Literarily For Keeps (2018)

Literarily For Keeps (2018) by Sarah Monzon is such a GREAT novella. This book currently comes in eBook form, and is 108 pages in length. With a full-time job and a precocious six-year old at home, this book took me one sitting to read. I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from the author. In no way has this influenced my opinion of the story. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give Literarily For Keeps 5 STARS. This book is a Contemporary Christian Romance.

About the Book

She only has to pretend to be married for five days. What’s the worst that could happen? 

Literature professor Ashleigh Darmody never imagined her life would turn into a classic trope, but that’s exactly what happens when her sister Claire calls with a bizarre request–quickly find a fake husband. Backstory is a powerful thing, and Ashleigh’s has plenty of shadows, but is her past so shady that it requires an elaborate scheme to ensure Claire’s prospective father-in-law, renowned TV evangelist Ken Abrams, will give her his blessing to marry his son?

Already divorced from a man who turned out to be other than he claimed, Ashleigh now has to pretend to be blissfully married to a stranger for the next five days. But when the lines of fiction and reality blur with each tick of the clock, could a temporary deal turn into something for keeps?

Amazon     ♥     Goodreads

My Thoughts

Literarily For Keeps is such a GOOOOOOOOOD novella! This story had me laughing so hard in some places that tears were streaming down my face. I absolutely adore Ashleigh’s character — she could be my literary soul sister. I very much appreciate how intelligent and independent she is. And I LOVE how she views her world through the lens of every great classic novel she’s ever read. It was so much fun for me to know and understand all of her literary references; it felt like Ashleigh and I speak the same language! Literarily For Keeps is a super fun read that I will make sure to keep in my re-read pile so I can enjoy this charming story again and again.

One idea that really resonated with me is the concept of moving out of our comfort zones for the sake of others. At one point in the novella, Ashleigh ruminates, “Isn’t feeling a little discomfort good sometimes? We need to be shaken up by humanity’s plight, or soon we’ll all be sitting in sterile white boxes focused too much on ourselves and not enough on others.” Well said Ashleigh!!! I couldn’t agree more. It is good, especially in our day and age of instant gratification, social media blasts, and the selfie, for us to be discomforted for a moment to realize that we are NOT the center of the universe. It is easy to get caught up in the busyness of our lives, but we have to be careful we don’t become myopic to the needs of others. This blindness to others is the exact opposite of what Jesus teaches in Matthew 25: 31-46. In this passage of Scripture, Jesus proclaims that when we feed the poor, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, befriend the stranger, and visit the downtrodden in prison, we are actually doing these things to Him, too. When we do these good things not only are we making our Heavenly Father proud, but we are also ensuring that this world is a better place because of our selflessness. This is definitely a reminder I needed!

I adore Literarily For Keeps and cannot recommend this book enough. The plot — fake a marriage for 5 days — is tremendously engaging, so much so I tore through this story in one sitting! The characters are wonderful and so realistic. And, the romance between Ashleigh and Landon is wonderful and satisfying. If you are looking for a fast-paced, sweet, and hilarious read then Literarily For Keeps is definitely the book for you.