Despite the late hour, Amanda Wen’s novel has me smiling and breathing a deep, contented sigh. It’s the type of clean romance that has meat to its bones — the story is more than just the romance itself, and I appreciated that so much. This has a dual timeline, basing much of the plot around a series of diary entries. Plus there’s an old house. How much better could it get?!

I loved Garrett and his sweet family. Lauren and Rosie just rounded out the story so perfectly. Sloane’s bookish personality seemed at odds with her night life as a jazz singer, but it worked well! Though her character grew and matured, I never felt like she appreciated her adoptive parents the way she needed to. While she focused so deeply on her feelings of rejection, I wondered if she projected those feelings onto them as well.

Overall, this was a lovely story that made me curious about my own family. It’s a great read for those cold winter evenings when you want to snuggle under a cover and get lost in an good book.

Enter the giveaway for your chance to read Roots of Wood and Stone!

Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction. She has placed first in multiple writing contests, including the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity, the 2017 Phoenix Rattler, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions contests. She was also a 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest finalist.
 
Wen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She also frequently interviews authors for her blog and is a contributor to the God Is Love blog. Her debut novel, Roots of Wood and Stone, releases from Kregel Publications on February 2, 2021.
 
In addition to her writing, Wen is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team. She serves as a choral accompanist as well. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Wen lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat.
 
To find Amanda Wen’s blog and short stories, visit www.amandawen.com. Readers can also follower her on Facebook (@AuthorAmandaWen), Twitter (@AuthorAmandaWen), and Instagram (@authoramandawen).