Oh my goodness me! I could not put this down! Such an amazing read, it has it all. Friendship, burgeoning romance and a frisson of fear. My first read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a complete rollercoaster of emotions and captures raw painful moments as well as the happier ones.
Great read.

Thank you Netgalley

Loved Lean on Me, it covered some tough subjects and I was rooting for Faith from the beginning. I think we can all relate to at least one of the choir members! A heartwarming story of finding friendships and yourself.

Beth Moran always does a great job of writing a feelgood romance that manages to sensitively include realistic traumatic experiences for some of her characters and Lean On Me is no exception. You probably wouldn't expect to read the words addiction, murder and domestic violence (to name but a few) in a book with this pretty cover but they're all covered in this book and add depth and grit to the story.

I'd highly recommend this book to listen to or read (I had the audiobook), you won't regret it.

Faith is an arresting central character. Full of insecurities, she also has a streak of courage which runs through her and you appreciate how difficult some situations are for her. Her childhood experiences are still impacting on her decisions and you sense that she is yearning to belong. Her brother is the most important person in her life, for complicated reasons, and looking out for him has become part of her everyday life. There are some dark issues in the backdrop of this story but the friendships Faith makes at her Singing group light up the narrative.

Community and friendship are very important in the story and offer Faith another way of living. This is an enjoyable read and one where you are rooting for Faith and hoping that she will make the right decisions. The romance is a slow burn but there is no denying the chemistry. In the background, there is a menacing presence which puts Faith's peace of mind at risk. You feel throughout that she is looking for somewhere to belong and doubting that she will find that in her imminent marriage.

In short: friendship. family, community

Like many of the author’s works (several of which I have reviewed on my blog), there is a serious undercurrent to the seemingly romance-based narrative. This is darker than any of her previous ones (however much the cover may make it seem otherwise).

Also, like several of her books, this was one that I could not put down once I started reading. I am not sure at this point if I am predisposed to enjoying her work or not, although I have liked some more than others. I would leave that dilemma for other readers to decide.

Our lead protagonist has few friends. Her life revolves around her brother and her numerous jobs. She is engaged to be married but getting buried under what that might mean for her regular lifestyle. Her fiance is not a bad man, just someone of a particular ‘type’. As the story progresses, we find out more and more about the kind of life Faith has lived, and when she joins a choir, she starts to gain mental strength and the support of other women who have their own problems.

Most of the women (and some men) that we encounter in the book have hard lives, which they cover up and appear ‘normal ‘ in social scenarios. I am not always fond of almost cheating, but there are bigger issues dealt with here, and the way the story unfolds distracts from the budding romance that would have been the focus in any other kind of book.

I will continue to recommend this author to fans of the genre and anyone who finds the blurb even remotely interesting.

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience of this and other books by the author.

Beth Morán might possibly be my new favourite author!
In Lean on Me you feel every emotion and not just slightly, the highs are funny and laugh out loud but the lows as tearjerking and heart wrenching. I’ve already downloaded another of her books to read next.
This book follows Faith and her journey with her brother Sam and his battles with drugs and a past that is trying to catch up ok them.
Would definitely recommend!

As always with books by Beth Moran found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable read, both entertaining, emotional and interesting, I loved the key themes of family, friendship and of course love and loss. Thoroughly recommended

Oh, Faith! I just love this character. This is a beautiful book. Looking at the cover, you may expect another rom-com but this is deeper. (and I love a good rom com!) This one packed a lot of heart and sucked me right in. You'll love it.

After a traumatic early life, Faith's marriage to Perry offers the safety she craves and a chance to support her troubled brother, Sam. However, navigating her future mother-in-law's control over the wedding plans proves challenging. In her quest for independence, Faith discovers Grace Chapel, where she finds solace in a unique choir that changes her life. The character development is outstanding, with Faith's journey and her friendship with Marilyn being particularly poignant. The choir, led by the remarkable Hester, provides a bond for the women as they confront their pasts and find their true selves. Despite dark moments, the story is filled with laughter, family, friendship, and community, creating an uplifting and emotionally resonant read. With beautiful writing and engaging storytelling, this book is truly unforgettable and highly recommended.

Beth Moran writes some of the most heartfelt books. This one is full of heartache, bad decisions made with good intentions, a brother battling mental illness, and a choir.

One of my favorite things in this book is the women’s choir. It is a mix of women from different backgrounds who have their own struggles but are there to support each other through hard times. They become Faith’s chosen family.

Faith has had a hard life filled with trauma. From loosing her mother to now trying to help her brother battle addiction and mental illness. She doesn’t like asking for help but is now making the biggest sacrifice of her life to help her brother.

I hope you pick up this book and enjoy the amazing cast of characters with the best personalities. I was laughing and crying and heart broken but above all this book was uplifting. .

As a lover of Beth Moran’s books, I was excited to come across this one

Once again, it was read in a day, as I just couldn’t put it down.

Faith is soon to be wed into a prestige upper class family. Worlds apart, from Faith's upbringing.

Whilst trying to fit in, Faith also has battles from her past.

On accident, Faith becomes part of a church choir.

This story, deals with lots of issues eg mental health addiction. The way Beth captures it all in words is amazing.

wow. this book was so amazing!! i can't believe netgalley let me read this early .thank you so much! it was amazing and wonderful and fun and the characters were just so so so great!!!

This is another great read from Beth Moran with interesting characters, a lovely setting, and an emotional rollercoaster of a story. I was intrigued to find out about Faith's back story. I adored the choir and Hester and would love to belong to such a group. The friendships and sisterhood in the novel are really powerful. Faith's relationship with Sam and their shared history are heartbreaking and really well written. There's a good mix of tension and emotion as well as some fun. I was rooting for Faith as well as some of the other characters, and I loved the outcome. This book is great if you like strong, well developed characters; secret pasts; women supporting each other, and sexy vicars! Great for fans of Jenny Colgan, Rachel Marks, and Jill Mansell.

This author is one of my favorites and although I loved the book I was a bit surprised too. The books I have read by Beth Moran have typically been whimsical and somewhat of a fairy tale. Lean on Me definitely checks the fairy tale box but it is not at all whimsical. In fact it’s pretty gritty at times with themes of murder, mental health, addiction and so much more. It took me a while to really get involved with the story. By about the half way mark I realized that the important messages are about found families, love, friendship and grief. I wound up very involved in the storylines and I surprised myself by loving the book.

I have enjoyed Beth Moran's books in the past, and Lean on Me sounded good. The plot is simple: Sam and Faith have had difficult pasts and I was curious about their lives. The church and choir were original and fun. I took a little time to feel like I got to know the characters, but once I did I enjoyed the story more..

Thanks to Beth Moran, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Amazing, brilliantly written masterpiece from Beth Moran. I couldn’t put this down. Had me engrossed from the beginning.

The subject matter was researched extremely well. So believable. A book to make you laugh as well as having some parts of wanting to scream and cry. Adored the characterisation. I would like many of Faiths friends to be mine.

Shows that you should always have hope and faith even during your darkest journey. Abuse should never be swept under the carpet. There is still a stigma surrounding it, however the victim should not be made to hide it.

Thank you Beth Moran for such a dramatic story.

This was such a heartwarming book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. there appeared to be such a lot of characters but they quickly all seem to have their own place and importance in the story. I havent read Beth Moran books before but I have discovered a new author and I will definitely look out for more books by her. This was a really entertaining read with tear jerking moments too, highly recommended x

This was such an emotional read and I struggled to put it down – waiting to know how Faith’s story ended.

Faith who had a tough childhood and she continues to look after her older brother, Sam, who is addicted to drugs.

Even though she is not really in love with her millionaire boyfriend, Perry, his offer to support Sam’s treatment, makes her agree to marry him.

But, fiercely independent, Faith, continues to work as a waitress. She is however overwhelmed with the wedding Perry’s snooty mother wants them to have.

Faith’s friend Marilyn helps her stand up for herself, and they join a choir led by Hester, who wants each woman to feel good about herself.

How each woman in this choir finds themselves and supports each other is a beautiful tale by itself.

Faith’s bravery is put to the test when a terrifying figure from her and Sam’s past comes back to haunt them.

Finding support from friends and friends turned family, Faith, finds a way to deal with her past and move forward.

The author dealt with serious issues like domestic and child abuse, drug addiction, homelessness etc in a very real and compassionate way. The value of community and friendship in helping people redeem themselves came shining through

Another winner from Beth Moran.

Beth Moran is a great writer and this new novel is no exception. Lean on me is a story which at the heart of it is all about community, friendship and family. The main character Faith grows so much from the start of the book when she has no trust to someone who trusts and loves herself.

BOOK REVIEW: Lean On Me by Beth Moran
2024 Publication Date: March 4

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Trauma Romance Books
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2024

T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW:
In Beth Moran's latest page-turner, Lean On Me, readers are swept into a poignant tapestry of trauma, romance, and the rejuvenating power of community. Faith's story unfolds with gripping authenticity as she juggles the looming presence of a haunting past with preparations for a future that promises security but trembles with unspoken fears.

The book skillfully weaves a compelling narrative where the threads of family and friendship intertwine to offer a sanctuary against life's storms. Through the vibrant dynamics of the Grace Chapel choir and the tenacious spirit of choir leader Hester, Faith — along with the reader — is guided on a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing.

Beth Moran has once again struck a chord with contemporary romance readers in the realm of trauma romance books, creating a symphony of characters whose vulnerabilities resonate with us all and whose triumphs inspire a chorus of hope.

Lean On Me is a testament to the resilient beat of the human heart and a celebration of the melodies that unite us in our quest for love and belonging... ✨😎✨

Pages: 371
Genre: Contemporary Romance Book
Sub-Genre: Trauma Romance Books
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ Closed Door Romance
Time Period: Contemporary
Location: Sherwood Forest (Nottinghamshire, England)
Publisher: Boldwood Books

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: Take Me Home by Beth Moran ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
TV: Lessons In Chemistry ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION:
• The power of community and friendship in overcoming trauma and healing
• The importance of self-discovery and acceptance in finding true love and happiness
• The dangers of suppressing emotions and hiding from the past... And the freedom that comes with facing them head on

BOOK QUOTE:
"I made a decision not to keep trying to carry my load alone... It wasn't heroic. It was stupid..." — Lean On Me by Beth Moran

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All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.