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What a sweet and charming story! Although it took a while for me to get into the story, once I got used to the style I was taken away by Maddie & Arthur's story. I liked how Ms. Raney presented their love story like an old fashioned romance in the style of an old timey historical romance. There is a misunderstanding between the two from which a friendship blossoms all the while an attraction grows when they see each other not knowing who the other is. I liked how they communicated through letters and this is where the old Jane Austen style comes in.
It's predictable, sure, but the way the story unfolds is perfect for folks looking for an easygoing, sweet and squeaky clean romance on a lazy weekend afternoon.
Great story!
It's predictable, sure, but the way the story unfolds is perfect for folks looking for an easygoing, sweet and squeaky clean romance on a lazy weekend afternoon.
Great story!
lighthearted
medium-paced
http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2014/05/JanuaryBride.html
I recently read the Silver Linings Series – a series of romance novellas, and though I am not particularly a romance buff, I rather enjoyed the short and sweet novellas. So, when I saw this series up for grabs on netgalley, I decided to give this series a try too.
Madeline Houser is a bestselling author who needs to get some writing done. But with contractors and carpenter having their way in her house, Madeline agrees to set up her temporary office in a Bed and Breakfast run by Arthur and suggested by Ginny a mutual friend. As luck would have it, Arthur has a way with words and who else can appreciate the fact more than an author?
This is a sweet story that was really enjoyable to read. Madeline and Arthur each have a vision of the other being this elderly person. As they exchange notes and start to fall in love, they are hesitant. Yet as it would have, they were both in their mid-thirties and with past heartaches that only further connect them. Both Madeline and Arthur are such loveable characters that it was easy to fall for them and then cheer for them. The major misunderstanding between them was because of what each envisioned the other to be like and frankly it was quite funny to read about it. Even when they finally meet and their misunderstanding cleared, it is clear that they are head over heels for the other yet vary because of their individual experiences in the past. The storyline was refreshing as I am yet to read anything similar. The writing style of the author is simple yet charming.
Reading this book is a couple of hours well spent and I would recommend it to all romance lovers.
I recently read the Silver Linings Series – a series of romance novellas, and though I am not particularly a romance buff, I rather enjoyed the short and sweet novellas. So, when I saw this series up for grabs on netgalley, I decided to give this series a try too.
Madeline Houser is a bestselling author who needs to get some writing done. But with contractors and carpenter having their way in her house, Madeline agrees to set up her temporary office in a Bed and Breakfast run by Arthur and suggested by Ginny a mutual friend. As luck would have it, Arthur has a way with words and who else can appreciate the fact more than an author?
This is a sweet story that was really enjoyable to read. Madeline and Arthur each have a vision of the other being this elderly person. As they exchange notes and start to fall in love, they are hesitant. Yet as it would have, they were both in their mid-thirties and with past heartaches that only further connect them. Both Madeline and Arthur are such loveable characters that it was easy to fall for them and then cheer for them. The major misunderstanding between them was because of what each envisioned the other to be like and frankly it was quite funny to read about it. Even when they finally meet and their misunderstanding cleared, it is clear that they are head over heels for the other yet vary because of their individual experiences in the past. The storyline was refreshing as I am yet to read anything similar. The writing style of the author is simple yet charming.
Reading this book is a couple of hours well spent and I would recommend it to all romance lovers.
4.5 stars. Another very cute & fun novella in this series. I laughed at all the misunderstandings and thought the note writing back and forth was a great element.
Cute. This whole series is just what I needed to get me through the beginning days of the pandemic and my states lock down.
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A January Bride by Deborah Raney 117 ebook pages
A Year of Weddings 1 #2 according to series and publication date Incorrectly #1 on Goodreads
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance, Novella, Women's Fiction > Chick Lit
Featuring: Kansas, an Inn, Writing, Cat, Bible Verses, Small Town, Cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Book About Books, Professor, Discussion Questions, Next book preview
Rating as a movie: PG for adult themes
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: 6% - October, so this will have more time.
16% - I think this is a misunderstanding trope.
35% - This isn't as good as the December book but I'm enjoying the story.
54% - Lol. Slow but sweet.
I should of had this finished immediately but it just wasn't written that way. It wasn't boring but the first half was slow enough to lull you into moving on. There was no suspense and there was no anticipation, although I thought there should have been since I knew exactly what was gonna happen. I'd read a chapter or 2 feel content, read something else, then return and the cycle continued, until the big reveal. After chapter 10 the pace quicken and the story took off. Even though this book was not as entertaining or humorous as the previous novella, it was most definitely slower, the end result was richer and heartwarming. I will be on the lookout for more from Deborah Raney.
Recommend to others?: Yes. This was a sweet ballad.
A Year of Weddings 1 #2 according to series and publication date Incorrectly #1 on Goodreads
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance, Novella, Women's Fiction > Chick Lit
Featuring: Kansas, an Inn, Writing, Cat, Bible Verses, Small Town, Cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Book About Books, Professor, Discussion Questions, Next book preview
Rating as a movie: PG for adult themes
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: 6% - October, so this will have more time.
16% - I think this is a misunderstanding trope.
35% - This isn't as good as the December book but I'm enjoying the story.
54% - Lol. Slow but sweet.
I should of had this finished immediately but it just wasn't written that way. It wasn't boring but the first half was slow enough to lull you into moving on. There was no suspense and there was no anticipation, although I thought there should have been since I knew exactly what was gonna happen. I'd read a chapter or 2 feel content, read something else, then return and the cycle continued, until the big reveal. After chapter 10 the pace quicken and the story took off. Even though this book was not as entertaining or humorous as the previous novella, it was most definitely slower, the end result was richer and heartwarming. I will be on the lookout for more from Deborah Raney.
Recommend to others?: Yes. This was a sweet ballad.
Several years ago my mom gave me a book with a cat on the cover. I was blown away by how much I loved the story inside! That book was Playing by Heart by Deborah Raney. When I started reading A January Bride, I thought, "This seems way too familiar. I think they may have ripped off that book with the cat on the cover." After some research, I discovered A January Bride is in fact an updated, expanded edition of Playing by Heart!
A January Bride is the story of Maddie Houser and Arthur Tyler. The whole book revolves around simple misconceptions. I really enjoyed the story. My only criticism is that the last chapter should have either been an epilogue or labeled as some amount of time later. It would be implausible for the events to take place at that exact time. The author didn't tell us how long it was between chapters, which I'd be interested to know. This is a fun read. I'd recommend it to fans of christian romance.
A January Bride is the story of Maddie Houser and Arthur Tyler. The whole book revolves around simple misconceptions. I really enjoyed the story. My only criticism is that the last chapter should have either been an epilogue or labeled as some amount of time later. It would be implausible for the events to take place at that exact time. The author didn't tell us how long it was between chapters, which I'd be interested to know. This is a fun read. I'd recommend it to fans of christian romance.
"A January Bride" is a fun, quick read. While it's a novella, it doesn't feel like one. What I mean is, even though the book is short, the characters are well developed, and the relationship moves at a reasonable pace.
I especially enjoyed the lead-up to Art and Maddie discovering the other's true identity, and I laughed aloud a few times as each figured out the mistake.
I am glad that "A January Bride" is a novella, as the mistaken identity plot could quickly grow tiresome if stretched out through a full-length novel. As a novella, though, it's just about perfect.
This is the second installment in Zondervan's A Year of Weddings series, and if the first two novellas are any indication, this is going to be an enjoyable year!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I especially enjoyed the lead-up to Art and Maddie discovering the other's true identity, and I laughed aloud a few times as each figured out the mistake.
I am glad that "A January Bride" is a novella, as the mistaken identity plot could quickly grow tiresome if stretched out through a full-length novel. As a novella, though, it's just about perfect.
This is the second installment in Zondervan's A Year of Weddings series, and if the first two novellas are any indication, this is going to be an enjoyable year!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was admittedly taken by surprise by this being a Christian romance; nothing in the descriptions I read telegraphed that.
It was mostly lighthearted and lightly amusing, with tropey and slightly sweet misunderstandings, but mingled with some heavier topics that perhaps weighed heavier for the contrast. Details such asArthur's first wife's death and his grief over her were not unexpected; Arthur fucking up and leaving Maddie thinking he would break her heart (again) less so. Every scene with Maddie's mother, in late-stage Alzheimer's, was rather painful and they were generally unexpected - both overall in this book and in each scene as it came up.
However, the expected resolution and happy ending came to a nice, light touch.
It was mostly lighthearted and lightly amusing, with tropey and slightly sweet misunderstandings, but mingled with some heavier topics that perhaps weighed heavier for the contrast. Details such as
However, the expected resolution and happy ending came to a nice, light touch.
Graphic: Grief