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A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills
David and Millie both have big problems. A widowed dentist with an almost-teen son, he’s being stalked by an amorous patient. Millie’s mom keeps sending her on blind dates, even though the café owner has trust issues. So when a lost filling lands Millie in David’s office, the two of them find a solution—a faux relationship. No one gets hurt and no one gets nagged. It’s a great plan—until they really start to care. Now what will they do?
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 12, 2023
What a charming contemporary romance! I loved the premise of two main characters trying to pretend that they're dating so their nosy mothers will stop trying to set them up on dates. They're pretending proved to be futile as they slowly start to develop feelings for one another, and as I furiously turned the pages, I loved every minute of it.
This story had a little more depth than most contemporary romances. Millie had a lot of baggage - like A LOT - and believed that she was doomed to continue a family cycle of leaving/quitting/giving up when things got hard. If she had only known the real reasons behind her father leaving when she was 10 years old, all of her decisions could have been made differently. David was the perfect hero for her, though...fiercely protective, yet cautious.
The supporting characters deserve to be mentioned, too! Millie's meddling aunts, David's mother, David's ex-girlfriend, David's son, David's housekeeper...each one was unique and distinct in their own way, and added to the personality of this small South Dakota town.
I was a little confused by the title as it didn't really fit the story until the very last page. In spite of that, it was a very enjoyable and oftentimes, hilarious read. Fans of Pepper Basham or rom-coms will find A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills to be right up their alley. :)
**Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
This story had a little more depth than most contemporary romances. Millie had a lot of baggage - like A LOT - and believed that she was doomed to continue a family cycle of leaving/quitting/giving up when things got hard. If she had only known the real reasons behind her father leaving when she was 10 years old, all of her decisions could have been made differently. David was the perfect hero for her, though...fiercely protective, yet cautious.
The supporting characters deserve to be mentioned, too! Millie's meddling aunts, David's mother, David's ex-girlfriend, David's son, David's housekeeper...each one was unique and distinct in their own way, and added to the personality of this small South Dakota town.
I was a little confused by the title as it didn't really fit the story until the very last page. In spite of that, it was a very enjoyable and oftentimes, hilarious read. Fans of Pepper Basham or rom-coms will find A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills to be right up their alley. :)
**Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
January 14, 2026
What I Loved: From the very beginning, I was hooked. One of the shining stars in this book is found in the supporting cast. Millie’s Aunts add so much warmth, charm, and humor to a great book. I loved these characters and I can only imagine that the author has met them at some point in her life.
Millie and David are wonderful together and I enjoyed the fake-date plot to the fullest!
Rating and Recommendation: A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills is a 5-star book and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good clean story with a light Christian message or Contemporary Christian Fiction.
Millie and David are wonderful together and I enjoyed the fake-date plot to the fullest!
Rating and Recommendation: A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills is a 5-star book and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good clean story with a light Christian message or Contemporary Christian Fiction.
October 25, 2011
Millie Hogan is tired of her mom arranging for her to go on blind dates. Her thoughts are on leaving the small town of Deer Park and going to Hollywood in the hopes of landing a cooking show on television. David Denvers is a widower with an 11 year old son trying to start fresh while taking over his dad’s dental practice, but one of his patients is relentlessly pursuing him with the help of his overbearing mom. How can Millie and David show the town and their families that they don’t need help finding a date? A simple solution, pretend they’re dating and when it suits them they can publicly break up giving them the opportunity to avoid hassles and miscommunications. Sounds easy, right? What happens when Millie and David begin to care for one another?
This book is predictable, but that doesn’t make it less enjoyable. For the first 120 pages all I did was smile and laugh. I wish every book I spend my time on was this delightful to read! From Millie’s meddlesome aunts, to her sassy mom, to the regular patrons in her cafe who know all about her personal life and don’t hesitate to share their opinions, I was so touched by how this is written. Living in a small town can be suffocating and predictable, but the way Deer Park is described only showed me how loved this woman is regardless of the nosy people she is surrounded by and the beauty that surrounds her in those mountains.
However, I understand Millie’s restlessness about wanting to see more of the world and not wanting her single status to be the only topic of small town conversation. O’Brien also brings into the plot different situations that need to be resolved while Millie and David figure out what’s going on between them. David’s son is being bullied and we find out how David is coping with being a single parent, Millie has fears of being accepted since her dad left when she was a child and she has resentment of taking care of her mom and the author doesn’t shy away from the lasting effect of small town rumors and gossip. Not everyone in a small town fuels rumors or participates in gossip, but no matter how tough or resilient a person is, gossip does hurt.
I really enjoyed that while serious topics are presented in this story adding substance, the overall plot is humorous and adorable. Everything is dealt with and there’s even a surprise for Millie at the end. There is plenty for everyone to enjoy with Wedding Blunder; laughter, friendship, healing and romance. I highly recommend this to anyone needing a good clean laugh, a run in with a moose, great desserts, and the assurance that there’s a Heavenly Father who loves and embraces us just as we are.
I want to thank NetGalley.com and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for the free copy they provided for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
This book is predictable, but that doesn’t make it less enjoyable. For the first 120 pages all I did was smile and laugh. I wish every book I spend my time on was this delightful to read! From Millie’s meddlesome aunts, to her sassy mom, to the regular patrons in her cafe who know all about her personal life and don’t hesitate to share their opinions, I was so touched by how this is written. Living in a small town can be suffocating and predictable, but the way Deer Park is described only showed me how loved this woman is regardless of the nosy people she is surrounded by and the beauty that surrounds her in those mountains.
However, I understand Millie’s restlessness about wanting to see more of the world and not wanting her single status to be the only topic of small town conversation. O’Brien also brings into the plot different situations that need to be resolved while Millie and David figure out what’s going on between them. David’s son is being bullied and we find out how David is coping with being a single parent, Millie has fears of being accepted since her dad left when she was a child and she has resentment of taking care of her mom and the author doesn’t shy away from the lasting effect of small town rumors and gossip. Not everyone in a small town fuels rumors or participates in gossip, but no matter how tough or resilient a person is, gossip does hurt.
I really enjoyed that while serious topics are presented in this story adding substance, the overall plot is humorous and adorable. Everything is dealt with and there’s even a surprise for Millie at the end. There is plenty for everyone to enjoy with Wedding Blunder; laughter, friendship, healing and romance. I highly recommend this to anyone needing a good clean laugh, a run in with a moose, great desserts, and the assurance that there’s a Heavenly Father who loves and embraces us just as we are.
I want to thank NetGalley.com and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for the free copy they provided for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
July 23, 2016
Title: A WEDDING BLUNDER IN THE BLACK HILLS
Author: Kim O'Brien
Publisher: Barbour Books
September 2011
ISBN: 978-1616262918
Genre: contemporary romance
It was only a relationship of convenience.... until it became a romance
Millie Hogan and David Denvers both have big problems in small town Deer Park, South Dakota. Millie--a waitress with designs on Hollywood--has a mother who keeps setting her up on disastrous blind dates, even though Millie's never met a man she could trust. David--a widowed dentist with an almost-teenage son and opinionated parents--is being stalked by an amorous former patient. So when a lost filling lands Millie in David's office, the two of them cook up a plan--a fake relationship. No one gets hurt and no one gets snagged. It's a great plan--until they really start to care. Now what will they do?
Turns out, it probably doesn't matter: when Millie learns a shocking family secret she wonders if she's really wife material. Maybe it's best to stick with the plan and head for Hollywood. And since David's folks think Millie's all wrong for him, well... he realizes he may have to let her go. Isn't that what you do when you love someone?
A WEDDING BLUNDER IN THE BLACK HILLS was a totally fun story. It took the tried and true (and maybe overdone) lets pretend to be engaged scenerio and turned it into something fresh and new. I smiled a lot as I read this story about David and Millie un-dating. I cried for the cruelness of the church people and I wanted to hit the woman who was so desperate for David's attentions she dropped to new lows.
A very sweet romance, full of lighthearted fun, yet deals with serious issues of bullying and misunderstandings. I couldn't put it down and read all day instead of doing my own writing. Highly recommend. $12.99. 320 pages. 4.5 stars
Author: Kim O'Brien
Publisher: Barbour Books
September 2011
ISBN: 978-1616262918
Genre: contemporary romance
It was only a relationship of convenience.... until it became a romance
Millie Hogan and David Denvers both have big problems in small town Deer Park, South Dakota. Millie--a waitress with designs on Hollywood--has a mother who keeps setting her up on disastrous blind dates, even though Millie's never met a man she could trust. David--a widowed dentist with an almost-teenage son and opinionated parents--is being stalked by an amorous former patient. So when a lost filling lands Millie in David's office, the two of them cook up a plan--a fake relationship. No one gets hurt and no one gets snagged. It's a great plan--until they really start to care. Now what will they do?
Turns out, it probably doesn't matter: when Millie learns a shocking family secret she wonders if she's really wife material. Maybe it's best to stick with the plan and head for Hollywood. And since David's folks think Millie's all wrong for him, well... he realizes he may have to let her go. Isn't that what you do when you love someone?
A WEDDING BLUNDER IN THE BLACK HILLS was a totally fun story. It took the tried and true (and maybe overdone) lets pretend to be engaged scenerio and turned it into something fresh and new. I smiled a lot as I read this story about David and Millie un-dating. I cried for the cruelness of the church people and I wanted to hit the woman who was so desperate for David's attentions she dropped to new lows.
A very sweet romance, full of lighthearted fun, yet deals with serious issues of bullying and misunderstandings. I couldn't put it down and read all day instead of doing my own writing. Highly recommend. $12.99. 320 pages. 4.5 stars
June 17, 2011
I didn't enjoy this book much. For a classical pretend-boyfriend theme, I expected some sort of twist in the plot. But the story just drags on and on about nothing. Not much humor too. The cover is nice though.
November 12, 2011
Wow, I actually really liked this book. When I first started reading it, I expected it to be a rather slow and boring book. It just shows you really can't judge a book by its cover. Not only was the book not slow-moving, the characters and the entire story plot was very interesting.
This book made me laugh several times. I was in the bus reading today, and I nearly burst out in laughter after reading several scenes. The beginning was a little slow but as time passed, the book picked up speed and became better and better.
The main characters in the book, namely, David and Millie were pretty interesting characters. At the beginning, I really liked Millie and I liked her attitude. But somehow, towards the end of the book, I felt that she got more and more insecure about little things. Like her father being in prison showed that there was something wrong with her. But I'm happy that she kinda changed at the end. I especially liked seeing how she started to trust in God once more. That really touched my heart.
David was just so funny and really a typical dad who simply does not know how to handle his kid. Every time he spoke to his kid, forgot his name, sorry!, I could just sense that father's desperation to connect with his kid, yet at the same time knowing that he was losing him. He was definitely a very believable character and I really adored him. The way he treated Millie was so sweet and through his actions, I could really tell that he had fallen in love with her. Heh its just so cute to think about it! When they were both young, he asked her out and she turned him down. But now, after all these years, they finally got together! And their love for each other is so sweet and the type of love that you know lasts forever.
So the plot WAS very interesting. They were pretending to date in order to get people off their backs! For Millie, it was her mum. And for David, it was Cynthia. I tell you, that woman is a joke! Gosh, she stalks him everywhere! Heh, its really funny to read how David tries to avoid her but yet she tracks him down every time, like she has the senses of a bloodhound! From their first pretend date, the attraction between them was sizzling. They were both attracted to each other from the start, and when they found that out it was so cute haha!
Ok I realise my review is pretty random. I apologise, its almost 2 here and I'm dead tired! Back to topic!
I loved their pretend dates, they were always so funny! Both of them were trying to pretend they didn't like each other but it was so obvious! OH, I loved their pretend date in the forest! It was so funny haha:) Some animal was going to attack them and haha they ran to hide in the toilet! It was kinda hot actually, I was hoping their mutual attraction would boil over and they would just kiss each other! Sadly, it didn't happen:)
But when it did, it was really sweet. As I said earlier, Millie got to be more unlikable as the book went on while David got more likable. Overall, the plot was very good and it certainly captured my attention. Characters were funny and easy to like. I especially the way Millie managed to open her heart and trust God again. Earlier, I was kinda getting pissed with her for thinking that she was bad, that God wouldn’t love her and basically all the self-pity she was doing.
I really enjoyed their love story and it was really a very sweet ending. Its this kind of love that you know will just last forever. It isn’t crazy passion, a lot of lust for each other, though its certainly there, but rather a love that was true, that was really from the heart. The book did touch me and that was something I certainly was not expecting.
I did find some parts of the book a little slow and not important enough to be so elaborated. Like, the building of the sled. I kinda didn’t really need to know all the things they were doing for the sled! Um, this isn’t a book that would fire your passion or anything. Rather, it’s a book that is just so sweet, one that you just want to savor and really see their love story.
All in all, I loved the book. It was definitely not something I was expecting and I was dreading to read it at first. But once I did, I had no regrets. I wouldn’t say it was amazing and all that, but it was a good book. However, its definitely not for people who enjoy fast-paced books or romances with hot, steamy sex scenes. This had none, and it was actually a very good thing in my opinion! I would recommend this book to people who can appreciate love stories and don’t mind sitting through boring scenes. Because there were boring scenes. And the book was slow-paced, but I still loved it, I dunno why.
Well, that’s just about all I have to say for this book! I really did enjoy this book. Though I may never re-read it again, I will have fond memories of this book. I laughed, I sighed, I hoped. This book did take me through a range of emotions. Its been a long time since I read a truly sweet book and though this isn’t the type of book I usually read, I really did enjoy the experience.
This ebook was given to me by Netgalley:)
P.S. Sorry this review is so... disjointed. I have no idea what I'm doing! If you can be high on sleep deprivation, then that's what was happening to me as I wrote this!
This book made me laugh several times. I was in the bus reading today, and I nearly burst out in laughter after reading several scenes. The beginning was a little slow but as time passed, the book picked up speed and became better and better.
The main characters in the book, namely, David and Millie were pretty interesting characters. At the beginning, I really liked Millie and I liked her attitude. But somehow, towards the end of the book, I felt that she got more and more insecure about little things. Like her father being in prison showed that there was something wrong with her. But I'm happy that she kinda changed at the end. I especially liked seeing how she started to trust in God once more. That really touched my heart.
David was just so funny and really a typical dad who simply does not know how to handle his kid. Every time he spoke to his kid, forgot his name, sorry!, I could just sense that father's desperation to connect with his kid, yet at the same time knowing that he was losing him. He was definitely a very believable character and I really adored him. The way he treated Millie was so sweet and through his actions, I could really tell that he had fallen in love with her. Heh its just so cute to think about it! When they were both young, he asked her out and she turned him down. But now, after all these years, they finally got together! And their love for each other is so sweet and the type of love that you know lasts forever.
So the plot WAS very interesting. They were pretending to date in order to get people off their backs! For Millie, it was her mum. And for David, it was Cynthia. I tell you, that woman is a joke! Gosh, she stalks him everywhere! Heh, its really funny to read how David tries to avoid her but yet she tracks him down every time, like she has the senses of a bloodhound! From their first pretend date, the attraction between them was sizzling. They were both attracted to each other from the start, and when they found that out it was so cute haha!
Ok I realise my review is pretty random. I apologise, its almost 2 here and I'm dead tired! Back to topic!
I loved their pretend dates, they were always so funny! Both of them were trying to pretend they didn't like each other but it was so obvious! OH, I loved their pretend date in the forest! It was so funny haha:) Some animal was going to attack them and haha they ran to hide in the toilet! It was kinda hot actually, I was hoping their mutual attraction would boil over and they would just kiss each other! Sadly, it didn't happen:)
But when it did, it was really sweet. As I said earlier, Millie got to be more unlikable as the book went on while David got more likable. Overall, the plot was very good and it certainly captured my attention. Characters were funny and easy to like. I especially the way Millie managed to open her heart and trust God again. Earlier, I was kinda getting pissed with her for thinking that she was bad, that God wouldn’t love her and basically all the self-pity she was doing.
I really enjoyed their love story and it was really a very sweet ending. Its this kind of love that you know will just last forever. It isn’t crazy passion, a lot of lust for each other, though its certainly there, but rather a love that was true, that was really from the heart. The book did touch me and that was something I certainly was not expecting.
I did find some parts of the book a little slow and not important enough to be so elaborated. Like, the building of the sled. I kinda didn’t really need to know all the things they were doing for the sled! Um, this isn’t a book that would fire your passion or anything. Rather, it’s a book that is just so sweet, one that you just want to savor and really see their love story.
All in all, I loved the book. It was definitely not something I was expecting and I was dreading to read it at first. But once I did, I had no regrets. I wouldn’t say it was amazing and all that, but it was a good book. However, its definitely not for people who enjoy fast-paced books or romances with hot, steamy sex scenes. This had none, and it was actually a very good thing in my opinion! I would recommend this book to people who can appreciate love stories and don’t mind sitting through boring scenes. Because there were boring scenes. And the book was slow-paced, but I still loved it, I dunno why.
Well, that’s just about all I have to say for this book! I really did enjoy this book. Though I may never re-read it again, I will have fond memories of this book. I laughed, I sighed, I hoped. This book did take me through a range of emotions. Its been a long time since I read a truly sweet book and though this isn’t the type of book I usually read, I really did enjoy the experience.
This ebook was given to me by Netgalley:)
P.S. Sorry this review is so... disjointed. I have no idea what I'm doing! If you can be high on sleep deprivation, then that's what was happening to me as I wrote this!
May 21, 2018
This was the first time I have read one of Kim O'Brien 's books. I will be looking for more.
A Wedding Blunder had interesting characters and real life issued to deal with. It also has a very interesting ending.
A Wedding Blunder had interesting characters and real life issued to deal with. It also has a very interesting ending.
August 15, 2017
Really fun read!
August 27, 2020
I thought it was a cute story with great characters. Not a deep plot by any stretch of the imagination but that’s ok.
November 6, 2020
Romance with a different twist - well written, the past meets the present - family, christian, and a story of living in a small town that happens when everyone knows everyone & their business.
November 25, 2025
The start of the book was great. I really enjoyed it. But the last part of the book, especially the ending , was a little ridiculous
September 5, 2011
A good romance novel is a delicate balance between the predictable happy-ever-after, with a few surprises thrown in to keep us guessing, and enough humour to keep it moving without making me cringe. This novel had all three.
Millie is a 31-year-old waitress who works in her mothers' diner in Deer Park, South Dakota. She wants to leave town, go to LA and get in a commercial, a reality show, a daytime soap, so that one day her father (who left when she was a child) will see her and regret leaving. She has dated most of the men in town, but has a deep-seated belief that they will leave just like her father did, so she always breaks up with them first. Unfortunately, her mother had just arranged a blind date for her with the new dentist in town...
David grew up in Deer Park, and has recently returned from California to take over his fathers' dental practice. He has an 11-year-old son, Bart, and their housekeeper/nanny, Aris. His wife, Lisa, also a dentist, died five years ago, leaving David to rely on God and his church family. But now his mother - who is also his dental practice receptionist - is trying to get him together with Cynthia. David is not interested, partly because Cynthia is practically stalking him.
When a caramel toffee and a loose filling bring David and Millie together, they agree to 'faux date', to get their mothers' away from them, and hopefully to get Cynthia to back off. But there are unintended consequences as Millie gets to know David better and discovers she actually likes him and his son. Yet her insecurities won't let her actually believe or trust David, despite their growing attraction...
It all sounds great, so why did I only rate it as OK? Because it had several things which I found really annoying. Firstly, the title. There is no wedding until the epilogue, so this title acts like a great big spoiler. Secondly, Millie is 31 and has never left her home town, despite claiming she wants to be a famous actress or reality show participant or something. Grow up, girl. If you want to act, join the local drama society, take drama lessons, get an agent, do something more than apply to go on reality shows. Thirdly, David was one year ahead of Millie in school, implying that he is 32. Yet he has an 11-year-old son, supposedly born when he and wife Lisa were setting up their dental practice in California, so they hired a nanny/housekeeper to look after their baby. Seriously? He left high school at 18, is married with a baby at 21, and has somehow managed to graduate from dental college and has enough money to hire a full-time nanny? And finally, the final chapter and the epilogue. I don't want to add a spoiler, but in my opinion the final chapter and epilogue were just too perfect, to the point where it actually took away from where the story had finished.
Overall, this was a fun read, and by half-way through I was really wanting Millie and David to get over the fake dating idea and go for it, although the other part of me could see that David's faith meant that was never really going to let that happen unless Millie was a Christian too.
This free ebook was provided by NetGalley for review.
Millie is a 31-year-old waitress who works in her mothers' diner in Deer Park, South Dakota. She wants to leave town, go to LA and get in a commercial, a reality show, a daytime soap, so that one day her father (who left when she was a child) will see her and regret leaving. She has dated most of the men in town, but has a deep-seated belief that they will leave just like her father did, so she always breaks up with them first. Unfortunately, her mother had just arranged a blind date for her with the new dentist in town...
David grew up in Deer Park, and has recently returned from California to take over his fathers' dental practice. He has an 11-year-old son, Bart, and their housekeeper/nanny, Aris. His wife, Lisa, also a dentist, died five years ago, leaving David to rely on God and his church family. But now his mother - who is also his dental practice receptionist - is trying to get him together with Cynthia. David is not interested, partly because Cynthia is practically stalking him.
When a caramel toffee and a loose filling bring David and Millie together, they agree to 'faux date', to get their mothers' away from them, and hopefully to get Cynthia to back off. But there are unintended consequences as Millie gets to know David better and discovers she actually likes him and his son. Yet her insecurities won't let her actually believe or trust David, despite their growing attraction...
It all sounds great, so why did I only rate it as OK? Because it had several things which I found really annoying. Firstly, the title. There is no wedding until the epilogue, so this title acts like a great big spoiler. Secondly, Millie is 31 and has never left her home town, despite claiming she wants to be a famous actress or reality show participant or something. Grow up, girl. If you want to act, join the local drama society, take drama lessons, get an agent, do something more than apply to go on reality shows. Thirdly, David was one year ahead of Millie in school, implying that he is 32. Yet he has an 11-year-old son, supposedly born when he and wife Lisa were setting up their dental practice in California, so they hired a nanny/housekeeper to look after their baby. Seriously? He left high school at 18, is married with a baby at 21, and has somehow managed to graduate from dental college and has enough money to hire a full-time nanny? And finally, the final chapter and the epilogue. I don't want to add a spoiler, but in my opinion the final chapter and epilogue were just too perfect, to the point where it actually took away from where the story had finished.
Overall, this was a fun read, and by half-way through I was really wanting Millie and David to get over the fake dating idea and go for it, although the other part of me could see that David's faith meant that was never really going to let that happen unless Millie was a Christian too.
This free ebook was provided by NetGalley for review.
August 22, 2011
Millie Hogan has dreams of Hollywood super-stardom; despite the fact she’s over 30, overweight and lives with her mother. She’s also (somehow) managed to date the entire male population of the town, though she never lets it go beyond a couple of dates so she isn’t ever vulnerable. She’s a woman who hides behind the dream she keeps putting off, because she’s too scared to take the risk.
The mother is in denial about her diabetes, acts one way in front of everyone and another in private, and has a bunch of (very) wacky friends.
David Denvers is a skinny dentist who had a crush on Millie in High School, but she turned him down. Since then he moved to California, married the perfect woman and had a son. After the wife’s death he moved home and opened a dental practice. His pushy, interfering mother is his receptionist. There’s also a tech-savvy old lady nanny in the mix too.
Trying to escape a stalker his mother is certain is ‘the one’ for him; David and Millie concoct a scheme to fake a relationship so everyone will quit hassling them. Despite their intentions they grow from good friends to falling for each other.
Naturally Millie is completely freaked out, and sabotages things. David is a little too understanding, which left room for what could have been more conflict, but it would have been the same tired relationship misunderstandings before the couple eventually make up and live happily ever after.
Instead, the meddling characters dig up a secret from Millie’s past that throws everyone for a loop. But it all comes good in the end, and Millie learns God hasn’t been ignoring her, and faith like David’s is just what she needs. We are left with a wedding dress mix-up that just might mean stardom for Millie after all.
Very sweet, with a wonderful cast of characters. Provided you ignore the completely bizzare title.
The mother is in denial about her diabetes, acts one way in front of everyone and another in private, and has a bunch of (very) wacky friends.
David Denvers is a skinny dentist who had a crush on Millie in High School, but she turned him down. Since then he moved to California, married the perfect woman and had a son. After the wife’s death he moved home and opened a dental practice. His pushy, interfering mother is his receptionist. There’s also a tech-savvy old lady nanny in the mix too.
Trying to escape a stalker his mother is certain is ‘the one’ for him; David and Millie concoct a scheme to fake a relationship so everyone will quit hassling them. Despite their intentions they grow from good friends to falling for each other.
Naturally Millie is completely freaked out, and sabotages things. David is a little too understanding, which left room for what could have been more conflict, but it would have been the same tired relationship misunderstandings before the couple eventually make up and live happily ever after.
Instead, the meddling characters dig up a secret from Millie’s past that throws everyone for a loop. But it all comes good in the end, and Millie learns God hasn’t been ignoring her, and faith like David’s is just what she needs. We are left with a wedding dress mix-up that just might mean stardom for Millie after all.
Very sweet, with a wonderful cast of characters. Provided you ignore the completely bizzare title.
June 20, 2012
A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills
Kim O'Brien
It Was a Relationship of Convenience. . .Until It Became a Romance Millie Hogan and David Denvers both have big problems in small town Deer Park, South Dakota. Millie—a waitress with designs on Hollywood—has a mother who keeps setting her up on disastrous blind dates, even though Millie’s never met a man she could trust. David—a widowed dentist with an almost-teenaged son and opinionated parents—is being stalked by an amorous former patient. So when a lost filling lands Millie in David’s office, the two of them cook up a plan—a fake relationship. No one gets hurt, and no one gets nagged. It’s a great plan—until they really start to care. Now what will they do? Turns out, it probably doesn’t matter: when Millie learns a shocking family secret she wonders if she’s really wife material. Maybe it’s best to stick with the plan and head for Hollywood. And since David’s folks think Millie’s all wrong for him, well. . .he realizes he may have to let her go. Isn’t that what you do when you love someone?
This was a fun story that was predictable at times although it had some unexpected events. The characters were like people you would meet anywhere. They spiritual aspects were slow to start and the increased as the story continues. Although relationships that are unevenly yoked do not always go this way. It was nice to see that conversion and spiritual growth of the female lead. Millie’s mother was fun and probable the best character in the story. The changing age difference was a little difficult to follow, due to the less than believable timeline built into the story at the start.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.
Kim O'Brien
It Was a Relationship of Convenience. . .Until It Became a Romance Millie Hogan and David Denvers both have big problems in small town Deer Park, South Dakota. Millie—a waitress with designs on Hollywood—has a mother who keeps setting her up on disastrous blind dates, even though Millie’s never met a man she could trust. David—a widowed dentist with an almost-teenaged son and opinionated parents—is being stalked by an amorous former patient. So when a lost filling lands Millie in David’s office, the two of them cook up a plan—a fake relationship. No one gets hurt, and no one gets nagged. It’s a great plan—until they really start to care. Now what will they do? Turns out, it probably doesn’t matter: when Millie learns a shocking family secret she wonders if she’s really wife material. Maybe it’s best to stick with the plan and head for Hollywood. And since David’s folks think Millie’s all wrong for him, well. . .he realizes he may have to let her go. Isn’t that what you do when you love someone?
This was a fun story that was predictable at times although it had some unexpected events. The characters were like people you would meet anywhere. They spiritual aspects were slow to start and the increased as the story continues. Although relationships that are unevenly yoked do not always go this way. It was nice to see that conversion and spiritual growth of the female lead. Millie’s mother was fun and probable the best character in the story. The changing age difference was a little difficult to follow, due to the less than believable timeline built into the story at the start.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.
May 4, 2012
Millie is in her 30’s and working with her mother in the family café. As she serves her customers she dreams of being on reality TV. Her mom want to see her married and keeps setting her up on dates. Millie never dates long and is know for her trail of broken hearted ex-boyfriends. David lost his wife a few years back and has no plans to marry any time soon but his mother has other plans and has a stalker like woman on his trail. Millie and David go on a date set up by her mom and soon realize they can help each other by pretending to be dating. Will these two find a reprise from there pushy families or will they find true love when they least expect it?
I really liked this book. It was a sweet read with a lot of good laughs along the way. I really like how well developed Millie and David’s characters where as well as Millie’s family and friends. David’s mom came across as almost an enemy at first and then by the end she was not but that part of the story was kind of weak I thought. This is not a new story line so some may find it completely predictable. Even though I kind of knew what was going to happen I liked the story so much I did not want to leave this fun group of people.
If you like feel good romance you will like this book. I have not read this author before but I plan to read more of her. This story also touched on the subject of kids being bullies. David’s son is dealing with this and David works to help his son. I found this interesting and thought it was well written. This is a perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter night!
http://abbiesreadingcorner.com/2011/1...
I really liked this book. It was a sweet read with a lot of good laughs along the way. I really like how well developed Millie and David’s characters where as well as Millie’s family and friends. David’s mom came across as almost an enemy at first and then by the end she was not but that part of the story was kind of weak I thought. This is not a new story line so some may find it completely predictable. Even though I kind of knew what was going to happen I liked the story so much I did not want to leave this fun group of people.
If you like feel good romance you will like this book. I have not read this author before but I plan to read more of her. This story also touched on the subject of kids being bullies. David’s son is dealing with this and David works to help his son. I found this interesting and thought it was well written. This is a perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter night!
http://abbiesreadingcorner.com/2011/1...
August 6, 2011
A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills by Kim O'Brien ISBN 978-1-61626-491-8
Deer Park, South Dakota is too far away from Hollywood to please Millie Hogan. She as a dream to get out of this place and make something of her life, if only she could leave her mom. At thirty-one years old Millie's mom constantly set her up on dates and hinted about grandchildren. The latest is to dater her mother's dentist, David Denvers. Men never stayed. Her grandfather and father had left wives.
David, a widower and father of an eleven year old, has returned to Deer Park after his dad retired. David took over his dental practice and inherited his mom as a receptionist. His mom was determined to see him marry Cynthia now that she returned after her divorce. Cynthia was stalking him. He went on a ski date with Millie and Cynthia followed him all over there. Millie assumed the beautiful woman was his girlfriend and figured this would be their only date. And she had made her mom promise to not ever set her up again.
David and Millie decided to undate. They would convince everyone they were dating so that Cynthia would stop stalking him and Eva, Millie's mom, would leave her alone.
Meet Tank the English bulldog, Cynthia the stalker, Aris the cyberpatrol nanny, a school bully, the “aunts” who hang out in Eva's cafe and each has her own uniqueness. Great story.
Book received from NetGalley for review
Deer Park, South Dakota is too far away from Hollywood to please Millie Hogan. She as a dream to get out of this place and make something of her life, if only she could leave her mom. At thirty-one years old Millie's mom constantly set her up on dates and hinted about grandchildren. The latest is to dater her mother's dentist, David Denvers. Men never stayed. Her grandfather and father had left wives.
David, a widower and father of an eleven year old, has returned to Deer Park after his dad retired. David took over his dental practice and inherited his mom as a receptionist. His mom was determined to see him marry Cynthia now that she returned after her divorce. Cynthia was stalking him. He went on a ski date with Millie and Cynthia followed him all over there. Millie assumed the beautiful woman was his girlfriend and figured this would be their only date. And she had made her mom promise to not ever set her up again.
David and Millie decided to undate. They would convince everyone they were dating so that Cynthia would stop stalking him and Eva, Millie's mom, would leave her alone.
Meet Tank the English bulldog, Cynthia the stalker, Aris the cyberpatrol nanny, a school bully, the “aunts” who hang out in Eva's cafe and each has her own uniqueness. Great story.
Book received from NetGalley for review
December 31, 2011
Millie had always planned on leaving her hometown and the family diner but her Mother has other plans. Hoping to make a love connection for her daughter she tries her hand at matchmaking. With goals in mind Millie tries to keep her Mom happy and keep to her dreams.
Widowed David and son Bart have moved back to Deer Park. Having taken over his father's dental practice he and his son are attempting to get their lives back to normal after the loss of David's wife Lisa. With the help of helpful housekeeper Aris they are not doing too bad!
Unfortunately for David he has Cynthia who just won't leave him alone. When Millie finally gives into her mother and meets David then concoct a scheme to make everyone happy - except them! Their 'relationship' blooms despite their efforts and Cynthia's schemes.
This was a cute read, it was fun! The characters were well written and easy to relate to. I loved Millie despite her trust issues and having never left her small town. This was the first of Kim O'Brien's works I've read and I really enjoyed her writing. I'll definitely be looking to more by her!
For someone looking for a quick, easy to get into contemporary romance - this is one to check out.
Widowed David and son Bart have moved back to Deer Park. Having taken over his father's dental practice he and his son are attempting to get their lives back to normal after the loss of David's wife Lisa. With the help of helpful housekeeper Aris they are not doing too bad!
Unfortunately for David he has Cynthia who just won't leave him alone. When Millie finally gives into her mother and meets David then concoct a scheme to make everyone happy - except them! Their 'relationship' blooms despite their efforts and Cynthia's schemes.
This was a cute read, it was fun! The characters were well written and easy to relate to. I loved Millie despite her trust issues and having never left her small town. This was the first of Kim O'Brien's works I've read and I really enjoyed her writing. I'll definitely be looking to more by her!
For someone looking for a quick, easy to get into contemporary romance - this is one to check out.
June 18, 2012
Although the title is a bit misleading, I really enjoyed this book! The characters were warm, quirky, and downright hilarious at times. I laughed out loud multiple times while reading it. I did get upset with the characters at times. I wanted to yell "WHY?!" at Millie on quite a few occasions, but that, to me, is what makes a book good, because it drew reactions from me.
The only thing that holds me back from absolutely loving this book may seem little to some, but it's important to me. The author only mentioned Eva Hogan (Millie's mother) as having "diabetes," while, perhaps unconsciously, continuing a few stereotypes about Type 2 diabetes. However, she never identified Eva as having Type 2. To a Type 1, like me, that is aggravating, because when people hear that I have diabetes, they automatically think Type 2, because of instances like this, where they have heard things in relation to diabetes, but not a type. They think it applies to all people with diabetes. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are totally different diseases, and need to be treated as such. "Diabetes" should not be used as a general term for either disease.
The only thing that holds me back from absolutely loving this book may seem little to some, but it's important to me. The author only mentioned Eva Hogan (Millie's mother) as having "diabetes," while, perhaps unconsciously, continuing a few stereotypes about Type 2 diabetes. However, she never identified Eva as having Type 2. To a Type 1, like me, that is aggravating, because when people hear that I have diabetes, they automatically think Type 2, because of instances like this, where they have heard things in relation to diabetes, but not a type. They think it applies to all people with diabetes. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are totally different diseases, and need to be treated as such. "Diabetes" should not be used as a general term for either disease.
October 1, 2011
I really liked this book it reminded me of a love inspired book. It was a cute love story It made me laugh out loud sometimes.
It is a story about a girl named Millie she and her mom own a diner in a small town called Black Hills. She always dreamed about being a actor on tv she always wanted to go to california but her mom had health problems and she felt she had to stay. Her mom would always try to do what she felt was best for Millie even though Millie felt her mother was to pushy. Her mother sat her up on a blind date with a dentist named David Denvers. Millie knew him from high school he was always a geeky kid and she did not want to go, but her mom made a deal with her she would leave Millie alone if she would go out with him. Millie did go and it turns out David's mom wanted him to get together with a friend of the family so Millie and David had a plan to pretend they where dating just so they could fool their families. But did they fool the family or did they fool themselves.
This is the first for this author that i had read and differently will read her again.
It is a story about a girl named Millie she and her mom own a diner in a small town called Black Hills. She always dreamed about being a actor on tv she always wanted to go to california but her mom had health problems and she felt she had to stay. Her mom would always try to do what she felt was best for Millie even though Millie felt her mother was to pushy. Her mother sat her up on a blind date with a dentist named David Denvers. Millie knew him from high school he was always a geeky kid and she did not want to go, but her mom made a deal with her she would leave Millie alone if she would go out with him. Millie did go and it turns out David's mom wanted him to get together with a friend of the family so Millie and David had a plan to pretend they where dating just so they could fool their families. But did they fool the family or did they fool themselves.
This is the first for this author that i had read and differently will read her again.
August 4, 2011
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. We never know what good can come from life's trials and tribulations. Never under estimate the power of prayer and God's timing in answering our prayers.
The main characters were pretty normal in my book considering their past. It was funny one minute and serious the next. I liked that the author touched on child bullying since it is such an issue for some children. The one thing in the book that confused me was a group of elderly friends. I did not see a need for that many women to be up in Millie's business or the need for such detailed description of these individuals unless there is to be more books involving this group of friends. It is great to have a support system but I just thought it was a little much. Also the ending seemed to have a little cliff hanger leaving this story open for another book possibly. It was a very good read. I would definitely recommend it.
The main characters were pretty normal in my book considering their past. It was funny one minute and serious the next. I liked that the author touched on child bullying since it is such an issue for some children. The one thing in the book that confused me was a group of elderly friends. I did not see a need for that many women to be up in Millie's business or the need for such detailed description of these individuals unless there is to be more books involving this group of friends. It is great to have a support system but I just thought it was a little much. Also the ending seemed to have a little cliff hanger leaving this story open for another book possibly. It was a very good read. I would definitely recommend it.
December 14, 2011
Well-meaning moms want their children to be happily married - although not necessarily to each other – so they set up their children on dates. Said children rebel against this and set up their own plan that has them pretend to date, just so their moms will quit the match-making. But a platonic relationship starts turning into something more. Okay, it's a familiar cliché, but Kim O'Brien goes beyond to create a story about faith, acceptance, forgiveness, redemption and how we're not to blame for the sins of others. And it all takes place with a backdrop of the town's annual box sled races which Millie's mother once won many years previously.
To read my complete review, please visit Proverbial Reads. Thanks.
To read my complete review, please visit Proverbial Reads. Thanks.
December 30, 2014
I read this book in Matchmaker Weddings, a compilation of two romances. This is the review for this book from that book review:
"I enjoyed this book. Both stories are about a couple who decide to "fake date" to get their family/friends off their backs about dating. I liked them both but I enjoyed the second one better.
In the first book, David and Millie decide to "fake date" to pacify her mother and try to stop his "stalker girlfriend"...lol. They find themselves falling in love and have to work through some issues from her past. I like the way David is so supportive of Millie even after she makes mistakes. I liked the family dynamics that developed between Millie's mom Eva and David's son Bart. I also liked the support Millie received from her "aunts". They were fun!"
"I enjoyed this book. Both stories are about a couple who decide to "fake date" to get their family/friends off their backs about dating. I liked them both but I enjoyed the second one better.
In the first book, David and Millie decide to "fake date" to pacify her mother and try to stop his "stalker girlfriend"...lol. They find themselves falling in love and have to work through some issues from her past. I like the way David is so supportive of Millie even after she makes mistakes. I liked the family dynamics that developed between Millie's mom Eva and David's son Bart. I also liked the support Millie received from her "aunts". They were fun!"
May 1, 2016
Enjoyed the interaction between David and Millie, even though their friendship started out as them pretending to date to get their matchmaking mother's off their backs, but over time their friendship grows and they start to develop real feelings for one another. There were parts of the story that bothered me though, David's son seemed too old for David's age, and he seemed to act more like a teenager than an 11 year old. Also even though David didn't want his son to get attached to Millie, he had no problems with them interacting quite a bit. The epilogue at the end seemed really strange and out of nowhere.
September 19, 2011
Cute little story--Millie and David pretend they are interested in each other just to get their parents' off their backs. Millie and her mother run a diner and David is a dentist with a woman running after her. Read to find out their future and how they find God's path for them.
Enjoyed the read but did not think the title of the book is even close to what happens.
319 pages
Enjoyed the read but did not think the title of the book is even close to what happens.
319 pages
January 4, 2016
This was a nice, quiet, clean romance.
I do think this book's title was odd and didn't fit the story.
This was a more serious book than I thought it would be given the fake dating angle, although I did have a few moments when I laughed out loud.
The "aunts'" interplay was not really funny to me and I would have edited them out.
I do think this book's title was odd and didn't fit the story.
This was a more serious book than I thought it would be given the fake dating angle, although I did have a few moments when I laughed out loud.
The "aunts'" interplay was not really funny to me and I would have edited them out.
June 28, 2012
it was ok, a bit heavy on the "save me, jesus" stuff. There was no indication on the cover that it was a christian book.
January 12, 2013
Worst book i have ever read.
May 24, 2014
I really enjoyed this book! It was so funny and just all around fun. I thought the epilogue was weird but minus that, great story!
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