With This Ring by Amy Clipston is a heartfelt and charming romance that drew me in from the very first page. With its blend of beloved tropes, including second chance romance, grumpy sunshine dynamics, and small-town charm, it delivered everything I look for in a sweet, feel-good love story.

I especially enjoyed the female main character’s role as a bridal shop owner, which was a fun and unique touch that added depth to her character. Her positivity and determination made her easy to root for. The male lead, while grumpy and guarded, had an endearing side that gradually unfolded, making his growth and connection with the heroine all the more satisfying.

The emotional journey of forgiveness and rediscovered love was beautifully written, with plenty of warmth, humor, and chemistry between the leads. This clean romance is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys wholesome love stories with genuine heart and well-loved romantic tropes. Highly recommended!

I love the cover of this book and the premise sounded interesting, but ultimately this book fell short for me. I really struggled to connect to/care for the characters. The book relies heavily on the miscommunication trope (which honestly, had I known this I probably wouldn't have chosen this book).
The storyline, although promising, didn't progress much. There was a lot of repetition and telling (instead of showing), and most of the story was moved forward through internal monologuing.

The narrator did a good job of narrating both the male and female characters and giving them distinct voices. Her pacing was good and she sounded age appropriate for the characters.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I didn’t hate this book but I didn’t love it! I liked certain parts but overall found it lacking in depth for me. This is a no spice book but that doesn’t matter to me because that’s not a necessity for me in romance books but I found there to be an overall lack in the storyline where for most of it, i found there wasn’t substance. It was pretty basic.

Towards the end their was hints of vulnerability and I really enjoyed that but like I said overall this book just missed the mark for me to be anything but a light read that wasn’t very impactful to me.

I might read more by this author in the future if I ever come across her books.

Thanks NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, and Amy Clipston for giving me an advanced listener’s copy of this book!

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.
YouTube Handle: KeenCat

This was a fun feel good read. It was just what I needed. Great story line and good characters that even made me laugh sometimes. I love when the guy is just as obsessed with the girl as she his him.

I had the honor of reviewing this audiobook through Netgalley. I am so happy i am i did because this is such a sweet romance. I loved all the characters and honestly would been so happy to read more about their little world. mmc frustrated me at times but i love the character growth. I also really enjoyed the narrator and will be keeping an eye out for her work in the future.

Oh this book was boring. Both protagonists were just pig headed domineering and just plain annoying. The only redeeming thing is that they mature a tad bit over the 7 years of their separation and get their careers going. Narration was good.

I have read several books by Amy Clipston. I originally selected titles from a couple of her Amish series, but I have really been enjoying her more recent contemporary works. I enjoyed this book being set in North Carolina and wish Flowering Grove was a real town.
I enjoyed the emotional tug-o-war between Hudson and Dakota. Parker was a real sap and “try-hard”. I wanted to smack him several times throughout the story. Dakota had a ton of personal issues that she was going through and if her and Hud had just been open and honest with each other, there wouldn’t have been so much emotional drama with everyone.
I listened to the audiobook version of this book and I truly enjoyed the narrator.

Hudson always dreamed of going to new york and starting his own software company. When he's able to get the opportunity to do that, his broken engagement to high school sweetheart Dakota solidifies his decision to leave and never return to his hometown of Flowering Grove. Dakota stays behind and opens up a bridal boutique. Hudson returns home after 7 years to be with his aunt and sister after finding out the news of his sister's engagement.

The family and friendships throughout this book was so heartwarming. This book made you feel warm and fuzzy, and had you rooting for this couple to get back together.

The flow of the audiobook was good, I felt like there were longer pauses in between than normal, but it was more so due to the fact that there was a new paragraph starting and it was from a different perspective. The narrator did a great job with the different voices. It felt like the voices for the woman were similar and had me disconnecting a bit. Whenever speaking with her best friend, it felt as if the friend was disinterested and bored. All other characters throughout the book felt as if they had an interest in everything else taking part.

**Review of *With This Ring* by Amy Clipston (4⭐️)**

*With This Ring* is a sweet, second-chance romance set in a charming small town. The story follows the heroine, who stayed behind to build a successful bridal boutique after her breakup with the hero, who left to pursue his career in New York. Years later, he returns for his sister’s wedding, and the unresolved feelings between him and the heroine quickly resurface.

The chemistry between the two is palpable, and the small-town setting adds a lovely backdrop to their reunion. Clipston does an excellent job of blending the past and present, allowing readers to see how the characters have grown and changed. The hero's return forces both of them to confront their past mistakes and decisions, and the story unfolds with a good balance of tension, growth, and romance.

While the plot is predictable at times, the heartfelt journey of rediscovery between the characters keeps things engaging. The pacing is steady, and the writing is warm and easy to fall into. The supporting characters, including the heroine's family and the hero's sister, add depth to the story, making it even more enjoyable.

Overall, *With This Ring* is a lovely and heartwarming read for fans of second-chance romance in a small-town setting. It’s a great choice for those looking for a feel-good, low-drama romance with relatable characters and a satisfying conclusion.

This book was very enjoyable. The narrator did a great job. It is third person POV and single narration. Both of which usually are things I avoid but this one was very good.
This is a sweet second chance romance.
Dakota and Hudson reconnect after years of being apart. Hudson left their small hometown for bigger and better things to help support his aunt and sister. Dakota has dreams of owning her own bridal shop.
The narrator did a great job giving each character their own voice. I definitely recommend giving it a listen.

Yes, it's a bit cheesy.
Yes, it's a bit predictable.
Yes, it's a bit too sweet.
And yes, I still totally enjoyed it!

Dakota is a young woman who is living her best life. She's opened up a wedding dress venue and fulfilled her dream of owning her own place AND being a seamstress! But, as things are starting to crumble around her, she wonders if she's made the right choices.

Hudson is a young man who left his small town roots to travel to NYC and fulfill his dreams. There he started a tech business and made a lot of money, so he's able to support his aunt (who raised him and his sister after their parents died, tragically) and his little sister, who is growing up fast. In fact, he's decided to travel home BECAUSE his little sister announced she's getting married. He needs to vet the guy and set them both straight!

And so the saga begins...
Small town. No secrets. Everyone knows everyone. Big brother trying to control little sister. Money CANNOT buy you love. Shattered dreams.
But then there's also: Friends. Family. Ice skating. Pizza. And so much more.

If you're looking for a sweet, goo-ey type of story, this one is for you. It dragged on a little bit, especially with all the angst-y stuff, but in the end had me laughing and crying too!

3 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 4!

#WithThisRing by #AmyClipston and narrated by #BrittanyGoodwin.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #ThomasNelsonAndZondervanFictionAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which just released on 1/14/25, so look 👀for it now!

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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

Book Review

If you’re looking for a heartfelt and dramatic love story, this book is for you! It tells the story of Hudson, a man who left his hometown and high school love, Dakota, to chase his dreams in New York. But when Hudson learns his younger sister is rushing into marriage, he comes back to stop the wedding. That’s when he runs into Dakota, who now owns a bridal boutique.

The story has a lot of emotions and surprises. You see how Hudson and Dakota struggle with their past, especially because there was a big misunderstanding about why they broke off their own engagement years ago. The book does a great job showing how their feelings for each other never went away and how they work to figure things out.

It’s a story about family, love, and forgiveness, and it’s easy to relate to the characters. You’ll want to keep reading to find out if Hudson and Dakota can fix the mistakes of the past and find happiness again. Perfect for readers who enjoy second chances and small-town stories!
Thank you to good reads for this advanced audio copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily

This is a heartwarming and uplifting read that is a perfect fit for fans of sweet, clean, and contemporary romance, particularly those who enjoy second chance love stories and small-town fiction, as it weaves a tender tale of rekindled romance, forgiveness, and rediscovery.

Dakota Jamison has made her own dreams come true. She owns her own bridal shop. However, with recent flooding and the resulting damage, Dakota begins to face serious difficulties. There are also money worries facing Dakota, but she is a strong woman, and does her best to work through her issues. She can’t believe that the man who broke her heart, Hudson Garrity, is back in her hometown of Flowering Grove.

Hudson wants for nothing, as he began and has since sold his own software company. His time back home is only long enough to guide his younger sister as she prepares to marry. While Hudson works hard to dissuade his sister from her decision, he can’t help but to fight feelings for Dakota that never went away. But, Dakota has moved on with her life and so Hudson thinks about his next adventure in life.

Dakota’s life is filled with substance. She is a successful small business owner, a homeowner, and a beloved friend and neighbor. Hudson, a devoted brother and loving nephew to his aunt who raised him and his sister after their parents’ passing, adds another layer of depth to their story.

This second chance romance unfolds gradually, building tension and anticipation as the characters’ paths cross. It’s a delightful read that promises to captivate readers with its compelling characters and engaging plot.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

- Dakota and Hudson have a complicated past. Their engagement ended painfully with regrets on both sides. 10 years later, she is a struggling bridal boutique owner and he is the brother of the bride. They are once again forced into close proximity and forced to face their feelings for each other. But it is complicated. Will they be able to find their happily ever after?

With this Ring contains not only a second chance romance, it also provides room for a lot of character growth. Dakota and Hudson are fleshed out with deep flaws and emotional pain. It was at times painful to watch their decisions (!), but I think everyone will love the ending!

Huge thank you to Netgally, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the opportunity to enjoy this well read audiobook!

This was a good romance to start off the year. I thought the characters were all a little extreme but that made the story good!

Dakota is living her dream with her bridal boutique, but things are harder than she expected. And now, Hudson is back in town...
This is a second chance, super slow burn romance. I have read many fantastic reviews about this one, but... I didn't like Hudson (so much of a grump that he comes across as an jerk), Dakota was too stubborn for her own good, and Leila was whiny. Dakota's niece was also annoying. The characters were all meddling WAAAAAY too much. Mind your business! The story was flat, the dialogues were not natural, there were a lot of redundancies, the fact that the main couple broke up back then is based on a stupid miscommunication, which I hate... and I didn't like the narrator in the audio book. So I think it's safe to say this one was not for me!
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.