An Engagement in Seattle: Groom Wanted\Bride Wanted

From This Day Forward #1-2

by Debbie Macomber

Aleksandr Berinksi is a Russian biochemist in the U.S. on a visa that is about to expire. Marriage will allow him to stay—marriage to Julia Conrad. If Julia's going to save her Seattle-based company, she needs him as much as he needs her. There's a Groom Wanted in Julia's life. And not just any groom!

A billboard on the side of a Seattle road is common enough—but one advertising for a bride? It's Chase Goodwin's solution to the problem of finding a wife quickly, a wife to bring home to Alaska. Lesley Campbell has her own reasons for responding…and in no time she's the Bride Wanted in Chase's life!

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Adult

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2011

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Groom Wanted is the first book in the From This Day Forward series by popular American author, Debbie Macomber. Biochemist, Alexandr Berinski, the man whose work will save Conrad Paints, has a problem: his visa is about to expire, and he’s not quite finished developing the necessary miracle. Jerry Conrad suggests to his workaholic sister, Julia, that she marry Alex so he can stay. But Julia has a problem trusting men after her last one betrayed her badly, while Alex will say I do only if the marriage is for keeps and for real. A sweet romance that could have been a bit shorter. Alex is a more patient husband than is probably believable; Julia is a bit precious and rather too selfish, but they get there in the end. 3.5 stars.

Bride Wanted is the second book in the From This Day Forward series by popular American author, Debbie Macomber. It’s the day that Lesley Campbell would have wed, if her fiancé hadn’t called off their engagement and married someone else. Trouble is, Lesley is still in love with Tony, and feeling fragile. When she sees a billboard “Bride Wanted” on the way to the mall, she wonders what sort of desperate man would need to advertise for a wife. Certainly not the stranger chasing down the mugger who steals her handbag in the carpark. Chase Goodman is attractive and friendly, and he and Lesley hit it off right away. But soon enough, Lesley learns why Chase feels he has to advertise for a wife.

The premise of this tale was a good one, and, for the most part, the execution was well done. Chase and Lesley are appealing characters, their dialogue is enjoyable, especially Lesley’s interactions with her neighbour, Daisy, and the romance is sweet. Only the ending feels a little rushed. 3.5 stars

[Katherine Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Engagement was good, although the hero came off a bit too domineering in the beginning. Bride Wanted started off with a provocative bang, but sort of fizzled in the last three chapters. It was like Macomber was forcing conflict to lengthen the climax. Also, I'm really sick of pregnancy and babies being the definition of a happy ending. I love babies! But they are a side effect of deep love and devotion, not the ultimate and encompassing definition of it. Both of these stories involved people learning to love each other amidst impossible circumstances. That's a beautiful and satisfying ending. Always including a pregnancy or baby at the end is tired, and frankly having the heroine get pregnant right after a whirlwind courtship and post-haste marriage would create stress. Give them a chance to take a breath for goodness sake. But that's just me. These were both great overall.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting concept the author used putting up a bill board to advertise for a wife, made me think this guy must have a lot of money. Then the response to the advertisement, kind of shocking and sad in some ways, but life has a way of intercepting all of this, and thus the story we embark on.

This is not the usual boy meets girl story and then happy ending, but it does have a lot of twists and turns and then Alaska enters the fold, and not just a city in the big state, but a blip on the map. A real shock for someone who has lived in a town or even the city, talk about rural!

We have quite the tale woven here, and some sour grapes, in the form of a former Finance’, now married, did not see all that happens coming, and makes for a great read.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin and was not required to give a positive review.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was first published in 2011. It's part of the From this Day forward series. The two books in this volume are Groom Wanted and Bride Wanted. They are typical Debbie Macomber romances that have two strong couples. The couples in this book both start as marriages of conveniences that grow into love. Groom Wanted has a Russian chemist helping out business owner to save her company. Bride wanted has a man living in Alaska who want companionship and a friend as he's working in a town of 40 people. These are quick easy reads.

