What do you think?
Rate this book
The McKaslin Clan: Series 3 #6
Her Wedding Wish
Jonas Lowell, a police officer shot in the line of duty, now had amnesia. And his wife, Danielle McKaslin Lowell, had tried everything to spark his recollection of her and their young children, but he could look at his adoring wife only with a stranger's gaze. His memory of the life they shared—the future they'd dreamed of—was gone. But with a lot of faith and a sweet new courtship, Danielle's handsome husband just might fall in love all over again.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2008
26 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Hart
192 books599 followersJillian Hart grew up on her family's homestead in Washington state, where she raised cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 8, 2017
With a story similar to The Vow, this was a great read.
February 26, 2022
I got a huge box of 'Love Inspired' novels, and the premise of this got to me: Cop shot in the line of duty loses all memory of his wife and children. I was a *little* nervous, because it's a "McKaslin Clan" book - which means he's lost memory of about eight THOUSAND other characters, too... but for the sake of a good premise, I jumped in.
And by page 40, I was jumping on GoodReads to see if I've reviewed anything by Jillian before. Because the writing was total crap. And whaddya know - THREE other reviews, all of them one and two stars, because her writing is total crap.
((((sigh.))))) On to the other things:
First, the title: 'Her Wedding Wish'. Not at any point in the book does Danielle *EVER* wish for a wedding. So... what the heck? Because it's just not there.
As for the story, this one blows right by the shooting, the family rallying at the hospital, visits at rehab, and heads right to the moment he's coming home. Which is a harried MESS that we're thrown into. At least the kids' reactions to him are realistic - it bought the book a star. ((So did the unique premise.))
But WHY is the heroine hosting family dinners, baking brownies and cookies, and doing all these extras when really her focus should be on re-acclimating her husband to their home, and transitioning her children? What the heck?
More, there's a TON that isn't addressed her. His mental well-being, for one. He's lost years of his life, can hardly move for the left-side paralysis... he'd be needing to see a psychiatrist or police counselor. Not having a huge clan thrust on him to make life seventeen times more difficult.
Additionally, the kids are just brats. They whine, snivel, throw tantrums, and are horrible. They never say bedtime prayers, run pell-mell at church and family gatherings, don't listen to the parents... they're just awful.
As for the book, it's pretty much just Danielle *PINING* for her husband. We're talking epic pining here - like Bella in Twilight for FOUR BOOKS... only condensed into one. It's all about how much she loves her husband: he is her center, her world, her everything, her reason for life. NOT YEHOVAH ELOHIM. No, this book is about worshipping her husband, which gives new meaning to 'Love Inspired'. And not in a good way.
But not ONCE does Danielle lean on him, cry with him, just cling to him - all of these proclamations of deep love, and she's at arms length, the ENTIRE TIME. Not even in any way believable. There's a hug when he wakes up - in a flashback - but that's it. Up until she bursts on the night of their anniversary and becomes all whiny weepy, herself.
More, she keeps saying 'we'll get it back' or 'it'll come back' or 'the way it used to be' or 'he can get there again', like she's pressuring him to be what he was, not what he IS or will be. That's kind of a lot to put on a man, to force him to live to a standard that he might not attain again. It's wrong of her - if she truly loved him, she would want him to be the man he IS, not the man he was but doesn't remember. Her love is utterly selfish, the entire book... and it's not pretty.
This... just had a lot of issues, for me.
And by page 40, I was jumping on GoodReads to see if I've reviewed anything by Jillian before. Because the writing was total crap. And whaddya know - THREE other reviews, all of them one and two stars, because her writing is total crap.
((((sigh.))))) On to the other things:
First, the title: 'Her Wedding Wish'. Not at any point in the book does Danielle *EVER* wish for a wedding. So... what the heck? Because it's just not there.
As for the story, this one blows right by the shooting, the family rallying at the hospital, visits at rehab, and heads right to the moment he's coming home. Which is a harried MESS that we're thrown into. At least the kids' reactions to him are realistic - it bought the book a star. ((So did the unique premise.))
But WHY is the heroine hosting family dinners, baking brownies and cookies, and doing all these extras when really her focus should be on re-acclimating her husband to their home, and transitioning her children? What the heck?
More, there's a TON that isn't addressed her. His mental well-being, for one. He's lost years of his life, can hardly move for the left-side paralysis... he'd be needing to see a psychiatrist or police counselor. Not having a huge clan thrust on him to make life seventeen times more difficult.
Additionally, the kids are just brats. They whine, snivel, throw tantrums, and are horrible. They never say bedtime prayers, run pell-mell at church and family gatherings, don't listen to the parents... they're just awful.
As for the book, it's pretty much just Danielle *PINING* for her husband. We're talking epic pining here - like Bella in Twilight for FOUR BOOKS... only condensed into one. It's all about how much she loves her husband: he is her center, her world, her everything, her reason for life. NOT YEHOVAH ELOHIM. No, this book is about worshipping her husband, which gives new meaning to 'Love Inspired'. And not in a good way.
But not ONCE does Danielle lean on him, cry with him, just cling to him - all of these proclamations of deep love, and she's at arms length, the ENTIRE TIME. Not even in any way believable. There's a hug when he wakes up - in a flashback - but that's it. Up until she bursts on the night of their anniversary and becomes all whiny weepy, herself.
More, she keeps saying 'we'll get it back' or 'it'll come back' or 'the way it used to be' or 'he can get there again', like she's pressuring him to be what he was, not what he IS or will be. That's kind of a lot to put on a man, to force him to live to a standard that he might not attain again. It's wrong of her - if she truly loved him, she would want him to be the man he IS, not the man he was but doesn't remember. Her love is utterly selfish, the entire book... and it's not pretty.
This... just had a lot of issues, for me.
March 6, 2010
I didn't realize until I started reading that I had already read this book before. Nevertheless, its a nice story that's hard to put down.
Jonas Lowell is a cop who has been wounded in the line of duty. A gunshot results in a serious, life altering head injury that while leaving him alive and somewhat mobile, steals his memory of his life, family and friends. His wife, Danielle McKaslin Lowell, stands by him through the months he's in a coma and then through almost a year of rehabilitation. Still, Jonas does not remember his wife, children or family.
The ideal of marriage "for better or worse, in sickness and in health" definitely resonates with this couple and is both heart wrenching to see from Danielle's pov to frustrating from Jonas's pov. I cannot imagine my husband not remembering me, our children or our life together and NEVER getting that memory back - which is the case with Jonas. There's no magic bump on the head that restores his life to him or even the "aha!" moment some authors might resort to in order to wrap up a story.
There is definitely an HEA for this couple and its very touching. Imagine falling in love all over again with your husband and you have a good idea of the way this HEA heads. ;-)
Jonas Lowell is a cop who has been wounded in the line of duty. A gunshot results in a serious, life altering head injury that while leaving him alive and somewhat mobile, steals his memory of his life, family and friends. His wife, Danielle McKaslin Lowell, stands by him through the months he's in a coma and then through almost a year of rehabilitation. Still, Jonas does not remember his wife, children or family.
The ideal of marriage "for better or worse, in sickness and in health" definitely resonates with this couple and is both heart wrenching to see from Danielle's pov to frustrating from Jonas's pov. I cannot imagine my husband not remembering me, our children or our life together and NEVER getting that memory back - which is the case with Jonas. There's no magic bump on the head that restores his life to him or even the "aha!" moment some authors might resort to in order to wrap up a story.
There is definitely an HEA for this couple and its very touching. Imagine falling in love all over again with your husband and you have a good idea of the way this HEA heads. ;-)
August 6, 2023
One of my favorite Writers.
July 17, 2022
A friend (MH) sent me this book in a box of books. I have read Jillian Hart before though I am not sure if I have read any other books in The McKaslin Clan. (Which, if another reviewer is to be believed, spans quite a few books.)
When I started this book, I felt like I'd read it before. A quick check on my online reading lists shows that I hadn't--or if I had it was before I had lists online. However, it does make me even more convinced that Love Inspired has plots they ask their authors to recycle.
I agree with another reviewer that the title ("Her Wedding Wish") doesn't seem to fit. I don't remember Danielle wishing for a wedding. She does keep missing the past relationship she had with her husband before he lost his memory. She might have been somewhat better served to accept the new normal and try to build new memories with her husband as well as talking to him about what she needs (him to hold her, etc.) rather than holding it all in until she utterly breaks down on the anniversary that her husband no longer remembers.
I did like having a story about a couple that took their "for better for worse", "in sickness and in health" vows seriously. At no point does Danielle think about divorcing or leaving Jonas. At no point does her family start telling her it's not worth it. I don't think Jonas seriously considers leaving Danielle and/or his family, though there are a couple comments that could be taken that way.
When I started this book, I felt like I'd read it before. A quick check on my online reading lists shows that I hadn't--or if I had it was before I had lists online. However, it does make me even more convinced that Love Inspired has plots they ask their authors to recycle.
I agree with another reviewer that the title ("Her Wedding Wish") doesn't seem to fit. I don't remember Danielle wishing for a wedding. She does keep missing the past relationship she had with her husband before he lost his memory. She might have been somewhat better served to accept the new normal and try to build new memories with her husband as well as talking to him about what she needs (him to hold her, etc.) rather than holding it all in until she utterly breaks down on the anniversary that her husband no longer remembers.
I did like having a story about a couple that took their "for better for worse", "in sickness and in health" vows seriously. At no point does Danielle think about divorcing or leaving Jonas. At no point does her family start telling her it's not worth it. I don't think Jonas seriously considers leaving Danielle and/or his family, though there are a couple comments that could be taken that way.
February 6, 2017
Unique yet beautiful story of love, faith, & perseverance!
How often do we face tragedy or hardship and do not look to the One who is in control of all of life. instead we try to be stronger physically or emotionally or run away! This a great story to remind us were to keep our focus!
How often do we face tragedy or hardship and do not look to the One who is in control of all of life. instead we try to be stronger physically or emotionally or run away! This a great story to remind us were to keep our focus!
September 25, 2019
Loved this story. It had a different plot...husband and father who loses his memories for good. I really liked the 2 main characters...Dani, who stood by her husband through everything, determined to love him even though she was a stranger to him....and Jonas, not the man he was, all of his memories lost, but still determined to be the father and husband he needed to be
May 28, 2019
Sweet novel about a real marriage love. Very touching.
April 12, 2020
A sweet story the characters are very likable the kids are adorable but it is sad too.
I would recommend it
I would recommend it
October 13, 2021
I absolutely ADORED this book! This is my go to book whenever I need a good read! Highly recommend! 😁😁😁
March 16, 2024
Terrible
November 15, 2015
The McKaslin Clan series is one of the larger miniseries under Love Inspired all written by Jillian Hart. It is set in a small town in Montana and features the members of the McKaslin clan as they fall in love and demonstrate the powerful bonds of family, community, faith, and forever love. "Her Wedding Wish" is the sixth book in the third of the McKaslin series and focuses on Jonas and Danielle Lowell.
After years of a happy marriage, Danielle McKaslin Lowell's perfect life is shattered with the news that her husband has been shot during a routine traffic stop and is in a coma. For nearly a year she sits by his bedside only to have him wake up and remember nothing of his life with her. Despite her many attempts nothing can seem to spark a recollection of her, their children or their life together. All seems lost but through a new courtship and their mutual faith they may just fall in love all over again.
This is a new type of love story for me. I have seen the 'romance your long time love after they've forgotten you' but never in this way. Throughout the novel the two of them deal both with his amnesia, how it effects their family life and commitments as well as the physical effects caused by the bullet and subsequent coma. It is a sweet love story of a husband falling in love with his wife all over again despite the difficulties involved. We also get a good look at life and love in the McKaslin clan with references to previous books and little story hooks that leave you wanting to read the other books in the series as they come out.
Both characters are compassionate and loving evidenced throughout the book through their behavior. Despite Jonas' lack of memory he is still doting and loving towards his two children and as the story goes on we are given clear leads towards the fact that these are both people with a great deal of dedication towards their community and church. The themes of family, forgiveness and kindness are well-evident and not quite shoved down your throat.
For its positive factors there are flaws to the book number one being the fact that it can feel a little preachy after so many chapters reinforcing the idea of 'trusting in God's plan' every time Danielle or Jonas felt doubtful or upset about their situation. Honestly a chapter or so of them dealing with the fact that this is a shitty situation would have been nice and a good effort towards convincing the reader that feelings of doubt, of grief and anger are acceptable when something so enormous is dropped on you. It doesn't really pass the Bechedel test either as every conversation the many women in this book have seems to revolve one way or another around men.
I would recommend "Her Wedding Wish" to any fan of the Love Inspired line of books, particularly those who enjoy Jillian Hart and her other McKaslin Clan novels. I would give it 3 hearts out of 5.
After years of a happy marriage, Danielle McKaslin Lowell's perfect life is shattered with the news that her husband has been shot during a routine traffic stop and is in a coma. For nearly a year she sits by his bedside only to have him wake up and remember nothing of his life with her. Despite her many attempts nothing can seem to spark a recollection of her, their children or their life together. All seems lost but through a new courtship and their mutual faith they may just fall in love all over again.
This is a new type of love story for me. I have seen the 'romance your long time love after they've forgotten you' but never in this way. Throughout the novel the two of them deal both with his amnesia, how it effects their family life and commitments as well as the physical effects caused by the bullet and subsequent coma. It is a sweet love story of a husband falling in love with his wife all over again despite the difficulties involved. We also get a good look at life and love in the McKaslin clan with references to previous books and little story hooks that leave you wanting to read the other books in the series as they come out.
Both characters are compassionate and loving evidenced throughout the book through their behavior. Despite Jonas' lack of memory he is still doting and loving towards his two children and as the story goes on we are given clear leads towards the fact that these are both people with a great deal of dedication towards their community and church. The themes of family, forgiveness and kindness are well-evident and not quite shoved down your throat.
For its positive factors there are flaws to the book number one being the fact that it can feel a little preachy after so many chapters reinforcing the idea of 'trusting in God's plan' every time Danielle or Jonas felt doubtful or upset about their situation. Honestly a chapter or so of them dealing with the fact that this is a shitty situation would have been nice and a good effort towards convincing the reader that feelings of doubt, of grief and anger are acceptable when something so enormous is dropped on you. It doesn't really pass the Bechedel test either as every conversation the many women in this book have seems to revolve one way or another around men.
I would recommend "Her Wedding Wish" to any fan of the Love Inspired line of books, particularly those who enjoy Jillian Hart and her other McKaslin Clan novels. I would give it 3 hearts out of 5.
February 22, 2013
This enjoyable melodrama is part of a large miniseries, The McKaslin Clan, that is part of the Steeple Hill Love Inspired series and written by Jillian Hart.
Wives of first responders (police, fire, etc) have a nightmare: one day their husbands won't come home from work. This book explores what happens when Jonas Lowell is shot in the line of duty and lives, but with a severe brain injury that has robbed him of all his memories. His loving wife, Danielle, aided by her large extended family, help Jonas recover his life.
The book can be overly melodramatic in places, but the love between Jonas and Danielle is almost palpable in some scenes. The reader finds him (or her) self rooting for them to recover the love that's buried under shrapnel and stitches. The miniseries on the McKaslins doesn't appear to be in any particular order, and each book can be read as a standalone. I'd recommend any of them.
Wives of first responders (police, fire, etc) have a nightmare: one day their husbands won't come home from work. This book explores what happens when Jonas Lowell is shot in the line of duty and lives, but with a severe brain injury that has robbed him of all his memories. His loving wife, Danielle, aided by her large extended family, help Jonas recover his life.
The book can be overly melodramatic in places, but the love between Jonas and Danielle is almost palpable in some scenes. The reader finds him (or her) self rooting for them to recover the love that's buried under shrapnel and stitches. The miniseries on the McKaslins doesn't appear to be in any particular order, and each book can be read as a standalone. I'd recommend any of them.
September 14, 2014
What if your spouse had a brain injury, and couldn't remember you, your kids, or the past 8 years you've spent together? That's the question that faces Danielle in this book.
I have been a fan of Dani since the beginning of the series, though she was (understandably) more in the background for her sisters' stories. She seemed like just a really sweet and kind person. I was glad to get to know her better in this book.
I loved how Dani and Jonas got to know each other again, through the everyday ordinariness of life, and through talking about how they met, and reenacting their first dates. I really appreciated how Jonas wasn't willing to sit idly by, but instead made it a point to go through the scrapbooks and wedding albums, to see the family history that he'd been a part of, but could no longer remember.
Once again, Jillian Hart doesn't disappoint!
I have been a fan of Dani since the beginning of the series, though she was (understandably) more in the background for her sisters' stories. She seemed like just a really sweet and kind person. I was glad to get to know her better in this book.
I loved how Dani and Jonas got to know each other again, through the everyday ordinariness of life, and through talking about how they met, and reenacting their first dates. I really appreciated how Jonas wasn't willing to sit idly by, but instead made it a point to go through the scrapbooks and wedding albums, to see the family history that he'd been a part of, but could no longer remember.
Once again, Jillian Hart doesn't disappoint!
July 27, 2012
This is the story of Jonas and Dani McKaslin, and it is one of my favorites in the McKaslin series, and that's saying a great deal, as I've enjoyed all of them I've read so far. Relationships often go through many trials, but I don't think I've ever read about how it feels when someone you love has lost many of their past memories, until now that is. Jillian Hart explores the feelings and emotions of this situation in an extremely realistic way. It feels like you are experiencing family life right along with the main characters, and the children in the story are humorous and adorable. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys clean romance.
July 17, 2008
oh wow, i don't know that i'm secure enough to have held it all together as well as the female main character of THIS book did! i could have handled juggling all the bills, and the physical "stuff", as i've done it. BUT ...
walking around feeling so lonely like that, in a house full of people?! been there, done that, TOO many times in my life! i do NOT like it!! would probably do it again if i had to, BUT, would have fallen apart LONG before SHE did the next time!!!
not quite as lite a read, but a quick semi-easy (made me think and think and ... ) summer read
walking around feeling so lonely like that, in a house full of people?! been there, done that, TOO many times in my life! i do NOT like it!! would probably do it again if i had to, BUT, would have fallen apart LONG before SHE did the next time!!!
not quite as lite a read, but a quick semi-easy (made me think and think and ... ) summer read
May 25, 2014
The plot is a good one and a bit different. It involves a policeman, Jonas, who was shot by a wanted man leaving him with nerve damage and amnesia. It is a long, painful journey trying to remember the life he had with his loving wife, Dani, his children, and the life they once shared. Ms. Hart presents both the Dani's and Jonas' fears and wishes as they try to build a new relationship. Both characters are well developed and the story is a good one!
May 29, 2012
This book was wonderful. I can't imagine having the love this couple shared and then having to rebuild it after tragedy. Jillian Hart is well-written and understands human emotion. I love the McKaslin Clan and all the people that come into their lives. I hope to get my hands on the rest of the books soon!
November 11, 2012
Enjoyable quick read but a little too heavy on faith - some Love Inspired Faith Based Romances are interspersed with some faith but not as much. Haven't read other books in the series so there were some loose ends that I didn't have the background for. Happily ever after was better than hoped for. Liked Dani and Jonas as a couple.
October 17, 2015
For a heavy subject, the story is actually pretty light. I love it that the two must work through their difficulties the hard way, and there's not some miraculous easy fix. It's a unique angle at romance...married with kids, but the two of them trying to work through his injury and find each other again.
May 29, 2016
Terrible title for the book. It makes no sense with the plot at all. I appreciated a story about an already married couple, which is rare in these books. Apparently romance is only when you are meeting and courting and dating, and never when you are already married.
October 13, 2014
After reading this book I am just grateful now to have my memory! How hard it would be to not remember anything about your life, waking up one day and not knowing your loves ones. I just can't even imagine...
March 3, 2009
Sooo cute!!!!
March 19, 2010
excellent story
September 25, 2009
Modern
September 19, 2011
It was a great book. A story to strengthen your faith.
October 13, 2011
This is a very heartwarming and touching story. I've read others in the series and this was one of the best.
March 22, 2017
3 1/2 Stars
September 26, 2012
very sweet!
May 14, 2013
So not anything real people say or do.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews