Never the Bride...Review

About the book:
Since she was just a little girl, Jessie Stone dreamed up hundreds of marriage proposals, doodled the romantic ideas in her journal with her treasured purple pen, and fantasized about wedding dresses and falling in love.  She’s been a bridesmaid nearly a dozen times, waved numerous couples off to sunny honeymoons, and shopped in more department stores for half-price fondue pots than she cares to remember.

But shopping for one key component of these countless proposals hasn't been quite as productive–a future husband. The man she thought she would marry cheated on her.  The crush she has on her best friend Blake is at very best…well, crushing.  And speed dating has only churned out memorable horror stories.

So when God shows up one day, in the flesh, and becomes a walking, talking part of her life, Jessie is skeptical. What will it take to convince her that the Almighty has a better plan than one she’s already cooked up in her journals?  Can she turn over her pen and trust someone else to craft a love story beyond her wildest dreams?

Whenever you read a book you go into it with preconceived ideas. Always. Whether it be from the cover, the blurb, a review or your own experiences, you always have some sort of expectation. It's great when those expectations are met and it's disappointing when they're not.

Never the Bride is a fun novel, no doubt about it. It is laugh out loud funny in places. The premise is actually thought-provoking, rather than simply being light and fluffy. Jessie Stone has always wanted to be married, but too many dating horror stories have taken their toll. When God shows up, looking like a real man, Jessie isn't quite sure what to think. But, as she allows God into her life, interesting things happen and He shows her that He is the one who is in control, if she'll only let Him lead her.

I enjoyed the explorations in the conversations Jessie has with God and I was surprised at some of the depth. I liked the thought that God is a person who loves us and knows us and wants what's best for us. Accepting Him and loving Him and accepting His love in return isn't always as easy as we think it is.

Being an "older" bride when I married, in some ways I could relate to Jessie, although I was never fixated on marriage like she was. I did like Jessie, although some of her shenanigans were annoying. What disappointed me was who God turned out to be. The idea that as Jessie looked back in hindsight, she hadn't known that at certain times when she thought she was with God, she was actually with someone else. I didn't care for that part. I think it was too confusing and it could have been done differently.

Still, the novel is entertaining and surprisingly not as light-hearted as I expected. An easy, entertaining Christian read.

Thanks for First Wildcard and Waterbrook Press for the opportunity to review this book. You can find out more about Cheryl McKay here and Rene Gutteridge here. You can read the first chapter here. You can purchase your own copy of this book here.

Read 9/09

* * *
3/5 Stars