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Husband Material
Wyatt Hansen has no fears about commitment, but only three years have passed since his beloved wife died, and he can't bring himself to break their annual dinner date—that is until he meets restaurant owner, Lara Farr. Lara doesn't have time for romance; she has a business to run. At least that's what she tells herself so she doesn't have to admit that commitment scares her. But Lara's business is failing, and it just may take a miracle—or marketing analyst, Wyatt Hansen—to save it. Can Wyatt rescue Lara’s restaurant, help her overcome her fears, and prove he is good husband material?
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Annette M. Irby
17 books9 followersAward-winning author Annette M. Irby loves reading, and she has enjoyed writing since her teen years. If she's not writing, she's reading for review, or editing. She is a freelance editor at AMI Editing. Her book, Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington, won the Selah Award, and her book Finding Love on Whidbey Island, Washington, finaled in the Cascade Award contest. Married over thirty years, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their family at the beach. Learn more at her website: www.AnnetteMIrby.com.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 1, 2012
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
Husband Material is a delightful read.
Lara Farr inherits her grandparents' restaurant. Business is okay but could be better. However, when Wyatt Hansen stops at his usual table at The Blue Hyacinth on Valentine's Day, Lara finds herself attracted to the lonely widower. On learning that Wyatt's business is turning failing businesses into successful ones, she knows he's the man to help her. But can she agree to his terms when her rule is to not mix business with pleasure?
Lara first spots Wyatt in the supermarket looking sort of stunned at the big Valentine's display. At once she sees his pain and asks if he needs help. Then later, when he reserves her best table at the restaurant, she forces herself to be nice, even though she's puzzled that a grieving man would occupy the choice location when she has a line of patrons waiting for seats. At her break she visits the table and is astonished to feel an attraction to the handsome widower. She learns his line of work involves bringing businesses back from the brink of destruction and she asks if he'd be interested in helping hers.
While it's often difficult to flesh out characters in a short story, author Irby has done a remarkable job of creating two hurting, but likable people who might be ready to take the next step forward. The faith aspect of the story fits well into who each character is; in fact it endears both of them to this reader. Though the plot is light, it comprises all the hopes and fears of a much longer book and made this reviewer wish it had gone on for many more pages.
Ms. Irby captured my attention with a strong story and believable characters. I felt Wyatt's pain and his struggle to move forward with his life. I sympathized with Lara's wariness after a long relationship with a man who couldn't commit. Ms. Irby has created a winner.
Husband Material is a delightful read.
Lara Farr inherits her grandparents' restaurant. Business is okay but could be better. However, when Wyatt Hansen stops at his usual table at The Blue Hyacinth on Valentine's Day, Lara finds herself attracted to the lonely widower. On learning that Wyatt's business is turning failing businesses into successful ones, she knows he's the man to help her. But can she agree to his terms when her rule is to not mix business with pleasure?
Lara first spots Wyatt in the supermarket looking sort of stunned at the big Valentine's display. At once she sees his pain and asks if he needs help. Then later, when he reserves her best table at the restaurant, she forces herself to be nice, even though she's puzzled that a grieving man would occupy the choice location when she has a line of patrons waiting for seats. At her break she visits the table and is astonished to feel an attraction to the handsome widower. She learns his line of work involves bringing businesses back from the brink of destruction and she asks if he'd be interested in helping hers.
While it's often difficult to flesh out characters in a short story, author Irby has done a remarkable job of creating two hurting, but likable people who might be ready to take the next step forward. The faith aspect of the story fits well into who each character is; in fact it endears both of them to this reader. Though the plot is light, it comprises all the hopes and fears of a much longer book and made this reviewer wish it had gone on for many more pages.
Ms. Irby captured my attention with a strong story and believable characters. I felt Wyatt's pain and his struggle to move forward with his life. I sympathized with Lara's wariness after a long relationship with a man who couldn't commit. Ms. Irby has created a winner.
December 5, 2011
It's Valentine's Day and love is all around , but for two people Valentine's Day tends to bring heartache. Husband Material starts in a supermarket where a women named Lara spots a man looking a tad lost by the Valentine's Day display in the local supermarket , she feels compelled to talk to him . The story then flips to Lara's restaurant called The Blue Hyacinth where she notices that one of the prime tables is reserved , which is odd as they don't do reservations and the place is filling up. Later she discovers, it's for a local widower - what she doesn't realise is that it's the same handsome guy from the Supermarket. Soon the pair getting talking and sparks fly , yet both are holding back for personal reasons . Lara has just come out of a five-year relationship and Wyatt has been widowed for two years , will the pair be able to put the past behind them and move forth to the idea of love ? Will Love be on the menu, this Valentine's Day for Lara and Wyatt ?
Find out in Husband Material by Annette M. Irby , at only 37 pages Husband Material is a nice short but sweet contemporary romance. In some parts , Husband Material gave me a Lake House Feel - the movie starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.
Find out in Husband Material by Annette M. Irby , at only 37 pages Husband Material is a nice short but sweet contemporary romance. In some parts , Husband Material gave me a Lake House Feel - the movie starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.
August 19, 2011
The future begins today.
Such a wonderful lens through which to view this poignant, emotional story. Lara Farr is the owner of the Blue Hyacinth Restaurant in Seattle. Wyatt Hansen is a corporate trouble shooter as well as a grieving widower.
Lara is refreshingly engaging and bright – full of a spirit that can’t help but awaken Wyatt’s affections. Plus, she has a mission for him: Keep her restaurant – which is a community institution – viable and fresh.
Husband Material is a story of second chances and letting go. Sooner or later, we all must face the truth that the past has passed – and that releasing it doesn’t mean you forget it, or treasure it any the less – it simply means you’re embracing God’s plans and loving embrace anew.
Lara and Wyatt’s tale is charming, full of warmth and a tender realism that has already prompted me to purchase Ms. Irby’s White Rose Publishing debut, Love Letters. I can’t wait to read it!
Five stars – and bravo, Ms. Irby!
Such a wonderful lens through which to view this poignant, emotional story. Lara Farr is the owner of the Blue Hyacinth Restaurant in Seattle. Wyatt Hansen is a corporate trouble shooter as well as a grieving widower.
Lara is refreshingly engaging and bright – full of a spirit that can’t help but awaken Wyatt’s affections. Plus, she has a mission for him: Keep her restaurant – which is a community institution – viable and fresh.
Husband Material is a story of second chances and letting go. Sooner or later, we all must face the truth that the past has passed – and that releasing it doesn’t mean you forget it, or treasure it any the less – it simply means you’re embracing God’s plans and loving embrace anew.
Lara and Wyatt’s tale is charming, full of warmth and a tender realism that has already prompted me to purchase Ms. Irby’s White Rose Publishing debut, Love Letters. I can’t wait to read it!
Five stars – and bravo, Ms. Irby!
May 1, 2013
Sweet, heartwarming story of two people in need of love and new beginnings. I'd like to see this one turned into a full-length book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews