This is a great read.
The main characters have much to learn about their own character and plenty of ways to make serious changes.
The story flows and is engaging.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

This story is told from third person POV while also being dual perspective. It follows Dakota and Hudson who were engaged once upon a time but broke up because Hudson wanted to move to NYC and build a successful career. Dakota wanted to stay in her small town of Flowering Grove. Hudson's sister gets engaged rather quickly and Hudson is determined to make his sister postpone or cancel the wedding, which brings him back to Flowering Grove for an extended period. Hud and Dakota keep crossing paths and old memories and feelings flair.

The character growth of these two characters had to be the best part of the book. Both started as kind of a hot mess and stubborn. Like really fucking stubborn! I literally cannot stress enough how hard headed those two were. Anyway, they're constantly being told of ways to improve but it seems to never click. It isn't until much later in the book that we start to see changes in the characters.

Dakota is fiercely independent with an overly kind heart. Hudson is wildly successful and closed off. With each of their interactions you could tell they still had feelings for each other but both were so determined not to be hurt again they wouldn't admit to these feelings. So many times I wanted to reach into the book and shake them to make them see sense.

Although you could see Hudson was hurting he often went for the low blows in arguments. I loved Dakota's family and friends. They were all full of personality. Layla was just so bubbly and Shane was fierce. I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion but I didn't like Aunt Trudy. She felt two dimensional.

This story is mainly a second chance romance book mixed with a bit of forced proximity and overrun by miscommunication. While I wasn't that big of a fan on all the miscommuncations and heavy bouts of pride seeping from the characters, I do feel like this was truly second chance. It's also an INTENSE slow burn.

The story had some raw qualities which contributed to its charm. I would recommend this story just for the cuteness alone. And that epilogue was the cherry on the cake.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

This book was not for me. I don’t think that it was marketed correctly for my taste and felt a little like it was desperate to tap into the current romance reads

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

It's a funny thing; I recently tried another read by this author and struck out, but this one was a pleasant surprise!

The last 25%-30% of the book did suffer from similar issues to the other read--notably, being overly descriptive at times--but thankfully it was only a portion! And I found the story so interesting, I wanted to see how it would wrap up and the characters would develop. Hud and Dakota both drove me crazy sometimes, but I enjoyed seeing them both grow.

Stories set in and around bridal stores always make happy--I've watched more than my share of Hallmark movies and "Say Yes to the Dress" episodes over the years!--so this was ultimately a winner for me!

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

#WithThisRing #NetGalley

Dakota is overwhelmed with her bridal business and problems with her landlord.
She wants to be able to make it on her own, but it seems like there is always
something else wrong. Dakota doesn't feel like her life has been the same since
breaking off her engagement seven years ago. When Dakota's ex-boyfriend shows
up in town and is renting the house next door, Dakota tries to avoid him, but it seems
to see him everywhere she'sat. . A story about a broken engagement, a controlling
brother, who thinks he knows what is best for his sister and is learning to forgive.

I loved this light hearted, sweet story about love and second chances. The characters were lovable and I appreciated the humility of both the leading characters in relation to what lead to their breakup. It was an easy, cozy, enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend to others.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this story. I liked all the characters and how the main characters both overcame their internal struggles with the help and honesty of those around them. The relationship between the main character and his sister was sweet and his realization of why he’d been living the life he had was well done. Sweet clean read.

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

I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy and fun read. I would definitely recommend. I love the story of redemption that was woven throughout the book. I thought the story flowed very easily and was well written.

I enjoyed this book.
Our patrons love Amy Clipston so it will go out a lot.
I liked how they each remembered the past differently, this is so true in real life.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

A beautiful story of secrets, family, love, and forgiveness, Amy Clipston is one of my favorite authors. She writes beautiful stories. High Recommend!

My honest review. This book automatically loses 1 star simply because it’s written in 3rd person. Reading in 3rd person is not my favorite. It was a sweet love storm with amazing character development. I enjoyed reading about Dakota’s and Hudson’s self growth. However, it was an EXTREME slow burn. I mean last chapter slow burn.

This is the first novel by Amy Clipston that I have read, and she will be added to my list of favorite charming Christian fiction writers. If you love charming, standalone romantic fiction that is void of profanity and steamy scenes, you'll love Amy and you'll love this book.

The plot revolves around Dakota and Hudson - old high school sweethearts who unsuspectingly encounter each other when Hudson comes back to town to visit his sister. I loved the irony of the fact that Hudson's mission was to break up his sister's wedding, disproving of her relationship, and his ex, Dakota, was running a bridal shop with the mission to help create the fairytale wedding for Hudson's sister. The book kept my attention throughout, it was a quick read, and I'm happy to have read a sweet, lighthearted novel.

I do want to add, not a critique, but I normally really dislike character-perspective switches, I find it difficult to connect with characters when authors flip-flop (I'm looking at you, Stephanie Meyer, who was the first author that I encountered that did it so poorly...I still haven't found anyone that ever cared about Jacob's perspective...) Anyways.....Amy, on the other hand, did a fantastic job with it. Truly. I didn't feel disconnected from the story or characters. Amy formulated everything well, withholding just enough information to make the perspective switches make sense and keep the reader excited to get to the next chapter.

If you love clean, romantic fiction that reminds you of a good hallmark-style romance movie, that is appropriate to gift to a friend or daughter, this is a wonderful choice. I've added another Clipston novel, A View From Coral Cove, to my to-read list.

With This Ring
by Amy Clipston
Pub Date: January 14, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Bestselling author Amy Clipston transports readers back to the picturesque town of Flowering Grove, North Carolina, in this heartwarming contemporary romance.
Dakota Jamison spends her days making brides’ dreams come true. But when will the time finally come for her own storybook ending?
Amy Clipston has been hitting it out of the park with these sweet and clean contemporary romances! I loved Finding You and this one is set in the same quaint little town in South Carolina.
I LOVED the element of the roller skating rink being a part of the story. And allll the wedding dresses. I snickered at the section with the client wanting "butter yellow".

While this is part of the Christian fiction genre, it doesn't have any major spiritual revelations or scripture or chats with God like you can expect in others of this genre. This one DOES celebrate hope in second chances. The power of humility and forgiveness. And the beauty of family.

With This Ring by Amy Clipston is a lovely romance about second chances. The lead characters deal with struggles and growth, it's beautifully written. I really enjoyed the topics and found it relatable.

Thank you netgalley for an arc of With This Ring by Amy Clipston

With This Ring: A Sweet Contemporary Romance by Amy Clipston
medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0

This was a sweet story with flawed main characters that drove me nuts at times. It’s amazing that this story ever wrapped up considering how stubborn they were.

Meet Dakota and Hudson. Ex-fiancés who meet again in the small town they grew up in only its years later.

Both were heartbroken over the other person breaking the engagement. It only takes a few chapters to realize they never talked that through and both had a very different picture of the breakup.

Hudson comes back to town to help break up his sisters engagement . She’s too young and has made a lot of bad decisions in life. He doesn’t want her to make a life changing decision.

Dakota owns a wedding dress shop . Unfortunately she is broke and the shop is not going as imagined .
Her niece helps her in the shop each week . She has grand ideas but Dakota has her own ideas.

I really enjoyed this book. Dakota and Hudson are a lot alike : pig headed and not willing to look at others side of the story or listen. They both still think of each other and coming back together is a beautiful story.

It takes a lot of moving pieces (friends /family) for both to realize that maybe they need to look at things differently . Maybe they are ready for love now?


"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Amy Clipston’s With This Ring is a heartwarming tale of second chances and rekindled love, set against the backdrop of a charming small town. Dakota Jamison, a bridal shop owner in the picturesque Flowering Grove, has spent years mending the broken pieces of her heart after a painful split from her high school sweetheart, Hudson Garrity. Just as she’s coming to terms with her past and focusing on her business, Hudson returns to town, determined to prevent his sister’s wedding and unexpectedly colliding with Dakota’s well-guarded emotions.

The novel beautifully explores the complexities of unresolved feelings and personal growth. As Hudson and Dakota navigate their renewed interactions, they confront the misconceptions and misunderstandings that led to their original breakup. The story delves into the themes of forgiveness and the transformative power of love, offering readers a tender portrayal of how past wounds can be healed through second chances. The supportive community and vivid setting of Flowering Grove add depth to the narrative, making it not just a romance, but a celebration of life’s unexpected turns.

Clipston’s writing shines in its portrayal of relatable characters and emotional growth. While Hudson’s initial portrayal as a protective but overbearing figure might frustrate some readers, his journey towards understanding and vulnerability adds a compelling layer to the romance. Dakota’s resilience and the vibrant cast of secondary characters round out a story that is both sweet and satisfying, perfect for fans of feel-good, clean romances.

This was a sweet story! I really liked Aunt Trudy and how she was able to be a family for the kids. I found Hudson to be a little too much at times. I also enjoyed how Dakota's family was there for her.



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

I loved this clean sweet cute romance. I enjoyed the characters in this story and look forward to reading more of her books. Thanks for the advanced copy from the publisher and NetGalley