A Rare Find

by M.K. Deppner

A woman struggling to leave her home learns how to find her own strength—and lean on the man who wants to help her—in this heartwarming romance set in a bookstore.When bookstore owner and rare bookseller Melanie Montgomery thinks about stepping outside…well, she just doesn’t. Outside doesn’t exist anymore as far as she’s concerned. She’s got the good life—an apartment above the bookstore she owns and loves, regular grocery deliveries, friends who are more than happy to visit her bookstore home. Life is simple and she’s happy. Or so she keeps telling herself.Then retired real-estate mogul Samuel Reid walks in with a rare book to rival all rare books. And when he offers to bring dinner to her, Melanie jumps at a chance to kindle the romance…inside the safety of her home. The thing is, she hasn’t told him that she can’t leave the store. That why she can’t leave is her fault. And if she does think about leaving, it sends her into a spiral. But as their romance blossoms, so does Melanie, and she starts to think that maybe stepping outside her door might not be so bad after all.Samuel has problems of his own, though, and when he doesn’t communicate with Melanie that one of the books he brings in might have a sketchy past, it threatens the trust and love they’ve begun to develop. But Samuel wants to fight for her, and he’s convinced that Melanie has the strength to fight for herself, too.

Genres: Romance, Fiction

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2021

About the author

M.K. Deppner lives in Wichita, Kansas with her partner, two stepdaughters, and three cats. Deppner has her M.A. in English and Creative Writing from Kansas State University and has always been inspired by the rich history of the Flint Hills region where Photographs of October is set. She is a multi-genre author and creative entrepreneur who enjoys encouraging and teaching writers.

Reviews

[Morgan Menefee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance is not my preferred genre, but the concept of an agoraphobic book seller as the lead drew me in. The story is sweet, and has a twist or two that I didn’t see coming, which I appreciate in a genre that’s typically so predictable. The romance happens fast, but let’s be honest, many of us have fallen into relationships even faster. Fair warning: though only two brief sexual scenes exist, one is explicit, so I wouldn’t hand it to young readers ahead of their reading level. Though the ending is a bit pat, it’s comfortable and sweet. This is a book I’ll read again and highly recommend to lovers of the romance genre.

[Marissa Gramoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, sweet, worth the read.

The way that mental illness is represented was a huge thing I appreciated. The main heroine isn't able to leave her store after a horrible accident that gives her extreme PTSD. The author did a fantastic job at portraying how debilitating mental illness can be.

Our hero has an interesting story in the way that he's had a lot of success and still feels empty. He returns to his grandparent's home and finds out that our heroine is the person he's always been looking for. They have a sweet relationship filled with many ups and downs and some steamy moments. Saucy evenings between bookshelves? I'm here for it.

Some trouble comes up and this couple face a lot of a test of trust and what to do when things don't go well. I felt the story did a good job of balancing the complexities of a romance worth fighting for and the mental illness that so often stands in the way.

[Melissa Prescott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was initially pulled into this book for the author’s different take on the romance genre, focusing on an agoraphobic bookseller and her new, intense relationship with a young, retired real estate agent. While the author clearly dove into character development, especially with the protagonist, I was even more drawn into the realistic setting: small town Kansas. The story was sweet, and I got caught up in the story within the first couple pages. I was impressed by the unforeseen plot twists. A Rare Find is absolutely a recommended quick read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I was a "sensitivity reader" for this book, and thus the book may be edited a bit from the version I read for its final form. Melanie is a bookseller who has been stuck in her bookstore & apartment (above the store) after developing agoraphobia. When Samuel agrees to sell some old books for his grandfather, he finds Melanie very interesting. But can their budding love overcome Melanie's anxiety and some weirdness with the grandfather's books?

I enjoyed the book. Melanie is hashtag-relatable, and Samuel is very kind and seems to know how to nudge her out of her comfort zone.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 120/218. Just wasn't for me - boring and unbelievable. I had a hard time following the plot that an agoraphobic get better for a random man. The POVs and time frame made 0 sense.

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read contemporary romance, but I was curious about the agoraphobia aspect of the story and the setting — I'm a hopeless bibliophile intrigued by the rare book trade — and especially after reading The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn (which is obviously not a romance ;)). Deppner brings the importance of mental health and its tribulations into the spotlight in a similar way, though. We aren't *told* outright the what or why up front, but *shown* through actions and reactions. And it goes beyond Bookstore Owner Melanie's PTSD and agoraphobia, because Samuel (or, rather, Sam-yull 😁) has his own trials. We're presented with different issues and how they are perceived and dealt with by friends, family, and the self. As good intentioned as they may be, some people push too hard or seem dismissive, others listen, and others try to understand but don't really know how. And that is where Samuel falls. He's an emotionally intelligent man who tries to be sensitive, but is frustratingly dense at times. To his credit, he's dealing with a trouble that many of us are facing right now: languishing. A deeper look at his character and situation brings to light that money doesn't equal happiness, and that one may find only emptiness in life when one can literally buy anything. Life seems to lose meaning or purpose, and in Samuel's case, as he searches for a solution, it only gets worse. His ability to retire at such a young age (relatively, of course) pounds his issue home: because he has money, he doesn't need to work, so his situation doesn't really change, a frustrating development when a change of scenery to small town Warren, Kansas, doesn't help in and of itself. Now...meeting Melanie...*that* changes things. For both of them. And what we get is a steamy romance between a smart, independent woman struggling to accept her reality and a man searching for meaning in his life only to find that change can be both meaningless and hard. Change is hard for both of them. As is finding, and accepting, love.

Melanie's character is well built, thought out, and the look inside her thought processes are well done. She is the Star of the book in a setting that sometimes feels magical. There are moments of mysticism around her outside of the very real bouts of fear, panic, and anxiety. And this is due in part to the writing and to exposure to the same small town of Warren in the author's horror novel, Photographs of October (which I loved). It's like with Sarah Addison Allen's books where the Waverly sisters have cameos in other books because they take place in the same town.

I can't say if Melanie and Samuel fall in love at first sight. Maybe they do. Maybe they don't. But! They definitely feel an instant attraction that's palpable! And how can a bibliophile not love a love story inside a bookstore? I love the humor in her first impression of him based on his soggy footwear. 😂 And her thought, "Mr. Darcy visiting the country." And when they have their first big moment, it's intimate, but not sexual. It's a vulnerable scene of confusion and fear and facing big feelings instead of running and hiding from them. It's an invitation to trust. And the rest of the book stays true to this moment as the seen and unseen obstacles of life run over them and produce some heavy, heart wrenching moments, but that also force both of them to move forward instead of stagnating.

I truly love books that offer an opportunity to dive below the surface and into the deep end for readers who like to think on it, but that also offer up an easy or even light and entertaining read for those who want to stay on top or maybe dip a bit but stay afloat. Deppner did it with her debut (not a light read, but dark and entertaining 😉), and she did it again here. If you want small town romance with some steam, love books, and appreciate a multilayered read, this is one not to miss.

[Wofford Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read M.K. Deppner a year or so ago with her debut of Photographs of October, which I classify as a classic horror/thriller type of read. In Photographs there was romance in it, and it was done well, along with the other elements that went into that epic read and tome. M.K. Deppner—I consider her a multi-genre writer—her latest novel is a straight up romance that has all the feels. A Rare Find is a gem. It was great to be a fly on the wall and experience the feelings of this budding relationship as it plays out in front of you. You’re peeking into the beginnings of a relationship of a couple you’re rooting for and you just want them to get together (maybe faster than the book allows). I loved the change of POV, where you get to experience what Samuel and Melanie both experience. On one hand, it’s an adorable romance story, but it is not with out its intense drama; each character has their on problems (or broken-ness) to mend. An intimate story of infatuation, possibly love at first sight, first time crushes, romance, sex, love, secrets, forgiveness, and ultimately...healing. It’s a beautiful and poetic story; I highly recommend it.

[Whitney Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author continues to impress me with A Rare Find and her ability to weave a story that leaves me wanting more! We travel back to Warren, Kansas in this romance which immediately had my heart fluttering with excitement. As a Kansas native it touches me to my core to finally have found an author that paints it in all its beauty and more than just a flyover state. M. K. Deppner has done a remarkable job and this one has all the components a good romance should have. The characters are strong and relatable. There is an undertone of independence that I love about the female lead; she’s not a helpless or defenseless little girl just waiting to be rescued but she’s not a brat about it either. The steamy parts are classy but juicy and I’m not embarrassed to admit they made my heart race. There are plenty of easter eggs and I can’t wait to read it again to make sure I find them all!

[Paula (librosdepauli) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

La historia se enfoca en el desarrollo de los personajes, principalmente en Melanie y su agorafobia, un tema que he visto muy poco en los libros. La forma en que se exponen sus miedos y su manera de ver las cosas hace que sea muy fácil empatizar con ella. En cuanto a Samuel, me resultó atento y simpático, pero no me gustó que la autora lo pusiera como el “héroe” en ciertos aspectos.

Lo que más me llamó la atención al inicio fue el romance rodeado de libros. Y aunque la química entre los protagonistas me pareció linda, el romance se sintió un poco apresurado y forzado. Además, la falta de comunicación en algunos temas importantes hizo que la relación perdiera parte de su encanto.

A pesar de ser un libro corto, lo sentí eterno. Creo que algo que influyó en eso fueron los constantes cambios de punto de vista a mitad de los capítulos, ya que hacían que se perdiera un poco el hilo de lo que estaba pasando.

No puedo decir que el libro me disgustara por completo, porque tuvo varios detalles que me llamaron la atención, como la ambientación, la evolución de Melanie y un par de giros en la trama que no esperaba.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book. Melanie Montgomery, bookstore owner, has developed agoraphobia - fear of going out into the world. She lives above the bookshop and has food and other necessities delivered, so she doesn't need to leave. Then she meets a newcomer to her town, Samuel Reid, who comes in to sell some used books from his grandfather's attic. These are not ordinary used books; they are very rare antique first editions. While Samuel seems very nice, something odd is going on.

[rubellys · Rating 2 out of 5]

i really wanted to like this :( but the constant and random change of povs mid chapters were a nightmare and where did this attraction and love these main leads suddenly had for each other even come from?????????

i respect the fml’s struggles and rooted for her on her journey but other than that this story was a big letdown

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters were likable and I could relate to them. But their romance seemed forced. The words did not flow very easily and I found myself skimming the book. I did find the plot interesting. But their needed to be more development in the characters.

[Sarah Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short and interesting read. I do think the mental health issues in the story were portrayed well, but some of the other plot lines seemed illogical or out of place. Overall, I did enjoy reading it though. And it’s a love story surrounded by books, so that is automatically a bonus! 😂

[FRED W]

A wonderful read…entertaining, engaging, and
exciting.
I recommend this book.

[Jacqualine Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I was disappointed in this book. It could have been so much better.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and charming story of finding inner strength, trust and love. Worth the read.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF boring, poorly written, and unbelievable. The POVs and time frame made 0 sense.

[Emily Mumpton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not for me….too cheesy and predictable.

[Becs · Rating 3 out of 5]

i thought this was cute! it took a little bit to get into it, but i did enjoy it. i do feel like everything wrapped up a little too quickly, i wish the ending was a little more fleshed out.

[lifewithmaddi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read M.K. Deppner's first book and was so excited when this one came out. While I'm not always a romance fan I loved "Photographs of October" so much that I knew I had to read this one. I know the author personally and her lovely personality rolls over into her writing.

After we as a world have gotten through this covid mess, it isn't hard to sympathize with Melanie and her reluctance to leave the bookstore she owns and lives above. Her whole world is changed when Samuel comes walking into her life one day.

I won't spoil the book, because I really want you to check out this author. I promise, you won't be disappointed!

[FLOSS · Rating 3 out of 5]

There wasn't anything bad with this book, but there wasn't anything great either. I hated the ending with a passion and the fact that his grandfather was a book theft felt very forced and fake. Also, the fact that the books were just in the attic the entire time felt kind of stupid. Overall, nothing to boast about but nothing that annoyed the heck out of me.

[Fabi Albanese · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute, quick, and fun read! Loved both main characters. What’s better than a book about books?! Highly recommend ❤️