4.5 stars.

Almost Like Being in Love, the second installment in Beth K. Vogt's delightful Destination Wedding series, is a heartfelt story of change, forgiveness and ultimately, love.

Caron Hollister's hard work and long hours have resulted in a successful career as a realtor in her father's firm. She and family friend Alex Madison have been dating for two years and while he has not officially popped the question, it is understood they will someday marry. After her father makes a shocking business decision that crushes her dream of becoming a full partner in his company, she knows it is time to sever their business relationship. Uncertain what she wants to do next, she decides to visit her best friend Margot in Colorado where Caron unexpectedly runs into her ex-boyfriend Kade Hollister. After she returns to Florida, she is surprised by Alex's reaction when she tells him she won a prize for destination wedding in Telluride and their once conflict free relationship begins to feel a little off balance. A surprising temporary job offer from Kade sounds like the perfect solution to her suddenly complicated life but will working with Kade resurrect the love she once had for the ex-Army Ranger?

After a few missteps as a teenager, Caron became a dutiful daughter who wanted nothing more than to gain her father's approval. She tailored her extracurricular activities to please him and even as an adult, her decisions continue to reflect her need to make him happy. After she quits her job at his realty company, Caron is hurt by Alex's lack of support which leaves her questioning their relationship. With both her professional and personal life in turmoil, she eagerly accepts Kade's temporary job offer but spending time with him adds to her confusion. A surprising job offer seems to be the answer to her prayers, but will Caron find the validation she has been searching for?

On the surface, Alex seems to have a perfect life. He works for his dad and he is so easygoing that nothing seems to bother him. However, a long ago tragedy forever altered his family and he feels helplessly trapped by his father's expectations and the family's long held secrets.

Kade is also scarred by events that transpired in his childhood and he has residual abandonment issues that were reinforced after his relationship with Caron ended. With no real explanation for the break up, his feelings for her remain conflicted but it does not take long for him to realize he still loves her. Although Kade would like nothing more than to reunite with Caron, he has no choice but to accept her decision to Florida when her job with him comes to an end.

With a gentle undercurrent of faith, Almost Like Being in Love is a heartwarming novel that deals with realistic issues that readers can easily relate to. Caron's indecisiveness and need for parental approval is a little frustrating but it is extremely gratifying once she begins to make decisions based on what is best for her. Alex's struggles with his family are heartbreaking but he finally seeks the help he needs to break free from his unhealthy relationship with his family. Kade must decide whether or not to go after what he wants regardless of the risk to his heart. A reflective story about love, forgiveness and new beginnings, this newest addition to Beth K. Vogt's Destination Wedding series can easily be read as a standalone. ( )

Caron Hollister has spent her whole life doing what her father wanted her to do so she would win his approval and attention, even letting go of Kade Webster, a man she truly loved. She also became a realtor and works in her father’s real estate firm in hopes she would one day partner with him. Caron’s currently dating Alex Madison who she’s known forever and who her father thinks is the perfect guy for her. When the unexpected happens, she quits her job and heads to Colorado to visit her friend Margo. While there, Caron wins a destination wedding package, which would be exciting except she’s not even engaged to Alex. While in Colorado she runs into Kade who now owns his own realty company. He’s participating in the Colorado Springs Tour of Homes and wants to make a big impression. Everything is going well until his home stager can’t do the job. Kade knows Caron Hollister is the only one who could pull it off and though it would be hard to be around the girl he still loves, he calls to offer her a temporary job. Caron accepts his offer with the intention of having a business only relationship. But spending time with Kade has her emotions all in a whirl and questioning everything concerning her relationship with Alex.

Almost Like Being in Love is another great destination wedding story. I love how this book was connected to the first one in that Caron Hollister is the sister of Logan Hollister. It was great to meet up with familiar characters again. Beth Vogt has a real talent for weaving a wonderful story filled with humor, heartache, romantic tension as well as some good life lessons. You’ll find a lot of family problems and a lot of complacency but you’ll also find hope and encouragement. There were times in the story that I just wanted to give Caron a good swift kick in the be-hind. I didn’t understand her choices but I also know that I’ve never had to deal with what she did. I appreciated getting to know her friends Margo, Mitch and Lacey and catching up with her sister-in-law, Vanessa, all of whom helped her work through things. The author gives you a full-on view of Caron and Alex as well as Caron and Kade and allows you to ‘feel’ the difference between each relationship, which was very insightful and just plain good writing. I loved how the character’s faith determined their steps but just like us, they sometimes questioned what God was doing. I must say, that the ending exceeded my expectations and made the story all that much better. Beth K. Vogt is one of my favorite authors. He writing is rich, realistic and refreshing; like a cold drink on a hot day.

*This complementary copy was provided by Howard Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

For information about this book or other books by this author I recommend you visit her website at http://www.bethvogt.com ( )

Title: Almost Like Being in Love (A Destination Wedding Novel)
Author: Beth K. Vogt
Pages: 384
Year: 2016
Publisher: Howard Books
My rating is 5+ stars.
Have you ever read any of Beth’s novels? With each one that I read, I find myself enjoying her stories more and more. Almost Like Being in Love is very pulling on the heart as I found myself engaged in seeing if this tale would have a happy ending or if the author had other plans.
What sticks out most to me is the passionate message I saw throughout the book. The message woven throughout the pages is about praying, waiting and listening for God to direct the steps of a character in the book. Yet, it seemed to be that a couple of the main players in the book were learning that lesson and that the hardest part is waiting for God not just to make clear His direction, but also following through with what He directs.
The novel doesn’t have characters, personalities or lives all dressed and perfect; they are really mirrors of people in the real world. People who are dealing with hard issues, past mistakes, repeated mistakes, and not evening knowing who they are apart from whomever they tied their identity to. When two people date and consider marriage, in this novel are they doing it because they love each other and are willing to make the lifelong commitment before God? Or are they just doing what their parents are expecting of them?
In her novel, Beth K. Vogt I think shows how we sometimes get upset when people speak truth to us. Even if we know it’s right, we don’t want to hear it. The author did a great job showing how wrestling through various decisions and waiting on God can be at times gut-wrenching. The ending I thought was very different and amazing, showing readers how right decisions aren’t always easy and some can come at a high cost. All I can say is there is a magnificent story here as well as some truthful nuggets of wisdom tucked in the story. I am so glad to have read it!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )

A copy was given to me free in exchange for my honest opinion.
The first two sentences tell you what the challenge is going to be right from the beginning. But, it goes deeper than just Caron working for her father. What I found to be hilarious, yes I did laugh at this, was the fact that everyone seems to think working for her dad was a bad idea to begin with. When Caron quits, pretty much everyone is like "it's about time". She is shocked by this reaction and splutters trying to defend her choice to work at the family realty company. The only person who wants her to try to get her job back is her long-term boyfriend, Alex. This, amongst other things, keeps their relationship off-kilter. Caron takes her friend, Margo, up on the offer to come visit. While helping Margo prepare for her wedding, Caron wins an all expenses paid wedding. Which is awkward since she and Alex aren't yet engaged.

An opportunity arises for Caron to develop a skill that slowly develops into a business idea. The catch is that she will be working with her ex-boyfriend. Something else that stands in that keeps her relationship with Alex off balance. This story was more than just about how two people come together and fall in love. It's about being honest with oneself and those that we love, and not just about who you choose to spend the rest of your life with. It's about finding the strength to stand on your own and walk your own path. It's about the choices that we all have to make in real life.

I enjoyed this story, it was deep but a little fluffy. I knew from the beginning that there would be a happily ever after, but I still enjoyed the journey to get there. What I enjoyed the most was the upfront faith that the characters had, and while they may have been struggling, they were still honest about it. I also enjoyed that the humor that was found in the pages did not come from miscommunication (that is such an overdone trope). Will you be surprised by how the story ends? No, but your heart will be warmer and lighter. You will be left with a smile on your face. ( )