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From This Day Forward #2
Bride Wanted
An Unusual Beginning
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!
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!
495 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
253 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
895 books20.6k followersDebbie 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 4, 2012
Handsome Chase Goodman was determined to find a wife before returning to the small village of Twin Creeks, Alaska. To Chase, it made perfect sense to advertise his honorable intentions on the side of a Seattle billboard. It might just save a little time, too. Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined the Seattle ladies’ enthusiastic response! They lined up in droves. Chase couldn’t possibly interview all of them.
Lesley Campbell had her own reasons for being intrigued by Chase’s message. Still hurting from a failed romance and broken engagement, Lesley needs a solution, a way out of her current dilemma. Is Lesley running away from Tony, her former boyfriend, or dashing toward someone much better - Chase Goodman? The ending reminded me of the rugged pioneer spirit deep inside some of our country’s earliest settlers. This is a romance with a unique twist.
Lesley Campbell had her own reasons for being intrigued by Chase’s message. Still hurting from a failed romance and broken engagement, Lesley needs a solution, a way out of her current dilemma. Is Lesley running away from Tony, her former boyfriend, or dashing toward someone much better - Chase Goodman? The ending reminded me of the rugged pioneer spirit deep inside some of our country’s earliest settlers. This is a romance with a unique twist.
January 6, 2019
Cute, but nothing extraordinary.
Chase is in Seattle for a brief period and then will be going home to his town of 40 people in Alaska. He wants to take a wife home with him so he buys a billboard that says "Wife Wanted". 800+ people respond, but it's Lesley- a girl he meets when he helps her after a mugging- that he falls for. She sees the billboard and thinks what kind of guy would do that and what desperate women would respond! She later finds out that its Chase who put out the billboard. She's a little weirded out but agrees to marry him because their little relationship interests them both and she also wants to use him to get over her ex who left her at the alter for another woman (a coworker in the school that they all 3 work in!). They get married and go back to Alaska and she finds out she is one of 5 women in the whole "town" if you can even call it that. At first she's really angry that he hid exactly how small the town was and she's even more upset when he says he has to leave for a few days and leave her alone. In the meantime her mom, who was unavailable when they got married, finds out (from the ex) that she's married Chase and moved to Alaska. She calls and says she's coming so Lesley agrees to fly to Fairbanks to meet her. Chase gets home, sees that she's gone, and assumes she has left him. He goes to get her- theres a big hullabaloo of upset and confusion- but then it all works out. Flash forward, they have a baby and live happily ever after- as all romance novels do.
Chase is in Seattle for a brief period and then will be going home to his town of 40 people in Alaska. He wants to take a wife home with him so he buys a billboard that says "Wife Wanted". 800+ people respond, but it's Lesley- a girl he meets when he helps her after a mugging- that he falls for. She sees the billboard and thinks what kind of guy would do that and what desperate women would respond! She later finds out that its Chase who put out the billboard. She's a little weirded out but agrees to marry him because their little relationship interests them both and she also wants to use him to get over her ex who left her at the alter for another woman (a coworker in the school that they all 3 work in!). They get married and go back to Alaska and she finds out she is one of 5 women in the whole "town" if you can even call it that. At first she's really angry that he hid exactly how small the town was and she's even more upset when he says he has to leave for a few days and leave her alone. In the meantime her mom, who was unavailable when they got married, finds out (from the ex) that she's married Chase and moved to Alaska. She calls and says she's coming so Lesley agrees to fly to Fairbanks to meet her. Chase gets home, sees that she's gone, and assumes she has left him. He goes to get her- theres a big hullabaloo of upset and confusion- but then it all works out. Flash forward, they have a baby and live happily ever after- as all romance novels do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2018
I haven't read the rest of the series, but this book seems to stand alone.
This book kept me on my toes emotionally. A lot of it I didn't like. In the middle while they were still trying to work out how they felt about each other, there were red flags and sirens going off in my head. This sounded like there was potential only for bad things. Tony didn't help, and he was the source of a lot of the red flags, but Lesley and Chase didn't seem right together either. All of this worked together to mean that there were few dull moments.
