Disclaimer: I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my brutally honest opinion (and possibly some divine intervention).

Listen up, fellow bookworms and believers! Anything by Kristina Welch is like that friend who shows up to your house with homemade cookies and a listening ear—comforting, genuine, and somehow manages to make you feel better about your own hot mess of a life.

Our heroine Kit is dealing with PTSD like it's an uninvited roommate who never does the dishes. She's navigating college while trying to keep her triggers at bay, which is about as easy as trying to parallel park while blindfolded. But when Mr. Campus Heartthrob starts giving her the googly eyes, Kit finds herself in that classic "do I run or do I awkwardly trip over my own feet?" dilemma we've all been in (minus the campus heartthrob part for most of us).

What I appreciated about this book is how unapologetically it embraces its Christian foundation. Welch doesn't tiptoe around the faith elements or water them down—she goes all in. While I'm not personally religious, I found it refreshing to read a YA romance that knows exactly what it is and doesn't apologize for it. The characters' relationship with their faith feels genuine and integral to who they are, not like some afterthought sprinkled in to hit a market niche.

The portrayal of young Christians trying to figure out life is refreshingly honest. These aren't perfect little saints—they're messy, struggling humans who happen to have strong faith, and that feels real regardless of your own beliefs. Kit's healing journey through prayer and community support is handled with care, never feeling like you're being hit over the head with a message, but rather watching someone use the tools that work for them.

The romance develops at a pace that won't give you whiplash, though I did find myself occasionally wanting to shake Kit and yell, "Girl, communicate!" But hey, if characters made perfect decisions, we'd have no story—just a very boring instruction manual.

My only quibble is that sometimes the plot moves slower than a church potluck line, and certain scenes could have used a bit more oomph. But honestly, the heart of this story—faith, healing, and finding love while dealing with trauma—shines through beautifully.

Bottom line: If you're looking for a clean YA romance with strong faith elements that doesn't compromise on either front, Anything delivers. It's sweet, earnest, and tackles serious issues with sensitivity. Even if you're not religious, the core themes of healing, growth, and finding love are universal.

Perfect for: Clean romance readers, Christian fiction fans, anyone who appreciates authentic character development, and readers who enjoy seeing how different people find strength and healing in their own ways.

Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Now, excuse me while I go search for more books that tackle serious topics with this much heart and genuine sweetness.

If you’re a young Christian woman like me – someone who loves romance novels but also longs for a real, personal relationship with God – then “Anything” is exactly the kind of book you are looking for. I have to admit: this review is more of a testimony than a traditional book review, but I don’t think the author would mind. What I can say upfront is that I truly enjoyed this book, and I really hope to read more from Kristina Welch in the future.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is that it doesn’t shy away from the name of Jesus. He’s not just a background character – He’s at the centre. The main character, Kit, is a college student trying to heal from a traumatic relationship and the lingering effects of PTSD. When Levi, the most popular guy on campus, begins to show interest in her, she’s torn between retreat and trust. That internal struggle drives the story forward in a powerful and authentic way. What makes this book so compelling is how quickly it pulls you in. Even before you know the full extent of Kit’s past, you find yourself rooting for her. That emotional connection is what makes it so hard to put down. As the story unfolds, you can’t help but want to follow Jesus more closely yourself – just like Kit and Levi do. The message of ‘let go and let God’ flows throughout the entire novel. Kit’s prayerful spirit and unwavering devotion to Jesus are not only inspiring but healing. These characters aren’t perfect saints – they’re real, flawed, and searching. And that’s what makes their faith so relatable and encouraging.

Although the American college setting is quite different from my own experience in Central Europe, I still found it easy to connect with this world. Perhaps because I’m naturally introverted, and so far during my university years, I preferred the company of books over social scenes. Still, the spiritual struggles of Christian young adults feel familiar no matter where you live. What moved me most was the characters’ relationship with God. I grew up in a Christian household, so God's presence was always a given – but having a living relationship with Him is something we have to choose. We have to open our hearts, surrender our lives – even when it’s hard. This book reminded me that building a relationship with God is the most important thing we could ever do.

For a long time, I struggled to understand what it means for God to ‘answer’ our prayers. I never doubted He was listening or that He cared, but hearing clear answers always felt out of reach. Kit’s story helped shift that perspective. It showed me that God’s voice doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic. Sometimes it’s a verse we remember, or a quiet inner nudge – something He’s already planted in us. This novel reminded me that He does speak. We just need to learn to listen – to quiet the noise and pay attention.

Levi’s character especially stood out to me. His love for Jesus and his boldness in declaring Him as his role model challenged me. I used to think I could never say something like that – how could I aspire to be like Jesus when I’m so far from His perfection? But Levi helped me see it differently. It’s not about being flawless; it’s about the direction we choose. Every small decision can be a step toward Him. And even the desire to be like Jesus – that alone is an act of faith and courage.

“Anything” is a deeply encouraging, honest, and spiritually rich story. It’s not just entertaining – it’s a guide for the heart. For me, it was more than just a good novel. It was a personal encounter with how God works in people’s lives – and how He wants to work in ours, too.

A sweet, faith-filled romance that gently explores trauma, healing, and trust. Kit’s journey through grief and Levi’s quiet persistence make for a slow, heartfelt read. It’s not full of twists, but the emotional depth and honest look at faith and recovery make it special. Perfect if you love clean romance with real heart.

Anything is the story of Kit Talbot and Levi Whitaker, freshman and upperclassman at Mayberry University, a small Christian university in Texas. Kit is determined to stay well away from boys after her last relationship ended badly. Very badly – PTSD badly. But Levi, for some unknown reason, is determined to befriend and pursue her, even after she makes it clear that she’s not looking for a relationship.

Levi is one of the most popular guys on campus, which gives Anything a familiar feel–after all, there is any number of young adult and new adult romances where the popular guy pursues the girl who isn’t interested in him (or the disinterested girl is pursued by the hottest guy in town).

The setting of a Christian university gives the story a different spin.
The beginning was a little confusing as Kit settles into her new environment, learning the names and nicknames of her fellow students and all the unspoken rules of a close-knit college community where everyone seems to live on campus. Kit is a serious Christian, one who continually prays and reads and quotes her Bible, and listens for God’s voice. It isn’t immediatley obvious, but Levi is the same. Even in Christian romance, it’s unusual to read a story where God is this important to the main characters.

The other aspect of anything that lifted it above the norm was the approach to romance. While Levi is clearly interested in Kit from the get-go, Kit’s emotions are more complicated. As a result, their romance is very much based on emotions rather than any physical manifestation, while still having all the romantic tension. I was especially impressed by the way Levi saw the real Kit behind her boundaries and continued to pursue her, all the while remaining within whatever boundaries she set and was comfortable with.

The result is an unexpectedly romantic Christian romance that touches on some serious issues. Anything is the first book in The Mayberry University series. I’m intrigued to see where the series goes next.

Recommended for readers looking for a God-centered young adult Christian romance.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

I really liked this book, is cozy and very romantic. I love the dynamics in romance books and I’m started to read more of it thanks to this platform.

I wish I had this book as a new Christian in high school and college! Cute story with faith at the center. Kit reminds me a lot of myself, and I'm sure will be relatable to many.

I dislike posting negative reviews publicly, but I did not finish this book. I felt like my 14-year-old daughter wrote it, and I could not get into it.

ARC/ ALC REVIEW:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entering her first year of college, Kit Talbot is thankful for a fresh start. Despite growing up in a household full of love and faith, her mostly idillic childhood was turned upside down in a blink of an eye. Will a new setting, new friends, and new love interest be enough to overcome the pain of her past, or will the major life changes lead to a complete breakdown?

Kristina Welch’s Anything is an accurate portrayal of a young woman’s struggle to navigate life and relationships after a traumatic experience. While this book is a work of fiction, it is very much grounded in reality. Welch decision not to sugar coat things allowed Kit’s unique outlook to shine through. As a Christian, Kit chose to resist blaming God; instead she ran to Him during her darkest moments and prayed fervently for deliverance.

Anything is technically classified as a contemporary, Christian romance. Telling the story through dual POVs made sense because it gave us direct insight into Levi’s thoughts. However, it could be argued that the strongest storyline wasn’t between Kit and Levi, but rather Kit’s journey to healing. As someone who connected with Kit on a deep level I was mostly concerned with her chapters. Thankfully, Welch agreed and allotted her the majority of the chapters.

I had the pleasure of both physically reading and listening to this as an audiobook. While I enjoyed both formats, I highly recommend the ladder. Welch herself serves as the narrator. She was the perfect woman for the job. She brought a much needed sense of levity to the rather heavy story. Standout moments consisted of the current pop culture references. You can count on lots of singing by the talented author and now voice actor.

Needless to say adored this debut novel. I hope to encourage everyone to check this book out. Special thanks to Netgalley and Kristina Welch for allowing me to read/ listen to this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

This book is an amazing Christian romance story between 2 beautifully written characters!! Thank you to Kristina and netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review <3

I read and listened to the audiobook of this book. Great book, but if you read the description then you don’t have to read the book because it basically tells you all that happens.
The book was very good but the way the storyline was written was not my favorite. I felt like each chapter was the same thing over and over again. Kit would start to feel like she could finally accept Levi but then something would happen and she was running away from him and saying she can’t be with him. This happened consistently throughout the end of the book. I understand trauma is very hard to deal with, but I don’t think each chapter needs to be the same thing over and over. I think another side storyline should have been added or shorten the book. I really struggled making my way through the end and almost did not finish the book because of the repetitiveness. It was honestly just too much and it was easy to lose interest.
Overall the story was very sweet and I loved Levi as a character, what a gentleman. I was a little fed up with Kit but I could never tire of Levi. Their faith in Jesus and growing love was very intriguing as well. However, I did struggle at times understanding who was and who wasn’t talking so there could be some improvement with that portion.
The voice for the audiobook was very good. I enjoyed reading and listening to this book at the same time. I think the audiobook helped me to finish this book truthfully.
It is hard to come by Christian romances like this, so I appreciate the author writing a story like this and continuing the story onto book two with the other characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read and review this book as an ARC.

It's been awhile since I've read a YA novel and I loved this one. Kit and Levi navigate life, their growing attraction, and personal struggles with unapologetic faith. The pain, struggles, and confusion that Kit goes through is deeply felt and very relatable, which makes the peace found at the conclusion of the story much more appreciated. And it's really nice to have a male protagonist who's an all-round, respectful good guy instead of the typical bad boy/jerk that girls are supposedly to fall for or save. A sweet story, looking forward to more from the author.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy!

Kit’s journey is raw and real and Levi is the kind of character who sneaks up on you. This was a slow burn that is worth it but at times I just wanted to help them or shake them!

BOOK REVIEW: “Anything” by Kristina Welch

After a rough senior year of high school, Kitt is trying something new! She ends up at a college out of state, where friends are more like family. Then she meets Levi, who she has ZERO interest in. He’s just like the arrogant, entitled preppy guy she just left back in her hometown. Or is he? Can Kitt get over her trauma from the past year? Can she give Levi a chance once she figures out he’s actually a really great guy? Kitt will have to rely on her relationship with God to get her through this. When she fully gives Him control, only then can she think about moving forward.

There was SO MUCH I loved about this book! I love Kitt’s strong faith in Jesus and her healthy family dynamic. The book was a clean fiction romance, meaning there’s plenty of swoony moments, but nothing inappropriate. Kitt and Levi both have a lot to work through, though they’re on completely different wavelengths with their growth. Eventually, they both have to lean on God to figure out how to make this relationship work.

Dislikes: I only had minor dislikes with this book. Although I loved the message and plot, it was a very, very slow burn. Some people may really love that aspect but at times it felt like Kitt was continually taking steps backward. I would have liked it to be a slightly faster pace.

Trigger warning: throughout the book there is mention of sexual abuse to Kitt, though it never goes into detail.

All in all, I really enjoyed this one! It’s aimed at teenage girls, which I think is the perfect demographic. I rate this book as 4 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Anything by Kristina Welch is the perfect combination of heartfelt storytelling and emotional depth, whether you’re reading it or listening to it. This book truly shines in both formats, making it an ideal choice for anyone who enjoys experiencing a story in multiple ways.

The writing is beautifully crafted, pulling you into a world full of emotion, growth, and the kind of real, raw moments that stick with you long after the last page (or the final track) ends. The characters are wonderfully relatable, and their journey feels both personal and universal—something anyone can connect with.

What makes this even better is how well the audiobook complements the book itself. The narration is excellent, with the narrator’s voice capturing the emotional nuances of the characters and adding depth to the story. If you love to read and listen to books, Anything is a perfect choice, as it seamlessly works in both formats, enhancing the experience in each.

If you’re looking for a heartfelt, beautifully told story that you can enjoy in any format, Anything is definitely worth checking out. It’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished.

4.5 stars

Kit is starting college after a traumatic end to high school. Dating anyone is the last thing on her mind. She feels she is too broken. She never expected to meet Levi, who keeps defying the stereotypical good looking athlete she pegged him as. Kit finds it hard to open up - the slightest noise, the slightest touch sets her off. But Levi is determined to get to know her, and slowly and patiently breaks down the walls between them.
Both characters were well rounded and life-like, and had sizzling chemistry. And they couldn't even touch! Levi was such a cinnamon roll hero. Not only was he rich and good looking, but kind and sweet with a strong faith. Both character's had a strong faith which I appreciated.

Kit had a supportive friend group, which I loved, and a supportive family which was nice to read about. There were lots of culture references, and my favourite band got a mention!
I think Welch handled Kit's PTSD well.
The ending was perfect!

Anything was a well-written, clean, Christian, contemporary romance that I highly recommend. In the eBook there is a sneak peak of book 2 and when I read it I was so excited because it is the two characters I was hoping it was going to be. I can't wait for it to be released.

This story hit me with such a wave of nostalgia—it brought me right back to my days at a small Christian college in Florida. Though it’s geared toward young adults, I was fully invested and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The pop culture references, from Taylor Swift to Forrest Frank, and all the little nods to music and movies from my college years made it feel so familiar and fun.

The characters were all wonderfully written, and while the supporting cast added great depth, Levi completely stole my heart. Kit’s journey—marked by the weight of past trauma and her struggle to let others in—was raw and real. I don’t even remember my own level of maturity at that age, but her growth, especially alongside Levi, was beautiful to witness.

What truly set this story apart for me, though, was how it wove in the characters’ relationships with God. Those moments of seeking, praying, and hearing from Him were powerful. I laughed, I cried, and honestly, I felt closer to God by the end. It even reignited something in my own walk with Him.

This is one I’ll be recommending to anyone who will listen. Huge thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this gem!

DNF @ pg 39 because of the writing. The fmc inner voice is too flippant and hard to follow at points. Lots of pop culture references that didn’t connect for me. The writing was very telling me what was going on instead of showing me if that makes sense.

<i>Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.</i>

This was one of the sweetest romance books I've ever read in my life.

There wasn't one thing I would change about this book. The romance was perfectly developed, Kit's trauma wasn't quickly healed just to develop her relationship with Levi, and it felt real.

The references were so fun to read! I usually don't get the references in books, but this time it was different—maybe because they were all modern references. The scene where Sophie was singing an adapted version of 'Gorgeous' for Kit was so funny.

Their relationship with Jesus was amazing to read, and Kit's thoughts aligned with Bible verses were incredible. I felt connected with her character, and it also made me want to pick up my Bible and talk to Jesus more, which was awesome. Seeing her struggling to understand God"s plan but slowly trusting Him to guide her was so beautiful to read. I think we all can relate to it and we can use her story to help us do the same with ours.

Levi is the sweetest boy ever, and now I want someone like him in my life. He was so understanding towards her, even before he knew her past.

I loved every chapter and every character. I'll definitely check out the second book in the series when Kristina releases it.

It's worth reading, and I will recommend it for sure.

Christian romance books are the best.

Anything is a unique Christian YA contemporary romance. An intriguing story with lovable characters, I would recommend Anything to older teens and young adults who enjoy slow-burn sweet romance. There are tons of pop culture references that most young adults would likely find amusing.

The main character Kit has been traumatized by an abusive situation involving her last boyfriend. Her trauma shows up as PTSD flashbacks. After she arrives at college, Kit doesn’t want anyone to know about her trauma, so she tries her best to hide her panic attacks and the embarrassment of her mental anguish. Then she meets Levi, who reminds her in some ways of her ex-boyfriend. And yet, she realizes she’s also attracted to him. Since she’s set up her own firm boundaries, intending to do what she can to keep herself safe, Kit refuses to allow anything more than a casual no-touching allowed friendship. Levi has had his own past relationship struggles, but finds Kit’s friends-only attitude toward him refreshing.

How will Kit and Levi learn to trust God and each other?

I enjoyed reading both Kit and Levi’s POVs. Although, primarily written from Kit’s perspective, we’re given enough of Levi’s thoughts to understand him too. We see that both characters are Christians who are learning to trust God daily. Both characters pray, read their Bibles, attend church, and live out their faith. As part of the same (largish) friends group at college, Kit and Levi have a few friends whose roles include helping them each sort out their personal struggles. I love how this realistically shows the reader how Christian friends can help and also rely on each other.

I did not finish this book - as someone who was SA'd and openly speaks about it, I would have appreciated a trigger warning prior to requesting. The description stated "traumatic event" but that could literally be anything.
I got about 75% of the way done and it the book was well written, I just struggled to sympathize for Kit because I know that therapy and talking about what happened to me was a big part of my healing process. Yes, I prayed a lot about it and healing is not the same for everyone, but I started to get frustrated at it.