4.5 stars.

In her latest release, Beth K. Vogt does a magnificent job of turning what could be a stereotypical romance storyline into an incredibly moving story that tugs, no yanks, at the heartstrings. Somebody Like You is a beautiful story of love, loss and healing that will move readers to tears as widow Haley Ames unexpectedly finds love with her husband's estranged twin brother, Stephen.

Haley is a tough, strong, independent woman who has lost her way following her husband Sam's death in Afghanistan. Grieving her loss is difficult enough, but trying to pick up the pieces of her life while preparing for the birth of their child is almost impossible. Haley prides herself on being able to handle what life throws her way but figuring out what comes next leaves her immobilized at this juncture. Coupled with her grief are her regrets of how she handled events in the weeks prior to Sam's death. And learning the secrets that Sam kept raises questions that will never be answered and causes her to doubt herself and her marriage.

Stephen is riddled with guilt and regret after he learns about Sam's death. Following their parents' acrimonious divorce when they were teenagers, divided parental loyalties slowly destroyed their once close relationship. Stephen went to live with their father and stepmother while Sam lived with their mom and their visits soon became infrequent and strained. Sam's decision to enlist in the army following graduation culminates in the twelve-year estrangement between the brothers. Stephen made a couple of half-hearted gestures to reconcile that led nowhere and after Sam's death, he hopes Haley can fill in the blanks about the intervening years. Stunned to learn that Sam never mentioned he had a twin, Haley is at first unwilling to give him the answers he is looking for. But his persistence pays off and both he and Haley are surprised by their growing feelings for one another.

Stephen and Haley's relationship is incredibly complex and not only are there issues standing in the way of them as a couple, they are also facing individual problems as well. Haley struggles to admit that sometimes, everyone needs help and that this does not make her weak. She is forced to face her fears and doubts about her marriage. Stephen wrestles with his guilt over letting his estrangement with Sam last without making a concerted effort to repair the rift between them. Making peace with his long ago decision means accepting the unintended consequences that go with it but that is easier said than done. Both Haley and Stephen have to come to terms with the fact that they have questions that may never get answered.

There is also a strong element of faith in Somebody Like You. Haley and Stephen have an unwavering faith in God and both believe in the power of prayer. It is no coincidence that Stephen enters Haley's life just when she needs him the most, but they both have strong reservations about entering into a relationship with one another. It isn't until God's voice becomes too powerful to avoid that they accept the path He has chosen for them to follow.

Beth K. Vogt's Somebody Like You is a captivating and heartfelt journey of healing, forgiveness and love that is poignant but uplifting. This must read novel is one that touches the heart and lingers long after the last page has been turned. ( )

Publisher Weekly's BEST BOOKS of 2014 listed. ( )

Haley Ames, Hal to her brothers and even her late-husband, prides herself in her strength. She's not a girly girl who will faint from difficulty. Her tough name reflects her exterior and the face she shows to the world.

But meeting the mirror image of her dead husband tears through her mask. Once the vulnerability begins, can she stop the bleeding? And does she want to?

Sephen Ames enjoyed losing the "and" that went along with being an identical twin when he and his brother had a falling out and moved apart. But hearing about his brother's marriage and death at the same time pour out guilt and regret. Stephen embarks on a journey to learn more about his brother. He didn't expect the man's tomboyish widow to entice him.

This book has a huge "What if" premise. And as a mom of twins, I can say it's a realistic one. While identicals can fool anyone at first sight, those who spend a lot of time around them will identify them by personality and mannerisms. Usually unique to each child.

This book presents a genuine journey from identity to essence, full of mistakes, brokenness, misunderstandings, and heart.

I'm thankful to Beth K. Vogt and Howard Books for a free copy to participate in Beth's Blog tour. ( )

I read and reviewed Beth Vogt’s first two novels and liked them very much. But I have to say that Somebody Like You is by far my favorite. Yes, it is a book that will definitely appeal to fans of contemporary romance, but it is also so much more. Vogt has written a book that will have you examining your relationships for the ways you put off for later feelings and actions that should be expressed in the now. It also examines how we choose to please man rather than God. If you like romance, then definitely pick this one up. But if you are looking for a well-written novel that will make you think, laugh and cry, then Somebody Like You is for you!

Haley Ames is just trying to do the next best thing. Sam, her husband of three years was killed in Afghanistan and the grief she feels overshadows everything, including the birth of her first child. Regrets and recriminations are her new norm. Stephen, Sam’s mirror twin, also knows what it means to live with regret. Having cut off ties with Sam over 10 years before, he hopes that by connecting with Haley he can learn who his brother was. But there is a hitch. Haley didn’t know Sam had a brother, let alone a twin. Haley and Stephen begin an unsteady friendship that grows into more. But are those feelings dishonoring to Sam’s memory?

I really liked the characters that Vogt created in Somebody Like You. Haley and Stephen struggle with very real feelings of abandonment, grief, regret and guilt. The way their relationship builds is also very realistic. Both are trying to deal with the loss of Sam, and their feelings for each other complicate matters. I appreciate that Vogt never rushed the romance, but let it develop naturally. Minor characters also added to the story, especially as they provided insight into the situations in which Haley and Stephen find themselves. Vogt injects just the right amount of humor into the novel as well. But my favorite thing about this book is the way Vogt had me examining my own thoughts on relationships. The urgency of the now became a central point. We often say we will make amends or express our true feelings later. But many of us never get a later.

I also liked the natural growth in the spiritual relationships that the characters experienced. At the start of the novel, Haley is barely on speaking terms with God. But His pursuit of her never wavers. Vogt takes what man sees as right and contrasts that with God’s plans. At one point in the novel, God says to Haley “Everyone tries to be right, Haley. But I am the right way. Not your way. My way”. That was something I need to hear again. There are a lot more truths expressed in Somebody Like You, so I think it would be perfect for a book club too.

So what is my final thought on Somebody Like You? Read it! You will definitely be glad you did!

Highly Recommended.

Great For Book Clubs.

(Thanks to Howard Books for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

Title: Somebody Like You
Author: Beth K. Vogt
Pages: 368
Year: 2014
Publisher: Howard
Beth K. Vogt is a writer whose stories don’t just grab one’s attention; they also grab the heart. Her latest novel, Somebody Like You, is a tale about a recently widowed woman named Haley. Haley’s husband was killed in Afghanistan without knowing one very important thing and that was that he was going to be a dad. Haley is trying to figure out not just her current situation and how she is going to do it all by herself but also all her future. She also has the home owners association constantly on her back to get some work done on her home and yard.
Haley has three older brothers who live near her parents in another state, but right now she can’t travel. Feeling more alone than ever before imagine her shock when she comes home one day finding a man on her porch that looks exactly like her husband! She finds out it is her dead husband’s identical twin that she never knew about! Let me tell you, there is more to the story that will have you turning pages until it is finished!
While Beth’s other novels were very enjoyable, this one really tugged at my heart for several reasons. One is how Haley begins to find out more about her husband’s family that she never knew with lots of secrets and questions that have no answers. Family secrets can be hard when they come to light and some of the characters in the novel have trouble moving into the present because of the multitude of questions and problems left unresolved. Two is the heart-tugging and tears families of soldiers face every time they deploy; it makes me appreciate their sacrifices all the more. Another reason I loved the novel is how God redeemed people and relationships and how He enabled the characters to move forward into the present one step at a time.
Lives can be changed in an instant through sickness, death, marriage, divorce and a host of other factors that highlights the heart’s need for the One who never changes. I loved how the author shows how our faith goes through trials, especially when we are grieving, but that doesn’t mean God has left us to handle it all on our own. If anything, when our lives are turned upside down, it highlights our need for God and for others to come along side us no matter how long the season lasts. I highly recommend reading the novel and sharing it with others. Perhaps even have your local book club read it together. Enjoy this masterpiece; I sure thought it was great!
My rating is 5 stars.
Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Somebody-Like-You-Beth-Vogt/dp/1476737584/ref=sr_1_1?s=boo...
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )