Groom Wanted

From This Day Forward #1

by Debbie Macomber

A Convenient Beginning

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!

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Category Romance, Audiobook, Christian Fiction

182 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 17, 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

[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 ★s.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It was one of her older books but it was a very easy read.

[Miriam Childs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m sure I read this before but couldn’t find it here. Nice and predictable…follows the general flow of a romance novel. I found myself skipping over repetitive parts. An easy quick read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 🌟!

This was honestly a fun read and I expected it to be horrible since I had found this in a little cafe library corner 😭.. But it had surpassed my expectations and I actually liked it! The only thing I did not like was the repetitiveness and the fact that there was instant love like being married the first day they meet?? I get why they needed too but it just seemed unnecessary 🥲… PLUS I felt like the MMC was a tad bit weird at first, however he has developed throughout the book and had me giggling here and there 🤭! I also found that I relate to Julia on things that she does and says. Finally, this book was a fun read to keep myself occupied, but I wouldn’t recommend it 😖.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 2 out of 5]

YUCK! I did not like this book. This book is about a woman named Julia. She and her brother run their family business and they have a Russian man working for them named Alek. He is a genius and has made some great gains for the business, but his Visa is about to expire and the only way he can stay in the country is if he gets married. Therefore, Julia agrees to marry him. Alek has apparently been in love with Julia all along so he's thrilled and she's not into it. He tells her ahead of time that its against his religion to divorce so they will have a real marriage. He then proceeds to pressure the heck out of her to sleep with him. In my opinion, he crosses the line into abusive and disgusting. But, it wouldn't be a romance novel if she didnt fall in love with him. She does, their marriage quickly grows into a real one, and we're supposed to be happy about it. Theres a little hiccup when we find out that someones been selling insider information and Alek is a possible suspect. She has been played once before by an ex who sold them out so she doesn't trust herself that it's not him. He's pissed but they work it out. Oh and of course, we find out she's pregnant during the tiff so she keeps that a secret from him and her brother tells him, making him even madder for a minute. Then theres also the story of her grandmother who she is very close with. She dies during the book, but I didn't feel any emotional attachment so I meh about that and felt like it was just a cheap ploy. I would not recommend this book.

[Nanita · Rating 1 out of 5]

Já vou avisando que terá spoiler.Então faltava poucas páginas pra termimar e eu não consegui. Ler esse livro foi um processo doloroso de vergonha alheia pra algumas situações que ,como disseram outros por aqui, beiravam uma atitude abusiva. Primeiro do nada esse casamento, a ideia do irmão que me pareceu bem incompetente como advogado. Depois o dito 'casal' parecia não ter familiaridade nenhuma, fora uma profissional e distante, mas aí ele só aceita um casamento de verdade com ela? Porquê? Porque tem sentimentos por alguém que não conhecia direito mas só quer saber de casar e ter filhos na mesma hora? Ela não parecia feliz com o plano e aceita de forma suspeita, claramente ela não estava no seu melhor emocionalmente se só aceita depois de ver a avó doente que sonha em ver ela casada. No próprio casamento toda uma atmosfera 'porque estou fazendo isso' da parte da noiva, o noivo esperando e ficando chateado por ela não estar com' os olhos brilhando de amor' e o próprio irmão achando que ela tem que agir como se fosse um casamento real e tudo, fiquei até em dúvida se não era um livro daqueles históricos do século 19. Enfim vai surgir uma centelha sexual entre eles no casamento que ela não parece nada afim de levar em frente num primeiro momento e ele falta ameaçar ela por não estar levando enfrente isso. Vai surgir uma irmã dele que, espero que não só eu tenha achado isso estranho, vai trabalhar na casa deles como 'governanta', a avó morre provavelmente pra dar mais dramaticidade a situação mas só parece esquisito mesmo, inclusive com a primeira cena de 'amor' logo depois do enterro e o surgimento de um 'vilãozinho' que não vai ser mais nada do que uma história mal contada do passado dela, porque no final ela própria é que vai criar maior parte da confusão. Bom o romance em desenvolvimento foi estranho, a gravidez quase que uma desculpa pra eles ficarem juntos no final e só. Perdi só a reatação deles provavelmente, mas pra quem só tentou terminar o livro e que não acreditava num romance real ali, o final ia ser mais frustante do que satisfatório. Espero não ter sido muita dura com essa avaliação, de certa forma o livro me trouxe uma reação e precisava desabafar, sugiro lerem e tirar as próprias conclusões também, sobre o aviso claro do surgimento de reações adversas a leitura.

[it was an unusual subject to write about · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book ,Julia owned Conrad industries and was running it along with her brother Jerry. Alex worked for them. He was loyal and a good Chemist who worked hard and long hours. He was Russian and needed his VISA Renewed and immigration would not renew it. Jerry told Julia they would not renew it but if she married him he would be able to stay and he was about ready to come out with a new paint which would change the industry. She had a similar situation about 3 years earlier and Roger got the formula and went with another Co. and Conrad Industries was set on fire and burned and almost went bankrupt. She and jerry agreed she would marry Alex. Alex was also agreeable and they married. They had problems at first because she didn't want to sleep with him but over time they worked that out and she and Alex fell in love. He talked to Roger and told him not to bother Alex. they thought they were working out a deal. But after he left the Conrad industries and moved out Alex found out she was pregnant. when he came back to check on her she told him and he was excited and they got back together and every thing worked out .He was not making a deal with Roger.

[Destiny Sanderson · Rating 5 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.I loved this story!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reason I kept going is Debbie Macomber is a gifted novelist and her prose is as fluid as can be. I realize this is a reprint of an older book, but that doesn't excuse or change the fact that the men in this book are capital T Toxic. Her brother treats her how toxic men often treat women: as objects to be used at their disposal for whatever they need. In this case, he pawned her off in a fake marriage to his friend for citizenship, and then he repeatedly gaslit her about how her own feelings and experiences from a previous toxic relationship. And not a single person ever called him on it! It was just accepted as is!!

[GiGi Carothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Comes Love by Debbie Macomber, is a heart string romance novel. Julia is the CEO of her grandfather's company. She is determined to make the company profitable again after causing the company to go almost bankrupt by a previous love affair with a co-worker. When her brother brings a Russian biochemist to work for the company, Julia has one choice to save the company. She must marry him to allow him to stay in the country. She agrees but says it will not be a real marriage. Alek, agrees to the deal only if it is a real marriage Can this marriage fool the government to believe it is legit?

[Emma Inman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alek is a Russian native who has been working for Phoenix Paints since Jerry recruited him for his expertise and knowledge. His work visa is about to expire, and the only way he can stay in the US is if he marries Julia. He marries her, and they convince the Department of Immigration. Then she's convinced he's leaking secrets to their biggest competitor, so they nearly divorce. Julia's pregnant, and the baby brings the two back together.

[Carole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking for an escape book, simple and romantic, and since this author has written a million or so (slight exaggeration), I threw a dart (metaphorically speaking) and hit this title. It was not easy to read, though, mainly because the characters were cardboard silhouettes rather than fully developed people and the story line was both an inch deep and pretty much unbelievable from the second chapter on.

[Once Upon A Book by Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an okay book. I love Macomber. She writes beautifully. Every book I have read by her I have loved in some special way. But this one, I was not very fond of. Julia had so much happen to her and her husband pushing for the physically side of their marriage, just wasn't very understanding in my opinion. However, there were lots of things going on and things to consider. 2 stars.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Debbie Macomber book - it was ok - certainly not nearly what I would have preferred and not sure I will read it again. i think there is a fine line and she was pretty close to that fine line. the main story itself was good and interesting otherwords.

[Nancy Luebke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this romance. I voluntarily chose to review this story and I've given it a 5* rating. This author gets a lot of feels into her stories as well as a lot of twists and turns. This grabbed my heart a few times. It's on to the next.

[Cathie McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chase put a crazy ad on a billboard in Seattle. Lesley laughed at the billboard. The two meet and start to spend time together. Lesley's ex wants to keep her miserable

Chase and Lesley make each other a promise.

[Carol H Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a good story!!

Debbie Macomber never fails to write a story with interesting characters and an unusual plot full of complications,but true love wins.The immigration scenario added intrigue ,so glad Alek could bring his family to America.

[Patricia L. Seastrom-Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great start

I have always loved everything Debbie Macomber writes. This is no different. I enjoyed the story very much. It went on a bit longer and dragged a bit in the middle this time, but I still enjoyed the story.

[marcel penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read

I've always Love miss macomber writings and this book didn't disappoint I loved the characters, and not all those curse words and graphics sexual scenes it was a joy reading this book

[Judy Ruud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

This is a good story by one of my favorite authors. I would love for this story to continue. It’s about a woman that has been burned by a man she loved. It’s hard for her to trust men now. It has a great storyline.

[sandra m. rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debbie never disappoints her readers ❤️

As always, this is a page turner from cove to cover. First, I love visualizing the descriptive areas of Washington then emotionally living through the characters.
Debbie is an amazing writer.

[Ellen Satter · Rating 2 out of 5]

It hasn't aged well. I'm not fond of the completely alpha male. And the female character was supposed to be a driven business woman in charge of a company and she completely fell apart and was so weak.

Meh.

[Lindsey Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I go it from friends of the public library in a massive $2 romance bag. The lovers reminded me of me and my husband and I love how the husband never gives up and shows his love no matter what.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

[soreta L myrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful writer!

I love romance. I read all her books I can get my hands on. Some I read twice. I enjoyed this Book.

[Christine Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not at all a fan of this book. It felt like a very juvenile male theory of how girls think and act. I found the main characters annoying and unauthentic. Definitely disappointed overall.

[Josie]

The pacing was too slow and I wasn't quite convinced by the hero's POV. This was a DNF for me.

[Kelley B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick book!

[Joanne Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love story

Great story as usual..enjoyed it to the end. Looking forward to more great stories. Always great stories too relate too.

[Teresa Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

First comes love

Great storyline with very believable characters. If you love mail order bride stories you will love this story! Thank you Debbie!