About the Book

Book: Book, Chapter, & Vows

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: July 26, 2022

Falling in love with Benjamin wasn’t in the plan, but Mallory finds she’s all but lost her head and her heart after two and a half years of banter, memories, and now shared books.

But when her ex-fiance (does it count if it was just for a few hours?) shows up right in the middle of a writing project with Benjamin, the guy manages to ruin her happiness… again.

Benjamin has been keeping one tiny part of him back from Mallory–just the one thing that’ll repel her for good.
So when the ex-boyfriend-slash-fiance shows up, and things look serious again, he takes a giant step back and prays he can keep his heart intact in the process.

They’re clearly meant for each other. God obviously has a plan. So what’s it going to take for Mallory and Benjamin to work things out and get those vows made?

This Breakers Head novel is Chautona Havig’s final book in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

MY REVIEW

This journey finds us discovering more about Mallory. I have always liked her character and now we are on a mission to see how her relationship with Benjamin will go. There is a real struggle within Mallory about her feelings and we can feel the turmoil within her. When an unexpected ex visits, Mallory starts to question her life. Did she do the right thing when she and Trevor didn’t work out? Why is he suddenly back in town?

Benjamin is trying so hard to let his relationship with Mallory blossom, but little things start getting in the way. Seeing Mallory kiss her ex doesn’t give him an ego boost and now he is wondering if there is more to what he saw. A rumor is floating around that Mallory is leaving. I liked how Benjamin didn’t over react and relied on God and prayed about the situation. I’m sure some of us would have reacted differently and confronted the situation. It is a good lesson to not believe gossip but allow God to handle the situation.

One thing that really stands out in this book is how we need to appreciate the little moments in our life. We become so focused on our jobs or whatever keeps our focus from the little blessings we have each day. Recognize the family and friends that support you and be thankful for the time you spend with them.

There is a certain ex that just won’t go away. Trevor keeps coming back to talk to Mallory but she wants nothing to do with him. Her frustration is causing her to be short tempered and maybe has put a little distance between her and Benjamin. I loved how the author illustrated the ups and downs of a relationship and how we can let our pride get in the way. We see the flaws the characters have and I found them relatable for many of us. Our stubbornness sometimes gets in the way and if we aren’t careful, we will miss what God has for us.

There is an emotional time in the story where we learn more about Uncle Bud and I was amazed at what was uncovered about his past. Doing the right thing can cause others to be hurt but in the end following God’s direction will always be enough. I think as Benjamin learns about Bud he starts to feel a little more comfortable sharing his secret with Mallory. It is a very profound moment because the author shows how telling the truth frees you from what has been holding you back.

I have enjoyed each book the author has contributed to this inspiring series. The way she is able to make her characters realistic helps readers connect with each one. Thank you for all the beautiful memories you have given me on this journey and the many lessons on faith, trust and unconditional love.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author of Aggie and Past Forwardseries, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

slash-fiance shows up, and things look serious again, he takes a giant step back and prays he can keep his heart intact in the process.

They’re clearly meant for each other. God obviously has a plan. So what’s it going to take for Mallory and Benjamin to work things out and get those vows made?

This Breakers Head novel is Chautona Havig’s final book in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

More from Chautona

It Happened AGAIN!

I remember the first book I had trouble finishing. Beneath the Cloak. It was the last book of the Wynnewood series, and I was dying to reveal the big secret that had been a big part of the story line. I spent hours writing very few words. Someone asked if I had writer’s block, but I didn’t. I knew every word I wanted to put on that page, but I kept procrastinating.

For weeks. We’re talking long, agonizing weeks.

Finally, I realized a significant part of why I hadn’t finished was because I didn’t want to. I didn’t want the series to end. Say goodbye to beloved characters? Agony, okay? I wanted to spend the rest of my life in Wynnewood seeing what happened with all the characters and all the things that would happen.

I just wanted to write a bunch of other books, too. What can I say? It’s a thing.

So, as I dove into writing the book I’ve been dying to write since I penned the opening scene of Christmas on Breakers Point, you’d think I’d have been prepared for the inevitable. I mean, it’s happened with several other series since that first time, so… yeah. All ready to combat the problem, right? Not hardly.

To be fair, I was also coming off being very sick, my mother being even sicker, so being crazy behind on everything. I mean, that had a lot to do with it taking so long to get going on it. But once I did, I’d type like crazy and then ignore it for a day or two before the story demanded more telling.

Then, just as I neared the big scene of Book, Chapter, & Vows… I went nuts on doing everything but finishing that book. No joke. I did. Sigh. Again, you think I’d learn.

After much soul searching and even more wailing at God about the cruelty of it all (I was in a dramatic mood, okay?), the solution came to me. Okay, God smacked me upside the head with a 2×4 of memories on how I solved every other, “don’t wanna finish this series” crisis.

See, way back with Wynnewood, the only thing that got me to the finish line was a promise I made to myself. “It doesn’t have to end here. You can write more if you want to. There’s nothing to say you can do ‘Wynnewood, the Later Years’ or something like that.”

Just that one promise to myself that I didn’t have to say goodbye was all it took for me to get back on that trusty old Toshiba laptop and pound out those last few chapters.

And here I was again, not ready to say goodbye to a series—to these islands that feel so crazy real to me. I didn’t want to say goodbye to the characters and their quirky ways. Would you?

Now… you’re going to laugh at me. Go ahead. I mean, I did. See here’s the deal. I didn’t have to make that promise to myself again. “What?” you say? “What do you mean?”

Yeah. I don’t have to say goodbye to the characters or the islands. Why? Because we have another island series coming, the Suamalie Islands, and Mallory is going to visit those islands.

If that isn’t enough for me, I have another series all planned for the Independence Islands, too! Yeah. That. I mean, what was I not thinking?

As soon as I thought of that, I was able to get in there, get the last few scenes written and pass it off to the fabulous Christy for her editorial magic. As for me, I think I’m going to go play around just a little bit with one of the Josie Parker Mysteries. I mean, why not?