Ready For Marriage

Dryden Brothers #2

by Debbie Macomber

What do you do when you love him-but love isn't enough?

If you're Mary Jo Summerhill, kindergarten teacher, and you're in love with Boston blue blood and political hopeful Evan Dryden, you get out of his life. You do it by lying to him, by telling him you've found someone else. And you break his heart....

All because you believed that you didn't belong in his world. All because his mother said you weren't the "right kind of wife."

That happened three years ago. Now your parents need legal help-Evan's help-and you go to him. You discover you're as much in love with him as ever. You don't know how he feels, though, and you wonder: Does love ever get a second chance?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Romance, Harlequin, Fiction, Ebooks, Chick Lit

187 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 1994

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Emily]

Editing issues in the first few chapters, Evan is an alphahole, and Mary Jo is an idiot.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ready for Marriage is the 52nd stand-alone romance novel by Debbie Macomber. It is linked by characters to Ready for Romance. Mary Jo Summerhill is a kindergarten teacher in love with Boston blue blood & political hopeful, Evan Dryden. When Evan’s mother subtly points out that Mary Jo is not the right kind of wife for him, Mary Jo makes up a story to get out of his life. But 3 years later, she needs his help, and discovers that their feelings for each other are as strong as they ever were. But can their love overcome the effects of meddling mothers and ambitious brothers? Another sweet Macomber romance.

[SweetSue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I realize this is an older book, but it was on the new shelf in my library in the version with another author's book as a bonus. I haven't read any Debbie Macomber in a while and was ready for something cute and sweet. This book wasn't it - it was just dumb. Evan and Mary Jo never really talk to each other, do dumb teenage "make 'em jealous" stuff, and can't move without their mothers' approval. I can kind of understand that the first time around since at least she was relatively young. But in this story it's just annoying and doesn't bode well for their life together.

[Min Li Li · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yahu sevgili yazarlar! Böyle aptal salak bencil kız karakterler yazmakla ne amaçlıyorsunuz? Mary jo olacak şahda acayip sinir oldum ya.Sen tut kendi korkaklığın ve kendi kendine edindiğin fikirlerle yola çık sözde çok sevdiğin ve seni gerçekten çok secen insana acı çektir.Senin çektiğin acılar sana müstehak zira kendi mallığının sonucu ama buna karşı Evan ında acı çekmesi kötüydü.
Yalandanda olsa Evan ile nişanlıyken başkasına aşık oldum diyerek ayrıl üç yıl aradan sonra tekrar karşısına çık yine sevgili olun ve yine korkaklığon ve aptallığınla yine aynı hatayı yap.Ya ben Evan a ne demeli? Kızın yaptığından sonra hiçbir olmamış gibi devam etti.Ne kadar seversen sev miden genişmiş demek ki diyesi geliyor insanın.
Hayır bu salak kız karakterin olduğu kitabı okuyarak neden kendime işkence onuda bilmiyorum ama en nefret ettiğim kız karakterler arasında altın harflerle yerini aldı MARY JO.😡

[Englishrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, again I read this one in one sitting. I found this story simply delightful. The characters and story are believable, though I found the age difference a little weird. Though I found Jessica to be a little lacking in spine but I can understand her various predicaments. Damien and Evan are both great characters with good hearts. I was delighted that Jessica came up with the same solution that I had thought for her much earlier on in the book. Good book all in all.

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[Deanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evan's Story !!!

Very sweet and fluffy, this book got me tear eyed. For a sweet contemporary romance novel this was just the right dose of fluffiness !!!


I am just sad that there are only 2 books in this series.

But since I am not dissapointed with this author I might give her other books a whirl!!

[DE ANN ALLEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Macomer new series

Mary Joand Evan were realistic from the beginning of this series. This is an interesting



read from its beginning until both characters came to their senses. Great read.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready for marriage

I have not read a single book written by Ms. Macomber that I didn't feel strongly engaged in. All senses take part in reading her stories. This one shows clearly what can happen when we allow pride, or fear, to rule us.

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way to fluffy

[Olanrewaju · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot was a bit silly with the "misunderstanding" that wasn't really anything at the end of it all.
The the Hero and Heroine circled round each other for so long it became annoying.

[Anne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great sequel to the first book in the series. The first book told about the love story between Damian Dryden and Jessica. This book tells the story of Evan Dryden and Mary Jo Summerhill, whom we met in the first book. Mary Jo had broken up with Evan, primarily because Evan’s mother told her privately that she wouldn’t be a suitable wife for Evan being that she only came from a middle class family. But a few years later, Mary Jo was desperate to find a good lawyer for her parents who were having problems with an investment company that wouldn’t pay the Summerhill’s back any of their money. So Mary Jo goes to see Evan. We know that Evan had a hard time when he and Mary Jo broke up. But Evan doesn’t want to make things easy for Mary Jo. He agrees to help out her parents. He also suggests that Mary Jo, being off for the summer from teaching, work for him as his assistant while his usual assistant takes a vacation. While Mary Jo works for Evan, he has her look for a file his brother had taken, and also has her order flowers and make lunch reservations with other women, which we find out later, are older relatives. (This was a storyline from another book I read; can’t remember the name of the book though.)
Once Evan and Mary Jo get back together as a couple, and things seem to be moving in the direction of marriage, Mary Jo goes to talk with Evan’s mother to make sure she’s fine with her becoming part of the family again. Unfortunately, Lois Dryden says again how Mary Jo wouldn’t make a good wife to Evan since he wants a political career. So Mary Jo does what she did before, saying to Evan how they can’t marry, and even telling Evan about what his mom was saying. Evan talks with his parents but the meeting didn’t go well. So Mary Jo thinks the only thing to do is move far away.
When Mary Jo also finds out Evan paid her parents the money their bankrupt investment firm would owe them, she is shocked. On her way home from her parents’, she gets into a car accident that puts her in the hospital with a head injury. Mary Jo knows Evan has been in her hospital room, but once she regains consciousness, he doesn’t come. Even Lois comes to see her and gives her blessing to marry Evan! Not until Mary Jo declares her love to Evan does he FINALLY take her back.

[Jenny Delandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

She was a kindergarten teacher, who was incredibly shy, and he was from a rich family and he was destined for a political career… his mother basically told her she would be a liability to his career.. they broke up.
Fast forward three years and both are missable in their lives with no permanent partners, when she goes to him for help..
It would be giving everything away if you thought they would just pick up where they were before…
Both had some growing up to do… she is involved a terrible car accident and she decided after that, life was too short to not fight for what you want!
The characters were nice and I liked the main ones but they both played the game a bit too long…
You know the game…
You hurt me so I will put up a front to show it does not matter to me… even when I am broken inside..

[Savannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually don’t write reviews and prefer to just rate with stars instead. However, I felt compelled to share my thoughts on this one. Unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations. The first book in this series was so much better, which is why I decided to read the second one. The characters were incredibly annoying and intrusive. Evan’s mom and Jessica were constantly meddling in their business, creating a never-ending cycle of interference. Mary Jo’s character was also very frustrating. Like, girl, please—if you love him, you’ll make things work!

[Arlette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of the Dryden Brothers, and honestly out of the two this one was far better than the first. Its more ups and downs, more chaos, and more interesting dramatic moments. Showing how conversation really is the key to keeping your relationship steady. I honestly would suggest to read this one without the need of the first one. You wouldn't be completely lost, and would even enjoy how fun this romance is.

[Benita Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read Debbie M camber for a long time. I really enjoyed this book. There are a few twist and turns in the book that makes you keep reading. Unabomber has a way to describe the characters and they play as a part of the plot that keeps everyone reading. This book was very humid entertaining.

[Marcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Jo Summerhill is the woman in love with Evan. But her background's blue-collar, while Evan's is blue blood. So three years ago she got out of his life-and broke his heart. Now she needs his help. More than that, she wants his love. She wants a second chance with Evan

[Cathie McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Jo was imitated by Evan's family's worth. His mother stuck her nose in their relationship. Mary Jo doesn't like being the center of attention. She let her fear rule her actions. Evan now acts like he is over her.

Sweet love story about second chances, understanding and hope.

[Sheila Sanchez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say I liked this one better than the first one. It was mostly because I like Evan a lot. I also wanted to like Mary Jo, but I found her so frustrating and so willing to give up that I really couldn't like her. But yes, it was an entertaining read so I guess it served its purpose.

[Virginia Markhart · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a Debbie Macomber book, this book fell short. The plot line was decent, barely. I just couldnt buy in to the lie of the initial breakup. Then the reunion after three years that also ended in another breakup. Too much back and forth.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two sweet stories with warm, strong characters. One an older story and
The other a story with a different writer. I enjoyed them both and read
Them in one sitting .They were easy to read and were about courage and
Love and second chances. Easy reading and predictable. Enjoy!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice feel good beach read. It was a little predictable but a nice story!

[Stephanie Whitlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Read this book you will love it!!!
This book you will not be able to put down!!
Great story to read!!

[Deborah Gaspar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance

Fun book about an engagement that was called off. The fit between social classes and maturity in a relationship makes this book entertaining.

[Cynthia Siermienski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready for Marriage

Wonderful book. I have read a lot of your books and always find them so enjoyable. This was another example of how much you make a book so well worth reading.

[Avid Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feel Good Romance.

I love reading the books by Debbie Macomber. I was not sure if the Mary Jo and Evan were going to end up together.

[Donna Mcnab · Rating 3 out of 5]

A typical Debbie Macomber novel, a nice relaxing book to read.

[Moey17 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better than it’s predecessor, but that isn’t saying much. Another weak heroine, with a chauvinist stubborn hero, I really need to stop reading anything Macomber wrote in the 80s and 90s.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighthearted, easy read. Loved it!

[Catherine Tufo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book I loved. The story line.

[Ruth Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read