Wednesday, May 13, 2026

NOT WHAT WE PICTURED by Becca Kinzer, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney


REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Was there anything that ruined a perfect marriage proposal more than a snoozing, potentially dead body on a bench?"

And so it began. McKenna Boston was determined to plant her sister's engagement ring on a particular bench at a particular time in a particular place and then scurry out of sight to take pictures of the momentous occasion, thus opening the door to pursue her own aspirations. There was just this teeny, weeny flaw with the plan. A very real man was sleeping on that one-of-a-kind bench.

Nate Lambert had been minding his own business and trying to doze off a headache after attending the funeral of his beloved mentor and before catching a flight out of Nebraska. When a crazy acting redhead fumbles into his arm pit Nate somehow got the distinct feeling that his life was about to take an unexpected turn . . . like a ride on a roller coaster turned tilt-a-whirl.

The story that follows is one the funniest that I have ever read! Filled with rings zipped inside pants pockets, uninvited kisses, dunks in a river, trips to an emergency room, lost luggage, a crazy acting redhead (yes, her again), interrogation by airport security guards (with that aforementioned woman), and by this point you are still only a few chapters into the story.

Yet beneath all the hilarity, a steady cadence beats true; that God's love is unearned, immeasurable and everlasting. It doesn't get any better than that! 

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.4.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
This is absolutely not how they pictured their summer going.

McKenna Boston is feeling stuck. She's spent years growing her photography skills only for her career to hit a wall. She's ready to move on, and she will, just as soon as she helps her sister's boyfriend stage the perfect proposal. But when her best laid plans go awry and a handsome stranger accidentally ends up with the heirloom ring, McKenna hops on a flight to retrieve it. Piece of cake, right?

Nate Lambert was hoping to enjoy a relaxing summer before starting his new job as a literature professor, but he arrives in Tennessee to discover his mom's bed and breakfast is struggling and there's a long list of repairs to be tackled. The last thing he needs is a gorgeous, determined photographer searching for a ring he doesn't have since the airline lost his luggage somewhere on his route from Nebraska.

With the ring nowhere to be found, all McKenna can do is wait and use the time to build her portfolio and plan her next career move. But she also can't help getting swept up in Nate's bed and breakfast renovations and in planning a community concert with the townsfolk. As both await news of Nate's suitcase, it begins to seem their serendipitous meeting, and the proposal gone wrong, could actually be everything going right . . . and that this may be their chance at a love neither could have pictured.

-A clean, witty rom com with a forced proximity trope and a reluctant allies love story
-Features laugh-out-loud humor and a sweet, endearing couple
-This contemporary summer romance with a Southern small-town setting is great for fans of Sarah Adams, Pepper Basham, and Emma St. Clair
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Tyndale Fiction, April, 2026
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:




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