Marry Me

Covington Falls Chronicles #1

by Kristin Wallace

Julia Richardson is no fan of weddings. A lifetime of watching her parents treat relationships like the flavor of the month has taught her that love is for fools and faith is for naïve. She’s always put her faith in her career. Then her life is thrown into a tailspin. First, she loses her job. Then she gets a panicked call and learns her former stepsister is having a crisis with her pregnancy. The crisis has Julia returning to the small Southern town – and the family – she’s been avoiding for years. Before she knows it, Julia’s been pressed into service running her stepsister’s wedding planning business. Julia doesn’t know a garter from a garden hose, but now she must navigate couples along the bumpy path down the aisle - despite wardrobe malfunctions, killer bees, and plenty of near disasters. In the midst of it all, Julia makes the most unexpected discovery of all…Love, with Seth Graham, the widowed local minister! Julia’s been running from love and everything spiritual for most of her life. It’s not until she finds the courage to stop running and learns to believe in the power of love, faith and family that she finds her own “I Do” moment.

Genres: Christian Romance, Contemporary

350 pages, Paperback

First published October 23, 2013

About the author

Growing up Kristin devoured books like bags of Dove Dark Chocolate. Her first Golden Book led to Laura Ingalls Wilder, Nancy Drew, Encyclopedia Brown, C.S. Lewis and the Sweet Valley High series. Later, she discovered romance novels and fell in love all over again. It’s no surprise then that Kristin would one day try her hand at writing them. She writes inspirational romance and women’s fiction filled with love, laughter and a leap of faith. When she’s not writing her next novel, Kristin works as an advertising copywriter for clients that have included the Miami Marlins, Discovery Networks, The Peabody Hotel, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises and Sea World. She also enjoys singing in her church choir and worship team and playing flute in a community orchestra.

Reviews

[Gabby (What's Beyond Forks?) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Review at: What's Beyond Forks?

Marry Me is the adorable debut novel by Kristen Wallace. This was a lovely story about learning to love and trust. Julia was a character that a lot of people will be able to relate to. Her parents have re-married many times. She's been tossed back and forth between parents. After experiencing all this she doesn't think love exists. Seth believes in love, but after the loss of his wife he doesn't think he'll ever want to love anyone again. When Seth and Julia meet again, there is an immediate attraction, but neither wants it to be more than that. Since Seth is a minister and Julia is helping with her sister's wedding planning business, they have no choice but to keep running into each other. They both had great personalities. Julia was witty and intelligent. Seth was laid back and confident. He captivated my attention with his sweet southern charm. These interactions were fun and full of romantic tension. I loved watching these two grow as the story progressed. I read this book very quickly. With each wedding came a new adventure, so that made the book hard to put down. Marry Me was a cute and clean romance. This is a wonderful first book from theauthor, and I look forward to reading more from her.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read!

Having read book 4 in this series, the Christmas story, I just had to start from the beginning and read the first in the series. "Marry Me" was such a delightful read! I really grew to love the heroine, Julia, and could see past her prickly personality to her heart of gold. Julia had lived through a great deal of heartache and neglect, so she had lots of walls up. Those walls came down with help of a loving former stepmother, stepsister and our wonderful hero, Seth. Seth was the geeky guy next door, who grew up to be the hunky and sexy guy next door. Seth is a widower who has his own pain and heartache to work through. Julia and Seth seemed an unlikely pair but I loved the way the author drew them together and showed how well they complemented each other as a couple. There was also great comedic moments as Julia was running her stepsister's wedding planning business, and the subsequent pitfalls she endured. There were lots of poignant moments between Julia and her stepmother, which were very meaningful to me as I have raised 5 stepchildren that I dearly love. Seth and Julia's story is one you don't want to miss! Strong elements of faith, which were authentic and not preachy. Now on to the next one in the series! I highly recommend!

[Bette Stanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 bumped to 4. This is the one and only book by Ms Wallace that I have on my Nook. I’ve had it for a long time. As I was scrolling through my library I uncovered it in the bottom half of my library (my books are sorted by “most recent” on top). I figured what the heck….I’ll give it a whirl. I was looking for a light rom-com type of book and this one seemed to fit. For the most part, it was a light read, I’m not sure I’d classify it as a rom-com, though. However you classify it, it was good!

To say that Julia has trust issues is a gross understatement. She definitely doesn’t believe in love, happily ever after, or even relationships. She’s had a rough childhood. There’s only been one place where she felt she had a chance at a home. Now it’s time to go back to that place. Her stepsister needs her and she really has no other options right now so she’s going back to the only place that almost felt like home.

Seth is the new minister in the community church in town. He’s also a widower. His wife died much too early. He’s not ready to move on; he hasn’t even entertained the thought of moving on. He may be entertaining moving on, but definitely not with Julia. Nope. Not gonna happen.

Both of these characters grow and change throughout the story. Julia is definitely the one who changes the most. Faith figures strong in this story. It’s refreshing to read a story that is realistic, witty, and has a reasonable amount of drama.

[Pattisue · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’m not always an acid-tongued shrew.” Fun, light moments, drama, angst, and wit—this story contains all the elements of a great romance. Interesting, well developed characters including Julia Richardson, Prodigal Daughter returned home. She has built high walls and strong defenses to protect her tender heart. In a sea of blonds, Julia sticks out like a beacon. As she battles the demons of her past, her abandonment issues, and her aversion to all things bridal, Julia struggles to fit in and find a place to call home. Seth Graham, heart throb, minister, and home town boy who has carried a torch for Julia since he started shaving. He proves he may be a minister but he is also a man in need of a wife. Other fun complex characters round out the cast. This addictive story kept me up well past my bedtime. I can’t wait to read more from Kristin Wallace.

[Crossroad Readers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review at http://crossroadreaders.wordpress.com

Julia Richardson is cynic when it comes to love and relationships. Growing up she watched her parents go through numerous marriages. Recently, she lost her job so when her former step-sister’s husband calls to say, “Sarah needs you. It’s the baby.” Julia leaves her home to go back to a small Southern town and a family she hasn’t seen in a long time. It’s been 15 years since she’s been back to Covington Falls to see her former step-mother, Grace, and step-sister, Sarah. Sarah is pregnant and is now on bed rest and needs Julia’s help. She convinces Julia to stay in town until after the baby is born so that Julia can run her wedding planning business, Marry Me. Julia is probably the last person who should be running a business for weddings when she doesn’t even believe in marriages anymore.

Seth Graham is a pastor who is now a widower after losing his wife to cancer. Back when Julia lived in Covington Falls, Seth used to have a crush on her. It turns out 15 years later he still feels an attraction to her. Julia is the one person who seems to know him the best and the first person who has made him feel alive since his wife passed. There’s just a few problems… Julia doesn’t have the same beliefs as him and she has a hard time loving anyone or believing anyone could love her.

Marry Me is a beautifully written, heart-warming story. I loved watching the relationship between Julia and Seth grow. They start out angry and upset with each other, then they become friends, and then they both find themselves taking a leap of faith to be with each other. This is a touching story about faith and love with a nice dose of humor thrown in. This was a wonderful book that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a fun, clean, feel good book to read.

[Victoria Rainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted at: http://romancebookworm.com/

Julia is determined not to make the same mistakes as her parents. Both of her parents married several times during her life and rarely remain faithful during their marriages. She has spent most of her childhood being shuffled off from one home to another not really knowing stability. The only person she could rely on was herself. However, a former stepsister and stepmother were as close to family as she has ever really known. When Sarah has trouble with her pregnancy, she calls Julia to help her.

Seth is a widowed minister in town. He is a hot and sexy man who breaks the mold of what a minister should been. He has his own issues even as he is falling in love with Julia he struggles with it because he does not want to replace his wife and she does not fit the image of who a mister’s wife should be.

The chemistry between Seth and Julia is blistering. I enjoyed seeing the journey that both Seth and Julia took not only to fall in love with each other but deal with each of their pasts to become a couple.

I found this story well written. The main and secondary characters were very realistic. While at first I was not fond of Sarah, she came off as manipulative I grew to like her as the story went on. Overall, this was a great story. I will be keeping my eyes out for more by Ms. Wallace.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had started reading this book first and then when I was at work was reading the ARC pdf I had of book 2 in this series. I so enjoyed book 2 that I finished that one first. I don't seem to be able to read books in series order for some reason. But this book was equally as good as book 1. I resonated more with book two because I did drama in high school and the musical aspect just pulled me in. But I also loved how a non-believer, so to speak, found not only faith, but her family and love at the same time.

I laughed and cried while reading this book. And that is saying something because most books don't pull any emotions from me. I felt for Seth as he tried to stand up to the church board to keep his music minister. My heart clinched for Julia as she was betrayed by someone she didn't even like in the beginning but grew to like.

It was just all good. I know some people don't like to delve into Christian fiction but I say, delve away! This one is worth the read!

5 Stars

I bought this book on my Kindle and I think it was around $2.99-ish.

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to laugh, cry and fall in love! I enjoyed this book tremendously and did not want to put it down until I was finished it! Julia has a troubled past that makes her skeptical about love, happiness and God. Some of the situations she finds herself in are nothing less than hilarious! Seth is still grieving over a personal loss as well as having to deal with the fact that his childhood fantasy has arrived back in town. There are also several other characters who fit into the storyline with such skill that you are anxious to hear about their stories as well. Kristin Wallace weaves a wonderful story with real life characters who have realistic struggles and she takes you on their journey with skill and finesse. I love the fact that she ads a spiritual component to the story as well. This book is definitely a must read and I highly recommend it!

[Alyssa Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun inspirational romance about second chances at love and life, that's both funny and tender. I really enjoyed this author's lively voice, her wry humor, and the way she kept the characters believable and sympathetic. Even the "villains" of the story were three-dimensional and had real reasons for their actions. This book will leave you smiling.

[D Nine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defining God's Version of Faith, Family, and Love

Small towns seem idyllic and perfect, but it takes the prickly and bitter Julia Richardson to return and fulfill God's plan for revealing the truths that bind us from all He can give.
Loved the characters, Covington Falls, and the insight of running a wedding planner business. Seth was a favorite!

[Wilani Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I loved this book. It had its humorous moments and was very enjoyable to read. It also has a powerful message of forgiveness and the message of God's forgiveness and love if we only trust him and obey. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

a little too preachy

I enjoyed Seth and Julie getting together but everyone was too ,ugh into the God and Christian stuff. I didn't realize that's how big a part of the story for one. It took away from the characters

[Carmen wells · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sweet story, although almost every page touhed on having faith and trusting in God's plan. Not the type of novel I'm interesting in. Had I known it was going to be essentially a story about finding faith, I wouldn't have purchased it.

[Highland-dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the ending, with her looking for Seth to tell him goodbye, and finding the bible instead. Then he is able catch up to her and change her mind.

[Rachel Sides · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the characters and the plot. My only complaint would be a plot twist at the end which was basically unresolved and not particularly necessary to the story.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a truly great read, five stars, but a bit preachy.

[Donna Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This was a pretty good story with a lot of characters in this little town. It was a sweet, clean romance.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry I just really couldn't get into this book, which was even more disappointing because I really liked the fourth book. I know this book centers on a minister's romance but it just got really old that every single conversation was about God and religion and faith. It just was too much and I got to skimming whole pages.

And I also realize she was stepping in as a wedding planner but how big is this town that every Saturday has a wedding with basically the whole town in it? The catastrophes that kept happening at the weddings were little much too. One or two made for comedic relief and a change of pace but every single wedding had something horrible happen and of course I saw mile away what was going on and it just seemed trite and cliché to me.

And then there's the couple themselves who did have some chemistry but every time you started to really believe in the chemistry it was cut short or she ran away or it just didn't go anywhere and they spent more time thinking about each other I think than with each other. And then just when they finally start to get together the ending is wrapped up in like five pages and ends very abruptly.

I do like the concept of the series and like I said I really like the fourth book about Noelle (who actually you are introduced to in this book very briefly). So I will probably try the second book in the series and I do recommend the fourth book.

[Aparna Jadghane]

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