All in Good Time

Bryeton Books #1

by M.K. Chester

Philadelphian Elizabeth Temple arrives in small, Southern Bryeton to teach first grade in 1948, hoping to slide unnoticed into a spinster's existence. Believing she is unfit for any companion, she doesn't count on falling for Jake Ryan, a WWII veteran tainted by a scandalous divorce, struggling to raise his young son alone. Despite an undeniable chemistry, the road to romance is strewn with roadblocks and detours. Between the very personal secret that has a devastating grip on Elizabeth, and Jake's temperamental, soon-to-be-ex-wife, what looks like a 'sure thing' could easily slip away.

Genres: Romance, Historical

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2007

About the author

M.K Chester is an avid reader who began writing at an early age to entertain herself. She began to take writing seriously after college and her work developed timeless themes of redemption and second chances.

​​She won some RWA awards, published with The Wild Rose Press and Carina [Harlequin] and now considers herself a happy Indie.

​Her romance titles include something for everyone: historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance.

Reviews

[Danielle's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series so far (I’ve listened to them out of order but it hasn’t affected the standalone stories at all). *Audiobook Review.

All in good time is about a teacher, Elizabeth and her chance at finding a new start. After abandoning her old life Elizabeth wants to find a small town to have a quiet life. She’s given up on love but doesn’t realise she just needed to find the right man. This story is touching which is deeper than my usual read. It made me really like the main characters. A boy in her class becomes more than a student and with his dad, she finds a family she never expected. A sweet romance.

Highly recommended. I can’t get enough of this series. Both books (one and two) have been completely different and I’ve enjoyed them both equally. I would definitely listen/read more from this author.

*ARC in exchange for an honest review. It’s a 5 from me.

[Rellim · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/6/2021 - Relisten as I just got a copy of audio for book 4, One & Only.

Audiobook.

This was my first experience with this author and this narrator. I was also stretching my wings a bit and listening to a style & setting outside my norm. I'm happy to say that I enjoyed the experience.

M.K. Chester takes us to the 1940's where Elizabeth Temple has just arrived in small town Bryeton to become a new school teacher. She quickly befriends Jake, the father of one of her students. Jake is in the process of divorce after he and Charlie were abandoned by Jake's wife. Small town gossip and meddling only play a small part in the forces bringing Jake & Elizabeth together. I did find that it was a little slow at times and slightly predictable, but overall it was an enjoyable book. I plan to continue the series.

Note: While part of a series, all the Bryeton Books are set in different eras with no overlapping characters or events. These truly stand alone and can be listened to in any order.

Update: One & Only (book 4) was released since this review and it has a slight connection to The Bootlegger’s Bride (book 2).

Elizabeth Kelly has a lovely and soothing voice, perfect for a small town closed door romance. I felt like she gave each character a fairly unique voice and it was so easy to be totally consumed by the story.

While I received a free copy of this audiobook from Story Origin, I purchased Bryeton Books: A Vintage Romance Box Set.

[Kady Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this audiobook set after the second world war. The main character moves to a small town to become a teacher. She has a secret which she hopes will stay buried from both friends and family. Having moved away from her family she thinks her problem is solved until she meets a local single father who's young son is in her class. It's not long before sparks start to fly. However, there is a few twists and turns in the plot to keep the couple apart. The story moves along at a good pace. The characters are good, although I wasn't that fond of the main female. I found her a little cold in some parts of the plot. Maybe that was more to do with the era in which this tale takes place, when attitudes were different. The narrator did good work with the narration, character voices, and production. I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

MK Chester's All in Good Time started my afternoon off yesterday, and I was completely engrossed in the story! Elizabeth has come to Bryeton to escape her family and begin her life as a spinster. She is the town school teacher and did not count on falling for both Jake Ryan and his son, Charlie. Jake is a war veteran and a single father left by his wife. He did not plan on finding love again, but when Elizabeth comes into his life, he realizes things are changing. I loved the style in which MK Chester wrote this story. She includes several tropes, single fatherhood and second chances at love which are melded together and create a feeling of hope. There are a few unexpected twists, some playground scuffles and a lot of heart warming love. I think Charlie is the star of this one, his secondary story is one I see happening even in today's world and love how Chester handled him. He is a great little boy!

This is my first narration by Elizabeth Kelly, and I really enjoyed her performance. She has a beautifully, melodic voice, kept the characters easily distinguishable and her pace was perfect. I will look for more by her.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book and really enjoyed it. Set in the late 1940's, it is reminiscent of the sweeter, cleaner romance found in those days. The main character, Elizabeth, has a health issue that makes her think less of herself. She has basically run away from everything and everyone she knows rather that reveal her problem. Her plan is to remain a spinster the rest of her life.
Enter Jake and Charlie. Charlie is a student in Elizabeth's first grade class and Jake is his father. Jake is doing his best by Charlie, but has his own problems to deal with. Attraction between Elizabeth and Jake is untimely and, Elizabeth thinks, impossible. If she's brave enough to share her secret, will it be the end of them or just the beginning?
The narration by Elizabeth Kelly was very well done.

[J.M. Spade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. The narrator was awesome! It's a small town love story and it gave me all I expected it to!

[Alina Tache · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit that romances haven't been my thing since I was a teen (and now I'm 32). I only chose this book because I thought the cover was very beautiful and because the book blurb mentioned that the main character is "hiding a painful secret that haunts her". In the end, I am incredibly happy with my choice, this book is definitely worth it! I loved that it's mid 20th century, southern small town, so the relationships and society were simply lovely. The main characters is wonderfully written and we don't get to find out her secret right away - it builds up.

I will not reveal the secret here, I don't wanna give spoilers, but I just want to say it is a problem that many women face these days and in the past it was all hushed-hushed. Some people have the hush-hush reaction even today. So, for me, it was a breath of fresh air to see a woman with this "secret" in a book. We, as a society, need to talk more about the "secret" precisely because of how Elizabeth Temple (the main character) felt because of it - no woman should suffer it alone, in silence.

Back to the actual book, I also loved the plot and the way it twisted and turned, it was quite entertaining. The narrator is also very fitting, somehow I feel Elizabeth Kelly is the perfect voice for the story.

My only complaint is that we get only one book about these characters! When I saw it was part of a series, I was hoping for more about them, but the books are stand-alone. I guess some people will like that.

[Gina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arriving at a small boarding house far from her hometown, Elizabeth is running from a secret. Her only plan now, is to live her life as a spinster, teaching at the small, Philadelphian school house. Falling in love is out of the question.

Raising his son, Charlie alone, Jake needs to move on and forget about the wife that left them. Jake also harbors a secret of why his wife left...and the life she is now living. A new start, a new home is all Jake and Charlie need. Until Jake meets Charlie's new teacher, Elizabeth.

Rumors fly in a small town, and this is why Elizabeth must contain her feelings for Jake. And the fact of why she must never marry. However, when you run from your past, you may be following your heart and what you thought you could never have, will come 'All In Good Time.'

A great historical romance of starting over and realizing that you've got a new story to write...and it looks nothing like your past.

The narrator did a fine job telling the story. I would suggest some pausing between different scenes.

[Miss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. I devoured it quickly, too impatient to wait for what would happen next. I was caught up in the drama, invested in each character's story, and rooting for the 2 main characters. The excitement and nervousness that comes with love was well portrayed and mimicked that of my own love story. It was a wholesome, feel-good story, that felt real. We all go through tragedy, all of us. The characters were no different and their stories felt both believable and interesting.

The narrator was wonderful! I thought she did a fabulous job. I gave 4 stars for only a few reasons and they are: a lot of weird background noises during recording, her child's voice for Charlie was grating against my brain, and the recording wasn't quite fluid throughout (weird pauses, obvious changes in recording times, etc.)

I think my favorite part of the story was the Willow tree in the rain scene. It was beautiful and, as a southern girl myself, a believable refuge.

Thank you for a beautiful story. I look forward to more.

Read it, y'all.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

what is a young and pretty yankee teacher doing in a small southern town? Elisabeth is not going to let her secret out. But when she meets little Charlie in her first day at school her heart goes to him. And the more she knows about him and his father the nore difficult is to resist both of them. Can they find happiness again together? The audiobook is great. I received a free copy of this audiobook and I voluntarily review it

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this audio book for an honest review. This is my first book by MK Chester. I loved listening to book #1 in the Bryeton Series. The characters were well developed. & had great chemistry. I was immediately drawn into this story. Elizabeth’s medical issues & Jake’s wife walking out on him & their son are both heartbreaking. They found love when neither thought it was possible. I’m looking forward to reading/listening to more books by this author.

[Isis Ray-sisco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book by this author. This is the second story I have enjoyed and I would read another book by them. The plot moves along at a nice pace, the characters are lovable and well rounded. I fell in love with them and found myself fully engaged in their lives. I would highly recommend this author to others and will add them to my "auto read" list.

[Patricia Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful plot, and characters that will steal your heart. This book drew me in and wouldn't let me go until the end. I received a free copy of the audio version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jocelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Elizabeth and Jake's story. This is a beautifully written, sweet, and clean story. Elizabeth Kelly did a great job with the narration, and I enjoyed my listening.

[Kimberly Westrope · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story seemed to move a bit slow at times, but it is a good story. A sweet, clean romance that takes place in the late 1940s, it has endearing characters and an engaging story line. I really liked the romance in the story. Will probably read more from this author.

I listened to the audio version of this story and narrator, Elizabeth Kelly, did a good job bring the story to life.

[bluepits73 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of this book.

A light sweet romance. At the time this book takes place, there is a healthy amount of drama. I liked how the two main characters kind of resist the chemistry between themselves. The author does a great job of developing the characters and their relationship. I don't think I related to Elizabeth or the story as well as I would have liked, but it was still a pretty good story with some unexpected moments .

I thought the narrator did a good job of being clear and consistent. Her voice captures the time period well and I think she did a pretty good job bringing these characters to life.

I received a review copy at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.