Hasty Wedding

That Special Woman! #2

by Debbie Macomber

There's more than one way to capture a man's heart...

On the day of her best friend's Las Vegas wedding, Clare Gilroy fears that her own walk down the aisle will never happen...until she finds herself falling for best man--and town outcast--Reed Tonasket.

After a dizzying night in the glitter of Vegas, Clare wakes to find a ring on her finger and a husband by her side. It should be everything she's ever wanted, but can a man like Reed ever fit into the life she left back home?

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Ebooks, Harlequin, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1993

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

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded this audiobook from NetGalley last night and spent the evening smiling with Clare and Reed.

They run into each other during a friends wedding in Las Vegas, and get caught up in all the love and lust in the air. They awake in bed, and wearing matching rings!

But, once back to the real grind of life, Reed finds himself pulling back. Of Native American heritage, he feels he has no place in Clare's world.

I was suprised to see this was first published in the 90s, and yet we have so many of the same issues with racism and stereotyping today. This book is cute, heartwarming, but still has many applicable features to the world we live in now.

Thank you to NetGalley Harlequin Audio for the audiobook edition of The Hasty Wedding.

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reed Tonasket and Clare Gilroy go to Vegas for their friends' wedding. They end up doing the deed themselves too. But regrets soon follow. Reed is Native American and doesn't want to even try to fit into the white man's world, even though he is half white himself. So when he makes the mistake of marrying a white woman he regrets it.

It was a nice little romance but I felt Reed was too obsessed with his being "Native American and can't have the white woman" mentality. But Debbie Macomber is a good writer and even though this one felt a little dated, it was a good read.

[Maria Pierron · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the worst Debbie book I've ever read. Toxic relationship. Reed thinking, "words are not the Indian way." You know what, words would have prevented everything that happened in this horror. Clare saying, the divorce is up to him. No it's not! You need to open your mouth and tell him he's an idiot and you don't want a divorce!
It was frustrating to read.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this romantic story!
I really liked the intriguing storyline and interesting characters.

[Amanda Mercedes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was kind of surprised to realize this book was written in the 90s since a lot of it seemed prevalent still. Unfortunately, racism is still very rampant, and an interracial marriage such as this one probably would still be frowned upon in certain areas.
The FMC is a white woman and the MMC a Native American, and they get married on a whim on a night in Vegas, a few hours after their friends do. He has loved her for a while, but she’s only just realizing that she wasn’t loved the way she should be in her current relationship, and that Reed gives her what she needs.
Only, after the wedding, he starts distancing himself from her and acting really standoffish. This annoyed me, because he was making a decision for her. He wasn’t acting standoffish because he felt nothing for her, but rather because he loved her so much and didn’t want to see her go through the racial hatred his parents did when they were in a similar predicament. Meanwhile, Clare doesn’t care because she does love him and doesn’t care what people think. He seemed he would only change his mind if a baby was involved.
This was kind of old school thinking to me, but then again this book is older than me. He did love her though, and I loved that Clare powered through, rather than giving up and stuck around until he realized that she was never going to agree to a divorce when neither of them really wanted that.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the audiobook!

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Romance, and this is the second book in the That Special Woman! series. I have read the first book in this series before picking up this book. I read this book by listening to the audiobook for this book, and I did like the narrator. This is not my favorite book that Debbie has written. The characters in this book drove me crazy because they would not share their true feelings with each other. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Bookish_Aly_Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and enjoyable romance. I listened to this one on audio and I think that’s why I liked it as much as I did. The storyline felt repetitive at times, but otherwise I really enjoyed it. I liked the way discrimination in the book was handled and I enjoyed seeing how two characters from different backgrounds came together. Overall I had a good time with this one.

[January · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hasty Wedding by Debbie Macomber (1993)
That Special Woman!
221-page Kindle Ebook story pages 8-217

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Featuring: Blurb, Author's Bibliography, Washington Map, Librarian, Biracial MC, American Indian/Native American, Tribe, Reservation, Fictional Small-Town Washington 50 miles west of Port Angeles, Washington; High School Crush, Tricenarians, Tired of Waiting Trope, Vegas Wedding, Las Vegas, Nevada; Casinos, Gambling, Vegas Marriage Trope, Racism, Sex - Low Details, Different Worlds Trope, Insecurities, Narrow-minded People

Rating as a movie: PG-15

Books and Authors mentioned: Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark

Memorable Quotes: That she was involved with Jack Kingston didn’t set well with Reed. He’d waited, dreading the time he learned of their marriage. The white man wasn’t right for her, but Reed could do nothing. He wasn’t right for her, either. And so, like a green seventeen-year-old boy, he dreamed of making love with the one woman he knew he could never have.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️📚🎲💒

My thoughts: This story is dated and adding "cell" in front of phone number isn't going to change that. A lot of this book deals with a secret interracial marriage, but most of it is the typical in-love couple jumping to conclusions and insecurities to create drama and doubt in a new marriage. I love a good quickie marriage but I don't like unnecessary conflict, it is like the reverse of the third act, if you dislike a few chapters of the couple breaking up you're not going to be into the break up being the plot.

Recommend to others: I'm not mad I read this but it didn't age well, and that's not just the theme but the dialogue and characters' values.

That Special Woman!
Hasty Wedding (1993)
Meant to Be Us (1994)
aka Baby Blessed
Same Time, Next Year (1995)
Just Married (1995)

That Special Woman!
Hasty Wedding (1993)
A Winter's Rose (1993)
A Husband to Remember (1993)
On Her Own (1993)
Grand Prize Winner! (1993)
Point of Departure (1993)
One Last Fling! (1994)
Sally Jane Got Married (1994)
Mystery Wife (1994)
Just Hold on Tight! (1994)
Daughter of the Bride (1994)
Meant to Be Us (1994)
The Parson's Waiting (1994)
Babies on Board (1994)
Mail Order Cowboy (1994)
For the Baby's Sake (1994)
Husband, Some Assembly Required (1994)
The Sultan's Wives (1995)
Where Dreams Have Been... (1995)
Riley's Sleeping Beauty (1995)
Same Time, Next Year (1995)
The Bride Price (1995)
Just Married (1995)
Sisters (1996)
A Lawman for Kelly (1996)
White Wolf (1997)
Tenderly (1997)
Cowboy's Love (1998)
Urban Cowboy (1998)
Every Cowgirl's Dream (1998)
The Music Box (2011)
Summer Brides (2014)

[Sarah Beth G. (a.neverending.tbr) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a new recording of an older book and well, it just didn’t age well. While prejudice was and unfortunately still can be an issue, I think that most of society wouldn’t have any issues with this relationship and so that being the whole conflict point just doesn’t work in 2025. At this point, this is almost historical fiction. On top of that, the romance was too instant for me. I know that is the point but love is thrown around quite a bit in a very short timeframe. This did not work for me.

I did enjoy the narration and thought she did a great job of narrating male and female voices.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook copy. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Content Notes: Fade to black/closed door romance

[Loraine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been a longtime reader of Debbie Macomber books, but this one contained content that I didn't appreciate. The focus on marriage between two races was very well done as this has always been an issue for some people. I thoroughly enjoyed the developing relationship between the male and female main characters. But the book was spoiled for me by the inclusion of detailed sexual activity which appeared several times.

If you like clean reads, I would not recommend this Macomber book.

[Linda Van Wert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clare Gilroy was sunshine and rainbows - and strictly no dice to darkly taciturn Reed Tonasket, whose Native American blood made him a misfit in her lily-white world. Damning his forbidden passion, safeguarding theharsh solitude of his soul, Reed vowed to steer clear of the tempting Anglo. Until a Las Vegas evening - and a dizzying spin of fortune - cast him into Clare's arms...

[Jennifer Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hasty Wedding is a very interesting novel by Debbie Macomber. This book addresses some currently touchy topics such as female independence, respect for native Americans, and gaslighting. This novel is set in the Pacific Northwest near the Strait of Juan de Fuca in a small town near a large native reservation. Clare Gilfoy, town librarian, has been dating landscape business owner Jack Kingston for three years but he just keeps stringing her along. Clare is tired of his disappointing her repeatedly and then gaslighting her when she raises objections. She is done, but Jack doesn’t believe Clare when she tells him as much.

The next day, Clare is set to fly to Las Vegas along with her best friend Erin, her fiancé Gary, and his best man Reed Tonasket. Reed, whose mother was Anglo and his father a member of the local tribe, was raised by his paternal grandfather after his father was killed in the line of duty and his mother passed soon after. He was brought up primarily on the reservation. His grandfather had tried to introduce Reed”s mother’s culture by bringing him to the local school but this didn’t go well and, as a result, Reed has a very negative reputation. However, Gary, the high school football coach, became good friends with him when Reed intervened to guide some Native American football players.

Reed has also had a longstanding attraction to Clare And makes weekly visits to the library just so he can see her. Then, after having danced with Clare at the rehearsal dinner, the chemistry between them was unmistakable. Then, after the Vegas wedding of their friends, they find themselves following suit just a few hours later.

And that’s just the beginning of the story! This is a lovely story bringing together two people from different cultures and how their loved ones and community react. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it.

[Neils Barringer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is truly one of the worst written books I have ever encountered. I honestly am trying to rack my brain for something nice to say, but I just can't.
The pacing jumps from 0 to 60 mph almost in 7.8 seconds — much like a Chevy Volt (which I chose intentionally because, well, that car is kind of a joke... much like this book).
Clare is stuck in a 1 sided relationship with Jack Kingston, after her best friend Erin get's married she decides she has fallen in love with the best man, Reed (a native american. Just in case you forget, he is native american, let me say it again, he is native american...did I tell..--I will stop you there, because if you do chose to read this book--I pity you-it is brought up on every single page. It is so distracting, I believe it takes away from the characters and their development.

She and Reed literally fall in love (yes they use those words) in 24 hours, get married and her first thought the next morning is "I'm pregnant".Um, like what? From there this pattern continues, they are secretly married, yet he keeps pushing her away because (get ready for it, he is convinced she won't understand his culture, and everyone in hers will reject him) They kiss make up. She takes a pregnancy test...repeat. I am not even joking. This book was SO cringe. Honestly seeing a 50 year old man wearing Jorts, socks with his Teva sandals is less cringey than this book....

Thank you net galley for allowing me to review this advanced copy of Hasty Wedding. I was not influenced or paid, for my honest thoughts.

[Alejandra Martin ~ Lexi Likes to Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first picked up Hasty Wedding, I had no idea it was originally written in the early 90s—and honestly, that explained a lot once I finished it. While reading, a few things left me confused, like a mention about someone not having a phone. I kept thinking, "Okay, no landline, but where’s their cell?" It didn’t click right away that this was set in a time when cell phones weren’t common yet. Another part that felt noticeably dated was the way the story portrayed Native American characters and intercultural relationships. It wasn’t surprising given the era, but it definitely gave the book an older feel than I initially expected. Once I realized when it was written, those details made more sense within the story’s context.

Overall, I thought the story itself was pretty cute, but I really struggled with the main male character’s behavior. He loved the heroine—like, truly loved her—from the start, and that’s clear throughout the whole book. But despite that, he spent nearly the entire story trying to undo the marriage he had agreed to in the beginning. It was confusing because if he had such strong feelings about the hardships of intercultural relationships (based on his own upbringing), why say yes to the wedding at all? I get that the story needed a reason to exist, but I wish we had seen more hesitation or internal struggle before he married her, not after. That said, I really liked how the book started and thought the ending tied everything up in a sweet, satisfying way... it was just the messy middle that made me stumble a bit.

[Daisy.readsromance · Rating 4 out of 5]

💍𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧
💍𝐕𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠

✨𝒯𝒽ℴ𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈✨
𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 was 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟑, this novel may be considered a little dated, but it remains a great story. Claire, the local librarian, crosses paths with Reed, an outcast in the town due to his background. They end up being the best man and maid of honor at their friend's wedding in Vegas. One night of getting to know each other leads to waking up married the next.

𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 forward to 2025, the themes in this novel are still relevant today. Judgment and gossip run rampant in the town, especially towards Reed, who is unfairly labeled as dangerous because of his roots. He is actually a good, honest man who works for his community and is proud to be half Native American. He cares for Claire and doesn't want her to be targeted by the townspeople, so he tries to stay away. However, it's clear he's head over heels for her and she is beginning to realize he could be the man of her dreams.

🎧𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 to the audiobook version was a delight, with 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐄𝐛𝐲’𝐬 narration bringing each character to life flawlessly. If you enjoy 90s small-town romance, this is a must-listen.

Thank you to 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 for this ALC. All thoughts and opinions shared here are entirely my own.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟒⭐️
𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with how to rate this book. On the good side, it was an easy read. Most of the characters are pleasant and believable.

On the bad side, there were several points. I am sooo tired of the men in romances deciding that the best thing they can “altruistically” do for their relationship is to break up or run away. A good relationship requires honest communication! There is also too much harping on Reed’s mixed race heritage. And, frankly, their lust overcoming their reluctance in such a short time is frankly unbelievable.

Them having unprotected sex, then expecting an accurate pregnancy test result a week later is totally stupid. A well educated woman would know about birth control. Didn’t Clair read the box the test came in??

Now that Ive written this review I’m dropping my rating to three stars.

[Rosie Trzewik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was caught up immediately with Clare and Reed’s story. Reed always had a crush on Clara, the quiet librarian. He never made any moves figuring that they both come from different worlds. He part Native American, but definitely living mostly in that world. A famous artist with his carved totem poles, a beautiful work of art. When his best friend marries her best friend and Clare and Reed are the witnesses to the wedding in Las Vegas….. well as the saying goes. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas or does it?
I enjoyed listening to Clare and Reed dealing with blockades in their relationship. And finding their HEA. Thank you #NetGalley and #Mira for this ARC, all opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Las Vegas Accidental Wedding

Originally published in 1993, I listened to the audio version of this book, and the narrator was very good for the most part.

Elements I enjoyed:
• Chapter 3 - that first awareness of their attraction during a slow dance at the wedding engagement dinner. Steamy.

Elements that didn’t work for me:
• Outdated cultural attitudes as well as lack of technology. This novel could use updating.
• The narration got confusing when Reed and Jack had conversations; it was difficult to distinguish between their voices.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Melrose's · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this a clean 3.5, it started so good but the push and pull between Reed and Clare made me want to pull them both out of the pages and beat some sense to them. Honestly, after getting married and making love as they sweetly said to each other they're getting divorced this happened 3 times or 4 times? They make sweet passionate love and proceed to make reasons not to be together well Reed does, I know men has flair for the theatrics but this man takes the cake. He was a man of yearninggg that earns .5 star for me

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debbie Macomber is an author who can touch a lot of souls in her books. Hasty Wedding gave readers a look at the path of happily ever after and smile and cheer along with seeing the couple with hurdles to get over.
Clare and Reed knew what they wanted, and they also knew there would be people who did not agree with their choices.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it very much.
Thank you NetGalley, Debbie Macomber and Harlequin Audio for the audiobook Hasty Wedding. This is my personal review.

[Lis Sigona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing storyline. I was caught up in the dynamic of the strife and angst of the perplexing conflicts of each person’s interaction about the diversity of the nationalities of the characters. How the community would react to them as a couple, the parents, friends, etc. it seemed as if we haven’t changed much over time, maybe the description says little less harsh, but still just as prejudiced in society overall. Excellent book for today even though written years ago.

[Rhonda Stauber-Monarque · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Debbie Macomber and Harper audio for the audio book.

This was a quick and easy book to listen to, the narrator did an amazing job. As I have found with a few of Debbie's earlier works, the content is a bit questionable and didn't stand up with time. Unfortunately, racism is still very rampant, and an interracial marriage such as this one probably would still be looked down upon by certain people.

[Brittany Mcconnell]

Thank you netgalley for this Audio-arc in exchange for my honest thoughts.

DNF at 52%

I know this was 1st published in 1993 but I felt like I started in a story in process not the beginning. And I get the culture divide for the time and current times but I didn't like how it was written and they only got married so they could have sex? and they both liked each other but he wouldn't give them a chance.

[J-l · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this Debbie Macomber book as my first ever audio book because normally I find her writing enjoyable. While I finished the book, I didn't enjoy it. It has not stood the test of time and I'm surprised it's been chosen to record as an audio book now.
The main characters weren't believable nor likeable.

Thank you #NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read.. It was very entertaining for me. I thought the plot was meant to be taken lightly but also somewhat serious. It sent me when Claire was sick and her parents called the sherif and claimed she had been abducted by Reed.. what a dramatic conclusion to jump to by them.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

[David Buckingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super Book!

I love Debbie Macomber's books and this one was great! I kind of knew how it would turn out but I loved reading the journey of how it got to that end. It's not boring in the least - it has quite a few surprising twists that kept it captivating. I will definitely be looking for more of Debbie's books to read.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

An enjoyable and insightful romance involving ethnicity prejudices/ discrimination and how people cope with it. I really enjoyed and appreciated how the author shined a light onto this important issue, I thought it was very well done.

[Beverly Zimmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read, enjoyable. Had a lot of potential; an interesting storyline. However, not the best of her books. Many serious problems in the book that individuals may face and so that was interesting. Would not recommend this book.

[Allie McGary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book

A very different love story. The surprises just kept coming. Reed and Claire were from two different worlds. The trials and heart aches they went through might have been enough to separate less strong willed couples.

[Mimilikestoreadandwrite · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing to write home about. I skimmed through the book because I wanted to know how it would All tie up in the end. All characters seem two-dimensional, weirdly enough I thought the heroine's mom and dad were maybe the most interesting people in this, but not by much.