Okay, so maybe they wed on false pretenses, both gaining something they needed. He fulfilled his uncles wishes by marrying to keep the ranch from his swindling cousin Matt and she can finally follow doctors orders and quit the laundry she owns to heal her hands. They agree to a business partnership only without all the “romantic nonsense” involved in a true marriage. But they find so much more as time goes by! When Corinne's past springs up threatening to dissolve everything right before their eyes and an accident threatens Nolan's ability to physically run the ranch, will they find the courage to face the hard things or will they bow to the whims of man and dissolve what God has put together for their good?
“He (God) doesn't promise the journey won't be frustrating and sadly, sometimes what we find at the end of the journey is not what we hoped for. But when your focus is on believing God has good things in store for you, if you follow Him—seeking His kingdom first—He can bless you with joy.”
One thing I truly love about Jagears' writing is her characters are never the cookie cutter type you find in some romance novels. They struggle with real life problems, get themselves in some real life trouble—sometimes of their own making—and oftentimes doubt themselves which can lead to frustration and pain. But what I also love about Jagears' writing is how she shows the HOPE that can come from these things. The hope God gives us when we surrender ourselves, our wills, and our own dreams into His hands where he can begin to mold and shape us into what He knows best. The characters become people of courage, able to face what life throws at them because they have faith that God will take care of them and that He does have only good in mind for their lives. This is exactly the ultimate lesson both Corrine and Nolan learn throughout the book. I loved the depth of this story, the character growth, the faith lessons that can apply to our own lives, and the romance that does eventually blossom and grow between these two. They've had to face hard trials and overcome a lot of their own “stinking thinking”, so by the end they came out better and stronger.
“She couldn't let the fear of reliving past disappointments keep her from the chance of discovering a joy she'd never known.”
“He certainly believed she was something special, and he ached for her to believe it too.”
*I received a complimentary copy from the author and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *
BackCover Blurb:
It's a match made in heaven…as long as they don’t fall in love!
The ranch Nolan Key has spent decades working for, even lost a leg for, is now his—or at least it should be. But an absurd clause in his father’s will means he’s in danger of losing the place to his lazy, undeserving cousin. Nolan finds himself scrambling to save his home—by proposing marriage to the town laundress.
Corinne Stillwater’s hands have betrayed her. Numb from hours of doing the same work over and over, her hands will only heal, according to the town doctor, if she gives up the laundry and marries. But she’s been stung repeatedly by love before, so that is one remedy she can’t swallow.
When Nolan offers Corinne a marriage in name only, how can she refuse? Such a partnership could give them the security they seek, but what if the ranch isn't as secure as they believe, and their lives—and dreams—aren't quite as compatible as they thought?
Pretending to Wed is the second book in the Frontier Vows Series by award-winning Christian romance author Melissa Jagears. If you like marriage of convenience stories that deal with the nitty-gritty of making a relationship work, you’ll love this authentic romance set in a time gone by that tackles issues still relevant for today.
Available in digital ebook and paperback:
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Thank you Debra!
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DeleteWonderful review! This is such a good story.
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