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White Lace and Promises

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A classic novel from fan favorite Debbie Macomber, this emotional story about fighting for happiness is available for the first time as an eBook.
 
Marrying Glenn Lambert was either the smartest thing Maggie Kingsbury has ever done or the craziest mistake of her life. Best friends as children, they went their separate ways until a chance encounter at a wedding inspires this spontaneous leap of faith. How could she resist the sweet spell of a moonlit night and whispers of devotion guaranteed to melt her heart? But past disappointments and unhealed emotions soon start to wreak havoc with their vows.
 
Glenn knew his heart was bruised when he asked Maggie to marry him. But he meant every word; he’s sure they belong together. In so many ways, they’re still strangers, but the love he has inside tells him that no matter what happens, it’s Maggie he wants forever. Whatever it takes, he’ll prove she’s the only woman for him.
 
Praise for Debbie Macomber
 
“No one tugs at readers’ heartstrings quite as effectively as Macomber.”Chicago Tribune
 
“The reigning queen of women’s fiction.”The Sacramento Bee
 
“It’s impossible not to cheer for Macomber’s characters. . . . When it comes to creating a special place and memorable, honorable characters, nobody does it better than Macomber.”BookPage

Published by Debbie Macomber Books

256 pages, ebook

First published June 1, 1986

917 people are currently reading
1124 people want to read

About the author

Debbie Macomber

899 books20.7k followers
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.

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5 stars
804 (38%)
4 stars
581 (27%)
3 stars
455 (21%)
2 stars
191 (9%)
1 star
77 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
Profile Image for Jean Marie.
559 reviews3 followers
February 8, 2015
I found this book highly annoying. I'm no big fan of the love-at-first-sight (or sight after many years apart), followed by a sudden marriage. For there to be a plot, there must be conflict so then we have the constant bickering/misunderstanding between the couple. TALK to each other. If you can't do that, DON'T get married. While I normally find Debbie Macomber's books sweet and wholesome and relaxing and enjoyable (if a bit repetetive), this one didn't fit the bill.
Profile Image for Ashley Guedes.
108 reviews1 follower
May 31, 2021
this book annoyed me a lot more than i would’ve liked. i’m not a fan of the whole “love-at-first-sight” trope or “sudden-marriage” trope. and there were many moments where the “she’s/he’s not like other girls/boys” thing was mentioned. to have a working relationship, you have to talk to each other. this was just 200 somethin’ pages of two people pining after the other while also thinking they’re right and the other wrong. the conflicts would’ve been extremely interesting if the author went into more depth and didn’t resolve them so quickly.
Profile Image for Anatl.
516 reviews59 followers
November 16, 2019
White Lace and Promises is a story of two childhood friends who meet again at their friends' wedding and decide on a spur of the moment decision to tie the knot. They elope secretly and then have to deal with scars of past loves. Both have baggage that they don't want to talk about, and that puts a strain on their budding relationship. It is a warm-hearted story with conflicts that seemed pretty realistic if you exclude the instant marriage.
31 reviews
July 6, 2018
Disappointing

O have read many of Debbie Macomber's books so when I saw this one i purchased it without a second thought! What a surprise and not in a good way. Her characters were very immature and seemed to solve all of their problems in bed. In fact, there was way too much of "bed" in this book and I did not appreciate all of the sensuality. Obviously her writing has improved when I have enjoyed her more recent books. I will definitely not be buying any more so called "classic" books. I wonder if she even re-read them all before putting them out there for sale?
Profile Image for Tarnparit.
449 reviews23 followers
March 15, 2019
The storyline was horrible. The author really tried to make it good. But it seemed...pathetic.
They won’t last a year.
Profile Image for Diane.
772 reviews34 followers
April 16, 2020
This was such a warm and cozy story ❤️❤️❤️
Profile Image for Katherine | readbykatherine.
140 reviews65 followers
September 20, 2018
This is probably one of the most ridiculous books that I've read this year. This story follows Glennn & Maggie--old childhood friends--who at the spurn of the moment, elope after years of being apart. Obviously a marriage made in haste is bound to have problems. I can't be positive, but I feel that the author wrote this only for entertainment purposes. The characters argue and fight over the dumbest things that you want to pull your hair out. If only they would COMMUNICATE. Both are entirely un-trusting of the other. There is pornographic scenes (sex scenes) that I skipped over. 🙅‍♀️ 🤦‍♀️ Why can’t romance be smut free? Overall, I feel that the characters were much more into each other physically than emotionally or mentally and because of that the story served to only entertain or amuse readers as nothing about this fictional marriage was solid. I give this book a 1.5 stars. I won’t be reading this one again.
Profile Image for candice.is.reading.
21 reviews
September 24, 2020
I was looking for something light and uplifting to read and figured a Debbie Macomber was just the answer... but this book was so horrible, that every time I picked it up I was annoyed. Only upside was that the lack of editing was so obvious that it became comical.