For one thing, as in so many books in this genre, it seemed like whatever relationship they had was based on kissing. The kisses were described more passionately than the more physical parts of the relationship.
I had a hard time liking Lesley mostly because she was so weak. She didn't seem to be able to control how she felt especially for Tony and even about Chase, but in different ways.
At times Chase seemed like a flawless hero, but at other times he seemed like a total jerk. Meeting Tony face to face was not his best moment, nor was a later encounter with another person toward the end of the book.
I thought the last chapter before the Epilogue was too abrupt.
Mature themes: If kissing can be a mature theme, then watch out. The first sexual encounter of two married people was summed up simply by "when the loving was over" and nothing more descriptive. There was no actual violence.
This book kept me on my toes emotionally. A lot of it I didn't like. In the middle while they were still trying to work out how they felt about each other, there were red flags and sirens going off in my head. This sounded like there was potential only for bad things. Tony didn't help, and he was the source of a lot of the red flags, but Lesley and Chase didn't seem right together either. All of this worked together to mean that there were few dull moments.
For one thing, as in so many books in this genre, it seemed like whatever relationship they had was based on kissing. The kisses were described more passionately than the more physical parts of the relationship.
I had a hard time liking Lesley mostly because she was so weak. She didn't seem to be able to control how she felt especially for Tony and even about Chase, but in different ways.
At times Chase seemed like a flawless hero, but at other times he seemed like a total jerk. Meeting Tony face to face was not his best moment, nor was a later encounter with another person toward the end of the book.
I thought the last chapter before the Epilogue was too abrupt.
Mature themes: If kissing can be a mature theme, then watch out. The first sexual encounter of two married people was summed up simply by "when the loving was over" and nothing more descriptive. There was no actual violence.
June 8, 2021
Pretty disappointed with this book. The Heroine is very woe is me and sad and the hero expects too much out of her. Didn't really feel the connection and felt like every time they fought, it was only meant to create tension and chemistry but it did the opposite; made me feel like their fighting was petty as hell.
PLOT (SPOILERS)
Hero puts billboard ad for wife because he only has 3 weeks until he has to go back to Alaska to his job (which he never mentions is what). then a day later meets heroine by chance helping her get her purse back from a mugger. they have dinner a few times/she complains about the ad and how much of a loser thing to do and he doesn't tell her its his until he's on national TV.
she gets very upset and thinks he's leading her on because she hates men cause her ex fiancé dumped her for another teacher coworker.
then after a tug of war she agrees to marry him to get over her ex by marrying him and he knows it but is okay with it??? lol
anyways they go to Alaska and its literally a in small town of 40 ppl TOTAL and he fails to mention it to her so she gets mad.
but then they make up etc etc etc
I'm disappointed from Debbie. She usually writes great romances!
PLOT (SPOILERS)
Hero puts billboard ad for wife because he only has 3 weeks until he has to go back to Alaska to his job (which he never mentions is what). then a day later meets heroine by chance helping her get her purse back from a mugger. they have dinner a few times/she complains about the ad and how much of a loser thing to do and he doesn't tell her its his until he's on national TV.
she gets very upset and thinks he's leading her on because she hates men cause her ex fiancé dumped her for another teacher coworker.
then after a tug of war she agrees to marry him to get over her ex by marrying him and he knows it but is okay with it??? lol
anyways they go to Alaska and its literally a in small town of 40 ppl TOTAL and he fails to mention it to her so she gets mad.
but then they make up etc etc etc
I'm disappointed from Debbie. She usually writes great romances!
May 22, 2017
Enjoyed this book, but did think the ending was rather brief and non-climatic. It kind of felt like the author realised she was running out of pages, so quickly tided up the plot lines and finished the book.
I expected more about the conflict with the ex. I expected more issues with the in-law and somehow expected more fuss to be made by the bride when she realised what her new home town was like.
