Blueprints of Faith, Brilliance, and Surrender

The Engineered Engagement

Written by Erica Vetsch

Series: Brides of the West, Book 3 (originally The Kennebrae Brides)

Published by Wild Heart Books

Release Date: 07.08.25 (originally published 01.01.2010)

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

4 Stars!

This story carries the quiet awe of gifts unfolding exactly as God intended, and watching Josie lean into the abilities He entrusted to her stirred my own heart to remember His call in mine.

One of the most memorable moments came through Grandma Bess’s wisdom: “Do you know how often I’ve let something that should be my greatest strength become my greatest weakness? God gave you the ability to design, to calculate, to figure. And applied to shipbuilding or architecture or mathematics, it’s a fine gift. But when you start trying to engineer circumstances and people, design and force God's plan to be revealed to you, or construct your future the way you want it to be, instead of the way God has for you, you run into trouble.” 

I felt those words take root in me. It’s a reminder for every one of us who longs to plot, plan, and design the path ahead of us instead of trusting our Divine Designer.

And then another whisper of wisdom I won’t forget: “God never sleeps, and quite often if I’m wide awake at night, He’s got something He wants to say to me, or there’s something He’s waiting to hear me say.” Those words are an invitation, drawing me to prayer in the very moments I might otherwise feel restless, alone, or complaining about losing sleep.

Josie’s promise to God may be the heartbeat of the entire book: She’d promised God she would be the woman He made her to be, that she would use her gifts for His glory. Woven through these pages are tender romance, inventive ambition, and the radiance of devotion — gifts and lives offered back to Him.

Erica Vetsch writes with freshness, warmth, and faith that flows naturally from her characters’ lives. The pacing is strong, the characters loveable, and the Christ-centered faith content is a strong foundation.

I loved this book for the way it honored what it means to live in personal relationship with Jesus, to offer Him our gifts as worship, and to remember that even the sleepless hours can become opportunities for prayer – listening to Him and talking to Him.

Perfect for readers who long for historical romance woven with faith, marked by tender wisdom, and anchored in the truth that our gifts and our lives belong wholly to Him.

I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher and Celebrate Lit Publicity Group. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.