From Boss to Bridegroom

Smoky Mountain Matches #6

by Karen Kirst

Falling for the Boss

Being tied up and delivered to the sheriff was not how Nicole O'Malley expected to meet her new boss. Quinn Darling had the audacity to mistake her for a burglar! Now she's counting the days until she can leave small-town life behind to open her own boutique. But as long as she's helping two runaways escape their vindictive stepdad, she can't leave town.

Quinn's determined to triumph in his first business venture without the support of his wealthy family. He can't succeed without assistant Nicole, a beauty as prickly as she is captivating. As Quinn adjusts to the tight-knit community, he's soon set on another goal: breaking through Nicole's reserve to capture the love hidden in her heart.

Genres: Romance, Love Inspired, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Historical Romance, Love Inspired Historical

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 2015

About the author

Karen Kirst was born and raised in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. A lifelong lover of books, it wasn't until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. The pursuit of her dream would take longer than she first anticipated...years, in fact. In the fall of 2010, she got the happy news that Harlequin Love Inspired Historical wanted to publish her manuscript-a true blessing from God. Now she divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom, and romance writer. She enjoys reading, hosting tea parties and spending time with friends.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good story by Karen Kirst.

Compared to the previous books / characters, I found Nicole and Quinn to be somewhat bland... And I wasn't too keen on Nicole professing her love to Quinn first. Call me old fashioned, but a woman should never be the first to confess anything... That is the man's job :P

Gonna skip ahead once again and continue with "Reclaiming His Past" - Book #8 - as I read Jane and Tom's story (Book #7) several years prior.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took forever for me to like the female lead. She was just so rude. The story starts with her hitting him over the head with a pan thinking him an intruder. Every time the subject comes up she gets angry again blaming him. Eventually the story began to be worth reading. Tho they are one of those couples where you wonder what's wrong with his head. Oh wait she beaned him! That explains it. Things seemed rushed. The story was suggested on Hoopla based on my reading so I tried it based on the cover. I got to the end and discovered it was a Harlequin. That explains the rushed story that good have been so much better.

[Judine Brey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started out with the best (or worst) meeting of the two protagonists. Nicole, believing her new boss is an intruder, smacks him in the head with a pot. The fact that the two of them get past this and are able to work together is well described. Additionally, I loved how Quinn was able to get Nicole to see her shortcomings regarding her family. By opening Nicole's eyes to what was really wrong, he was able to allow her to create stronger relationships with everyone around her, not just himself. A fun, worthwhile read.

[Jeanette Revie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my mom and ended up reading it myself, lol. Such a great story. The author is wonderfully detailed with her descriptions and I loved the fiesty sparks between the main characters. Pure, clean escapism.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Search for True Love

Quinn and Nicole had a rocky beginning, starting with a pot over his head and her tied up, a visit to the sheriff and from there things were never dull. Read this book, you will not put it down.

[Mary Shreffler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quinn and Nicole have dreams for the future but not in the same town! Not wanting to hurt the others dream they give up each other's love for their dream. God knows best and they find their dream is each other!

[Dori Stowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely need to read the first 5! This was a page turner that I couldn't put down!

[Mariah H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Jmrees2gmail.Com · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable

[Paula-O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series Smoky Mountain Matches,book #6 "From Boss to Bridegroom" by Karen Kirst

The title lets you know what will happen BUT not what is going to happen along the way...

You will so enjoy as I did all the details. Nicole O'Malley has several sisters but along the way she has come up with the idea that they are all more beautiful and know so much more then she does so she spends her time pushing everyone away and not getting close to anyone. The first ones she lets come closer is a young brother and sister fleeing from a dangerous stepfather. Helping them also helps her.

Quinn Darling comes to town to take over a store and inherits Nicole as an assistant. She is a good worker and he soon learns she can be trusted, He really thinks she is very pretty and tries to get to know her better, though he can see this just might be a problem with her outlook oh her life.
He hopes in time to capture the love hidden in her heart.

Karen has written a wonderful story of family, dreams and love that sneaks up on you.

[Lynsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this book. Great continuation of the series. I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I pictured a different Hero for Nicole. Just from Caleb's comment at the end of Caleb's book, I pictured the complete opposite of what Nicole seemed to want. I kind of pictured her with a rancher. This book was great, delving deeper into Nicole's personality and completely dismantling what I had thought of her as. I was surprised/not surprised at what some of the town thought of her as, but even with the little moments in the previous books, I never pictured her as snobbish. The 3 girls from Nathan and Sophie's story, yes, Nicole, no.

We even got a little more of the twins. Looking forward to their stories.

[Jamie Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Kirst does it again, this book is fantastic and such an enjoyable read! I was intrigued as to what kind of man would be able to break through the hard shell that I had seen in Nicole in the previous books and Quinn did not disappoint! Yes, Quinn was captivated by Nicole's beauty, but he also wasn't afraid to dig past her walls to see her inner beauty, and he would gently challenge her to see life beyond her plans and assumptions & to allow God to work in her life. A great read!! And I found out that there will be 2 more books coming out about the 2 younger sisters . . . can't wait!!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been intrigued by the glimpses of Nicole we've gotten throughout the series thus far, but wasn't sure exactly what to expect when it was her time in the spotlight. I really enjoyed how the author fleshed-out the prickly Nicole, and helped us understand the reason behind her standoffish manner.
I also really enjoyed Quinn. At first, he seemed rather full of himself, but then I grew to love his gentle teasing and honest heart. I also appreciated the way he honestly tried to follow what God wanted for him, and how he tried to encourage others (especially Nicole) to do the same.
3.5 stars

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Boss To Bridegroom by Karen Kirst was a very good book. Wealthy Quinn Darling leaves his family business to move to a small town to take over a mercantile store. He wants to prove he can make it on his own. Nicole O'Malley worked at the store for the last owner. She continues to work for Quinn. Nicole is saving money to move away from the small town to a bigger town to open a dressmaker store. A lot of things go on in this book. A must read.

[Hazel Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

I enjoyed catching up with the O'Malley family. Nicole really plucked my last nerve, she had her mind made up that she was going to move away and start her boutique, not thinking that maybe God had other plans. Loved Quinn Darling the perfect hero to help Nicole loosen up and have fun. This book had bullying, child abuse, murder and God. Loved the closeness of the O'Malley family.

[Harlequin Books]

"From the humor-filled misunderstanding opener, Kirst’s latest is laced with witty banter and good character growth. This is a faith-filled and top-notch series that just keeps getting better!" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars)

Miniseries: Smoky Mountain Matches

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the dynamic between Quinn & Nicole. I also loved seeing her family.

[Shelly Dabbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen did it again. I totally enjoyed this book.

[Harlequin Historical]

Miniseries: Smoky Mountain Matches

[Gentle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of From Boss to Bridegroom from Goodreads. I haven't read any other books in the series, but found this one to be enjoyable. A cute romantic story about engaging characters.

[Bethany Swafford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe if I would have started at the beginning with this series I would have liked it more. I just felt like there was a lot of back stories that I didn't know because of this.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short story.