Package Deal (Ruled Out Romances #2) by Charissa Stastny | A Book Review

I got this from Kathy of ebooksforreview.com and iamareader.com. I've read a book of the same author before and I enjoyed it, so when I saw this one up for review from the same author, I decided to sign up. Thanks again Kathy for the ebook copy.

This is a story of a single mom who tries so hard to raise her two-year old daughter. Then, on her best friend's wedding, she met a very handsome and charming man but when he saw her daughter, he was disappointed. He definitely did not want any excess baggage. 

Spring Flowers. What a cute name, right? Yes, that's the name of one of the main characters in this story. Her cute two-year old is Emma. And to complete the set of characters, we have Hudson Sandel, the handsome man who was smitten with Spring. To him, Spring would have been perfect if not for Emma being part of the package. 

Spring and Hudson's first meeting is a meet-cute. Isn't it romantic to meet someone on a wedding? And Emma in all of her pint size personality threw a tantrum and Hudson came to the rescue which was not exactly what he planned, but he wanted so much to impress Spring. That gentlemanly act is what started to bring them together and there's no denying that Emma has a way of worming slowly into Hudson's heart. 

There were a lot of cute and warm moments here, especially with Emma involved. She's just so cute with all her two-year old vocabulary and not yet able to pronounce words properly. She's one of the things that make this story work and I can't help but fall in love with her also. Hudson also had a lot of moments here. He's just so sweet and caring. After meeting Spring and Emma, he realized what he's been missing in his life. He ended up doing a lot of sweet, generous, and kind things for the mother and daughter and not just because he wanted Spring to fall for him but because he wanted to make these two happy and make their lives easier. Ah, Hudson is just another book boyfriend one could wish for. 

I give this book 5/5 cute little flower girl dresses. I really enjoyed the story. It was so cute that it made me swoon and wish for my own sweet Hudson. This is a feel good story though Spring and Emma's life was not perfect. Spring had to hurdle and overcome a lot of challenges in her personal life, career, and most especially in raising Emma. But her character is just so admirable that you can't help but root for her. Emma is her strength, so everything she does has to be all for the good of Emma. Even falling in love with Hudson has to be favorable to Emma. Fortunately, Emma has made sure that Hudson would fall in love with her also. She's just so adorable and oozing with cuteness, so Hudson was no match for this little devil. He was putty in her very small hands.

What's the hurry Spring? Is winter chasing you? 

Forgiving means you let go of the bitterness poisoning you. 

- Charissa Stastny, Package Deal - 

Other books by the Charissa Stastny:

Between Hope and the Highway

Between Hope and the Highway by Charissa Stastny | A Book Review

I had friends from Manila who came over to Cebu to relax for the Thanksgiving holiday. They work for US-based companies, so they were off last Thursday and Friday. I showed them around so I was also off from reading and writing reviews. We had a really great time catching up and reminiscing our funny experiences and misadventures together. I was reassured that no matter where I am, I have really great friends who are always there for me. I am thankful for all these life-long friends and sisters from another mother that I have found. 

Between Hope and the Highway is a story about moving on, literally and figuratively. This is the story of Lizzie Ruthersford. She moved to Montana to get over a lot of things. You could say, she ran away from a heart-breaking experience, from a mother who suffocates her and to find herself. But in Montana, Lizzie's heart is threatened to be broken again. Will she take to the highway once more?

Yes, this is a story of hope, of love and redemption. And I loved it. I fell in love with Liz and Rawson's characters. Their characters were portrayed as close to people in real life. It did not feel like they were just figments of the imagination. They could easily be you, me or anyone. Very relatable characters that had me clutching my heart and aching for them. Their problems and fears were so real, I felt them too. 

This is one of those stories that is so heartbreaking but was laid out very subtly. It broke my heart little by little as the story unraveled. There were a lot of very witty exchanges between Liz and Rawson that made me teary-eyed with laughter. This book  was filled with really accurate metaphors. I think my e-book copy is riddled with blue all over because I highlighted them all. The smart banter between these two made the story more captivating. It was my favorite part of the book.

Aside from the two main characters I have mentioned, I also love Ben. If I ever have a little brother, I wanted it to be Big Ben. I learned a lot from his character. He is brave and so honest. If teenagers are like him, then the world has less to worry about the future.

Between Hope and the Highway is a story of forgiveness. Of coming to terms with past mistakes and taking responsibility for all the consequences. Of finally, pulling that thorn that had been buried deep within one's chest and coming out clean. This story gave voice to all our endeavors of trying to make the most out of our lives. Of trying to go back into grace, for those who have lost their way. Of changing life directions.

I give this book 5/5 galloping horses. The story has a way of holding on to you. You won't get out of its tight grasp until you reach the end. And it will leave you with so many thoughts. This book discussed very current concerns like bullying, psychological disorders and conditions like bi-polar and down-syndrome and addiction.

Thank you again ebooksforreview.com for the copy.