What do you think?
Rate this book
The Great Wedding Giveaway #3
Almost a Bride
Tara Buck has always been the good sister, level-headed by comparison to Scarlett, her flaky, impulsive twin. But when Tara learns her fiancé has been cheating on her with one of his school students, the orderly world she’s created for herself suddenly feels as if it’s falling apart. For years she chose the safe option, but from now on she’s going to live a little, stretch her wings…be a little daring. And if that means acting on the long-suppressed feelings she’s always had for Reid Dalton, then so be it!
Reid has wanted Tara from the moment he met her, but she’s always been out of bounds. Not only is she his patrol partner at the Bozeman PD, she’s also engaged. But then her relationship blows up, and Reid finds himself battling his own instinct to stake his claim with the finest, hottest woman he’s ever known.
Even if anything did happen between them, it would only ever be temporary - Reid’s a born wanderer, while Tara’s roots run deep in Marietta. So even if things are good between them, it seems their romance is destined to be short and sweet...
Tara’s twin sister, Scarlett, also has a Montana Born Brides story: look out for Second Chance Bride by Trish Morey. Find out more at MontanaBornBooks.com.
Reid has wanted Tara from the moment he met her, but she’s always been out of bounds. Not only is she his patrol partner at the Bozeman PD, she’s also engaged. But then her relationship blows up, and Reid finds himself battling his own instinct to stake his claim with the finest, hottest woman he’s ever known.
Even if anything did happen between them, it would only ever be temporary - Reid’s a born wanderer, while Tara’s roots run deep in Marietta. So even if things are good between them, it seems their romance is destined to be short and sweet...
Tara’s twin sister, Scarlett, also has a Montana Born Brides story: look out for Second Chance Bride by Trish Morey. Find out more at MontanaBornBooks.com.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2014
56 people are currently reading
637 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Mayberry
159 books1,150 followersSarah Mayberry was born in Melbourne, Australia, and is the middle of three children. From the time that she first “stole” paper from kindergarten and stapled it together to make “books,” Sarah has always wanted to be a writer. In line with this ambition, on graduation from high school she completed a bachelor of arts degree majoring in professional writing, then sat down to write a book. When inspiration didn’t strike, she began to wonder if, perhaps, she needed to live some life first before writing about it.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
August 17, 2017
Sweet but very low-key story of friends to lovers.
The heroine and hero are police partners. He sees her fiancee coming out of a hotel with a young woman/girl. The heroine kicks the fiancee out and gets on with her life deciding to ditch some of her staid and safe ways.
The story was sweet and nice; both characters were nice people, and their romance is nice. To quote Frank Burns from MASH, "It's nice to be nice to the nice." Maybe a little too much niceness here as the story was lacking tension.
The heroine and hero are police partners. He sees her fiancee coming out of a hotel with a young woman/girl. The heroine kicks the fiancee out and gets on with her life deciding to ditch some of her staid and safe ways.
The story was sweet and nice; both characters were nice people, and their romance is nice. To quote Frank Burns from MASH, "It's nice to be nice to the nice." Maybe a little too much niceness here as the story was lacking tension.
May 8, 2014
Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry is one of those novels that managed to put a smile on my face, not the least of it because Sarah wrote it; that is always a reason to cheer on. Though this novel is a tad shorter than the SuperRomance novels that Sarah usually writes for Harlequin, the story nevertheless carried the punch that always comes with a book from Sarah and I loved every minute of it.
Tara Buck and Reid Dalton have been partners for over a year at the Bozeman Police Department. Tara who is engaged to be married to her fiancé Simon finds her world turned upside down when she finds out in the worst possible manner that Simon had been cheating on her. Tara, who had always played it safe and done the right thing to avoid just that from happening suddenly finds herself at a loss on how to deal with the vortex of emotions and self realizations that her life becomes from that point onwards. [...]
Rating = 4.25/5
Caliber SEAL: AWESOME READ!
Tara Buck and Reid Dalton have been partners for over a year at the Bozeman Police Department. Tara who is engaged to be married to her fiancé Simon finds her world turned upside down when she finds out in the worst possible manner that Simon had been cheating on her. Tara, who had always played it safe and done the right thing to avoid just that from happening suddenly finds herself at a loss on how to deal with the vortex of emotions and self realizations that her life becomes from that point onwards. [...]
Rating = 4.25/5
Caliber SEAL: AWESOME READ!
October 7, 2015
This was short, but sweet, and since I was in the mood for a Sarah Mayberry story, it hit the spot.
June 9, 2015
This was really sweet. We start off with Tara engaged to be married. She's a cop and her partner is Reid. Reid typically works private security all over the world, but he's come home to help his parents after his father had health issues. While he was home, he decided to apply to the local police force as a temporary way to keep himself busy until he could leave again. Day one, there was attraction on both sides, but Reid knew Tara was spoken for, and besides being engaged, Tara knew Reid would leave again. When Reid catches Tara's fiance cheating on her, he tells her. I have to say, I loved how Tara handled breaking up with Simon. She did it with a hell of a backbone and class.
