The Man of Her Dreams

by Marcia Lynn McClure

Libby smiled as she watched him drink from the mug of cocoa she'd prepared for him. It was all so exciting-the renovation, the hope of finding something hidden in the house that no one had ever found before, the fact that the handsome contractor would be in and out of her shop and her life for weeks to come. All of a sudden, Libby felt a surge of rejuvenation course through her limbs, for she loved when life brought unexpected pleasures. And seeing the likes of him every day certainly would be a pleasure.

Genres: Romance, Clean Romance, Novella, Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction

206 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Marcia Lynn McClure grew up influenced by the reminiscent stories of rugged, rural Colorado farm life fascinatingly recounted to her by her parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts…tales of runaway buckboards, mule-drawn plows and dust pneumonia; verbalized images of stream-flooded meadows, frozen over in winter, where a child could peer through the crystal clear ice in wonder at the small fish, snakes and mice sealed in the meadow grasses beneath; stories of hardship and tragedy, love and loss. But always the stories, and the people telling them, bore evidence of the wonder and worthiness of simpler, yet sometimes brutal, times.

These influential people and the family legends they detailed, coupled with her own life experiences and utterly romantic nature, led Marcia to begin writing novels as Christmas gifts for her closest friends…friends who long for a breath of the past and miss the romance of bygone eras; friends searching for moments of distraction from the stressful, demanding times we live in.

And so, knowing that it is the breath of the past and the "take me in you arms and kiss me" kind of moments that so many women long to relive, Marcia spins her tales of love, life and laughter…adventures woven around those compelling, romantic instances that most appeal to a woman's loving heart. Marcia feels that if her readers close one of her books with a contented sigh and a delighted smile, feeling rejuvenated, cheerful and edified, then she has achieved what she set out to do…shower refreshment and happiness on anyone having experienced the story.

Marcia lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. There she writes her stories surrounded by her beloved friends and family...and the beautiful desert landscape of New Mexico!

Reviews

[Teya Teya · Rating 5 out of 5]

12/26/23
I love this renovating gorilla poop cookie-eating love story. I love the material store and the fun things found when renovating. A sweet love double love story.

9/9/22
I love this book. It's a perfectly, cozy, comforting, warm blanket wrapped around your, type of book. The guy in that one scene, oh my Lanta (don't worry no bed scenes, well a bed scene but not a bed scene). I love that there's a store of fabric and quilting upstairs after a little bit anyway. It was just enjoyable.

Other years
I LOVE Marcia! She is my first favorite fiction writer and this book is no exception. This is a sweet fast, oh so high on the yummy scale for a leading man and sweet love interest. So cute, fun, fast, and droolingly yummy!

My dream shop with a room for hot cocoa, um, yes, please. Sexy yummy man and I just love this story.

[Kristen Dahl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was very quick to read! It’s just a little too cheesey for me.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a little delightful light hearted, I need an escape from the dreariness of life book! Just what I need every so often! I laughed and giggled, and think I like snippets at the end just as much as the book. It brings the book alive to me, and even more relatable.

If Marcia every came to my work, she could totally tell me keep the change ya filthy animal. That would make me laugh so hard! Love Home Alone! And turkey turds were cracking me up as my Mom tabooed the word turd from our house. I imagined what she would say to that treat and it made me smile... Not something anyone else would get from reading this, but I think reading is best when we can find things that are personal. :)

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a feel good romance. Loved it!

"Hey, Dave."

Peanuts

Turkey Turds

Movie References

I was cracking up. Such wit and humor.

[Alysia · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO cute. A pretty short book, but I really loved the characters and the storyline. AND, now I have to go and make Turkey Turds. I gotta see if they're really that good. Great lighthearted read.

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy, quilt shop romance

A cozy quilt shop, a handsome contractor, luscious desserts, and a fairy house combine in this cozy romance. Recipes for rich hot chocolate and "turkey turds" included.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these short little stories that put a smile on my face. I love the way the author puts a little bit of herself into each one, leaving the reader with a cozy, romantic feeling.

