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The Macleans #2
More Than Friends
Catriona Maclean is determined to give the special needs children in her Edinburgh church a seaside day out. She’s a nurse, her older brother is disabled, and she knows just how tough that can be for a family. But when a last minute hitch means she must call on the man she’s been secretly in love with since her teens for help, only her promise to God will carry her through.
Alistair Murray has seen Catriona almost every day for the last twenty years. She’s a work colleague, his best friend’s little sister, one of the guys. They even went to Sunday School together. The last thing he wants is to spend his day off working on her project, but for Cat, he’ll do it.
Will a summer’s day at the beach, together with a dog and a busload of very special kids, be the miracle they need to show them they can be more than friends?
34,000 words, 150 paperback pages
PLEASE NOTE - THIS STORY WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE SPLASH! BOXED SET.
Faith, hope, and heartwarming - inspirational romance to make you smile!
Alistair Murray has seen Catriona almost every day for the last twenty years. She’s a work colleague, his best friend’s little sister, one of the guys. They even went to Sunday School together. The last thing he wants is to spend his day off working on her project, but for Cat, he’ll do it.
Will a summer’s day at the beach, together with a dog and a busload of very special kids, be the miracle they need to show them they can be more than friends?
34,000 words, 150 paperback pages
PLEASE NOTE - THIS STORY WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE SPLASH! BOXED SET.
Faith, hope, and heartwarming - inspirational romance to make you smile!
143 pages, ebook
First published July 4, 2015
199 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Autumn Macarthur
92 books193 followersAutumn Macarthur is an Australian writer of inspirational romance living near London with her very English husband and six spoiled cats. She loves reading, cooking, gardening, and writing deeply emotional stories to make you smile and remind you how big and wide and deep God's love and forgiveness can be.
She tends to talk a little too much, laugh a little too loud, and eat a little more than maybe she should. She's thankful to be blessed with some good friends and a very patient husband. Most of all, she's eternally grateful for God's great love and mercy.
When she's not writing or talking to her strawberry plants and cherry blossoms, she can be found blogging at www.faithhopeandheartwarming.com or on Substack.
She'd love to hear from you!
Sign up for the newsletter at her website and access exclusive subscriber only behind-the-book content and giveaways!
She tends to talk a little too much, laugh a little too loud, and eat a little more than maybe she should. She's thankful to be blessed with some good friends and a very patient husband. Most of all, she's eternally grateful for God's great love and mercy.
When she's not writing or talking to her strawberry plants and cherry blossoms, she can be found blogging at www.faithhopeandheartwarming.com or on Substack.
She'd love to hear from you!
Sign up for the newsletter at her website and access exclusive subscriber only behind-the-book content and giveaways!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 19, 2022
Have you ever held onto a thought and had it overtake your life? Have you ever felt you needed to be someone, or do things to atone for a wrong you think did? To hold back the joys, you could have.
Catriona feels she needs to be perfect, always helping others, never thinking of what she wants. She also had a heart for the special needs children in her church. She planned a trip with these kids and needed a male helper and the only one who could help was the guy who she had feelings for since she was a kid. Alistair had always thought of Cat as a childhood friend and co-worker. When she asked him to help her this one day, it changed his whole heart.
I loved how Autumn Macarthur wrote a story that is fun, delightful, and yet touching. It brings assurance of how God can change hearts and bless lives. She shares how through God’s love and grace we can overcome obstacles. Autumn Macarthur does a wonderful job of weaving God’s truth in such a way it isn’t fake, it’s real.
This story flowed smoothly and touched my heart in many ways. It was a refreshing and endearing tale.
I enjoy reading this author's books and can't wait to read the rest of the books in this collection.
I highly recommend you pick this book up.
Catriona feels she needs to be perfect, always helping others, never thinking of what she wants. She also had a heart for the special needs children in her church. She planned a trip with these kids and needed a male helper and the only one who could help was the guy who she had feelings for since she was a kid. Alistair had always thought of Cat as a childhood friend and co-worker. When she asked him to help her this one day, it changed his whole heart.
I loved how Autumn Macarthur wrote a story that is fun, delightful, and yet touching. It brings assurance of how God can change hearts and bless lives. She shares how through God’s love and grace we can overcome obstacles. Autumn Macarthur does a wonderful job of weaving God’s truth in such a way it isn’t fake, it’s real.
This story flowed smoothly and touched my heart in many ways. It was a refreshing and endearing tale.
I enjoy reading this author's books and can't wait to read the rest of the books in this collection.
I highly recommend you pick this book up.
January 12, 2018
Sweet and adorable
I found A Model Bride a couple weeks ago and discovered I really liked the Macleans. Cat is a sweet girl, already infatuated with her brother’s best friend, but trapped in a seriously negative self image. Alistair is charming, with much deeper feelings than he’s ever given credit for. I’m definitely looking forward to more of Autumn Macarthur’s books. She’s new-to-me, but not for long!
I found A Model Bride a couple weeks ago and discovered I really liked the Macleans. Cat is a sweet girl, already infatuated with her brother’s best friend, but trapped in a seriously negative self image. Alistair is charming, with much deeper feelings than he’s ever given credit for. I’m definitely looking forward to more of Autumn Macarthur’s books. She’s new-to-me, but not for long!
August 5, 2022
Cat has been in love with Ally since she was a teenager. If only she was good enough for him. But she knows she will never marry, having to atone for being who she was – how bad a person she is…
I guess I’m not the only one who can relate to Cat, or even Ally. In either character, the person has issues accepting oneself, the fact that the way we are created is in God’s image, the good as well as the bad (well, He died for the bad ☺). Cat hid behind a perfect self-sufficient image, and Ally behind his jokes. Cat taught God’s love to special-needs children, while she could not believe that she was enough just as she was. I honestly find it easier to see the worth in anyone else but me, just like Cat. I find it just as difficult to accept that, even though I may disappoint a loved one with choices I made (e.g. Ally), if it’s God’s will for me, it is the only path I really want to walk. Still feeling loved is not easy, especially when the only love one gets is Jesus’s. No matter how imperfect Cat and Ally were, I found these characters a perfect reflection of daily struggles I work through. Their lesson is my lesson.
I hope you will feel as encouraged by this story as I was.
I guess I’m not the only one who can relate to Cat, or even Ally. In either character, the person has issues accepting oneself, the fact that the way we are created is in God’s image, the good as well as the bad (well, He died for the bad ☺). Cat hid behind a perfect self-sufficient image, and Ally behind his jokes. Cat taught God’s love to special-needs children, while she could not believe that she was enough just as she was. I honestly find it easier to see the worth in anyone else but me, just like Cat. I find it just as difficult to accept that, even though I may disappoint a loved one with choices I made (e.g. Ally), if it’s God’s will for me, it is the only path I really want to walk. Still feeling loved is not easy, especially when the only love one gets is Jesus’s. No matter how imperfect Cat and Ally were, I found these characters a perfect reflection of daily struggles I work through. Their lesson is my lesson.
I hope you will feel as encouraged by this story as I was.
May 19, 2022
Love Ally and Cat's story!! Catriona has loved Alistair for years. She went on a mission trip just because he would be on it. Alistair hasn't realized that the woman he loves has been in front of him for years. He fell for her on a mission trip, but she turned away as soon as they got home. Ever since, he's denied his feelings, thinking she wanted to only be friends, and knowing that he wasn't good enough for her. Catriona thinks she has to earn God's approval and grace, and that if Ally knew how much resentment she kept bottled inside, he wouldn't like her, let alone love her. When they spend the day together with her special needs church friends, they open themselves up to learning that God loves them just as they are, that he formed them and knew them before they were born. Will they realize that God has brought them together, or will they let their fears tear them apart?
I received a complimentary copy of this story, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this story, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
September 12, 2018
Excellent sweet read set in beautiful Scotland
This book is a wonderful reminder that GOD loves us just as we are, that nothing we can do or say makes the difference that transports our lives into a thing of beauty that only HE can create. Such a sweet love story of two people caught up in their own idea of how to be beloved of GOD and others. Only by honestly retelling their backstory to each other opens them into a life they yearned for.
Excellent read, with a good helping of dealing with children some call handicapped, but GOD calls blessings.
I received this book in a giveaway and am offering my review as a beacon to others who may enjoy it as much as I have. Thanks for a good read, Ms Macarthur.
This book is a wonderful reminder that GOD loves us just as we are, that nothing we can do or say makes the difference that transports our lives into a thing of beauty that only HE can create. Such a sweet love story of two people caught up in their own idea of how to be beloved of GOD and others. Only by honestly retelling their backstory to each other opens them into a life they yearned for.
Excellent read, with a good helping of dealing with children some call handicapped, but GOD calls blessings.
I received this book in a giveaway and am offering my review as a beacon to others who may enjoy it as much as I have. Thanks for a good read, Ms Macarthur.
March 4, 2020
A sweet story full of faith, hope, forgiveness and love. Catriona was clinging to guilt and fear from what she feels is a past error causing her to feel like she needs to make up for it by dedicating her life to helping others. She never feels like she truly measures up to what others think about her and that she doesn't deserve to be loved. Will that change when Ally, her long time friend, helps her on an outing with her handicapped kids from church? Will she learn to realize that God loves her and accepts hers she is just as He does those she is helping? Will she let go of the guilt and fear and accept His love and forgive herself? Come along on this wonderful journey in the series The Macleans and meet this fun and amazing family by an awesome author Autumn Macarthur.
July 20, 2019
God Doesn't Make Mistakes
I love this story!
Cat and Ally have been in love with each other for years, they just don't know the other's feelings yet. When Cat has to call Ally to be the required male chaperone for the kids' day out she's planned, the feelings come out and they both have to tread through uncharted waters.
I love how the needs and silent strength of planning a day for special needs children is explained and how the facts are factual. A lot of time and research was put forth as every child's needs is different and unique as is the child. When Olivia sings you feel the miracle and love of God. So amazing~
I love this story!
Cat and Ally have been in love with each other for years, they just don't know the other's feelings yet. When Cat has to call Ally to be the required male chaperone for the kids' day out she's planned, the feelings come out and they both have to tread through uncharted waters.
I love how the needs and silent strength of planning a day for special needs children is explained and how the facts are factual. A lot of time and research was put forth as every child's needs is different and unique as is the child. When Olivia sings you feel the miracle and love of God. So amazing~
December 27, 2017
I love sweet clean romances to get a refreshing take on romance, something you don't get to often especially as a good red. Ally and Cat have been friends for a long time. Each dealing with the role others thought of them instead of being themselves. When they finally stop long enough to clear the air they find there is so much more than their past and the labels and expectations of others. Loved this story and the characters. This author has a special way of pen to paper that makes her stories pop.
January 11, 2019
Forever friends
Forever friends that's what Cat thought was the only thing she could ever expect with her life long friend Alastair. They had grown up together and as children pledged to marry one day, but Cat didn't believe she deserved Alastair and Alastair didn't think he was good enough for Saintly Sister Catriona. I loved the way Autumn showed that God reaches even those so disabled they cannot speak, but yet they can praise Him with the purest praise. This is a great book that will bring tears to your eyes as God's presence is revealed to Alastair and Cat.
Forever friends that's what Cat thought was the only thing she could ever expect with her life long friend Alastair. They had grown up together and as children pledged to marry one day, but Cat didn't believe she deserved Alastair and Alastair didn't think he was good enough for Saintly Sister Catriona. I loved the way Autumn showed that God reaches even those so disabled they cannot speak, but yet they can praise Him with the purest praise. This is a great book that will bring tears to your eyes as God's presence is revealed to Alastair and Cat.
May 19, 2022
More Than Friends is a well-written and touching romance. The main characters are well-developed and truly likable, but not perfect. Cat doesn't think that anyone would love her if they knew all about her. Alistair doesn't think he's good enough for Sainted Sister Catriona, even though he'd like to be. Author Autumn Macarthur brings this story to life. The special needs children that Cat and Alistair take for a day at the beach will win your heart. The romance will keep you from closing the book until the end when Cat and Alistair get their HEA.
July 17, 2017
This is the first book that I have read by this author. Once I finished this book, I found that
it was th 2nd book in "The Macleans" series. I will have to find Book #1 and read it too.
I loved the characters and the story line. So many lessons to learn about trusting in the Lord and
accepting His forgiveness. His forgiveness is freely given - we only have to accept it and follow Him.
God will never leave us - He loves us that much.
it was th 2nd book in "The Macleans" series. I will have to find Book #1 and read it too.
I loved the characters and the story line. So many lessons to learn about trusting in the Lord and
accepting His forgiveness. His forgiveness is freely given - we only have to accept it and follow Him.
God will never leave us - He loves us that much.
September 8, 2018
A beautiful story about two friends that are both religious but they need to re-evaluate there way of life, they think they know what they need but God has other plans for them! I love the balance of God in this Christian romance story it all worked well together a lovely sweet romance book! I liked how Ally changed into the man of God he needed to be and I liked how Cat changed her way of thinking.
August 16, 2022
Sweet contemporary Christian romance
Book number two of the Macleans is so much better than the first. This one was clean, no “body talk", just simple anticipation that they will eventually share their feelings.
I loved the way Alastair did a favor for Cat and learned to appreciate what she does so much more. I love the lessons that the children learned, and the patience the helpers had with the children.
I liked both Alastair and Cat.
This one I can totally recommend
Book number two of the Macleans is so much better than the first. This one was clean, no “body talk", just simple anticipation that they will eventually share their feelings.
I loved the way Alastair did a favor for Cat and learned to appreciate what she does so much more. I love the lessons that the children learned, and the patience the helpers had with the children.
I liked both Alastair and Cat.
This one I can totally recommend
July 12, 2023
This is a well-developed story with great characters. I thought it was sad how Cat's family made her feel like she was a bad person for going on a mission trip when she did. Her brother's attitude and the fact that when she came home, her mother was really sick caused Cat to feel like she would never be good enough for anyone. She tries so hard to make up for her perceived flaws that Ally feels he could never be good enough for her. You could see that God was working things out as the male chaperone she had lined up backed out at the last minute. Then Cat calls Ally and he goes with her and the children on their beach trip. They each ended up seeing each other in a different light and realizing that God loves them always no matter what and they don't need to earn his love. An endearing story with a happy ending.
September 7, 2018
Right in Front of You
This is a beautiful story of specially made children that God uses to help others really see themselves. So many times we are not honest and begin to pretend and cover our true feelings about our life, people, and circumstances. Once we accept God's love, we can forgive ourselves and be used in His appointed ways.
This is a beautiful story of specially made children that God uses to help others really see themselves. So many times we are not honest and begin to pretend and cover our true feelings about our life, people, and circumstances. Once we accept God's love, we can forgive ourselves and be used in His appointed ways.
April 11, 2020
Lovely!
I love Autumn's books for they make sure that God is embedded in the story and this story is no exception. Cat and Alistair have misunderstandings of where they really stand with each other and God for years until Cat asks Alistair for help with a church trip on his day off from the hospital...please read to find out what happens...you will not be disappointed!
I love Autumn's books for they make sure that God is embedded in the story and this story is no exception. Cat and Alistair have misunderstandings of where they really stand with each other and God for years until Cat asks Alistair for help with a church trip on his day off from the hospital...please read to find out what happens...you will not be disappointed!
May 23, 2022
Catriona Maclean needs help with her beach outing for her church group of disabled children so she asks her friend Alistair Murray. They both have had secret crushes on each other for many years, but Alistair dates a different coworker each week, never going on a second date with anyone. A story of healing and growth in God’s love. A tender story.
February 23, 2018
Friends
Ally & Cat wasted years by letting Satan cloud them with insecurities & doubt. I really enjoyed this romance showing just how all Christians are human. When we let God direct our path, He gives us joy & love.
Ally & Cat wasted years by letting Satan cloud them with insecurities & doubt. I really enjoyed this romance showing just how all Christians are human. When we let God direct our path, He gives us joy & love.
May 6, 2018
I appreciated Autumn's tackling of tough topics in this sweet romance-- how easily we self-criticize ourselves and the awkwardness around those with handicaps. This was a beautiful portrayal of rising about our issues.
August 21, 2018
Why do we listen to others instead of listening to God?
This lovely sweet romance reiterates His grace...and our need to accept it!
Without any doubt the best romance I have read from Autumn Macarthur
This lovely sweet romance reiterates His grace...and our need to accept it!
Without any doubt the best romance I have read from Autumn Macarthur
September 11, 2018
Beautiful
This was such a great story. Cat worked with the children with disabilities at her father's church. She had a day planned out for them but her make chaperone backed out, so she called her friend Allister. They did so well, he didn't he could do it, but he was a big help.
This was such a great story. Cat worked with the children with disabilities at her father's church. She had a day planned out for them but her make chaperone backed out, so she called her friend Allister. They did so well, he didn't he could do it, but he was a big help.
January 25, 2019
This story was too repetitive for me! Cat and her feelings, Ally and his feelings, the same thing over and over and over and over. There wasn’t any “meat” in this book! Hopefully the next one is better!
February 26, 2019
Wow! An entire book set in one day! Cat and Ali spend the day rediscovering each other, despite knowing one another since childhood. It was inspiring to witness how both of them interacted with the children under their charge throughout that day.
March 20, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Can we ever do enough to earn the love of God? That is the question that drives all that Catriona does. Can Alistair recover from his past? Well written and I highly recommend this book.
June 25, 2019
Loved it
What a short, sweet story. Although this story takes place on one day, it’s not forced or fake. It is story about life long friends and that ‘ah-ha’ moment when everything changes.
What a short, sweet story. Although this story takes place on one day, it’s not forced or fake. It is story about life long friends and that ‘ah-ha’ moment when everything changes.
January 24, 2020
A Really Heart Warming Christian Romance
I simply loved this story. The story of the children. Of how Ally learned to relate to the children. How they both grew up in Christ before they married. Awesome story.
I simply loved this story. The story of the children. Of how Ally learned to relate to the children. How they both grew up in Christ before they married. Awesome story.
April 8, 2021
More than friends
What a delightful story of two people who thought they were not good enough for the other. It took just one day to be together for Car and Alistair to realise that they were meant to be together.
What a delightful story of two people who thought they were not good enough for the other. It took just one day to be together for Car and Alistair to realise that they were meant to be together.
August 7, 2021
More Than Friends
This book was well developed with good characters. Ally and Cat had been BFF’s since childhood and both had crushes on each other but were afraid to make them known for fear of losing that friendship. Can BFF’s truly ever be more than friends?
This book was well developed with good characters. Ally and Cat had been BFF’s since childhood and both had crushes on each other but were afraid to make them known for fear of losing that friendship. Can BFF’s truly ever be more than friends?
February 11, 2022
Great story!
Each wore a façade to hide their deep feelings. I guess they wore them well since everyone believed them to be true.
Their amazing trip to the beach—what they experienced on that trip, with those kids—brings revelations in many aspects, including that the other just might be hiding, too.
A fantastic, overtly Christian story that I may just read again. (I rarely reread stories!)
Each wore a façade to hide their deep feelings. I guess they wore them well since everyone believed them to be true.
Their amazing trip to the beach—what they experienced on that trip, with those kids—brings revelations in many aspects, including that the other just might be hiding, too.
A fantastic, overtly Christian story that I may just read again. (I rarely reread stories!)
March 19, 2022
Friends First Then ?
As the young they became friends then they found Love of Christ and their Best Friends right there. They both had hurts, lack of self worth, but when they each reached out to Christ they became the two He made to be together. Blessed!
As the young they became friends then they found Love of Christ and their Best Friends right there. They both had hurts, lack of self worth, but when they each reached out to Christ they became the two He made to be together. Blessed!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews