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Balm in Gilead #2
Surrender
They are business partners--and sometimes friends. They aren't supposed to fall in love.
Ever since Vivian's lifestyle blog, Faith and Fabulousness, became a huge success and a profitable company, her life has been consumed by her work and each new creative initiative. Her job takes everything she has. She has no room for romance in her life. So certain feelings she's been having for her business partner, Jeff, will have to be ignored. She relies on Jeff to make her company function, and she can't let this growing attraction distract her from what's most important.
When Jeff's ex-wife walked out on him two years ago, he resolved to never again give his heart to a woman who doesn't want it. Now he's having to remind himself of that resolution every day. Vivian might be irresitible to him--but she's also ambitious, complicated, and emotionally unavailable. She's never going to want him for real. And the intimacy that grows between them during their week-long company retreat on the Outer Banks isn't a promise of forever.
He doesn't want to risk his heart again, so he really needs to stop kissing her.
Surrender is the second book in the Balm in Gilead series, a spin-off from the Willow Park series about couples who fall in love in a physical and spiritual rest center on the North Carolina coast called Balm in Gilead.
Ever since Vivian's lifestyle blog, Faith and Fabulousness, became a huge success and a profitable company, her life has been consumed by her work and each new creative initiative. Her job takes everything she has. She has no room for romance in her life. So certain feelings she's been having for her business partner, Jeff, will have to be ignored. She relies on Jeff to make her company function, and she can't let this growing attraction distract her from what's most important.
When Jeff's ex-wife walked out on him two years ago, he resolved to never again give his heart to a woman who doesn't want it. Now he's having to remind himself of that resolution every day. Vivian might be irresitible to him--but she's also ambitious, complicated, and emotionally unavailable. She's never going to want him for real. And the intimacy that grows between them during their week-long company retreat on the Outer Banks isn't a promise of forever.
He doesn't want to risk his heart again, so he really needs to stop kissing her.
Surrender is the second book in the Balm in Gilead series, a spin-off from the Willow Park series about couples who fall in love in a physical and spiritual rest center on the North Carolina coast called Balm in Gilead.
144 pages, ebook
First published August 23, 2017
32 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Noelle Adams
139 books2,692 followersNoelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 2, 2017
Very enjoyable read! I just adored Vivian and Jeff, and they really made a great team. As Jeff mentions in the book, Vivian is a really interesting mix of confidence and insecurity, and I felt she is a very relate-able heroine. Jeff's divorce has been final for a year, and he is afraid of feeling that rejection again. Their vulnerability was endearing and made their relationship feel even more real.
Like book 1, most of this book takes place in the Balm of Gilead rest and retreat center in the Outer Banks. It is a great tranquil setting for these stories and really helps to set the tone. I just loved that Jessica and Daniel from Married For Christmas played a role in this story as well--such a fun little crossover!
The plot is engaging and very character-driven. The characters' reactions feel realistic and evoke true emotions. I was sucked in from page 1 and couldn't wait to see how their relationship would develop!
Like the Willow Park series, faith/religion is mentioned in this book but it isn't necessarily a religious story. Vivian runs a lifestyle company called Faith and Fabulousness, and I really love how this author is able to incorporate the topic of religion like this.
Overall, a lovely romance and a great, feel-good read. Can't wait for book 3, which I'm guessing might be Cecily and Zeke's story!
*I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Like book 1, most of this book takes place in the Balm of Gilead rest and retreat center in the Outer Banks. It is a great tranquil setting for these stories and really helps to set the tone. I just loved that Jessica and Daniel from Married For Christmas played a role in this story as well--such a fun little crossover!
The plot is engaging and very character-driven. The characters' reactions feel realistic and evoke true emotions. I was sucked in from page 1 and couldn't wait to see how their relationship would develop!
Like the Willow Park series, faith/religion is mentioned in this book but it isn't necessarily a religious story. Vivian runs a lifestyle company called Faith and Fabulousness, and I really love how this author is able to incorporate the topic of religion like this.
Overall, a lovely romance and a great, feel-good read. Can't wait for book 3, which I'm guessing might be Cecily and Zeke's story!
*I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
August 23, 2017
A clean (but with a little heat) co-workers / friends to lovers romance with a strong faith undertone
Surrender is a clean (but with a little heat) co-workers / friends to lovers romance with a strong faith undertone. It is a well written, steadily built up romance that grows into something more when these two friends are taken out of their normal office environment as they escape in an idyllic retreat and are forced to face the strong feelings between them. You do have to be open to religion and faith to fully enjoy this book as it plays a continual role throughout.
Told from dual perspective, from early on in the book it’s clear Jeff and Vivian have a sweet connection that goes beyond co-partners in a company. The history they share helped, as a reader, instantly believe in the developing emotions between the couple, while the mix of tension and heartache from their pasts make these two perfect for each other.
While this is part of a series, it is a standalone (although it’s nice to catch up with a few familiar faces for those who read the previous book).
If you enjoy a religious or clean friends-to-lovers romance, give this book a read!
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Surrender is a clean (but with a little heat) co-workers / friends to lovers romance with a strong faith undertone. It is a well written, steadily built up romance that grows into something more when these two friends are taken out of their normal office environment as they escape in an idyllic retreat and are forced to face the strong feelings between them. You do have to be open to religion and faith to fully enjoy this book as it plays a continual role throughout.
Told from dual perspective, from early on in the book it’s clear Jeff and Vivian have a sweet connection that goes beyond co-partners in a company. The history they share helped, as a reader, instantly believe in the developing emotions between the couple, while the mix of tension and heartache from their pasts make these two perfect for each other.
While this is part of a series, it is a standalone (although it’s nice to catch up with a few familiar faces for those who read the previous book).
If you enjoy a religious or clean friends-to-lovers romance, give this book a read!
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
August 17, 2017
Vivian and Jeff run a business together. Vivian is a work-a-holic. So, Jeff feels the office would benefit from a retreat. It was an interesting read as I felt that Vivian was the dominant character. She was the one that could not follow the rules in leaving all electronics behind. Once Jeff found out that she still had a phone, all bets were off. He finally convinced her that it would benefit her to give in to the relaxation of the retreat. While doing that, they both began to realize that they had feelings for one another and they didn't know what to do about that. Vivian wanted to hide it from their employees and Jeff didn't see the harm in them knowing. It was an eye opening week for them and decisions had to be made. Unfortunately, the decisions they made upon leaving the resort, did not make either of them happy. They both needed to search within themselves to find true happiness.
I enjoyed the book and it was interesting to see characters from previous books come in to the story.
I received an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the book and it was interesting to see characters from previous books come in to the story.
I received an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
August 23, 2017
This is the second book of the Balm in Gilead series, a spinoff of Willow Park. This time we meet Vivian and Jeff, they are partners in a Christian oriented lifestyle blog, Faith and Fabulousness, which is a huge success.
They work together for a long time, Jeff is divorced and Vivian does not seem to care or hold boyfriends for a long time. They are two souls that are looking for partners that accept them as they are.
Jeff is crazy about Vivian and she seems a shallow person but in reality she is insecure of what people think of her choices, specially her family. In the end, it is a love story and a spiritual one since they only can be together by accepting. Accepting is the word here... Jeff is afraid of not being loved by who he really is after his failed marriage and Vivian is afraid of not being accepted by her missionary family.
This is a book about faith in God, but also faith in ourselves. This is a great series and this book is very special.
They work together for a long time, Jeff is divorced and Vivian does not seem to care or hold boyfriends for a long time. They are two souls that are looking for partners that accept them as they are.
Jeff is crazy about Vivian and she seems a shallow person but in reality she is insecure of what people think of her choices, specially her family. In the end, it is a love story and a spiritual one since they only can be together by accepting. Accepting is the word here... Jeff is afraid of not being loved by who he really is after his failed marriage and Vivian is afraid of not being accepted by her missionary family.
This is a book about faith in God, but also faith in ourselves. This is a great series and this book is very special.
July 30, 2017
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**
This is a very sweet romance that is based on a Christian living and and the only 'action' is kissing, so for those of you that like erotic or more sexual scenes, this may not be the book for you.
Vivian is a complex mix of composed confident front and insecure at heart. It is only Jeff, her friend and business partner that see's the real her and even then her doesn't get to see it all.
Jeff has been deeply hurt with a past relationship and finds it hard to trust that someone could actually want him for him.
Both have their issues, but with their faith and a little help, see what they are missing and we get a sweet ending.
We also get to see a little of Daniel and Jessica from the Willow Park series that is also christian based.
This is a very sweet romance that is based on a Christian living and and the only 'action' is kissing, so for those of you that like erotic or more sexual scenes, this may not be the book for you.
Vivian is a complex mix of composed confident front and insecure at heart. It is only Jeff, her friend and business partner that see's the real her and even then her doesn't get to see it all.
Jeff has been deeply hurt with a past relationship and finds it hard to trust that someone could actually want him for him.
Both have their issues, but with their faith and a little help, see what they are missing and we get a sweet ending.
We also get to see a little of Daniel and Jessica from the Willow Park series that is also christian based.
August 26, 2017
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book.
Surrender is a standalone novel in the Balm in Gilead series. Vivian is a workaholic who co-owns a Christian company with her friend Jeff. When Jeff talks Vivian and their staff into going to a retreat for a week to relax, Vivian and Jeff's presence in each other's lives will change forever. This is a very sweet, clean, co-workers to lovers romance with a slight Christian undertone. I thought this was a good book that really makes you take a look at your life and realize what is important and to learn to be yourself. This was another enjoyable read by Noelle Adams and I'm looking forward to what she writes next.
Surrender is a standalone novel in the Balm in Gilead series. Vivian is a workaholic who co-owns a Christian company with her friend Jeff. When Jeff talks Vivian and their staff into going to a retreat for a week to relax, Vivian and Jeff's presence in each other's lives will change forever. This is a very sweet, clean, co-workers to lovers romance with a slight Christian undertone. I thought this was a good book that really makes you take a look at your life and realize what is important and to learn to be yourself. This was another enjoyable read by Noelle Adams and I'm looking forward to what she writes next.
August 15, 2017
An enjoyable read.
This is the story of Jeff and Vivian. 2nd book in this series. Jeff and Vivian had known each other for years through college now they work together. A case of friendship turning to love.
This is Christian based romance book, so if you are looking for a erotic read this isn't it. But it is a sweet romance.
I received this ARC in exchange for a honest review which I have given
This is the story of Jeff and Vivian. 2nd book in this series. Jeff and Vivian had known each other for years through college now they work together. A case of friendship turning to love.
This is Christian based romance book, so if you are looking for a erotic read this isn't it. But it is a sweet romance.
I received this ARC in exchange for a honest review which I have given
August 16, 2017
Loved Vivian and Jeff's story. These two are business partners and friends. Jeff thinks the company and them need to go on a week long retreat. The retreat sounds fantastic and a lot of fun. Their employees enjoy the retreat and Jeff and Vivian come to some realizations while on the retreat. Loved this second book in the series!
September 3, 2017
I had the same issues with SURRENDER that I did with the first BALM IN GILEAD book, RELINQUISH, and that was my inability to connect with the characters. I just didn't find them interesting and didn't feel any of the connection or passion in their chemistry.
August 27, 2017
A nice quick read. Loved it.
August 29, 2017
3.5 stars
September 23, 2019
Company Retreat
I didn't think I was going to like Vivian that much. I'm not sure why. Now, I think she's wonderful. Great characters
I didn't think I was going to like Vivian that much. I'm not sure why. Now, I think she's wonderful. Great characters
December 11, 2024
good
Good!! They are a little dramatic in this book over their relationship and even a little immature. The story was cute though. No sex which is unusual for this author.
Good!! They are a little dramatic in this book over their relationship and even a little immature. The story was cute though. No sex which is unusual for this author.
September 3, 2017
I just admire the ability of the author she can reach so easily the emotional effect in her stories. At the beginning of the book I’ve already felt this.
This is a very cute romantic story with likeable characters with whom I could identify in the emotional scenes. I cried with Vivian when she talked to her parents the end of the story.
This story touched my hourt, and became favorite. Can't wait for the next book.
This is a very cute romantic story with likeable characters with whom I could identify in the emotional scenes. I cried with Vivian when she talked to her parents the end of the story.
This story touched my hourt, and became favorite. Can't wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews