No Substitute

An Inky Book Recommendation by Dina Sleiman

First loves never last . . . except when they do.

When Amy Welsh returns to Goose Bay as a substitute teacher, she has no intention of seeing Quentin Macmillan, the man who once left her waiting in the rain clutching her suitcase and dreaming of becoming his wife. 

Seventeen years later, his teenage daughter shows up in Amy’s class with plans to reunite her widowed father with the woman he has always loved. When the assignment is forgiveness and healing, will this young teacher pass the test?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No Substitute is a fun, heart-warming novel that you’ll be sure to enjoy. As we’ve been discussing all week, it’s a story of forgiveness and second chances, a theme which is explored throughout a number of relationships in the book. The story of love lost and regained is a classic concept, and yet Suzie adds some unexpected elements that drive us forward into the plot. There’s no time for a dull moment in this book.

  

Quentin’s teenaged daughter Shayna adds a lot of spice and sass to the book. She’s an amusing character who always seems to have something up her sleeve. The story opens with her interrogating her long term substitute teacher, Amy Welsh, about her previous relationship with Shayna’s father. Shayna’s budding romance with the class bad-boy draws the parent and teacher together and introduces lots of fun twists and turns into the story. Then there’s Rufus the duck, who also seems to have a humorous way of forcing Quentin and Shayna together.

I love the title No Substitute. Not only does it play on Amy’s job title, but it gets to her deep heart issues as well. She felt rejected by Quentin years ago, and she doesn’t want to play second fiddle now as a substitute wife and mother. It will require much healing and forgiveness to bring these two back together. Their journey will inspire you to open your heart to forgiveness and second chances as well.

I’ve read this book twice now, and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. I highly recommend it, and in fact, this was the first book I ever endorsed. Fans of sweet, contemporary romance with a dash of humor will especially enjoy this one. If you have an ebook reader, take a minute and order your copy right now J And for you paperback fans, your version will be coming soon.

And remember, we're giving away a copy to one commenter this week!!! Leave your email in a secure fashion (ex. dina sleiman at gmail dot com) in your comment to enter. Winner will be chosen at random.