Category: First Line Friday

24 April 2026

First Line Friday 428 | When We Blinked by Stephanie Mack

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m reading When We Blinked by Stephanie Mack, which was first published in 2021 and is being re-released later this year by Tyndale Fiction.

Here’s the first line from Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About When We Blinked

Newly divorced Seraphina Jones has returned to the corporate world after four years as a stay-at-home mom. She loves her job at prestigious Hamilton Hotels & Resorts, but the transition from playdates to boardrooms has been tricky, leaving her little space for anything else as a single mom.

Encouraged by her friends to start dating again, Sera tries a wildly popular new app built for people exhausted by swipe culture. Blinde is photo-free, designed to spark meaningful conversations. With renewed confidence―and a groove in co-parenting with her ex, Connor―Sera decides she’s ready to explore romance. Suddenly, there are several contenders: Graham Hamilton, the gorgeous young heir to his family’s hotel empire; Jack, the irresistible match on Blinde whose messages feel like fate; and Connor himself, who still stirs up feelings she wishes her heart would forget.

But while Sera thinks she’s juggling three different men, there are really only two. Jack is actually Connor, who was shocked to be matched with Sera on Blinde and is secretly hoping to connect with her all over again. When the truth comes to light, Sera is forced to ask herself: Is love at second sight truly possible, or is it finally time to move on from her failed marriage?

Set against the backdrops of sunny Southern California and the whimsical mountains of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, When We Blinked provides a modern portrait of love in all its messy, hopeful forms and the power of redemption to turn any ending into a new beginning.

Find When We Blinked online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

17 April 2026

First Line Friday #427 | To Love a Prince by Rachel Hauck

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m reading To Love a Prince by Rachel Hauck, which I recently downloaded when it was on sale on Kindle. That dress on the cover is amazing! Here’s the first line from Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About To Love a Prince

Daffodil Caron is not a princess, even though she once dreamed of being one. After all, she grew up as a playmate to royal princes, running through the halls of Perrigwynn Palace in the North Sea’s Lauchtenland. But the day she stumbled upon a royal secret, everything changed.

Flash forward eighteen years, and Daffy’s living a sweet, non-royal life. A skilled art curator for the Royal Trust, she has friends, a flat in the heart of the capital city, and a handsome, successful boyfriend. The last person on her mind is Gus, the prince she once called her best mate.

HRH Prince Augustus is no longer “Prince Pudgy,” as caricatured by the press—he’s charming and gorgeous, possessing a world-famous smile. But after he’s jilted at the altar, then dumped by his second fianceé, the spare heir to Lauchtenland’s ancient House of Blue finds solace on a Florida beach.

A year as a regular bloke allows him to rethink his purpose. He’s half decided his calling is to pour pints at a tiki bar rather than serve his country and the Family. But a wild Frisbee toss down the beach changes his destiny. Despite his long hair and beard, Daffy recognizes her prince. She reminds Gus of his heritage and assures him that he’s needed in Lauchtenland.

When Daffy and Gus find themselves on assignment at Hadsby Castle in preparation for his brother’s wedding ball, their friendship blooms into affection. Then secrets are exposed, and Gus must choose between his past hurts and his future hope. And Daffy must trust her heart to forever love a prince.

Find To Love a Prince online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

10 April 2026

First Line Friday #426 | Where Hope Begins by Candee Fick

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m quoting from Where Hope Begins, a new contemporary Christian romance from Candee Fick.

Here’s the first line from Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Where Hope Begins

It’ll take more than love on the menu to keep his family’s café open.

Joel Dawson’s dreams of corporate success are put on hold when his father collapses in the middle of the breakfast rush. Now it’s up to him to keep the family business open and his grandmother’s legacy alive–except his book-smarts are useless for running a café, and the only person who can help—their star waitress—is struggling with issues of her own.

Lauren Graham’s lifetime spent trying to meet her father’s impossible expectations has turned her into the ultimate people pleaser, but now, she’s at a crossroads. Skipping college classes to cover extra shifts at the café will infuriate her family, but saying no to Joel feels impossible, even if being around him stirs up memories she’d rather forget.

Opposites may attract but even with a shared faith, their differences may be unsurmountable. And with each financial setback, the future of the café—and Grandma Hope’s legacy—hangs in the balance. Is Joel willing to trade his big city attitude for a small town apron? And if so, is that enough for Lauren to trust him with her heart?

Find Where Hope Begins online at:

Amazon | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

3 April 2026

First Line Friday #425 | Mostly Dead by Susan J Bruce

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Today I’m reading Mostly Dead, the second cozy mystery in Susan J Bruce’s Ruthless-the-Killer mysteries. I really enjoyed Dead Ahead, so I have high hopes!

Here’s the first line from Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Mostly Dead

Murder and romance. What could possibly go wrong?

Ruth Smythe is still getting used to small-town life when she stumbles on a body at Pelican Bay’s annual Easter egg hunt.

Two bodies in just a few weeks is bad enough—but it gets worse when Dan Rivers is arrested for murder.

Sure, Dan’s a little guarded and hard to read sometimes. But a killer?

No way. He’s kind. Loyal. Brave. And possibly her almost-boyfriend. (Not that she’s admitting it.)

As the case against him builds—and her reputation as Ruthless-the-Killer roars back to life—Ruth throws herself into the investigation.

With loyal friends, a cockatoo with no filter, and more at stake than she dares to admit, she’s determined to clear Dan’s name.

Because Dan could lose everything. She could lose… him.

And the real killer? Still out there.

Find Mostly Dead online at:

Amazon | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

27 March 2026

First Line Friday #424 | Not Precisely Mr. Knightley by Carolyn Miller

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Not Precisely Mr. Knightley is a modern Emma retelling, and I have to confess that Emma isn’t my favourite Jane Austen novel … but I do enjoy Carolyn Miller’s novels, so I’ll be interested to see if she can convert me into an Emma fan!

Here’s the first line from Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Not Precisely Mr. Knightley

Emma-Jane (EJ) Bennett and Jordan Knight are longtime best friends who codesigned the immensely successful dating app, Dream Match. Success starts to go to EJ’s head when she gets caught up in the famous and money-hungry social circles and starts dating the son of a TV mogul.

But Jordan’s feelings have grown from friendship to more. He determines to protect her by exposing Eric Churchill for the two-timer he is, finally agreeing to attend a function with her at the Sydney Opera House. But his best intentions go awry when EJ is embarrassed and runs for the security of home, small-town roots, and The Silver Teapot Café, feeling like Jane Austen’s chastised Emma—only without her Mr. Knightley.

Find Not Precisely Mr. Knightley online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

20 March 2026

First Line Friday #423 | Truth is a Whisper by Mandi Blake

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Truth is a Whisper is the first book in Mandi Blake’s Wolf Creek Ranch series, and I found this free on Kindle last week. I’m looking forward to reading it!

Here’s the first line from Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Truth is a Whisper

They both want the truth, but are they willing to pay the price?

Ava Collins is more than ready to say goodbye to the breakneck pace of the city, and an invitation to her grandfather’s ranch is exactly what she needs. Finding out her former flame is running the ranch, on the other hand, was entirely unexpected. How can she put aside her memories of that whirlwind summer when she has to work beside the handsome cowboy every day?

Jameson Ford was grateful to be offered the new foreman job at Wolf Creek Ranch. He’s eager to prove himself, but quickly distracted by the reappearance of his first love, who also happens to be his boss’s granddaughter. It’s been years since they promised each other forever, and neither of them know how to pick up where they left off or if they should forget it ever happened.

Allied by their love of the ranch, Jameson and Ava have to work together, despite the lingering feelings between them. When Ava uncovers secrets about her family, she doesn’t know if she can trust anyone. Most of all, can she learn to trust her heart on her way to discovering the truth?

Find Truth is a Whisper online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

13 February 2026

First Line Friday #422 | Claire Holloway is Winging It by Angela Ruth Strong

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m reading Claire Holloway is Winging It by Angela Ruth Strong, which is about a new-on-the-job flight attendant who doesn’t quite know what she’s doing … which means the title is very clever.

Here’s the first line from Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Claire Holloway is Winging It

After Claire Holloway’s dream of becoming a ballerina plummets, she’s left with her boyfriend as her only support. . . until she decides to become a flight attendant for the free travel. Based out of state, she moves into a crash pad with a gaggle of other flight attendants, and her fear of losing Wyatt seems to become a reality.

First Officer Nathan Stuart — a bit cynical since he and his fiance broke up — meets a somewhat frazzled Claire on her very first day in the Seattle airport. When they end up on the same crew, he takes her under his wing, and they quickly bond.

When Claire’s once-supportive boyfriend’s attitude sours into resentment, she’s left wondering whether her newfound joy is the right way to go. Pulled between two men and her new career, Claire must learn to listen for God’s direction the same way her flight crew follows air traffic control.

In this hilarious rom-com, readers will lift off into the turbulent skies of romantic adventures as Claire navigates God’s plan for her life.

Find Claire Holloway is Winging It online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

6 February 2026

First Line Friday #421 | Lake Shore Renewal by Jennifer Rodewald

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m reading Lake Shore Renewal, the sixth book in Jennifer Rodewald’s Redemption Shores series. The clue is in the name: these stories are full-on Christian fiction, showing realistic characters finding forgiveness, redemption and life in God. I’ve loved them all so far, and I’m sure I’ll love this one just as much.

Here’s the first line from Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Lake Shore Renewal

Sometimes the roughest roads in life lead to the most beautiful places. But to get there, one needs faith to let go.

Charlee Jensen walked herself straight into heartbreak. Now she is left questioning her ability to make good choices—especially since she’s not only not married to Mason, the man she’d planned her forever with, but she’s also the joint owner of the Creek View Inn—a run-down hotel in Luna, Montana that needs way more work than she’d anticipated. The best part of that disaster? Her partner in this misadventure is the very same man who broke her heart.

Yeah. In two short years, Charlee had made a real mess of her life. Now she’s back in Luna—the small, picturesque mountain town she grew up in, failure and shame her new companions. Somehow, she needs figure out how to make the Creek View Inn something that doesn’t summon Bates Hotel vibes—and to pay off the debt to her ex.

Noah Newellen’s life plans were hijacked the moment his fiancée returned the diamond he’d given her. But that wasn’t the worst day ever. Nope, not by a longshot. The absolute worst was a beautiful fall evening in Montana when he watched her marry another man—and he has the viral video to memorialize it. A video in which he’s giving a drunken, spiteful, country-song-inspired toast to the bride. Thanks to that drunken folly, and social media, he can never go back home.

Starting over in Luna, Montana isn’t logical. But as one door opens to another, Noah finds it might be exactly the grace he needs. A quiet, small town. An opportunity to pursue an old passion. Gracious, friendly people who help him to hold onto the goodness of God.

And a woman named Charlee, whose friendship sooths the wounds in his heart and inspires him to believe in second chances.

A tender story of love after heartbreak, hope beyond failure—and grace that doesn’t quit.

Find Lake Shore Renewal online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

30 January 2026

First Line Friday #420 | Not What We Pictured by Becca Kinzer

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m quoting from Not What We Pictured, an upcoming rom-com from Becca Kinzer, who also wrote Dear Henry, Love Edith, Love in Tandem, and First Love, Second Draft (which I loved). Here’s the first line from Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Not What We Pictured

This is absolutely not how they pictured their summer going.

McKenna Boston is feeling stuck. She’s spent years growing her photography skills only for her career to hit a wall. She’s ready to move on, and she will, just as soon as she helps her sister’s boyfriend stage the perfect proposal. But when her best laid plans go awry and a handsome stranger accidentally ends up with the heirloom ring, McKenna hops on a flight to retrieve it. Piece of cake, right?

Nate Lambert was hoping to enjoy a relaxing summer before starting his new job as a literature professor, but he arrives in Tennessee to discover his mom’s bed and breakfast is struggling and there’s a long list of repairs to be tackled. The last thing he needs is a gorgeous, determined photographer searching for a ring he doesn’t have since the airline lost his luggage somewhere on his route from Nebraska.

With the ring nowhere to be found, all McKenna can do is wait and use the time to build her portfolio and plan her next career move. But she also can’t help getting swept up in Nate’s bed and breakfast renovations and in planning a community concert with the townsfolk. As both await news of Nate’s suitcase, it begins to seem their serendipitous meeting, and the proposal gone wrong, could actually be everything going right . . . and that this may be their chance at a love neither could have pictured.

Find Not What We Pictured online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

23 January 2026

First Line Friday #419 | Reclaiming Hope (Greener Gardens #3) by Carolyn Miller

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m currently reading Carolyn Miller’s republished Greener Gardens series, and Reclaiming Hope is next in line.

Here’s the first line of Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Reclaiming Hope

Opposites attract—but can they last?

Callie Steele might be a bit…focused on work, but despite what her employers say, she enjoys her well-ordered, productive life. When she’s sent to meet the owners of an estate requiring post-hurricane landscaping, Callie meets their son, Kai Brody, a super-chilled pro surfer, who is as opposite from her as they come. Though initially smitten, Callie knows a relationship with Kai is a bad idea—a very bad idea.

Kai, however, can’t help but be intrigued by someone who challenges him to make something of his life again. He’s determined to pursue her, if she’ll give him half a chance.

The more time they spend together, negotiating the challenges of work, illness, and family, the more their opposing outlooks clash and connect. What do these unlikely friends really want from life? Is it best to focus on work or recreation?

As Kai and Callie seek answers from the Lord, they also must consider if such complete opposites have enough in common to make a relationship last.

Reclaiming Hope is the third of the Greener Gardens romance series, where true love grows.

Find Reclaiming Hope online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.