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Practically Married
Practically Married
She moved to a new town to marry her fiancé. Instead, she’s burying him.
Ashley Johnson moved to northern Michigan to finally meet her fiancé face-to-face, but she arrived in time to attend his funeral. With no home back in Ohio, she decides to stay in what would have been their house, except his cousin Russ lives there too, and Russ has never heard of Ashley. To complicate matters, her fiancé accidentally willed her the family farm house. Eager to please everyone and desperate to disappoint no one, she proposes a marriage of convenience that could solve her and Russ’ problems, if they can get past her aunt, his sisters, and an ex-girlfriend.
Ashley Johnson moved to northern Michigan to finally meet her fiancé face-to-face, but she arrived in time to attend his funeral. With no home back in Ohio, she decides to stay in what would have been their house, except his cousin Russ lives there too, and Russ has never heard of Ashley. To complicate matters, her fiancé accidentally willed her the family farm house. Eager to please everyone and desperate to disappoint no one, she proposes a marriage of convenience that could solve her and Russ’ problems, if they can get past her aunt, his sisters, and an ex-girlfriend.
316 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2019
78 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Karin Beery
8 books160 followersHopeful fiction with a healthy dose of romance.
I fell in romance when I read Ned and Nancy (Drew) and Maryanne and Logan (The Baby-Sitters Club). I've been reading and writing them ever since.
A native Michigander, I love the water, all the seasons, and the University of Michigan football. I still live in Michigan with my husband and four fur babies.
I fell in romance when I read Ned and Nancy (Drew) and Maryanne and Logan (The Baby-Sitters Club). I've been reading and writing them ever since.
A native Michigander, I love the water, all the seasons, and the University of Michigan football. I still live in Michigan with my husband and four fur babies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
October 29, 2019
PRACTICALLY MARRIED by Karin Beery is a crazy good story. Ashley Johnson sells her home in Ohio and moves to Michigan to finally meet her fiancé. Yes, you read that right. Even though she hasn't talked to him in a few weeks she decides to go ahead with her plans. She figures the reason why she hasn't heard from him is because he is out in the wilderness hunting, and he probably can't get a signal. Oh boy! Ashley couldn't be more wrong.
Karin Beery has a way of pulling you in and never letting you go! She will get you emotionally invested in all of her characters, where you feel as if they are "real" people that you know. I felt like I was back visiting old friends and making new ones along the way. When Ashley arrives in Michigan she is told that Tom has died and that's why she hasn't heard from him. Ashley can't believe no one called her and told her what happened. When she finds out why she never got that phone call she doesn't know what to think. Tom never told anyone about her! What??
The community of Lakeland, Michigan is filled with likable characters that you could see yourself becoming friends with. The women are strong and faithful to their families and the men are always trying to help them out. PRACTICALLY MARRIED is going to put you right in the middle of the orchards with all its problems! Ashley finds out that Tom left her his family home! What?? I'm telling you, this story is crazy good. Russ, Tom's cousin, lives in the house and is livid at Tom for one, not telling him about Ashley and two, for leaving her the family homestead! Ashley decides to stay in Michigan and give it a go all the while, with Russ still living in the house.
The peek into these characters lives shows you how people deal differently with their problems. Sometimes it's funny and other times it left a lump in my throat. I mean seriously, how can you not fall in love with these people and get all up in their business? PRACTICALLY MARRIED is filled with family, new beginnings, getting over the past, love and loss. This story is a very heart tugging tale in Lakeland, Michigan and I loved every minute of it. The pages aren't filled with romance but there is plenty of it. You will be believing in happily ever after and finding yourself wanting to pack you bags and moving to Lakeland.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from CelebrateLit. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.
November 1, 2019
This book was the epitome of bittersweet. Bitter, because of the tragedy that lead the main characters together, as well as the losses they suffered in their respective pasts. Sweet, because they kept on living, holding fast to their families, and finding a new kind of support in each other. The hero is dealing with the loss of his best friend and cousin… who has accidentally made him homeless. And the heroine put her whole future on the life of a dead man who made her his secret. It was hilarious to watch the two try to figure each other and everything out that put them legally at odds, even when their mutual attraction and special bond pulled them closer together. Their decisions made sense, though I couldn’t blame his sisters’ reactions either… I especially emphasized with the heroine, though, with her struggles with sleepwalking and fear of snow. Ew, snow… But, oh, the ending- if only it didn’t come so soon.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, and the opinions are my own.
First published on my blog: https://agencyofbooksandspies.blogspo...
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, and the opinions are my own.
First published on my blog: https://agencyofbooksandspies.blogspo...
October 27, 2019
I was drawn to this story because I live in Michigan, a little farther south than this story is set, but close enough to recognize the landmarks. And I loooooove marriage of convenience stories. This one didn't quite live up to my expectations, though. I wasn't crazy about the writing style. There were many times I had to go back and re-read to figure out what the author meant. And I just feel like the whole premise was really unlikely. I understand that contemporary marriages of convenience are hard to do well, but there was just too much that was so unbelievable in this. A "ghost will" based on a few lines in a letter? A 35 year old woman who can't get a job and live on her own? My main issue though was Ashely's wishy-washiness. Cry me a river, girl. Get over it. 3 stars because it was a decent read. I felt like there were too many supporting characters, but I did enjoy Russ's family. They reminded me quite a bit of my own. Oh! One more thing: nobody uses the number 2 in text messages in place of the word "to" that much!!
October 26, 2021
Fun Marriage of Convenience
This book has a fun plot. Modern day marriage of convenience is always interesting but not always believable. I could easily imagine the way they meet, the relationship and the family dynamics. The characters are really well done. It was the plot’s conflict I had trouble buying into. I’m pretty lenient when reading fiction and will let things slide if the story is good but this one was a bit hard to throughly enjoy because the conflict wasn’t plausible in my reader mind. I also felt Ashley was too wishy washy. For a 35 year old woman I felt like she should’ve been more mature. 3 1/2 stars. Love the fall cover!
This book has a fun plot. Modern day marriage of convenience is always interesting but not always believable. I could easily imagine the way they meet, the relationship and the family dynamics. The characters are really well done. It was the plot’s conflict I had trouble buying into. I’m pretty lenient when reading fiction and will let things slide if the story is good but this one was a bit hard to throughly enjoy because the conflict wasn’t plausible in my reader mind. I also felt Ashley was too wishy washy. For a 35 year old woman I felt like she should’ve been more mature. 3 1/2 stars. Love the fall cover!
March 15, 2023
don't judge a book by its cover
The cover looked directly so by bad but it was actually really cute. The girl was annoying though, so indecisive
The cover looked directly so by bad but it was actually really cute. The girl was annoying though, so indecisive
October 22, 2019
I think it would be very challenging to attempt to write a believable, contemporary marriage of convenience love story. Karin Beery took on that challenge—and her characters are very lovable. I enjoy a good romance, even knowing how the story is going to end. And given the “happily ever after” ending that is expected, the story itself needs to grab me in order to satisfy my reader heart.
Practically Married by Karin Beery has a good premise. Main character, Ashley Johnson, shows up at a farm to marry a man she’s never actually met, although they’ve become very close friends via the Internet. Unfortunately, when she shows up as planned, she discovers he’s been killed in a hiking accident. Although he’s supposedly from a very close-knit family, no one has ever heard of Ashley.
I had a few problems with the story line. First, the conflict that needs to be evident to keep a reader reading seems contrived. For example, the dead fiancé “accidentally” willed the family house and farm to her. The details of said will are sketchy and unbelievable, and any first-year lawyer would have thrown it out, but it’s used as a launching pad for family tension.
Then in a blink of an eye, Ashley proposes to the dead fiancé’s, cousin, reasoning that since they’re both unattached, they might as well get married. It’ll be a marriage of convenience, just like she was expecting when she first arrived on the scene. Russ, Ashley’s new fiancé, seems happy to oblige, although he’s got some ex-stalker-girlfriend waiting in the wings to add some more weak drama. I had a difficult time buying their reasons for agreeing to the marriage of convenience because there was no in-depth backstory to justify it for either of them.
Beery uses multiple sisters, wedding slip-ups and a flaky main character to keep the action going, but by the time the couple decides to say, “I do,” I lost interest in whether they did or didn’t.
I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes, but the opinions are my own.
Practically Married by Karin Beery has a good premise. Main character, Ashley Johnson, shows up at a farm to marry a man she’s never actually met, although they’ve become very close friends via the Internet. Unfortunately, when she shows up as planned, she discovers he’s been killed in a hiking accident. Although he’s supposedly from a very close-knit family, no one has ever heard of Ashley.
I had a few problems with the story line. First, the conflict that needs to be evident to keep a reader reading seems contrived. For example, the dead fiancé “accidentally” willed the family house and farm to her. The details of said will are sketchy and unbelievable, and any first-year lawyer would have thrown it out, but it’s used as a launching pad for family tension.
Then in a blink of an eye, Ashley proposes to the dead fiancé’s, cousin, reasoning that since they’re both unattached, they might as well get married. It’ll be a marriage of convenience, just like she was expecting when she first arrived on the scene. Russ, Ashley’s new fiancé, seems happy to oblige, although he’s got some ex-stalker-girlfriend waiting in the wings to add some more weak drama. I had a difficult time buying their reasons for agreeing to the marriage of convenience because there was no in-depth backstory to justify it for either of them.
Beery uses multiple sisters, wedding slip-ups and a flaky main character to keep the action going, but by the time the couple decides to say, “I do,” I lost interest in whether they did or didn’t.
I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes, but the opinions are my own.
December 14, 2019
Karin has once again created charming yet believable characters. What I loved most about this book was the surprising peek, much later in the story, into WHY the main character was behaving as she was... how she'd let her past experiences and her loved ones influence her decisions more than she should have. I could relate so much to the maturing process she had to go through and this added real depth to the story. (Hmm, I'm thinking Hallmark might like this one!) :)
October 22, 2019
A sweet contemporary marriage of convenience story
It is fun to read modern-day marriage of convenience stories. It is obvious what could have motivated a couple to marry without being in love a hundred or more years ago, but today? Why would anyone do that? Part of what makes Practically Married fun is that with the same woman you get to see two different reasons why she would do this.
At first, it isn’t obvious how much Ashley makes decisions based on what she thinks will please those around her. After all, she is setting off on her own to marry a man she has never met in person, despite what her elderly aunt and uncle think. However, as the story progresses, it becomes obvious that she struggles with fears of having people displeased with her. She was so sweet, always wanting to help. Even if it meant waking up at the crack of dawn to make breakfast. Although that may not have worked out just as she intended!
Russ was an interesting hero; especially being close to forty and never married. He was very kind and so dedicated to his work. And even though he had sisters, he was rather clueless about women. Still, his sweet care of Ashley, even before he realized he cared for her, showed more of his character.
While the outcome was as expected, the story took enough unexpected twists to keep it interesting.
Read my full review at Among the Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
It is fun to read modern-day marriage of convenience stories. It is obvious what could have motivated a couple to marry without being in love a hundred or more years ago, but today? Why would anyone do that? Part of what makes Practically Married fun is that with the same woman you get to see two different reasons why she would do this.
At first, it isn’t obvious how much Ashley makes decisions based on what she thinks will please those around her. After all, she is setting off on her own to marry a man she has never met in person, despite what her elderly aunt and uncle think. However, as the story progresses, it becomes obvious that she struggles with fears of having people displeased with her. She was so sweet, always wanting to help. Even if it meant waking up at the crack of dawn to make breakfast. Although that may not have worked out just as she intended!
Russ was an interesting hero; especially being close to forty and never married. He was very kind and so dedicated to his work. And even though he had sisters, he was rather clueless about women. Still, his sweet care of Ashley, even before he realized he cared for her, showed more of his character.
While the outcome was as expected, the story took enough unexpected twists to keep it interesting.
Read my full review at Among the Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
November 2, 2019
I wouldn’t exactly call this a marriage of convenience book, maybe more of an agreement of a marriage of convenience, but it’s obvious from early on that Russ and Ashley belong together.
As you can guess from the description of Practically Married, the beginning is someone sad and dismal but as Ashley finds comfort in the Michigan town and with Russ and his family, things lighten up.
Ashley is a people pleaser—to the point that her life decisions are affected by others. Russ is almost forty and ok with his life, but Ashley’s presence makes him long for more. In fact, I wondered more than once if maybe Tom’s intent was to get these two people together all along.
While you may have to suspend some disbelief regarding the questionable “will,” the relationship that grows between the two main characters is worth sticking around for. And all the other females in Russ’s life are forces to behold.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
As you can guess from the description of Practically Married, the beginning is someone sad and dismal but as Ashley finds comfort in the Michigan town and with Russ and his family, things lighten up.
Ashley is a people pleaser—to the point that her life decisions are affected by others. Russ is almost forty and ok with his life, but Ashley’s presence makes him long for more. In fact, I wondered more than once if maybe Tom’s intent was to get these two people together all along.
While you may have to suspend some disbelief regarding the questionable “will,” the relationship that grows between the two main characters is worth sticking around for. And all the other females in Russ’s life are forces to behold.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
November 5, 2019
Funny, sweet Christian romance about a modern day marriage of convenience.
Ashley and Russ were good main characters in this story but I didn't like how indecisive and what a "people pleaser" Ashley was. It took some time for people including Russ to warm up to Ashley and rightly so. Ashley was a sweet character and worked hard with the farm and with her relationships. I also liked Russ's family and their interactions throughout the book. I love large families!
The story was interesting with a steady plot from beginning to end. Probably not something I would read again, but it was still good.
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
Ashley and Russ were good main characters in this story but I didn't like how indecisive and what a "people pleaser" Ashley was. It took some time for people including Russ to warm up to Ashley and rightly so. Ashley was a sweet character and worked hard with the farm and with her relationships. I also liked Russ's family and their interactions throughout the book. I love large families!
The story was interesting with a steady plot from beginning to end. Probably not something I would read again, but it was still good.
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
November 3, 2019
I read this book through Kindle Unlimited and thoroughly enjoyed it from the start to the finish. The situation that the characters find themselves in is definitely unusual, however, I thought that the author did a good job setting up the reasons behind why these two people might choose to enter into a marriage as an arrangement instead of through the normal means of falling in love with someone.
However, there is much more to the story than the initial reasons that brought these characters together. I thought that the author gave them very interesting back stories and created good tension and attraction between them. This book was definitely an original twist on a marriage of covenience story.
However, there is much more to the story than the initial reasons that brought these characters together. I thought that the author gave them very interesting back stories and created good tension and attraction between them. This book was definitely an original twist on a marriage of covenience story.
October 8, 2019
I enjoyed this story, and what really started out as a very sad beginning, ended with smiles.
A very small-town setting, and with winter that won’t leave, and this is where a young woman places her destiny and sells her possessions to go and live and actually marry a man she has never met.
A burned farmer is surprised to have this woman show up, and as the story unfolds, surprises come about. As a Mom, I would be shocked to have my child do what these two are about, and the family sure does let them know.
A page-turning fun read!
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
A very small-town setting, and with winter that won’t leave, and this is where a young woman places her destiny and sells her possessions to go and live and actually marry a man she has never met.
A burned farmer is surprised to have this woman show up, and as the story unfolds, surprises come about. As a Mom, I would be shocked to have my child do what these two are about, and the family sure does let them know.
A page-turning fun read!
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
October 24, 2019
A modern-day marriage of convenience.
The premise of this story peaked my interest. It starts off a bit sad, while at the same time had me cringing inward at what the characters do/did. I could envision so many terrible things that could happen to Ashley (Perhaps I watch too many crime shows). After lots of twists, turns, a few misunderstandings, and surprises, it all wraps up to a sweet HEA (Happy Ever After).
While I did have some issues with the story and at times it was less then believable, and the main character got on my nerves a bit. Overall was an enjoyable and quick read and a fresh take on a popular old trope.
The premise of this story peaked my interest. It starts off a bit sad, while at the same time had me cringing inward at what the characters do/did. I could envision so many terrible things that could happen to Ashley (Perhaps I watch too many crime shows). After lots of twists, turns, a few misunderstandings, and surprises, it all wraps up to a sweet HEA (Happy Ever After).
While I did have some issues with the story and at times it was less then believable, and the main character got on my nerves a bit. Overall was an enjoyable and quick read and a fresh take on a popular old trope.
October 9, 2019
I loved this book! It's a modern marriage of convenience story that works because the characters are engaging, practical, and have their personal issues to deal with. Loved the setting of Northern Michigan - of course! - but part of the story was set in Florida as well. Another thing I loved was that the author brought in multiple minor characters of all ages. Kids go a long way toward making a story real and relatable. I lost sleep for a couple of nights. It was very hard to put down.
November 26, 2019
If you enjoy a clean romance with happy ending you will like this book. I just wish it had an epilogue to give a further glance after the book ending.
February 13, 2023
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January 6, 2021
Ashley traveled to northern Michigan to meet her fiancée, Tom, for the first time. They had connected online. And in her own way, she loves him. Once she arrives, she discovers that he passed away in an accident. His family knew nothing about her. And to their shock, she was left part of their family farm. Ashley proposes a marriage of convenience to his cousin, Russ. That way she has a place to stay, and his family does not lose the farm.
I think the author did an excellent job of developing Ashley and Russ' relationship. The moment that it seems like their connection is too quick, there is conflict that they have to work through. Commitment is the key. I would definitely read more books by this author.
I think the author did an excellent job of developing Ashley and Russ' relationship. The moment that it seems like their connection is too quick, there is conflict that they have to work through. Commitment is the key. I would definitely read more books by this author.
May 21, 2023
I really appreciated that the story gives the main characters a chance to be individuals before their paths intersect. Both are compelling characters, though they make some leaps in logic that I didn't follow despite them agreeing with each other.
The extended family is vividly depicted, and I laughed out loud so many times.
Every time it seems like the story's biggest conflict is about to be resolved, something comes up, and it's never something dull or predictable or such.
Happy ending, if not quite what I expected after the struggle to get to that point, lol.
The extended family is vividly depicted, and I laughed out loud so many times.
Every time it seems like the story's biggest conflict is about to be resolved, something comes up, and it's never something dull or predictable or such.
Happy ending, if not quite what I expected after the struggle to get to that point, lol.
June 21, 2020
Great story!!! So sad! Many twists and turns within the story! I loved it! Couldn't put it down!! To go from losing your fiance before even meeting in person, to living with strangers who don't even know you exist. That would be hard, but I loved Ashley's go-to it perspective and to find a sweet relationship between her and Russ amidst the chaos of their lives and current situation.. Beautiful!!!
December 28, 2020
I adored this story.
Russell and Ashley gave me a real book hangover, and I had a hard time putting the story down. I may or may not have woken people up with an audible "Oh no!" at Rob Kraft's line at the end of the next to the last chapter.
I loved the end too, it did seem fitting, except I really wished we had gotten an extra chapter at the end, or at the very least an epilogue. I wanted to see more of Ashley and Russell together.
This book is going to stay high on my list of favorites!
Russell and Ashley gave me a real book hangover, and I had a hard time putting the story down. I may or may not have woken people up with an audible "Oh no!" at Rob Kraft's line at the end of the next to the last chapter.
I loved the end too, it did seem fitting, except I really wished we had gotten an extra chapter at the end, or at the very least an epilogue. I wanted to see more of Ashley and Russell together.
This book is going to stay high on my list of favorites!
November 24, 2020
A sweet story about a young woman who traveled to an Apple orchard in Michigan to marry a man only to learn that he had been killed in an accident before she arrived. The young woman had recently lost her parents and sold their home and then learns that Tom, her deceased husband-to-be is not the sole owner of the house. Tom had given her the deed to the house but she learns that Tom's cousin Russ is the co-owner of the house. Read to see how they worked all this out.
September 3, 2020
Very emotional Story
This book was absolutely FANTASTIC.It was a great story & well written. It just pulled you in & there was no putting it down.It had everything you could want in a story & without a lot of sex.So enjoyable to read.
This book was absolutely FANTASTIC.It was a great story & well written. It just pulled you in & there was no putting it down.It had everything you could want in a story & without a lot of sex.So enjoyable to read.
September 4, 2020
Ashley's Big Decision
Ashley had planned her life around making everyone else's desires for her. She must finally make a decision for herself, not what she thinks they want for her.
Ashley had planned her life around making everyone else's desires for her. She must finally make a decision for herself, not what she thinks they want for her.
November 2, 2020
Refreshingly original contemporary romance by new author, Karin Beery. Great characters, beautifully written with vivid settings, and the most original plot I've read in a sweet romance in a long time. Looking forward to more from this author.
April 27, 2021
Commitment engagement!
First book I’ve read by this author!! I absolutely loved it!! The storyline will keep you on the edge of your seat!! There are surprises, interfering friends and family, and a lot of kisses!!! Clean romantic story that you will love!!
First book I’ve read by this author!! I absolutely loved it!! The storyline will keep you on the edge of your seat!! There are surprises, interfering friends and family, and a lot of kisses!!! Clean romantic story that you will love!!
June 3, 2022
Enjoyed it
I really loved this story but felt the ending was rushed and just very abrupt. I wanted more and didn't get it. That well not stop me from reading another book by her though.
I really loved this story but felt the ending was rushed and just very abrupt. I wanted more and didn't get it. That well not stop me from reading another book by her though.
July 28, 2024
wonderful, sweet, clean romance
I really enjoyed this book! I read the 2nd one first, it’s best to read them in order…I wanted to get the background. It’s very good with a light faith thread.
I really enjoyed this book! I read the 2nd one first, it’s best to read them in order…I wanted to get the background. It’s very good with a light faith thread.
April 1, 2020
Great book
I loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down, and read it in just 2 days. It was a true love story. It was great.
I loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down, and read it in just 2 days. It was a true love story. It was great.
April 18, 2020
Great Story
I enjoyed reading this book. I had never read this author before. I liked her story. It’s a sweet love story.
I enjoyed reading this book. I had never read this author before. I liked her story. It’s a sweet love story.
September 21, 2020
Making Lemonade
Awe, sometimes we are set on a path and it changes. Sometimes, previously made changes can lead to absolute failure, or, to true love ~
Awe, sometimes we are set on a path and it changes. Sometimes, previously made changes can lead to absolute failure, or, to true love ~
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews