Saving Gracie by Kara Lynn Russell

Saving Gracie by Kara Lynn Russell
Publisher: White Rose Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational
Length: Short
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 books
Review by Jasmine

Orchard Hill Residents – lock up your hearts!

Pansy Parker and Misty Green are rivals in romance. Each believes she is the town’s best matchmaker. Now, they’re going to settle the question for once and for all. They’re keeping track to see who can make the most matches in a year’s time.

No heart is safe in Orchard Hill – not even their own.

Riley O’Neil and Grace Randall have been best friends since kindergarten, and Pansy knows they belong together. After Grace’s fiancé leaves her at the altar, Riley decides it’s time to tell her he wants to be more than friends. Grace is still reeling from her fiancé’s betrayal. She fears that if she and Riley start dating, it will ruin their friendship–and right now Riley’s friendship is something she can’t spare. A new year is coming, and it’s the perfect time for a fresh start. Will Grace take a chance on love with Riley?

Pansy Parker and Misty Green have never gotten along, especially when it comes to matchmaking. The two nemeses have agreed to a competition to see who the best matchmaker is. Starting on New Years until the end of that year, whoever aids in joining the most couples together is the winner. With these two working to get them together, Riley O’Neil and Gracie Randall, childhood friends, never stood a chance.

Gracie Randall, publicly humiliated by her fiancé after he left her at the altar, turns to her best friend Riley for comfort. Riley, having never seen Gracie as anything but a friend, suddenly realizes how pretty she really is. As his feelings grow, he asks Gracie to consider going out with him. But Gracie is afraid. She has already lost her fiancé. If the relationship does not work out, she will lose her best friend, as well. Where will that leave her? Will Gracie trust Riley enough to know that he will not do anything to hurt her?

This was a wonderfully short, sweet, poignant novel of how friendships turn into love. This novel clearly portrays the fact that the basis of good relationships is friendship first. I really liked this novel due to the fact that both Riley’s and Gracie’s thoughts were shown. I would have liked it better if the story was a little bit longer; however, the short length does not detract from the story or its message. It was a wonderful read!