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Christmas Wishes #1
The Runaway Christmas Bride
Varsity coach Mitch Holden thinks he's seen everything until Scotswoman Emma McGregor steps out of her car, in a bridal dress and veil, and asks him where she can find a job. Mitch is stunned but directs her somewhere to stay... and finds himself unable to keep from checking up on her. Emma McGregor has had the worst day of her life. Finding out her groom didn't really want to marry her was a devastating blow, but Mitch and the town of Marietta reach out to her in a way she couldn't have imagined. Nowhere seems to do Christmas like Marietta does. But Mitch has secrets of his own. Everyone knows about the injury that tragically ended his promising football career, but there's more to the story... Will the magic of Marietta sprinkle some Christmas dust on their broken hearts and help them find their happy ever after?
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2015
47 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 11, 2015
Oh give me a fucking break! Sorry people, but this has to be the worst holiday story I've read in quite some time. So stupid. So lame. So ridiculous. Talk about unrealistic. If you love reading instant-love stories, then by all means go for it. However, if you're like me, I seriously suggest you forego this absolute sappy crappy novella and grab something else. Otherwise you'll find yourself wanting to scream, roll your eyes, throw your kindle out the window, or stomp on it with your winter boot, or all of the above.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2022
Audible Review
Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Performance 3 out of 5 stars
Story 3 out of 5 stars
Blurb doesn't tell the whole story.
I thought this would be a cute, light-hearted read, but it really wasn't. The blurb completely leaves out a major plot point, which I don't think is right, especially considering the subject matter. Emma, the fmc loses a baby due to an etopic pregnancy and is no longer able to have children. This happens off page, 6 weeks prior to the start of the story, so there's no graphic details or anything like that, thankfully. The blurb just makes it seem like her ex groom to be did something mean or jerky, which okay he did, or was going to, but the reasoning behind it was important. I just think it's wrong to leave something like that out, considering the story kind of revolves around the fact that Emma can't have kids and how a partner might feel about that.
If the loss of a baby had been put out there right from the start I would have had a different mindset going into this story and might have enjoyed it more.
Elle Newland is a new to me narrator and I enjoyed the parts in Emma's point of view. When she read Mitch's spoken parts she spoke with an American accent, but when she was reading his inner thoughts, etc., she still spoke in the Scottish accent and that didn't really work for me. But the narration overall was probably a 3.5*.
Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Performance 3 out of 5 stars
Story 3 out of 5 stars
Blurb doesn't tell the whole story.
I thought this would be a cute, light-hearted read, but it really wasn't. The blurb completely leaves out a major plot point, which I don't think is right, especially considering the subject matter. Emma, the fmc loses a baby due to an etopic pregnancy and is no longer able to have children. This happens off page, 6 weeks prior to the start of the story, so there's no graphic details or anything like that, thankfully. The blurb just makes it seem like her ex groom to be did something mean or jerky, which okay he did, or was going to, but the reasoning behind it was important. I just think it's wrong to leave something like that out, considering the story kind of revolves around the fact that Emma can't have kids and how a partner might feel about that.
If the loss of a baby had been put out there right from the start I would have had a different mindset going into this story and might have enjoyed it more.
Elle Newland is a new to me narrator and I enjoyed the parts in Emma's point of view. When she read Mitch's spoken parts she spoke with an American accent, but when she was reading his inner thoughts, etc., she still spoke in the Scottish accent and that didn't really work for me. But the narration overall was probably a 3.5*.
December 13, 2015
This is a lovely little story about a bride who runs when she realises her groom is only marrying her out of pity. Emma moved from Scotland to be with her fiancé but something happens that changes everything. Now she can't offer him the family he wants.
Of all places, Emma ends up in Marietta at the beginning of the Christmas Season. The first person she runs into is the very hunky high school varsity coach, Mitch. Mitch is gobsmacked at the sight of a bride on the run in the main street of Marietta. When she opens her mouth with her cute Scottish accent, he's a gonner.
Only trouble is, he's not the person to settle down and have a family with. He has his own secrets, the ones that brought him here a few years back. Both Emma and Mitch have their scars, literally, and the insecurities that go with them.
Overall I loved this story and the ending was very moving and dare I say, a teeny bit emotional. It moved fast, but with the Christmas events in the background offering a subtle magic, it wasn't too far fetched.
Of all places, Emma ends up in Marietta at the beginning of the Christmas Season. The first person she runs into is the very hunky high school varsity coach, Mitch. Mitch is gobsmacked at the sight of a bride on the run in the main street of Marietta. When she opens her mouth with her cute Scottish accent, he's a gonner.
Only trouble is, he's not the person to settle down and have a family with. He has his own secrets, the ones that brought him here a few years back. Both Emma and Mitch have their scars, literally, and the insecurities that go with them.
Overall I loved this story and the ending was very moving and dare I say, a teeny bit emotional. It moved fast, but with the Christmas events in the background offering a subtle magic, it wasn't too far fetched.
November 2, 2015
I loved this one! Emma McGregor has a a very bad time of late. First she suffered a life changing health problem then on the day of her wedding she overhears her fiancee confiding that he really doesn't want to marry her. His plan is to go ahead with the ceremony then dump her in a few months. Definitely not the way to start out a new life. One long car drive later she finds herself in Marietta. In need of a job and a place to stay. Luckily for her she stumbles upon the very helpful Mitch Holden and her life will never be the same.
This is a fun, light, hope filled read that will definitely cheer your day. I highly recommend it.
This is a fun, light, hope filled read that will definitely cheer your day. I highly recommend it.
October 11, 2017
When she's about to get married Emma discovers that the groom doesn't want to be with her any longer. She decides to give him back his freedom and drives away. She ends up in Marietta, where the Christmas season starts early and people are friendly. There she meets Mitch. Mitch used to be a football player, but an injury ended his career. He now works with teenagers and has experienced the healing effect Marietta can have on people with a broken heart. He sees Emma can use a friend and decides to be there for her, while secretly hoping she'll stay. He likes the woman with the lovely Scottish accent and wants to get to know her better. The timing might not be ideal, but does that mean they don't have a chance?
The Runaway Christmas Bride is an incredibly sweet story. Emma is a wonderful woman with a big heart. She went through a lot and Marietta is the perfect place for her to recover from the bad things that happened to her. Mitch is a handsome and gentle man. Both Emma and Mitch have a big secret that isn't easy to share. Scarlet Wilson writes about it in an open and sympathetic way and I couldn't read the story quickly enough to see how they'd handle each other's insecurities. Mitch is perfect for Emma, but she only left someone at the altar very recently, so she isn't ready for someone new yet. I kept hoping that a little bit of Christmas magic would make them see that it's always the right time for true love.
Scarlet Wilson writes about a fantastic cozy town. Marietta is the perfect location for a romantic Christmas story and she makes it come to life with colorful descriptions of both the town and its inhabitants. I immediately fell in love with the place and really enjoyed reading about it. It was fun to see the town through the eyes of the people who love it so much, which made it feel even more welcoming. The Runaway Christmas Bride is a heartwarming festive story filled with charm, Christmas cheer, hope and light.
The Runaway Christmas Bride is an incredibly sweet story. Emma is a wonderful woman with a big heart. She went through a lot and Marietta is the perfect place for her to recover from the bad things that happened to her. Mitch is a handsome and gentle man. Both Emma and Mitch have a big secret that isn't easy to share. Scarlet Wilson writes about it in an open and sympathetic way and I couldn't read the story quickly enough to see how they'd handle each other's insecurities. Mitch is perfect for Emma, but she only left someone at the altar very recently, so she isn't ready for someone new yet. I kept hoping that a little bit of Christmas magic would make them see that it's always the right time for true love.
Scarlet Wilson writes about a fantastic cozy town. Marietta is the perfect location for a romantic Christmas story and she makes it come to life with colorful descriptions of both the town and its inhabitants. I immediately fell in love with the place and really enjoyed reading about it. It was fun to see the town through the eyes of the people who love it so much, which made it feel even more welcoming. The Runaway Christmas Bride is a heartwarming festive story filled with charm, Christmas cheer, hope and light.
October 31, 2015
The Runaway Christmas Bride is the story of a woman determined to experience the world. Faced with heartache and betrayal on what was supposed to be the happiness day of her life, Emma leaves everything behind for a fresh start. Where she ends up is a small town in Montana by the name of Marietta. There she learns a family is so much more than marriage, heritage and blood ties. A family are the people who are there for you no matter what. I loved this story because it fills the heart. I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2022
(Mitch & Emma): After overhearing her groom saying some terrible things on the day of the wedding, Emma takes off to an unknown destination. She stops in a town made for a Hallmark movie and runs into Mitch, a former football player turned high school coach. This book is clean, short and sweet. There are some funny moments. It's not an insta romance, it's kind of slow moving but seems as though it happens kind of fast considering the whole runaway bride thing. Mitch and Emma have a nice chemistry but nothing off of the charts. I felt there was too much internal conversation as opposed to speaking to the other person. I listened to the audiobook and I have to say that, I have a pretty peeve when the character described does not match with the book cover. If the woman is from Scotland with red hair, don't put a brunette on your cover. If the woman is plus size, don't put up one of the skinny model females in the cover. I know we like to say funny judge a book by its cover, but let's be honest, a lot of us hardcore romances reader choose cover first, then read the synopsis. I'm just saying. Anyway, this was a good story. I feel as though I've seen it on Hallmark a few million times though.
December 7, 2024
More like 2.5* This was very Hallmark but less believable. It just felt very rushed. It was cute, but rushed.
December 23, 2024
Scarlet Wilson (2020) THE RUNAWAY CHRISTMAS BRIDE (AUDIOBOOK)
Audible - Blackstone Publishing
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 out of 5 stars
Audible writes, "Varsity coach Mitch Holden thinks he's seen everything until Scotswoman Emma McGregor steps out of her car, in a bridal dress and veil, and asks him where she can find a job. Mitch is stunned but directs her somewhere to stay...and finds himself unable to keep from checking up on her.
Emma McGregor has had the worst day of her life. Finding out her groom didn't really want to marry her was a devastating blow, but Mitch and the town of Marietta reach out to her in a way she couldn’t have imagined. Nowhere seems to do Christmas like Marietta does.
But Mitch has secrets of his own. Everyone knows about the injury that tragically ended his promising football career, but there's more to the story.... Will the magic of Marietta sprinkle some Christmas dust on their broken hearts and help them find their happy ever after?"
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Only very short.
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#ScarletWilson #TheRunawayChristmasBride #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #Audible
Audible - Blackstone Publishing
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 out of 5 stars
Audible writes, "Varsity coach Mitch Holden thinks he's seen everything until Scotswoman Emma McGregor steps out of her car, in a bridal dress and veil, and asks him where she can find a job. Mitch is stunned but directs her somewhere to stay...and finds himself unable to keep from checking up on her.
Emma McGregor has had the worst day of her life. Finding out her groom didn't really want to marry her was a devastating blow, but Mitch and the town of Marietta reach out to her in a way she couldn’t have imagined. Nowhere seems to do Christmas like Marietta does.
But Mitch has secrets of his own. Everyone knows about the injury that tragically ended his promising football career, but there's more to the story.... Will the magic of Marietta sprinkle some Christmas dust on their broken hearts and help them find their happy ever after?"
=====
Only very short.
=====
#ScarletWilson #TheRunawayChristmasBride #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #Audible
January 11, 2023
Meh... that is how felt about the book. I went in thinking it would have some comedic moments, and it did not. The comedy of this was some of the "dialogue". Seriously? This story was more somber than happy "go lucky". I wish the Author and Editor would have developed this a bit more. Lead with the heavy and then allowed more tender moments as Emma is navigating her new reality.
This was really a boring and depressing read. Sure the end was satisfying, but maybe more development to get to the end. But engaged to one man beginning of the book and a mere short few weeks (Days) later engaged and married to another? Come on.... lets allow time for the characters to develop and lean on each other, same with character development within this "sweet" town. This could have been so much more entertaining, and not depressing. Understandably sad things happen, but it was such a focus, that maybe developing the story to allow for mourning and loss, and then seeing the characters through those tragic details in emotionally healthy ways.
This was really a boring and depressing read. Sure the end was satisfying, but maybe more development to get to the end. But engaged to one man beginning of the book and a mere short few weeks (Days) later engaged and married to another? Come on.... lets allow time for the characters to develop and lean on each other, same with character development within this "sweet" town. This could have been so much more entertaining, and not depressing. Understandably sad things happen, but it was such a focus, that maybe developing the story to allow for mourning and loss, and then seeing the characters through those tragic details in emotionally healthy ways.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2023
A friend recommended this author to me because I prefer non-spicy romance and this one is definitely that, though it does lead to a closed door scene towards the end. I enjoyed the Christmas touches -- this crazy small town...I'm guessing there's another series featuring some of these characters. The stretch for me was the romance and I'm someone who is totally on board for an insta-love connection BUT Emma meets Mitch the day of her non-wedding (she's still in her wedding dress) and they are a done deal in about a week or two? It just felt rushed to me, given she was all set to pledge her love to someone else right up to the wedding day. I know, I know, reading a romance is all about escaping reality and enjoying the adventure...and I did...but, for some reason got hung up on this one thing. It was a fun, quick read -- well, listen -- available on Audible Plus right now.
January 7, 2017
Before walking down the aisle, Emma overhears her groom talking to his best man about his plans to marry her now and divorce her later, she confronts him and runs away. She finds herself in the magical town of Marietta and runs into handsome Varsity Coach, Mitch. (Because all of the men in Marietta are gorgeous, it would seem.) While it seems like it would be too soon for Emma to move on, she is immediately drawn to Mitch and they embark on a whirlwind romance. This is a sweet, romantic book to read around the holidays and I enjoyed it.
December 28, 2024
The Runaway Christmas Bride by Scarlet Wilson is a charming holiday romance about new beginnings and unexpected love. When Ally ditches her wedding and ends up snowed in at Aidan’s cozy lodge, sparks fly as both heal from past heartaches.
Wilson blends warmth, humor, and emotional depth, creating a cozy, festive setting perfect for the slow-burn romance between Ally and Aidan. Their journey of trust and self-discovery feels heartfelt and genuine.
A delightful, feel-good read that’s perfect for curling up with during the holiday season.
Wilson blends warmth, humor, and emotional depth, creating a cozy, festive setting perfect for the slow-burn romance between Ally and Aidan. Their journey of trust and self-discovery feels heartfelt and genuine.
A delightful, feel-good read that’s perfect for curling up with during the holiday season.
January 11, 2017
Cute insta-love type book. Which I happen to love.
Just a a few triggers for me personally ... but if infertility is not an issue for you then have fun reading this well written and super cute book.
Just a a few triggers for me personally ... but if infertility is not an issue for you then have fun reading this well written and super cute book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2022
I obviously didn’t have high hopes for this book being amazing, but gosh it was dull, and everything happened too easily and other than the time of year and a few random mentions of magic it wasn’t Christmassy at all!! Gave it 2 stars cause at least it was short
December 23, 2022
It was fine. Not bad but not that good.
The narrator was good for the Scottish accent but not the best for a man with an American accent.
The story wasn't long enough for the plot. It was way too rushed and way too insta-love for the serious material. Also a wedding, really? Cringe.
The narrator was good for the Scottish accent but not the best for a man with an American accent.
The story wasn't long enough for the plot. It was way too rushed and way too insta-love for the serious material. Also a wedding, really? Cringe.
December 28, 2024
Cute story, but the romance felt a bit rushed. Personally, I would have preferred a longer courtship. However, they do have good chemistry and seem ideally suited for one another!
Excellent narration, and great Scottish accent.
Excellent narration, and great Scottish accent.
December 13, 2020
Not a fan
Barf. I thought I liked these sort of stories, but I guess I do not. So cheesy and predictable. Glad it's over.
Barf. I thought I liked these sort of stories, but I guess I do not. So cheesy and predictable. Glad it's over.
December 27, 2021
A good short Christmas romance. Not a favorite but I liked it.
January 16, 2022
Just a sweet lovely story
April 8, 2022
Audible Catalogue
AUDIOBOOK: Read 7 April 2020
3hrs 44min
Narrator: Elle Newlands was ok
Not very captivating. Kind of dull.
AUDIOBOOK: Read 7 April 2020
3hrs 44min
Narrator: Elle Newlands was ok
Not very captivating. Kind of dull.
November 1, 2022
Captured Christmas Bride
This is the cutest Christmas story! Mitch and Emma are just adorable! I love the narrator’s accent, it is perfect for this book!
This is the cutest Christmas story! Mitch and Emma are just adorable! I love the narrator’s accent, it is perfect for this book!
November 18, 2022
Predictable, but very cute story. I enjoyed it.
December 5, 2022
Quick, cute Christmas romance between a "runaway" Scottish bride and an ex pro football player. This one deals heavily with fertility issues and is set in a charming small town.
December 9, 2022
Loved this book. Santa brought two people together that new the heart brake each one carried.
December 21, 2022
Excellent short festive listen! I really enjoyed it!
January 3, 2023
Short and sweet and a closed door on the bedroom. Perfect.
August 11, 2023
Cute novella audiobook...one must totally suspend disbelief, but is this not the miracle of magical romantic fiction?
November 19, 2023
I really enjoyed this simple love story worthy of a hallmark Christmas movie. Feel good Christmas magic, through and through.
December 31, 2023
I love Christmas and I love romance so this is one of the many books I read this Christmas that was quick and full Christmas romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews