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Driftwood Bay #3
Driftwood Bride
Melissa Sonnier is desperate to find her own happily ever after as she helps her sister celebrate her beach wedding in Driftwood Bay, but it’s difficult to move on and find love when she can’t let go of Judson Duvall, a boy she’s loved since middle school, even after their last break up in their on again, off again relationship. But as she watches her sister exchange her sacred vows, she sees Judson, waiting for her asking for one last chance. He vows he’s changed. Can she risk her heart one last time?
After his latest rodeo related injury Judson Duvall is ready to hang up his spurs and always a man of action, defies doctors and drives all night to reach the only woman he’s ever loved. He begs for one last chance and is prepared to do anything to win back Melissa’s love. He claims he’s changed, but is it enough or is it too late?
After his latest rodeo related injury Judson Duvall is ready to hang up his spurs and always a man of action, defies doctors and drives all night to reach the only woman he’s ever loved. He begs for one last chance and is prepared to do anything to win back Melissa’s love. He claims he’s changed, but is it enough or is it too late?
ebook
Published June 27, 2016
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About the author
Lenora Worth
277 books381 followersLenora Worth has written 75 books for three different publishers. She reached a milestone when she received her 50th book pin from Harlequin. Her books have won both regional and national awards and she now has millions of books in print and is a NY Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author. Currently she is writing both Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense and Tule Publishing. Married to her childhood sweetheart, Lenora has two grown children and lives in Florida.
Pen name: Lenora Nazworth
Pen name: Lenora Nazworth
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 6, 2017
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
The Southern Bride (formerly Driftwood Bride) is very much another chance romance. I can’t really say second chance because this couple have been together and broken up and gotten back together numerous times in their lives. They belong together, but neither is really ready for that forever kind of commitment until now. Call it fear or stubbornness, call it not old enough to realize what you’re tossing away when you break up so many times. Or simply call it becoming adults who finally see the reality of their lives. There are issues to be faced, decisions that might be painful to make and the certain knowledge that there really is no one else for either – so this time they simply have to make it work, forever.
I enjoyed Judson and Melissa separately and together. There are definitely emotions to be felt in this story as convincing someone that you’ve changed and really mean what you say this time isn’t always an easy thing to accomplish. They’ve both grown, and wised up. This time around they could find their happy ever after and make it stick. Now Melissa has to make that final decision of risking everything for one more try. There may be heartache or there may be love forever lasting. That’s a choice only she can make.
I had purchased this title as Driftwood Bride last year and without realizing that it had a title change picked it up on NetGalley. So I've both purchased and gotten this one through NetGalley.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
The Southern Bride (formerly Driftwood Bride) is very much another chance romance. I can’t really say second chance because this couple have been together and broken up and gotten back together numerous times in their lives. They belong together, but neither is really ready for that forever kind of commitment until now. Call it fear or stubbornness, call it not old enough to realize what you’re tossing away when you break up so many times. Or simply call it becoming adults who finally see the reality of their lives. There are issues to be faced, decisions that might be painful to make and the certain knowledge that there really is no one else for either – so this time they simply have to make it work, forever.
I enjoyed Judson and Melissa separately and together. There are definitely emotions to be felt in this story as convincing someone that you’ve changed and really mean what you say this time isn’t always an easy thing to accomplish. They’ve both grown, and wised up. This time around they could find their happy ever after and make it stick. Now Melissa has to make that final decision of risking everything for one more try. There may be heartache or there may be love forever lasting. That’s a choice only she can make.
I had purchased this title as Driftwood Bride last year and without realizing that it had a title change picked it up on NetGalley. So I've both purchased and gotten this one through NetGalley.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
February 28, 2017
"Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review"
(The Southern Bride)
A sweet romance about childhood sweethearts with a pattern of breaking up and getting back together that finally learn with their mistakes and try a fresh new start. This was very well done, showing the growth in both characters and also the familiarity and ease that comes from being with someone who knows you well and makes you happy.
I really liked the hero, all the feelings of inadequacy, unworthy and loneliness that make him hold back and hold the heroine away. And on top of that, the end of his rodeo career and a debilitating injury.
Lenora Worth crafts a consistent wounded hero with a painful childhood and experiences that slowly learns to change his negative and resentful attitude towards life.
I also liked the depiction of the family relationships and meeting characters that I already knew from previous books.
I'm grateful to the publisher, Tule Publishing, the author, Lenora Worth, and NetGalley for providing a free copy.
(The Southern Bride)
A sweet romance about childhood sweethearts with a pattern of breaking up and getting back together that finally learn with their mistakes and try a fresh new start. This was very well done, showing the growth in both characters and also the familiarity and ease that comes from being with someone who knows you well and makes you happy.
I really liked the hero, all the feelings of inadequacy, unworthy and loneliness that make him hold back and hold the heroine away. And on top of that, the end of his rodeo career and a debilitating injury.
