“Sweet Rivals” by Kari Trumbo is an easy read, perfect for an ideal day at the beach, or an afternoon in your favorite recliner, or even relaxing in an armchair with your Kindle. This book has interesting characters and a warmhearted storyline. Faye and Corbin first meet at a friend’s wedding and hit it off right from the start. A dream comes true for them when Corbin moves to the island but unfortunately, there is a major setback in their relationship. As business rivals on the same island, Corbin’s business will directly impact Faye’s shop. How they face this dire conflict will ultimately determine their relationship and the future they try to forge together despite the odds, twists and turns.

The key themes of friendship, God’s Will and second chances are skillfully interwoven throughout the storyline. Corbin truly desires to be a witness of his faith to his friends. He struggles to determine the all-encompassing Will of God in his life situations and circumstances, especially regarding Faye, their mutual businesses and their lives. Faye struggles to know God’s will for her life and her future. Both Corbin and Faye are in urgent need of second chances. Their faith is stretched to the limit as they struggle to make major life-affecting decisions.

Seeking God’s Will is important for our lives. He might eventually ask us to give up what might only be His plan for us for a season. I love the faith thread woven throughout this sweet romance. After meeting as new friends, Faye and Corbin discover they are business rivals as well. They handle this sweet rivalry amicably. Through their inspiring story of “sweet rivals-to-committed friends,” they discover what ‘true’ friendship really means.

This novel really challenges me to think outside the box, to be willing to accept others and see where God leads us. “Sweet Rivals” reveals how God can transform a difficult life situation, to work it out for our ultimate good and His glory. I highly recommend this extremely well-written, fast-paced, highly engaging and totally endearing story to all our readers.

About the Book

Book: Sweet Rivals

Author: Kari Trumbo

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: March 29, 2022

Fay is about to lose her business…

…to the only guy she’s ever thought might be good for her.

Fay Ravven has spent years building a floral business on Mimosa Island. Too bad a chain florist has moved in right down the street. As her business wanes, she realizes her rival is none other than Corbin Lowel, the very man who swept her heart away at her friend’s wedding.

Corbin knows he’s not good enough for Fay. His friends remind him all the time that, as a florist, he’s not really man enough for anyone. That doesn’t stop him from stepping out of his comfort zone and going to Fay’s store to see if she remembers him. That’s when he discovers that his business is killing hers.

What are rivals to do when they can’t stop thinking about each other? Plan the flowers for someone else’s wedding, of course.

When Corbin and Fay must see each other and work together, will they dive through their pain and reach for the stars? Or will the roses be too prickly for two hurt hearts?

Read the next Sparrow Island novel in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

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About the Author

Kari writes swoony heroes and places that become characters with detail and heart. Her favorite place to write about is the place her heart lives, (even if she doesn’t) South Dakota.

Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one’s listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters, two sons, one cat, and one hungry wood stove.

More from Kari

Nudge from the Almighty or personal desire?

Sometimes what we should do is as clear as mud. When I first felt the call to write, I worried that it was a “me” thing. I worried that the nudge that I felt was for my own glory. It didn’t matter that I felt the desire to write Christian fiction. We can do all the things we think are right and still be in the wrong place according to God’s will.

When I literally felt captive to the idea of writing—like, I couldn’t move forward without doing something about it—then I finally considered that perhaps this was God’s will and not just me wanting something. But it took years of the Holy Spirit prodding me before I ever acted.

Fay is like that. She starts her flower business certain she is doing the will of God and it helps that she really wants it too. But she works so hard, putting in so many hours, that she forgets about why she started it and it becomes all work for her own glory. Her business.

Enter Corbin, a really sweet guy who is in the wrong place at the wrong time and is used by God to nudge Fay away from her idol and into a deeper relationship. He’s a rival flower shop owner, and the only guy she’s ever felt a connection to. Which makes for some pretty interesting dialogue for the two of them.

Fact is, none of us likes to hear that our desire—especially when we think we’re doing the right thing—is wrong. No one ever wants loving correction by a Heavenly Father who cares about us deeply. We’re supposed to get it right.

Fay has to find out if it’s her business that’s getting in the way of her relationship or if it’s really a heart issue. I hope you’ll enjoy finding out along with her.

Kari