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Everything But...Series #2
Everything But A Bride
Every Hungarian Grandma knows that words have power. But Nana Salo never meant the words she said in anger to become a family curse, but that's just what happened. She thought she had a chance of undoing it at her granddaughter's wedding, but when things went awry, she pinned her hopes on her grandson, Noah's wedding.
Noah's fiancée called things off at the stag, but when his ex's younger step-sister, and long-time friend Callie, tries to cheer him up, Noah finds the lines between friendship and love blurring.
A shared non-honeymoon, some secret dating, and a crazy Hungarian family might not sound like the normal way to start a relationship, but Callie and Noah learn that love tends to find its own way.
Noah's fiancée called things off at the stag, but when his ex's younger step-sister, and long-time friend Callie, tries to cheer him up, Noah finds the lines between friendship and love blurring.
A shared non-honeymoon, some secret dating, and a crazy Hungarian family might not sound like the normal way to start a relationship, but Callie and Noah learn that love tends to find its own way.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2008
156 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Holly Jacobs
177 books281 followersHolly Jacobs leads a life full of romance and adventure. From skydiving to jet-setting around Europe, from snorkeling in coral reefs to writing while wearing beautiful silk peignoir sets and popping chocolate bonbons, Holly Jacobs leads a life that is the epitome of romance...
Well, my fictional life sounds more interesting, but not better than my real life. Really, I'm the happily married mother of four. I cook a lot, garden and weave baskets! I write for Montlake Romance and Harlequin. My books range from lighthearted comedies to more serious dramas...but at heart, they're all stories of love.
You can visit me at
http://www.HollyJacobs.com.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/HollyJacobsA...
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/HollyJacobs1
PINTEREST: http://www.pinterest.com/hollyjacobs1/
I don't always set out to write a series of books, but seem to find myself gravitating to them. Because so many people have asked, I've posted lists of all my series in order at www.hollyjacobs.com/bookseries.html. I really try to make each story stand alone, but many of my readers enjoy reading the series in order. Hope this helps!
Thank you to everyone who's picked up a single book, or more of them. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by so much support!
Holly
Well, my fictional life sounds more interesting, but not better than my real life. Really, I'm the happily married mother of four. I cook a lot, garden and weave baskets! I write for Montlake Romance and Harlequin. My books range from lighthearted comedies to more serious dramas...but at heart, they're all stories of love.
You can visit me at
http://www.HollyJacobs.com.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/HollyJacobsA...
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/HollyJacobs1
PINTEREST: http://www.pinterest.com/hollyjacobs1/
I don't always set out to write a series of books, but seem to find myself gravitating to them. Because so many people have asked, I've posted lists of all my series in order at www.hollyjacobs.com/bookseries.html. I really try to make each story stand alone, but many of my readers enjoy reading the series in order. Hope this helps!
Thank you to everyone who's picked up a single book, or more of them. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by so much support!
Holly
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 14, 2017
Another fun fluffy read in this series...
This time around it is Noah Who gets left before his wedding... to escape the scrutiny of the press and his family, he heads off to his honeymoon destination with his ex fiancé's little stepsister Callie... Noah and Callie have been friends forever, and while away on this trip they come to realize they mean even more than that to each other...Callie is hesitant, she doesn't want to ruin things between them, and so Noah starts "dating"her without her knowledge... super cute, I really liked the interaction between these two and I loved all the little cameo appearances from the characters in the previous book... definitely a series I will continue when I am just in the mood to read something simple and fun....
This time around it is Noah Who gets left before his wedding... to escape the scrutiny of the press and his family, he heads off to his honeymoon destination with his ex fiancé's little stepsister Callie... Noah and Callie have been friends forever, and while away on this trip they come to realize they mean even more than that to each other...Callie is hesitant, she doesn't want to ruin things between them, and so Noah starts "dating"her without her knowledge... super cute, I really liked the interaction between these two and I loved all the little cameo appearances from the characters in the previous book... definitely a series I will continue when I am just in the mood to read something simple and fun....
June 26, 2017
My Musings
This one was a bit disappointing. I struggled with the heroine. I did like the hero. His persistence in winning her love was awesome. If course, I'm not sure why he wanted her. Nevertheless, it has a great ending. Happy ☺reading 📚!
This one was a bit disappointing. I struggled with the heroine. I did like the hero. His persistence in winning her love was awesome. If course, I'm not sure why he wanted her. Nevertheless, it has a great ending. Happy ☺reading 📚!
October 17, 2012
Another fun entry in this series. This time it's Noah's wedding that falls apart. We met Julianna in Everything But a Groom. It was obvious that she didn't really fit in with the rest of the family, staying apart and not joining in with the fun. Finally, at the stag party, she admits that it isn't working and tells Noah that the wedding is off. He is stunned, as he hadn't realized that anything was wrong. Nana feels that her curse has struck again. Once again the reporters are circling and Noah feels like he is being smothered by his family. So he decides to use the honeymoon package to get away from it all. His ex-fiancee's stepsister has just broken up with her boyfriend, and since he and Callie have always been friends he invites her to go along. Things start to change, and that's when life gets interesting. I really liked both Noah and Callie. I love a friends to lovers story and this one was great. Noah was hiding out from his family because they seemed to feel that he was much worse off than he really felt. He asked Callie to go along on his getaway to help her cheer up just as she was trying to help him. They had always been friends, with Callie going along on many of the activities that Noah and Julianna did. While on the trip, Noah started looking at Callie differently and seeing that she was her own woman. He also noticed that he and Callie had a lot more in common that he and Julianna ever had, and soon realized that he and Julianna had loved but not been in love. By the time they got back home, Noah had figured out that Callie meant a lot more to him that he had thought possible, but also that the thought of them as a couple had her really spooked. He first tried getting friends and family to vouch for him, but she didn't want to risk their friendship. So he decided on a course of "stealth dating". He shared meals with her, did movies and visits with her, helped her with her projects, using that time to get to know her even better. Then he informed her that they'd been dating all along. Callie liked Noah a lot and considered him to be her best friend. When she suddenly started seeing him as a man it made her really nervous. All her experiences showed her that love didn't last, but friendship did. When Noah kissed her a few times the attraction was fantastic but she was afraid to pursue it. She insisted that there was no way she would date him. When he went back to treating her like a friend, she was mostly relieved, though there was a small part of her that wished he had pursued it. The scene at the end, when she finally admitted that she loved him was so much fun. I loved seeing the family there to support him, even though he kept trying to tell them he was fine. This has been a really fun series and a great showcase for Holly Jacobs' talents with characters and situations that are just plain fun.
August 10, 2016
A great read
A great short read about finding your one true love and realizing that she was right in front of you the whole time.
A great short read about finding your one true love and realizing that she was right in front of you the whole time.
December 11, 2019
Callie became very annoying, with her insistence on no romance even when she knows she's attracted to Noah. And in the end even Noah became too pushy for my liking. The beginning part where they realized their attraction for each other was good. That's why three stars not two.
I could never understand why opening a car door or the door, or pulling out a chair for someone is such an offence. I think getting upset over it is not a sign of independence but a sign of insecurity.
I could never understand why opening a car door or the door, or pulling out a chair for someone is such an offence. I think getting upset over it is not a sign of independence but a sign of insecurity.
July 6, 2017
Enjoyable
This a really fun series so far. The story of Noah and Callie has a slightly different twist, but is another enjoyable read from this writer. This book has good writing, characters you can care about and a HEA.
This a really fun series so far. The story of Noah and Callie has a slightly different twist, but is another enjoyable read from this writer. This book has good writing, characters you can care about and a HEA.
July 6, 2017
Book 2 in the series and it was a must read after book 1. I love stories that have best friends becoming lovers. It reminds me of my story. I do recommend everyone to read this that fell in love with their best friend. I am starting on book 3.
August 19, 2017
Love Unexpectedly
How sometimes in the worst time in our lives we find out the love of our lives was standing next to us from the begin fall in love with the characters and story from the beginning.
How sometimes in the worst time in our lives we find out the love of our lives was standing next to us from the begin fall in love with the characters and story from the beginning.
July 29, 2017
Everything But a Bride is the second cute book in this series written by author Holly Jacobs.
September 18, 2017
Enjoyed
I enjoyed reading book number two to the start of this series. The love between Callie and Noah is long overdue. Enjoyed there love story.
I enjoyed reading book number two to the start of this series. The love between Callie and Noah is long overdue. Enjoyed there love story.
January 1, 2018
Really good read!
This story was just so very much fun to read! It was pretty predictable and also very tough to put down!!
This story was just so very much fun to read! It was pretty predictable and also very tough to put down!!
March 14, 2019
A good series thus far.
August 2, 2019
Another fun read
Ms. Jacobs’ writing gets tighter and tighter as she takes us through the Salo Wedding Curse saga. You’ll enjoy the way Callie and Noah get to their HEA.
Ms. Jacobs’ writing gets tighter and tighter as she takes us through the Salo Wedding Curse saga. You’ll enjoy the way Callie and Noah get to their HEA.
March 2, 2017
Given the subject matter (a broken engagement) this book is a lot more light-hearted than I thought it would be. It’s a super-fast and kind of fluffy read. Perfect for a day at the beach or a snow day in front of the fire.
The story of Noah and Callie did not go the way I expected. I was really glad that it wasn’t a case of Callie having a crush on Noah her whole life with him not even noticing her until he was single. Instead it was a mutual discovery of feelings. A mutual realization of how well they mesh and all of a sudden seeing each other as something as more than friends.
Noah is definitely a man of action. Once he makes a decision there is no stopping him! Another surprise in this story is that he was the worker-bee in the relationship. Callie and Noah may have had their realizations at the same time, but Noah is the one that accepted that realization first. I like that he guides Callie more than putting pressure on her.
Callie is a girl after my own heart. She hates messing with her hair, doesn’t wear make-up, is not a fan of shopping…yet she worries these things about her personality are the things holding men back from committing to her. Like she’s somehow less of a woman because she isn’t interested in the traditional girly things.
There were some pop culture references that weren’t very current. I had to look at the publication date while reading because it confused me. There were references to some of my favorite shows from the 80’s…Moonlighting, Mork & Mindy, Cheers. I don’t think a lot of readers who are younger than 40 will get these references so it seemed like an odd choice for a book that was published in 2008. But that’s really neither here nor there.
As with the first story in this series, I was missing that warm-fuzzy feeling. And just like in the previous book, I like the characters and I believe they belong together. I really enjoyed the story. There’s just a spark that’s missing. I think in this case it was a bit too much telling and not enough showing.
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.c...
The story of Noah and Callie did not go the way I expected. I was really glad that it wasn’t a case of Callie having a crush on Noah her whole life with him not even noticing her until he was single. Instead it was a mutual discovery of feelings. A mutual realization of how well they mesh and all of a sudden seeing each other as something as more than friends.
Noah is definitely a man of action. Once he makes a decision there is no stopping him! Another surprise in this story is that he was the worker-bee in the relationship. Callie and Noah may have had their realizations at the same time, but Noah is the one that accepted that realization first. I like that he guides Callie more than putting pressure on her.
Callie is a girl after my own heart. She hates messing with her hair, doesn’t wear make-up, is not a fan of shopping…yet she worries these things about her personality are the things holding men back from committing to her. Like she’s somehow less of a woman because she isn’t interested in the traditional girly things.
There were some pop culture references that weren’t very current. I had to look at the publication date while reading because it confused me. There were references to some of my favorite shows from the 80’s…Moonlighting, Mork & Mindy, Cheers. I don’t think a lot of readers who are younger than 40 will get these references so it seemed like an odd choice for a book that was published in 2008. But that’s really neither here nor there.
As with the first story in this series, I was missing that warm-fuzzy feeling. And just like in the previous book, I like the characters and I believe they belong together. I really enjoyed the story. There’s just a spark that’s missing. I think in this case it was a bit too much telling and not enough showing.
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.c...
March 3, 2017
The characters of the story were strong, but there was no obstacles to resolve outside of straightening out their own thinking. With the right problem to overcome the story seemed to lack tension.
November 5, 2016
Several years ago, I was given the complete collection of the Everything But A... series by Holly Jacobs. I'm not much of a romance reader, but given that I have met the author a few times, that I'm from Erie, PA where the books are set, and they're nice, short books so they make for a quick read on those occasions when I am in the mood for something other than my usual fair, I want to keep giving them a go. I remembered really liking the first book in the series, so when I was struck by the unusual desire to read a romance, I went for this, the second book.
I have to say... to a fan. For most of the book, I enjoyed it overall. I like that the books follow a specific family. I like that you can read them in order for a continuous story, but if you picked up this second book without ever reading the first, you could still enjoy it without missing out on anything (though you would spoil the first book for yourself if you tried to read them out of order.) I like the overall simplicity of it - a light-hearted romance without too much angst or drama, just something purely enjoyable.
Unfortunately, that sort of got ruined for me near the end as the romance seems to turn into more of an abusive relationship instead.
I have to say... to a fan. For most of the book, I enjoyed it overall. I like that the books follow a specific family. I like that you can read them in order for a continuous story, but if you picked up this second book without ever reading the first, you could still enjoy it without missing out on anything (though you would spoil the first book for yourself if you tried to read them out of order.) I like the overall simplicity of it - a light-hearted romance without too much angst or drama, just something purely enjoyable.
Unfortunately, that sort of got ruined for me near the end as the romance seems to turn into more of an abusive relationship instead.
October 21, 2013
Everything But A Bride is the second in a series about what happens when a Hungarian grandmother unintentionally curses her own family to never have big, fancy weddings. This installment is about Noah who's childhood sweetheart dumps him on the night of their co-ed stag party. Noah ultimately learns just because you love someone, doesn't mean you were meant to be more than friends; and just because you've always been friends, doesn't mean you can't have a grand passion.
I enjoyed Noah and Callie's story because it takes all formerly accepted views in the couple's lives and flips them until the landscape is unrecognizable. What I didn't enjoy about the novel was that it made a lot of references to characters in televisions shows. If you're not familiar with Moonlighting, Cheers, Mork and Mindy, or Frasier you find it difficult to follow. Also, I find that the whole "date Callie without actually telling her" part of the book a bit much. It's condescending and insulting to the woman he supposedly loves.
Everything But A Bride is a sweet little romance that would appeal to most romance fans. It doesn't have any sex scenes or anything inappropriate for a PG13 crowd, so parents could feel comfortable letting teenage daughters read it, while still enjoying the story themselves.
I enjoyed Noah and Callie's story because it takes all formerly accepted views in the couple's lives and flips them until the landscape is unrecognizable. What I didn't enjoy about the novel was that it made a lot of references to characters in televisions shows. If you're not familiar with Moonlighting, Cheers, Mork and Mindy, or Frasier you find it difficult to follow. Also, I find that the whole "date Callie without actually telling her" part of the book a bit much. It's condescending and insulting to the woman he supposedly loves.
Everything But A Bride is a sweet little romance that would appeal to most romance fans. It doesn't have any sex scenes or anything inappropriate for a PG13 crowd, so parents could feel comfortable letting teenage daughters read it, while still enjoying the story themselves.
December 1, 2014
I absolutely loved this story. Everything But the Bride continues the Salo wedding curse created by Nana Vancy Salo when she was left at the alter by Bela Salo. She cursed his family to never have a happy wedding. Then she married him anyway and the curse continues.
When Julianna tells Noah at their stag party that she can't marry him, he's devastated. At first. By the time he goes on the honeymoon without her though, he's come to realize that she was right in breaking it off. The night before the honeymoon, Julianna's sister, Callie, the tag-along, shows up on his doorstep to see how he's doing and he finds himself inviting her to go on the honeymoon with him. She's just broken up with her boyfriend and when Noah tells her he will switch the honeymoon suite for a two room cabin, Callie decides to go along with him.
They have a great time together since they have always been friends and in reality, Callie and Noah have more in common than Noah and Julianna ever did.
This story made me laugh. Noah is a real character and he's so persistent. The unknown dates, the untraditional chocolate, the secret flowers. He's a real romantic. And through it all, Callie has no clue what is about to hit her.
When Julianna tells Noah at their stag party that she can't marry him, he's devastated. At first. By the time he goes on the honeymoon without her though, he's come to realize that she was right in breaking it off. The night before the honeymoon, Julianna's sister, Callie, the tag-along, shows up on his doorstep to see how he's doing and he finds himself inviting her to go on the honeymoon with him. She's just broken up with her boyfriend and when Noah tells her he will switch the honeymoon suite for a two room cabin, Callie decides to go along with him.
They have a great time together since they have always been friends and in reality, Callie and Noah have more in common than Noah and Julianna ever did.
This story made me laugh. Noah is a real character and he's so persistent. The unknown dates, the untraditional chocolate, the secret flowers. He's a real romantic. And through it all, Callie has no clue what is about to hit her.
August 20, 2012
Every Hungarian grandma knows that words have power. But Nana Salo never meant the words she said in anger to become a family curse, but that’s just what happened. She thought she had a good chance of undoing it at her granddaughter’s wedding, but when things went awry, she pinned her hopes on her grandson Noah’s wedding.
Noah’s fiancée called things off at the stag, and when his ex’s younger step-sister and long time friend, Callie, tries to cheer him up, Noah finds the lines between friendship and love blurring.
A shared non-honeymoon, some secret dating, and a crazy Hungarian family might not sound like the normal way to start a relationship, but Callie and Noah learn that love tends to find its own way
Noah’s fiancée called things off at the stag, and when his ex’s younger step-sister and long time friend, Callie, tries to cheer him up, Noah finds the lines between friendship and love blurring.
A shared non-honeymoon, some secret dating, and a crazy Hungarian family might not sound like the normal way to start a relationship, but Callie and Noah learn that love tends to find its own way
March 13, 2013
Part of the "Everything But A..." Series by Holly Jacobs. Book 2.
Noah and Callie are friends. Noah is convinced earlier than Callie of the rightness of them getting together after he is jilted at his Stag Party prior to his wedding to Callie's stepsister Julianna. There is a nice give and take of the friendship that develops to the "Grand Passion" but is really more of a friendship. So nice to read something that is tender, sweet, and hints at the romance in a fun way as they discover their affection and romance.
Short, quick read. There is a good, brief introduction to the book, so could be a stand alone read.
Noah and Callie are friends. Noah is convinced earlier than Callie of the rightness of them getting together after he is jilted at his Stag Party prior to his wedding to Callie's stepsister Julianna. There is a nice give and take of the friendship that develops to the "Grand Passion" but is really more of a friendship. So nice to read something that is tender, sweet, and hints at the romance in a fun way as they discover their affection and romance.
Short, quick read. There is a good, brief introduction to the book, so could be a stand alone read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2015
The masterful way Holly Jacobs introduces a family under the curse of a grandmother who was left at the altar, who also cooks comfort food for the jilted, is a pleasure to read. This is a family you want to know, or maybe your know already. In this book, part of the "Everything but..." Series, the groom, Noah, is informed by bride-to-be that she "can't do this." What happens then is amazing, amusing, and a perfect love story. Highly recommended.
April 28, 2015
Cute and entertaining
Everything but a Bride is a well told story with believable characters. Maybe a little too much protesting by the female lead...but cute and well written. I needed an easy story to keep my interest over a couple of days and this kept me smiling - thanks, Holly.
Everything but a Bride is a well told story with believable characters. Maybe a little too much protesting by the female lead...but cute and well written. I needed an easy story to keep my interest over a couple of days and this kept me smiling - thanks, Holly.
August 24, 2008
I loved this book, everyone ought to have a Nana Salo! The characters are engaging and the continuing plot keeps me reading. Looking forward to the next in the series. Thanks Holly for the great read!
May 20, 2015
Fun read!
This book had all the fun of the first book in the series. Noah was charming, and Callie was just the protagonist for his character. I will look forward to seeing who finally breaks the Wedding Curse.
This book had all the fun of the first book in the series. Noah was charming, and Callie was just the protagonist for his character. I will look forward to seeing who finally breaks the Wedding Curse.
June 30, 2009
I am so ready for the next one. Really cute stories.
February 18, 2013
Cute, fluffy read! Rating 3.5
April 18, 2013
Simple cute love story like the first...
August 5, 2015
Fun book!
The story continues! Who will be next? Easy to read, new story line, predictable ending. Will try the next one.
The story continues! Who will be next? Easy to read, new story line, predictable ending. Will try the next one.
May 20, 2016
This was a cute book to read. It was fun, clean, and quick to read.
December 11, 2015
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews