Tag: liwen y. ho

First Line Friday: Retying the Knot

Published on by Caitlyn Santi5 Comments

Happy Friday, friends! It’s time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Grab the book nearest to you and share the first line! Today I’m sharing the first line of Retying the Knot, An Over-Forty Rom-Com (The Fab Forties #1) by Liwen Y. Ho. I love Liwen’s books and I’m super excited to read this romcom. Be sure to check it out!

And the first lines are…

“It’s not every day that you get to gush over a hot guy with a stranger. But then again, today’s not a typical day.”

About the Book

If your marriage didn’t work out once, marry the same person again … said no couple ever.

Piper

Here’s the scoop—I married my former study partner for money’s sake. I promise you it’s not as bad as it sounds. Peter needed a wife in order to receive his dad’s inheritance … so I did what any friend would do, I said yes. 

Peter

A marriage on paper—that’s all the guts I had to ask for. Of course, if Piper had wanted more, I would’ve gladly given her myself and all the puppies and chocolate in the world. Instead, I surprised her by paying off her med school bills, then took my broken heart and moved to another country.

Piper

So, here’s the part that does sound bad. I got pregnant (the details of our wedding night are a bit fuzzy). His mom hated me (still does). And we left our baby to be raised by her over-the-top grandmother when we parted ways. I told you it was bad. But now Peter’s reaching out to me and it’s making me wonder …

Peter

Do I have regrets? Absolutely! Turning forty made me realize I can’t waste a chance to make things right with the two most important women in my life. I’ve reunited with our daughter and now it’s time to win over Piper. If only she wasn’t already engaged to another man …

AMAZON | GOODREADS

About the Author

Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and referee by day (AKA being a stay at home mom) and a writer by night. She writes sweet and inspirational romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).

In her pre-author life, she received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary. She loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children (AKA munchkins).

Sign up for Liwen’s newsletter for news about her upcoming releases, book giveaways and more at http://liwenho.com/free-book

Post by contributor Caitlyn Santi

What a great first line, did it make you want to read more? It sure did me!!!

Let us know the first line of the book closest to you & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

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Book Review: The Love Clause

Published on by Caitlyn Santi2 Comments

Happy Wednesday, friends! Have you started reading Christmas books yet? I just read an awesome one, The Love Clause by Liwen Y. Ho! I’m thrilled to share my review with you! Be sure to check this one out!

About the Book

He needs a fake girlfriend to advance his career. She needs a pretend date to appease her mom. The solution for both? A contractual relationship with one clause: neither party can fall in love.

Divorce attorney Phillip Wong is on his way to making partner in his law firm. His only obstacle? He must show his boss he has a support system—namely, a devoted woman—to aid his work-life balance.

Vanessa Lim needs to find a date to her cousin’s wedding, before her mom arranges one for her. She agrees to accompany her colleague, Phil, to their company’s Christmas party on one condition. He acts as her doting boyfriend for a day.

Romance is forbidden in this contractual relationship, a clause Phil and Vanessa are sure they can keep. He thinks she’s ditzy, she finds him overbearing, and they’re both married to their jobs. However, their time together reveals that hearts don’t always follow the rules.

This novella was originally published in the Amazon bestselling Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 boxed set. 

Amazon | Goodreads | Bookbub

My Thoughts:

What a delightful story! I’ve been loving this author’s books and slowly making my way through her backlist. I was so looking forward to reading The Love Clause and it did not disappoint! We first met Philip in Liwen’s other romantic comedy, Puppy Dog Tales, in which he wasn’t the most likable character, but it was so great to get his backstory and see him grow as a character, and I totally grew to love him! Vanessa was an excellent heroine, I admired her determination and generous heart, and I was rooting for her from the start! I also loved Vanessa’s mom, she was such a hoot!
The Love Clause is a super cute and fun Christmas story that is the perfect escape from the holiday craziness. Grab your cozy blanket, cookies, and warm beverage of choice and snuggle up next to the Christmas tree with this adorable story that is sure to brighten your day!
I loved this story and can’t wait to read more of this author’s books!
Highly recommended! 

About the Author

Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and referee by day (AKA being a stay at home mom) and a writer by night. She writes sweet and inspirational romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).

In her pre-author life, she received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary. She loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads

Post by contributor Caitlyn Santi

Book Review: Tropical Kiss or Miss

Published on by Caitlyn Santi1 Comment

Happy Wednesday, reader friends! Today I’m delighted to share with you my review of Tropical Kiss or Miss (Tropical Kisses #1) by Liwen Y. Ho! I so enjoyed this fantastic novella! Be sure to check out this awesome story!

About the Book

Therapist Olivia Chan can’t wait to escape it all—a failed marriage, a struggling practice, and her son Micah’s recent health scare. The Hawaiian getaway she planned, however, gets rained on—quite literally—by a tropical storm and the unexpected arrival of her estranged husband Matthew, who’s determined to win her back.

Forced to confront the past, will Olivia and Matt learn to love again? The fear of rejection is great, but God’s grace is greater. With the help of their son’s prayers, this marriage might just weather life’s storms and come out for the better.

A Christian romance novella from the Amazon bestselling Kisses, Kids and Bundles of Joy boxed set, now with a never-before-published bonus scene from Olivia and Matt’s college days!

Amazon | Goodreads | Bookbub

My Thoughts:

What a beautiful second chance romance, and marriage reconciliation story!
I’ve read and loved several of Liwen Y. Ho’s books and she is fast becoming one of my favorite authors! I absolutely loved this story! Matt and Olivia were such great characters, I loved them from the first scene on and I was rooting for them through the whole story! I also loved Micah, and the last chapter from his POV was absolutely darling!
This awesome story is told through flash backs and flash forwards, and while it took me a few minutes to get used to this storytelling style, as soon as I did I fell in love with it, it was perfect for this story and brilliantly written!
I loved this story from beginning to end and can’t wait to read Tropical Kiss and Tell (as well as the rest of Liwen’s backlist!)
I highly recommend Tropical Kiss or Miss! If you’re looking for an excellent quick-read romance that is full of depth, heart, and hope then this is just the right book for you!
(5 Stars!)

I grabbed this book when it was a free download on Kindle and read it for the pure pleasure of reading. No review required!

About the Author

Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and referee by day (AKA being a stay at home mom) and a writer by night. She writes sweet and inspirational romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).

In her pre-author life, she received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary. She loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads

Post by contributor Caitlyn Santi

Book Review: Taking A Chance on the Enemy

Published on by Allyson Anthony2 Comments

Happy Monday! Today on Diversity Between the Pages we’re featuring a review on Taking a Chance on the Enemy by Liwen Y. Ho.

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About the Book

She’s an art teacher used to coloring outside the lines. He’s the straight-laced cop who pulled her over. Sparks fly when she decides to take a chance on the enemy.

Feisty and adventurous, art teacher Sam Koo is used to getting what she wants, including talking her way out of traffic tickets. When it comes to money matters though, she’s a lost cause. Her studio is in trouble, and there’s no way of charming herself out of this mess.

Police officer Lucas Choi is the last person she expects to rescue her. Handsome and rule-abiding, he was the best—and worst—part of her high school experience. When they meet a decade later, he’s still on her case and quick to point out her flaws.

Their differences drive each other crazy, but also draw them closer. The attraction is tangible, yet so are Sam’s fears. Will she choose to protect her heart or trust the only man who ever rejected her?

Each book in the Taking Chances on Love series is a standalone and can be read separately. To follow the stories as they occur in the overall timeline, feel free to read them in this order:

Taking a Chance on Mr. Wrong – Book Two

Taking a Chance on the Heartbreaker – Book One

Taking a Chance on the Enemy – Book Three

*Taking a Chance on the Enemy was formerly titled Drawn to You. This story was edited and rereleased with a new cover for your reading pleasure.

Amazon | Goodreads

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My Review:

This is my first time reading anything by Liwen Y. Ho, and I truly enjoyed reading how opposite personalities attract. Sam Koo, an artist whose studio is on the edge of bankruptcy and is disorganized, is the complete of Lucas Choi, a police officer who is organized and a stickler for not breaking rules. They have known each other from school and drove each other crazy back then. They meet up again when Lucas pulls Sam over. This is an easy to read, sweet book as well as the chemistry and tension between the two characters. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

About the Author

Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and referee by day (AKA being a stay at home mom) and a writer by night. She writes sweet and inspirational romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).

In her pre-author life, she received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary. She loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________Post by Contributor Allyson Anthony

Book Review: Puppy Dog Tales by Liwen Y. Ho

Published on by Caitlyn Santi4 Comments

Happy Monday, friends! Today, on Diversity Between the Pages we’re featuring a review of Puppy Dog Tales by Liwen Y. Ho! Check out this fun romantic comedy!

About the Book

An animal hater’s and an animal lover’s paths collide the week leading up to Valentine’s Day.

Melvin Lai inherited the last thing he ever wanted from his favorite uncle: a cocker spaniel. Now he’s on the verge of losing his home to the unruly puppy and, much to his surprise, his heart when he meets Dr. Chu, Sparkle’s vet.

Vivian Chu loves caring for her furry friends, so she can’t fathom how anyone could think poorly of her new patient, especially his owner. To her, first impressions are everything, and the one Melvin left has her feeling disheartened and bruised—literally.

He longs to make her his Valentine; she can’t wait to escape him. It’s going to take a miracle for Melvin to win Vivian’s heart, but nothing’s impossible when four-legged conspirators are involved.

Amazon Goodreads

My Review:

This story is such fun to read! It’s a great romantic comedy that is sure to put a smile on your face! 


The characters are both great, Vivian is so sweet, but also spunky (my favorite kind of heroine!) and I could totally relate to her heart for animals. Melvin is fun, thoughtful, and caring, and he’s also flawed, but aren’t we all? I loved seeing him work past his aversion to all things furry!


And of course Melvin’s dog Sparkle stole the show with his sweet spirit and loving heart. I kept wishing Sparkle was real so I could give him a hug and a head rub! 


Liwen Y. Ho has a lovely writing style that drew me into the story and held me captivated throughout! 


I highly recommend Puppy Dog Tales! I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator does a fantastic job, so if you’re an audiobook person I would definitely recommend the audio as well, though this book would be every bit as fun in any format! 

*Note: this is a clean read.

About the Author

Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and referee by day (AKA being a stay at home mom) and a writer by night. She writes sweet and inspirational romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).

In her pre-author life, she received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary. She loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children.

Website Instagram Goodreads

Post by contributor Caitlyn Santi

Book Spotlight: The More the Merrier

Published on by Toni4 Comments

Happy New Year, Reader Friends!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! We at diversity are looking forward to expanding your TBR pile for 2019! So we’re starting with a book spotlight featuring The More the Merrier by Liwen Y. Ho!

I know Christmas is over, but you can still continue to read the stories since it is winter. 😉

About the Book

Fed up with a string of bad blind dates, health blogger Alyssa Wu just wants to drown her sorrows in ice cream. But there’s one more evening she must endure – a fake date with her best friend Barry Chang. They must convince her family they are in love, an act which may (or may not) be easy to pull off, thanks to the magic of some mistletoe.

This 10,000 word short story is perfect for your lunch break, workout or while you wait in line at the mall. Read it today to get in the Christmas spirit any time of the year!

Links: Amazon, Goodreads

About the Author

Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and referee by day (AKA being a stay at home mom) and an author by night. She writes sweet and inspirational contemporary romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).

In her pre-author life, she received a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary, and she loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children, and blogs about her adventures as a recovering perfectionist at www.2square2behip.com.

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