Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book. Opinions shared are mine.

Let’s just start the review with this information. Chapter One introduces the reader to Callie, her big brother Jack, and the fact that Jack’s best friend Ryan would be using the spare room all summer.  See where we’re going with this? 

Romance sprouts all over these pages.  We get to stick our toes in the water of Lake Michigan, venture around a lighthouse, and savor the summer sun.  Callie is young, which really shows in the way she makes up the worst-case scenario for every situation.  Her story is sweet, though, and guaranteed to give you a smile!  Callie tries to follow God’s plan for her life.  Her quirks are endearing, and I love the way her big brother tries to take care of her!

ABOUT THE BOOK – available from Elk Lake Publishing

Elementary school music teacher Callie Stevens thinks she’s finally figured out God’s plan for her life—she even made a list to keep her on track.

Moving in with her brother and reconnecting with her ex-boyfriend are at the top of the list. What’s not on the list is running into her childhood crush, Ryan. God wanted her to connect with Kyle, right?

Trying to figure out God’s plan is hard enough. But a dating-averse older brother, the young blonde who adores him, a pregnant best friend, and Callie’s continual mishaps make her wonder whether her best laid plans were truly God-inspired.

Karin wrote her first novel in 2007 to cope with her husband’s cancer diagnosis (no worries – he’s cancer free now!). With the support and encouragement of her family, she submitted that manuscript. That particular manuscript has not been published yet, but Summer Plans and Other Disasters, her first published book, releases in September 2018.

Karin writes contemporary and speculative fiction stories with a healthy dose of romance, but she’s also expanded her repertoire: she writes feature stories for the local paper, copy material for businesses, and blog posts for herself and others. She even edits (offering copy editing, fiction editing, and critiques through Write Now Editing Services) and teaches (she’s the Substantive Fiction Editing instructor for the PEN Institute and can be found around the country teaching writing and editing courses at conferences and at her local college).

When Karin’s not reading, writing, or editing, she enjoys cooking and baking. She plays the piano and sings (the key of E, please). She kayaks with her husband in the summer, watches football in the fall (Go Blue!), and enjoys Christmas lights all winter long. Shy but extroverted, Karin adores her nieces and nephew and loves spending time with her family.  Learn more about Karin at: karinbeery.com.

Thanks to Audra Jennings PR for sending me a copy of this book.