If for Any Reason

Written by Courtney Walsh

Narrated by Hannah Cabell

Emily Ackerman has traveled the world, her constant compass and companion a book of letters her mother left for her when she died. With no father in the picture, her mom's advice has been her only true north. But when professional failure leads Emily back to Nantucket to renovate and sell the family cottage she inherited, she wonders if her mom left advice to cover this . . . especially when her grandmother arrives to "supervise." And especially when her heart becomes entangled with Hollis McGuire, the boy next door-turned-baseball star who's back on the island after a career-ending injury. As sparks fly between her and Hollis, Emily is drawn to island life, even as she uncovers shocking secrets about the tragic accident that led to her mother's death. With her world turned upside down, Emily must choose between allowing the voices from her past to guide her future or forging her own path forward.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781980078944

Courtney Walsh

Courtney Walsh is a novelist, theatre director, and playwright. She writes small town romance and women's fiction while juggling the performing arts studio and youth theatre she owns with her husband. She is the author of thirteen novels. Her debut, A Sweethaven Summer, hit the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists and was a Carol Award finalist. Her novel Just Let Go won the Carol in 2019, and three of her novels have also been Christy-award finalists. A creative at heart, Courtney has also written three craft books and several musicals. She lives in Illinois with her husband and three children. Connect with her online at courtneywalshwrites.com; Instagram: @courtneywalsh; Facebook: @courtneywalshwrites; Twitter: @courtney_walsh

Reviews for If for Any Reason

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Courtney Walsh has written a beautiful story of love: romantic love, the love of a mother for her child, and the love that God offers all of His children. If For Any Reason also stresses the importance of forgiveness and second chances. We all know that we should forgive others but how many of us know how to forgive ourselves? How willing are we to offer second chances?In this narrative of Emily Ackerman's past and present life, I loved that Walsh used letters to offer a glimpse of Emily's mother Isabelle. These letters are woven throughout the story and my heart ached when reading some of Isabelle's words. Words of encouragement, words of advice, and words that reminded Emily that she would always have one person she could rely on. In one of these letters that especially resonated with me Isabelle told her, "I hope you find a place where you're loved and accepted, but on the days you feel neither of those things, I hope you remember that you are in fact loved and accepted, not just by me, but by God. Yeah, I'm going to go there---I'm going to be that mom, talking to you about Jesus." How many of us mothers have yearned that our own children would feel this assurance?If you are looking for a book that will overwhelm you with emotions and captivate you with its realism, you will definitely want to read If For Any Reason. It is contemporary romantic fiction at its finest!I received a complimentary e-book from Celebrate Lit but there was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.

[harley0326 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one story I didn’t want to see end. It flowed so easily yet had layers of secrets, pain, unforgiveness and second chances that took effort to rip open. Each character complimented the other whether by sadness or hope. Emily was a woman who ran from her problems. It was easy to not commit to anything for her. All her life she has found it easy to guard her heart and run the second she felt anything . There is so much pain inside her that I knew someday she would come face to face with her past. I appreciate how the author showed us how people can turn away from God and blame Him for everything. Emily has had this anger towards God because she feels like He abandoned her. Hollis is not hard to figure out. He has made mistakes but he has never forgotten a certain person who he has always loved. Finding Emily back in Nantucket will change his life and allow him to face his feelings of failure. Two people each coming face to face with their past brings readers a story that shows second chances can happen. Does everyone deserve a second chance? The easy way to answer that is to remind ourselves what Jesus did for us. This is a powerful story that at times made me cry. I wanted to help Emily through her pain. I wanted to sit beside her as she read letters from her mother. What Emily really needed was to feel the love of God. He had never abandoned her yet she continued to feel alone. I loved how the author went back in time to let us glimpse into Isabelle’s life. I loved reading about her relationship with her parents and how much she loved with her whole heart. Her letters allude to having her heart broken and encouraging her daughter to always be cautious of love. The author provides readers with a story that gives hope to those who feel lost and alone. It brings us an understanding of second chances and the power of unconditional love. Above all it shows how God never leaves us. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.