charlotte and Zach. A ton of fun moments over the craziest mishaps that take place on their road trip. I won’t go into any of them because that’s the joy of reading through this book. I laughed…I smiled…and that is a win for me. Completely clean and closed door. This story is sprinkled with elements of Christian faith. Just an all-around perfect story.

PLEASE make sure you don’t skip the note from the author at the end! It’s quite awesome – and exactly why I always make sure to read EVERY single page inside of my books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved the romance in the great outdoors, the romance was written well but I was expecting it to be an open door romance, overall an okay read.

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I requested this book because I recognized the name as a local author but the description did not mention that it was Christian Contemporary/Christian Fiction. There were several things that drove the plot along and the writing was actually pretty good. I didn’t feel like I ever connected on an emotional level to any of the characters who never showed the deep vulnerability that really gets me invested in a character or plot line. Also, the religious references put me off, partially because I wasn’t anticipating them and also because it meant many standard and enjoyable romance themes were absent.

In my Ella Fitzgerald voice 🗣 "It's not the pale moon that excites me, that thrills and delights me. Oh no, it's just the nearness of yooou...." 👫

Becca has done it again! Swooning over this sweet and hilarious rom com. The wit, John Wayne references, music mentioned (we need a playlist), and the faith elements just created such a masterpiece.

Poor Melba, but I laughed out loud when Charolette was telling that old man. 😂 It reminded me of the episode of Roseanne where Jackie was telling people their dad died over the phone. "Dad passed away! He's no longer with us! He's dead! Dad's fine, and he sends his love. " And that twist at the end?!?! I have never been so surprised. I literally screamed 😂 I did NOT see that coming!

The setting of the Natchez trace was so fun! It actually runs through where I live and I have ridden the trace through a few states, so it felt very fimilar. I cried, reading the authors note, learning that Becca and her husband made this trip early in their relationship. It was so heart-warming and made this so much more swoony. ♥️
Thank you, NetGalley, and Tyndall House Publishers, for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

Love in Tandem was everything I was hoping it would be and more after reading Dear Henry, Love Edith. This book was so beautifully written with such humor and heart. I fell completely in love with Charlotte and Zach after the first chapter and Sophia makes me wish I had a sister. I loved every character except Ben. I adored the story and couldn't read it fast enough yet wanted it to last forever. There are mishaps and mayhem at every turn and I now need Mexican food. The chemistry, emotions, fun and witty banter were a delight from start to finish. With a few tears shed but more laughs out loud, Becca Kinzer has delivered another amazing read. The end was beautifuly done and I absolutely loved every page.