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emlickliter's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Winter Brides (A Year of Weddings #01-03) by Betsy St Amant, Denise Hunter, Deborah Raney – This collection of novellas is sweet and perfect for cozying up with cocoa and a fireplace! Happy Reading!
amy_inthecatacombs's review
5.0
An anthology that will warm your heart for the holidays
A December Bride by Denise Hunter
Layla O’ Reilly’s date for a wedding just cancelled on her while she is busy at work. It wouldn’t be a big deal if it wasn’t for her cousin’s and her ex’s wedding. Unfortunately for her, her day is getting worse when Seth Murphy, the guy she blames for her broken relationship, offers her a ride after she waits on him at her job.
Not really wanting his company, but not wanting to show up alone, she says, “Yes.” After a few awkward moments at the wedding the two find themselves faking an engagement. At first, Layla wants out of the misunderstanding but decides against it because she thinks Seth’s social standing with another man will help her fledgling home decorating business soar.
I never have read anything by Denise Hunter before, and I sure have been missing out! I’ll have to raid my mom’s bookshelves and borrow some of her books by Denise Hunter. I really loved this story and the two main characters, Seth and Layla. This novella takes place in Chapel Springs, but I really wish this was a full story by itself. I loved the story and these two characters that much.
I give this story 5 stars.
A January Bride by Deborah Raney
Madeline has recently relocated from NYC to Kansas to live in her sister’s and husband’s home while it’s being renovated. Their mother is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is in the late stages of it. Madeline wants to spend more time with her mom and work on her book.
The renovations are not coming along well, so Ginny, her next door neighbor, offers her to work on her book at her friend’s bed and breakfast. Madeline is grateful to work in a quieter environment and starts exchanging notes with the owner, Art. Madeline enjoys the exchanges from who she believes is an elderly gentleman.
At first, I didn’t know what to think of the story because I didn’t like it at first, but this did grow on me. This is a contemporary story, as is all of them, but it read to me as a historical. I enjoyed the letter exchanges with Madeline and Arthur and the brief encounters with Art’s cat, Alex.
I do feel like too much tried to happen in what seems happened it a short time frame but that happens often with novellas like this. I did like that this one incorporated God more than the other two novellas.
I gave this four stars.
A February Bride by Betsy St. Amant
Allie is going to marry her best-friend’s brother but runs away because she feels the females in her family is cursed and wants to spare Marcus the same pain. She stays away from his family and her best friend, Hannah, for four months. Allie is supposed to meet Hannah for lunch but she comes to her place. Hannah reveals that she is getting married and wants Allie in the wedding.
Allie decides to be there for her friend and knows that it will be awkward around Hannah’s family, especially Marcus. When Allie is around Marcus, she thinks he is still warm around her, and she hopes they still can be friends.
I never heard of this author, but I really loved this story. I hated how Allie viewed herself, especially with the family “curse.” I can see how Marcus could be hot and cold because Allie never told anyone why she ran away. I wished that this story was longer. I could easily see a longer book for this story. I am going to be on the hunt for more books by this author.
I gave this story 5 stars.
I’m really excited to read the other anthologies in this series!
A December Bride by Denise Hunter
Layla O’ Reilly’s date for a wedding just cancelled on her while she is busy at work. It wouldn’t be a big deal if it wasn’t for her cousin’s and her ex’s wedding. Unfortunately for her, her day is getting worse when Seth Murphy, the guy she blames for her broken relationship, offers her a ride after she waits on him at her job.
Not really wanting his company, but not wanting to show up alone, she says, “Yes.” After a few awkward moments at the wedding the two find themselves faking an engagement. At first, Layla wants out of the misunderstanding but decides against it because she thinks Seth’s social standing with another man will help her fledgling home decorating business soar.
I never have read anything by Denise Hunter before, and I sure have been missing out! I’ll have to raid my mom’s bookshelves and borrow some of her books by Denise Hunter. I really loved this story and the two main characters, Seth and Layla. This novella takes place in Chapel Springs, but I really wish this was a full story by itself. I loved the story and these two characters that much.
I give this story 5 stars.
A January Bride by Deborah Raney
Madeline has recently relocated from NYC to Kansas to live in her sister’s and husband’s home while it’s being renovated. Their mother is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is in the late stages of it. Madeline wants to spend more time with her mom and work on her book.
The renovations are not coming along well, so Ginny, her next door neighbor, offers her to work on her book at her friend’s bed and breakfast. Madeline is grateful to work in a quieter environment and starts exchanging notes with the owner, Art. Madeline enjoys the exchanges from who she believes is an elderly gentleman.
At first, I didn’t know what to think of the story because I didn’t like it at first, but this did grow on me. This is a contemporary story, as is all of them, but it read to me as a historical. I enjoyed the letter exchanges with Madeline and Arthur and the brief encounters with Art’s cat, Alex.
I do feel like too much tried to happen in what seems happened it a short time frame but that happens often with novellas like this. I did like that this one incorporated God more than the other two novellas.
I gave this four stars.
A February Bride by Betsy St. Amant
Allie is going to marry her best-friend’s brother but runs away because she feels the females in her family is cursed and wants to spare Marcus the same pain. She stays away from his family and her best friend, Hannah, for four months. Allie is supposed to meet Hannah for lunch but she comes to her place. Hannah reveals that she is getting married and wants Allie in the wedding.
Allie decides to be there for her friend and knows that it will be awkward around Hannah’s family, especially Marcus. When Allie is around Marcus, she thinks he is still warm around her, and she hopes they still can be friends.
I never heard of this author, but I really loved this story. I hated how Allie viewed herself, especially with the family “curse.” I can see how Marcus could be hot and cold because Allie never told anyone why she ran away. I wished that this story was longer. I could easily see a longer book for this story. I am going to be on the hunt for more books by this author.
I gave this story 5 stars.
I’m really excited to read the other anthologies in this series!
thebookishdoctor's review
4.0
I listened to the audiobook of this book on Storytel & loved every minute of it. This was a light & enjoyable read & was ideal to relax my mind while doing other works like journaling, workout, household chores, etc. It was funny, sweet & cute. Out of the 3 novellas, 2nd was my favorite out of the 3. The narration was also quite good. Overall it was a great audiobook & definitely recommend listening to it.
cheeseolive's review
3.0
A December Bride:
I always fall so easily into Denise Hunter’s stories! This is the first in a series called A Year of Weddings. Each novella will be written by a different author. A December Bride focuses on Layla. The story starts with her scramble to find a date for a wedding–but not just any wedding. Her ex is marrying her cousin, and it still stings. She ends up going with her ex’s former best friend, Seth. Things get tricky when Seth offers a lie about his and Layla’s relationship, and that’s when the story really starts to take off. Hunter has created a realistic tale with heart and holiday spirit. An easy read for a cozy evening!
A January Bride:
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 February Bride:
I enjoyed this novella. I give it 3.5 stars. I think it’s hard to fully develop characters and tell a deep story in a novella because of the short length. However, St. Amant did a great job of it. I felt like I really got to know Marcus and Allie, while Hannah and Julie were strong supporting characters. The story was a little predictable, but it was still enjoyable. A February Bride is a short, sweet, easy read. When the story begins, Allie has just left Marcus at the altar. The women in her family have terrible track records when it comes to marriage, and Allie thinks she will ruin Marcus’ life by marrying him. Marcus’ sister, Hannah, gets engaged a few months later and asks Allie to be her maid of honor. Of course this leads to all kinds of awkward situations for Allie and Marcus. I’d recommend reading this on a lazy afternoon when you’re yearning for a good story. Don’t forget to check out the other books in the A Year of Weddings series!
Winter Brides is available now in paperback and digital form! It'd make a great gift for the Christian Fiction fan in your life!!
