Adanne, a cosmetics artist, once again she has an opportunity to pursue a career she’s passionate about. John Pope, the main character, is the issue. She worked on one of his films years ago, and things didn't turn out well. She would give him another chance since she had heard he had changed. She also needed the money.

I loved the little town of Hope Springs, Alabama, where the movie was being filmed. The town felt like a character in the story. John Pope struck me as a man who was attempting to live out his faith and make his own decisions about his life and career. He wanted to do what was right, not simply make the choices that would gain him more attention and admirers.

This charming tale involves a contemporary romance set in Adanne's hometown and gives readers an intimate look at some film industry's backstage operations. In addition to having characters, you'll love hanging out with and a natural faith message that emphasizes the value of family and shows that doing the right thing can be hard. It's ok to receive help. It doesn’t make you weak. Adanne comes to realize you don't have to face the hard things alone. She discovers it’s easier said than done.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher and 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/

This is a solid debut book. I enjoyed it and it reminded me of Toni Shiloh's style. Adanne has an interesting background. She's a caretaker, trying to meet all of her family's needs. I get it. And I understand that it's hard to ask for help. I appreciated her growth in that throughout the book.

I enjoyed the interactions between Adanne and John. I've never thought about the hours an actor spends with his makeup artist getting ready for a shoot every day. It was fascinating getting a glimpse into that world.

I love small town stories as I grew up in one and understand the unique dynamics at play. I liked seeing how the community came together. This was a fun read with great character development.

Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free copy of this book. I'd recommend it and I'll look forward to reading whatever comes next from this author. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

I have been eagerly waiting for this book ever since I got my first glimpse of that gorgeous cover, and I am extremely happy to report that the story on the inside is every bit as gorgeous!

In Her Part to Play, Jenny Erlingsson introduces us to two engaging and multidimensional characters in Adanne and John. Adanne is a makeup artist, yes, but her heart and soul belong to carrying on the legacy of community service that her parents left behind. Unfortunately, in attempting to do so, she often (ok… usually) shoulders more than she should and hesitates to ask for help, taking on the entire burden by herself. Ohhhh I related to Adanne in this. I saw a lot of myself in her, and while that stepped on my toes a little (lol), it did so in the gentlest and best of ways. John is my favorite kind of hero – the reformed rogue. An actor who was skating very close to alcoholism before Jesus redeemed him, he now wants to honor his Savior with his career choices. But a messy breakup from his past keeps resurfacing, and a pushy manager with eyes on John’s success (rather than his faith) brings additional conflict to the story.

I absolutely loved how Adanne and John both turned to God frequently for wisdom, for comfort, for help. This was done so naturally, an organic reaction from each character, and the Biblical truths that Erlingsson includes in Her Part to Play are presented in the same way – never forced or preachy. Rather than put a damper on the romance side of this story, the faith notes actually made the romance even more breathtaking and ‘cherished’ because of the intention that prayer gave to John’s course of action in the last few chapters. I also adored John’s mom and Adanne’s aunt & cousins – they were all strong and delightful women who I would want to just hang out with all the time if I knew them in real life. There’s also a hint of some romantic tension between Adanne’s cousin Kenya and a certain doctor so I’m hoping (really hoping!) that a second book is in the works with these characters!

Bottom Line: Her Part to Play is Jenny Erlingsson’s debut novel but wow! The authentic-feeling character development, the rich layers to the plot, the tender progression of the romance, and the beauty of the faith threads all read like she has multiple published novels under her belt. The multicultural cast of characters was a highlight for me, as was the personal and lived-out (but still room to grow) faith of both Adanne and John. And the romance… oh dear readers… the romance is everything fairy tale and sweet and ‘I forgot to breathe’. The way they see each other for their real selves just filled my heart with joy, particularly in how John truly sees Adanne’s worth and beauty and talent. I cannot wait to see what Jenny Erlingsson writes next, and if you’re a fan of authors like Toni Shiloh and Carolyn Miller, you definitely need to read Her Part to Play too!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

This book is a Christian Romance Fiction book. When Adanne is takes on a job for extra money as a make-up artist for a movie being filmed in her small Alabama town. She never expected what it was going to be like..... she finds that its for the actor that fired her. John is an actor that has found God and is making his faith priority. As he starts to rebuild his career and new found life, he is taken by surprise just who will be filling in for his regular make-up artist. Will John be able to work with Adanne and how does his new found faith play in this? Will Adanne be able to work and keep her feelings from showing? Will they both be able to do what is right?

If you want to read a book that is a light romance and entertaining read. This book is a good summer afternoon read. I enjoyed the story line and the characters were likeable. If you are a fan of Hallmark movies then you will enjoy this book. This is the first book I have read from this author and I would read others from her.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions 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 Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.

***ARC Review***

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Her part to play was such a sweet read. Very pleasant and enjoyable. I love the way the bible and Christianity was weaved and included throughout the book. Jesus was at the centre of this beautiful novel.

This was a subtle enemies to lovers book but I do wish we could see a bit more of the romance side of things in development. The transition happened quite abruptly - it would've been nice to see more of the process of them falling in love.

I also felt that this was quite a safe story - quite simple, which isn't necessarily a bad thing! It made it a nice and easy read.

Title: Her Part To Play
Author: Jenny Erlingsson

Favorite quotes:
"I wouldn't say I'm the best, but I will surely do my best. Sometimes it's enough to have the room breathe and process outwardly without judgement over what we struggle with internally."

Adanne is a talented makeup artist who has been asked to cover for another artist working with a Celebrity on a movie set. Adanne is nervous to step in, due to some bad history from years ago with her newest client. However, her family could really use the money, so reluctantly she accepts the position. John is trying to leave his past behind, forgive himself and move into life as a much better man, who relies more on God.

Congrats to Jenny Erlingsson on her Debut publication! This novel is a contemporary Christian, warm and cozy, feel good read. Personally, I have mixed feeling on the overall pace of the plotline. The novel started out great for me, however, I found there were parts I ended up skimming for lack of depth. The author creates chemistry and descriptive language in the characters slow burn relationship which I enjoyed. The book features themes of forgiveness, sacrifice, and love. If you enjoy a Christian novel with a hallmark feel, this book is for you!

Thank you Jenny Erlingsson, Revell, and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#reluctantreaderreads
#JennyErlingsson
#herparttoplay
#christianfiction
#netgalley
#advancedreadereditions

Her Part to Play by Jenny Erlingsson is a delightfully excellent Contemporary Romance. I loved every page of this sweet story. There is so much to like about this story: the highly-engaging plot, the realistic and well-crafted characters, the slow-burn romance, and the deep themes discussed throughout the story. Adanne is an exceptional heroine. She is strong, hard working, and incredibly sacrificial. Family is everything to her; both celebrating and honoring the memory of her beloved deceased parents AND doing everything she can to support her brother, sister-in-law, and very sick seven-year old nephew. I adore Adanne’s devotion to her family. I also love her devotion to God. Everything she does is checked first through her faith and what God would want and expect. I really, really love and appreciate Adanne’s strong, firm faith. She is quite an inspiration. John is a great hero. What I appreciate the most about his character is how authentic he is. He is a man who has made a lot of mistakes in his past, but has cleaned up his act. Erlingsson does a great job illustrating through John how difficult it is to be a new creation in Christ. Temptations still exist. Mistakes are still made. I like how John is honest about who he is, what he has come through, and how hard it is to stay “good” in an industry that thrives off of bad behaviors, lasciviousness, and drama. In addition to loving Adanne and John as characters, I also really love and appreciate the message on the importance of family. I like the idea developed throughout the story that family is there to help with burdens, to be shoulders to lean on no matter what. I LOVED Adanne’s family SO much. They are so full of life and love and joy. They tell everyone how it is, but they are also there with good food and big hugs. We would all be so fortunate to have such wonderful and loving family members in our lives.

Her Part to Play is a lovely debut Contemporary Romance that I highly recommend. If you are a fan of well-written, highly engaging Romances filled with heart and depth, then you do not want to miss out on this story!

I requested a copy of this eBook edition from the publisher, Revell, via NetGalley, in order to review. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A breath of fresh air to read a Christian romance story. Jenny weaves faith through the story seamlessly, their relationship with God a crucial part of their growth individually, which creates healthy boundaries.

2 people with past hurts who understands the importance of God in their healing, I enjoyed the slow pace of the characters really getting to know each other and understanding their values.

Adanne steps in as John’s MUA for a new movie in her small hometown Hope Springs. John recently has gone through a break up & burning bridges with some in the industry, he’s trying to get his head back in the game & be a better man with the help of his team. Adanne has a lot on her plate & now working for a man she doesn’t like & while also being there for her family thru a difficult time, but as time passes they both become more drawn to each other. I liked that this was a beautiful story with no crazy trauma or struggle love between the two. This story is based in a small town & follows to people that have a very strong Christian faith. I’m not a fan of slow burns but I did find this stories pacing to be realistic for them to get to know each other and fall for one another eventually . John seemed to really take being a better person to heart & although Adanne had terrible communication skills at times in my opinion but she went through a lot of family loss etc so I can see where she was trying to find her footing in life. The author is very detailed in her writing so you literally feel like can envision every scene, smell, taste & so one. Decent story overall & I am grateful for this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

A bit of an enemies to lovers trope. Actor John did make-up artist Adanne wrong (got her fired), but doesn’t realize it. Understandably, Adanne has a chip on her shoulder with a lot of stress in her life, but I never really warmed to her. On the plus side, both characters have strong faith.

I loved this book! It was truly a delight to read. The author weaves a wonderfully romantic tale of strong characters who feel like family by the end of the book. This is a beautiful story of redemption and forgiveness.

As an avid reader, it’s always refreshing to read a well thought out and really well written story. The character development in this story was next level, and almost unheard of for a debut novel.

Make sure this one is on your summer reading list!

I quickly fell in love with not only Adanne and John (the main characters) but also with Hope Springs, Alabama. The family relationships felt authentic and I could visualize that small town as they strolled through the streets. Adanne is spunky and funny but is dealing with the hardships of life. This novel has drama, sorrow, and plenty of joy. I throughly enjoyed this charming Christian novel.

I love Adanne and John's story! The setting and plot are unique, which always appeals to me. The cast of characters is amazing; family is important. The main characters adapt and grow throughout the story. There's a little bit of heartache, but a lot of forgiveness and love! Highly recommended!

This is truly a Christian love story, reminiscent of Tia McCollors and Toni Shiloh.

I received this book from the author and NetGalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Her Part to Play by Jenny Erlingsson is a gentle romance set both in small town Alabama and in the limelight of Hollywood. With both a heroine and a hero you can root for from the start, a plot line that keeps you guessing, and wonderful supporting characters. Her Part to Play is a wonderful read for the relaxed long days of summer. Five stars.

I loved this romance about second chances and overcoming the pain of loss. The author blended the glamor of Hollywood with relatable characters and I was rooting for them from page one! Adanne's journey in particular resonated with me as she dealt with the lingering pain of losing her parents.. The characters are rooted in a strong faith that guides them through the ups and downs...and to each other. Definitely a slow burn with some second-chance elements, and a fantastic glow-up scene that I totally loved!

I really enjoyed this book and didn't want to leave Hope Springs and all of the enjoyable characters in it. The author had a way of bringing the characters to life with her words which further pulled the reader into the story. The book provided all of the emotions from laughter to tears. I loved how Adanne fought so hard for her community and her family's legacy. John was working to overcome his troublesome past and had the support of his godly mother. The supporting characters were amazing too especially little Jason!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Jenny Erlingsson’s debut novel is a beautiful story of two people from very different worlds. Adanne is a makeup artist by trade who lost her job after an actor’s careless comment. John is a well-known Hollywood actor who gave his life to God and is now trying to decide if acting is for him.

When Adanne finds the man who caused her to lose her job in her makeup chair, she struggles with how she’s going to be the makeup artist for the man who ruined her life. But as the two begin to interact, they each discover unexpected aspects about each other.

Adanne is trying to salvage the local community center, a legacy her parents began many years ago, but money isn’t coming in, and her time is stretched thin. John’s manager puts pressure on him to jump through the hoops to improve his standing in Hollywood. The harder the guy pushes, the more John questions what he’s doing.

I loved the small Alabama town this story is set in. Erlingsson creates it almost as another character in the story, by sharing its history. The slow growth of the romance is something I also enjoyed. Adanne’s family and John’s mom were wonderful characters.

This story has themes of second chances, legacy, and the importance of family. If you enjoy clean, small town romance with fun, diverse characters, and a sweet story, you’ll want to get this book!

*****I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to share a review. All opinions are my own.

What a great debut! I've been very into celebrity romance books lately, so naturally this one caught my eye right away. John is a famous actor who had a bit of a messy past until he turned his life over to God and sought to make changes. Among those he hurt in the past is the makeup artist Adanna, though he has no idea. The curiosity as to what exactly happened kept me intrigued throughout the story and I loved that the author gave just enough to keep you wondering until it was full revealed. The chemistry between these two was really fun and I very much enjoyed them together. It was definitely a slow burn... but the payoff was worth it.

As much as I loved the romance, I also really loved the sense of community and faith themes within the story too. Yes, you get some of that Hollywood glam... but you also get the small-town moments too. I loved seeing John's desire to give back... and not just for publicity. Overall, it was a really beautiful story with lots of heartfelt moments that I really enjoyed. With a debut like this, I definitely look forward to seeing more from the author in the future.

**Complimentary copy received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Her Part to Play is a very well written romance. I enjoyed the plot and the character dynamics. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.