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Love in Harmony Valley #12
A Small Town Wedding
A small town romance with quirky characters about the healing power of unexpected love from USA Today Bestselling author Melinda Curtis.He needs a fake girlfriend.Although they dated for only a month, Harley O’Hannigan agreed to be Vince Messina’s plus-one at his brother’s Harmony Valley wedding. Big mistake, given her feelings for the tall, dark, unavailable bachelor.But things quickly get complicated.Vince never told her about his prickly relationship with his brothers or his bad boy past. Not that Harley has been forthcoming about her submarined career either. But secrets have a way of coming to light when you’re sharing a tiny room with twin beds, making Harley wonder if they’re both due for a fresh start…together?Fans of fake relationship romance and movies like Can’t Buy Me Love and The Wedding Date will love this fun, heartwarming, clean romance with a happily ever after.Previously published as Marrying the Wedding Crasher.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2018
10 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Melinda Curtis
258 books1,296 followersPrior to writing romance, award-winning, USA Today Bestseller Melinda Curtis was a junior manager for a Fortune 500 company, which meant when she flew on the private jet she was relegated to the jump seat—otherwise known as the potty. After grabbing her pen (and a parachute) she made the jump to full-time writer. Between writing sweet romance and sweet romantic comedy, Melinda finds time to bond with her husband over home remodeling projects. She recently came to grips with the fact that she’s an empty nester and a grandma, concepts easier to grasp than jet-setting on a potty.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
February 22, 2018
Marrying the Wedding Crasher is part of the Harlequin Heartwarming line that consists of sweet, contemporary novels. This book is one of a long line of fun stories in the Harmony Valley series, however, it can be enjoyed as a stand alone novel.
I really liked this book. There were plenty of humorous moments, as in all of the books in this series. Yet, there were also some deep hurts and fears that the main characters had to overcome. I really liked watching them navigate around Vince’s family as they pretended to still be in a relationship. The tension skyrocketed upon the news that Harley was pregnant! I loved this story from start to finish and the epilogue was a great way to finish the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
I really liked this book. There were plenty of humorous moments, as in all of the books in this series. Yet, there were also some deep hurts and fears that the main characters had to overcome. I really liked watching them navigate around Vince’s family as they pretended to still be in a relationship. The tension skyrocketed upon the news that Harley was pregnant! I loved this story from start to finish and the epilogue was a great way to finish the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
February 17, 2019
i'm going into this knowing that this is the lowest review this book has received so far. it's weirdly exhilarating? anyway, here we go:
i read this book because my friend sara told me to. (hi, sara!) i don't usually read harlequin romances. this isn't my usual jam. i think that needs to be said before i get to the rest of the review because i'm going to be picky about stuff that i'm sure other readers of this genre have zero problems with.
marrying the wedding crasher (which implies an entirely different plot, btw) focuses on vince messina and harley o'hannigan, who refers to herself as harley o'hannigan repeatedly so you can tell that the author was really happy with that name! this book has my all-time favorite trope, the Fake Dating Trope, but i felt like a lot of the interesting stuff happened offscreen before the events of the novel. (also, the fact that this book spoils the BIGGEST PLOT TWIST on the back of the damn thing is truly BAFFLING to me!!) anyway, harley and vince pretend to be dating when they go to happy valley or whatever it's called for vince's brother's wedding, and what follows is just drama for the sake of drama, stars hollow on crack level locals, and men being assholes but expecting me to view them as Sensitive and Guarded. also, vince's mom? doesn't deserve a redemption in my opinion. also, maybe don't try to include mental illness in something like this. it didn't come close to being portrayed in an accurate way.
i have two whole pages of notes on why this book was Dumb but i did have a good time hate reading it so i think i'll just let those notes be. was this Good? no. it was fine for what it is. i'm excited to read another harlequin romance one of these days!
i read this book because my friend sara told me to. (hi, sara!) i don't usually read harlequin romances. this isn't my usual jam. i think that needs to be said before i get to the rest of the review because i'm going to be picky about stuff that i'm sure other readers of this genre have zero problems with.
marrying the wedding crasher (which implies an entirely different plot, btw) focuses on vince messina and harley o'hannigan, who refers to herself as harley o'hannigan repeatedly so you can tell that the author was really happy with that name! this book has my all-time favorite trope, the Fake Dating Trope, but i felt like a lot of the interesting stuff happened offscreen before the events of the novel. (also, the fact that this book spoils the BIGGEST PLOT TWIST on the back of the damn thing is truly BAFFLING to me!!) anyway, harley and vince pretend to be dating when they go to happy valley or whatever it's called for vince's brother's wedding, and what follows is just drama for the sake of drama, stars hollow on crack level locals, and men being assholes but expecting me to view them as Sensitive and Guarded. also, vince's mom? doesn't deserve a redemption in my opinion. also, maybe don't try to include mental illness in something like this. it didn't come close to being portrayed in an accurate way.
i have two whole pages of notes on why this book was Dumb but i did have a good time hate reading it so i think i'll just let those notes be. was this Good? no. it was fine for what it is. i'm excited to read another harlequin romance one of these days!
March 7, 2018
When I get a book to read, I generally don’t go back and look at the blurb for the book. I just jump in. I have had the book for a week before I was able to start reading it. Then when I was finished, I went back to look at the blurb before writing my review. I was kind of shocked to see that the pregnancy was the top of the blurb. To me, it was a critical point in the book, a curveball that changed the way the characters interacted with each other and their emotions. I liked seeing the shock on their faces and I had the same reaction. It was like a spoiler and I wish it wasn’t handed out to everyone. Just sayin….
It took me awhile to get into the book. I don’t really know why, I can’t pinpoint it. But after awhile, I was all into it! I liked this couple! I was sad for them and their circumstances. Vince was plagued by his dad’s mental illness and his mom’s leaving him and his brothers when he was in high school. He worries that he will become like his dad. He doesn’t want to get married or have children because of it. Vince puts others first but can’t do anything for himself.
Harley is an architect who quit her most pivotal part of finishing up her schooling. Now she is doing tile work in homes. She has quite a vision when it comes to her architecture. She has a little secret about it that keeps her from moving forward with it.
I loved the dynamics of Vince’s family. Each brother is different. They are all hard workers and they all have big hearts! They come from a small town in California were everyone knows everyone else’s business and they even have a phone tree where the gossip spreads! Everyone in town knew that Harley was pregnant before Vince did! They have old women and men who like to put their two cents in at every turn. Love it!!
If you like stories with broken families, mental illness, forgiveness, protecting your family, weddings, strong family bonds, architecture, construction, and fighting for those you love then this might be for you.
It took me awhile to get into the book. I don’t really know why, I can’t pinpoint it. But after awhile, I was all into it! I liked this couple! I was sad for them and their circumstances. Vince was plagued by his dad’s mental illness and his mom’s leaving him and his brothers when he was in high school. He worries that he will become like his dad. He doesn’t want to get married or have children because of it. Vince puts others first but can’t do anything for himself.
Harley is an architect who quit her most pivotal part of finishing up her schooling. Now she is doing tile work in homes. She has quite a vision when it comes to her architecture. She has a little secret about it that keeps her from moving forward with it.
I loved the dynamics of Vince’s family. Each brother is different. They are all hard workers and they all have big hearts! They come from a small town in California were everyone knows everyone else’s business and they even have a phone tree where the gossip spreads! Everyone in town knew that Harley was pregnant before Vince did! They have old women and men who like to put their two cents in at every turn. Love it!!
If you like stories with broken families, mental illness, forgiveness, protecting your family, weddings, strong family bonds, architecture, construction, and fighting for those you love then this might be for you.
March 18, 2018
This is such a fun book! It’s swoony, yes, and truly heartfelt but there’s a lot of humor too.
The town of Harmony Valley is full of quirky octogenarians with a phone chain that passes out gossip faster than…well… than gossip spreads through a small town. “Who does Irwin belong to?” Oh Irwin… I adore Irwin. The elderly man who wants to run with the bad boys and win his fair lady’s heart. The scene with the motorcycle – and the scene in the beauty salon – both had me literally laughing out loud.
Vince Messina’s story is revealed in layers, each more heartbreaking than the one before. A little boy forced to take responsibilities that were never his to bear. A man still defeated by the hurtful words spoken over him. A man held captive by fear. And yet, there is healing here too. Family healing as well as the slow mending of a wounded heart. Curtis does a great job of framing Vince’s past pain with Harley’s warmth and big heart. He grows into his Disney hair (you’ll understand after you read the book) and at the center of this is Harley – the woman he’s terrified to love.
Bottom Line: You will laugh a lot, cry a little, and swoon often in Marrying the Wedding Crasher by Melinda Curtis. I always love a trip to the hilarious Harmony Valley, and you’ll be hooked too in a matter of pages. Vince and Harley are both strong protagonists who are easy to love and easy to cheer on. They are surrounded by a solid cast of delightful supporting players who bring even more heart and humor to the mix. A great read all around.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
The town of Harmony Valley is full of quirky octogenarians with a phone chain that passes out gossip faster than…well… than gossip spreads through a small town. “Who does Irwin belong to?” Oh Irwin… I adore Irwin. The elderly man who wants to run with the bad boys and win his fair lady’s heart. The scene with the motorcycle – and the scene in the beauty salon – both had me literally laughing out loud.
Vince Messina’s story is revealed in layers, each more heartbreaking than the one before. A little boy forced to take responsibilities that were never his to bear. A man still defeated by the hurtful words spoken over him. A man held captive by fear. And yet, there is healing here too. Family healing as well as the slow mending of a wounded heart. Curtis does a great job of framing Vince’s past pain with Harley’s warmth and big heart. He grows into his Disney hair (you’ll understand after you read the book) and at the center of this is Harley – the woman he’s terrified to love.
Bottom Line: You will laugh a lot, cry a little, and swoon often in Marrying the Wedding Crasher by Melinda Curtis. I always love a trip to the hilarious Harmony Valley, and you’ll be hooked too in a matter of pages. Vince and Harley are both strong protagonists who are easy to love and easy to cheer on. They are surrounded by a solid cast of delightful supporting players who bring even more heart and humor to the mix. A great read all around.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
March 5, 2018
Marrying the Wedding Crasher (2018) by Melinda Curtis is part of the Harmony Valley series, but does read as a stand-alone story. This book is set to release tomorrow, March 6, 2018, by Harlequin Heartwarming Publishers. This book will be available in all forms including eBook, and is 384 pages in length. With a full-time job and a very busy five-year old at home, this book took me two days to read. I received a copy of this novel from Harlequin Heartwarming in eBook form for review. In no way has this influenced my opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give this novel 4.5 STARS. Marrying the Wedding Crasher is a Contemporary Clean Romance.
One day when I was seven years old, Sr. Regina, my 2nd grade teacher, gave me and my fellow classmates a brown paper bag. We were told to decorate them prettily and make sure to include our names. These bags were going to be our Valentine’s Day bags! She also told us to make/buy Valentine’s Day cards for our fellow classmates. I can remember vividly putting my whole 7-year old self into my bag, and later into the cards I made for my classmates. Valentine’s Day arrived and I excitedly hurried to class. I could not wait to pass out my cards and then enjoy the cards I got from my fellow classmates. After the craziness that is 2nd graders distributing cards and moving around the classroom, Sr. Regina asked us all to open our bags and dig into our cards and candies. I was SO excited!!! I opened my bag and saw three cards total. No candy. Just three cards. My little 2nd-grade heart dropped, but I was ok because something is better than nothing, right? Two of the cards were the store-bought kind, and one was hand written. I was excited for the hand-written card because it meant someone took time for me! I opened the note and read, “Happy Valentine’s. Nicole, you look like a clown.” I was devastated. I got up, went to the back of the classroom, and buried myself behind the coats and backpacks. I sobbed my little heart out. I was embarrassed and heartbroken.
I was seven years old when someone’s words crushed my heart and made me see myself differently. I became a very closed-off kid from that day forward, and I began to really hate the way I looked. I hated that I had to wear glasses. I hated that my prescription was so thick it looked like I was wearing coke bottles. I hated that my family was poor and I couldn’t afford cute glasses, just glasses from the cheap section in the eye doctor’s office. I then started to really look at myself in the mirror… AT SEVEN!!! I decided I hated my big nose. I hated my ugly teeth. I hated my limp hair. I hated me. It should be noted that I have a really pretty, skinny mom. The kind of pretty, skinny that the world says is perfect. I am about as opposite as you can get. Guess when I noticed that?! Yep…right after I got told I look like a clown.
I have been battling that note every day since I was seven years old.
If you are still reading this, you are probably wondering by now what this has to do with Marrying the Wedding Crasher. Marrying the Wedding Crasher is a good, solid story. It has exactly what you look for when you want a Harlequin Heartwarming-type story. The characters are well written and realistic, the plot is very engaging, and the romance is sweet. I do very much recommend it for all of these standard qualities, BUT, I really recommend this book because of what it reminded me: words are SO very important, and they can be blessings or weapons. Of all the characters in this book, I relate to Vince Messina. Vince, of course, is the perfect Harlequin Heartwarming hero — he is gorgeous, he is kind, he is all man! So, I definitely cannot relate to his gorgeousness and his manliness, but I can relate to him in regards to this “words” issue that I’ve been discussing. When Vince was a teenager someone very important to him said something in an emotionally-drained moment and it completely changed the course of his life. Vince was never going to be the person he was BEFORE THE WORDS ever again. After my Valentine’s Day card fiasco in the second grade, I was never going to be the same bright-eyed, happy, blissfully ignorant girl ever again.
We need to be SO careful with our words. This is an excellent reminder for me as a wife and mother, but also as a teacher. The words we use can have positive effects on those around us, or they can do great harm. Ephesians 4:29 states, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” God wants us to use our words to build others up, not tear them down!
Marrying the Wedding Crasher is a sweet romance. I definitely left the book smiling for the main characters, but I also left the book with a great reminder that I certainly did not expect. If you are looking for a well-written, sweet story that ends happily, and includes a great moral, then I highly recommend Marrying the Wedding Crasher. You will not be disappointed.
One day when I was seven years old, Sr. Regina, my 2nd grade teacher, gave me and my fellow classmates a brown paper bag. We were told to decorate them prettily and make sure to include our names. These bags were going to be our Valentine’s Day bags! She also told us to make/buy Valentine’s Day cards for our fellow classmates. I can remember vividly putting my whole 7-year old self into my bag, and later into the cards I made for my classmates. Valentine’s Day arrived and I excitedly hurried to class. I could not wait to pass out my cards and then enjoy the cards I got from my fellow classmates. After the craziness that is 2nd graders distributing cards and moving around the classroom, Sr. Regina asked us all to open our bags and dig into our cards and candies. I was SO excited!!! I opened my bag and saw three cards total. No candy. Just three cards. My little 2nd-grade heart dropped, but I was ok because something is better than nothing, right? Two of the cards were the store-bought kind, and one was hand written. I was excited for the hand-written card because it meant someone took time for me! I opened the note and read, “Happy Valentine’s. Nicole, you look like a clown.” I was devastated. I got up, went to the back of the classroom, and buried myself behind the coats and backpacks. I sobbed my little heart out. I was embarrassed and heartbroken.
I was seven years old when someone’s words crushed my heart and made me see myself differently. I became a very closed-off kid from that day forward, and I began to really hate the way I looked. I hated that I had to wear glasses. I hated that my prescription was so thick it looked like I was wearing coke bottles. I hated that my family was poor and I couldn’t afford cute glasses, just glasses from the cheap section in the eye doctor’s office. I then started to really look at myself in the mirror… AT SEVEN!!! I decided I hated my big nose. I hated my ugly teeth. I hated my limp hair. I hated me. It should be noted that I have a really pretty, skinny mom. The kind of pretty, skinny that the world says is perfect. I am about as opposite as you can get. Guess when I noticed that?! Yep…right after I got told I look like a clown.
I have been battling that note every day since I was seven years old.
If you are still reading this, you are probably wondering by now what this has to do with Marrying the Wedding Crasher. Marrying the Wedding Crasher is a good, solid story. It has exactly what you look for when you want a Harlequin Heartwarming-type story. The characters are well written and realistic, the plot is very engaging, and the romance is sweet. I do very much recommend it for all of these standard qualities, BUT, I really recommend this book because of what it reminded me: words are SO very important, and they can be blessings or weapons. Of all the characters in this book, I relate to Vince Messina. Vince, of course, is the perfect Harlequin Heartwarming hero — he is gorgeous, he is kind, he is all man! So, I definitely cannot relate to his gorgeousness and his manliness, but I can relate to him in regards to this “words” issue that I’ve been discussing. When Vince was a teenager someone very important to him said something in an emotionally-drained moment and it completely changed the course of his life. Vince was never going to be the person he was BEFORE THE WORDS ever again. After my Valentine’s Day card fiasco in the second grade, I was never going to be the same bright-eyed, happy, blissfully ignorant girl ever again.
We need to be SO careful with our words. This is an excellent reminder for me as a wife and mother, but also as a teacher. The words we use can have positive effects on those around us, or they can do great harm. Ephesians 4:29 states, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” God wants us to use our words to build others up, not tear them down!
Marrying the Wedding Crasher is a sweet romance. I definitely left the book smiling for the main characters, but I also left the book with a great reminder that I certainly did not expect. If you are looking for a well-written, sweet story that ends happily, and includes a great moral, then I highly recommend Marrying the Wedding Crasher. You will not be disappointed.
March 7, 2018
Marrying The Wedding Crasher is a heartwarming contemporary romance story that follows the unexpected relationship of Harley O'Hannigan and Vince Messina.
Vince Messina needs a date for his younger brother Joe's wedding. Vince has been able to keep his brothers at arm's length about his personal life for years. But there is no getting out of going back home to Harmony Valley, California, so Vince asks his ex-girlfriend and co-worker Harley O'Hannigan to be his date after he let it slip to his brothers that he has a girlfriend. From the day that Vince and Harley met there was a strong connection and mutual attraction between them. But a misunderstanding and Vince's personal baggage and tough exterior waylaid the development of their relationship. Can a seemingly harmless wedding invitation to a family wedding change Vince and Harley's pretend relationship into a real one ... or will family secrets and emotional baggage keep them from reigniting the romance that they once briefly shared?
Author Melinda Curtis weaves a wonderful tale full of pain, angst, drama, humor, and tender romantic moments that easily draws the reader into Harley and Vince's story. The dramatic development of their relationship makes this story worth the read, as their connection is put to the test by serious personal issues in their lives. You can't help but feel for Vince as he struggles with his past emotional baggage, and cheer for Harley and Vince on as they try to move beyond a pretend relationship with a few surprises along the way!
Marrying The Wedding Crasher has an intriguing cast of characters who are realistic, flawed, and easy to relate to; witty dialogue and engaging interactions; and a wonderful storyline that will take you on a beautiful journey towards a happily-ever-after.
If you are looking for a hopeful and heartwarming love story that follows the unexpected journey of two people who learn to let go of their pasts and open themselves up to a healing and loving relationship, then Marrying The Wedding Crasher is the story for you!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by I Am A Reader.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
Vince Messina needs a date for his younger brother Joe's wedding. Vince has been able to keep his brothers at arm's length about his personal life for years. But there is no getting out of going back home to Harmony Valley, California, so Vince asks his ex-girlfriend and co-worker Harley O'Hannigan to be his date after he let it slip to his brothers that he has a girlfriend. From the day that Vince and Harley met there was a strong connection and mutual attraction between them. But a misunderstanding and Vince's personal baggage and tough exterior waylaid the development of their relationship. Can a seemingly harmless wedding invitation to a family wedding change Vince and Harley's pretend relationship into a real one ... or will family secrets and emotional baggage keep them from reigniting the romance that they once briefly shared?
Author Melinda Curtis weaves a wonderful tale full of pain, angst, drama, humor, and tender romantic moments that easily draws the reader into Harley and Vince's story. The dramatic development of their relationship makes this story worth the read, as their connection is put to the test by serious personal issues in their lives. You can't help but feel for Vince as he struggles with his past emotional baggage, and cheer for Harley and Vince on as they try to move beyond a pretend relationship with a few surprises along the way!
Marrying The Wedding Crasher has an intriguing cast of characters who are realistic, flawed, and easy to relate to; witty dialogue and engaging interactions; and a wonderful storyline that will take you on a beautiful journey towards a happily-ever-after.
If you are looking for a hopeful and heartwarming love story that follows the unexpected journey of two people who learn to let go of their pasts and open themselves up to a healing and loving relationship, then Marrying The Wedding Crasher is the story for you!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by I Am A Reader.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
March 1, 2018
Returning to Harmony Valley, California, is always a treat. I always look forward to seeing what the elders are up to and how they handle new younger people coming to town. And for those who come back home to visit, they try and get them to stay. They know what improvements need to be made and they are too old to make it happen. Vince Messina has returned from Texas with his week-long date, Harley O’Hannigan, for his brother Joe’s wedding. They had stopped dating, but Vince needed a pretend date, and Harley agreed to go along with it. The life both of them envisioned took a different turn. Neither of them is doing what they wanted to do - obstacles took care of that. The secrets Vince has kept hidden from his family are huge, enough that he left 16 years ago! Honor, pride, trust, belief in oneself, and letting others in is hard to accomplish, but it can be done. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to returning again, as there are others waiting to have their own chance at love. This can be read as a stand alone. [I received this book for free and my opinion is my own.]
March 2, 2018
What a great book! I loved the story – the humor, the emotion, the romance. I really enjoyed being with the Messina family. I loved the banter between them. It was fun to watch Vince and Harley try to prove they were a couple to the family.
Vince and Harley had a lot of depth to them and were easy to love. They were flawed human beings, struggling with challenges life had brought them. I loved watching them work through things and come out the other side in a better place. And together. :)
It was great to be back in Harmony Valley! Oh, the elderly residents make me laugh! They always add to the story. I’m looking forward to going back soon!
I received a complimentary copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.
Vince and Harley had a lot of depth to them and were easy to love. They were flawed human beings, struggling with challenges life had brought them. I loved watching them work through things and come out the other side in a better place. And together. :)
It was great to be back in Harmony Valley! Oh, the elderly residents make me laugh! They always add to the story. I’m looking forward to going back soon!
I received a complimentary copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.
March 10, 2019
I love a book that leaves me smiling. When I started it, knew I'd like it but didn't expect it to trigger so many emotions. Vince didn't want to go back to his home town because of the bad memories he had growing up there. But his brother was getting married so he had to go whether he wanted to or not. He could get through this. It was only for a week. But he needed a date and didn't have one. Harley agreed to pretend to be his girlfriend and go with him even though they weren't seeing each other any more.
I liked Vince and Harley. It was fun to see them pretend to be in a relationship when they were around his family. I especially liked the older residents. They knew what was going on in town as soon as it happened. It was incredible how fast news travelled in Harmony Valley.
I'm happy I won Marrying The Wedding Crasher. It was simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting. It will have you tearing-up and chuckling. Romantic comedy fans will enjoy this book.
I liked Vince and Harley. It was fun to see them pretend to be in a relationship when they were around his family. I especially liked the older residents. They knew what was going on in town as soon as it happened. It was incredible how fast news travelled in Harmony Valley.
I'm happy I won Marrying The Wedding Crasher. It was simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting. It will have you tearing-up and chuckling. Romantic comedy fans will enjoy this book.
March 2, 2018
I really liked this story.
Vince and Harley were both wonderful characters. Vince has always avoided relationships because of a fear that he may turn out like his father. He and Harley had dated briefly, but then he makes a deal with her to take her as his date to a family wedding in order to keep his family from hounding him about settling down.
There were certainly some tense and emotional parts to the story, but the sense of family really came through. I loved all of the characters in this story, and loved getting to visit Harmony Valley again.
Vince and Harley were both wonderful characters. Vince has always avoided relationships because of a fear that he may turn out like his father. He and Harley had dated briefly, but then he makes a deal with her to take her as his date to a family wedding in order to keep his family from hounding him about settling down.
There were certainly some tense and emotional parts to the story, but the sense of family really came through. I loved all of the characters in this story, and loved getting to visit Harmony Valley again.
Read
March 2, 2018Miniseries: A Harmony Valley Novel
February 28, 2018
Harley O Hannigan agree to be Vince Messina date. but she ended up pregnant...
February 10, 2018
“Marrying the Wedding Crasher” by Melinda Curtis is part of her Harmony Valley series and features Vince Messina and Harley O’Hannigan.
Vince hasn’t been back to Harmony Valley in years and is only back now to attend his brother’s wedding (Joe from “Marrying the Single Dad”). Having only phone conversations over the years, and to keep his brothers off his back, Vince pretended he has a girlfriend. Now, he needs to prove to them he actually does. The only person who comes to mind is Harley O’Hannigan – a woman he dated briefly.
Harley, still attracted to Vince despite refusing to go out with him again, is trying to rediscover her confidence after an architectural design she created failed. She’s been working with Vince on a construction site and in exchange for Vince repairing one of her tools, she agrees to go to Harmony Valley with him.
Going home is hard for Vince because there were a lot of things that happened during childhood that Vince never shared with his brothers. He’s very protective of his family and tends to keep his emotions bottled up, hiding who he truly is.
Harley makes him want to open up and share.
Ms. Curtis has created complex characters in Vince and Harley as well as creating fantastic secondary characters in the elderly residents of Harmony Valley. In each installment of this series, this reader enjoys “checking in” with them.
“Marrying the Wedding Crasher” will make you laugh out loud and blink away tears – the perfect blend of emotions to experience when reading a book by Ms. Curtis.
Vince hasn’t been back to Harmony Valley in years and is only back now to attend his brother’s wedding (Joe from “Marrying the Single Dad”). Having only phone conversations over the years, and to keep his brothers off his back, Vince pretended he has a girlfriend. Now, he needs to prove to them he actually does. The only person who comes to mind is Harley O’Hannigan – a woman he dated briefly.
Harley, still attracted to Vince despite refusing to go out with him again, is trying to rediscover her confidence after an architectural design she created failed. She’s been working with Vince on a construction site and in exchange for Vince repairing one of her tools, she agrees to go to Harmony Valley with him.
Going home is hard for Vince because there were a lot of things that happened during childhood that Vince never shared with his brothers. He’s very protective of his family and tends to keep his emotions bottled up, hiding who he truly is.
Harley makes him want to open up and share.
Ms. Curtis has created complex characters in Vince and Harley as well as creating fantastic secondary characters in the elderly residents of Harmony Valley. In each installment of this series, this reader enjoys “checking in” with them.
“Marrying the Wedding Crasher” will make you laugh out loud and blink away tears – the perfect blend of emotions to experience when reading a book by Ms. Curtis.
February 19, 2018
This story depicts a strong female character in a typically male career who has been dealt an unfair hand and she struggles to get back on her feet financially. She strikes up a deal with an old flame - an exchange of services. She will attend his family wedding and he will repair a valuable piece of equipment. She must not fall in love with him. Absolutely not. Stay focused. Do. Not. Fall. For. Him. Hmm 🤔...
A fun, clean romance.
A fun, clean romance.
February 17, 2018
I love Harmony Valley. The old people are so much fun. Vince and Harley tried to make a go of it before, but Vince isn't the marrying kind. Or is he? Vince is forced to confront a lot of old family secrets when he goes home to watch his little brother get married. He brings Harley to be a buffer against his family and people of Harmony Valley who like to be match makers. Harley is dealing with her own problems, but agrees to help Vince. Is she just setting herself up for heartache?
March 7, 2018
I love these types of stories. Fake wedding date to pull one over on the family. But are they just kidding themselves??
Secrets revealed and family ties broken and mended make for at least one happy ending. Will there be another?
Vince doesn't want to go home for his brothers wedding. He never wanted to set foot there again. With his family and history along with secrets he just doesn't feel the need to go. But he has to and he needs a date. And who better than the woman he can't get out of his head. Harley.
Harley hates doing tile work. But with her failure and clause in her contract she can no longer be an architect. At least for four years. Unless she can come up with a way to make her design work. And she doesn't see that happening. But she needs money so any work will have to do. But Vince is a distraction. And he needs her help. But after their falling out a month ago she doesn't know. She agrees and that's where the fun begins.
Vince and Harley are so compatible and their chemisty is another reason neither should be together. She wants a family. And he is set against a wife and kids. Bit things don't always go as you want. And Vince will get the surprise of his life in more ways than one.
Secrets revealed and family ties broken and mended make for at least one happy ending. Will there be another?
Vince doesn't want to go home for his brothers wedding. He never wanted to set foot there again. With his family and history along with secrets he just doesn't feel the need to go. But he has to and he needs a date. And who better than the woman he can't get out of his head. Harley.
Harley hates doing tile work. But with her failure and clause in her contract she can no longer be an architect. At least for four years. Unless she can come up with a way to make her design work. And she doesn't see that happening. But she needs money so any work will have to do. But Vince is a distraction. And he needs her help. But after their falling out a month ago she doesn't know. She agrees and that's where the fun begins.
Vince and Harley are so compatible and their chemisty is another reason neither should be together. She wants a family. And he is set against a wife and kids. Bit things don't always go as you want. And Vince will get the surprise of his life in more ways than one.
February 7, 2018
Marrying The Wedding Crasher has it all. There is love, pain and second chances. Harley O'Hannigan has a front row seat to the drama. She's agreed to go with Vince Messina to his brother's wedding. She and Vince had dated for a short time. Now they are pretending to be a couple. What could possibly go wrong? Harley is a sweet and feisty woman but she's hurting. Her dreams seems unobtainable. I felt her pain. I hated to see her give up. Vince likes Harley, but with his past he doesn't want anything permanent. He has family secrets that he can't escape. My heart broke. The chemistry between Harley and Vince is powerful, but he's so stubborn that he won't give into his feelings. Their flirty dialogue was sweet. These two made me smile. I loved coming to Harmony Valley. The residents are unique and good hearted. The Messina Family has endured so much heartache. I couldn't believe how rough life has been for them. I wanted them to get the closure they needed. I enjoyed this emotional story. Melinda Curtis has written characters that tugged at my heart.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
February 26, 2018
Returning to Harmony Valley, California, is always a treat. I always look forward to seeing what the elders are up to and how they handle new younger people coming to town. And for those who come back home to visit, they try and get them to stay. They know what improvements need to be made and they are too old to make it happen. Vince Messina has returned from Texas with his week-long date, Harley O’Hannigan, for his brother Joe’s wedding. They had stopped dating, but Vince needed a pretend date, and Harley agreed to go along with it. The life both of them envisioned took a different turn. Neither of them is doing what they wanted to do - obstacles took care of that. The secrets Vince has kept hidden from his family are huge, enough that he left 16 years ago! Honor, pride, trust, belief in oneself, and letting others in is hard to accomplish, but it can be done. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to returning again, as there are others waiting to have their own chance at love. This can be read as a stand alone. [I received this book for free and my opinion is my own.]
March 6, 2018
I loved this book!! Just like the others, it’s total romance. This especially touched me because of the background subject matter. I have been in those shoes. Melinda, you did a great job of handling the “taboo” subject! Thank you for speaking out through this book!!
June 21, 2024
A cowboy who needs a fake girlfriend for gis brother’s upcoming wedding. He is not expecting to find love in this sweet romance.
Vince Messina returns to his small hometown for his brother’s wedding. It is a place fill with bad childhood memories of his dad and their mom leaving. He brings along Harley O’Hannigan as his plus one whom he been seeing for a month so he would not have to attend it alone.
Secrets are a bound as they reach Harmony Valley which may soon tear them apart. What started out as a pretend relationship might just turn out to be forever. It is a sweet love story featuring another Messina brother.
Vince Messina returns to his small hometown for his brother’s wedding. It is a place fill with bad childhood memories of his dad and their mom leaving. He brings along Harley O’Hannigan as his plus one whom he been seeing for a month so he would not have to attend it alone.
Secrets are a bound as they reach Harmony Valley which may soon tear them apart. What started out as a pretend relationship might just turn out to be forever. It is a sweet love story featuring another Messina brother.
August 28, 2024
Absolutely loved the book. Loved the way Harley realized she was in love with Vince. Loved how Vince was in love with Harley and how he finally learned to deal with his past. I could only wish a man would propose to me the way he did Harley. I hope there are more in this series.
March 24, 2018
When you give everything you have and made to feel like you are nothing it can affect you no matter what age you are. This is what happens to both the main characters but in different ways. It is a story about hopes, dreams, sorrow, misunderstandings, pain, mending, filled with love, forgiveness, sometimes dreams do come true. This story touched me in so many ways the author knows how to reach in touching your heart with so many emotions come home to Harmony Valley where you will laugh, cry, cheer and say a few not so nice words as characters twist their way into your heart as they work on heartbreaking issues that have been out of their control with families that love them but might not always do it in the way they think they should.
Vince comes off as somewhat of a jerk but truly he just doesn’t know how to say things right. Harley has a secret she can’t share as to why she isn’t doing the job she was trained to do. Vince said some things that really upset her making her feel like she is a failure. One date was one to many for her and poor Vince doesn’t even know what he did wrong. Vince makes a habit of putting his foot in his mouth one big one was telling his family he was seriously dating Harley not his family expects him to bring her home to a wedding he doesn’t want to go home to. Heck he hasn’t been home in a lot of years only for holidays and only when he is made to.
A lot of things happens between these pages, a lot of issues will be worked out with a lot of pain hitting hard as misunderstanding are worked out things get very completed filled with strong feeling, passion and one baby on the way. The author gives a story of so much pain wrapped around humor, smiles and laughs taking you down a road that will twist you apart and finally bring you home to a loving family, a new life and some major issues worked out for two people to find their happy ever after. A very heartwarming clean read that really touched me in so many ways.
Vince comes off as somewhat of a jerk but truly he just doesn’t know how to say things right. Harley has a secret she can’t share as to why she isn’t doing the job she was trained to do. Vince said some things that really upset her making her feel like she is a failure. One date was one to many for her and poor Vince doesn’t even know what he did wrong. Vince makes a habit of putting his foot in his mouth one big one was telling his family he was seriously dating Harley not his family expects him to bring her home to a wedding he doesn’t want to go home to. Heck he hasn’t been home in a lot of years only for holidays and only when he is made to.
A lot of things happens between these pages, a lot of issues will be worked out with a lot of pain hitting hard as misunderstanding are worked out things get very completed filled with strong feeling, passion and one baby on the way. The author gives a story of so much pain wrapped around humor, smiles and laughs taking you down a road that will twist you apart and finally bring you home to a loving family, a new life and some major issues worked out for two people to find their happy ever after. A very heartwarming clean read that really touched me in so many ways.
March 7, 2018
Vince hasn't been back to Harmony Valley since he left many years ago. His younger brothers have tried to get him to visit, but he always comes up with an excuse as to why he can't make it home. Joe, Vince's younger brother, is getting married and wants him to be a part of the ceremony. So excuses won't work. Vince decides he may be able to make it through the wedding festivities if he brings someone along.
Harley is a dreamer and an architect. The combination leads her to design structures that aren't necessarily "buildable", but can be entered into contests to gain notarity for her architecture firm. Instead, her boss sells and accepts payment on one of her designs. Upset that she can't come up with a solution, her boss harasses her and won't let her out of her contract. Therefore, she can't work in architecture until her contract is up or she finds a solution for her boss. So Harley works as a tiler on various construction jobs, where she meets Vince. After dating for awhile, Harley dumps Vince.
Vince rescues Harley from her abusive boss, but couldn't salvage her saw. Harley needs the saw to work in order to pay bills. Low on money, she turns to Vince to see if he can fix it. He can't, but makes a deal with her. If she'll be his plus one at his brother's wedding, he'll get her another saw or fix hers. Harley agrees.
I absolutely LOVED this novel as it was different from anything I've ever read. There were so many minor stories, woven together to reveal one complete story, seamlessly. A relatable, compassionate, encouraging, and funny story all combined into one wonderful novel! The surprise twist at the end just made the story even better! I can't wait to read about the rest of Vince's family. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.
Harley is a dreamer and an architect. The combination leads her to design structures that aren't necessarily "buildable", but can be entered into contests to gain notarity for her architecture firm. Instead, her boss sells and accepts payment on one of her designs. Upset that she can't come up with a solution, her boss harasses her and won't let her out of her contract. Therefore, she can't work in architecture until her contract is up or she finds a solution for her boss. So Harley works as a tiler on various construction jobs, where she meets Vince. After dating for awhile, Harley dumps Vince.
Vince rescues Harley from her abusive boss, but couldn't salvage her saw. Harley needs the saw to work in order to pay bills. Low on money, she turns to Vince to see if he can fix it. He can't, but makes a deal with her. If she'll be his plus one at his brother's wedding, he'll get her another saw or fix hers. Harley agrees.
I absolutely LOVED this novel as it was different from anything I've ever read. There were so many minor stories, woven together to reveal one complete story, seamlessly. A relatable, compassionate, encouraging, and funny story all combined into one wonderful novel! The surprise twist at the end just made the story even better! I can't wait to read about the rest of Vince's family. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.
June 29, 2024
What a great story. I really liked Harley and Vince. As we start the book and head to Harmony Valley for a wedding, we get to find out a lot about these two. They’re unfortunately both hiding failures in their individual lives but I did love how they were there for each other. I definitely felt for Vince heading back home to where he grew up with so many secrets, he’s trying to keep not only about his job but their mother as well and Harley is along for the ride but gets pulled into helping but she has a secret herself that permits her from doing too much. Of course, it makes things more complicated when his brother blood hound Gabe questions everything about them and watches them like a hawk. I have to say, he wasn’t my favorite character. Just when things are going pretty smoothly, of course something happens and Vince retreats leaving Harley in Harmony Valley. I’m glad that everyone rallied around Harley in his absence, but I wanted everything to be fixed between them. Who knew that when Vince left, he was in the process of fixing past mistakes. When Vince shows back up with his ‘surprise’ for everyone I was a tad concerned but it went better than I would have expected. I’m glad he got some answers from his mother but I’m also not a fan of her either. I’m wondering if Gabe and Reggie might end up together, but his book isn’t until next year, we’ll see. So excited for Harley and Vince and that they are both getting what they’ve always wanted plus a little surprise thrown in for good measure. There is a line in this story that was so good, ‘He had fantastic hair. The kind of hair Disney gave its princes.’ Wonderful book!
July 1, 2024
A match made in Heaven - Another great visit to HV is had, this time with one of those bad boy Torinos and his ex-girlfriend. It'll be brutal in HV, with the whole town eyeing their every move, but better with than without her. At least Vince's brothers should leave him alone. They don't need to know he's sworn off love, marriage and kids. Good thing fate has better sense than him, putting everything he needs right in front of him. He just has to be brave enough to grab hold and never let go.
Vince holds so much pain and guilt inside from his childhood. He never shared any of that with his brothers. Harley feels like a failure due to misbegotten actions that were not her own. But she's determined to persevere. Two souls who aren't where they want to be in their lives, one afraid to love, the other with arms open wide to receive it. A rocky road will be taken to their HEA, but they will get there, tears wiped away with sweet kisses and hugs.
The residents of HV bring their wonderful personalities to the party as always. Mildred and Old Man Takata? Motorcycling Irwin and speed-racer Rose? The elders are grabbing life by the horns almost as much as the youngsters. Eldest Torino Gabe is a delightful goofball, but protective of his niece Sam. Young Brad had best be leery. A dad and two uncles have him in their sights. Joe and Brit are blissfully happy, their nuptials the talk of the town, at least until Vince comes home and acts a fool. He and Harley kept the phone tree hopping, everyone in HV rooting for them to be together. Small-town living at its finest.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Vince holds so much pain and guilt inside from his childhood. He never shared any of that with his brothers. Harley feels like a failure due to misbegotten actions that were not her own. But she's determined to persevere. Two souls who aren't where they want to be in their lives, one afraid to love, the other with arms open wide to receive it. A rocky road will be taken to their HEA, but they will get there, tears wiped away with sweet kisses and hugs.
The residents of HV bring their wonderful personalities to the party as always. Mildred and Old Man Takata? Motorcycling Irwin and speed-racer Rose? The elders are grabbing life by the horns almost as much as the youngsters. Eldest Torino Gabe is a delightful goofball, but protective of his niece Sam. Young Brad had best be leery. A dad and two uncles have him in their sights. Joe and Brit are blissfully happy, their nuptials the talk of the town, at least until Vince comes home and acts a fool. He and Harley kept the phone tree hopping, everyone in HV rooting for them to be together. Small-town living at its finest.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2024
I enjoyed this visit back to Harmony Valley for a second chance, fake relationship romance. It was a lovely romance with plenty of entertaining interference from both family and the (mostly senior) residents of the town. Vince had endured a difficult youth with a mentally ill father and a mother who walked out. He had convinced himself that he couldn’t, and shouldn’t, ever marry or have children. Holding himself at a distance from his brothers, he lied and said he had a girlfriend. Called back to his home town for his brother’s wedding, he convinced his ex-girlfriend Harley to join him and pretend they were together. Harley had her own baggage after her architecture career had been derailed. Back in Harmony Valley, memories, secrets, and new surprises warred with Vince and Harley’s unresolved, and still growing, feelings for each other. There were many serious topics focused on in the story, but the Harmony Valley senior citizens added a light layer to it. It was fun to see characters from previous books again, especially Vince’s family. The main characters were engaging and their romance was interesting with a fairly recent history and many layers. This book is part of a long series and there is a lot of carryover, but the story can be read as a standalone. There were elements in this story that involved mental illness (specifically schizophrenia and depression), suicide, self-harm, physical assault, death, grief, and parental abandonment. This is a closed door romance with the characters having had intimate relations before the story. There is mild innuendo and no harsh language.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 10, 2018
“Marrying the Wedding Crasher” by Melinda Curtis is part of her Harmony Valley series and features Vince Messina and Harley O’Hannigan.
Vince hasn’t been back to Harmony Valley in years and is only back now to attend his brother’s wedding (Joe from “Marrying the Single Dad”). Having only phone conversations over the years, and to keep his brothers off his back, Vince pretended he has a girlfriend. Now, he needs to prove to them he actually does. The only person who comes to mind is Harley O’Hannigan – a woman he dated briefly.
Harley, still attracted to Vince despite refusing to go out with him again, is trying to rediscover her confidence after an architectural design she created failed. She’s been working with Vince on a construction site and in exchange for Vince repairing one of her tools, she agrees to go to Harmony Valley with him.
Going home is hard for Vince because there were a lot of things that happened during childhood that Vince never shared with his brothers. He’s very protective of his family and tends to keep his emotions bottled up, hiding who he truly is.
Harley makes him want to open up and share.
Ms. Curtis has created complex characters in Vince and Harley as well as creating fantastic secondary characters in the elderly residents of Harmony Valley. In each installment of this series, this reader enjoys “checking in” with them.
“Marrying the Wedding Crasher” will make you laugh out loud and blink away tears – the perfect blend of emotions to experience when reading a book by Ms. Curtis.
Vince hasn’t been back to Harmony Valley in years and is only back now to attend his brother’s wedding (Joe from “Marrying the Single Dad”). Having only phone conversations over the years, and to keep his brothers off his back, Vince pretended he has a girlfriend. Now, he needs to prove to them he actually does. The only person who comes to mind is Harley O’Hannigan – a woman he dated briefly.
Harley, still attracted to Vince despite refusing to go out with him again, is trying to rediscover her confidence after an architectural design she created failed. She’s been working with Vince on a construction site and in exchange for Vince repairing one of her tools, she agrees to go to Harmony Valley with him.
Going home is hard for Vince because there were a lot of things that happened during childhood that Vince never shared with his brothers. He’s very protective of his family and tends to keep his emotions bottled up, hiding who he truly is.
Harley makes him want to open up and share.
Ms. Curtis has created complex characters in Vince and Harley as well as creating fantastic secondary characters in the elderly residents of Harmony Valley. In each installment of this series, this reader enjoys “checking in” with them.
“Marrying the Wedding Crasher” will make you laugh out loud and blink away tears – the perfect blend of emotions to experience when reading a book by Ms. Curtis.
March 8, 2018
Marrying the Wedding Crasher was everything I’ve come to expect in a book by author Melinda Curtis. With a subtle sense of humor, her books are lighthearted and fun despite the drama.
Vince is the protector of his family and always has been. Despite being the middle child, he took on the responsibility of covering for his dad’s inadequacies as a child. He also harbored a secret from his brothers that had the power to cause them to hate him, and so he avoided them. Until he had to return to Harmony Valley for his brother’s wedding.
Harley had secrets of her own that had her working as a tile-installer instead of using her architectural degree. Though she didn’t want to be Vince’s wedding date, circumstances forced her to make the decision to go with him to California for a week to do just that.
Though there was a level of predictability to the story (in a fun way), there were some twists and turns that kept it interesting. I didn’t expect the wedding crasher to be who it was! Moreover, there were some quirky small-town characters to add additional color to the story.
Though this is part of a multi-book series, it stands alone. This is the first book in the series I read, and I am guessing that Vince’s brother Joe and his fiancée, Brit, were in a previous book. I suspect that his older brother, Gabe, will appear in his own story in the future.
Vince is the protector of his family and always has been. Despite being the middle child, he took on the responsibility of covering for his dad’s inadequacies as a child. He also harbored a secret from his brothers that had the power to cause them to hate him, and so he avoided them. Until he had to return to Harmony Valley for his brother’s wedding.
Harley had secrets of her own that had her working as a tile-installer instead of using her architectural degree. Though she didn’t want to be Vince’s wedding date, circumstances forced her to make the decision to go with him to California for a week to do just that.
Though there was a level of predictability to the story (in a fun way), there were some twists and turns that kept it interesting. I didn’t expect the wedding crasher to be who it was! Moreover, there were some quirky small-town characters to add additional color to the story.
Though this is part of a multi-book series, it stands alone. This is the first book in the series I read, and I am guessing that Vince’s brother Joe and his fiancée, Brit, were in a previous book. I suspect that his older brother, Gabe, will appear in his own story in the future.
March 23, 2018
I enjoy every trip I make back to Harmony Valley. This time round we meet Vince Messina. He's coming home to his brother Joe's wedding. Naturally he can't go back alone. He needs a date and the only person he would ever consider asking is the girl who he's still hung up on even after breaking up with. After all he knows he can never truly commit to a relationship and bring the hell that his father brought to their house on anyone he truly loves.
Harley O’Hannigan has a secret that has her working as a lowly construction worker despite her architect's degree. She's bound by law and unable to share her troubles. That makes Vince think that she's simply throwing away the advantages that a good education have given her. If only things were as simple as they seemed, but in Harley's life nothing ever is.
Now Harmony Valley plays it's magic between the two. Of course things become a bit more complicated when Harley realizes that she's pregnant with Vince's baby. Vince runs from the emotional attachment, convinced that he's doing the best for her. She may have lost one Messina with her pregnancy announcement but she's gained a ready made family with his brothers and their wives.
While Vince tries to sort out his issues by visiting his mother, Harley is trying to pick up the pieces and start a fresh in Harmony Valley. It's the magic of the town that brings them back to each other.
Harley O’Hannigan has a secret that has her working as a lowly construction worker despite her architect's degree. She's bound by law and unable to share her troubles. That makes Vince think that she's simply throwing away the advantages that a good education have given her. If only things were as simple as they seemed, but in Harley's life nothing ever is.
Now Harmony Valley plays it's magic between the two. Of course things become a bit more complicated when Harley realizes that she's pregnant with Vince's baby. Vince runs from the emotional attachment, convinced that he's doing the best for her. She may have lost one Messina with her pregnancy announcement but she's gained a ready made family with his brothers and their wives.
While Vince tries to sort out his issues by visiting his mother, Harley is trying to pick up the pieces and start a fresh in Harmony Valley. It's the magic of the town that brings them back to each other.
March 4, 2024
This story packed an emotional punch for me! I could feel the emotions of all the characters involved! Their pasts intersected with their presents in very real ways and threatened their futures. Joe was getting married and of course, invited his two brothers to be at the wedding. One of those brothers, Vince, hasn't been back home to Harmony Valley since he left years ago. The brothers' growing up years were very complicated and messy, especially Vince's, and he has kept a lot of secrets from his brothers. He doesn't really want to go back for Joe's wedding because those secrets might come out and he's not ready for them to! He also doesn't want to bring a "plus-one" but eventually does both - goes to the wedding and brings Harley, a girl he only dated for a month. Harley has her own secrets! I love going back to Harmony Valley anytime I can. Love all those characters! It was fun to see Joe, his fiancée and his daughter again too! As secrets come out, the brothers will have to deal with things they never knew and Vince will have to change his perception of himself and maybe even make a life with Harley? However, he vowed to never get married or have a family so that just might be impossible!
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