Libby owns a quilt shop that was her grandmother's. She decides to renovate a back room to make it useful for her shop and her dad hires the perfect carpenter--Sawyer. Libby is a girl who isn't afraid to work hard and laugh while doing so. She's a nostalgic girl, doing her best to make things cozy and comfortable in an old-fashioned way, while staying true to what her modern customers want. Sawyer is a manly man who works hard and is creative. He's very thoughtful, as he proved with the fairy house door and water feature, among other things.

I loved the little treats that were described, as well as the fairy house--so enchanting! The jokes were fun, as were the reactions to the jokes. Laughing is good for the soul. But my favorite thing was watching the romantic sparks fly.

Content:

language: one mild expletive
violence: none
romance: moderate kissing and talk of waiting for marriage; Clean!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcia did it again with a cute, sweet, lighthearted novella meant just to make us smile. Her author notes at the back explain where her ideas come from and add a great deal to give understanding as to why she created the story the way she did. I adore the setting of an old Victorian home turned into a quilt shop. I am a quilter and have taught quilting in the past. This made the idea of creating a quilting classroom in the shop seem that much more personal to me. Of course you add in the the man of Libby's dreams as the contractor and you have the recipe for a MLM classic. Because this is a novella, it does not have an overly involved plot line. Just enough to make us dream of fairies and fun times.

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance, clean
More of a 3.5 for me. This was a 'cute' read. Very sweet, and clean, tender romance between 2 honest, caring, kind people. Not the most sophisticated writing, but a nice escape for a short time.
As always, MLM has lovely romantic tension with some lovely kissing. That is always a plus, but it still stays clean. It was fun to read about the shop, the renovations, the way their hearts gradually built together with the time and feelings building gradually throughout the novel with their attraction so evident to their minds, and then gradually they take steps towards each other. Quick, fun, sweet, and tender read. Everyday people with kind hearts and honest emotions that made for a lovely escape!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come... A great holiday read.

HEA with no real conflict just a quick love at first sight sweet, clean, fluff read. As always the author notes at the back made me love this story.

Content: clean with passionate kissing and one mild expletive.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I am ever disappointed with a MLM book. I found this story really cute and likable. I wish it would have been a little longer. I personally am thrown by a relationship moving so fast. But I understand it is a novella. A cute atmosphere.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

For such a short story this seemed to move really slow! It was cute and sweet with likable characters - but nothing that really made it stand out.

[Tori (Book Chick) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars... A sweet, simple, no conflict novella. Cute characters... I wouldn't mind a follow up on Sue & Dave.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.8 stars
How I love Marcia’s books! Such a fun and cute read had me cracking up in the best way! The nude contract bids, the silicone implants and so many more brilliant lines. I will say that I didn’t think the Dave joke was as funny as Libby... loved the book nonetheless! :)

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun fast read with nostalgia and thinking of crunchy leaves and crisp fall air. I love the quilting references and the fairy house. Some hilarious jokes as well. Clean sweet romance. Good story.

[Elaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet book to read during the holidays!

[Katrina]

Wash, rinse, repeat. Ok fluffy typical Marcia short romance story

[Linnea · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this wasn't amazing. Maybe 2.5 stars...

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old fashioned, clean, love at first sight kind of read. I really liked that marcia has excerpt explanation at the end that tell of how her life experiences are intertwined into the plot. It makes the novel so much more personal. I wish I had a fireplace to cuddle up and read, but it got steamy hot anyway.

Libby inherits her grandmother's house and quilt shop. Her dad hires a contractor to do some renovation to create a room to teach quilting lessons. She wasn't expecting " the man of her dreams" to walk through her door. She treasured the time to see him, but dreaded when the Reno would be finished. Both Libby and sawyer were feeling a pull toward each other, but weren't wanting to make the first move. Sawyer and Libby go for pizza and share, the chocolate peanuts and " hey my name's not Dave" joke. Then it heats up and goes like a runaway train. Sue even gets her fire fighter. I loved how I could just picture the setting of the quilting shop so naturally.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, short read. I liked it and the characters were all likable. There just wasn't a whole lot of substance to it which is hard to do in such a short book.
I don't know if I'll ever read it again but I'll read anything Marcia writes at least once.
This book just fell short for me because of the insta love factor. I like seeing why characters fall in love, (not just because they are attracted to each other) but because their chemistry is amazing and they just are fun to see interact. Sawyer and Libby didn't really know anything about each other and neither did I besides what they did for a living. I am glad that I read this though because it helped me see more of what I need to make sure to do with my own writing.

[Cas H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Man of Her Dreams is not the best Marcia Lynn McClure Book, but is not the worst. I thought this was a very dreamy book filled with many of the fantasies girls dream about. A sexy contractor has come to Libby's Quilt shop, in order to refinish the back room, and make it into a space where Libby can hold quilt classes. Sawyer is this sexy contractor, and he doesn't think of himself as anything but ordinary. He knows he is good at what he does and he does not think that sexy Libby could ever fall for him. It is a wonderful love story, and I appreciate how much Marcia Lynn McClure loves to write!

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby inherited a quilt shop from her grandmother. She's got plans to renovate so there is space to teach classes in. Her father sends her a contractor and Libby falls head over heals. Sawyer loves renovating places and finding treasures. When he shows up to renovate Libby's store he's sure they will find a hidden treasure. Sure enough, they do, but they also find each other and a strong, passionate love for each other. This was another fun, short read with great characters. Hey, Dave! Got any peanuts?

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a cute short story. I loved the setting of a quilt shop. I got into quilting a few years ago (had to put it on hold once the kiddos came along) and could totally relate to the love of quilting. One of my favorite things is picking out fabrics and choosing patterns. So, yeah, I loved the setting. As usual the characters were likable and their romance was sweet.


Content: Clean.

[Nellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it truly didn't feel like MLM until about half way through. It was OK, just not my favorite. I do LOVE MLM. I've read ALL her books, and that's a lot! At least 50??? This one really was slow in developing the relationship at the beginning, or maybe I thought he was to slow or shy??? But I can't wait for her next one anyway! I love her books. The characters in this were great. and the story was creative.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I think novellas were made just for mom's with newborns. Just long enough for us to get a reading fix without requiring a ton of time.

Cute story, not a lot of depth to it, but sometimes you need just a fluffy romance.

Moral Note: A couple of dang, heck and 1 a$$, passionate kisses, no violence.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcia had me laughing out loud with her author notes. I was hoping she'd include her recipe for hot cocoa, and she DID! Can't wait to try it! Marcia's hilarious author notes and musings at the end of her books are my favorite part of her contemporary novels, except for the kissing, of course. =) This one had fantastic chemistry and will be fun to re-read in the fall.

[Emily Lund · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was rather disappointed with this book it seems to me that there is no conflicts. nothing to separate the 2 main characters or possibly break their fondness for other. It really lacked substance in my opinion, kinda disappointed since Marcia McClure is one of my fave authors. Although I was surprised how long the author's notes was.

[Mary Ann Bulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all Marcia Lynn McClure books. I bought this one special to read as a birthday present for myself. Her books always make me into a happy feel good mood. This one was no exception. My husband always knows when I'm reading one of her books because I can't keep the smile off my face while I'm reading them.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE the fall...and this was a perfect "fall read". The story didn't have a lot of depth but it had me smiling and even laughing out loud at times. Sometimes as a mom of four children 8 and under...my brain can't take any more "depth" any way. :)... A quick, sweet read, by Marcia Lyn. It's just what I needed!

Content: some mild language unfortunately

[NefariousButterfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serendipitous comedy

By far one of the funniest contemporary romances I have read in a very long time! I was laughing so hard I was crying! On top of that it's the brilliant kisses and Marcia's knack for a plot that has you grinning like a crazy person through the whole book. This definitely is one of her best novellas.