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Willow Park #3
A Family for Christmas
For years, Lydia has dreamed of overseas mission work, the way some women dream of getting married. How ironic that she needs a husband to finally make it happen. She's always been practical, however—even if it means a marriage-of-convenience so she can finally do the work she’s called to do. Gabe needs a wife at exactly the right time. Plus, he’s kind of hot.
After a spectacularly failed marriage, Gabe isn't looking for a wife. He and his nine-year-old daughter are doing just fine on their own. But he's happy to negotiate a practical arrangement with Lydia in order to move into a new and more rewarding job. After all, a marriage like theirs won't end up changing his life very much.
They both have their priorities, and marriage just isn't one of them. But their carefully planned relationship doesn’t exactly go as planned...
After a spectacularly failed marriage, Gabe isn't looking for a wife. He and his nine-year-old daughter are doing just fine on their own. But he's happy to negotiate a practical arrangement with Lydia in order to move into a new and more rewarding job. After all, a marriage like theirs won't end up changing his life very much.
They both have their priorities, and marriage just isn't one of them. But their carefully planned relationship doesn’t exactly go as planned...
First published November 16, 2014
407 people are currently reading
883 people want to read
About the author
Noelle Adams
140 books2,684 followersNoelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
June 22, 2021
Reread:
I don’t remember this book being so perfect as it introduces imperfect characters. I do know this author is highly talented in presenting romance within the everyday realm. This could be anyone’s story because everything about these characters is down to earth, realistic, and believable. There is no magic here, no maneuvering by the writer to force her characters to feel a way they have no justification to do so. It leaves me unable to review this, again, as I typically do but lost for words to express how much this story moves me in every way.
Original review:
Audiobook: Narrator - Jane Cramer
I’m a huge fan of this author but this was the first audiobook I’ve ever listened to by her and I can’t express what a perfect narrator she choose. Ms. Cramer’s performance is exactly how I have often thought Ms. Adam’s heroines to sound and act. She truly brought this story to life in a believable style that I enjoyed listening to.
I’m a huge fan of marriage of convenience romances and this one was filled with all things I enjoy. I loved that the decision to marry was a mutual decision that both characters made at the same time. It was the obvious thing to do. Everything that follows was relatable and never felt contrived. These characters are real and the emotions Lydia deals with are exactly what one would expect to find in her same situation. There is nothing over the top, no insta anything, but a lot of good old fashioned falling in love while learning more about the person you’re married to.
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
I don’t remember this book being so perfect as it introduces imperfect characters. I do know this author is highly talented in presenting romance within the everyday realm. This could be anyone’s story because everything about these characters is down to earth, realistic, and believable. There is no magic here, no maneuvering by the writer to force her characters to feel a way they have no justification to do so. It leaves me unable to review this, again, as I typically do but lost for words to express how much this story moves me in every way.
Original review:
Audiobook: Narrator - Jane Cramer
I’m a huge fan of this author but this was the first audiobook I’ve ever listened to by her and I can’t express what a perfect narrator she choose. Ms. Cramer’s performance is exactly how I have often thought Ms. Adam’s heroines to sound and act. She truly brought this story to life in a believable style that I enjoyed listening to.
I’m a huge fan of marriage of convenience romances and this one was filled with all things I enjoy. I loved that the decision to marry was a mutual decision that both characters made at the same time. It was the obvious thing to do. Everything that follows was relatable and never felt contrived. These characters are real and the emotions Lydia deals with are exactly what one would expect to find in her same situation. There is nothing over the top, no insta anything, but a lot of good old fashioned falling in love while learning more about the person you’re married to.
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
September 11, 2017
A cute, quick read featuring a marriage of convenience. I read the first book in this series a while ago and liked it and have had this one on my e-reader for awhile and decided to give it a try. I didn't like it quite as much as I did the first one, but it was cute and I liked the relationship between Lydia and Gabe. What I really like about this series is that the characters are Christians, but it's not Christian Fiction. It has all the elements (including the love scenes) you would get in regular mainstream Romance, but the characters stand apart a bit from the norm. I like this bit of diversity that you don't often see in mainstream fiction.
December 6, 2014
4.5 stars - Adult Contemporary Romance
The moment I started read this book, it hooked me until the end. The story was amazing! Besides, I'm sucker for marriage of convenience. Another thing that makes me happy is the author's note about the next upcoming book in the series to be expected out March 2015 and it's about Thomas and Abigail YAY. I just cannot wait!
RD: Nov 16, 2014.
The moment I started read this book, it hooked me until the end. The story was amazing! Besides, I'm sucker for marriage of convenience. Another thing that makes me happy is the author's note about the next upcoming book in the series to be expected out March 2015 and it's about Thomas and Abigail YAY. I just cannot wait!
RD: Nov 16, 2014.
January 11, 2017
Lately I've been feeling like I don't want to read books (how weird, I know - personal life has been very weird) - but that annoyed me a lot, so I decided to replace my broken ereader with a brand new one, and happily settled with this book. It's just so great that Noelle Adams exists and that I can always count on her to write my favorite tropes and in a very competent way. I don't care that after the fifth marriage of convenience story by the same author, it gets a little same-y - it's such a comfort read. I breezed through it and now I want to read books again, and so I am very happy that this exists.
(Otherwise, this was only fine. Didn't much like the whole thing with the kid, it didn't feel real at all. It was also a little too short to make the characters' journey feel lived-in. But. What I said in the first paragraph.)
(Otherwise, this was only fine. Didn't much like the whole thing with the kid, it didn't feel real at all. It was also a little too short to make the characters' journey feel lived-in. But. What I said in the first paragraph.)
September 4, 2022
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK, or decent reads.
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August 21, 2022
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August 21, 2022
She only had vague memories of the man. She’d been eighteen—at home for the summer after her freshman year in college. Mr. Alexander and his wife were just a new couple at the church with a newborn baby.
“How old are you?” She straightened her spine. “Twenty-seven. What does that have to do with anything?” “I’m thirty-eight. I’ve already been married and have a daughter. We’re at different places in life. I’d feel like I was taking advantage of you.”
She wondered what had happened with his ex-wife, but she wasn’t quite comfortable enough with him to ask about it.
Gabe had given it to her a couple of weeks ago, in a romantic gesture that consisted of thrusting the box at her and saying, “Here. You might wear this.”
Because she could easily read the look in Gabe’s eyes as he looked down at his daughter. And it was more than obvious that Ellie had been right in what she’d said earlier. There was no way any woman could have an equal place in his heart.
Ellie hadn’t done anything that was genuinely naughty. She’d just made it clear that she wished Lydia wasn’t around.
Lydia felt an odd, completely irrational pang in her chest. They were clearly family—as close as people could get. She wasn’t part of it. She might be marrying Gabe, but she wasn’t going to be part of this family. She would always be an outsider.
“Daddy?” a voice came from behind her.
“Thank you. Are you done hugging her now?” “Yes,” he said, with a low chuckle, reaching down for his daughter. “Now I can hug you.”
She was going to have sex. With her husband. For the first time. She was going to have sex with Gabe.
“Because I told you from the beginning that I don’t think I can trust another woman with—” “Your heart.” She knew she was finishing his sentences, but she just needed to get this conversation over with.
“Okay,” he said slowly, getting up too. “Maybe we should take a step back, just to make sure things are okay between us. I don’t want there to be any confusion.”
“He took on flesh. He took our flesh. He lived our life. He breathed our breath.” Daniel’s brown eyes held hers without wavering. “He ate bread, and he drank wine, and he built things with iron and wood.”
“And he laughed when it was a funny, and he cried when it hurt. And he kissed and hugged the people he loved. He bled when he died.”
“He took on flesh, Lydia. He lived for thirty years before he started to preach. Think about what that means. And then tell me that living your life—right now, every day—doesn’t really matter. That loving your husband and that girl who is now your daughter isn’t really that important.”
December 1, 2015
I really like this series a lot. I like how Noelle Adams is writing characters of faith without them being inspies, because I think that's a thing that a lot of contemporaries choose to ignore (which is especially weird in the small town ones, I'm just saying.) The prickly kid in this one was great (though I really thought we were going to get a surprise autism reveal at some point), and I liked the gradual bonding of couple and child as a family.
December 17, 2017
A sweet romance. I kind a like it. I could read almost in a couple of days. I couldnt put it down. Highly recomended if you are looking for something sweet.
June 26, 2021
This was such an enjoyable read. I loved Gabe and Lydia. There was so much chemistry between these two. Lydia was convinced she didn't ever need to get married and have a family. Gabe refused to give his heart away again because he was afraid of getting it broken. They needed each other to accomplish what they wanted so they both agreed to a marriage of convenience. What they both didn't consider was that maybe they both needed each other. Great read from start to finish. Great addition to this series. I would highly recommend both.
December 16, 2020
Let’s start by a 3 1/2 for writing content. Lydia thinks she has her life planned out, she wants to help women trapped in the sex trade. But she is having problems fundraising at various churches because she isn’t married. Enter Gabe, his heart was broken previously and he he reluctant to trust. They think they can make a go of a modern marriage of convenience and things seem to be working out. Well read if you wish.
I was bothered throughout this book by the presentation of a Christian book. The grammar is there, but the adult language at the start bothered me and after the “marriage”
All holds were opened to turn this into a very graphic sexual descriptive almost pornographic novel. I am not a prude but just because you have the people married does not make it ok to describe the details that were given. This was a library loan for me and I know how upset I would be as a Christian to have paid my money for this. I am warning others who feel the same in advance.
I used to read novels like this to my shame, however that is what it makes me feel now. Closed door scenes are fine, we have imaginations and know what happens without the details being laid out.
I was bothered throughout this book by the presentation of a Christian book. The grammar is there, but the adult language at the start bothered me and after the “marriage”
All holds were opened to turn this into a very graphic sexual descriptive almost pornographic novel. I am not a prude but just because you have the people married does not make it ok to describe the details that were given. This was a library loan for me and I know how upset I would be as a Christian to have paid my money for this. I am warning others who feel the same in advance.
I used to read novels like this to my shame, however that is what it makes me feel now. Closed door scenes are fine, we have imaginations and know what happens without the details being laid out.
June 26, 2021
Heroine is 27, never been in a real relationship, and tosses herself into a marriage with a little girl. She clearly was not ready for this transition. I liked that it was a realistic transition. She clearly had misconceptions about relationships and being a new mom. But the growth over time felt real. She didn't give up her entire dreams just because she found love. This series does have religious themes, but this book in particular wasn't as palpable as the others, which was nice.
October 29, 2017
Cute. I really liked the development of Gabe and Lydia's relationship. Also Ellie's part in it.
November 18, 2014
I loved this book!!! I have read the two previous in the series, this could be read as a standalone however, the other two are worth your time to read. There are characters that appear from the other two books if you want to know their stories. I think this is the best of the series......so far.....hopefully there will be more.
I could relate to how Lydia thought she always knew what she wanted and would do whatever she had to get it. But, then realizes that sometimes everything that you wanted and was so important was really meaningless if you had no one in your life to share it with......I always felt really connected to Lydia and Gabe, they felt realistic. They plan. They fight. They deal. They have faith. They need. They have sex. And at times totally misunderstand each other-hello real world-real marriage! Gabe is hot but not without flaws. The only thing that I would of changed in the book is that the preteen daughter was not snoty enough to be realistic.....needed more eyerolling, door slamming, fit throwing to be realistic. Yes, faith has a role in this book but it does not a lead role in a preachy, shove it down the reader throat kind of way. Yes, they are faithful people but it not in a standoffish way. I did get this ARC book in return for my honest opinion/review.
I could relate to how Lydia thought she always knew what she wanted and would do whatever she had to get it. But, then realizes that sometimes everything that you wanted and was so important was really meaningless if you had no one in your life to share it with......I always felt really connected to Lydia and Gabe, they felt realistic. They plan. They fight. They deal. They have faith. They need. They have sex. And at times totally misunderstand each other-hello real world-real marriage! Gabe is hot but not without flaws. The only thing that I would of changed in the book is that the preteen daughter was not snoty enough to be realistic.....needed more eyerolling, door slamming, fit throwing to be realistic. Yes, faith has a role in this book but it does not a lead role in a preachy, shove it down the reader throat kind of way. Yes, they are faithful people but it not in a standoffish way. I did get this ARC book in return for my honest opinion/review.
November 17, 2014
And Noelle does it again! I have to say this is likely my favorite of the series. Between the broody Gabe and his reticent daughter (who justly should be) and the vivacious and tenacious Lydia, I was deeply enthralled. This story just went straight to my heart. While it does follow the other books in the series, this book has a more intense storyline. I absolutely loved the pull of the "relationship" between Gabe and Lydia. Gabe doesn't want a wife but finds himself needing one. Lydia doesn't do the love thing but finds herself needing a husband to complete missionary work overseas in India. These two are brought together by Daniel, who we met in book one. And he knew what he was doing when he gave Lydia Gabe's number. In a whirlwind of activity and emotions and yes, even some get feelings, these two overcome their own personal issues to provide a, albeit unconventional, family for a little girl who just needed the love they both have. The actual issues that Lydia had with Gabe's daughter are real scenarios every step parent has. I am truly thankful for this. I connected so much with this book and can wait for more!!
January 24, 2016
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a 3.5 star read to me. It is a marriage of convenience story where both the main characters, Lydia and Gabe, will both benefit from marrying each other. Lydia needs a husband to help raise money from different churches so she can go to India and do some mission work. Gabe needs a wife and a mother for his daughter so he too can go to India and work. What starts out as a fake marriage slowly turns into a real one, with problems and awkwardness towards acting like a family.
This was a quick read, but it felt like it was missing something to me. I guess I wanted a little more into their lives at the end of the story. I wish we got to see them travel to India, instead of it being mentioned that they are still planning on going.
I do like the Willow Park series, and can't wait to read more about the residents of this town and members of the church.
This was a 3.5 star read to me. It is a marriage of convenience story where both the main characters, Lydia and Gabe, will both benefit from marrying each other. Lydia needs a husband to help raise money from different churches so she can go to India and do some mission work. Gabe needs a wife and a mother for his daughter so he too can go to India and work. What starts out as a fake marriage slowly turns into a real one, with problems and awkwardness towards acting like a family.
This was a quick read, but it felt like it was missing something to me. I guess I wanted a little more into their lives at the end of the story. I wish we got to see them travel to India, instead of it being mentioned that they are still planning on going.
I do like the Willow Park series, and can't wait to read more about the residents of this town and members of the church.
September 12, 2016
This is the third book of the Willow Park series, all of which I think are amazing. Noelle Adams has certainly become one of my favorites. The main story is similar to Daniel’s and Jessica’s story from the first book, because the couple want to get married for practical reasons.
This could be read as a standalone however, the other two are worth your time to read.
It is a marriage of convenience story where both the main characters, Lydia and Gabe, will both benefit from marrying each other. Gabe doesn't want a wife but finds himself needing one. Lydia doesn't do the love thing but finds herself needing a husband to complete missionary work overseas in India.
Very good read.
This could be read as a standalone however, the other two are worth your time to read.
It is a marriage of convenience story where both the main characters, Lydia and Gabe, will both benefit from marrying each other. Gabe doesn't want a wife but finds himself needing one. Lydia doesn't do the love thing but finds herself needing a husband to complete missionary work overseas in India.
Very good read.
December 21, 2016
Mixed Feelings
I am struggling long to write here.
If it was supposed to be a Christian book, it didn't quite hit the mark. Two the language and content was not a typical Christian read. So maybe it wasn't that type of read.
The story was not bad. It was about two people wanting to serve in India that marry for convenience and fall in love.
I am struggling long to write here.
If it was supposed to be a Christian book, it didn't quite hit the mark. Two the language and content was not a typical Christian read. So maybe it wasn't that type of read.
The story was not bad. It was about two people wanting to serve in India that marry for convenience and fall in love.
December 2, 2016
Wish I had read the reviews before starting this. Talking about being involved in her church and wanting to do missionary work I thought this would be Christian based and therefore clean. I was wrong, not clean at all, I only made it about 1/2 through.
June 3, 2021
hmm im getting really tired of only the women who are always the first to have common sense and the guys are like “im scared” stfu chickens have some balls will you
also, i can’t seem to feel any romantic feelings between lydia and gabe. so bland and boring
also, i can’t seem to feel any romantic feelings between lydia and gabe. so bland and boring
December 20, 2017
Willow Park, #3
Noelle Adams
Self-Pub, Date Nov 2014
Kindle, 209 Pages
Also available in paperback, audiobook
Genre(s) Christmas Romance, Christian Romance, Family Story
Source Purchased at current price
Other books in this series
Married for Christmas #1, A Baby for Easter #2, Reconciled for Easter #4, Home for Christmas #5
My Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book at the current price. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about…
Lydia has always felt called to work with sexually exploited women in India. She’s found a mission to work with and now she’s trying to raise money through the churches stateside to fund her work and living. They’re giving her a hard time about it, though, because she’s a single woman.
Gabe has found a director’s position with a mission in India he’s been wanting to work with. Money is no problem for him. And he has made good arrangements for traveling back and forth to be with his daughter, Ellie. But the mission would prefer that he have a wife.
Lydia and Gabe put together a practical working marriage to solve both of their problems. This will be just a working relationship, not a real marriage. No sex, right?
Right?
Technical Tidbits…
The cover doesn’t do this book justice. It’s too washed out. This is a story with passion.
The storyline is great! Two people come together to solve their compatible problems. Then emotions happen. Life happens. And the solution is twice as good!
The characters are really great! These three rather colorless people come together and fill each other will love and color and life!
The pace is lively. There’s an occasional time-out for pouting. But it has problems with choppiness.
The tension starts right there in the first scene when Lydia is dialing her pastor’s number on Sunday afternoon during his quiet-time to complain. It peaks here and there for things like possible broken bones, arguments, and other things. But it doesn’t seem consistent.
And this is where you STOP if you don’t want to see any SPOILERS…
The good, the bad, and the ugly…and how much it lit up my life… ✰✰✰⭒
I didn’t think I would like this at first. I didn’t care for Lydia in the first few pages when she was complaining about the churches and why they weren’t giving her money. I don’t usually dislike the main characters in books I read. I can usually find something good in them. But in that first scene, I really disliked Lydia. She was a downer type person for me. She must have reminded me of someone I’ve known. I don’t know who, but that’s the only thing I can think of. Then as she and Gabe talked out their situations and the solution presented itself, I got to see a better side to her. Then I wondered about Gabe. I had to hope there was a more open side to him. And then there was Ellie, the 9 year-old daughter who really didn’t want anything to do with Lydia.
I knew Ellie would come to like her. It’s just how it had to happen. I could have almost written the script for it. And Ellie ended up being a sweet 9 year-old who really liked her step-Mom. Lydia kept at it quietly, and I liked her approach. Nothing that Gabe said or did was any help with the relationship between the two females. Lydia simply had to wait her out. Then she had to do the right things at the right time and build her relationship naturally between she and her step-daughter. Gabe wanted to make Ellie behave and be nice to Lydia. But that’s not behavior you can force. Nor is a relationship something you can make by telling someone to do it. It’s something that two people create between them on their own. Ms. Adams did a really good job of this relationship. It was totally natural and what it should have been. It allowed for Ellie’s age and the fact that she really didn’t want to share her father’s attention with anyone. She saw Lydia as an intruder in the beginning. Nothing her father said was going to get nice out of her.
Gabe was so closed down emotionally from his first marriage. His wife had done a number on him. So he goes ahead with this relationship with Lydia. It’s a business deal. She thinks sex is off the table. He figures it’s there if they both agree. So then they work that out and it becomes “if they both agree”. What would you call that. It’s not exactly friends with benefits. This is a marriage that’s a business deal. It’s playing house with benefits. Then Lydia realizes she’s in love with Gabe. That it’s not just sex for her. It’s wanting to be closer to the man she’s come to really care about, to love. And he’s terrified by that. But he works through his emotions and realizes that he loves her, too. And Ellie puts “Mom” on her waffles Christmas morning to top it all off – and they’re a family! Awwww…
Recommended
Note: This is the only Christian romance I've read with hot sex in it.
Noelle Adams
Self-Pub, Date Nov 2014
Kindle, 209 Pages
Also available in paperback, audiobook
Genre(s) Christmas Romance, Christian Romance, Family Story
Source Purchased at current price
Other books in this series
Married for Christmas #1, A Baby for Easter #2, Reconciled for Easter #4, Home for Christmas #5
My Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book at the current price. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about…
Lydia has always felt called to work with sexually exploited women in India. She’s found a mission to work with and now she’s trying to raise money through the churches stateside to fund her work and living. They’re giving her a hard time about it, though, because she’s a single woman.
Gabe has found a director’s position with a mission in India he’s been wanting to work with. Money is no problem for him. And he has made good arrangements for traveling back and forth to be with his daughter, Ellie. But the mission would prefer that he have a wife.
Lydia and Gabe put together a practical working marriage to solve both of their problems. This will be just a working relationship, not a real marriage. No sex, right?
Right?
Technical Tidbits…
The cover doesn’t do this book justice. It’s too washed out. This is a story with passion.
The storyline is great! Two people come together to solve their compatible problems. Then emotions happen. Life happens. And the solution is twice as good!
The characters are really great! These three rather colorless people come together and fill each other will love and color and life!
The pace is lively. There’s an occasional time-out for pouting. But it has problems with choppiness.
The tension starts right there in the first scene when Lydia is dialing her pastor’s number on Sunday afternoon during his quiet-time to complain. It peaks here and there for things like possible broken bones, arguments, and other things. But it doesn’t seem consistent.
And this is where you STOP if you don’t want to see any SPOILERS…
The good, the bad, and the ugly…and how much it lit up my life… ✰✰✰⭒
I didn’t think I would like this at first. I didn’t care for Lydia in the first few pages when she was complaining about the churches and why they weren’t giving her money. I don’t usually dislike the main characters in books I read. I can usually find something good in them. But in that first scene, I really disliked Lydia. She was a downer type person for me. She must have reminded me of someone I’ve known. I don’t know who, but that’s the only thing I can think of. Then as she and Gabe talked out their situations and the solution presented itself, I got to see a better side to her. Then I wondered about Gabe. I had to hope there was a more open side to him. And then there was Ellie, the 9 year-old daughter who really didn’t want anything to do with Lydia.
I knew Ellie would come to like her. It’s just how it had to happen. I could have almost written the script for it. And Ellie ended up being a sweet 9 year-old who really liked her step-Mom. Lydia kept at it quietly, and I liked her approach. Nothing that Gabe said or did was any help with the relationship between the two females. Lydia simply had to wait her out. Then she had to do the right things at the right time and build her relationship naturally between she and her step-daughter. Gabe wanted to make Ellie behave and be nice to Lydia. But that’s not behavior you can force. Nor is a relationship something you can make by telling someone to do it. It’s something that two people create between them on their own. Ms. Adams did a really good job of this relationship. It was totally natural and what it should have been. It allowed for Ellie’s age and the fact that she really didn’t want to share her father’s attention with anyone. She saw Lydia as an intruder in the beginning. Nothing her father said was going to get nice out of her.
Gabe was so closed down emotionally from his first marriage. His wife had done a number on him. So he goes ahead with this relationship with Lydia. It’s a business deal. She thinks sex is off the table. He figures it’s there if they both agree. So then they work that out and it becomes “if they both agree”. What would you call that. It’s not exactly friends with benefits. This is a marriage that’s a business deal. It’s playing house with benefits. Then Lydia realizes she’s in love with Gabe. That it’s not just sex for her. It’s wanting to be closer to the man she’s come to really care about, to love. And he’s terrified by that. But he works through his emotions and realizes that he loves her, too. And Ellie puts “Mom” on her waffles Christmas morning to top it all off – and they’re a family! Awwww…
Recommended
Note: This is the only Christian romance I've read with hot sex in it.
June 28, 2017
Good book!
This is a cute story about a marriage of convenience. It was fun to read. Lydia wants to go soon a mission for India but no one will support her because she isn't married. Gave wants to help with a mission in India and has the money but the ministry doesn't want a single dad. When they meet they realize that by getting married they can solve each other's problems. However they didn't realize that living together and getting to know each other would develop into more. However the story is written so you see that God had realized this the whole time. It has sex scenes between a married couple. A Christian couple that really is a normal couple. The book isn't preachy at all. I highly recommend this book.
This is a cute story about a marriage of convenience. It was fun to read. Lydia wants to go soon a mission for India but no one will support her because she isn't married. Gave wants to help with a mission in India and has the money but the ministry doesn't want a single dad. When they meet they realize that by getting married they can solve each other's problems. However they didn't realize that living together and getting to know each other would develop into more. However the story is written so you see that God had realized this the whole time. It has sex scenes between a married couple. A Christian couple that really is a normal couple. The book isn't preachy at all. I highly recommend this book.
October 7, 2019
Uh huh, no. *shakes head* No.
It's an inspirational novel. No big plot point a whole lot of talk about God and characters you want to shoot for being stupid. Again with the character that doesn't have an occupation, seriously even heiresses and heirs find something to make money. I get that she was going to a foreign country but ask any aid worker you have to build connections before you get there. You have to have a plan, not a silly daydream. And honestly, working with sex trafficking victims here would have shed light on a underfunded domestic cause and made her someone with convictions and an occupation. Not just a dreamer who has no idea that the real world doesn't give two hoots and a holler about your dreams.
It's an inspirational novel. No big plot point a whole lot of talk about God and characters you want to shoot for being stupid. Again with the character that doesn't have an occupation, seriously even heiresses and heirs find something to make money. I get that she was going to a foreign country but ask any aid worker you have to build connections before you get there. You have to have a plan, not a silly daydream. And honestly, working with sex trafficking victims here would have shed light on a underfunded domestic cause and made her someone with convictions and an occupation. Not just a dreamer who has no idea that the real world doesn't give two hoots and a holler about your dreams.
December 25, 2019
I enjoyed this more than the others in this series. I'm not much on religion in what I read and this had less than the others, so that was a positive. I think I also enjoyed it more than some of the more recent books by this author. Noelle Adams is an auto-buy for me, but some of her newer books don't seem to have a lot of heart. I mean, even this one is "light" - the heroine has high aspirations, but she's pretty naive. I'm willing to overlook it for a holiday romance, though. Most of her books that I've really enjoyed are written as Claire Kent, but she's advised that she doesn't plan to write those kinds of books under that pseudonym in the future, so I'm sad about that. But, I enjoyed this one.
July 6, 2018
Marriage of Convenience
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. This was my 2nd time reading, I never posted a review after first read.
Heroine, a single woman who never planned on marriage, needs a husband to get financial support from churches to work in Haiti. Hero, a single father with trust issues needs a wife to also go to Haiti to work. A friend of both suggests they meet, & they decide to marry, agreeing it will be for convenience. As they learn to live together, they face challenges trying to be a family. Soon a marriage of convenience becomes more. Are they brave enough to hang onto each other?
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. This was my 2nd time reading, I never posted a review after first read.
Heroine, a single woman who never planned on marriage, needs a husband to get financial support from churches to work in Haiti. Hero, a single father with trust issues needs a wife to also go to Haiti to work. A friend of both suggests they meet, & they decide to marry, agreeing it will be for convenience. As they learn to live together, they face challenges trying to be a family. Soon a marriage of convenience becomes more. Are they brave enough to hang onto each other?
December 3, 2017
A quick marriage but will it last?
When two people agree to a marriage so each can get to get their perfect job. One brings a child with him. Can this new family get into together for the perfect Christmas holiday. I loved this perfect love story. It had laughter and some tears and some great sex scenes. This was the first book from this author for me and her writing makes the characters come to life. I can’t wait to read another book.
When two people agree to a marriage so each can get to get their perfect job. One brings a child with him. Can this new family get into together for the perfect Christmas holiday. I loved this perfect love story. It had laughter and some tears and some great sex scenes. This was the first book from this author for me and her writing makes the characters come to life. I can’t wait to read another book.
January 29, 2018
A Good Quick Read
I have not read a book by Ms Adams that I've not loved and this one was no different. Her couples are so real, it's almost like you can interact with them. I really liked how well mannered Ellie was and it's easy to understand her reticence. Lydia is a great girl and quite frank in her opinions until she falls in love with Gabe....and his little girl. I really enjoyed this book.
I have not read a book by Ms Adams that I've not loved and this one was no different. Her couples are so real, it's almost like you can interact with them. I really liked how well mannered Ellie was and it's easy to understand her reticence. Lydia is a great girl and quite frank in her opinions until she falls in love with Gabe....and his little girl. I really enjoyed this book.
December 21, 2023
Lydia and Gabe agree to a marriage of convenience in order to advance their career looking towards helping people in India since their conservative Presbyterian church prefers married couples to help with their missions. Of course plans to remain emotionally distant changes- watch for some surprisingly steamy scenes. Plus there's Gabe's daughter, Ellie, joining in the family dynamics. An easy predictable read.
February 10, 2021
Sweet love story
Lydia needed a husband to get the funding to work in India with abused girls and women. Gabe needed a wife to help with his standing. Their pastor suggested that they meet. She and Gabe hit it off and begin their journey to becoming a family.
Lydia needed a husband to get the funding to work in India with abused girls and women. Gabe needed a wife to help with his standing. Their pastor suggested that they meet. She and Gabe hit it off and begin their journey to becoming a family.
December 9, 2025
Way too much crying! I wish there would have been some writing from Daniels perspective. You couldn’t really tell where his head was at, until the very end, when he comes out with his big admission.
It also would have been nice to get an episode.
It also would have been nice to get an episode.
October 18, 2016
Easy read. Written quite nicely. Main characters seemed human.
But the ending leaves us in the dark about the "what's next?", as the ending was a bit of a fast wrap-up with a glittery bow, but not much depth.
Both characters also seem to fly off the handle easily, despite one of them being meticulously described as being calm and broody and silent. Daughter is described as a normal child would react ...... until the ending.
Has some religious references but not annoyingly dominant; contains some mild sexual descriptions.
The fast ending ruined a pretty decent story.
But the ending leaves us in the dark about the "what's next?", as the ending was a bit of a fast wrap-up with a glittery bow, but not much depth.
Both characters also seem to fly off the handle easily, despite one of them being meticulously described as being calm and broody and silent. Daughter is described as a normal child would react ...... until the ending.
Has some religious references but not annoyingly dominant; contains some mild sexual descriptions.
The fast ending ruined a pretty decent story.
April 13, 2018
A good story
I really liked this one. It was a good story and a little more believable than most due to the situations that are dealt with.
I really liked this one. It was a good story and a little more believable than most due to the situations that are dealt with.
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