Ready for Romance

Dryden Brothers #1

by Debbie Macomber

At the age of fourteen, Jessica Kellerman was wildly infatuated with Evan Dryden. But that was just a teenage crush and now, almost ten years later, she's in love— truly in love—with his older brother, Damian. But everyone, including Damian, believes she's carrying a torch for Evan!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Harlequin, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Harlequin Romance

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 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

[Karen J · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cute, warmhearted and very predictable…

[Ipshita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have liked it more if the story was a little longer. As it is, the story could have done with a little more details about young Jessica's crush for the wrong brother. The story seemed to sprint through the first half, not bothering with the construction of well-rounded characters and the supporting cast came out as flat and bland.

I would have liked to know even a little about when and why Damian falls for Jessica but that was sorely lacking. Except for the few passionate kisses, Jessica and Damian are mostly shown skirting around one another than trying to be together which made me perceive their romance as more superficial than emotional.

It's okay as a short read, but felt more like a novella than a proper novel.

[Allison · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was amazingly frustrated at how wishy-washy all of the characters were in this book. There were way too many misunderstandings - and if the main characters would have had an actual conversation about the supposed love triangle, this book would have been over in 20 pages instead of 200. Not my cup of tea overall.

[Ivonne. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Una historia nada original de dos hermanos que creen estar los dos enamorados de la misma mujer y por lo tanto uno de ellos tiene que sacrificarse para que el otro sea feliz, una historia con personajes planos, poco desarrollo del enamoramiento, en fin una historia poco creíble y muy predecible.

[Min Li Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kız karakteri biraz pasif bulsamda güzeldi.

[Cheryl Schneider · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know romance books are well known for implausible situations, but this one was just too much for me. The characters were flat, and I found myself thinking, more than once, "who would actually think that way??" Disappointed, especially as much as I usually enjoy this author.

[Samantha Parry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cheesy and predictable.

[Garnet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and engaging. In today’s world, the male characters’ actions were uncomfortable considering the “Me Too” stories.

[Syeda Noor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Debbie and her piece if works ALOT. I just feel this was rushed and poorly constructed. It lacked details . Like how Jess fell for Daiman. How Daiman falls for Jess. How Jess got over crush, Evan . More about THAT CRUSH everyone kept throwing her in face. Character development needed some work too..

[Wendy Kalthoff · Rating 2 out of 5]

i did not love it. There were way too many misundestandings in the story and I really wanted to like damien. I felt that he was a prick though I enjoyed the roller coaster scences and all. I really liked jessicas friend though I can not remember her name. In regards to evan I felt come on, this is way too much for any kind of person.

[Moey17 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dated and ridiculous, the protagonists in Macomber’s early works are just too over the top. It makes you wonder at her success with the weak willed, chauvinistic, silly leads. I’ll read the sequel to finish the series, but not looking forward to it.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

She crushed on neighbor
Grown, she likes older brother
Will he accept her?

Really drew me in
I felt all their angst and pain
Well drawn characters

[Beverley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this story. I felt Debbie Macomber wrote this one while sleeping. The character development was mediocre and the main character Jessica, was an irritating woman. She was very wishy-washy and bent to whoever spoke; if someone said jump, she asked how high. Usually Debbie's female characters are strong women with strong personalities, but this Jessica, she was as limp as a dish rag. There was also no exploration into the male characters, they felt very flat and boring. It was a very short read that should have been expanded.

There was a 2nd story by Tanya Michaels called, Mother to Be. This story was much longer and was an interesting read. I enjoyed how the story took place in 3 sections - 1st trimester, 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester. I would have liked the main male character to have been a bit more developed, but overall, it was an enjoyable read.

[Anne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, simple and (somewhat) dated book about two brothers, Damian and Evan Dryden. They are both successful lawyers who hire Jessica Kellerman, who used to be their neighbor and had an obvious crush on Evan as a teenager. Now in her early twenties and right out of school, she takes her job as Evan’s assistant seriously, but she is not infatuated with him anymore. Instead, she has fallen for Damian. But a “Three’s Company” scenario takes place where Damian thinks Jessica still likes Evan, Jessica actually likes Damian, Damian likes Jessica, and Evan is still in love with Mary Jo, who broke up with him because she probably thought she wasn’t good enough for his family.
Thankfully, after many misunderstandings and terrible communications, Evan realizes Damian and Jessica love each other. So he plans a sailboat getaway to get things straightened out.

[Mimilikestoreadandwrite · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would've worked better if they were younger, perhaps teenagers, or at most young adults. For professionals, I feel all three main characters acted in a juvenile manner. Too many little games being played, and too many misunderstandings when a simple 2 minute conversation could've solved everything. Also the OM (the hero's brother) occupies more space than the hero and his story is not compelling at all. What I really appreciate about this book though is the WASPiness of it all. Everybody is white (and high society), beautiful and without money worries. It was a bit like watching The Bold and The Beautiful, but without the bad guys/gals. I unironically enjoyed that little trip into fairyland. That said, I had to skim a lot to get through it, so I do not recommend this book.

[Leticia Vega · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. This is a retelling of "Sabrina". If you've seen the movie (either version) then you'll know exactly what and how the story will unfold. As such it's predicable, but IMO it was still entertaining. I do wish Macomber would have dug a little deeper and added a few unexpected elements, or introduced more substance to the characters, but overall like the movies "Sabrina" the story is more snack than a four course dinner. But that's OK sometimes. This was a nice easy escape.

[Arlette · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was interesting in some forms, mainly the interactions between the characters. The thing that just made me feel it wasn't as interesting for me to continue was the fact there wasn't much for me to not expect. Before the I finished the first chapter I concluded what would happen, and things did in fact go the way I had imagine it to be. Its a cute story, however wish it had a bit more spice.

[Pam A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Juvenile. 22 y/o who fell in love with one brother when she was 14 has now finished college and gotten a job with the older brother who she now falls in love with but family pressures keep pushing her toward the younger one. She and her bff get into playing flirt games with both brothers. Rather stupid if you ask me but was a short read. And everyone is filthy rich so not realistic. Macomber books are usually alot better than this.

[*CJ* · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Ready for Romance" is the story of Jessica and Damien.

Hero and heroine are neighbors. As a teenager, she was infatuated with his younger brother. As an adult, she is hired into his law firm, and finds herself attracted to the hero. The hero, however, spends most of the book pushing the heroine towards his brother while having feelings for her. It's a convoluted mess with poor communication but a nice ending.

SWE
2.5/5

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great book where Jessica had her teenage romance of one brother but when she meets once again as an adult the older brother Damien she meets the man of her dreams. Now she and Damien are ready for a romance. Unfortunately there is a hiccup in that romance. Fortunately for them if is resolved. Love and marriage for Jessica and Dryden.

[Deborah Froelich · Rating 4 out of 5]

slow to come together

Initially I was disappointed when reading about the two characters and their struggle to get together. Both seemed equally stupid and clueless as well as unrealistic in their reasoning and expectations. The story gained momentum and was better but then sort of abrupt in the ending. Not her best writing.

[Cathie McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica can't live down her schoolgirl crush on Evan. He is down in the dumps about the love of his life. Jessica and Evan are friends. She is in love with someone else who is being stubborn. Thankfully, Evan knows and tries to help her out.

It's a funny and frustrating tell for Jessica.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cant believe this women was this away

I cant believe that Jessica was so wishwasher and couldn't speak her peace, and that she let other people tell her how to act and feel. It's not a bad book and it ended well, left alot to your imagination . A little disappointed.

[Pattie Babbitt · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have not hated a book this much in a long time. Absolutely ridiculous...I am so glad it was written so long ago. Thank goodness times have changed. This "romance" of the 90s would be a lawsuit today.

[Glenda L · Rating 3 out of 5]

A truly good little romance that only Debbie Macomber can write. It was really a no-brainer, but a very relaxing read. We all need to read one of these once in awhile. Not great, but good.

[Di Schlenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read the followup book in this mini series before this one so knew the outcome before I began this book,
another winner by the Queen of romance.

[Vera Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jesssica was very young had a crush on Evan, so when she decides she is over that the brother she really has feeling for is Damian the older brother nobody believes her.

[Lorraine Duran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can always count on Debbie Macomber to lighten the mood and want to read all the romance.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story. Simple, sweet, and to the point. My kind of lighthearted read.

[Theresa Floyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

:)