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 the narrator, 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.

Read as an ARC

Have you ever heard the saying "always the bridesmaid, never the bride"? Well, that is in a way true for this book. She is the owner of the local wedding dress shop. He is her high school sweetheart, who moved way to start his own company, and is now own his way back home to stop his sister from getting married too soon.

Dakota Jamison has built a life in her hometown of Flowering Grove where she has bought a small fixer-upper and opened Fairytale Bridal Shop. Dakota’s own fairytale ended when she broke off her engagement with her high school sweetheart, Hudson, many years ago.

Hudson Garrity has just sold his software company but instead of celebrating the deal, he’s headed home to try to stop his sister, Layla, from making a mistake that she’ll regret later. After all, she’s too young to get married. He’s living proof that fairytales don’t exist, and young love only ends in heartbreak. Look at how his life had turned out…

Will it be possible for Dakota and Hudson to co-exist in their hometown?

I really enjoyed this novel, and that Dakota stayed true to herself and her values. It wouldn’t have been easy to have made the decision to stay and not follow Hudson.

I liked the narrator and would listen to other books narrated by the same person.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for allowing me to listen to an ALC of this novel. #NetGalley #WithThisRing

DNF @ 85%
I really liked the premise of the book. Hudson and Dakota and their second-chance/ enemies-to-friends-to-lovers trope is cute and they have such tension that is to DIE for. The small town aspect was cute too. However, I couldn't get over how annoying almost every character was about telling Hudson he should support something he didn't want to. I agreed with him, maybe not all his methods, but everyone blaming him and telling him to back down when he was right was not my favorite. I got so far with this book and I really stayed for Dakota and Hudson, but in the end, I couldn't. Definitely try this book out because it has tension, little to no spice, and some moments that got you smiling at paper.

The vibes:
- second chance romance
- Bridal boutique owner + big CEO who returns home for little sister’s wedding
- Small town

I wanted to like this but it wasn’t my jam! It had potential but the conflicts between characters lacked depth and the dialogue felt unnatural and cheesy. The MMC is a successful CEO who returns to his small hometown to visit his little sister who is planning her wedding. There is a lot of conflict between him and his sister and I think the reader is supposed to feel that the MMC is in the wrong but he makes a lot of good points though handled poorly.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is a standalone, however it is set in the same town as another one of Amy Clipston books i read a few months ago and therefore there is a brief mention of something from that book "starstruck".
This is a cute romance set in a small town, and it brings back Dakota and Hudson who were high school sweethearts once engaged crashing back together when Hudson decides to try and break up his younger sister's wedding. This book brings together real world problems and characters with real issues which was refreshing. it is a clean romance with very very minimal kissing only. the ending is a bit of an eye roll but we shall let it pass.

With This Ring is a heartfelt & charming romance that drew me in from the very first page. With its blend of popular tropes, including second chance romance, grumpy sunshine dynamics, & small-town charm, it delivered everything I look for in a sweet, feel-good love story. I absolutely love a second chance romance (probably because of mine & my Wife’s story) & this one right here was oh so sweet!

I feel like Amy Clipston did such a great job with the characters in this novel. They were so relatable & it felt like I knew them personally. I especially loved the growth of the main characters, & how they both came to realize they weren't without fault in their relationship. They both had serious growth within the book & I appreciated that their connection remained constant throughout!

The emotional journey of forgiveness & rediscovered love was beautifully written, with plenty of warmth, humor, & chemistry between the main characters. This is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys wholesome love stories with genuine heart & popular romantic tropes.

This book is available now & I highly recommend!

With This Ring
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a really cute heartwarming love story. It was a nice break from high intense reads. I totally enjoyed Dakota and Hudson story. You will want to cheer. It was fresh & fun!
Thank you NetGalley

Amy Clipston at her best!

With this Ring takes you on a journey of healing, growth & trust. Dakota's life changes when her engagement to Hudson is broken off. Both believing different "truths" about their breakup now find themselves back in the same town, 7 years later with both of their lives in upheaval

Can they face their past, bringing healing to their lives and those around them along with trusting in faith? This read brings so much emotion and a page-turner too.

Thanks to Netgalley for my ALC!
I was intrigued by this lovely cover! It's colorful, gorgeous and vivid! And, unfortunately, the buck stopped there.
It was hard for me to like anything else about this story. Let's start with the characters. This was likely the most petulant cast of characters I've ever read about and they were all money driven. 
I went in expecting a romance, but this was the complete opposite. It was just all over the place messy. Wasn't this supposed to be a second chance romance between Hudson and Dakota? Well, there was none. At all. They spent their time either avoiding each other, being rude to each other, or holding their past breakup against each other. I didn't feel any love between them, any spark and I didn't even care if they decided to revisit a second chance together. 
It seems as Hudson's little sister and her upcoming wedding was the central point of the story. Lacey was laced throughout - her wedding, Hudson begging to help her with her wedding, her shutting Hudson down, her wedding dress, it was just too much!
Most of the plot seemed to be based on money. Their whiney attitudes towards the money annoyed me. Here you had: "i have a lot of money, let me pay for this", "I don't care about your money, you can't control me", "i'm mad at you because you wanted money and left our small town", "don't flaunt your money in my face". Ugh, just give me the money and I'll show you how it goes!!!
There was no depth, nothing to grab my attention. It was very slow, very boring and lacking the key element - romance. 
The narration was pretty decent, but not even it could carry this story.

With This Ring is such a sweet and wholesome romance set in a quaint and charming North Carolina town, . The story follows Dakota, a struggling bridal boutique owner and her ex fiance Hudson, who left town years ago after their engagement ended. As they are forced back into each others lives for Hudsons sister Layla's wedding they get to know each other again and we see them work through issues personally and together. This is a very slow burn story with themes of second chance romance, grief, forgiveness, loss and personal growth. While this is romance, it is completely clean with no explicit scenes, while still stirring emotion and pulling you in. I did give this book 4 stars instead of 5 due to the frustration I felt for the characters lack of communication which caused most of the problems in the book. Without this fact the plot would be thin, but I wanted to smack some sense into them for it, especially Dakota. The redemption of both Dakota and Hudson personal growth in learning to open up, ask for help, and communicate their needs came through in the end.
I enjoyed the audiobook version of With This Ring and it was expertly narrated by Brittany Goodwin. Goodwin did an amazing job giving each character a unique voice and personality and I really enjoyed listening to her telling of the story. Excellent choice with Goodwin as narrator!
Shout out to Netgally, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for an ARC of this audiobook.

With This Ring is the second book in Amy Clipston’s Funny Feelings series but it is a standalone story. Dakota Jamison, owner of Fairytale Bridal, is a very talented seamstress and designer who has achieved her dream of having her own bridal store in her small home town of Flowering Grove. But the dream could easily become a nightmare with the burst pipes her landlord insists is her responsibility as per the lease and the damaged goods her insurance company states weren’t covered. Then there is the increase in her mortgage payments.

Dakota is excited about the wedding gown she is creating for Layla Garrity, little sister of Dakota’s ex fiancé Hudson Garrity. When it became clear that Hudson’s big city entrepreneur goals and her small town business owner goals were diametrically opposed, Dakota broke off the engagement and Hudson headed to NYC. Now Hudson is home on the heels of having sold his company for a fortune, but with the express purpose of stopping his sister’s wedding.

With an interesting cast of characters and a well plotted story line, this is another very good novel from Ms. Clipston. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

I don't usually like second chance romance novels. This once was better than the norm. I thought the narrator did a well job. 4 stars

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

EXCERPT: (Dakota) loved helping brides dress for the wedding of their dreams, which was why she opened this boutique. Witnessing the pure joy glowing on her customers' faces when they found the perfect gown felt almost magical. In fact, she eventually wanted to have a place where she could not only sell gowns but also host weddings. An all-inclusive wedding venue with a boutique and a large restored building - such as a barn or an old mill where couples could have their ceremony and reception - would be perfect. Perhaps one day she'd find a farm to purchase, but first she'd need the funds to open the place . . .
Until then, she'd continue to sell gowns and help brides plan their dream weddings and their happily ever afters. After all, she believed in fairy tales for the brides-to-be who shopped with her, although she didn't believe she would ever experience her own. She'd just have to live vicariously through her customers instead.

ABOUT 'WITH THIS RING': Dakota Jamison is living her dream running Fairytale Bridal Shop in her hometown of Flowering Grove, NC. But despite helping others find their Happily Ever Afters, getting married and settling down isn't on her radar. In fact, she decided she'd never get engaged again after Hudson Garrity broke her heart and left her to pursue a career in New York City. Besides, she doesn't have time for a relationship between running her shop and giving roller skating lessons at the local rink.

Hudson Garrity made his dream a reality when he started his own software company in the big city, but now that he's sold it, he's at a crossroads. He's finally made enough money to provide a comfortable life for his younger sister and the aunt who raised them after their parents died. Hoping that a return home will help return his focus, he's instead thrown into family chaos and roped into helping his sister plan her wedding . . . bringing him once more into contact with the one who got away.

As Hudson's sister's wedding date draws closer, he starts to remember how much he loved Flowering Grove and the smalltown life. And as he and Dakota start to wonder what could have been, they reevaluate what went wrong between them.

Will Dakota and Hudson find it in their hearts to forgive each other and forge a new life together?

MY THOUGHTS: With This Ring is my first book by Amy Clipston, but it won't be my last. She really makes you work for the HEA!

There is a lot of conflict in With This Ring, and I mean A LOT! Hudson is at the centre of it all, though maybe not all of it is his fault. He manages to alienate both his sister, her fiancé and his ex-fiancé! Nice going Hud. He had good intentions, but how he expressed them was an epic fail on his part.

Honestly, Hudson and Dakota are just as stubborn as one another and not prepared to explain themselves or their decisions. There is a lot of miscommunication and long held resentment between the two over their breakup years earlier. I'm not usually a fan of the miscommunication trope, but it works well here. I found myself getting equally angry at both Hud and Dakota as the story progressed.

If you are looking for a small town second-chance romance that includes plenty of fireworks, With This Ring is an ideal place to start. It is an entertaining read, and I challenge you NOT to get caught up in the characters' lives.

I was able to read & listen to With This Ring by Amy Clipston, narrated by Brittany Goodwin and enjoyed both formats.

⭐⭐⭐.9

#WithThisRing #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Amy Clipston is an award-winning bestselling author and has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing “career” began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories.
Amy works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC, and lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and five spoiled rotten cats.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Zonderfan Fiction Audio for providing both an e-ARC and audio ARC of With This Ring, written by Amy Clipston and narrated by Brittany Goodwin for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

With This Ring is a sweet, clean second-chance romance about forgiveness, love, and discovering what truly matters in life. Set in the charming small town of Flowering Grove, NC, the story follows Dakota, a bridal shop owner facing tough times, and Hudson, the man who broke her heart years ago but is now back for his sister’s wedding. As they reconnect, old wounds resurface, but so do lingering feelings, forcing them to confront their past and explore the possibility of a future together. With relatable characters, heartfelt themes of family and forgiveness, and a touch of personal growth, this story is both emotional and uplifting. (TW: Loss of Parents, past).

ARC from Netgalley

DNF @ 39%. No rating.

Story: With This Ring brings us the story of Dakota and Hudson, a couple who broke up after Hudson decided to chase his dream of being successful to New York. I abandoned this book at 39%, which wasn't far enough to find out the specifics of the breakup, but it's clear Dakota broke up with Hudson. I don't know if the author was holding the details out as a twist, but I think it did the story a huge disservice. Dakota came off as so immature as the one who initiated the breakup. Hudson was immature, too, but it was like she wanted to punish him. But let me back up...

Hudson does become hugely successful in New York, and Dakota, having never left their hometown of Flowering Grove, is struggling to make ends meet. And this is where my issues with the book start. For one, she took a chance on a brand new business, and then bought a house against her father's advice. A fixer upper that she has zero money to fix up. And the author went hard to show us how terrible things are going for her. A disaster at her store has ruined her inventory, and her fixer upper is literally falling apart. We're talking cupboard doors falling off when she opens them. And hearing her inner thoughts just make it hard to sympathize with her knowing she knowingly made these irresponsible choices. On top of that, Hudson's sister is getting married, and Dakota was so steeped in old wounds that she was hoping Hudson wouldn't be able to make time to come home for the wedding. That doesn't make her a very good friend or very likable.

Also, this book felt very cliche. And I could go into why, but I think I've gone on enough, and I'm not looking to hate on this book; I just want to share what didn't work for me. Unfortunately, I don't recommend this one.

Narration: With This Ring was narrated by Brittany Goodwin. I thought her tone was a bit monotone at times, but she did OK switching between the male and female voices. While I didn't necessarily love the job she did, I wouldn't be turned away by her narration in the future. I'd give her another chance.

"I have been running from my grief for a long time."

The second chance romance With This Ring by heartfelt clean romance author Amy Clipston is a story of redemption, forgiveness and understanding.

Dakota and Hudson were childhood sweethearts who always knew they would marry. What they didn't know is that each had very different visions of what that marriage would entail for their individual dreams.

Dakota loves her family and her small town. Her dream is to open her own bridal boutique and design wedding gowns. Hudson can't wait to leave this town and find financial success to care for his aunt and younger sister. The engagement is over.

Normally I get annoyed at the miscommunication trope, but this was more a case of being young and having goals and not realizing their inner fears.

Seven years after their breakup, Hudson, now a rich man, heads home to prevent his baby sister from marrying someone he feels isn't good enough for her. Dakota's bridal store is near bankruptcy and the last person she wants to walk into her store to get a wedding tuxedo is Hudson.

Reading and listening to this romance was a revelation of how time and life experience is sometimes the only answer to conflict. Voice actress Brittany Goodwin was exceptional as Hudson, a man deep in grief over his parents' death, and believing money is the way to protect his family. Dakota is dealing with grief over losing Hudson and now her store. Her inability to ask or accept help has kept her almost frozen in time.

With This Ring is a love story about navigating personal growth, talking honestly, and opening hurt hearts in order to heal and love again.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the author and publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#AUDIOBOOKREVIEW

WITH THIS RING by AMY CLIPSTON is my first book by this author, and it certainly won't be my last. This audiobook was enjoyable to listen to, and the narrator did a good job.

Dakota owns a bridal shop in Flowering Grove. She and Hudson used to date, but they parted ways when he moved to New York. He now owns his own successful business there and is back in town for his sister's wedding.

I enjoyed the sweet story and how much both characters valued their families. I felt a sense of relief when Hudson and Dakota finally decided to be less stubborn and accept help from their loved ones. The supporting characters were also well-developed.

This was a truly enjoyable read. The skating rink provided a fun setting and served as a wonderful gathering place for the entire community of Flowering Grove.

Thank you #netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Title: With This Ring
Author: Amy Clipston
Narrated by: Brittany Goodwin
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Length: Approximately 8 hours and 45 minutes
Source: Audiobook Review Copy from NetGalley, physical book copy from Thomas Nelson as a part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank you!

Do you like to wear rings? Do you have a favorite ring or one that is the most meaningful?

Dakota and Huson broke off their engagement seven years before when Hudson left their small town for New York City with dreams of making it big in business. Dakota stayed behind and pursued her dream of starting a bridal boutique. Hudson has returned to town after selling his company as his sister is engaged and planning her wedding. Will Dakota and Hudson reconnect? Will they be able to work through their problems from the past?

My thoughts on this novel:
• As February nears, I was in a mood to read a romance novel. This had one of my favorite tropes – second chance romance.

• This novel was a lot of fun. My favorite part was that there was roller-skating rink that one of Dakota’s friends had bought, restored, and runs. Dakota teaches skating lessons there on the weekend. There are fun activities, and it is the core of the social scene in town.

• The fictional setting was Flowering Grove, North Carolina. I loved the name of this town!

• There is just something I love about bridal boutiques. I enjoy reading about them and Dakota’s struggles as she tries to keep her business afloat. She needs to learn how to ask for help, but Hudson needs to learn to stop controlling everyone.

• Hudson drove me insane when he would just throw money at everything and boss everyone around. He was so rude to his sister and her fiancé.

• Hudson’s pursuit of money alienated both his family and Dakota. He reminded me of Ebenezer Scrooge at times. I like that by the end of the novel, the reader understands why he behaved the way he did.

• I liked that Hudson and Dakota both had redemptive arcs, and both had to learn how to be their best selves and the best to those they love in their lives.

• This is a clean romance.

• I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was great, and it was a fun book. There were some odd pauses in the audiobook, but that may be because it was a review copy.

Overall, With this Ring by Amy Clipston is a sweet, clean second chance romance with a redemptive arc. If this novel doesn’t make you want to roller-skate, I don’t know what will.

I absolutely HATED Hudson. I kept rolling my eyes at each jerky thing he did/said. It's not every book that causes me to hate & love a character. I listened to the audiobook & loved it. I stayed up too late to finish the story & regret nothing. I did need a couple cups of coffee the following morning, but again, it was worth it. We all wonder "what could've been" when it comes to past relationships & it was no different for Hudson & Dakota. I requested this audiobook without reading the description. I follow Amy Clipston on social media & had seen several posts informing fans of its arrival. I knew I wanted to read it from the first post. Amy Clipston is a fantastic writer, & her character development knows no bounds. She's not afraid to take risks & create jerky characters for us all to hate, and then to eventually love by the end of the book.