 Author: Sarah Monzon Genre: Contemporary Romance Series: Check Out Love #2 Pages: 304 Release Date: November 18, 2025 Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Can a rundown bookmobile be the vehicle that brings two unlikely hearts together? Little Creek's bookmobile is more of a death trap on wheels than a vehicle of literary delights, and circulation librarian Hayley Holt is afraid it's going to careen down a mountainside with her in it. Yet she sees it as a way to serve her community and be worthy of the liver transplant that saved her life as a child. However, her fears come true when the bookmobile breaks down and a rockslide traps her in the small hollow of Turkey Grove. Reclusive mechanic Levi Redding lives in tiny Turkey Grove to get away from people. He can handle getting the bookmobile running again, but the endless chatter and unsettling touches from the vibrant librarian leave him overstimulated. When forced proximity leads to a misunderstanding, a note of apology begins an epistolary friendship, proving that sometimes the happiest of endings aren't contained within the bindings of a book.
 Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise “The downside of having an active imagination is that it can run away with me pretty quickly. I take mine by the metaphorical reins and yank hard until it comes to a screeching halt.” This was a hilarious story, but it taught some realistic lessons. The two main characters are not run-of-the mill. Levi, a mechanic, is a huge man with teddy bear qualities. He has a condition that has his senses on overload, so he is perceived as a reclusive grouch. Haley, a librarian, thinks she is living on borrowed time since her liver transplant. She does not want to commit to a long-term relationship. God works in mysterious and comical ways to bring the two together and show them that love is possible. I love the internal dialogue that Haley shows us. She has a witty banter with her friends. Levi is really sweet and loves his family, but due to his condition is wary of people. There is a clear gospel message, and faith is presented in a realistic way as the answer to a flawed humanity. I loved reading about two people who loved books. It makes me want to read the rest of the series. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone. Reviewer: Heather L. Jones Hearts in Circulation by Sarah Monzon is a story of a librarian who is trying her hand at operating a bookmobile, and the adventure that follows. Hayley Holt will be operating the vehicle she has christened Cletus. Although it looks like it has seen better days, Hayley has faith and so starts out on the maiden voyage with Cletus to bring joy to the very small town of Turkey Grove through the wonder of books. When Hayley was younger, she survived a catastrophic illness which led to a liver transplant. In gratitude, Hayley lives her life to bring joy to others through books. When Cletus goes into serious car trouble and a rockslide blocks the road altering her journey, Hayley calls the local mechanic with what little battery power is left in her phone. Levi Redding, a giant of a figure as he towers over the tiny Hayley, is a man of few words. He looks over the bookmobile, and prepares to get it over to his garage. Hayley's first impression of Levi is a little negative, due to his gruff demeanor. She also sees him swipe his hand on his pants after helping her into his truck, causing Hayley to take it personally. Levi's first impression of Hayley is that she talks too much. As the road will take some time to clear, Levi tells Hayley she can stay at his home. Any concerns of his being fresh are calmed, as Levi is a gentleman, and makes sure she has whatever she may need. Hayley also discovers that, like she, Levi is a book lover, evident by the shelves of books in his his home. Hayley also notices the beautiful feminine bedroom she will be using, and Levi tells her about his four sisters. Unlike Levi, the sisters are more outgoing and while he loves his family, it can be too much for his introverted nature and his senses. He also tends to keep to himself, as he suffers from too much stimulation from noise, light, and touch, particularly loud noised such as a thunderstorm. This is something that Hayley soon discovers during dinner st Levi's home, when he has a meltdown in reaction to Hayley talking too much for his comfort. Levi apologizes by note;Hayley, in turn, sends a note, and they start afresh. Hayley meets the citizens of Turkey Grove, including the delightful little Anna Leigh and her pigs Fancy and Jolene along with her mother Shelby, and Jack the storekeeper. While the bookmobile is in the shop, Hayley, with Levi's okay, opens it to the people in town so they can pick what they want to read. While having so many people about would overrun Levi's senses, he is actually calmed by watching Hayley interact with the people, and enjoys the scene. Some adorable kittens are also featured. Little by little, Hayley and Levi get to know each other as the road gets cleared away, and it won't be long before Hayley can get back to her home and the library. Will their story continue? This is a good example of the phrase "Don't judge a book by its cover". A first impression may not go over well, but sometimes there is much more to the story. It is a good story, with likable characters, although for a Christian romance it does have a couple of things that in my humble opinion don't seem to belong in such a book. Overall, I give it four stars. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. Reviewer: Tammy Lunsford After reading book one in the Checking Out Love series, I knew I had to read this installment as well. These two characters pulled on my heartstrings from the beginning pages. When Hayley’s bookmobile breaks down and a rockslide traps her, most people would just roll over and cry. But not sunshiny Hayley. Turkey Grove’s best mechanic, Levi, comes to the rescue. Levi appears rather grumpy and just a matter-of-fact kind of guy. When these two are thrown together, it would seem to be the beginnings of a disaster, but it turns out to be something much more special. Levi has sensory issues and has a hard time communicating. Hayley, on the other hand, never met a stranger. She talks a lot and is full of life. But they have more in common than they realize. From the letter writing to kittens, cooking and soul bearing moments, this one was off the charts in sweetness, charm and humor. The characters were so incredible in different ways. As I learned more about each one, I more fully understood their wants and needs. They both touched me in ways I cannot even explain. This is one of those feel good books that will stay with you long after you close the book. Thank you to Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily. Reviewer: Juanita Varela Hearts in Circulation is the second book in the Checking Out Love series and has been one of my top reads this year. If you liked the first one, you will really like this one, at least in my opinion. The lead characters, Levi and Hayley, have totally different personalities and are struggling with issues affecting who they are. Both Levi and Hayley have denied help in the past and have instead built up walls around themselves. They appeared all fine on the outside, but in reality, they were not. There are many lessons that are relatable in this book. We do not know what people are going through or why they behave the way that they do because everyone has their own struggles and has gone through different things. Levi and Hayley are both likable characters. I really liked that they encouraged each other through their struggles. This is an insta-attraction book. However, it is not cringy or rushed. Without giving too much out, Levi and Hayley are both forced to co-exist together, so it doesn’t feel rushed. Instead, the romance feels genuine. Just like Hayley was given the gift of life without requiring self righteous acts, we can never repay our Lord Jesus Christ for His finished work and the gift of righteousness He has freely given us. Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own. Reviewer: Mindy Houng “It’s the mark of a person’s true character, however, when they can admit when they’re wrong and then try to make it right.” Levi has become one of my favorite fictional heroes of all time. I fell in love with him at first sight, with his one word answers and rock solid presence. His self-deprecating ways, heart-wrenching insecurity, genuine heart of gold, and unshakable character won me over completely. I loved that the author created a wonderful and relatable hero with a sensory processing disorder to bring light to this lesser known condition. Hayley and her bright, optimistic, carpe diem first person voice was the perfect complement to Levi and his introspective, brooding third person voice. Living with a liver transplant cannot be easy, and the author did an excellent job of creating a lovable heroine weighed down with survivor’s guilt and unable to contemplate a life with love and children. I loved the little town of Turkey Grove and its residents. The purpose of the bookmobile was noble. It was delightful how loved it and Hayley were from the minute they crawled into town behind a tow truck. Levi and his skills at car repair were quite remarkable, and I loved watching him repair and renovate. The letters that Levi and Hayley exchanged were charming and witty. Those letters were at the heart of their relationship. Though a man of few words, we find Levi incredibly swoon-worthy in his written words. It is such a delightful and enchanting read. I highly recommend it to fans of contemporary romance. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House via Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.  Reviewer: Conny Withay “When forced proximity leads to a misunderstanding, a note of apology begins an epistolary friendship, proving that sometimes the happiest of endings aren’t contained within the bindings of a book,” the online description states in Sarah Monzon’s novel, Hearts in Circulation. The second in the Checking Out Love series, this 304-page paperback targets those interested in a romantic story involving two individuals dealing with issues while finding love. With no profanity, topics of establishing romantic relationships, sensory processing disorder, and medical issues may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending of this advanced reader copy includes the author’s notes, eight discussion questions, acknowledgments, the writer’s biography, and advertisements. In this tale, twenty-nine-year-old Hayley finds herself stranded in the small town of Turkey Grove when her bookmobile breaks down. Built like a bull with the heart of a tender calf, Levi comes to her rescue by not only offering to fix the broken-down vehicle but also allowing her to stay at his house until the roads are clear. The problem isn’t only that they both have issues that need to be addressed, but that each finds their way by writing letters to one another until they can face their fears. This is a quirky read, mostly in first person as Sarah considers, questions, and decides what to do about her future, and Levi is challenged to step out of his comfortable, solitary shell. I liked the connectivity between the two protagonists as they shed their often-incorrect beliefs and insecurities. The blend of books and love letters intertwined into the story was engaging. I loved that the author compared eternal salvation being a free gift to what she had been given. Having not read the first book in the series, I had no problems with this standalone. Those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ might not like this story of love, yet it is not overdone. Being a happily married reader in her late sixties, I felt Sarah’s thinking was sophomoric and a bit immature, going off topic, especially during the physical scenes between the two lovers. While this is a Christian tale, I wish the discussion of Jesus’s free gift included Him dying on the cross to save us from our sins. I appreciate when all pronouns of God are capitalized for reverence. If you like a lighthearted, wholesome love story of a contemporary “Beauty and the Beast,” this one that reads between the lines would entertain the younger generation. Thanks to Bethany House and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review. Reviewer: Laura J. Davis I loved, loved, loved this book! Sarah Monzon had me swooning with each page over her hunky giant Levi Redding. This is a book I will read again and again. A rock-slide, an extravert and a hunky grump seem to be a combination for disaster, but when given a bit of time to get to know each other, this meet-cute turns into a great love story. I loved how the story gradually unfolded to reveal why Levi mostly grunts and growls when meeting Hayley Holt. And the author clarified at the end of the story what Hayley seemed to pick up on right away. While Hayley was clearly an extrovert, Levi was an introvert, but they were still perfect for one another. Opposites do attract and make things work, no matter what. If you like rom-com, you will love Hearts in Circulation. I received a complimentary copy of the book courtesy of Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley for my honest review. Reviewer: Lori Parrish
I’m not really a fan of insta-love, but this one was really good! I read it in one evening. The storyline had you hooked from the beginning until the end. It will have you laughing, crying and holding your breath all at the same time. Wow! I simply couldn’t put this book down. I hadn’t read a Sarah Monzon book in a while. I’m so glad that I picked this one up. This story made my heart full and happy. I love the theme of the bookmobile! I laughed when I saw the cover, and I knew then that this story was for me. I wasn’t one bit disappointed! The librarian kind of got on my nerves for being a bit too chatty according to Levi, but I feel that this is her special charm. She’s what made the story, in my opinion. She ended up being my favorite character, and I laughed out loud. This book definitely has charm. It also has a bit of fun in it too. Overall, a fantastic read! One I will be thinking about for a long time to come, and maybe I will just reread it again! So worth it. Will these two find love after all? Y’all just have to pick this book up to find out! 5 stars for a job well done! I highly recommend it! I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley for my honest opinion. Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Archives
February 2026
|
RSS Feed
11/19/2025
0 Comments