This book was a fun read! About a young girl going away to college for the first time- finding a new girl friend group who I loved and figuring out how to navigate a romantic love interest when she is still reeling from a traumatic experience with a guy she had been dating in high school. At times the main character came off annoying because of her triggers and panic attacks- but honestly, that’s so real. Triggers and panic attacks are annoying but a real part of people’s lives. I loved the audiobook narrator. She fit the part so well, even singing parts of the book when a character was singing. Very cool. I also loved the central theme- leaning on God through life, the hard parts and just in your daily walk.

God will help us all in whatever we face physically, spiritually, emotionally, etc.

Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm. I pray God heals us all. 🙏


Thank you, Kristen Welch

Thank you netgalley for this opportunity to read.

*Anything* by Kristina Welch is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of love, loss, and self-discovery. Welch’s writing is both raw and lyrical, drawing readers into a deeply emotional journey as the protagonist grapples with life’s uncertainties. The characters are relatable and well-developed, with each page offering a new layer of insight into their struggles and triumphs. The book's themes of resilience and personal growth resonate long after the final page. A beautifully crafted story that will stay with you, *Anything* is a must-read for those who enjoy stories that explore the human condition with depth and sensitivity.

There are some heavier, harder themes in this book that I don’t read often in the books I choose to read but I felt the author tackled them well. I appreciated the Kit’s journey and how she was able to overcome.

The audio was a little hard at times but I appreciate the listen now option to give it a try!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This book is deep and deals with trauma, moving on in relationships and trusting others. There was a lot to process in this read and sometimes I felt it was moving kind of slow. I did enjoy the overall story and character development. The Faith content was on point and described and explained their Faith and choices well.

Please make sure to review the triggers/contents that may be explored in this book.

I wasn’t able to finish this book. I understand that everyone processes trauma differently, and as someone who experienced sexual assault in high school, I personally found comfort in opening up to someone at my own pace. However, I found myself frustrated with Kit’s reluctance to seek support from a counselor or her mother sooner. Her repeated pleas for divine intervention to “fix” her became difficult for me to connect with. I think I would have enjoyed and finished the book if she and Levi had communicated more openly and worked through her struggles together. I made it to 81% before ultimately deciding to stop.

Anything is a great debut novel by Kristina Welch. I look forward to reading some more books. I was swept in from the start and could not put this book down.

The character development was fantastic. In a season that can be very hard to navigate Kit is trying to figure out college life while also dealing with PTSD from sexual trauma. While Levi brings some great development trying to navigate this relationship while also working on his own faith.

The setting and storyline were good. I enjoyed going back to college and experiencing the college life and figuring out new relationships. It was a fun element. It also gave me an insight into PTSD. It was really well written.

The romance element was a little bit much for me. It definitely contained a lot of swooning. Which can make for some awkward scenes. Though nothing more than kissing, Kit’s mother does a great job of pointing out what could happen if they don’t reign that in. Which I appreciated the balance.

Kristina Welch did a great job intertwining faith throughout out the book. Watching people struggle through hard issues and fining their faith in the hard times. It was really well done.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

This was a beautiful story dedicated to overcoming trauma and giving it all to Jesus! The story was lovely and the characters really had to struggle and grow in the Lord! I enjoyed the journey!

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for this! All opinions are my own.

Thank you for allowing me a listen to this cute little romance. At first, I was thrown off by how YA the author sounds- but this is a YA book, so it worked.

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Kit and Levi ebb and flow. Levi's steadfastness despite Kit's reluctance was enduring. I enjoyed listening to each character give their struggles and worries over to God. It was a good reminder for me to do that myself more.

I love listening to stories narrated by the author. I think it gives them a little more life. I also love that while there were some hard themes of the book, everything was wrapped up nicely in the epilogue.

3.5 stars (rounded up) || Kit Talbot has sworn off boys. After a traumatic experience in her Colorado hometown left her self-conscious, closed off, and bound by PTSD, she’s happy to head off to Bible college in Texas for a fresh start.

Levi Whitaker is hot guy on campus. Every girl wants him and he wants no one—until he meets Kit. He’s built walls for a different reason, but Kit is threatening to tear them down. But will he be able to tear hers down as well?

This was a slower read than I’m used to, but it felt true to the college-aged characters. Kit did a lot of wrestling with her past and the wrestling was a dominant part of the story. It picked up for me around the halfway mark and I was fully invested in finding out how everything came together.

I listened in audio and read on KU—the ebook was the winner for me. The audiobook was read by the author, which I appreciate in so many ways, but she didn’t use different voices for different characters so I got tripped up several times in distinguishing who was talking in conversation.

All that said, I’m looking forward to reading Sophie and Austin’s story!! 😍

I'd like to start with I am not the target audience for this book. It's the first book in a while that I feel like the characters are too young for me and I do not relate. I struggled getting through the audio book, perhaps if I was reading it I would feel differently. what I would like to say is I am so grateful for authors who write sweet clean faith filled stories for the younger generation. I love that there are books out there for my daughters to read that are not filled with filth. So thank you. thank you for the chance to review your book. I appreciate it and you!

I tried so hard to listen to this audibook and I simply couldn't. I feel bad by saying this, but even though the author has a great voice, and it is great to have her as a narrator of her own book, she doesn't make the book engaging. I tried it at my regular speed time of 2.2 and I couldn't distinguish between the main character and the others, so I thought maybe if I slow it down? And it didn't, I went all the way to 1.5 and it only made it slower but as difficult to understand which character was she on. I wish they would had use an engaging narrator because I felt the story had so much potential. I unfortunately only lasted 30 minutes on it before I had to officially DNF it.

thank you Netgalley for the ALC in exchange of my honest review.

4⭐
Never in a million years would I think I'd ever enjoy a Christian Romance, 16 year old me would be shocked! But I loved this!

"A match made in Heaven, or a blueprint for disaster?"
This is a very heartfelt romance, absolutely enjoyed it. Loved Kit & Levi's 'courtship'/relationship. I love how God is the foundation of their relationship. Such a beautiful start to a series I'm definitely gonna continue!

Thank you IBPA and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for an audio ARC of this book.

This just wasn't for me. I did not like the characters, and none of their experiences seemed to go beyond the surface.

Honestly, if you read the "jacket", you're good...no need to read the book.

"Anything" is Welch's debut novel following two broken young adults- Kit and Levi, as they face challenges of their past, strengthening faith, and building relationships- all while going to niche Marbury University, full of traditions, intermural sports, and lots of fun.
Kit, who seems to be running from her past, meets Levi in their interconnected friend group.
Levi reminds Kit too much of her ex that's left her with bad memories, but he is charming, popular, and swoon worthy.
Both Kit and Levi have to rely on their friends and faith in God as they battle the struggles of life.
Welch tackles the deep and sometimes annoying part of following Jesus in a cute and easy to follow way, infusing this story with hilarity and pop culture references that make the characters feel like your own friends.

I listened to the audio version on Netgalley, which was narrated by Kristina Welch herself. I loved her tone and how she truly got into the characters' emotions as the story progressed. Sometimes, it was hard to differentiate between the characters' voices and the external dialogue vs. internal thoughts. The pacing was great- slow enough to follow but added, hurried tones during more intense emotions and actions. I wish there would have been a male narrator for Levi, especially during his point of view.

The story was absolutely amazing and felt truly believable. The conflict that both characters went through, both internal and external, and their walk in faith felt personal- even if I hadn't gone through a situation like that before. Welch made you really feel connected with the characters and wanted you to sink in and wonder what was going to happen.
I know some feel weary when hearing of a Christian fiction, and I understand. However, I like that Welch did not use any "church talk" but was universal for anyone in their walk with Jesus, regardless of their "strength" in faith or how long they have known about Him.
I did like the pop culture references, and it made the vibe feel so much more authentic for young adults to read. However, I felt lost to the situation when I didn't understand a reference. I wonder how this book will hold up when the references are no longer relevant because they are so reoccurring.

Overal, I loved the story, and I am so excited to see more from this author!

While this isn’t necessarily a life changing book for me, I think it could have the potential for a younger audience.

While our MCs are college students, majority of this read I had to remember that they’re not actually in high school, as it often felt.

The audiobook being the authors voice is both great and hard to follow. It’s great because she does a phenomenal job with emphasizing certain words and phrases but also hard to follow POVs that aren’t our FMC.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book!

Thank you, Netgalley and publisher for an audiobook arc for this book in exchange for a honest review.

I was excited to listen to this Christian romance book. It did take me a bit to get into this book with the two main characters. Once I did, I enjoyed their relationship. This book had so much great faith and growth throughout the book. I think Kit and Levi had situations that they both had to work through in order for them to be able to build their relationship. While I didn't love how much Kit pushed people away, Levi staying by her and being there for her was so sweet. Once they both opened up to each other and others, you could see how much that built the relationship. I also loved the side characters of Austin, Haymitch, Sophie, and Mia. I also love the pop culture references throughout the book. The overall story of this book was so much a great listen; I loved that the Author did the narration for her own book. It is always great to find a Christian romance that you really enjoy.

#Anything #Netgalley

4.5 ⭐️

This was great! Not only the love story as a whole but also the growth in faith and trust in the Lord.

This book made me cry for Kit (her situation) and Levi but also it made me think about what it means to have a daily and constant prayer life.

I adored not only the main characters but also the side characters like Austin and Haymitch, their wise council and loyalty was wonderful.

Spice: 0
Language:0

I may have enjoyed this more as a regular book...I did not enjoy it as an audiobook with this narrator. It is choppy and hard to listen to for long.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not much of an audiobook listener, but the author has a way of keeping me engaged with it as I listened. I liked that this book was a Christian book, as it is hard to find books tat incorporate Jesus into them. I feel that it was also something that people could relate to. Having gone through something similar to Kit, I felt my thought process was (and still kinda is) very similar to Kit's. It made me tear up at times, knowing that I could so closely relate to that kind of feeling of helplessness. Wanting to be over it and live normally again. I would definitely pick this up as a physical and read again.