An October Bride by Katie Ganshert

What if the only way you could make your father’s last wish come true . . . was to marry the man of your dreams?

Emma Tate has just moved on from one fiancé, so when she announces a sudden engagement to her lifelong buddy Jake Sawyer, every busybody in Mayfair goes into high alert. Of course, no one but Jake and Emma know the real reason they’re getting married—so Emma’s dying father will have a chance to walk her down the aisle. But while Jake and Emma move forward with their plan—and frantically plan an October wedding—it becomes clear that their agreement has a few complications . . . the biggest being their true feelings for each other.

With dubious friends, deliriously thrilled parents, and a town that won’t keep its nose out of their business, Emma and Jake will have a lot to contend with if they’re going to pull this off. The real question is: Who wants this wedding more, Emma’s dad . . . or Emma?

My take:~

No one can question Katie Ganshert’s talent for creating meaningful and engaging love stories, as her full length novels attest, but condensing all that complexity into a novella and be able to give readers the same sense multi-layered characters and of utter satisfaction as the last page is turned, is another. And yet she does it! An October Bride holds all  the truly romantic at heart desire in a story – compassionate yet conflicted characters, palpable attraction, and a fabulously fun read. I adored this sweet story of Emma and Jake and their hurdle laden dance towards love.

Relz Reviewz Extras
Character spotlight on Davis & Ivy
Reviews of A Broken Kind of Beautiful, Wishing on Willows and Wildflowers from Winter
Character spotlight on Ian & Robin
Character spotlight on Evan & Bethany
Interview with Katie
Katie’s Author Alert
Visit Katie’s website and blog
Buy A Broken Kind of Beautiful at Amazon or Koorong

 

A November Bride by Beth K.Vogt

Can a decades-long friendship marred by two romantic missteps ever lead to happily ever after?

Sadie McAllister’s clients know how lucky they are to have her: an ultra-fastidious personal chef who leaves behind a spotless kitchen and a week’s worth of mouth-watering meals. Erik Davis, her best friend since middle school, is content to enjoy Sadie’s culinary skills too while maintaining their “friends only” status. Most of his energy is focused on his just-launched freelance business and casual dates that never come close to a commitment. But when Sadie is offered a once-in-a-lifetime cooking job across country, Erik realizes maybe he’s taken his best friend for granted.  Even more, he’s about to lose his only chance for lasting love.

How can Erik convince Sadie that the well-known adage “Marry your best friend” just might apply to them? With God’s help, can they both move past their assumptions about each other and their future? Should Sadie and Erik risk taking their relationship to the romantic point of no return? If they do, their decades-long friendship is as a good as done . . . unless it ends at the altar.

My take:~

The best friends falling in love path is a well worn track that Beth K. Vogt handles with adroitness and her own unique style. As I’ve come to expect with each of Beth’s novels, her characters reflect humanity – real people without overdone emotions struggling to find their place and purpose. Erik and Sadie’s is a slow walk towards love and I enjoyed the different pace than many a novella that seems to rush to completion. A November Bride is a perfect read for those looking to relax, be caught up in a sweet love story, and finish with a satisfied sigh and smile.

With thanks to Zondervan for my review copies via NetGalley

Relz Reviewz Extras
Beth’s Pop Quiz
Review of Catch A Falling Star
Character spotlight on Kendall & Griffin
Review of Wish You Were Here
Character spotlight on Allison & Daniel
Interview with Beth
Beth’s Author Alert 
Visit Beth’s website
Buy at Amazon: A November Bride or Koorong