*I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I always fall so easily into Denise Hunter’s stories! This is the first in a series called A Year of Weddings. Each novella will be written by a different author. A December Bride focuses on Layla. The story starts with her scramble to find a date for a wedding–but not just any wedding. Her ex is marrying her cousin, and it still stings. She ends up going with her ex’s former best friend, Seth. Things get tricky when Seth offers a lie about his and Layla’s relationship, and that’s when the story really starts to take off. Hunter has created a realistic tale with heart and holiday spirit. An easy read for a cozy evening!
A January Bride:
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 February Bride:
I enjoyed this novella. I give it 3.5 stars. I think it’s hard to fully develop characters and tell a deep story in a novella because of the short length. However, St. Amant did a great job of it. I felt like I really got to know Marcus and Allie, while Hannah and Julie were strong supporting characters. The story was a little predictable, but it was still enjoyable. A February Bride is a short, sweet, easy read. When the story begins, Allie has just left Marcus at the altar. The women in her family have terrible track records when it comes to marriage, and Allie thinks she will ruin Marcus’ life by marrying him. Marcus’ sister, Hannah, gets engaged a few months later and asks Allie to be her maid of honor. Of course this leads to all kinds of awkward situations for Allie and Marcus. I’d recommend reading this on a lazy afternoon when you’re yearning for a good story. Don’t forget to check out the other books in the A Year of Weddings series!
Winter Brides is available now in paperback and digital form! It'd make a great gift for the Christian Fiction fan in your life!!
*I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
thearomaofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
December Bride by Denise Hunter - 3.5/5 - this was a really fun fake romance trope story, with characters who were relatable, pleasant, and had good chemistry. The situation was plausible, and I liked how they both had their doubts, but it didn't descend into nothing but internal angst. The story is set in Chapel Springs, where several of Hunter's other books take place, but was a completely individual story.
January Bride by Deborah Raney - 4/5 - this was my favorite out of the three, about an author who ends up writing letters to a fellow she has never met. The whole story was just adorable fluff. I loved the misconceptions they had about each other and how that played into their comfort with sharing letters. I would have enjoyed having more of their letters and less of the drama of the fellow getting over his guilt about falling in love again (his first wife died several years earlier), but all in all a really fun little story.
February Bride by Betsy St. Amant - 3/5 - while this wasn't a bad story by any means - and I actually really liked the characters - sooo much of this story was just listing to the protagonist internally bemoan how she just isn't good enough to marry this guy and how their marriage would be doomed to failure if she even tried. I think this story would have worked better at a longer length, where those internal monologues could have been broken up more with a bit of actual things happening. Like, she had valid points and important issues she needed to work through, but because so much time was spent on those, the whole story kind of dragged a bit.
All in all, a fun collection of stories, and I'm looking forward to checking out Spring Brides next!
January Bride by Deborah Raney - 4/5 - this was my favorite out of the three, about an author who ends up writing letters to a fellow she has never met. The whole story was just adorable fluff. I loved the misconceptions they had about each other and how that played into their comfort with sharing letters. I would have enjoyed having more of their letters and less of the drama of the fellow getting over his guilt about falling in love again (his first wife died several years earlier), but all in all a really fun little story.
February Bride by Betsy St. Amant - 3/5 - while this wasn't a bad story by any means - and I actually really liked the characters - sooo much of this story was just listing to the protagonist internally bemoan how she just isn't good enough to marry this guy and how their marriage would be doomed to failure if she even tried. I think this story would have worked better at a longer length, where those internal monologues could have been broken up more with a bit of actual things happening. Like, she had valid points and important issues she needed to work through, but because so much time was spent on those, the whole story kind of dragged a bit.
All in all, a fun collection of stories, and I'm looking forward to checking out Spring Brides next!
littleprairielibrary's review against another edition
3.0
I have not read much Christian contemporary since I was a teenager, and I find myself pleasantly surprised whenever I do read it, so maybe I should be reading it more! This book features 3 short stories, and while they did read like Hallmark movies (in fact, the first story in this book WAS made into a Hallmark movie!) I quite enjoyed them. This was the perfect time of year to read this. My favourite story was January Bride, then December Bride, and February Bride being my least favourite. I'm not sure if the rest of the series is available on audio for me, but my mom has the rest of them so I may be borrowing them from her each season.
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