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Marriage Between Friends: White Lace and Promises / Friends - and Then Some
First comes friendship…
Back in high school, Maggie Kingsbury and Glenn Lambert were close friends. But after that, life took them in different directions. Now they meet again—as maid of honor and best man—at a wedding in San Francisco.
Maggie and Glenn reconnect as friends but discover that their connection goes far deeper than just friendship. Twenty-four hours later, they’re married, too! They begin to create a brand-new world for themselves, based on White Lace and Promises.
And then comes marriage!
Lily Morrissey decides it’s time to find a husband, preferably a wealthy one. It’s a strictly practical decision, and she enlists the help of her best friend, Jake Carson, in the Great Husband Search. That’s when Lily’s feelings for Jake start to change. Because they’re Friends…and Then Some.
Back in high school, Maggie Kingsbury and Glenn Lambert were close friends. But after that, life took them in different directions. Now they meet again—as maid of honor and best man—at a wedding in San Francisco.
Maggie and Glenn reconnect as friends but discover that their connection goes far deeper than just friendship. Twenty-four hours later, they’re married, too! They begin to create a brand-new world for themselves, based on White Lace and Promises.
And then comes marriage!
Lily Morrissey decides it’s time to find a husband, preferably a wealthy one. It’s a strictly practical decision, and she enlists the help of her best friend, Jake Carson, in the Great Husband Search. That’s when Lily’s feelings for Jake start to change. Because they’re Friends…and Then Some.
Audio CD
First published December 31, 2013
15 people are currently reading
787 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
907 books20.7k followersDebbie 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 9, 2018
There were two different stories in this book. The first one was White Lace and Promises. It was total and complete crap. It was incredibly painful to read. Since I was trapped on an airplane I pushed through and finished it, otherwise I'm not sure I could have. Premise is that Maggie and Glenn were best friends in high school. They were never romantic with each other, just friends. Then for the past 10 years they lost touch and both lived different lives on either sides of the country. But their high school best friends are getting married so Glenn flies back to be best man for the wedding.
He and Maggie immediately have a connection. But Macomber fills the story with lame little dramas and non-communications. During their friends wedding, Maggie and Glenn felt like it was them getting married. So they leave the reception, hop a plane to Reno, and get married. And immediately the next morning it's awful when Glenn says another woman's name as he's waking up.
The entire book is just painful. Neither person communicates with the other. For the most part both want the same thing but neither will say it. (And it's stupid stuff like, I won't tell him I want to go to Charleston with him. And him thinking, I can't ask her to come with me, she has to tell me she wants to come. WHAT?) Then Maggie has all this money she inherited but she acts like it's the most horrible thing to have ever happened to her (yet it lets her fulfill her ambitions as an artist and paint, without even trying to sell her work). Glenn is a stockbroker in Charleston and his deep dark secret is that he was engaged to a woman named Angie but she left him for her childhood sweetheart. But if Maggie brings Angie up, Glenn loses it.
Honestly, Glenn comes off as an overprotective, self-centered, possessive, unthinking jerk. And Maggie comes off as a selfish, whiny, pathetic, ridiculous woman. They are horrible characters, you don't like them their actions, or really anything.
Book ends with two of their big fights being resolved (Angie, and Maggie giving her brother Denny money) and Maggie announcing she's pregnant. Cause that's what they need. Two people who have a complete inability to communicate with each other now raising a child. Fantastic. Horrible story. Don't waste your time.
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Friends - And Then Some, was thankfully a better story. Not by much, but at least the characters were better and the story didn't make me want to throw the book after every other word. So this story is about Lily and Jake. Lily is young (21ish?) and lives with her gram. Lily plays the piano at night at a nice hotel. Jake is a cab driver and will pick her up and take her home after work. They are good friends. Lily's entire goal is to meet a wealthy man at her expensive hotel and have him marry her so she'll never worry about money again. Jake is supportive of her plan, at first. Until he realizes he is interested in her.
So Lily gets the attention of a rich man named Rex, but Jake has a bad feeling about him and makes Lily promise to stay away from him. Then Jake introduces Lily to his college friend Rick. Lily isn't necessarily attracted to Rick but he is wealthy and can give her the life she wants.
But then Jake and Lily kiss. And the rest of the book is Jake pushing Lily away, but then caving in and kissing her again. Jake isn't the type of man Lily is looking for and he knows it. But Lily realizes that she needs to change her life objections, and she realizes she wants Jake. But ultimately they figure it out and they are together.
He and Maggie immediately have a connection. But Macomber fills the story with lame little dramas and non-communications. During their friends wedding, Maggie and Glenn felt like it was them getting married. So they leave the reception, hop a plane to Reno, and get married. And immediately the next morning it's awful when Glenn says another woman's name as he's waking up.
The entire book is just painful. Neither person communicates with the other. For the most part both want the same thing but neither will say it. (And it's stupid stuff like, I won't tell him I want to go to Charleston with him. And him thinking, I can't ask her to come with me, she has to tell me she wants to come. WHAT?) Then Maggie has all this money she inherited but she acts like it's the most horrible thing to have ever happened to her (yet it lets her fulfill her ambitions as an artist and paint, without even trying to sell her work). Glenn is a stockbroker in Charleston and his deep dark secret is that he was engaged to a woman named Angie but she left him for her childhood sweetheart. But if Maggie brings Angie up, Glenn loses it.
Honestly, Glenn comes off as an overprotective, self-centered, possessive, unthinking jerk. And Maggie comes off as a selfish, whiny, pathetic, ridiculous woman. They are horrible characters, you don't like them their actions, or really anything.
Book ends with two of their big fights being resolved (Angie, and Maggie giving her brother Denny money) and Maggie announcing she's pregnant. Cause that's what they need. Two people who have a complete inability to communicate with each other now raising a child. Fantastic. Horrible story. Don't waste your time.
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Friends - And Then Some, was thankfully a better story. Not by much, but at least the characters were better and the story didn't make me want to throw the book after every other word. So this story is about Lily and Jake. Lily is young (21ish?) and lives with her gram. Lily plays the piano at night at a nice hotel. Jake is a cab driver and will pick her up and take her home after work. They are good friends. Lily's entire goal is to meet a wealthy man at her expensive hotel and have him marry her so she'll never worry about money again. Jake is supportive of her plan, at first. Until he realizes he is interested in her.
So Lily gets the attention of a rich man named Rex, but Jake has a bad feeling about him and makes Lily promise to stay away from him. Then Jake introduces Lily to his college friend Rick. Lily isn't necessarily attracted to Rick but he is wealthy and can give her the life she wants.
But then Jake and Lily kiss. And the rest of the book is Jake pushing Lily away, but then caving in and kissing her again. Jake isn't the type of man Lily is looking for and he knows it. But Lily realizes that she needs to change her life objections, and she realizes she wants Jake. But ultimately they figure it out and they are together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2014
The two stories in this book revolve around friends who become more than friends and marry. In White Lace and Promises, Glenn and Maggie meet again after many years at a wedding of close friends. Something happens that night and Glenn and Maggie run off to Reno and get married. She lives in San Francisco and Glann lives in Charleston. She just broke up with her boyfriend and Glenn's fiancé married someone else. Can their friendship from childhood help make the marriage work or will it crack?
In Friends...and Then Some, Lily makes is clear she is out to marry a rich man who can give her the life she would love to lead. Her best friend, Jake, listens to her stories of different men as he drives her home in his taxi. If Lily does find someone, can he put up with her eccentric aunt? Jake decides to help her find someone safe but rich and introduces her to an old friend, Rick. As they begin dating, Jake realizes his friendship towards Lily has changed, but has hers towards him?
Both books are great and are definitely something Debbie Macomber would write. If you love her books, this one is a keeper.
In Friends...and Then Some, Lily makes is clear she is out to marry a rich man who can give her the life she would love to lead. Her best friend, Jake, listens to her stories of different men as he drives her home in his taxi. If Lily does find someone, can he put up with her eccentric aunt? Jake decides to help her find someone safe but rich and introduces her to an old friend, Rick. As they begin dating, Jake realizes his friendship towards Lily has changed, but has hers towards him?
Both books are great and are definitely something Debbie Macomber would write. If you love her books, this one is a keeper.
August 6, 2015
~Two books in One~
Quick but such an enjoyable read for me. I love this authors modesty, she just knows how to tell romance tales without being so graphic. Call me old-fashion but spontaneous romance is more attractive for me!
Nicely done!
March 21, 2014
Skip it
April 9, 2020
"White Lace and Promises" was a hard story for me to enjoy. The concept of childhood friends falling in love was intriguing. However, I felt the transition between Maggie and Glenn going from friends to married couple was far too quick, especially considering how long it had been since they last saw each other. Then I was getting whiplash from the constant back and forth between "puppy love" moments and cold shoulders, especially over the most ridiculous things. When it comes to the romantic scenes, I felt a bit let down; there was such a long build up to their sexual encounters but then it comes to an end within a sentence or two. When it comes to the writing, while being a quick and easy read, I often felt myself getting disoriented with whose point-of-view we were seeing events from. A majority of the story had the switches occurring within the same sections with no breaks establishing a clear change. Overall, it was a nice story but I felt it needed more work to truly enjoy it.
"Friends - And Then Some" felt more realistic with the progressive transition from friends to romantic partners. Although the story had the same issue of changing point-of-view in the same section as the other story, it wasn't as jarring. Of the two stories, I enjoyed this one more.
"Friends - And Then Some" felt more realistic with the progressive transition from friends to romantic partners. Although the story had the same issue of changing point-of-view in the same section as the other story, it wasn't as jarring. Of the two stories, I enjoyed this one more.
March 5, 2024
Heartfelt stories set among a backdrop of a close-knit community of friends and family, supporting one another through the worst and best of times, have long been a central themes in Macomber's writings.
Marriage Between Friends, unfortunately, fell short of what makes Macomber's stories charming and appealing.
In both stories, the protagonists lacked depth. Both protagonists were one-dimensional - overly absorbed in their relationships. The supporting cast of characters were under-developed and unoriginal.
With each page turn, I kept hoping for something in the story that would capture my attention. Sadly, my interest continued to wane. I managed to finish the book given it was a short read.
Hopefully, this set of stories was just a departure from the norm and not a new standard.
Marriage Between Friends, unfortunately, fell short of what makes Macomber's stories charming and appealing.
In both stories, the protagonists lacked depth. Both protagonists were one-dimensional - overly absorbed in their relationships. The supporting cast of characters were under-developed and unoriginal.
With each page turn, I kept hoping for something in the story that would capture my attention. Sadly, my interest continued to wane. I managed to finish the book given it was a short read.
Hopefully, this set of stories was just a departure from the norm and not a new standard.
January 18, 2021
This book is actually two books in one - White Lace and Promises, and Friends and Then Some. They claim to have been written in 1986, but they must have been updated when they were published together. There are mentions of cell phones, text messages and emails that I know were not occurring in 1986. :-)
They are cute stories. Falling in love with your best friend. Sometimes what you've been looking for is right in front of you.
They are cute stories. Falling in love with your best friend. Sometimes what you've been looking for is right in front of you.
November 21, 2021
I was surprised to dislike these 2 stories when I enjoy so much of Debbie Macomber’s fiction. When I checked out the copyright date it clicked: this is one of her earliest published novels. And it gave me hope. She got this book published and it was full of errors. There is hope for the rest of us. Keep writing, keep striving. Get that first book published and keep writing. We keep getting better. So thank you Debbie Macombet for the lesson in hope.
August 31, 2020
I found the lack of communication between the characters a little tedious. It was run of the mill story lines and Debbie Macomber's characters and story lines are much better than that. However, if you are among the many Debbie Macomber fans this novel may hold some appeal. It might be a good book to take on your next trip.
July 23, 2017
Misunderstandings abound between the 2 couples in this 2 story book of Debbie's earlier writings. Both of them felt like they were rehashing the same issues over and over. Glad to be done.
September 20, 2017
Cute, fun read.
September 24, 2017
not as good as some of Debbie Macomber's books I have read but not bad either
November 4, 2017
two nice love stories of friends becoming more
June 9, 2019
Three star rating for the last story. Totally disliked the heroine in the first story. I’m giving that a one star.
June 27, 2019
It was a normal Debbie Macomber book.
I'm not sure which one I liked the best, but the girl character in "Friends-and Then Some" frustrated me.
I'm not sure which one I liked the best, but the girl character in "Friends-and Then Some" frustrated me.
December 15, 2019
Two good Debbie Macomber romances.
June 12, 2020
Nice quick read and two good stories about friends who realize they love each other.
March 22, 2021
Typical romance novel
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2021
The first story White Lace and Promises was cute.
I could not get into the second story Friends and then some. Not into a story where she wants help finding a rich man.
not my kind of story.
I could not get into the second story Friends and then some. Not into a story where she wants help finding a rich man.
not my kind of story.
December 16, 2022
I liked both of these books. White Lace and Promises was an interesting expedited elopement and then the battle of how difficult marriage is. Friends - and Then Some was a bit harder for me to connect to. Lily was just so obsessed with finding herself a rich man. But both were funny and amusing!
April 12, 2025
Predictable and cliche but a good read when you’re home alone and the other book you are currently reading is too scary 😱
June 7, 2025
Loved the stories
March 26, 2014
I don't usually read books by this author, but the synopsis got me. It was not a bad read, but………I didn't get anything out of it besides "when will this end?"
This book has 2 stories inside (not related to each other), and they both talk about how friends find their relationship changing.
White Lace and Promises (1st story) was not the most believable of the the believable. I know there are people out there that can meet someone and get married all because they think they have so much on common, but this story had me like " OMG!!! You have got to be kidding me" and thinking "seriously!!!!!" Yeah….I was not happy. Glenn was hurt recently from the girl he was supposedly in love with because she married someone else. Maggie on the other had been hurt in the past because the guy she thought she loved only loved her money. There are trust issues on her part and then there is the lonely factor on his part. So after revisiting their childhood together and standing up at their friends wedding, sparks fly and they fly off to Vegas and marry each other. Believable? Not to me. There wasn't much to convince me that they would make a great couple and definitely not a married couple. But they make it work after the secrets, the moving, the not trusting, and then at the end they celebrate with making a lovely baby. All of that in 255 pages. I really didn't want to read the second story, but I did anyway. 1) cause I bought the thing; and 2) i needed the pages for my book club on here. And so, on to the next story….
Friends- and then some…..yeah this one was not my favorite. I wanted to reach in the book and strangle both of the characters. The most entertaining character was the grandmother. Gotta love the grandmothers in stories. Wait this isn't about grandma…..right….Lily and Jake. Lily is a gold digger that seems self centered (except when it comes to her grandmother and Jake) and that is how the author portrays her because she is looking for her personal Daddy Warbucks to take care of her and her grandmother with no worries. Jake is a man who is used to doing things his way and he doesn't want anyone to change him and the minute you do, he kicks you to the curb. Lily and Jake start to develop feelings for one another that they each deny and swat at their romantic feelings like flies. Things began to become murky with the way they feel for one another and the way they handle it. Lily starts acting like a spoiled, conniving, vengeful brat, and Glenn acts like a jerk and doesn't know what to say out of his mouth that makes sense or gives a good explanation on the way he is acting that way or the things he is saying. They bicker like school children and then they make up….and repeat at least 4-5 times. They eventually agree that they have feeling for one another and then the story just ends.
I can't stand it when there is no epilogue. Give me something other than them kissing and agreeing to be a couple. I need to know if there were some babies born and if so-boy or girl. Did Maggie's brother start doing better with his finances? Did Glenn start handling more clients? Did they sale her house and buy something else that fit both of their personalities? I needed to know did grandma decide to live on the boat with them or stay on land. Did they travel as much as would be expected with having a boat as your home? Did Jake become a serious author? Something. Anything. Geez….
I was so happy this book was over. This book will definitely be going to the "donate to library" pile. I will definitely not be rereading this one again. It got 2 stars because…….ummmm…..i bought it. That's it.
For those of you who loved it, liked, and so forth….power to you. I just couldn't get that "this is a good or a great book" feeling.
This book has 2 stories inside (not related to each other), and they both talk about how friends find their relationship changing.
White Lace and Promises (1st story) was not the most believable of the the believable. I know there are people out there that can meet someone and get married all because they think they have so much on common, but this story had me like " OMG!!! You have got to be kidding me" and thinking "seriously!!!!!" Yeah….I was not happy. Glenn was hurt recently from the girl he was supposedly in love with because she married someone else. Maggie on the other had been hurt in the past because the guy she thought she loved only loved her money. There are trust issues on her part and then there is the lonely factor on his part. So after revisiting their childhood together and standing up at their friends wedding, sparks fly and they fly off to Vegas and marry each other. Believable? Not to me. There wasn't much to convince me that they would make a great couple and definitely not a married couple. But they make it work after the secrets, the moving, the not trusting, and then at the end they celebrate with making a lovely baby. All of that in 255 pages. I really didn't want to read the second story, but I did anyway. 1) cause I bought the thing; and 2) i needed the pages for my book club on here. And so, on to the next story….
Friends- and then some…..yeah this one was not my favorite. I wanted to reach in the book and strangle both of the characters. The most entertaining character was the grandmother. Gotta love the grandmothers in stories. Wait this isn't about grandma…..right….Lily and Jake. Lily is a gold digger that seems self centered (except when it comes to her grandmother and Jake) and that is how the author portrays her because she is looking for her personal Daddy Warbucks to take care of her and her grandmother with no worries. Jake is a man who is used to doing things his way and he doesn't want anyone to change him and the minute you do, he kicks you to the curb. Lily and Jake start to develop feelings for one another that they each deny and swat at their romantic feelings like flies. Things began to become murky with the way they feel for one another and the way they handle it. Lily starts acting like a spoiled, conniving, vengeful brat, and Glenn acts like a jerk and doesn't know what to say out of his mouth that makes sense or gives a good explanation on the way he is acting that way or the things he is saying. They bicker like school children and then they make up….and repeat at least 4-5 times. They eventually agree that they have feeling for one another and then the story just ends.
I can't stand it when there is no epilogue. Give me something other than them kissing and agreeing to be a couple. I need to know if there were some babies born and if so-boy or girl. Did Maggie's brother start doing better with his finances? Did Glenn start handling more clients? Did they sale her house and buy something else that fit both of their personalities? I needed to know did grandma decide to live on the boat with them or stay on land. Did they travel as much as would be expected with having a boat as your home? Did Jake become a serious author? Something. Anything. Geez….
I was so happy this book was over. This book will definitely be going to the "donate to library" pile. I will definitely not be rereading this one again. It got 2 stars because…….ummmm…..i bought it. That's it.
For those of you who loved it, liked, and so forth….power to you. I just couldn't get that "this is a good or a great book" feeling.
October 17, 2021
White Lace and Promises
I love a good friends to lovers storyline however I was incredibly frustrated with these two. So many miscommunications and Glenn came off as an occasional control freak. You'd think childhood besties would have learned to communicated better as adults. The author did a decent job of addressing the other woman situation but the brother situation was a bit lacking. If the siblings are close it made no sense Maggie would feel guilty of her larger inheritance and why Denny would be a freeloader. 2 stars
Friends and Then Some
This was a such a cute story!! I loved the connection between the leads and oh Gram such an eccentric lol 3 stars
I love a good friends to lovers storyline however I was incredibly frustrated with these two. So many miscommunications and Glenn came off as an occasional control freak. You'd think childhood besties would have learned to communicated better as adults. The author did a decent job of addressing the other woman situation but the brother situation was a bit lacking. If the siblings are close it made no sense Maggie would feel guilty of her larger inheritance and why Denny would be a freeloader. 2 stars
Friends and Then Some
This was a such a cute story!! I loved the connection between the leads and oh Gram such an eccentric lol 3 stars
Read
October 17, 2016White Lace and Promises - In such a hurry to marry and then won't communicate enough to get along. One-time read is enough.
Friends--and Then Some - Both seem oblivious...then they both fight it until the last page.
All the people in both stories seem to be unhappy, and unwilling to communicate enough to get a little happiness.
Friends--and Then Some - Both seem oblivious...then they both fight it until the last page.
All the people in both stories seem to be unhappy, and unwilling to communicate enough to get a little happiness.
January 28, 2014
Not my favorite, though they tried, both stories felt dated, the heroines a bit insipid, the heroes too domineering, and the stories just sexist at times. Still love Macomber, just didn't feel these held up to the changing times,
March 7, 2014
Debbie does it again. I wasn't able to put this book down. On a crazy impulse these two get married. What they discover is that love conquers all. Much like life when you have love you can get through anything. Read this book tale the adventure feel the love get them where they need to be.
April 16, 2014
Another excellent book by Debbie Macomber. This book has two stories in it. I had read the
first one before, but the second story was new for me.
Debbie never disappoints with her stories. Looking forward to reading another one I have waiting for me.
first one before, but the second story was new for me.
Debbie never disappoints with her stories. Looking forward to reading another one I have waiting for me.
January 13, 2015
It was just ok. I felt that in both books, the lead male characters were so childish and immature in their thoughts and perceptions. The story lines were good but I think the characters attitudes could have made for a better read.
September 2, 2016
The price label said, "Princess Cruises" and when it showed up in my LFL I thought "beach read", which didn't quite happen this summer. The 2 stories are older Macomber pieces, republished. Not her best works.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews