This one was a lovely read. I really enjoyed reading this one. I just love this kind of books.
4 stars read for me

This is the first time I have read a book by this author but this book is the third in the Family is Forever series.

Chaz was a young father who is now divorced and at the ripe old age of 42 is also a grandfather. When he meets a beautiful woman in the St. Louis airport, he is smitten and has to get to know her better.

Kym is a doctoral candidate who is very busy but longs for true love. Her two younger sisters have both found good, honorable, God-fearing men and she wants to find the same for herself. She longs for a family of her own but as time marches on, she is beginning to believe that she will never have that opportunity. That is until she meets Chaz. He is almost too good to be true. But, since he had already raised his sons and now is a grandparent, will he want to start over with a young family. Is it worth the risk to both their hearts to try for something better with the perfect soulmate?

I really enjoyed reading this story and the development of the characters and secondary characters in the story, as well. It is a clean, wholesome read with family dynamics and real-life experiences.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

This book was such a great ending to the series. You might want to read the other two books in the series just to get the backstory. Kim is the oldest of three sisters that were set in charge of taking care of their great aunt, who has dementia. In this story, Kim, while working on her doctorate, meets an older gentleman named Chaz, who has a grand daughter, Chanuncy, who is on the autism spectrum. After some possible complications with his daughter in law's pregnancy, he decides to take his grand daughter and keep her for a couple of months. And while Kim tried to help him, while they're' dating, life becomes very interesting and challenging.

If you love sweet, current day situations in your stories, then you will enjoy this book.. It was a beautiful story and I really enjoyed it

Stand by Me is the first book I have read by Pat Simmons. I enjoyed it immensely so I will b going back to read the rest of this series as well as looking forward to new books being published. If you have ever had to become the caregiver of a family member you can certainly understand the characters in this book. While every situation is different they all can take their toil on the caregiver. It also makes other relationships more challenging.

I liked the characters. There is Chaz who steps up to take a role many grandparents are being asked to do. Kym is at a different place in her life but is attracted to Chaz when they meet. This story deals with some serious real life situations but does so in an uplifting manner. The faith that Chaz and Kym have in common is such an enriching part of this story. For me it rang true, making it a treat to read.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys family drama and sweet romance.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a digital ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

This is a well written book that will keep you turning the pages. It's a wonderful story that deals with faith, love and family. It was a joy to read.
I received a complimentary copy from SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Stand By Me
author: Pat Simmons
SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, Sourcebooks Casablanca
Pub Date: 11/02/2021

Stand By Me brings together the excitement of new love, the depth of familial bonds, and the aspirations of higher education. Kym and Chaz's story is fresh and modern, yet formed on traditional values. In her third installment in the Family is Forever Series, Simmons presents a leading lady and gentleman who are both well-educated and ambitious career-wise, while remaining devoted to family and faith.
One of many strengths of Simmons' writing is creating likeable, strong characters with morals and ambition. Kim, age 36, lives in Baltimore's Inner Harbor and is working on a doctoral degree from Lewis Latimer University. She is passionate about bridging the educational gap for at risk students in minorities. Her late great-aunt Tweet introduced her love of Black American History and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Meeting a man with selflessness was a hope of hers, and her heart skipped a beat or two when public health community professional Chaz entered her world. Reading about their interesting dates to community events, museums, and church is purely exhilarating.
Although the pure, slow building relationship of Kym and Chaz is central to the story, the added elements of family interactions and career responsibilities deepen it more. I love the University setting, and the details given about Kym's pursuit of her advanced degree. This is exemplary Christian Fiction which serves well as a stand-alone book. I look forward to reading books one and two in the series, Lean on Me and Here For You. Thank you to Net Galley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advance reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
#NetGalley #StandByMe

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a nice balance between light and serious. I really enjoyed it.

This was a lighthearted read and outlined some serious topics while highlighting the importance of love and loyalty. Kym and Chaz meet in an airport lobby and their love story stems from there. Both characters hold a strong Christian faith and so their love story has many underpinnings in their faith. Family is the focal point within the book and as the pair continue to build their relationship, so do the bonds within their families.

This book was refreshing as it still held the hope and good feelings of a new romance, but kept it very innocent with older school values. The relationship was built on live and mutual respect for each other and in the end, left me feeling happy for reading it.

Kym and Chaz are two intelligent people who career choice align with their servant hearts. Chaz and Kym meet in an unusual way. What started out as a professional conversation morphs into a friendship. Life has a way of throwing you a curve ball when you lest expected. Will their family and professional obligations hinder them from taking their friendship to relationship? Stand by Me requires the reader to search their heart and soul. Simple, but loving read.

Kym and Chaz are at different places in their lives but a chance meeting changes both of them forever, This is a lovely story of people who have always done (and continue doing) the right thing by taking care of their relatives, In Chaz's case it's now and it's his young autistic granddaughter- a tougher situation than Kym. might be willing to take on but... Faith, family, and positivity here. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. it's a good read.

I really loved this series, this story is featuring the oldest of the Knicely sisters Kym. They had all three taken care of their Aunt Tweet, who had dementia . They each took her several months a year and cared for her. Tabitha, Rachel and Kym, each with their own story but a close bunch. Kym is into higher education. Kym meets Charles at the airport in St. Louis and the story begins. Let me tell you, it is a good one. A VERY GOOD READ.