This was one of those books that once I started, I could not put down. In fact, I started reading it one evening after work and finished in the wee hours of the next day.
In part because I could empathize in a way with Lane Kelley. While I’m not estranged from my family, I do live 2500 miles away and often feel out of the loop when I get together with them. And none of them betrayed me the way a member of Lane’s family did hers. There’s so much pain and hurt to Lane’s story, I couldn’t help but feel for her.
And then there’s Ryan Brooks. AKA Brooks. Oh, this man! He was the icing on top of this story. His steadfastness. His determination. His desire to become more than what his past dictated. I admit it. I fell a little in love with Brooks.
On the other side of disappointment, fear, and heartache lie healing, forgiveness, and the possibility of love. Courtney Walsh carriers readers through Lane’s journey of busyness masking her loneliness to a quieter, more fulfilled existence.
A summer read with depth and heart that will stick with you after the final words, Just Look Up is a must-read for lovers of a story that immerses you in the characters’ world.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
After tirelessly climbing the ranks of her Chicago-based interior design firm, Lane Kelley is about to land her dream promotion when devastating news about her brother draws her back home—a quaint tourist town full of memories she’d just as soon forget. With her cell phone and laptop always within reach, Lane aims to check on her brother while staying focused on work—something her eclectic family doesn’t understand.
Ryan Brooks never expected to settle down in Harbor Pointe, Michigan, but after his final tour of duty, it was the only place that felt like home. Now knee-deep in a renovation project that could boost tourism for the struggling town, he is thrilled to see Lane, the girl he secretly once loved, even if the circumstances of her homecoming aren’t ideal.
Their reunion gets off to a rocky start, however, when Ryan can’t find a trace of the girl he once knew in the woman she is today. As he slowly chips away at the walls Lane has built, secrets from his past collide with a terrible truth even he is reluctant to believe. Facing a crossroads that could define his future with Lane and jeopardize his relationship with the surrogate family he’s found in the Kelleys, Ryan hopes Lane can see that maybe what really matters has been right in front of her all along—if only she’d just look up.
Courtney Walsh is the author of Paper Hearts, Change of Heart, and the Sweethaven series. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, was a New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller and a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. In addition, she has written two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Illinois, where she is also an artist, theater director, and playwright. Visit her online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com.
Courtney is a lot of fun to “hang out with” on social media. Check her out on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And mark your calendar for her Just Look Up release party on July 11 (there will be prizes).
Thanks for hanging in with me as I gushed about Courtney and her new release, Just Look Up. It’s one of my favorites of the year so far, and I’m giving away a copy (your choice of paperback or eBook) to two of you!! Enter below.
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Great review! Sounds like such a good book! I have put it on my list of must read books!
Thanks for stopping by. This one is definitely a must-read.
I love that Just Look Up takes place in Michigan because that is my favorite place to vacation! I’m a native, so I’m fond of the state anyway, lol. I love to go up north to Mackinaw and stay near the bridge. We visit Mackinac Island, eat plenty of fudge, and relax by the lake!
I’ve been to Michigan twice. Once to Grand Rapids and another time to Detroit. I would love to see Mackinac Island one day!! My list of places to see seems to grow every year (mainly because I read about them in books!).
My favorite place for vacation is the beach. Courtney is a new author to me, and I would love to win this book.
The beach is always nice and a great place to read!! My family is hanging out on the Oregon coast in August. A cold beach but a beach nonetheless. Courtney is a wonderful author. You’ll enjoy her.
I don’t have a favorite place, but I love to be by a lake!!
Anywhere near a body of water is nice and relaxing. Enjoy your summer.
I always love going to the beach!
Always a nice get away. Sand, blue waters, and time to just relax and enjoy God’s creation.
I don’t have a favorite summer vacation spot. I live on the Oregon coast, so I have access to the beach at any time. Though during our busy season, it gets too crowded with lots of tourists! So for those of us who live here, we go anywhere away from the beaches, lol!! I would, however, love to drive down the coast and visit places I’m familiar with or even find new places to go.
Thanks for the book review and giveaway chance, Suzie!
Living near the beach must be nice. I’m really looking forward to my trip to the Oregon coast in a month!! Too bad you’re not closer to Lincoln City or I’d try to meet up with you :).
Great review! I don’t go on vacations. I would love to visit my friends in Colorado Springs, CO.
I met my parents for a week’s vacation in Colorado a couple of years ago. We didn’t make it to the Springs but spent some time in the Rocky Mountain National Forest. It was fun.
our favorite place for summer vacation is Shipshewana, Indiana in the Amish area
My sister-in-law would love to visit that area!
My favorite place for summer vacation is a cabin on a lake in northern Michigan. So many wonderful memories!
Lots of Michigan fans but always near a lake :). Sometimes the memories are better than the scenery!
I live in Michigan, so of course I love the setting. Also, Courtney’s book sounds so good and I keep hearing great reviews. I am another Michigan vacation taker, loving Mackinac Island and Mackinaw city. I also love Chicago, but haven’t been in years! Thanks for the chance to win Suzie!
I’ve been to Chicago one time but I loved it. There was so much to do there!
Yes, Chicago is lovely! Definitely a place people should try to visit at least once. Glad you got to experience it Suzie!
My favorite place for any vacation is to visit my family. I have lived 300 miles away from Mom, Sister, Brother and nieces and nephew. My daughter lives over 2000 miles away with my grandsons. Usually, we all meet at my sister’s house. I’m very thankful she takes us all in.
I can totally relate to the distance. I live in Nashville and my entire family is in Washington and Idaho. I only make it out there every year or two. It’s great to have one place everyone can stay, isn’t it?
I would love to go to Belize. Thank you
Oh, that’s a good one!! Most people have said the beach or Michigan 🙂
Vermontville, Michigan!!!!!!! My hometown. I now live in Lubbock, Texas, my husband’s hometown. Anytime I can go home is a great vacation! Family, horses and mules, woods; the country life!!!!
I never realized Michigan was such a popular vacation place but several people have mentioned it. Your Michigan sounds better than the place my mind goes when I think of the state (Detroit)!
We don’t usually vacation in the summer. Since we homeschool, we’re able to travel in the off season! We’re headed to the Pacific Northwest this fall! Yay!
That’s where I’m from, Beth!! Well, kind of. I was born in Portland but we moved away before I was one. We returned when I was in 3rd grade and moved to Wyoming in the middle of my 6th grade year. I went to college in Idaho (but in Moscow in N. Idaho which is 2 miles from the Washington state border). My immediate family is spread out across Washington and Idaho (my sister is in Olympia, my parents are in Walla Walla, and my brother is in Moscow). Have you been before? It’s beautiful country!! Way different than the eastern part of the country.
I don’t really vacation in the summer. But dreaming of a place to vacation, hmm… simply, I wouldn’t mind renting a beach house right next to the ocean or camping in log cabins/tents underneath a wide open sky of stars and S’mores in hand. If I want to get fancy, I would love to go to Florida, Hawaii, a vineyard in California or travel out of the country to Europe.
I’m on board with any of those vacations! Europe is on my bucket list but I haven’t been to Hawaii yet either!