Left standing at the altar, Daisy Murien, a wounded but hopeful romantic, opens a secondhand wedding dress boutique, hoping to soothe her broken heart while giving doomed wedding dresses a second chance at love. Her predictable days take a sharp turn, though, when the retired Episcopal priest who blesses the tiny, blue satin heart she sews into each dress falls ill. When the priest’s brooding and recently divorced son arrives with plans to take his ailing father away, a contest of wills begins between two stubborn—and hurting—souls. While fighting to keep Father Laurent close by, Daisy finally begins to understand why she has routinely convinced potential buyers not to buy the one gown that started her business—her own: She doesn’t want to give up on the dream of a fairytale romance.
This compelling story is about the magnificence of unconditional love and God’s impeccable timing in bringing it about.
Susan Meissner is a USA Today bestselling novelist with more than a million books in the hands of readers, and in eighteen languages. Her critically acclaimed works of historical fiction have been named to numerous lists including Publishers Weekly’s annual roster of 100 best books, Library Reads Top Picks, Real Simple annual tally of best books, Goodreads Readers’ Choice awards, Booklist’s Top Ten, and Book of the Month.
She attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper. Susan’s expertise as a storyteller and her thoroughly researched topics make her a favorite author of book clubs everywhere. Her engaging and warm speaking style appeal to all manner of women’s groups, literary organizations, libraries and learning institutions, and service clubs.
When she is not working on a new novel, she enjoys teaching workshops on writing, spending time with her family, music, reading great books, and traveling.
Have you ever discovered that you were dating someone you had strong feelings for and they just didn't reciprocate those intense emotions, only to discover that you were more in love with the idea of being in love than with the person you thought you were in love with? If this rings true to you, then you'll want to read Blue Heart Blessed. Susan Meissner has done it again with this book and created a masterful tale of love and loss, healing and hope, and what to do with the hole in our hearts that we all long to fill. This is such a powerful and fabulous story that it is making my list of top books for 2008!
Not only was Blue Heart Blessed deep and thought-provoking, but it also really tugs at your heart strings. The raging emotions Daisy is hammered with, and the soul-searching she experiences, will make an impression on your heart. But once you get through the storm with her you will take away from her life a valuable lesson you can apply to your own.
Written in Susan's unique style, Blue Heart Blessed is more touching than fun, but still has a chick lit feel to it. And the main character is one loveable, wacky woman who writes to herself about her troubles, then answers her own questions. Sometimes it's downright funny and other times the insight is quite profound. This book is a keeper, trust me.
This book gives a very personal look into the life of Daisy, a bride whose fiance walked away from her ten days before the wedding. After that, Daisy started a bridal shop to sell second hand bridal gowns, many of whom were bought, but never used. Her gown is one of them and, understandably so, she has a hard time letting go enough for it to be sold. She feels no one will ever want her again.
This book is well written but I personally came away disappointed with it. In the whole 277 pages, this is basically the whole plot. She obsesses about her sad situation a bit too much for my taste. Father Laurent, a priest, does point out that God's love can sustain her, which is a good point. She has him bless the blue hearts she sews inside each bridal gown. She loves him like a father and he is kind and gives good advice, but I find it hard to believe that this kind of blessing counts for much. Still, it is a nice read if this kind of thing doesn't bother you.
I hesitated reading the book because of the cover (desperately needs to be updated!) but I am sucker for any Hallmark-esque story. And yet, I found myself staying up to 2:30am just to finish it without interruptions from my toddler! Susan writes so the books play out in a movie in my head, I love her writing. I wish the resolution came sooner so we could see how Daisy navigated life now married instead of being an ex-fiance.
This author has a very interesting and entertaining writing style. However, I don't think she did a great job with her character development on this book. So while it's entertaining, it's not super deep or thought provoking. So if you're looking for an easy, interesting read, I recommend it. If you want something deeper, skip this one.
By the way, it's about a girl turning 30 who is trying to find the guy of her dreams. The main theme is not of interest ot me, so I almost didn't read it.
The author tries to move beyond making this book just a simple romance. Instead, she makes the point that God's love is what you really need. You shouldn't expect another person to meet the needs that only God can meet. So I like her main point, but otherwise the story is a bit simplistic.
Blue Heart Blessed is an emotional love story of two people who have been hurt by others, only to come together and discover how great love can be the second time around. I enjoyed reading this book.There was one thing that I started skipping in this book, that was when the main character started writing in a note book to her self, and would send messages back to her self. I would still recomend this book to be read.
This book was a real tear-jerker for me. But sometimes a good cry is not a bad thing, so I loved the book. The relationships that you watch the main character form and strengthen are really touching. I love the reason for the book's name, which is of course discovered as you read. Susan Meissner is a great writer.
Well-written, interesting enough to keep me engaged...but why must a girl's broken heart always be fixed by the love of a man? That's not entirely fair, as in this book Daisy does seek healing in God's love, but for once I'd like there to be a happy ending without a romance. Call me crazy.
After being Jilted at the altar Daisy struggles to "get over it".
I really like Susan Meissner. Engaging plot without any questionable content. I don't read much in the adult fiction arena for that reason but with Susan Meissner it isn't a concern.
4.75 stars This book blessed my heart. The characters became real as the story unfolded. The struggles of the people in the book to grow and change were interesting. I smiled, I cried, I was happy when things worked out.
I really like Susan Meissners books. I admire her ability to wring as much emotion and realistic settings in this story of a jilted Minneapolis bride searching for love as she did in her story of immigrant women searching for new lives in New York sweatshops in Fall of Marigolds.
In less story and experienced hands this tale of Daisy coukd have turned maudlin or saccarine, or both in turns. There are plenty of places it could have gone really bad. Thankfully Ms Meissner knows how balance a still sad bride. Daisy creates a business selling bridal gowns, both used and the ones like hers that was 10 days from the altar when he called off the wedding.
There are plenty of characters to love in Something Blue. Daisy's mom and Aunt, both widows and the retired Episcopal priest and the concert violinist all live in the uptown apartments house that showcases Daisys boutique on the bottom floor. And there are more wonderful residents and members if this family of the heart.
Blue Heart Blessed is a portrayal of a young woman who has been left at the alter. Of course she is devastated, confused and hurt. She cannot part with her unworn dream wedding dress which leads her to opening a store for wedding dresses that are either used or, like hers, were never worn at all. Her dress remains on display but with no sales tag. The timing of all of this is a bit contrived and unrealistic but perhaps is necessary to tell the story. It is set in Minneapolis so that is always interesting to me as a Minnesota native. I enjoyed Meissner's earlier novel, A Fall of Marigolds, but liked this one less. Meissner often uses an object as a focus in her books which is an interesting writing concept. In this book, it is the wedding dress. I'm still undecided if I will read more of her books.
A good book, recommended by a young friend of mine. Easy to read and enjoyable. I wish that instead of diary chapters, we got to see parts of The Rules of Disengagement, a book Daisy frequently thinks about writing, describing how to handle a broken engagement. Also, the romance comes out of nowhere at the end. It's almost more realistic that way (I have often pined over someone who barely looked at me), but it's hard to root for Daisy and Ramsey when they barely interact the entire book. And despite my best efforts, I never figured out who Wendy and Phillip were. Overall, I'd recommend this to people who want a Christian romance novel, especially if their own love life has lots of twists and turns in it.
Unlike Meissner's other books I have read, this book was very specific in its references to God, prayer, Christian spiritual influences in the protagonist's life, etc. All of her books have been very clean and I have felt comfortable recommending her writing, however this book may not be for everyone.
Very clean, sweet love story but of all the Susan Meissner books I've read (nine total), this was my least favorite story line. I do look forward to reading her new book, "A Bridge Across the Ocean," to be released in March 2017.
I had previously read Ms. Meissner’s “The Last Year of the War”, so I was expecting something deeper than this book, which is very chick-lit. It does tell a sweet story and the main character is very endearing. I also liked the emphasis on prayer. However, in general, it’s a thin tale and some of the characters are not too well-developed. Having said all this, I look forward to trying another of the author ‘s works, because I know she has the talent to create something much meatier.
This is a beautiful book. This is a 2008 book by Meissner and I had to buy it used because I couldn't find a new copy. I'm so glad that I did. I loved it. Meissner writes beautiful, gentle, thought provoking books and I haven't read one of hers that I don't love. Seriously, her perspective on each topic, whether it's love, death, family, relationship, it's just a few degrees off my perspective and allows me to see the topic differently. So good!
It was all too neat , but it was nice, when you're looking for a romance. And no open door steamy scenes which was a relief. One of the main things that interested me was her cataloging of wedding dresses in movies. It immediately made me want to make a list, or find an article that showed different wedding dresses in movies. If there isn't one (even click bait online) then there should be! I'm all about wedding dresses!!
Really enjoyed this one! A story of finding love again! ! Daisy owns a secondhand wedding dress store, which she opened after her fiancé broke their engagement just ten days before the wedding. She learns how true love comes without a defining moment, and how to know you’ve found the person for you! Loved all the characters in the story. My fifth book by Susan Meissner! Enjoyed all of them with more of her books on my to read list!
Not as good as her later books. Compelling story about a women who engagement is ended ten days before her wedding. The story drags a little about how she can't let go that Daniel didn't love her. Did enjoy her diary writings to Harriet, especially Harriet's responses. Fr. Laurent is very understanding friend and Max is a hoot. Lots of interesting people live in the same building as Daisy. A good read.
Susan Meissner does not disappoint! After a break-up 10 days before her wedding, Daisy opens a shop to resell used bridal gowns. Father Maurine prays for each bride and Daisy sews a blue heart in each dress. Daisy has a fun group of coworkers/people she lives with and is navigating her future. She had several potential guys in the mix but is working through her own disappointments. This book feels honest and sincere.
Wow! To think I almost stopped reading this story. A refreshing romance written with a unique voice that I admit took a bit to get used to, and I am glad I did. This book sends a message of God's love that resonates with the climax of the story; few authors can do that with success and that's why I'm giving this book an exceptional rating.
Cute little story with a happy ending. I liked the characters, even Harriet. But it seemed that the letters to Harriet were repetitious of the previous narrative. And that got a little monotonous for me. That said, this is the 3rd book I've read of Susan Meissner and I will be starting Secrets of a Charmed Life this afternoon. I like her style and stories, and the absence of vulgarity.
Meissner is one of my favorite authors. This was not my favorite book. The story line is great, but it was the letter writing back and forth from the main character to herself that threw me off. Could have even been something as simple as the font of the letters. Found myself wanting to skip the parts where her inner self gave her advise.
I’d heard raves about the author’s books and wanted to see for myself. While at first it felt like a silly romance novel I grew to enjoy the characters and setup of the story. There’s a lot of feeling about god in the story that is comforting.
After some heavy reading recently I needed something light and entertaining. I love Susan Meisner's books so I chose this one. It so sweet. I loved Daisy and her relationship with Father Laurant especially but her relationships with all the quirky people that live at the Finland. I recommend this book for an afternoon of light reading.