Great story at the start and middle. Pity about the rushed ending.
I expected more about the conflict with the ex. I expected more issues with the in-law and somehow expected more fuss to be made by the bride when she realised what her new home town was like.
Great story at the start and middle. Pity about the rushed ending.
August 10, 2019
Their marriage was meant to be, because he’d chosen her although she hadn’t answered his ad. And he’d let her know in a million ways since that she was the bride he wanted.
My favorite quote since this is the way my hubby and raised our children!!!
“I never did believe in feeding kids all that garbage about Santa Claus and the Easter bunny. Life’s hard enough without their own mother filling their heads with that kind of nonsense.”
My favorite quote since this is the way my hubby and raised our children!!!
“I never did believe in feeding kids all that garbage about Santa Claus and the Easter bunny. Life’s hard enough without their own mother filling their heads with that kind of nonsense.”
March 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this romance. I voluntarily chose to review this story and I've given it a 5* rating. I'm not really sure that this is for the under 18 readers. This has a lot of feels in it and it had a few twists and turns. As the hero thinks about the giveaway brides of old, compared to finding wives for in the wilderness of Alaska. There were serious issues and funny ones. I do enjoy this author's work so much.
May 12, 2022
Likeable characters, unrealistic plot. The billboard was cute. What didn’t make any sense was the h leaving her teaching job, her home, and her friends to go to a place that she knew nothing about. She hadn’t even looked it up on map, or she would have known the population was 40, with no job prospects. It could have been done so much better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2025
good book
A man living in Alaska thought he needed a wife to help him get through the winters. So he went to Seattle and hired a billboard advertising for a wife. He had over 1k calls wanting to be his wife. While walking around town he met a woman that he connected with. You’ll have to read the book to see which of the 1k and 1 he married.
A man living in Alaska thought he needed a wife to help him get through the winters. So he went to Seattle and hired a billboard advertising for a wife. He had over 1k calls wanting to be his wife. While walking around town he met a woman that he connected with. You’ll have to read the book to see which of the 1k and 1 he married.
August 18, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A quick and easy romance novel with very intriguing story lines such as the the Bride Wanted advert. I thought this was so unique and written very nicely. Enjoyed the progressive romance and the issues the characters dealt with, which was quite realistic as well.
A quick and easy romance novel with very intriguing story lines such as the the Bride Wanted advert. I thought this was so unique and written very nicely. Enjoyed the progressive romance and the issues the characters dealt with, which was quite realistic as well.
September 19, 2021
Julia has built a wall around her heart. Thanks to Roger. Now, her brother, Jerry has a great plan. Julia is certain to cause Alek heartache. Over time, her wall starts to come down until Roger giver her some misinformation.
October 26, 2017
Loved it
Great and easy read. I always love to read Debbie Macomber books. Loved the descriptions and the romance. Quick read.
Great and easy read. I always love to read Debbie Macomber books. Loved the descriptions and the romance. Quick read.
May 23, 2018
Another goody.
July 12, 2019
Read this one in English.
Read
March 13, 2021Good read
As usual Debbie McComber followed through with another great book. Always enjoy her books. Hate to put the book down once I start reading
As usual Debbie McComber followed through with another great book. Always enjoy her books. Hate to put the book down once I start reading
January 3, 2023
This was another great story by Mrs Macomber.
Read
May 17, 2023I'm
May 15, 2025
Love Debbie Macomber’s books. Always a good read!
March 24, 2024
There are several authors I like to read when I am in the mood for good simple uplifting fiction stories. Debbie McCumber is one of those. This book fits that genre.
November 18, 2012
enak juga baca cerita debbie macomber,pria2 x g melulu orang kaya...just ordinary guy...chase x hanya karyawan d pertambangan minyak di alaska(bukan yg punya pertambangan...hehehe)
d tempat dy tinggal hanya ada 4 orang wanita dari 40 penduduk...
dy cuti selama 3 minggu d seattle untuk memulai usahax mencari istri dengan memasang iklan d billboard...beberapa jam setelah iklan itu terpasang,dy bertemu dengan kelly...
kelly yg sedang galau karna hari itu semestix adalah hari pernikahanx dengan tunanganx tony...mereka putus karna tony berselingkuh dengan guru lain d sekolah tempat mereka mengajar...kelly ingin pindah ke sekolah lain tapi tony meyakinkanx bahwa dy tidak ingin kelly pindah,karna klo kelly pindah dy akan merasa sangat bersalah...hadeeeh sapa juga yg tahan bekerja d tempat yg sama dengan mantan tunangan dan istrix kecuali dy punya saraf baja... ;p
saat bertemu chase,kelly menertawakan billboard ttg mencari istrix...melihat reaksi kelly,chase tidak mengatakan klo dy lah pria yg memasang iklan itu...
singkat kata mereka setuju berkencan n menikmatix...saat2 indah itu terganggu karna tony menghubungi kelly dan memohon untuk bertemu...teman2 kelly sudah menduga ap niat tony sebenarx tp kelly selalu membelax...bahwa tony tidak mungkin merayux untuk berselingkuh tp kelly sendiri tidak berani untuk bertemu dengan tony karna dy takut ap yg dsangka teman2x benar dan dy takut klo dy tidak bisa melawan godaan dan menerima tony lagi...
kelly berharap chase mw meyakinkan dan membujukx untuk lebih menerima chase dari pada kembali kepada tony...tp chase tidak mau,harus kelly sendiri yg memutuskan dan dy juga bukan tipe pria yg mau bertarung untuk mendapatkan wanita....apalagi klo wanita itu jelas2 mencintai pria yg satux...
agak sebal juga dengan kelly yg masih bersikukuh klo dy masih mencintai tony...helllooo hari giniiiiii...
d tempat dy tinggal hanya ada 4 orang wanita dari 40 penduduk...
dy cuti selama 3 minggu d seattle untuk memulai usahax mencari istri dengan memasang iklan d billboard...beberapa jam setelah iklan itu terpasang,dy bertemu dengan kelly...
kelly yg sedang galau karna hari itu semestix adalah hari pernikahanx dengan tunanganx tony...mereka putus karna tony berselingkuh dengan guru lain d sekolah tempat mereka mengajar...kelly ingin pindah ke sekolah lain tapi tony meyakinkanx bahwa dy tidak ingin kelly pindah,karna klo kelly pindah dy akan merasa sangat bersalah...hadeeeh sapa juga yg tahan bekerja d tempat yg sama dengan mantan tunangan dan istrix kecuali dy punya saraf baja... ;p
saat bertemu chase,kelly menertawakan billboard ttg mencari istrix...melihat reaksi kelly,chase tidak mengatakan klo dy lah pria yg memasang iklan itu...
singkat kata mereka setuju berkencan n menikmatix...saat2 indah itu terganggu karna tony menghubungi kelly dan memohon untuk bertemu...teman2 kelly sudah menduga ap niat tony sebenarx tp kelly selalu membelax...bahwa tony tidak mungkin merayux untuk berselingkuh tp kelly sendiri tidak berani untuk bertemu dengan tony karna dy takut ap yg dsangka teman2x benar dan dy takut klo dy tidak bisa melawan godaan dan menerima tony lagi...
kelly berharap chase mw meyakinkan dan membujukx untuk lebih menerima chase dari pada kembali kepada tony...tp chase tidak mau,harus kelly sendiri yg memutuskan dan dy juga bukan tipe pria yg mau bertarung untuk mendapatkan wanita....apalagi klo wanita itu jelas2 mencintai pria yg satux...
agak sebal juga dengan kelly yg masih bersikukuh klo dy masih mencintai tony...helllooo hari giniiiiii...
April 6, 2021
I had a great time with this one!
In my recent mail-order-bride genre obsession, I've found A TON of books dealing with this same marriage of convenience plot. This one had an original, more modern take: the groom-to-be posts his ad on a billboard in Seattle.
What follows is definitely a good time, and I enjoyed Chase and Lesley getting to know each other, but for two things: 1) I didn't care a ton for the almost-love triangle bit when Lesley was still broken up about her previous (ahem . . . worthless) fiancé. 2) I loved the billboard concept, but Lesley never answered that ad, so I kind of ended up feeling like the whole billboard ad thing turned out to be useless?
Still, the connection between the two was sweet, and the journey to Alaska and Chase's foibles along the way were fun to read. A good time if you don't mind light romance.
In my recent mail-order-bride genre obsession, I've found A TON of books dealing with this same marriage of convenience plot. This one had an original, more modern take: the groom-to-be posts his ad on a billboard in Seattle.
What follows is definitely a good time, and I enjoyed Chase and Lesley getting to know each other, but for two things: 1) I didn't care a ton for the almost-love triangle bit when Lesley was still broken up about her previous (ahem . . . worthless) fiancé. 2) I loved the billboard concept, but Lesley never answered that ad, so I kind of ended up feeling like the whole billboard ad thing turned out to be useless?
Still, the connection between the two was sweet, and the journey to Alaska and Chase's foibles along the way were fun to read. A good time if you don't mind light romance.
June 9, 2015
I normally like wedding-related stories, but this one just didn't do it for me. It had some moments, but all in all it was sort of... flat. Maybe it was my mood while reading this that influenced my judgment, but I really didn't feel the usual thrill with this book. It had its moments, yes, and it was definitely easy to read with how it flowed, but there wee some points when things were happening too fast or too cliche. But all in all, it was still a good read.
January 26, 2016
2 3/4 stars. I read this as part of a 2-in-1 Debbie Macomber volume (An Engagement in Seattle), including this and another of her older works that she apparently updated a bit. I guess it worked as to terminology and gadgets like cell phones, as I didn't come across anything jarringly out-of-date, but the stories are older-style romances. Bride Wanted was the weaker of the 2 - it felt a bit more dated somehow, although not a bad read for a Harlequin-style book.
May 4, 2022
Light and fun reading. There's nothing quite like reading romance to transport you away from your everyday life. I enjoy reading all genres from horror, thrillers, documentaries, non-fiction, crime fiction, sci-fi, and romance. Head Over Heels offered a unique approach to meeting the love of your life. It was light, spunky, and easy. I could not second guess the author as to how she was going to solve the conflict.
July 17, 2011
Cute romance that was an especially quick read. I like Debbie Macomber's books and she didn't disappoint. Seattle and Alaska were the backdrops and you could easily picture yourself there with the descriptions. Great for reading at the beach. Recommend it if you're looking for something light to read.
Read
May 7, 2022This started out so compelling - great characters, interesting back stories (at least for a chick lit novel)... and then as soon as the actual romance began it went downhill SO fast. Chase is in love with her in no time flat, and determined to marry her. There's so much mental gushing... I just couldn't.
August 31, 2011
I liked this book. The hunk from Alaska only has 30 days to find a wife before he goes back to work. He travels to Seattle, advertises on a billboard, Bride Wanted. Before anyone bites, he meets a woman who sparks his interest. Quick read--good beach read, escape reading.
Want to read
December 23, 2015**my copy of this book is found in this box set:
September 18, 2021
I enjoy Macomber books, especially her Christmas ones. This one is a good, simple, easy read. Nothing thought provoking about it. A simple romance. Set in Seattle, a woman's fiancé calls off the wedding and marries someone else. She meets someone new.
May 10, 2022
captivating
I enjoyed this look very much and found that I’ve had a hard time putting it down to do anything else. Debbie is a great writer and all of her books are great to read can’t wait to find the rest of them in a series
I enjoyed this look very much and found that I’ve had a hard time putting it down to do anything else. Debbie is a great writer and all of her books are great to read can’t wait to find the rest of them in a series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews