Review: Catch A Falling Star by Beth K Vogt

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What does a girl do when life doesn’t go according to her plan? At thirty-six, Kendall Haynes has seen some of her dreams come true. She’s a family physician helping kids with severe allergies and asthma achieve more fulfilling lives—a childhood struggle she knows all too well. But are Kendall’s dreams of having it all—a career, a husband, children—nothing more than a childhood fantasy? God says He knows the plans He has for her—why can’t Kendall figure them out and be content with her life?

Griffin Walker prefers flying solo—both as an Air Force pilot and in his personal life. But a wrong choice and health problems pulled him out of the cockpit. His attempts to get out of “flying a desk” are complicated by his parents’ death—making Griffin the reluctant guardian of his sixteen-year-old brother, Ian. How did his life get so off course? Can he get his life back on track…or has there been a divine plan all along?

I was recommended this book and told that the romance was sweet and swoon-worthy. They weren't kidding! Griffin and Kendall are cute, but oh-so-very stubborn. Goodness are they ever stubborn! Both have a determined streak a mile wide. Determined that things will be fine, determined not to acknowledge their attraction, determined not to fall in love, determined not to let things get in their way. Except things aren't fine, they are attracted, they do fall in love, and jeeps and dogs and brothers do get in their way! Life isn't going the way they imagined for either one of them. 

Their relationship is slow going. They both try to deny, deny, deny that anything is happening between them. And even once they can't deny anymore, they still refuse to make things easy on themselves. Silly characters! ;) This means we gets lots of nicely charged moments when it becomes awfully hard not to make googly-eyes at one another. And while they're in denial, we have outside forces keeping everyone on their toes. Like Griffin's little brother Ian, and Kendall's huge dog Sully (I loved how he got his name!), and a certain other character who's not worthy to be named. I liked that they had their love of Jeeps in common even though I didn't understand anything they were talking about in regards to engines and parts. ;) The chemistry between the two is pretty palpable during several scenes. Especially the ending which totally made me melt in a puddle of goo! *sigh*

The story has enough tension and mystery to keep you on your toes wondering exactly what's going to happen. It balanced well with the inching forward of the main relationship and ultimately is a lot of fun! I do have a couple of small quibbles however. There were a few instances of noticeable tension between some characters that was never explained. Kendall's relationship with her family was definitely strained but I was never certain why. I would have liked a little more time spent on that plotline, it may have given us a better understanding of Kendall herself maybe. And also there was a small plot dealing with one of Kendall's employees that felt sort of pushed in. It didn't really add a whole lot to the bigger story and indeed it confused me at first. I couldn't figure out whose point of view I was reading and where it was taking me. These were minor frustrations though and did not spoil the overall delightfulness of the story for me! 

A chaotic (and somewhat amusing) meet cute, an adorable couple, fun characters, and a storyline that I couldn't always predict combines to make for a great read! I definitely recommend this book for when you need a feel good story with a happy (and swoon-worthy) ending. In fact, I'd read it for that ending alone! :D

He wasn't surprised to hear her give a knowing chuckle. Since she was a Jeep girl, she understood how temperamental the things were.
"So what's the problem now?" She shifted, coming a bit closer. What perfume was she wearing? And why didn't she smell like a hospital or something....medicinal?
"Started hearing a clicking noise up front-driver's side."
"Hhhhm. Wheel bearing? Maybe the brake caliper?"
Whoa. A woman who talked mechanics. Not that it was cute. Or appealing. It was just different.
"Could be the universal joint."
He knew Jeeps too.