Interestingly, Tara's heart isn't broken. She's disappointed, but she realizes she didn't really love Simon as one should love her betrothed. She chose him because he was "safe". Her charming, handsome, charismatic father had left her family years before, and it broke her mom's heart. So Tara was sort of settling in the hopes of avoiding what her mother went through. So Simon's gone. What now? Live a little! And part of that living is taking a leap of faith that the vibes she's been feeling from Reid since they met are not imagined. Nope, not even a little bit imagined. But while Tara is certain this is temporary -- Reid never stays in one place for long -- Reid has finally found his reason for staying in one place.
I really enjoyed watching Tara and Reid get closer. I loved how Reid helped Tara get over her disappointment over her engagement fizzling. He didn't do it thinking Tara felt anything for him, but he knew she needed a friend and some distraction. And I loved that he was a gentleman until Tara pushed it. They definitely had chemistry. I loved how it ended and the short epilogue.
Interestingly, Tara's heart isn't broken. She's disappointed, but she realizes she didn't really love Simon as one should love her betrothed. She chose him because he was "safe". Her charming, handsome, charismatic father had left her family years before, and it broke her mom's heart. So Tara was sort of settling in the hopes of avoiding what her mother went through. So Simon's gone. What now? Live a little! And part of that living is taking a leap of faith that the vibes she's been feeling from Reid since they met are not imagined. Nope, not even a little bit imagined. But while Tara is certain this is temporary -- Reid never stays in one place for long -- Reid has finally found his reason for staying in one place.
I really enjoyed watching Tara and Reid get closer. I loved how Reid helped Tara get over her disappointment over her engagement fizzling. He didn't do it thinking Tara felt anything for him, but he knew she needed a friend and some distraction. And I loved that he was a gentleman until Tara pushed it. They definitely had chemistry. I loved how it ended and the short epilogue.
June 20, 2017
Reviewed as part of The Australian Bestseller Box Set
What an amazingly sweet read!
Tara, the more cautious of the twin Buck girls, was wonderful. She had her share of hang-ups, particularly in light of her absent father. I cheered for her the moment she threw caution to the wind... and found the following scene smoking hot. Wow! Reid was so understanding, and you could sense just how much he cared for Tara as a person, as well as a co-worker. Mind you, he also had his weakness, which led to the central moment between them.
In all, it may have been a bit too perfect, but I'm willing to overlook it because the story was just so well-written, and could've easily been about real people, since the characters were so well fleshed out.
What an amazingly sweet read!
Tara, the more cautious of the twin Buck girls, was wonderful. She had her share of hang-ups, particularly in light of her absent father. I cheered for her the moment she threw caution to the wind... and found the following scene smoking hot. Wow! Reid was so understanding, and you could sense just how much he cared for Tara as a person, as well as a co-worker. Mind you, he also had his weakness, which led to the central moment between them.
In all, it may have been a bit too perfect, but I'm willing to overlook it because the story was just so well-written, and could've easily been about real people, since the characters were so well fleshed out.
October 5, 2014
I really enjoyed this one! The kind of romance that made me jealous at the end.
The relationship was fast in some ways (I don't care if she realized she didn't really love her fiance, that's still a breakup of a serious, long term relationship), but it pretty much worked for me.
And I do like the novella format in romances.
The relationship was fast in some ways (I don't care if she realized she didn't really love her fiance, that's still a breakup of a serious, long term relationship), but it pretty much worked for me.
And I do like the novella format in romances.
May 17, 2019
I actually read this book as part of The Australian Bestseller Box Set but since I had already read some of them before I thought I would give this a separate review too.
Tara Buck and Reid Dalton are cops in the small town of Marietta, Montana. Reid only returned about a year ago after his father took a nasty fall in their orchards and took longer than expected to heal. Reid is shocked one day, on his way home from a basketball game, to see Tara's fiancé Simon leaving a motel with a woman that is definitely not Reid's partner Tara. After he breaks the news to Tara she realises that she has got engaged to a 'safe' man to avoid the devastation her mother suffered when her father left - that didn't work out so well.
When Tara decides to do all the things she was afraid to try before, because she was playing it safe, her twin Scarlett gets concerned and calls Reid worried she might have crashed her motorbike or be in trouble at the rough bar with bucking bronco ride.
Tara and Reid as on the unspoken chemistry between them, but with Reid set to leave Montana soon and Tara with her family and roots firmly in Marietta it can only ever be a fling, or can it?
Sweet, sexy romance with a man in uniform not afraid to strip off for a good cause.
Tara Buck and Reid Dalton are cops in the small town of Marietta, Montana. Reid only returned about a year ago after his father took a nasty fall in their orchards and took longer than expected to heal. Reid is shocked one day, on his way home from a basketball game, to see Tara's fiancé Simon leaving a motel with a woman that is definitely not Reid's partner Tara. After he breaks the news to Tara she realises that she has got engaged to a 'safe' man to avoid the devastation her mother suffered when her father left - that didn't work out so well.
When Tara decides to do all the things she was afraid to try before, because she was playing it safe, her twin Scarlett gets concerned and calls Reid worried she might have crashed her motorbike or be in trouble at the rough bar with bucking bronco ride.
Tara and Reid as on the unspoken chemistry between them, but with Reid set to leave Montana soon and Tara with her family and roots firmly in Marietta it can only ever be a fling, or can it?
Sweet, sexy romance with a man in uniform not afraid to strip off for a good cause.
November 13, 2017
Author: Sarah Mayberry
First published: 2014
Read in: The Great Wedding Giveaway
Length: ~2000 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Marietta, Montana.
Hero: Police officer
Heroine: Police officer
The thing about a novella is you need to grab the reader early and make them believe. You need to commit to the HEA straight off, fall for the MCs, and go with the ride. You have to believe the HEA will happen in a very short space of time.
And I didn't. No matter how Tara felt about Simon I struggled with her getting it on with Reid in less than a week.
So it didn't work for me.
2 stars.
The Great Wedding Giveaway:
Book 0.5 The Tycoon's Kiss by Jane Porter - Taylor Harris and Troy Sheenan
Book 1 What a Bride Wants by Kelly Hunter - Ella Grace Emerson and Cam Sawyer
Book 2 Second Chance Bride by Trish Morey - Scarlett Buck and Mitch Bannister
Book 3 Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry - Tara Buck and Reid Dalton
Book 4 The Unexpected Bride by Joanne Walsh - Laurent Fletcher and Emma Peabody
Book 5 The Reluctant Bride (also called The Cowboy's Reluctant Bride) by Katherine Garbera - Monty Davison and Risa Grant
Book 6 A Game of Brides by Megan Crane - Emmy Mathis and Griffin Hyatt
Book 7 The Substitute Bride by Kathleen O'Brien - Marly Ackers and Drake Everett
Book 8 Last Year's Bride by Anne McAllister - Cole McCullough and Nell Corbett
Book 9 Make Believe Wedding by Sarah Mayberry - Andie Bennett and Heath McGregor
References:
On Marietta, Montana: https://www.goodreads.com/places/1560...
Author's website: http://www.sarahmayberry.com/
[ISBN 9781940296333]
-CR-
First published: 2014
Read in: The Great Wedding Giveaway
Length: ~2000 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Marietta, Montana.
Hero: Police officer
Heroine: Police officer
The thing about a novella is you need to grab the reader early and make them believe. You need to commit to the HEA straight off, fall for the MCs, and go with the ride. You have to believe the HEA will happen in a very short space of time.
And I didn't. No matter how Tara felt about Simon I struggled with her getting it on with Reid in less than a week.
So it didn't work for me.
2 stars.
The Great Wedding Giveaway:
Book 0.5 The Tycoon's Kiss by Jane Porter - Taylor Harris and Troy Sheenan
Book 1 What a Bride Wants by Kelly Hunter - Ella Grace Emerson and Cam Sawyer
Book 2 Second Chance Bride by Trish Morey - Scarlett Buck and Mitch Bannister
Book 3 Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry - Tara Buck and Reid Dalton
Book 4 The Unexpected Bride by Joanne Walsh - Laurent Fletcher and Emma Peabody
Book 5 The Reluctant Bride (also called The Cowboy's Reluctant Bride) by Katherine Garbera - Monty Davison and Risa Grant
Book 6 A Game of Brides by Megan Crane - Emmy Mathis and Griffin Hyatt
Book 7 The Substitute Bride by Kathleen O'Brien - Marly Ackers and Drake Everett
Book 8 Last Year's Bride by Anne McAllister - Cole McCullough and Nell Corbett
Book 9 Make Believe Wedding by Sarah Mayberry - Andie Bennett and Heath McGregor
References:
On Marietta, Montana: https://www.goodreads.com/places/1560...
Author's website: http://www.sarahmayberry.com/
[ISBN 9781940296333]
-CR-
October 17, 2014
4 1/2 stars!
The story in a nutshell:
Tara thought she has her happiness completely in the palm of her hands: a good career as a police officer, a stable relationship with her family, and an almost fairy-tale romance soon to be perfected as her wedding date draws near. But everything collapses when she learns that her fiancee has been cheating on her. But more than the end of that fairy-tale, she’s surprised that she doesn’t feel that devastated by the end of that relationship and what does that tell her? Maybe it’s telling her that always taking the safe route doesn’t get her anywhere. Maybe it’s telling her that she doesn’t always have to be the good girl. Maybe it’s telling her to act on her long buried attraction to her patrol partner, Reid Dalton.
What worked for me?
I seriously love every single thing that Sarah Mayberry has written. This is no different. As always, she writes some of the best romances.
I love how she develops her characters. Even in this shorter than usual novel, I got to know Tara and Reid very well. I love how they were friends first but even when they first met, they both knew something sparked between them, but because they’re pretty decent people, they have remained friends because Tara had been in a relationship then. I love how they eventually got together and the conflicts that they had to resolve before they got to their HEA. It may sound simple and maybe it is, but Sarah Mayberry weaves her magic wand or magic hand again and writes an amazing story from all this simplicity.
What did not work for me?
I wanted more not because there wasn’t enough but because it was so good and you just want to read more and more of Sarah Mayberry’s writing.
My over-all take on it?
If you need to get in a relatively short but sweet and still completely captivating romance, then you’ve got to get this story in your hands. Amazing chemistry, equally amazing characterization, and lovely, just lovely romance.
The story in a nutshell:
Tara thought she has her happiness completely in the palm of her hands: a good career as a police officer, a stable relationship with her family, and an almost fairy-tale romance soon to be perfected as her wedding date draws near. But everything collapses when she learns that her fiancee has been cheating on her. But more than the end of that fairy-tale, she’s surprised that she doesn’t feel that devastated by the end of that relationship and what does that tell her? Maybe it’s telling her that always taking the safe route doesn’t get her anywhere. Maybe it’s telling her that she doesn’t always have to be the good girl. Maybe it’s telling her to act on her long buried attraction to her patrol partner, Reid Dalton.
What worked for me?
I seriously love every single thing that Sarah Mayberry has written. This is no different. As always, she writes some of the best romances.
I love how she develops her characters. Even in this shorter than usual novel, I got to know Tara and Reid very well. I love how they were friends first but even when they first met, they both knew something sparked between them, but because they’re pretty decent people, they have remained friends because Tara had been in a relationship then. I love how they eventually got together and the conflicts that they had to resolve before they got to their HEA. It may sound simple and maybe it is, but Sarah Mayberry weaves her magic wand or magic hand again and writes an amazing story from all this simplicity.
What did not work for me?
I wanted more not because there wasn’t enough but because it was so good and you just want to read more and more of Sarah Mayberry’s writing.
My over-all take on it?
If you need to get in a relatively short but sweet and still completely captivating romance, then you’ve got to get this story in your hands. Amazing chemistry, equally amazing characterization, and lovely, just lovely romance.
August 13, 2019
While Sarah Mayberry books are always decent, this one was lacking for me. As other reviewers have mentioned, it lacked tension; additionally, for me, the setting was just... meh. Montana? Really? But what really knocked it down a star for me is so minor that I'm not even putting it behind a spoiler cut: the heroine breaks up with her fiance when her partner spots him coming out of a hotel with one of his students. He teaches high school. She's seventeen. The heroine is too classy to report him to his school - someone else takes care of that and gets him fired - but afterwards learns that he is engaged to the student and they are going to run off to Vegas and get married. The heroine hopes that this works out for him "because otherwise all of this would have been for nothing." WHAT. The ex tells her that he "knew [he] was in trouble" the minute the student showed up in his classroom (presumably aged about 16) - a man in his late twenties or early thirties saw a teenager, a high school student of his walk into a classroom and knew he wanted to sleep with her and whoopsie, wouldn't be able to help himself. I am really not convinced of the general emotional maturity of teenagers; age differences are fine in romances but a seventeen-year-old high school student has no idea what she wants out of life or romance and for a much older, engaged teacher of hers to start screwing her in motel rooms ought to be an arrest-worthy offense. It's certainly not the start of any kind of appropriate romance and for the heroine to "hope" that her ex works out with the child he was abusing is just gross.
August 1, 2014
This is a series of books that can be read as standalones. Each book is by a different Mills&Boon author. Although they are writing for a different publisher they are very Mills&Boon themed. I haven't read the other books but this book is about Tara who is the twin of the heroine from one of the other books.
Tara is a cop and engaged to Simon but soon learns he has been unfaithful to her. The news is broken to her by her partner Reid a fellow cop. Tara soon realises that she wasn't in love with Simon. She chose him because he was safe and she thought he would never be unfaithful like her father had been to her mother.
Tara and Reid have been working alongside each other for a year. Reid never stays in one place for long and is already lining up his next job. However, he has always been attracted to Tara and so they start to spend time together and are soon in a sexual relationship. Tara knows Reid will be leaving soon but that doesn't stop her falling in love.
This was a sweet read. I liked both Tara and Reid. It did feel a little rushed towards the end and I wished it had been a bit longer and explored their relationship more but for a short read, it was enjoyable.
Tara is a cop and engaged to Simon but soon learns he has been unfaithful to her. The news is broken to her by her partner Reid a fellow cop. Tara soon realises that she wasn't in love with Simon. She chose him because he was safe and she thought he would never be unfaithful like her father had been to her mother.
Tara and Reid have been working alongside each other for a year. Reid never stays in one place for long and is already lining up his next job. However, he has always been attracted to Tara and so they start to spend time together and are soon in a sexual relationship. Tara knows Reid will be leaving soon but that doesn't stop her falling in love.
This was a sweet read. I liked both Tara and Reid. It did feel a little rushed towards the end and I wished it had been a bit longer and explored their relationship more but for a short read, it was enjoyable.
August 1, 2014
Never would have read this book if it weren't for Bingo. My first thought once I started reading this was "it's so hetero!" This is so not the type of book I read and it didn't keep my attention. I find it hard to believe that Tara and her fiance were 6 weeks away from getting married when the fiance cheated on her and later in the book declared he was in love with his mistress and wants to marry her. So why not cancel his wedding to Tara?
Tara then falls for her cop partner because she always felt something for him. So why was she engaged to another man? This story occurs over a relatively short time and I never believed in the romance between Tara and Reid. I'll be generous and give this 2 stars.
Tara then falls for her cop partner because she always felt something for him. So why was she engaged to another man? This story occurs over a relatively short time and I never believed in the romance between Tara and Reid. I'll be generous and give this 2 stars.
July 15, 2015
This was an easy, sexy summer read. Tara Buck is in the process of trying on wedding gowns when her cop partner sees her fiance coming out of a motel with another woman. She thought Simon was a safe bed - he was nice, kind, a teacher, reliable, etc., etc. - but it turns out she didn't really know him at all. And after doing a lot of thinking, Tara realizes she was giving up on passion in exchange for safe. Her partner at work, Grant Dalton, has been a great friend for the past year. And it doesn't hurt that he's gorgeous, sexy, built - and now Tara is single! But Grant is only home in Marrietta until his dad is feeling better - then he's back to wandering the globe. I liked both characters and enjoyed this quick read.
June 24, 2016
Tara and Reid. They work together as cops. She's engaged and Reid sees her fiance coming out of a motel with another woman They break up and all of a sudden Tara has the hots for Reid. He's planning on leaving town. "Okay, let's just fool around until you leave, no problem." Then she thinks he's leaving she cries and begs him to stay. Just not my cup of tea.
May 24, 2020
Four and a half stars
Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry is a part of The Great Wedding Giveaway continuity series by Tule Publishing, set in Marietta, Montana.
Tara Buck's always been the good one. Steady, reliable, cool under pressure, keeper of plans... Her twin Scarlett's the flaky impulsive one. But when she learns that her supposedly well-matched fiance has been cheating on her, and with a student, no less, she realizes that all those years of safe choices has gotten her nothing and nowhere. It's time to cut loose and live her life, and if that includes jumping her ridiculously hot partner, so be it.
Reid Dalton's always admired Tara, but she's never been available. He feels terrible that her seemingly perfect relationship's imploded, but he can't find it in him to resist this mutual chemistry now.
Sarah Mayberry's story is terrific as always. A bit shorter on depth because of the constraints of the series, but moving and so engaging as always! Reid and Tara are a joy to read, and to see their friendship become more is oh so sweet!
Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry is a part of The Great Wedding Giveaway continuity series by Tule Publishing, set in Marietta, Montana.
Tara Buck's always been the good one. Steady, reliable, cool under pressure, keeper of plans... Her twin Scarlett's the flaky impulsive one. But when she learns that her supposedly well-matched fiance has been cheating on her, and with a student, no less, she realizes that all those years of safe choices has gotten her nothing and nowhere. It's time to cut loose and live her life, and if that includes jumping her ridiculously hot partner, so be it.
Reid Dalton's always admired Tara, but she's never been available. He feels terrible that her seemingly perfect relationship's imploded, but he can't find it in him to resist this mutual chemistry now.
Sarah Mayberry's story is terrific as always. A bit shorter on depth because of the constraints of the series, but moving and so engaging as always! Reid and Tara are a joy to read, and to see their friendship become more is oh so sweet!
February 24, 2022
https://celebrityreaders.com/2022/02/...
3.5 stars — Ms. Mayberry is definitely a favourite author of mine, and while I could see touches of what I love about her writing in this novella, in the end I just didn’t connect with Tara and Reid as much as I was hoping.
Both of our MCs were solid people, and I genuinely liked them both. You could feel how much they cared for one another as partners and friends. I felt like the attraction was a bit more show than tell, and so the chemistry wasn’t quite what I was hoping for. It was like, their move from friends to more was kind of startling and abrupt, and I didn’t get those tummy butterflies I was looking for.
I did end up settling into the romance for the last 20%, but I was missing the build up. I wonder if this had been a full length novel instead of a novella if I would have had the time with them I was hoping for. Ah well, they can’t all be matches.
3.5 stars — Ms. Mayberry is definitely a favourite author of mine, and while I could see touches of what I love about her writing in this novella, in the end I just didn’t connect with Tara and Reid as much as I was hoping.
Both of our MCs were solid people, and I genuinely liked them both. You could feel how much they cared for one another as partners and friends. I felt like the attraction was a bit more show than tell, and so the chemistry wasn’t quite what I was hoping for. It was like, their move from friends to more was kind of startling and abrupt, and I didn’t get those tummy butterflies I was looking for.
I did end up settling into the romance for the last 20%, but I was missing the build up. I wonder if this had been a full length novel instead of a novella if I would have had the time with them I was hoping for. Ah well, they can’t all be matches.
August 27, 2024
This was a quick, if somewhat flawed, romance. The story moves from 0 to 60 in the insta-love department, with Tara and Reid practically head over heels within 40 pages. It’s not terribly executed, but the book would’ve benefited from being longer to allow their relationship to develop more naturally. That said, Tara and Reid are clearly meant for each other, and their chemistry is undeniable.
However, the treatment of Tara’s ex-fiancé, Simon, left a bad taste. The book doesn’t treat him harshly enough, considering his predatory behavior, and the author’s odd focus on the age of consent is, frankly, unsettling. That aspect really detracted from the story for me.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced romance with characters who are destined to be together, this might work for you, but be prepared for some problematic content.
However, the treatment of Tara’s ex-fiancé, Simon, left a bad taste. The book doesn’t treat him harshly enough, considering his predatory behavior, and the author’s odd focus on the age of consent is, frankly, unsettling. That aspect really detracted from the story for me.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced romance with characters who are destined to be together, this might work for you, but be prepared for some problematic content.
July 16, 2023
Came for the drama. There wasn't enough drama. Here are the details to the drama:
- FMC's fiance is caught cheating on her with his high school student (he's a history teacher) and MMC, her cop partner who's into her, tells her what he saw
That's it. That's the drama. Oh, they're in a small town. That's the other half of the drama. And there's some past stuff FMC has to go through.
It just didn't seem too....involved? Like nothing crazy happened. It was a lite read. Read this if you want something lite.
- FMC's fiance is caught cheating on her with his high school student (he's a history teacher) and MMC, her cop partner who's into her, tells her what he saw
That's it. That's the drama. Oh, they're in a small town. That's the other half of the drama. And there's some past stuff FMC has to go through.
It just didn't seem too....involved? Like nothing crazy happened. It was a lite read. Read this if you want something lite.
July 10, 2017
Loved this story! I want to say to aspiring authors, "Look closely! That's how a well-crafted story is done!"
I've read this as part of the "Australian Bestseller Box Set".
I've read this as part of the "Australian Bestseller Box Set".
October 2, 2017
Sweet, short and a solid 3 stars.
February 27, 2020
Charming story, awkward to read at first but flowed beautiful as Tara loosened up n let herself l8ve
books-boxed-sets
April 16, 2021In boxed set - "His Only Valentine"
August 11, 2023
The storyline had potential and I like Mayberry’s writing but because this was a novella, it didn’t have time to develop the story in the way that would make it a truly satisfying read.
June 14, 2024
great book
This was a great book needed a little more information about Tara and Reid but also about Tara ex boyfriend
This was a great book needed a little more information about Tara and Reid but also about Tara ex boyfriend
July 2, 2025
It was fine. Best friends to lovers, but rushed. Still, I enjoyed it.
April 14, 2014
This novella is all sorts of adorable. You don't need to have read the other books in Montana Born Brides's "The Great Wedding Giveaway" series, but this one does feature characters from the one written by Trish Morey,
Second Chance Bride
.
There is desire that you act on, and there is one that you don't. Patrol partners Reid and Tara have always fought the hot pull of attraction sizzling between them. For a year. In an enclosed space.
Tara, after all, is about to get married to a good man…who turns out to be not quite the person she imagined. Betrayed by the fiancé she thought she loves and suddenly unsettled with the realisation that she's done nothing but playing safe and settling most of her life—no thanks to her own father's abandonment and her mother's breakdown—she creates a bucket list called "Fuck-It" with help from her more impulsive twin sister Scarlett. It's time for a little recklessness, to live life up a little.
Reid's wanderlust takes him places, and he's just about ready to move on from Marietta's police force and his family's apple orchard now that his dad has recovered from an accident a year ago. Everyone's sure he's got that job in Chicago in the bag. He's going away soon one way or another, so anything he starts with Tara will be short-lived.
But not giving in to temptation at all will always make them wonder what could've been between them.
The story made me snicker, sigh, smile and swoon. Reid and Tara are comfortable with and trust each other; I like their easy camaraderie even as only friends and partners. But the undercurrent of attraction burns deep, and they soon fall into bed (prologued with steam at the car seat, I must add). All stops pulled, they begin to recognise that what they have has always been more than just physical chemistry. Such great development in both our main characters and their deepening relationship in such a short and sweet story. I wish it went on a little longer, but how everything comes together in the end is just right and very satisfying. It definitely helps that there's an epilogue for a more solid closure. :D
I don't think I can praise Mayberry's writing enough. She has a way that makes me feel connected to the story and get invested in the characters, and it's no different with this novella. There are a few things that might prove distracting for a second: Tammy's absent because she "hadn't been unable to attend", some formatting boo-boos (those thoughts really should be italicised), an instance of "you're heart". They're not deal-breakers, I think, but here's a fair warning nonetheless. That said, Almost a Bride is one beautiful, nicely-paced romance I very highly recommend.
(I need to add this! I made a huge, happy, giddy face when Reid told Tara, "The only part that's not negotiable for me is you." Darn, man.)
There is desire that you act on, and there is one that you don't. Patrol partners Reid and Tara have always fought the hot pull of attraction sizzling between them. For a year. In an enclosed space.
Tara, after all, is about to get married to a good man…who turns out to be not quite the person she imagined. Betrayed by the fiancé she thought she loves and suddenly unsettled with the realisation that she's done nothing but playing safe and settling most of her life—no thanks to her own father's abandonment and her mother's breakdown—she creates a bucket list called "Fuck-It" with help from her more impulsive twin sister Scarlett. It's time for a little recklessness, to live life up a little.
Reid's wanderlust takes him places, and he's just about ready to move on from Marietta's police force and his family's apple orchard now that his dad has recovered from an accident a year ago. Everyone's sure he's got that job in Chicago in the bag. He's going away soon one way or another, so anything he starts with Tara will be short-lived.
But not giving in to temptation at all will always make them wonder what could've been between them.
The story made me snicker, sigh, smile and swoon. Reid and Tara are comfortable with and trust each other; I like their easy camaraderie even as only friends and partners. But the undercurrent of attraction burns deep, and they soon fall into bed (prologued with steam at the car seat, I must add). All stops pulled, they begin to recognise that what they have has always been more than just physical chemistry. Such great development in both our main characters and their deepening relationship in such a short and sweet story. I wish it went on a little longer, but how everything comes together in the end is just right and very satisfying. It definitely helps that there's an epilogue for a more solid closure. :D
I don't think I can praise Mayberry's writing enough. She has a way that makes me feel connected to the story and get invested in the characters, and it's no different with this novella. There are a few things that might prove distracting for a second: Tammy's absent because she "hadn't been unable to attend", some formatting boo-boos (those thoughts really should be italicised), an instance of "you're heart". They're not deal-breakers, I think, but here's a fair warning nonetheless. That said, Almost a Bride is one beautiful, nicely-paced romance I very highly recommend.
(I need to add this! I made a huge, happy, giddy face when Reid told Tara, "The only part that's not negotiable for me is you." Darn, man.)
April 14, 2014
In Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry, Tara has vowed for her entire adult life not to end up like her mother. Tara's father left his family when she was 13, and her mother was completely devastated, never really getting over it. Tara has no intention of ever letting herself be set up for such devastation by a man. In her quest for relationships, she chooses safely. At least she thinks she does, until her safe fiancee turns out not to be Mr. Upstanding after all when he's caught cheating on her with one of his students.
Initially Tara is devastated, but I love, love that she doesn't let this break her. Of course she is hurt and angry, but after a day or two of misery, she realizes it's only herself she's been trying to fool. The break up of her relationship frees the inner Tara, she finally starts to open up and do things she's always wanted to do but never has. One of them might just be Reid.
Reid is her partner on the police force. He's only temporarily in Marietta to help his parent's out on their orchard. He definitely is not staying forever, he never stays anywhere for too long. Since the day Reid and Tara met though, there has been an unacknowledged spark between them, almost a forbidden chemistry they wouldn't act on. Now there is no stopping them. Tara knows whatever they have will only be temporary, but she has to know how things would be between her and Reid. They already know each other very well, maybe it's time to take things to the next level...
Can they do that though and be ok when Reid leaves? Being together changes a lot of things for both of them.
Almost a Bride could almost be called a friends to lovers romance. Tara and Reid have always been friends, but there has also always been that underlying current between them that they've been ignoring up until now. I really enjoyed the realism of their situation and their relationship with not only each other but with their families. Sarah manages to bring Tara and Reid right to life in Almost a Bride! Tara and Reid are both strong, mature characters who have experienced life and are using those experiences in a positive way. They are a very easy couple to like and relate to!
I also liked how Sarah also tells some of Almost a Bride from Reid's point of view. It's fun to watch their relationship grow and evolve from 2 perspectives.
Some of the characters in Almost a Bride you will recognize from the first 2 Montana Born Brides books. I liked seeing Tara and her sister Scarlett interact, the relationship they had and how it's changing. You will definitely not be lost if you read Almost a Bride as a stand alone though, it does stand very well all by itself.
If you are a romance reader looking for a romance with an engaging couple with great chemistry and a lasting impression, I'd highly recommend Almost a Bride. It's a novella of the perfect length for the story to be told.
Initially Tara is devastated, but I love, love that she doesn't let this break her. Of course she is hurt and angry, but after a day or two of misery, she realizes it's only herself she's been trying to fool. The break up of her relationship frees the inner Tara, she finally starts to open up and do things she's always wanted to do but never has. One of them might just be Reid.
Reid is her partner on the police force. He's only temporarily in Marietta to help his parent's out on their orchard. He definitely is not staying forever, he never stays anywhere for too long. Since the day Reid and Tara met though, there has been an unacknowledged spark between them, almost a forbidden chemistry they wouldn't act on. Now there is no stopping them. Tara knows whatever they have will only be temporary, but she has to know how things would be between her and Reid. They already know each other very well, maybe it's time to take things to the next level...
Can they do that though and be ok when Reid leaves? Being together changes a lot of things for both of them.
Almost a Bride could almost be called a friends to lovers romance. Tara and Reid have always been friends, but there has also always been that underlying current between them that they've been ignoring up until now. I really enjoyed the realism of their situation and their relationship with not only each other but with their families. Sarah manages to bring Tara and Reid right to life in Almost a Bride! Tara and Reid are both strong, mature characters who have experienced life and are using those experiences in a positive way. They are a very easy couple to like and relate to!
I also liked how Sarah also tells some of Almost a Bride from Reid's point of view. It's fun to watch their relationship grow and evolve from 2 perspectives.
Some of the characters in Almost a Bride you will recognize from the first 2 Montana Born Brides books. I liked seeing Tara and her sister Scarlett interact, the relationship they had and how it's changing. You will definitely not be lost if you read Almost a Bride as a stand alone though, it does stand very well all by itself.
If you are a romance reader looking for a romance with an engaging couple with great chemistry and a lasting impression, I'd highly recommend Almost a Bride. It's a novella of the perfect length for the story to be told.
August 10, 2015
“Reid?” His mother’s voice sounded clearly through the door. “I’m making waffles. Should I save some for you?”
“Yes, please,” he called.
Tara started to giggle quietly.
“Tara would like some, too,” he added.
Her eyes went wide then, and she slapped his shoulder, doing her best to push him off her.
There was a telling silence. Then:
“I’ll open up another bottle of syrup. Morning, Tara.”
“Morning, Mrs. Dalton.”
“Judy is fine, dear.”
They heard the sound of his mother retreating down the staircase and Tara gave a mighty heave, successfully wriggling out from under him.
“That was a dirty stunt, Dalton.”
“I thought you liked waffles?”
“You are lucky you are so good in bed. That’s all I’ll say for now.”
What a perfect novella! I absolutely and completely loved this for the following reasons:
1. I have been waiting for a very long time to find a contemporary romance novel where both characters are cops and partners. Why aren't there more books with this trope out there?! (Please feel free to recommend some to me!)
2. Whilst it may look like Tara moved on pretty quickly from her relationship with Simon, it didn't seem rushed to me compared to some of the transitions I've encountered in other romance novels
3. Paddle-boarding. Made for some fun and cute moments.
4. Reid's relationship with his parents and just general backstories for both characters
5. Hot sex scenes!
I only wish it were longer so we could see more of Reid/Tara's interaction on the job.
Her arms held him tightly afterward, denying him when he would have rolled away to relieve her of his weight. He was only too happy to stay. In fact, if he had his way, the world would stop turning altogether so they could remain like this forever.
“What’s your best guess?” she asked, her voice husky and low.
“About what?”
“Whether I’m a morning person or not?”
He was still inside her, and he felt her muscles tighten around him. He smiled against her neck.
“I’m thinking yes.”
“I’m thinking I might be an afternoon and evening person, too, when it comes to you.”
Full review with pictures @ Love's A State Of Mind
August 5, 2014
A sultry story, with some neat local detail (Fairy Lake, north of Bozeman, Montana, is indeed usually some color between emerald and aqua, and always very cold; the road into Fairy Lake desintegrates into a spine-rattling series of ruts and pothole-type things; Ennis Lake is as warm as Fairy Lake is cold). I am still working on locating Marietta, Montana, but I recognize her people.
In this particular bridal adventure, Tara is our heroine. She is in the final stages of putting together her wedding, living with her fiance'. Her sister is happily married. Their mother is still trying to recover from their father rudely walking out on them nearly 15 years before.
Tara is on the Bozeman Police Force. She has a partner, and while she has been curious about him in a personal way, she has also become very good at rationalizing. So she figures Reid is just another gorgeous guy who looks hot in a uniform.
Reid's parents have an orchard. He has come back from living all over doing private securityto help after his father had a severe accident. Since the orchard doesn't need him full time, he is working with the Bozeman Police Department.
When Tara discovers her boyfriend has been cheating on her, she dumps him, and embarks on a little wild living, ending with her sister sending Reid to find her in a seedy bar with a fake bucking bull (ummmm..., in some parts of the state, that would be the nice bar...).
The thing I liked best about this story is that it has some details that make the setting believable. On the other hand, there are also plenty of inconsistencies that make sure I remember: these ladies created this town, they own it, and they will, by golly, control it. And the characters better remember that.
If you like stories set in imaginary settings you can almost find, grab this book (or any of the books in the series). If you like heroines with gumption, guts, gall, and finally, glory - look no further than these stories. If you like sibling love, and the support only families can provide, this story in particular can provide you with a bit of entertainment. Go for it.
In this particular bridal adventure, Tara is our heroine. She is in the final stages of putting together her wedding, living with her fiance'. Her sister is happily married. Their mother is still trying to recover from their father rudely walking out on them nearly 15 years before.
Tara is on the Bozeman Police Force. She has a partner, and while she has been curious about him in a personal way, she has also become very good at rationalizing. So she figures Reid is just another gorgeous guy who looks hot in a uniform.
Reid's parents have an orchard. He has come back from living all over doing private securityto help after his father had a severe accident. Since the orchard doesn't need him full time, he is working with the Bozeman Police Department.
When Tara discovers her boyfriend has been cheating on her, she dumps him, and embarks on a little wild living, ending with her sister sending Reid to find her in a seedy bar with a fake bucking bull (ummmm..., in some parts of the state, that would be the nice bar...).
The thing I liked best about this story is that it has some details that make the setting believable. On the other hand, there are also plenty of inconsistencies that make sure I remember: these ladies created this town, they own it, and they will, by golly, control it. And the characters better remember that.
If you like stories set in imaginary settings you can almost find, grab this book (or any of the books in the series). If you like heroines with gumption, guts, gall, and finally, glory - look no further than these stories. If you like sibling love, and the support only families can provide, this story in particular can provide you with a bit of entertainment. Go for it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews