Book Review:  You can physically run away but the problems you're running from will follow.

If Not For You
By Debbie Macomber 
In the third installment of the New Beginnings Series, Debbie  Macomber continues with her "Inspiring series of stories about friendship, reinvention, and hope. These stories affirm the ability of every woman to forge a new path, believe in love, and fearlessly find happiness."
If Not For You is the story of Beth Prudhomme, moving to Portland, Oregon away from her childhood home in Chicago. One of the main reasons is to create a life outside of her parent's control. Adding salt to the wound, she is counseled by her Aunt Sunshine, her mother's sister. A feud has kept the sisters apart since college and of course it all started over a man. Sunshine welcomes Beth to the Pacific Northwest with open arms, hoping someday a reconciliation with her sister might happen. Beth takes a position at the high school as a music teacher where she befriends Nichole. Nichole was featured in book two, A Girl's Guide to Moving On where she met Rocco. Now married Nichole invites Beth over for dinner hoping she will hit it off with Rocco's mechanic friend, Sam Carney. 
The two couldn't be more opposite if they tried. Yet, opposites do attract, at least in magnets. These two, not so much... They couldn't leave fast enough from the blind dinner date but fate had other plans. Sitting side by side in their respectful cars at a stop light, Beth gets hit by another car. Sam watches the entire accident in a surreal, "This can't be happening" sort of way. He rushes to Beth's side, assuring her until the first responders arrive. 
While it is a horrific way for a relationship to begin, it is the accident that breaches the wall between them. Sam continues to "check up" on her in the hospital and during her physical therapy at the rehabilitation center. They soon find they have more in common than they believed. 
As with all of Debbie Macomber's stories, there are layers upon layers and If Not For You is no exception. The title has significance in so many ways, if not for Nichole, Sam and Beth would not have met. If not for Peter, Sunshine and her Sister, Ellie might still be on speaking terms. If not for the accident Sam might have never moved beyond his protections to see Beth for who she truly is. If not for Beth meddling in affairs she has no business in, Peter would never know Sunshine forgave him for his betrayal. If not for Beth starting the unraveling of the tensions between all of them by moving in the first place, If Not For You couldn't come full circle to re-weave these family threads into a revised tapestry. 
If Not For You is a magnetic story sure to keep readers stuck to the pages just to find out how it all ends! 
Be sure to visit Debbie Macomber's website for a reading guide after you purchase this book. https://debbiemacomber.com

All of the Titles in New Beginnings Series:

Last One Home

A Girl's Guide to Moving On

If Not For You 


FTC Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this title via Net Galley and Penguin Random House for review purposes only, no other compensation was awarded

Thank you NetGalley for the copy of It Not for You by Debbie Macomber that I read and reviewed.
This is the third book in the New Beginnings series and even though it is a stand alone it does contain a lot of spoilers for the second book so if you haven't read it and are planning on reading it I would suggest you read the books in order or at least the second and third due to spoilers.
Now for this book. It started off really fast then slowed down a bit and for me that was a bit strange but I guess it worked for this book in the grand scheme of things because I really ended up enjoying it.
Beth and Sam seemed like they would be total opposites and not work but as the book moved on as a reader you had no choice but to cheer for them. I loved how in this book true opposites attracted.
Then there was Sunshine, Beth's aunt who was dealing with the pain of the betrayal of her sister and really not getting over her true love. Her story that was intertwined with Sam and Beth's added a second layer to this book and a second character for the reader to cheer for.
This book is not your typical romance if that is what you are looking for. Things are not always easy for these characters and they have to fight their own demons and their pasts to get their happily ever after in this story and the journey they go through makes them stronger as individuals, as a family and as couples and that is what makes this book so special.
I am giving It Not for You four out of five stars.

Debbie Macomber returns following A Girl's Guide to Moving On (New Beginnings, #2) with her third in the New Beginning Series IF NOT FOR YOU a charming fun contemporary tale of unexpected romantic connections with Macomber’s own Hallmark signature style. 

Second Chances. Fresh Beginnings. Self-discovery. Healing.

Set in Portland, Oregon, twenty-five-year-old Beth Prudhomme has escaped the clutches of her overbearing mother, moving to a new town to teach music, near her aunt.

As the book opens she going on a blind date with a mechanic, Sam Carney. A total opposite. Mutual friends, Nichole and Rocco have made the introduction.

One look at Sam made it clear they were not a good match. Definitely not, what Beth’s mom would choose. Which also makes her smile. In her mother’s eyes, Sam would be unacceptable due to his tattoos and long hair. Her mother had high expectations for her daughter’s future husband. 

Sam was handsome and rough around the edges. However, there is a car accident and it is Sam who stands by her. However, once she is released the bond they developed will be tested. Can they get past their differences?

In addition, there is another storyline with her aunt Sunshine. Beth becomes involved in her aunt’s personal romantic affairs.

Enjoyed the author’s inspiration for the book and her granddaughter’s poem, “The Warning Label No One Reads.”

An easy breezy light-hearted delightful romantic spring chick-lit which Macomber’s fans will enjoy. (A beautiful cover which draws you in). 

A special thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an early reading copy. 

JDCMustReadBooks

Debbie Macomber is one of the best character developers in any genre.  She can write any kind of story, draw the reader in and makes you care about the characters and the story.  She is always my favorite and her stories stay with me.

If Not for You is the latest novel by author Debbie Macomber.  Beth Prudhomme has moved from Chicago to Portland, Oregon to get out from her mother’s thumb.  Her mother, Ellie likes to smother her and control all aspects of her life.  Beth’s Aunt Sunshine, a famous artist, lives in Portland providing Beth with support and love.  Beth found a position at a local high school as a music teacher and quickly made friends with Nichole Nyquist, a substitute teacher.  Nichole wishes to set up Beth with Sam Carney, a friend of the family.  Sam is not like any other man Beth has ever dated.  He has long hair, drives a big pick-up truck, likes country music, and is a mechanic.  The evening is tense and the two leave quickly after dinner.  Unfortunately, Beth ends up in an accident when a teenage girl runs a red light (with a phone in her hand).  Sam saw the accident and quickly rushes to Beth’s aid.  Beth suffers severe injuries that will have her laid up for weeks.  Sam begins visiting Beth at the hospital and continues when she moves to rehab.  Sam is unsure about a relationship, but he is unable to stay away.  When Beth’s mother, Ellie, blows into town she is quick to show her displeasure in Sam.  Matters are not helped by the rift between Sunshine and Ellie.  Beth wants to mend the bridges between them and sets out to find what caused their conflict. Then Beth decides to meddle in Sam’s past and he is unappreciative.  Is there a chance to a happily ever after for Beth and Sam?  Can Beth make her mother understand that she wants to live her own life?

If Not for You is nicely written and has a good pace. While If Not for You is part of the New Beginnings series, it can be read alone.  I felt that the book was too long and the ending was abrupt (and predictable).  I wish the author had devoted a little more time to the conflict between Sunshine and Ellie.  It ended up being resolved very quickly.  It was nice to see the characters develop over the course of the novel.  I give If Not for You 3 out of 5 stars.  It is a sweet story, but it reminds me of every other romance novel on the market.  The couple quickly fall in love, conflict (and jealousy), break up, and then get back together.  It was interesting to see such two-diverse people come together.  They do say that opposites attract, and that is true in this book.  Sam’s continual use of “babe” instead of Beth’s name grated on my nerves.  Do men think that women enjoy being called “babe” or “baby”?  Once they started dating, he never called her by her given name.  I found some information to be repeated throughout the book which is unnecessary. The story is told from Beth, Sam’s and Sunshine’s point-of-view.  It changes with each chapter.  I would have preferred the story being told from the third person narrative.   I did wonder what happened to the teenage girl who caused the accident (maybe I missed it).   I went back and checked, but I did not see where this matter was addressed.  Beth’s meddling was thoughtful, but not well thought out.  I know she meant well, but her actions are reminiscent of her mother.  If Not for You is a pleasant story, but it is forgettable.  I did not feel that this is Debbie Macomber’s best work.  I am sure, though, that fans of Debbie Macomber will enjoy If Not for You.

If Not for You poses the question, can two polar opposites find true love together? Beth and Sam agree that they have no attraction to each other but circumstances throw them together, making them see life and each other differently. Debbie Macomber does what she does best; giving us every day, down-to-earth people in an emotional drama.

You can’t help but like Beth and Sam as they navigate the accident, the conflict and her meddlesome mother in this novel. The story starts out quite interesting as we get to know these two and what makes them tick. I liked seeing the events through both of their perspectives, knowing how their thoughts as well as their reactions change over time. I found the middle of the book becoming bogged down as others’ opinions affected the characters’ actions. However, it picked up again near the end giving me the expected upbeat ending that Ms. Macomber always delivers. 

Fans of her stories with love this one. It is a stand-alone with connections to a previous book. I found it predictable which is quite all right since some days you just need to get lost in someone else’ life; knowing that at the end it will leave you with a smile on your face. 

The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.

Synopsis:

An emotionally stirring novel that shows how obstacles can be overcome, differences can be strengths, and sometimes a choice can seem wrong even though it s absolutely right

If not for her loving but controlling parents, Beth Prudhomme might never have taken charge of her life and moved from her native Chicago to Portland, Oregon, where she s reconnected with her spirited Aunt Sunshine and found a job as a high school music teacher. If not for her friend Nichole, Beth would never have met Sam Carney, although first impressions have left Beth with serious doubts. Sam is everything Beth is not and her parents worst nightmare: a tattooed auto mechanic who s rough around the edges. Reserved and smart as a whip, Beth isn t exactly Sam s usual beer-drinking, pool-playing type of woman, either. 

But if not for an awkward setup one evening, Beth might never have left early and been involved in a car crash. And if not for Sam who witnessed the terrifying ordeal, rushed to her aid, and stayed with her until help arrived Beth might have been all alone, or worse. Yet as events play out, Sam feels compelled to check on Beth almost daily at the hospital even bringing his guitar to play songs to lift her spirits. Soon their unlikely friendship evolves into an intense attraction that surprises them both. 

Before long, Beth's strong-willed mother, Ellie, blows into town spouting harsh opinions, especially about Sam, and reopening old wounds with Sunshine. When shocking secrets from Sam s past are revealed, Beth struggles to reconcile her feelings. But when Beth goes a step too far, she risks losing the man and the life she s come to love. (Goodreads)

Review:

I have read many books by this author and I have liked them all.  This is a feel good book and a book about love coming in mysterious ways.

The characters are well rounded and well developed.  Beth is strong willed, she had to be to break away from her mother.  She is making it on her own, but sometimes she gets lonely.  Sam is a good guy, but a little rough around the edges.  But he has a big heart and has lots of love to give.  Will Beth and sam be willing to take a chance and have a happily ever after?

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read.  She is very talented in her descriptive writing and she created scenes in my head that kept propelling me along to read more pages.  She took everyday people and gave them a unique love story.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written women’s contemporary.  I am looking forward to reading the first two books in this series.  You can never go wrong reading a book by Debbie Macomber. 

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.  I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group--Ballentine for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I have been reading Debbie Macomber books for at least ten years. She tells stories about people that could be your friend, neighbors, aunts, or sisters.  She make her characters real with real successes and real failures.   And she does this without a lot of foul language and sex scenes.  This book is no different. I could have been Sunshine's neighbor and through her known Beth.  I would have wanted to see Beth and Sam make a go of their new relationship.  And I would have wanted Sunshine to find happiness.  As with all her books, I was totally vested in this one. I feel like I've been given a present when I have a new Debbie Macomber book to read.  I would definitely buy this for my elderly Mother or my teenage granddaughter. And what fun we would have discussing it. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

Beth moves away from home to escape her controlling mother and live a life of her own. What I liked the most about this book is the message of hope. Characters aren't evil - many of them have been hurt in the past and have issues to overcome, but they work through their problems. Beth is a sweet heroine, and I liked how she progressed to being able to stand up to her mother. Sunshine, Beth's aunt, is another good character, who was disappointed early in life but did not let that stop her and her artistic career.

This is a very good Debbie Macomber book and I will recommend it to my mother and friends who like a sweet romance.

I loved the prologue which whet my interest, and made me want to read on.  A little drama goes a long way!

The contrast of characters in Sam and Beth was interesting but not really surprising.    Sam might seem a little rough with his tattoo, long hair and  strong language.  But he is loved by a couple of children which is kind of telling.  His values are good, although his head is a little mixed up as it turns out.

Beth is an  only child with a mother who is a bit of a snob and rather controlling.  Beth has to move to Portland to make her point that she is her own person, that she can stand on her own two feet, make choices for her life that will make her happy. Perhaps the choices will not earn her the approval of her mother, but then her mother's values are a little skewed.

I thought the apple does not fall far from the tree because Beth got into a little meddling herself. All done with the best of intentions but was she justified? Or did those people she set out to help heal, need her gentle prod. 

This is a rather straight forward romantic story, with interesting enough characters and a plot that moved along well and was all tied up very neatly at the end. A light, pleasant read.

I love Debbie's books and this one didn't disappoint. Sam and Beth are two people who are set up on a blind date by their well-meaning best friends. From the minute they meet, they don't like each other. Sam is only there as a favor and Beth is only there because she is trying to be independent for the first time in her life and her best friend/coworker tells her she needs to start dating. 
After dinner, when they are on their way home, fate steps in and Sam saves Beth. Over the course of her recovery, they start realizing that they didn't give each other a fair chance and start falling for each other. 
Sam opens up to Beth about a difficult time in his past and Beth tells Sam about her mother. When Beth tries to do something for Sam that she thinks he wants and it backfires, can they move past it or will it be the end?  
This book gave me all the feels and I know you will enjoy it also. 
I received an ARC, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

Beth Prudhomme relocates to Portland, Oregon from Chicago to get away from her extremely controlling mother and to reconnect with her Aunt Sunshine. She is a music teacher at the local high school and gives lessons on the side. She has only dated mother-approved men with acceptable pedigrees. She is a bit uptight and overly structured.

Sam Carney is a muscled, tattooed, bearded, pony tailed, head mechanic for a dealership. He was badly burned in a previous relationship and keeps his dating life superficial.

Mutual friends set them up, inviting them to dinner at their home. Dinner is awkward with no interest from either party. On their way home separately, Beth is in a car accident that Sam witnesses and draws them together.

I had a few problems with the book:

Beth is severely injured in her accident yet she is concerned about make-up when she can barely move? Why does Nichole have to bring her toiletries that are supplied by all hospitals? Every bathroom in a hospital has a mirror. If she’s been getting up to the bathroom, how can she not know how she looks? And if her face is bruised and cut up from the accident, there’s no way she could or should put make-up over it. If Sam was so shallow as to think she needed make-up being so severely injured, why would you want the guy?

When Kier shows up demanding she have dinner with him, why didn’t she just tell Sam and take him with her? What was the big deal if she didn’t care about this guy? The whole situation felt contrived. Also, for someone who hated her interfering mother, she did a lot of interfering in other people’s lives. I was not impressed with her character at all.

Sam came across as wishy-washy. He states he doesn’t do relationships but falls pretty easily and with no resistance into one with Beth. She needs to accept him for who he is, but he cuts his hair and shaves his beard when he meets her parents.

This book seemed to drag on and on. I struggled to get through it. A little bit of Bible reading and a little bit of discussing it. Just some kissing, nothing else, not even any thoughts about it progressing further, which I find hard to believe with a supposedly rough around the edges guy. 

There were a few times when something was explained then a few pages or even chapters later the questions that had been answered popped up again as if they hadn’t already been discussed. It was like WTH? 

I easily read this as a standalone. Not interested in going back for the others or moving forward.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley.

This book started as a really sweet and almost clean romance in between Sam and Beth. After meeting on a reluctant blind date by their friends, they both detest each other on first sight and never want to see each other again. But a tragic event leads to Sam helping Beth out and they start getting to know each other. The romance between the two characters is well written until the end of the book when it felt as if the author was rushing towards a deadline and just rushed through the end. The conflict between the hero and heroine seems almost unnecessary and took away the initial sweet romance of the book. I liked the hero a lot more as he is funny, sweet, kind and really hard working but I found Beth's character is a little meddlesome and even though she is thinking that she is doing things for the best, she seemed a little insensitive to the hurt that was causing the individuals involved. The author has also just brushed off the hurt that she causes as something Beth did for everyone's good and portrayed it as if that was alright. I really wished I could say I liked the book, as I loved Sam but unfortunately it was a little underwhelming.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

I'm very much a fan of Debbie Macomber's writing, and that book just made it even bigger. With a light, fluent writing and with events placed in the plot at the right time generating many emotions and suspense about how everything would be conducted until the end of the book. This is in such a way that I read the right way as all normal human being: beginning - middle-end. ..A miracle !!!!! I always start a book by the end ... hahahahaha

Although when i read the synopsis i think  the book is about the couple Beth and Sam and their overcoming, for me who magnanimously shine  brilliant as a big sun was Beth's aunt, Sunshine, a fundamental piece in the whole plot. With her sweetness, wisdom, tranquility and a heart of the Size of the world, Sunshine in my opinion stole the scene and made me want to give 6 stars to the book.

It is a book about how betrayal hurts and marks the lives of both men and women and how each person reacts to the same problem differently and that it is never too late for forgiveness and love.
It is a book of couples who had everything to be happy but were not, couples who looked happy but one side was dissatisfied, perfect couples and couples who could be perfect ....

So I'll tell you a bit about the main couple, Beth and Sam. She's recently arrived in Portland, almost running away from her mother for realizing how much was created in a vial and had her life controlled with iron hands. In looking for Aunt Sunshine, she realizes how different things can be in her life, it's enough for her to  knows how to fight for her freedom.

Beth is a girl created to be perfect and marry the perfect guy, so she's afraid to accept her friend Nichole's invitation (from A Girl's Guide to Moving On) to a blind date with the rough mechanic Sam.
Sam is a friend of Nichole's husband and only for this reason does he accept to participate in the blind date. He avoids in every way perfect girls and who make the superior type. He is the exact opposite of what Beth's mom dreams for her sweet daughter.

At first, both realize that they do not match in anything but thanks to a tragic event the couple is approaching and realizing that they have more things in common than they imagined. Their romance is very cute and gives Beth strength to face her family and show how not she is as fragile as she seems.
Of course, nothing comes that easy, and events from the past  with unthinking attitudes will provoke a revolution in the lives of everyone around Beth.

I loved the plot very much with all parallel stories and well interlaced and as I had said was thinking to give 6 stars but a reaction of one of the protagonists made me a little sad and made me give 5 stars .... Which proves that anyway The book is more than recommended.

Kisses, Myl

.

Beth and Sam are unlikely companions... she is an only child who has been pampered and protected and he is a down to earth, tattooed mechanic who speaks his mind (note in a not always appropriate way!) They meet on a blind date but are thrown together by a terrible accident in which Beth is seriously injured.

Sam witnesses the accident and becomes Beth's life-line in the aftermath and during her recovery. A friendship blooms which begins to evolve in stronger feelings on both sides. Their mutual love for music bridges the gap in their seemingly incongruous lifestyles and love is in the air.

Their relationship is put to the test when Beth's mother comes to town and expresses her distaste for their relationship, and when a secret that Sam has been holding inside comes to light. Beth is caught in a family drama between her mother and her aunt and she heart is aching over the hurts Sam is dealing with in his life. Her attempts to fix both do not have the outcomes she was hoping for and as a result, she may lose all that means the most to her.

I enjoyed this book and could easily see it being made into a movie. Great story line and full of emotion and healing..... both physically and emotionally.

I have most of Debbie's books. I have not found a book I wouldn't read. I found quite a lot of sections of feelings of my life. Debbie's story line bounced all over this story. This lets the reader know who is thinking what. Beth left her clingy mother and makes friends with Nicole. She invites Beth to dinner with an other friend. Awkward! On the way home she was T-boned and Sam, from dinner, comes to her aid. Major Spoiler! Her mother,Ellie, and her Aunt Sunshine don't talk to each other. Sunshine is a famous artist. Sam helps Beth and they found their common love. Sam plays guitar. Beth plays piano in school and teaches children and teens for free. She wants to help everyone to get happy again. I would recommend this book to everyone. Pass it along. Don't let it get away. You won't regret this story! I volunteered to read and review this book.

This book is all about new loves and loves lost. 

After dealing with controlling parents. Beth makes a huge move to have a life. 
Beth is set up on a blind date of sorts by her friend Nicole. Sam is Nicole' husband friend, and he is a rough looking guy with tattoos and all. 

The evening sucks no matter what her friend Nicole tries to do, and well things go downhill from there. 

We get an accident and things just spiral from there for Beth and Sam.  
And when her mother their worst nightmare rolls into town things really go down hill for this couple. Can they find each other after everything? Will they get a happily ever after? Well grab your copy and find out. 

I enjoyed this book, and it was very well written. I have read many of this author's books, and I always enjoy them. They are just pure and wholesome romance.

If Not For You is a journey of one young woman’s quest to separate herself from her overbearing, stifling mother… a journey that doesn’t exactly end up where she expected. Beth has discovered her place as a music teacher, doing what she enjoys with friends and some family around her to complete her life. If she doesn’t have that special someone in her life just yet – well, one day that will happen. When she gives in to the meddling of a friend and endures an awkward evening with comfortable friends and one very uncomfortable stranger, Beth’s life will take on a few turns that were totally unexpected. Perhaps love is at the end of that journey but first Beth has to learn a few lessons, and recognize that she has the same tendencies as her mother for stepping in where she shouldn’t have, and the consequences that brings.

I enjoyed If Not For You. It is classic Debbie Macomber, and that’s always an enjoyable experience for me. I did feel though that Beth got off far too lightly for her meddling. What she did should have taken a bit longer to bring about the forgiveness that she seeks. One cannot just step in to someone’s life and stir up the pot without consequences, and in my opinion, she was forgiven without really learning that lesson. Every reader has their own interpretation of a story and although I loved the story, I didn’t see Beth grow as much as she might have if she’d had to fight for that forgiveness a bit harder. It’s always a treat to run into characters from previous stories. That to me is part of the fun of series, no one is totally gone from the picture until the very last story.

In all, If Not For You was an enjoyable story that I’m sure I’ll re-read. I’d recommend this one for Romance lovers, those that enjoy a strong story with believable characters and real life experiences.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

One of the best things about Macomber's romances is that they are not steamy.  That may sound odd but it's really a plus to find people having discussions about music (I actually you=tubed a piece Beth listened to) and art and being real sweethearts rather than just hooking up.  You'll like this group of people (reserve judgment on Ellie) and root for all of them, not just Sam and Beth but also Sunshine.  This is a nicely plotted novel, with some believable twists and good characters.  I read this in a morning- it flows easily and is compelling.  Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC- if you've read Macomber before you know what you're getting. If you haven't, try this one for a good, heartwarming read.

This is more of a sweet romance, definitely not erotic so if you are hoping for that, close the book and move on.  But if you want a great read and a refreshing look at love and life and all the obstacles that can be thrown in, open to the first page and plan to spend time with two real people.  The author has a way with words that puts you right on the shoulder of the characters, making you want to give them a nudge or tell them to get with it and do something!

The mother in the story is a minor character with a major part in developing her daughter’s psyche.  The terms helicopter mom, empty nest syndrome and a few other phrases come to mind.  Beth Prudhomme picked up and moved away from her parents in Chicago and went to live near her Aunt Sunshine in Portland, Oregon.  Along with the stipulation that her mother stay away for six months and let her build her a new life.  After getting a job as a music teacher at the local school, she has begun to settle in and find new friends among the staff.  Her friend, Nicole, invites her to dinner one evening with plans for her to meet her husband’s best friend, Sam, as an informal blind date. To put it mildly, they don’t hit it off – at all.  

They both leave shortly after eating, but Beth gets into a bad car accident that Sam witnesses.  He gets her help and then proceeds to visit her in the hospital. He doesn’t do relationships but it becomes one that could be destined to fail if it is up to Beth’s mother.  She wouldn’t approve of him because he is a mechanic and not a wealthy trust fund baby.  

Beth and Sam both have backbone so the two of them have to figure out how or if they can overcome the many obstacles thrown into their path.  This has a HEA of course but it is a fun read on how that happens!

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was promised or received in exchange for this review.