Lenora Worth crafts a consistent wounded hero with a painful childhood and experiences that slowly learns to change his negative and resentful attitude towards life.
I also liked the depiction of the family relationships and meeting characters that I already knew from previous books.
I'm grateful to the publisher, Tule Publishing, the author, Lenora Worth, and NetGalley for providing a free copy.
June 23, 2018
This one's been sitting in my kindle for a long time. It was a short read, and I think that hurt the storyline for me. I wanted more from the characters and their journey to their happy ever after. It felt too much like a summary. There were missed opportunities to build on this painful history that the Melissa and Judson shared. It would have been really good to see them working harder to build trust and love but they just decided to do it and then months have passed and they're engaged again.
I really wanted to like this and give it a higher rating. The writing was good, but I didn't feel the emotional payoff at the end.
I give it a 3.5.
1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure
Movie Ratings in relation to my review:
Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"
PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door
PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.
PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on screen sex
R--swearing (F bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always
I really wanted to like this and give it a higher rating. The writing was good, but I didn't feel the emotional payoff at the end.
I give it a 3.5.
1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure
Movie Ratings in relation to my review:
Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"
PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door
PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.
PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on screen sex
R--swearing (F bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always
June 1, 2020
Sweet loving story
Sometimes it takes time apart to get things right. Dreams of being a rodeo star were shattered when that big bull stepped on his leg, making a compound fracture. Seeiing how her big family took care of each other when his own had nearly torn him apart was difficult at best. Walking (or running) away when things between them got difficult made it harderto come back together. But somehow, Judson and Melissa knew they were meant to be together, even when they had to fight each other to make it happen. Going slowly and building a strong and unbreakable bond takes time...there was plenty of that, just as there was plenty of healthy love all around them to show the way.
I reallyenjoyed reading this story. So many things clicked at just the right time for this family to be. It was sweet without being sappy, strong and tender. Ms Worth put together a great book. Her writing talents are obvious, and the lack of grammatical errors made reading this book a treat for tnis old English teacher. Thanks for a great goodread!
Sometimes it takes time apart to get things right. Dreams of being a rodeo star were shattered when that big bull stepped on his leg, making a compound fracture. Seeiing how her big family took care of each other when his own had nearly torn him apart was difficult at best. Walking (or running) away when things between them got difficult made it harderto come back together. But somehow, Judson and Melissa knew they were meant to be together, even when they had to fight each other to make it happen. Going slowly and building a strong and unbreakable bond takes time...there was plenty of that, just as there was plenty of healthy love all around them to show the way.
I reallyenjoyed reading this story. So many things clicked at just the right time for this family to be. It was sweet without being sappy, strong and tender. Ms Worth put together a great book. Her writing talents are obvious, and the lack of grammatical errors made reading this book a treat for tnis old English teacher. Thanks for a great goodread!
dnf-skimmed-or-free-samples
June 24, 2023This was a freebie that I skimmed through. It's a third person narrative, and somehow I rarely get invested in those. Melissa and Judson have known each other since they were children and had an on-off relationship, breaking up several times. He's had crappy parents and was jealous of Melissa's close-knit family. There were some issues with jealousy and now he's lost his rodeo career and is in pain after an injury. They're talking about getting to know each other and starting over but he seems very much on edge and there is some more pushing and pulling away, as per their pattern. The happy ending would have been more believable if they got some counseling.
April 24, 2018
This book was just not very good. It really should have been about 50-75 pages long for all the repeated phrases/thoughts about their relationship. Ugh... it was SOOOOO repetitive. I didn't feel the connection between the main characters. They kept telling us how they're going to do it different this time and the talk about the past, but we never really get to feel it.
This book really was a let down as I really enjoyed Michelle and Sam's story.
This book really was a let down as I really enjoyed Michelle and Sam's story.
June 1, 2020
The Southern Bride
The third and final daughter, Melissa, finally gets her HEA with Judson her on and off boyfriend. Judson arrived in Florida at the end of Maddie's wedding causing the family a great deal of concern. He swears he has changed and will prove it. Judson was quite changed but kept falling backward. A near tragedy brings him to his senses and their life is set to begin as life long partners.
The third and final daughter, Melissa, finally gets her HEA with Judson her on and off boyfriend. Judson arrived in Florida at the end of Maddie's wedding causing the family a great deal of concern. He swears he has changed and will prove it. Judson was quite changed but kept falling backward. A near tragedy brings him to his senses and their life is set to begin as life long partners.
April 29, 2018
Nice story took a bit to get the idea of what happened before and was a nice sweet ending I recommend the book for a light read .
Nice well written story of sorrow Nd regaining yourself learning to live again.,interesting characters and description of land,and getting to learn take life slow and learn others feelings
Nice well written story of sorrow Nd regaining yourself learning to live again.,interesting characters and description of land,and getting to learn take life slow and learn others feelings
September 30, 2021
Un-original
I really found nothing to like about this book. The story was unrealistic, I didn't care about the characters at all and the writing wasn't terribly good. The romantic pair had issues but they were addressed obliquely and then apparently resolved which increased the unreality of the narrative.
