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A review by kalira
A June Bride by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
Wynne is truly a great candidate for the most wishy-washy, refuse-to-make-decisions, helpless figure of a lead character I have ever read. Something she does not, in fact, ever get over or change.
I feared Andy would make a sudden heel-turn to be a red flag (especially after the quiet reveal that he is not a Devout Christian Boy) and there was some flirting that direction, but was relieved when it was mostly averted.
Andy gently turned her loose with well wishes. Callum was there for her (and apparently their breakup wasrather more her overreacting than him pulling back ; I did wonder earlier on, but Wynne is a very unreliable narrator). Her mother expressed concerns, which angered her. Her best friend appeared for one phone conversation in 100+ pages and had no concerns. Her pastor counselled them (Andy and Wynne) and gently nudged them to discuss the important things to them before committing to share their lives.
Wynne blamed everyone but herself for getting into a mess. Including her pastor, who clearly should have said something at that counselling meeting.
Wynne refused to make a decision ever, merely had many of them made for her, and in the end has somehow turned that to a virtue, because of course she should trust in God and His plan for her life and happiness, and not be afraid no matter what happens. Which somehow translates to not making any decisions or guiding her own life, at all.
(I was surprised that we reached the end withouta ring back on Wynne's finger! No official engagement or anything ; truly unexpected for a novella of this genre. But let's be real - the end is foretold all the same.)
Frankly I think both men may deserve better than Wynne, and she needs to spend some time working on herself alone before getting married to anyone.(And I don't buy that she has, and totally at peace with it, with her three months before the epilogue and not getting officially engaged yet.)
I feared Andy would make a sudden heel-turn to be a red flag (especially after the quiet reveal that he is not a Devout Christian Boy) and there was some flirting that direction, but was relieved when it was mostly averted.
Andy gently turned her loose with well wishes. Callum was there for her (and apparently their breakup was
Wynne blamed everyone but herself for getting into a mess. Including her pastor, who clearly should have said something at that counselling meeting.
Wynne refused to make a decision ever, merely had many of them made for her, and in the end has somehow turned that to a virtue, because of course she should trust in God and His plan for her life and happiness, and not be afraid no matter what happens. Which somehow translates to not making any decisions or guiding her own life, at all.
(I was surprised that we reached the end without
Frankly I think both men may deserve better than Wynne, and she needs to spend some time working on herself alone before getting married to anyone.