The premise that they jumped into marriage after years apart was already a stretch. But they tried to make it seem like that was acceptable because of their deep friendship. However the entire “plot” revolves around their lack of communication and general misunderstanding of their respective personalities. It was a frustrating read all around.
123 reviews
April 18, 2024
For a romance novel, this was actually quite realistic. It follows a couple AFTER they get married, and all the second guessing between them.
Profile Image for Carolyn Sisko Porcelli .
21 reviews2 followers
January 9, 2015
I liked this book but it didn't keep me engaged as Macomber's other novels. I liked the romantic issues between Maggie & Glen. How they were childhood neighbors and met up again at a friend's wedding. Their impulsiveness to fly away the next day and get married, crazy! Maggie's curiosity over Glen's prior relationship with Angie drove her nuts. But Glen's concern with Maggie handing out money to her brother, Denny, all the time bugged him too. Maggie, with her lavish beachhouse she bought from her aunt's inheritance and Glen's hardworking motivation, brought on some arguments.
Profile Image for Katie Samsock.
350 reviews21 followers
March 7, 2022
Eek. This was pretty bad. I’ve never wanted a couple to divorce so badly. Honestly if they last another month it would be a miracle. The two love birds are so whiny and wimpy it’s beyond frustrating. I’d slam my head into a wall if I had to witness this in real life. I have a 3 week old so I wanted an easy read for the night feedings. I’m not sure if my baby was crying from hunger or from disgust at this pathetic plot line and 1 dimensional characters. I’m giving it 2 stars beci hate not finishing a book but honestly the ending wasn’t worth finishing.
Profile Image for Rachel.
652 reviews
October 3, 2018
Cottage by the Sea may be my favorite Debbie Macomber book at the moment but White Lace and Promises is definitely my second favorite. I believe this was actually one of her earlier books that was just recently re-released in ebook form. Although short it was an entertaining story that for whatever reader feed the romance lover in me. Slowly but surely I’m becoming more of a Debbie Macomber fan. Definitely check this out if you enjoyed reading Cottage by the Sea.
Profile Image for Laura.
59 reviews5 followers
April 4, 2015
This us a wonderful follow up to Reflections of Yesterday. I really love the way Debbie Macomber writes. You feel you know the characters as if they were family. I am so happy to highly recommend both these books.
Profile Image for Sylvia.
50 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2018
I usually really enjoy Debbie Macomber's books, but this book was incredibly shallow - the characters, although portrayed as strong individuals, were actually weak and undeveloped. I kept reading because I had hoped it would get better, but it didn't. Sorry Ms. Mocomber!
939 reviews15 followers
September 10, 2022
Meh,wasn’t really a fan of this storyline….too much bickering & marriage rules for my taste
Profile Image for Chris.
1,866 reviews
May 11, 2019
2.+ so rounded up. Good thing it is short. I needed a Debbie Macomber fix, but this didn't quite do it:-(
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
This book was ok, but it didn't keep me engaged as Macomber's other novels. I liked the romantic issues between Maggie & Glen. How they were childhood neighbors and met up again at a friend's wedding. Their impulsiveness to fly away the next day and get married, crazy! Maggie's curiosity over Glen's prior relationship with Angie drove her nuts. But Glen's concern with Maggie handing out money to her brother, Denny, all the time bugged him too. Maggie, with her lavish beachhouse she bought from her aunt's inheritance and Glen's hardworking motivation, brought on some arguments.
***

This story follows Glennn & Maggie--old childhood friends--who at the spurn of the moment, elope after years of being apart. Obviously a marriage made in haste is bound to have problems. I can't be positive, but I feel that the author wrote this only for entertainment purposes. The characters argue and fight over the dumbest things that you want to pull your hair out. If only they would COMMUNICATE. Both are entirely un-trusting of the other. There is pornographic scenes (sex scenes) that I skipped over. 🙅‍♀️ 🤦‍♀️ Why can’t romance be smut free? Overall, I feel that the characters were much more into each other physically than emotionally or mentally and because of that the story served to only entertain or amuse readers as nothing about this fictional marriage was solid.
Profile Image for Angela.
246 reviews2 followers
August 14, 2020
Halfway through this book, the story became familiar. Then I realized that it is a continuation of "Reflections of Yesterday" another book by Debbie Macomber. There was a lot of anger, miscommunication, and pride in the two main characters. In reality, when someone has been hurt so deeply in the past they carry a conderable amount of anger and bitterness. Glen and Maggie grew up together. They reunite at a friend's wedding. They hastily decide to get married too, but for all the wrong reasons. First of all both brought a lot of emotional baggage to the marriage. Second, even though they grew up together, they haven't seen each other for years, so what do they really know about each other. Third, Maggie lives in California and Glen in Charlotte, North Carolina. Glen wants to live in California to get away from the past. Maggie falls in love with Charlotte, where no one knows her. Can their marriage survive? Do they actually love each other or are they just using each other to escape the past?
Profile Image for Debby.
1,389 reviews25 followers
April 5, 2021
They marry in haste the first (or second) day they see each other again.

This is not love at first sight. They are friends wheet each other again after a while, they feel attracted to each other and they think that’s enough of a base for a good marriage.

The morning after their wedding night he calls out his ex’s name. That is such a turn off. Then she says to him that he must stop loving his ex immediately. And he answers that that’s difficult.

After that I DNF’ed. I want the hero to be totally, madly, crazy in love with the heroine. So much so that he can only think about her. I want him to sweep her off her feet. Nothing of that passionate love in this book (at least not in the pages that I’ve read).

Maybe later on in the book he falls in love madly with her, but then I think ‘whatever’.
10 reviews
May 5, 2018
Friendship To A Partnership for Life.

This was certainly a classic. The friendship between Glenn and Maggie began when they were in grade school and their driveways were connected. Maggie was happy to go to Janelle and Steve’s wedding as maid of honor when she learned her best friend Glenn was best man. She picked Glenn up at the airport; he was even more good looking than she remembered. During the wedding she could not keep from thinking this was their wedding. While dancing they both realized they were meant for each other. This book was a beautiful love story that began at a friends wedding ;their wedding in Vegas ; ups and downs from a home in one part of the US to a Beach House on another part.
181 reviews26 followers
September 10, 2019
I don't usually read love stores. I prefer mysteries and thrillers, but every once in a while I need something a little light hearted. This fit the bill. I believe in love at first sight and even though these two were childhood friends and it at their friends wedding that they felt the sparks. When I first started reading it, I was ready to quit. I didn't like it that they didn't talk to one another and never said what they were thinking or feeling. It was driving me crazy. But...I'm anal and couldn't just stop reading and was glad I finished it because in the end they got everything off their chests.
11 reviews
August 5, 2022
A real life read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I too eloped but no one ever seems to write about the romance and joy in that!
Debbie does in this book and everything that can happen at the opening of a mouth when words come out!!!
I laughed and laughed while reading this book! But at times I felt the hearts he's they felt, the pain they felt, but I most enjoyed the laughter I let out at these two because I e been there done all that but mine ended in divorce after 15 years! He couldn't keep the barn door shut!!!
So I hope she writes a sequel to this old book that's up to date! Cause I k kW they made it - All the way!!!
1 review
July 30, 2018
Unfortunately, this was one of the most boring and predictable books I have read in a long time. I was ready to stop reading after 10 pages. Everything was just too predictive and I could make a bet that the end of the book would be exactly like I thought after 10 pages. And I was spot-on right. The characters both the female and male were absolutely unrealistic and unbelievable.

The only reason I actually read the book until the end is that I was on a plane with no way to download another book, so I had no choice but read this one.
Profile Image for Joy Carreño.
29 reviews
June 21, 2018
Maggie and Glen had been childhood best friends. They meet again at their friend's wedding. Sparks fly and they run off to Reno to get married. Of course, after all their years apart they had both been hurt and both had trust issues. The majority of the book had them bickering and misreading the intentions of the other. Not my idea of a great way to begin a marriage. The ending was too quick of a resolve for me to believe they will live happily ever after.
125 reviews
October 22, 2018
I got bored with all the lack of communication between the two main characters because of their pride. Maybe I've just read too many romance novels lately but this really got annoying after a while. Also discovered after finishing this book that the book Reflections of Yesterday could actually be considered the first in a series with this one being the second. However, you don't need to read Reflections of Yesterday to be ok with reading this one first.
Profile Image for Camille Sandler.
41 reviews1 follower
Read
June 29, 2019
Love in an instant

Wow!!! What a book. I have been trying to read this book for a long time. It would never download. New cover so I figured I would try again. Thankfully it worked.
I love this book. If you never read anything written by Debbie Macomber, now is your chance to start. You won't be sorry. You won't be able to put it down. Great book. Almost like a fairy tale. You will laugh, cry feel like you wish it could happen to you. Read it and you will see what I mean.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews

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