Happy Friday, everyone!!
I have loved every Toni Shiloh book I’ve ever read, and I especially love the Maple Run series… so I’m excited to share my review of her newest book in the series – Risking Love
ABOUT THE BOOK
Nikki Gordon lives with a perfect trifecta of noes. No guys. No dates. No way.
The past holds her bound with ropes made of fear-infused steel, and she’s determined that no one will ever cut through them. If only her heart would cooperate whenever Shorty comes around. Things go from complicated to confusing when he appears at The Maple Pit in the company of another woman—a drop-dead gorgeous one at that.
With everything to lose and to gain, Nikki steps out in faith and prays for the courage to let him in… before it’s too late.
Gregory “Shorty” Smalls finally has the chance to take his burgeoning business to the next level. Then maybe, Nikki will quit seeing him as a goof-off and give him a real chance.
Finding out he isn’t the problem? The best and worst news possible.
Just how much healing has to take place before he has a chance to move from friend zone to love of her life?
And does he even have a chance?
OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES: Buying Love | Finding Love | Enduring Love
MY THOUGHTS
“I have no wisdom or insight but I know that God is good.”
I have been waiting for Shorty & Nikki’s story since I first met them both in Book #1 of the series. And while I have loved all the stories in between, there is just something really special about Risking Love.
Most of that can be attributed, I believe, to Shorty (and of course the author who created him). He has been oh-so-patient and steadfast in his gentle pursuit of Nikki, a touching picture of our Savior’s pursuit of our hearts. Nikki has been through a traumatic and life-changing assault, and she struggles with everyone else’s timeline for her grief. Yet, Shorty is there, waiting for her, even though he doesn’t yet know why she’s so hesitant to start a relationship. Once he does know, he becomes even more patient, more tender, and you’ll fall in love with him right along with Nikki. In Shorty, the author has created a beautiful portrait of the 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love. No, he’s not perfect – he is flawed just like the rest of us, but that just makes him more relatable.
Despite Nikki’s pain that she’s working through, Risking Love isn’t a heavy story. The easy camaraderie among all the secondary characters (most of whom were previously main characters in preceding books of the series) as well as between Shorty and Nikki keeps the tone light when it needs to be while also addressing the tougher issues with grace and truth. The author has achieved just the right balance for this story and these characters, and it’s well worth the wait!
Bottom Line: Risking Love is everything I hoped Shorty & Nikki’s story would be – and more. It’s tender and fun and heart-warming, and the author approaches Nikki’s past trauma in the healthiest way possible. Shorty is the kind of hero our hearts crave in great romance because he’s an example of the way our Savior pursues us. Nikki is genuine and likable, and your heart will ache and rejoice right along with her. This is Toni Shiloh at her best!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Review first appeared on ReadingIsMySuperPower
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.
She spends her days hanging out with her husband and their two boys in northern Virginia. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Virginia Chapter. You can find more information at http://tonishiloh.com.
CONNECT WITH TONI: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Diversity Between the Pages 
I’m so glad you loved it!
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Hi, I have not read this book yet, but it sounds and looks like a very good read. I love the cover and I love the review about it that you posted! I will definitely be adding this book on my TBR list. Thanks for posting this. God bless you.
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thanks, Alicia! It’s a great read!!
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