I really found nothing to like about this book. The story was unrealistic, I didn't care about the characters at all and the writing wasn't terribly good. The romantic pair had issues but they were addressed obliquely and then apparently resolved which increased the unreality of the narrative.
April 8, 2018
Old love
This is one of those books that unlike other series you need to read before, you cant cut and read the last like i did because there is a back story, enjoyed the book now im going to start from the beginning.
This is one of those books that unlike other series you need to read before, you cant cut and read the last like i did because there is a back story, enjoyed the book now im going to start from the beginning.
April 16, 2018
My kind of book
Sweet, simple, just enough drama and pleasant surroundings and characters. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Some parts were stretched out a bit much but all in all a very pleasant book. No sex, no violence, no huge drama. My kind of book
Sweet, simple, just enough drama and pleasant surroundings and characters. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Some parts were stretched out a bit much but all in all a very pleasant book. No sex, no violence, no huge drama. My kind of book
April 16, 2018
What?
Tools much time spent arguing, pushing away, expressing hard feelings, then summed up for a quick ending. Where's the romance? Proofreading needs work. No cheating or cliffhanger.
Tools much time spent arguing, pushing away, expressing hard feelings, then summed up for a quick ending. Where's the romance? Proofreading needs work. No cheating or cliffhanger.
April 18, 2018
I got realllllly sick and tired of the constant back and forth, rehashing old wounds. I never really understood why they were trying. I get the whole healing thing, but I didn't see them as a match. I kept waiting for a different guy to come into the picture.
June 21, 2018
This book may be a good book, but it relied heavily on the books before it in the series to establish the setting and characters. Since I did not read the first two, I found the characters superficial and fairytale-like instead of real people.
May 30, 2020
Interesting storyline!
I don't know if I missed a book or it was just the way this one was written, but felt like I was dumped in the middle of this book. A great storyline though and worth reading for sure!
I don't know if I missed a book or it was just the way this one was written, but felt like I was dumped in the middle of this book. A great storyline though and worth reading for sure!
October 26, 2020
Nothing really happens
I got so bored reading this that I ended up just skimming much of it. I didn't feel any strong emotions between the two main characters. Just a lot of nothing, really.
I got so bored reading this that I ended up just skimming much of it. I didn't feel any strong emotions between the two main characters. Just a lot of nothing, really.
June 5, 2017
Good
I like this series, but this one seemed rushed...A lot of typos. Kind of disappointing when you have to figure around misspelled/incorrect words.
I like this series, but this one seemed rushed...A lot of typos. Kind of disappointing when you have to figure around misspelled/incorrect words.
April 9, 2018
Awesome
This book was a great read from beginning to end. It held my interest all the way through.It is about a close knit family & how they take someone under their wing.
This book was a great read from beginning to end. It held my interest all the way through.It is about a close knit family & how they take someone under their wing.
April 10, 2018
Good con
I was glad to see a story linethat showed realistic personal conflict that thru timeand communication could be resolved. Really emjo
I was glad to see a story linethat showed realistic personal conflict that thru timeand communication could be resolved. Really emjo
April 11, 2018
Great 3rd Book
I love how each book carried over the chat and brought each of the sisters happiness. Melissa is finally going to get her true love.
I love how each book carried over the chat and brought each of the sisters happiness. Melissa is finally going to get her true love.
April 14, 2018
It was okay, it felt like it was lacking something. I like the second chance romance aspect. Not much chemistry or steaminess.
April 21, 2018
A little like the Longest Ride without Ida and Ruth. But a good enjoyable story all the same.
April 21, 2018
The Southern Bride
Excellent book. Highly recommend this book to everyone. Excellent story line kept your interest and attention making it hard to put down.
Excellent book. Highly recommend this book to everyone. Excellent story line kept your interest and attention making it hard to put down.
April 24, 2018
Mediocre writing, not that interesting of a story. But it was clean.
May 2, 2018
Very good story line with believable characters.
That's about it. Not much more to say except I enjoyed reading this book. I may read another one or two.
That's about it. Not much more to say except I enjoyed reading this book. I may read another one or two.
July 8, 2018
It is a great book to read
July 22, 2018
Kind of lacking in my opinion. There’s struggling to get to where they want but then ends. I felt like I was missing a huge chunk of the story.
March 15, 2019
Stubborn
Melissa a d Judson are two stubborn people. Love doesn't seem enough to keep them together. Will they be able to grow up and compromise?
Melissa a d Judson are two stubborn people. Love doesn't seem enough to keep them together. Will they be able to grow up and compromise?
May 4, 2019
Awesome
This is a fastpaced and wellwritten book filled with wonderful characters and emotions. A real pageturner with a great storyline.
This is a fastpaced and wellwritten book filled with wonderful characters and emotions. A real pageturner with a great storyline.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews