A Will, a Way, and a Wedding

Dear Daphne #4

by Melody Carlson

As Daphne begins making reluctant plans to let Aunt Dee's house and life go and pick up the pieces of her fractured life, the guy she's been dreaming about begins to change his tune. Of course, another huge obstacle pops up at about the same time, threatening to ruin what might finally be true love. Meanwhile, she continues writing the advice column, learning more about love and commitment than she ever thought possible. But will she cinch the deal in time?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Christian, Christian Romance, Contemporary, Inspirational

324 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2016

About the author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Reviews

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up without knowing that it is the fourth book in Dear Daphne series. I had no trouble reading and enjoying A Will, a Way, and a Wedding as a standalone. But I will say I am totally committed to backtracking and reading the first three books. The series is a year in the life of Daphne -- a mid-thirties woman as she navigates the highs and lows of her ever changing circumstances. It's funny and poignant and very true to life.

Daphne angsts over her single status as she adjusts to mothering her orphaned niece while struggling to meet all the requirements in her eccentric Great Aunt's will. And then there's this guy. Jake. The heart throb stuff dreams are made of only it all goes south when gnarly complications seem insurmountable.

A snappy, feel-good kind of read that's immensely satisfying.

[Lyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this one. I felt like the author could have wrapped everything up in the last book by combining these two. So much of Daphne's day to day life is just plain boring. I could have done away with all the pizza they ate, the drama of if she should get married just for the money and if so to whom, etc. I counted and she said Mabel was over the moon about something at least three times. Don't you have a thesaurus and could come up with some other expression? And if you are going to make a car, especially one as awesome as Bonnie the Corvette was, please for goodness sakes do some research! Maybe since this is mostly a chick book, most girls wouldn't pick it up. But there has never been, unless it is custom made, a back seat for this year Corvette! So Daphne constantly putting people, even kids in the backseat never would have happened! I was starting to lose interest in this series about two books into, but the drama of if she was going to get her inheritance was looming over me like a cake uneaten. I needed to know what happened. While I wasn't disappointed in her decision, and I won't spill the beans. I was disappointed in a lot of this book. Jake encouraging Jenna to be bad for her mom so she could move in with him was one big no no in my opinion. This book was blah and vanilla for me. Sorry, as I normally like Melody Carlsons books. Maybe I need to go back to her writing for teens, it is funnier and less expanded.

[Lydia Howe · Rating 2 out of 5]

By the time I got to this book I was really OVER the series, but I did want to find out what happened since I had gotten to know the characters. I didn't like how it ended, although I figured it out by about the second book.

It was an intriguing series simply because I can't imagine it, but I didn't actually really enjoy the books... Still, props to the author for getting me to read all four of the books. #waytogo #Ididntthinkitwouldhappen #impressed

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Will Be Hooked!

This series is a quick, engaging, delightful read! The characters introduced throughout the books are so real and most are enthralling! I loved the interspersed 'Dear Daphne' letters and responses!

Will Daphne meet the deadline? And if she does, who will be there to meet her?

[TransparentFilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad to finally have closed the chapter on this series. While I did enjoy it, I was getting tired of Sabrina. I am happy about the way it ended.

[Beckie Burnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Will, A Way, And A Wedding had been on my shelves waaay too long. The final installment to Melody Carlson’s Dear Daphne series had been whispering my name for *gasp* a couple of years! I finally succumbed to it, having been shamed by my admission of unfinished series. What had I been waiting for!? This charming and funny finale is a winner!

Daphne Ballinger has spent the better part of a year looking for a husband due to the peculiar terms of her great aunt Dee’s will. But only one man out of many has caught her eye and her heart. Unfortunately there always seems to be something that comes between them. This set-up is the perfect foundation for a fun romance. Carlson puts her main character through the ringer 😉 , as Daphne decides if love and marriage are really in her future, or does God have other plans. I liked that despite the meddling of best friend Sabrina, Daphne puts her plight in God’s hands. Daphne’s faith journey is naturally woven into the story. She relies on God’s wisdom, prays in all situations, and rests in His will. Nothing about the novel seems preachy or contrived. I also liked the small town setting of Appleton and its sometimes quirky residents. A Will, A Way, And A Wedding takes on the small town’s slower pace, even as the deadline Daphne faces looms ahead. Supporting characters are great, especially those closest to Daphne — adopted daughter Mabel and neighbor Sabrina. Daphne comes to the realization that she can face an uncertain future with her friends, family, and God by her side.

I wouldn’t attempt reading A Will, A Way, And A Wedding without first reading the other books in the series. Each novel builds upon each other. But don’t worry, all are great books and are quickly read, so a fun binge is in store for you!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to WhiteFire Publishing for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Danielle Turko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daphne and Mabel are settling into a routine. It's almost like she's always been her child, even though it's only been a few months. Daphne isn't even really concerned about her inheritance anymore. She has her little family now, the house itself and the money and the car would just be bonuses. Besides, every time she thinks she might be getting somewhere something always steps in. If she could just sell her novel, she might even be able to buy the house herself, then all of this would go away. Until then though, she needs to be realistic. Finding a job and a rental need to be a priority, just in case. Then a man steps in, and she sees herself marrying him, even though their lives seem to be heading in different directions. All she needs is to be married by mid May, and they can all live happily ever after.
I am an avid Hallmark channel movie fan. I may even be bordering on obsession. Honestly while reading these books, I was shocked they weren't a hallmark movie yet. The series is basically the tried and true formula of the movies. For someone who claimed to be fine with staying single and losing the inheritance, Daphne certainly complained a lot to herself about her situation. Otherwise, I would read this series again, and if Hallmark decided to make a movie out them I wouldn't be sad. They even already have a redheaded actress that stars in their movies, and a southern blonde, and most of the men are already on call as well. I can't think of someone who could play Mick, an Aussie, off the top of my head, but accents are trainable.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Will, A Way, and A Wedding by Melody Carlson is number four in her Dear Daphne series. Daphne Ballinger is looking for a husband. Nobody seems to measure up. When she finally thinks she’s found Mr. Right, he starts backing away from her. Now, what is she going to do? I liked the way she finally stops and re-evaluates her life. Then she gives everything over to God to work out and focuses on making her daughter happy. At times this book seemed very juvenile in writing. The ending seemed a little rushed. Overall the story line was sweet.

I received this book from WhiteFire publisher’s in exchange for my honest review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great ending to awonderful series! I liked the twisted and turned and various directions that this plot took as well as the way the writer handled them. It was by no means agiven that the wedding will take place before or after the deadline… And whether that happens or not I will leave up to you since I’m not into spoilers. I have to confess that if the beginning of the series I didn’t really think that the two that ended up together would in fact work out. But it grew on me as a series progressed. I like Jake. I also liked Jenna and Sabrina, who was my favorite.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending to this series seemed anti-climatic, perhaps because it took us so long to get there. While I loved these characters, the ending seemed too neatly wrapped for such a prolonged storyline. Also, all the delay didn’t endear Jake’s character to me. I felt he did too little too late. After his move to Miami I was almost rooting for some new drama to the storyline, with Daphne possibly developing a relationship w/ Stan or even Pastor Andrew. A cozy read, but I’m glad this series is finished.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew! Now I can breathe again! The author did kind of give hints at the end of each book in this series about who her husband would be. I kind of liked someone else for her, but it worked out much better than I hoped. Still the lesson that runs through all 4 books, the one that speaks to me, is that we learn to depend on God and be content with whatever He gives us. Very well done!

[SHERALL CORNWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this series of 4 books in about 4 days! I was impressed the author could make a year’s story out of 4 books so engaging! She kept me hooked rooting to the heroine to get her Mr. Right. And added a few twists along the way I wasn’t expecting. A great series, lighthearted, bit with thought-provoking moments.

[Cathy Bickerstaff · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I decided to read Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel, I'm not sure if I knew it was a series, let alone a 4 book series. It was an interesting premise, so I was hooked.
Personally, I think it would have been better as a two, or perhaps three, book series. It seemed a little drawn out to me.
And, of course, they all lived happily ever after.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the other three books in the series but this one just felt like the publisher wanted to get another book done. Of course, from book one you expect this ending but the problems with Jake and Jenna in the middle of this book just get in the way. Should have finished the series with book three

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the entire Daphne series. This book was my least favorite, though. Even though Sabrina thought she was being a friend, I found her constant harping about the deadline to be annoying. I still enjoyed Mable throughout the book. She steals the show every time.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
what I liked was it finally wrapped up and as I had expected and hoped! yay for that...what I didn't like was the Miami storyline it frustrated me and felt like a lot of immature choices were written into that whole portion...but the lake house and the ending made me happy...

[Norma Boles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read all four books in the Dear Daphne series. Although it felt like a long way to get to the wedding, I was determined to find out which guy she married. The series had a very nice, but predictable ending. The characters were so well written that I feel as though I know them personally.

[Julie D Ochoa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet series

I fell in love with the town of Appleton and all the lovely characters in this small, close-knit town. The series keeps you reading, and the light hearted, happy scenes don't feel unrealistic, as they are closely woven with realistic conundrums.

[Wilani Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful ending to this series. I would love to read more about them. I will miss them. They have become a part of me. This is great writing and a wonderful story.

[Bibliobabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice end to the series, no real surprise, you knew how it had to end. Lovely series.

[Holly Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

So slow....but ended well!

[Sara Shupe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, somewhat predictable, fun ending to a series. Very clean.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet conclusion to the series. I wish the conclusion hadn't felt so rushed, though.

[judy m · Rating 3 out of 5]

.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to know the conclusion, but I wish I hadn’t committed to the series.

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

[Dianna Mathison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Daphne book series

I LOVED all of the books in this series. I didn’t want it to end. It was a good clean wonderful story.I will enjoy more of her books"

[Lyn Soulia-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disappointed....last book in the series!!
Loved the Characters, story line and the out come.
Left me wanting more

[Kw · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, fun, satisfying conclusion to this enchanting series.

[SS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #4 of Series. Enjoyed the feel good vibes if this book and series. Good, clean, enjoyable.