This book was so sweet and heartwarming. I loved the characters growth and connection. Hudson’s growth from when he left for NYC to coming home was beautiful. Dakota was kind of frustrating as a character, but I loved her joy and connection with those around her.

With This Ring is a sweet romance about second chances. Dakota and Hudson once shared a wonderful love which ended in a broken engagement. When Hudson returns to town for his sister’s wedding he meets her dress designer, Dakota. Sparks sizzle as they are constantly thrown together in cute circumstances. I really enjoyed reading this book! I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in trade for my honest opinion. My thoughts are my own.

The miscommunication or no communication trope isn’t usually a favorite of mine. Who breaks up with someone without telling them why? Or gets broken up with and not ask why???? Anyways… even though the trope isn’t one I’d make by choice, I am glad it was this book I put my mind to finishing, even if I yelled most of the time. The MMC and FMC were both very likable and complimented each other nicely. They had grew up together and been together since High School and then college. We find out later about the miscommunication and a smile inducing happily ever after finishes us out. I gotta admit, for being Vanilla sweet, I didn’t notice the spice missing. There was tension and laughs and the idea of maybe another man she might move on with. Gotta say I will definitely look out for this authors past and future works.

Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to share my opinion for a copy to review.

Normally, I like everything Amy Clipston writes. However, "With This Ring" did not top among my favorites...

As a second-chance romance, we meet Dakota, who has been left behind by Hudson. She stayed in their small hometown and opened a bridal shop after he left for NYC to make his dreams of success come true. The fact that they were engaged and planning a life together didn't seem to make a difference when Hudson left. And now, seven years later, he's come back to foil his little sister's plans to get married.

Of course, given that she owns the only bridal boutique in town, they're doing to run into one another, right? But Hudson is such a pig-headed, know-it-all, white cis-gendered male that he's barely likeable.

And Dakota spends so much time wrapped up in her woes that she can't accept any of the help that's she's offered because of a misguided sense that she has to succeed on her own.

I didn't connect at all with either of the main characters, and there were so many awkward situations that were a bit cringe-worthy that I found myself feeling uncomfortable more often than swoony.

I know Amy Clipston is an author I typically enjoy a lot, and I look forward to reading more of her stories. But this is one I could have done without...

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

**Book Review: With This Ring**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In *With This Ring*, bestselling author Amy Clipston enchants readers with a heartwarming tale of second chances, love, and the delicate threads that bind shared histories. The story follows Dakota Jamison, who has built a new life as the owner of Fairytale Bridal Shop in the charming town of Flowering Grove after a painful breakup with her high school sweetheart, Hudson Garrity. Dakota’s passion for helping brides find their perfect wedding dresses adds a delightful backdrop to the narrative, setting the stage for themes of love and loss.

When Hudson returns to town to stop his sister Layla's wedding—believing it to be a mistake—his mission unexpectedly intermingles with Dakota's life. This reunion forces them both to navigate their unresolved feelings and confront the memories that linger beneath the surface. Clipston expertly weaves a narrative that highlights the complexities of love and familial loyalty, immersing readers in the emotional turmoil faced by both characters.

The author’s strength lies in her character development. Hudson is portrayed as a successful yet introspective man grappling with his childhood pain and the rekindled feelings for Dakota, while Dakota’s journey reflects resilience and growth as she learns to confront her past. Their interactions are authentic, filled with moments of humor and nostalgia that make their chemistry palpable.

A particularly memorable quote that captures the essence of their journey is: “Sometimes, the heart remembers what the mind tries to forget.” This resonant line underscores the power of memories and emotions as Dakota and Hudson navigate their complicated history and reconsider whether their love story deserves a second chapter.

*With This Ring* shines as a sweet, clean romance that delivers genuine emotions without veering into explicit content. The small-town setting and the charming secondary characters enhance the overall atmosphere of the story, making it a perfect cozy read. Additionally, the inclusion of discussion questions adds an engaging element for book clubs, encouraging readers to delve deeper into the themes of forgiveness and rediscovery.

Clipston's novel offers a beautiful balance of romance and personal growth, leaving readers with a sense of hope and nostalgia for what might be. *With This Ring* is an enchanting read for anyone who believes in the magic of second chances and the transformative power of love, making it a delightful addition to any romance enthusiast's bookshelf.

ARC/ ALC REVIEW:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You would think the woman who owns and operates Fairytale Bridal Shop was living her own happily-ever-after. Unfortunately, Dakota Jamison has had more success helping others walk down the aisle than herself. After her high school sweetheart abandoned her for his career, she dedicated her days to building a satisfying life in the small town of Flowering Grove, NC. But when a flood threatens to destroy her business, an unexpected wedding party offers to keep her afloat. Will her second chance at business coincide with her second chance at love, or are both destined to end in disaster?

Amy Clipston’s With This Ring isn’t your average second chance romance. This sweet story tackles the miscommunication trope from a Christian perspective. Thus, its overarching themes focus on forgiveness and new beginnings.

Clipston does a terrific job painting each and every one of her characters (minor and main alike) as human. She acknowledges that they are all flawed in more ways than one and are not immune to having made mistakes. This realistic look at modern love makes this a love story rooted in reality. Readers won’t be able to help but root for love to prevail.

I had the pleasure of consuming this book via multiple medias. Not only did I read an electronic version of this, but I also had the pleasure of listening to it on audiobook. The story is narrated by Brittany Goodwin and she does a terrific job bringing Clipston’s words to life. No matter what format readers choose, they are in for a real treat.

Special thanks to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, Zondervan Fiction Audio, and Amy Clipston for allowing me to read and listen to this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Dakota and Hudson. When they were in high school they dated and got engaged. The broke up when Hudson went to New York to work. Seven years later he comes home for his sister’s wedding. He runs into Dakota when he goes to pay for the wedding dress. There is still an attraction. They keep running each other. They each have issues it together they work them out and fall in love.

A relatable feel good story that will leave you with a smile on your face as you turn the last page. I found this story delightful with great characters and events you could believe in. Parts of the story like the roller skating rink brought back memories of my own childhood. This is one of those books you read and it is like talking with an old friend.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

📕 Standalone
🎭 Genre: Contemporary Romance

🥜 In a Nutshell: A bridal shop owner may get a second chance with her first love when his sister's engagement brings him back to town.

✅ Second Chance Romance
✅ Wedding Planning
✅ Roller Rink Setting

This is my first time reading Amy Clipston and I really enjoyed this sweet romance! I loved the roller rink being the hang out spot as I haven't seen that done before. Growing up, I spent a lot of time at the roller rink and it was easy to picture Dakota and Hudson's memories of when they were young and how much the rink meant to them. I also liked Dakota working at the bridal shop and helping with Layla's wedding. I thought this book was well paced and kept me interested the whole time. The only thing I didn't care for was the miscommunication which became a big part of the end conflict. Other than that, I thought this was a sweet, enjoyable romance that kept me entertained the whole time. I will read Amy Clipston again in the future.

Thanks to the author and Net Galley for the ebook provided for my review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I received a complementary copy of this book from Netgalley. Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for a chance to read this book. Please note all opinions are my own.

Dakota is a seamstress who owns her own boutique that has fallen in between a rock and a hard place. Hudson is a CEO living in New York City. Hudson’s sister Layla hires Dakota to make her wedding dress. Hudson is against his little sister getting married, but he comes back to Flowering Grove, NC. to help pay and hopefully talk his sister out of the wedding. One big problem… Dakota is Hudson’s ex-fiancée.

I found this book really enjoyable. This is my first Amy Clipston book. Now while I did enjoy this book. Every time I would put this down, nothing drew me back to pick this back up. While I could have finished it in a couple days. I would forget about it until I saw the cover again.

But overall, I did find the story enjoyable.

I liked this book. It reminds me it is ok to ask for help when you feel like you are drowning. Despite misunderstandings if you love someone, family or romantically, you can work through anything. I'm glad life worked out for the characters in the end.

I've read many of Amy Clipston's books, so I knew what to expect with this one: Clean romance, second chance, sweet storyline. What I didn't expect was my inability to connect with the story. I'm not sure if it was the characters, or the setting, or what, but it didn't suck me in like every other Clipston book I've ever read. That's not saying someone else won't love it. I just struggled with it.

When Hudson Garrity left Flowering Grove to pursue his big city dream of starting a software company, he left his small-town girlfriend, Dakota Jamison, behind. Now that he has sold his company, he's made enough to live comfortably and support his sister and the aunt who raised him, but he hasn't found anyone to share his life since Dakota broke their engagement. As he begins searching for what's next, his sister asks him to help plan her wedding. Thinking she's far too young and hasn't known her prospective groom nearly long enough, he rushes back to Flowering Grove intending to do all he can to stop the wedding. Discovering that Dakota owns the bridal shop and is re-making a dress to look like his mother's dress is a blow to his heart. They share the same friends. They share the same church. Has the love the felt for each other years ago really disappeared?

When Hudson left town, Dakota was devastated. Her dream was always to stay in her small town and open a bridal shop, married to her best friend but Hud's dream took him to NYC. His sister's wedding is the one event keeping her store solvent since her insurance company is denying coverage on damage done when the building's old pipes burst. Can she keep the business she loves if Hudson succeeds in getting his sister's wedding stopped?

Fans of Amy Clipston's writing style will enjoy this story. This is contemporary, sweet romance.

3.5/5

This was my first introduction to Amy Clipston and I will definitely read more of her work.

It was a good, clean, feel-good, second chance romance.

My only disappointment was it took 95-98% of the book to get to a resolution and reuniting. Which meant you didn’t see much of the MC’s flirting and relationship development. There was a jump as the epilogue to catch you up to give a little more HEA. But in my opinion, it would have been stronger to see more of the relationship developing.

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

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. All of my opinions are expressed in this review.

Dakota ended her engagement to her high school boyfriend when Hudson's future plans differed from her own As Hudson and Dakota create a friendship, more information emerges, raising questions about why they broke up in the first place. As they worked through grieving, communicating and standing up for your own needs in relationships, and achieving financial security and stability, I liked witnessing their growth in maturity and self-awareness.

Similar to a Hallmark movie, this was a light and carefree read. I enjoyed reading this book, but would have liked a little more.

I loved this story! Second chance is one of my favorites! The characters were relatable, and I enjoyed seeing their journeys. Amy Clipston has become one of my favorites! Highly highly recommend!

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

This was a really good book. I enjoyed the plot and the different characters that added to the story. I like the way the reconciliation was explained at the end of the story. It had a good closure and solved all the issues. I look forward to reading more from this author.

With This Ring by Amy Clipston is a must read if you love romance. It was so sweet all the way to the end with just the right dose of everything you love in a romance genre. Amy Clipston is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

I had such a hard time with this particular book. The characters fell flat, the plot and pacing were too slow, and the problems felt contrived.

Redemption arcs are great, but we need to at least understand the character if we have any hope of empathizing with them.

I would be willing to try another book from this author, but this one was a DNF unfortunately.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

This book is perfect for fans of weddings /bridal shops and a second chance romance. The book
follows Dakota a bridal shop owner whose life revolves around helping brides find their perfect dress while she is stuck on the one that got away. But then her life gets a shake up when Hudson shows up it feels like her heart is going through it . It's a beautiful story about two people finding each other again.