[Monique Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first story was my favorite of the two. Coworkers often make amazing spouses especially when you're passionate about what you do. I really loved Alek, but his wife almost became annoying before she got her head together. The second one seemed less plausible and I wasn't a fan of the female main character.
Neither story had a strong female which bothered me.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book based on the love life of a marriage that started with a green card. Predictable but still love her books.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two books in one.

Groom Wanted

A very forgetful book. Alex needs to marry Julia to stay in the US. Julia needs to marry Alex to make her company successful. Alex is a biochemist and Julia's company sells paint! How exciting is that?!?

She only agrees to marry him to save her company, however, he insists if they get married, it has to be a "real" marriage -- read sex.


Bride Wanted

On the back cover of this book (and the GoodReads description as well), the hero is called "Chase Goodwin." However, on the very first page of the book, his name is "Chase Goodman." Really? Who was the editor, proof-reader, copy-editor? I can't believe crap like that happens!

Anyhow, Chase wants a wife to take back to lonely Alaska with him. He advertises on a billboard, but the only woman he finds interesting is Lesley who he hired to help him. She agrees to marry him, but AK is not what she thought and he had mislead her. Blah, blah, blah. What's new... lying man, whiny woman. Not my cup of tea.

Of the 2 books, the second is better, but neither is that great.

[Chandramas (Chiara) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually don't give a reviews for book I don't like, but honestly both the guys and the women in this book really made me mad.

There are two couple and in both the case the only thing that seemed to be the reason they love each others was sex. both story could have more potential but really I struggled to reach the book end.

The women really whine a lot. The men are too bossy (I thought the books were written in the 80s).

Honestly there are still women who still allow men to push them around like that?

In the Alaska one the guy made her leave her job, knowing that she won't be able to find one because her "FORGOT" to mention he lived in a just 50 people town?!

Also the Russian guy was so pushy I thought he was going to rape her - or try for the most of the book!

Sorry. Not my kind of book or romance. And I read a lot of "chick book"

[Beth Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 475 page Debbie Macomber book with 2 complete stories in it and predictable in that it is a romance story as you would expect. However, this is probably my latest favorite Macomber book of all that I've read. Not too many characters, the 2 stories are completely independent of each other, and a well worn, but still engaging plot. Fun characters, giggly comments, sexual tension--but no sex, and just a total escapism book. My copy was sat on by my friend's children, but it's still readable and I'll be happy to pass it on to someone else.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I first read this, I gave it 3 stars since I thought the first was "ok" and the second I "really liked". However, in retrospect, I really didn't like either of them. I hated the characters in the first one (except Jerry; I did like him) and thought the story was terrible. In the second one, I actually did like the characters, but thought this story was also really bad. I'm a huge Macomber fan, but I just couldn't like either of these books. I still kept 2 stars because the second book was ok but I'm not certain I would recommend this to anyone.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a two for one Debbie Macomber. That is always a good thing. The first story is about a woman that marries a man to save her company. The second is about a man that so wants a wife that he advertises on a billboard.

Both are cute. Typical Debbie Macomber.

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed. I read through the first book "Groom Wanted." I found myself getting frustrated with the plot going round and round. Does the main character soften her heart and love him or does she continue to mistrust? Over and over again. I stopped reading after this. It just got on my nerves.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

This is the first two book in the "From This Day Forward" Series.
#1 Groom Wanted
#2 Bride Wanted
#3 Marriage Wanted

I have all 3 books seperately from their previous publication, so am not getting this 2-in-1 book.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Groom Wanted, Bride Wanted

All in one book,,both different yet both good love stories. Both about women who had been hurt badly building walls to new relationships, but love breaks down walls.

[Heather Truckenmiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Debbie Macomber - which I love. Quick, light, reads.

[Nia · Rating 2 out of 5]

lame .... weakling women, interesting at the beginning.

[Anne Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though these two stories, written in 1992, were refreshed, I think they still had the vibes of predictable love stories that even though kept me reading, seemed not to be of the high quality stories Debbie Macomber wrote later in her career. Sorry Debbie, I love most of your books! Groom Wanted: This first story was actually not about a groom that was wanted. Julia is “forced” into marrying Alek because his visa is about to expire and getting married would be the only way he could stay in America and not have to go back to Russia. Alek is very important to Conrad Industries, a paint company owned by Julia and her brother, Jerry. Alek has been able to come up with ways that a new and improved paint could be a guarantee for them to be number one in the industry. So they get married, but Julia is extremely melodramatic in not wanting to be married. On top of that, her grandmother Ruth is dying. At least Ruth wants Julia to get married and she likes Alek. The “twist” to make this story a bit less predictable and have at least one thing going for it is Julia’s ex, Roger Stanhope, may be out to sabotage the company again. Julia thinks Roger has been contacting Alek since a private investigator took pictures of them together. Alek becomes the melodramatic one when Julia doesn’t trust him, and moves out. But all comes back to lovey dovey land when Julia is pregnant, can actually eat a full meal, and they profess once again their undying love for each other.
Bride Wanted: Chase Goodman buys a billboard ad to advertise for a wife. The minute it’s out there for everyone to see, he sees Lesley Campbell running after a guy who stole her purse. Chase catches the guy and Lesley gets her purse back, as well as a date. Chase asks her to dinner after their coffee and pie lunch, and they grow to like each other. The only thing is Lesley is still getting over a broken engagement from Tony. Tony got married, but Lesley is still in love with him. Chase doesn’t give up, taking Lesley out, taking her out with her friend’s boys, and still has the time to interview women who answered the billboard ad. Even though they hardly know each other, and don’t really love each other yet, they get married in a quick ceremony since Chase has to get back to Alaska and his job. Twin Creeks is a small town out in the middle of nowhere. Lesley is keeping positive that she’ll adjust. With some convincing to Lesley’s mother after a rough start, things are looking to be headed in the right direction for a great marriage.

[Kathleen Booker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Groom Wanted: Aleksander came from Russia to work for Conrad Paints on work visa-- Julia Conrad has taken over family's company after her fiance double crossed them and sold their secrets to competitor then, her Father suffered heart attack and died. She is very bitter towards men and spend most of her life at the office. Aleksander's visa runs out before he completes the formula he is working on and Julia's brother convinces her to marry him to keep him in states. Her grandmother is ill and she helps convince Julia to marry him so she will have a chance at love.
Julia is bound and determined to not fall for her husband but as time goes on, she falls head over heels for him and he for her. In the end, her ex gets what is coming to him and Julia and Alek have happiness togetherwith their baby.

Bride Wanted: Chase is from remote part of Alaska where he works on pipeline and there are no women his age there so he takes few weeks off and goes to Seattle and buys billboard ad stating Wife Wanted! Lesley is school teacher that was engaged to fellow teacher and a few months before wedding, he dumped her for a new teacher. On the day that was supposed to be her wedding, she is alone and goes to market to get ice cream and movie to get her thru but, a mugger grabs her purse and she takes off chasing him along with a very nice looking man who catches him and returns her purse. They have coffee and she tells him about billboard she saw advertising for a Wife little does she know her hero is the man that placed ad. they get together a few times and start to really like each other when she finds out he is the man looking for wife. She get upset but comes around and he ask her to marry him. She finally agrees and moves to Alaska to a town of 40 people. Her ex is starting to want her back even though he is married and starts trying to make trouble for her. Thank goodness her Chase is able to help her see that he really has no intention of leaving his new bride for her and Lesley realizes that she has found real love.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debbie Macomber really knows how to tell a story. She pulls her readers into her stories with characters that are genuine and slightly flawed. Her storytelling moves quickly without getting bogged down in details and we want her characters to find their happily ever afters.
Chase Goodman works for the pipeline in Alaska. He is tired of spending the seemingly endless winters alone and is looking for a woman to share his life with. Chase gives himself 3 weeks in Seattle to find the perfect bride. To help him do this, he takes out an advertisement on a billboard. Chase never expected to get an overwhelming response or to find a woman he wants to be with in a grocery store parking lot.
Lesley Campbell is a teacher who has been dumped by her fiancé for another woman. Lesley struggles with seeing her ex and his new wife daily since they all teach at the same school. She knows that she should move on, but Lesley is finding that hard to do. On what was to be her wedding day, Lesley never expected to find a man whom she is immediately drawn to while being mugged in a grocery store parking lot.
Lesley and Chase may have an immediate connection, but they also have baggage to contend with. Lesley isn’t sure she is over her ex and Chase knows the type of life he would be asking a wife to share. They have a lot to figure out and only a few short weeks to do so. Watching them come together and realize that love sometime does happen quickly is a heartwarming story.
I found this book to be a quick read that kept me interested. Yes, falling in love in a few weeks seems impossible, but Ms. Macomber makes it seem reasonable. I think fans of her stories will love this one

[Jae Mod · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** ARC provided by the author for an honest review ***

Two brides in prearranged marriages learn that things aren't as bad as they seem in An Engagement in Seattle by Debbie Macomber.

Aleksandr Berinski's visa is about to expire and he needs to get married. He knows that he has the ability to help Julia Conrad’s Seattle based company and uses this to strike a quid pro quo deal with her. They agree to help each other in a business manner, but the sparks quickly fly between them.

Chase Goodwin posts a billboard advertising for a bride that grabs Lesley Campbell's interest. Chase has three weeks to find a wife, or move to Alaska to live a life of solitude. When Lesley answers the ad and the two meet, the rest is what they call history.

I enjoyed this book because it was a quick read and it allowed for me to read two books at the same time. I like Debbie Macomber as an author and I have read her books in the past. Loved the chemistry between the characters, it kept me entertained for both stories. I am looking forward to reading even more from this author. Four stars.

[Mommaleena · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Engagement in Seattle by Debbie Macomber
• BRIDE WANTED
Once again one of my most favorite authors has done it again, and about the most beautiful place I've ever seen... Alaska! Yep what a perfected combination. Debbie Macomber makes everything flow together seamlessly. Chase fly's to Seattle from Twin Creeks in search of a bride. He's determined to being one home with him... Even taking out an ad on a billboard. Then he meets Lesley, an elementary school teacher who has had her heart broken (you'll have to read to find out the details), and is stuck in a rut... until she meets Chase. What happens next??? Yep you're gonna have to read An Engagement in Seattle to find out the details. Of your in the mood for a super sweet clean romance then ANYTHING Debbie writes is up your alley, BUT this also has Alaska so that's even better!!
ARC received from Netgalley for an honest voluntary review.
Favorite Passages ~
• “Mosquitoes are the Alaska state bird,” (makes me itch just remembering them!)

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 2 for 1 book. #1 Groom Wanted: Aleksandr Berinksi is a Russian biochemist in the United States on a visa, which is about to expire. His boss entices his sister to marry Alek to save their Seattle based company. She needs him as much as he needs her. Julia needs a groom in her life and not just any groom, but Alek. #2 Bride Wanted: Chase Goodman works on the oil fields in Alaska, but it's a lonely life. So, he come to Seattle to find a wife. So he advertised on a billboard on the side of a Seattle road. As life would have it, Leslie Campbell has a mugger steal her purse. She runs after to robber and soon a large man runs passed her and tackles the thief, holding him until the police arrive. She offers the man money as a reward for the rescue of her purse, which he refuses. They end up having coffee together and that leads to a date and the rest is history. Both are good little remance stories.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love Debbie Macomber books. I just didn’t love either of the two stories in this book. A man can’t stay in the states because his visa is expired so his boss comes up with a brilliant plan to marry his sister who is the owner of the company. Sister decides to go for it, butt he guys only stipulation is that they can’t divorce. I just found this all extremely harsh. I felt like the brother was forcing his sister to marry this guy that she didn’t even like. Granted, everything turned out, I just really didn’t like the whole situation. Then she is found to be the stupidest woman alive by not trusting her new husband. I couldn’t handle the stupidity.

Then, the second story. Guy flies to Seattle to find a wife. He advertises on a billboard...


I just really didn’t love the premise of either of these stories.

[Anna Swedenmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly her best ever book. However, the one story with the billboard... and Chase----- I liked a lot.. the other was so so. I must say I was a little disappointed for this is one of my favorite authors. So..... I backed up and read it again. This time, I can say I gave it four stars instead of 2. I liked her characters and her way of writing the stories. I absolutely adored the billboard romance. It was different and had twists I did not expect! I would of liked more on this one. As for the other... it is interesting but just not my taste. you will not lose buying this book. Both are of interest and both are well written. It could not be otherwise with this author. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna

[Alisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just finished reading 1st part of the book "Groom Wanted".
This is a 2nd book by Debbie Macomber I am reading. I liked her writing style and was eager to read more. That being said I am very disappointed with this book. From 1st pages the "Russian" guy sounds not real. I know lots of Russian people and they just don't think/act like that. They don't like baseball (there's no such sport in Russia), they don't make oatmeal cookies with rasings etc. This book does not reflect the culture at all. And what religion is he in that doesn't allow divorces?
Even if you completely ignore a character which have nothing to do with reality, dialogs where they completely understand what other person feels are just SO unrealistic I could barely finish it.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Single Chase wanted a wife but he lived in Alaska where basically he would always be single as there were no women living there. So he decided to go to Seattle and buy a billboard advertising he was looking for a wife.
Lesley had her heart broken 6 months prior by her fiancé and wasn’t looking to get hurt again.
She accidentally meets Chase not realizing the billboard was his.
Chase interviews many women but his heart is with Lesley. Can he convince her to marry him and move to a very, very small town in Alaska? Will she go even after her ex fiancé who broke her heart gets involved?
A feel good story that will make you smile.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished the first book and was not impressed. It was full of negative mistrust on one side and only thinking about consummating the marriage on the other. Then jumping to conclusions that seemed to be but really couldn't if you looked close enough. It was very frustrating all the way until about the last chapter. There was not a build of relationships - they just stayed the same throughout the entire book. I am not sure how I will rate it. 2 stars

The second one "Bride Wanted" was much better. It had an interesting storyline and some character interacting that seemed to move. It was a 3 1/2 star.

They are both clean-ish. Kissing and foreplay without details in bed. (low to moderate sex)

[Bonnie Staughton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book from Debbie Macomber is actually 2 unrelated stores in one: "Groom Wanted" and "Bride Wanted". The first story involves a woman who marries a vital employee in her paint company. He has to get his green card or be deported. The second story involves a man from Alaska who is so desperate for a wife that he advertises for one on a billboard in Seattle. Both stories involve woman who have been jilted by men previously and find it hard to love again. Although both stories were interesting to read, I think I enjoyed the 2nd one the best.

I've read several of Debbie Macomber's books and find them all enjoyable.

[Morgan Matteson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I REALLY REALLY LIKED THIS DANG BOOK. She writes so well and it kept me entertained which is very hard for books to do for me. Delicious writing style. I liked that there are two stories in this novel. buuggghhhhh i’m going to miss these characters: except julia. I hated her character. She was so immature. I know she has a relationship prior that made her never want to trust another man but damn little things she did and said day to day I was like GIRL COME ON. You can see this man is so amazing and he is proving it to you time and time again. Don’t be unkind to him just because of your past you know? It’s not an excuse bits. Thanks debbie great book!

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. Macomber is an outstanding storyteller who writes characters we all can relate to. I’ve never read a bad book yet by Debbie and I have read them all. My only complaint is once I start reading one of her books I check out on household chores, my family knows they will fend for themselves at meal time and so on. Thank goodness I’m a fast reader because I need to read straight through til the end. It takes a day or two after finishing for me to set her characters aside and be able to move on to another book. Thank you Debbie for years of entertainment