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Misfit Brides #1
Blissed
Welcome To Bliss, the Bridal Capital of the Midwest!
Single mom Natalie Castellano isn’t feeling so blissful these days...
Natalie’s made a career out of screwing up all over her hometown. But it’s redemption time, and she’s putting on her big girl panties to make sure this year’s bridal festival goes off without a hitch. Even if it means she has to play nice with the man who broke her fairy tale.
She’s definitely not the one for him. Or is she...
World adventurer and reluctant local hero CJ Blue doesn’t want to be in Bliss anymore than Natalie wants him here. But family obligations have brought him back, and now he’s somehow been roped into saving the town tradition he’d rather forget with the woman whose kiss he can’t forget. She frustrates him and drives him nuts but he's had more fun giving her a hard time about the bridal festival than he has in years.
And their fun is just starting...
Despite their rocky past, these two wounded souls have more in common than they expect. They’ve both loved and lost, they’ve both tried to move on, and now they’ve both been been banned from the local church confessional after...well, they’re not supposed to talk about it. But by joining forces for the sake of Bliss, they might find the courage and the sparks to risk love one more time.
Note: BLISSED was previously published for like 5 minutes many years ago as THE HUSBAND GAMES. Publishers Weekly called it a "Marvelous romantic comedy" in a starred review and named it as a "Self-Published Star" of 2014.
Single mom Natalie Castellano isn’t feeling so blissful these days...
Natalie’s made a career out of screwing up all over her hometown. But it’s redemption time, and she’s putting on her big girl panties to make sure this year’s bridal festival goes off without a hitch. Even if it means she has to play nice with the man who broke her fairy tale.
She’s definitely not the one for him. Or is she...
World adventurer and reluctant local hero CJ Blue doesn’t want to be in Bliss anymore than Natalie wants him here. But family obligations have brought him back, and now he’s somehow been roped into saving the town tradition he’d rather forget with the woman whose kiss he can’t forget. She frustrates him and drives him nuts but he's had more fun giving her a hard time about the bridal festival than he has in years.
And their fun is just starting...
Despite their rocky past, these two wounded souls have more in common than they expect. They’ve both loved and lost, they’ve both tried to move on, and now they’ve both been been banned from the local church confessional after...well, they’re not supposed to talk about it. But by joining forces for the sake of Bliss, they might find the courage and the sparks to risk love one more time.
Note: BLISSED was previously published for like 5 minutes many years ago as THE HUSBAND GAMES. Publishers Weekly called it a "Marvelous romantic comedy" in a starred review and named it as a "Self-Published Star" of 2014.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2014
2496 people are currently reading
3855 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Farrell
17 books731 followersJamie Farrell writes humorous contemporary romance. She believes love and laughter are two of the most powerful forces in the universe.
A native Midwesterner, Jamie has lived in the South the majority of her adult life. When she's not writing, she and her military hero husband are busy raising three hilariously unpredictable children.
A native Midwesterner, Jamie has lived in the South the majority of her adult life. When she's not writing, she and her military hero husband are busy raising three hilariously unpredictable children.
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November 11, 2015
The Husband Games is book one in the Misfit Brides of Bliss series by Jamie Farrell. I first was introduced to this series and to this author when I read the novella Smittened which is #2.5 in the series. I read it in the Snowy Days, Steamy Nights anthology of which Jamie Farrell is one of the authors. Right then and there, I was hooked.
Natalie Castellano lives in Bliss, Illinois, The Most Married-est Town on Earth, or so they want you to believe. The town comes complete with a HUGE wedding cake monument down town in what they call the Aisle. It is a section of town full of wedding shops, bakeries, and all things matrimonially blissful. The town is getting ready to celebrate the annual “Husband Games” but this year is special. It is the 50th anniversary of the games. The festival is run by Marian Elias or the Queen General as Natalie has dubbed her. Marian feels it is inappropriate for anyone who is “divorced” to be working on the aisle. This definitely would not be fitting with the town’s theme. And Natalie is divorced. Her family owns Bliss Bridal which is one of the aisle’s wedding shops. Ever since her mother’s sudden death six months ago, Natalie has been running the shop.
C.J. Blue lost his wife five years ago during her deployment while serving her country. C.J. has spent the last five years traveling all over the world, engaging in one death defying act after another. He is back in Bliss for his sister’s wedding. The Queen General wants him to play in the games to honor his late wife and of course, for publicity. C.J. wants nothing more than to attend the wedding and then get out of town, as fast as he can. But things don’t always go as you might have planned.
Nat blames one person for the demise of her marriage five years ago. C.J. Blue. But now, all these years later, she has one thing that she wouldn’t change for the world from that marriage, a fantastic, and probably the most adorable little four year old boy that has ever existed, Noah.
Circumstances keep C.J. in Bliss and keep putting him in the path of Natalie. The more time they spend together, the stronger the attraction between them becomes. And Natalie’s long slumbering “lady bits” are slowly awakened.
Get ready for some gushing here because I can’t hold it in anymore. This book was fantastically, completely awesome. First, it was hilarious. C.J. has eleven sisters and one brother. His brother is a priest named Basil. But C.J. has so many other mental names for his brother such as His Holy Piousness, His Holy Wimpiness, or His Holy Obnoxiousness. I would bust out laughing at the endless supply of new names for Basil. C.J. and Natalie have their first conversation in the church’s confessional, not realizing who the other was. There are just so many hilarious moments.
Whenever you have a sweet child in a book, I’m a goner. And little Noah stole my heart right from the beginning. Noah with his endless chatter, his love of baseball, and his orange stuffed Stegosaurus named Cindy that Nat made wedding dresses for. And Noah who worshipped C.J.
C.J. and Natalie both have issues of their own to work out. Natalie has been pushed around by the Queen General due to the fact that she’s a divorcee working on the aisle. And did I mention that the Queen General owns a bakery which just happens to be right next door to the wedding shop? Natalie has been doing everything she can to keep the shop running and to help make the husband games the best they have ever been to honor her mother. But with the QG sabotaging her at every turn and Nat burning the candle at both ends, something has to give.
C.J. is still dealing with his own issues revolving around his short marriage. He can’t let himself get too attached to little Noah and his mother. He is not staying in Bliss. He is not the settling down type. But with eleven meddling sisters and one meddling brother, does he even have a chance?
There is so much more I could say about this book and it’s awesomeness. The secondary characters were so fantastic. The QG’s own daugher, Kimmie, who was Nat’s probably best friend, was hilarious with all her crazy dreams and fortunes. How she could ever be Marion’s daughter I’ll never know. And Natalie’s sister Lindsey! There definitely seems to be a story there as well.
This is one of those books that you just don’t want to stop reading. That you wake up in the middle of the night thinking about the characters. I definitely want to go back to Bliss and get to know more of the residents there. Book two, Battle of the Boyfriends will be the next book released. And you can bet I will be first in line to read it. I definitely am now a fan of Jamie Farrell’s and am looking forward to exploring her other books. So, after I have rattled on and on, I hope the one thing you have gotten from this review is that this book is amazing, sweet, funny, a little sad at times, and just wonderful. I loved it and I hope you will too!
August 22, 2016
I hated this book, every single female in it was either the cunt bitch from hell (and I don't use that lightly,) or the dirt under a doormat they were so spineless and belittled.
Humiliation, degradation and brutal put downs are not the stuff of fantasy funny chick lit romance.
It is wrong and it is NOT FUNNY. I felt so bad for the poor woman who is the heroine in this story, yet her continual spinelessness and stupidity make it seem as tho she deserves it.
I was disgusted and angry the entire book, and no one is supposed to come out of a chick lit romance wishing for a meteoroid to wipe out the entire town and all who are in it. Yet that is what happened here and I don't think there is enough brain bleach in all the universe to help me forget I ever read this book.
Humiliation, degradation and brutal put downs are not the stuff of fantasy funny chick lit romance.
It is wrong and it is NOT FUNNY. I felt so bad for the poor woman who is the heroine in this story, yet her continual spinelessness and stupidity make it seem as tho she deserves it.
I was disgusted and angry the entire book, and no one is supposed to come out of a chick lit romance wishing for a meteoroid to wipe out the entire town and all who are in it. Yet that is what happened here and I don't think there is enough brain bleach in all the universe to help me forget I ever read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2016
This story drove me nuts because it was so unbelievable. I spent most of the story annoyed and angry and generally disliking everyone. That's not how I like my chick-lit or my fluffy romances to go. Because let's be honest. This should have been a silly, fun, warm-fuzzy romance. It's called Blissed! But when I can't get through a single chapter without cringing at people's actions, becoming indignant, or becoming angry because once again Natalie, or some loser next to her, have done nothing to defend themselves, I simply cannot enjoy myself. And that's really disappointing because I grabbed this book because of the cute cover and the cute blurb. I wanted fun and cute. Meddling relatives sounds fun. But deranged committee leaders hell-bent on your destruction isn't so fun. Sadly, fun and cuteness I did not find until toward the end.
My main problem with this story was the characters, and I include the town of Bliss as a character. The characters in this story just were not endearing. Natalie, the heroine of the story, was a complete doormat. And the few times she grew a spine, she quickly lost it again. Drove me nuts. CJ, the hero, was just meh. I didn't find anything particularly special about him. Now Marilyn, the Queen General, was unbelievably horrible. She was so rotten, and yet these people just cowered in her presence. Arthur, Natalie's Dad, was clueless and insensitive. I was so disappointed in him. Noah, Natalie's 4-year-old son, was cute but weird. Then there's the actual townsfolk of Bliss. They were the worst: cowardly, ridiculous, judgmental, just standing by while Natalie gets bullied. I hated this town. Lindsey, Natalie's sister, was one of the few people I actually liked. She, some of CJs siblings, and the guys at the bar, were the few sparks of light in this frustrating story.
Also, the writing style is also very odd. Sometimes it flows well and other times she throws these odd phrases and word choices in, and they don't quite catch me right. I think she's trying to be poetic or creative or something, but it comes across as odd, and not the good odd that I enjoy. I also found myself skimming a lot by the second half. This was mostly due to my annoyance. But the story also dragged, so that didn't help. I also found it odd that a book with so much cussing in it would be so brief about sex. It felt contradictory to me. Either tone down the cussing, and keep the sex scenes brief and fade-to-black. Or leave in the cussing, and heat up the sex scenes.
This was my first Jamie Farrell book. While I was disappointed, I am willing to give Jamie another chance. I did like Lindsey, and she will be the main feature in the next book of this series, so that gives me hope. Lindsey as the heroine, and the evil QG off the crazy train, gives me hope that the next story will suit me much better.
My main problem with this story was the characters, and I include the town of Bliss as a character. The characters in this story just were not endearing. Natalie, the heroine of the story, was a complete doormat. And the few times she grew a spine, she quickly lost it again. Drove me nuts. CJ, the hero, was just meh. I didn't find anything particularly special about him. Now Marilyn, the Queen General, was unbelievably horrible. She was so rotten, and yet these people just cowered in her presence. Arthur, Natalie's Dad, was clueless and insensitive. I was so disappointed in him. Noah, Natalie's 4-year-old son, was cute but weird. Then there's the actual townsfolk of Bliss. They were the worst: cowardly, ridiculous, judgmental, just standing by while Natalie gets bullied. I hated this town. Lindsey, Natalie's sister, was one of the few people I actually liked. She, some of CJs siblings, and the guys at the bar, were the few sparks of light in this frustrating story.
Also, the writing style is also very odd. Sometimes it flows well and other times she throws these odd phrases and word choices in, and they don't quite catch me right. I think she's trying to be poetic or creative or something, but it comes across as odd, and not the good odd that I enjoy. I also found myself skimming a lot by the second half. This was mostly due to my annoyance. But the story also dragged, so that didn't help. I also found it odd that a book with so much cussing in it would be so brief about sex. It felt contradictory to me. Either tone down the cussing, and keep the sex scenes brief and fade-to-black. Or leave in the cussing, and heat up the sex scenes.
This was my first Jamie Farrell book. While I was disappointed, I am willing to give Jamie another chance. I did like Lindsey, and she will be the main feature in the next book of this series, so that gives me hope. Lindsey as the heroine, and the evil QG off the crazy train, gives me hope that the next story will suit me much better.
December 22, 2014
I truly enjoy reading chick lit, so I'm not sure why this book didn't take me for the ride I had expected. But, it didn't seem remotely credible, the characters were stilted and I didn't laugh once. Other readers have loved it, so who am I to say? It just wasn't the book for me.
February 25, 2015
I am sorry, but I didn't like this book. More than the story itself, it is the language that made me feel trapped. The style is a bit convoluted, lacking flow!!!
August 28, 2022
i get that it's an everyone wins ending but personally I don't think there was enough revenge.
March 4, 2015
The Husband Games by Jamie Farrell is a 2014 publication.
I could tell from the title this book was going to be fun and I was right. I read a lot of contemporary romance, Chick lit, romantic comedy and everything in between and I think sometimes these stories can start to repeat themselves after a while. So, it was so refreshing to pick up a contemporary romance that had a little imagination, was charming, sweet, and touching while making me smile at the same time.
The husband games is a fifty year old tradition in Bliss, Illinois. But, life is not very blissful for Natalie and CJ. Natalie finds herself in the awkward position of working on the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the husband games although she is no longer married and one of the most sought after participants is the man who is responsible for the demise of her marriage- CJ Blue- a man who won the games previously, but is now a widower.
CJ has been all over the world and lived more in the past few years than most do in a lifetime. But, family obligations have brought him back home just in time for the annual husband games. The whole town wants the popular CJ to come back for the big anniversary celebration as a tribute to his late wife, a military hero.
When Natalie and CJ meet in the most unusual of places, a little spark ignites between them. However, Natalie is having trouble with the bridal shop her father insist they continue to run despite the swift decline in business, not to mention the highly unstable Queen General who runs all the bridal activity in town, strongly dislikes the divorced Natalie. CJ is pressured to participate in the games and to please everyone else, he agrees, making confrontations with Natalie hard to avoid.
One thing you will need to remember is that while there is drama and some angst, this story is intended to be funny and whimsical. Occasionally the queen- a woman named Marilyn, took things so far overboard I thought she was delusional, and Natalie's father was too. Natalie did not stand up for herself and that was also too was extreme because I hate to see someone treated like a doormat and just stand there and allow it to continue, and I would hope in reality no one would allow themselves to be treated in such a manner without fighting back. However, if you keep reading you will understand Natalie has a method to her madness. She was a good person and really nice, just too nice. Natalie will eventually find the strength to make a stand, thank goodness. Her romance with CJ has him doing some hard soul searching and he will have some tough choices to make about his life.
Both these special characters have some issues to work through and plenty of room for emotional growth. Dealing with their personal lives and facing up to fear and grief was a major step for them, but some of that may have taken the chemistry away from the romance just a little. Having said that, I was absolutely delighted at the conclusion of the book. CJ was just dreamy as he swoops in and becomes Natalie favorite hero. 4 stars
I could tell from the title this book was going to be fun and I was right. I read a lot of contemporary romance, Chick lit, romantic comedy and everything in between and I think sometimes these stories can start to repeat themselves after a while. So, it was so refreshing to pick up a contemporary romance that had a little imagination, was charming, sweet, and touching while making me smile at the same time.
The husband games is a fifty year old tradition in Bliss, Illinois. But, life is not very blissful for Natalie and CJ. Natalie finds herself in the awkward position of working on the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the husband games although she is no longer married and one of the most sought after participants is the man who is responsible for the demise of her marriage- CJ Blue- a man who won the games previously, but is now a widower.
CJ has been all over the world and lived more in the past few years than most do in a lifetime. But, family obligations have brought him back home just in time for the annual husband games. The whole town wants the popular CJ to come back for the big anniversary celebration as a tribute to his late wife, a military hero.
When Natalie and CJ meet in the most unusual of places, a little spark ignites between them. However, Natalie is having trouble with the bridal shop her father insist they continue to run despite the swift decline in business, not to mention the highly unstable Queen General who runs all the bridal activity in town, strongly dislikes the divorced Natalie. CJ is pressured to participate in the games and to please everyone else, he agrees, making confrontations with Natalie hard to avoid.
One thing you will need to remember is that while there is drama and some angst, this story is intended to be funny and whimsical. Occasionally the queen- a woman named Marilyn, took things so far overboard I thought she was delusional, and Natalie's father was too. Natalie did not stand up for herself and that was also too was extreme because I hate to see someone treated like a doormat and just stand there and allow it to continue, and I would hope in reality no one would allow themselves to be treated in such a manner without fighting back. However, if you keep reading you will understand Natalie has a method to her madness. She was a good person and really nice, just too nice. Natalie will eventually find the strength to make a stand, thank goodness. Her romance with CJ has him doing some hard soul searching and he will have some tough choices to make about his life.
Both these special characters have some issues to work through and plenty of room for emotional growth. Dealing with their personal lives and facing up to fear and grief was a major step for them, but some of that may have taken the chemistry away from the romance just a little. Having said that, I was absolutely delighted at the conclusion of the book. CJ was just dreamy as he swoops in and becomes Natalie favorite hero. 4 stars
June 11, 2019
A whole town is blissed up and blissed out on Wedding theme 24/7. Cue the Wedding March, the Brides and Grooms, the famous annual Husband Games, and that perfect gown. Behind the scenes, love and happily after are hard to come by for divorced single mom, Natalie trying to run her mom's bridal shop, raise her son, and stay off the radar of the town bully who wants her gone.
I thought Blissed looked like a cute beginning of summer, quirky, small town romance. I was part right.
Blissed opens with divorced Natalie rushing to a bride's rescue at a big wedding only to bump into the man she blames for ruining her marriage. But, wait, there's more... she compounds her misery by being button-hold by the Queen General who runs The Aisle (aka Main Street Bliss and its wedding shops) and plans to run Natalie out of business and out of town. Not, that the threat from the QG is necessary when the family bridal shop is failing and she doesn't know how to tell her widowed father that she can't keep her mom's heritage afloat and she worries that she can support her son.
CJ Blue just wanted to avoid the drama at his sister's wedding and ducked into a confessional. A desperate woman pours her heart out to him and it turns out he's the man she blames for ruining her marriage. He's reeling from that one when he is accosted by a Bliss matriarch insisting he honor his late, young wife by participating in the Husband Games. He planned to get gone and go back to his extreme adventures and not contemplate that he's a young widower and still good pickings as far as the bride mart is concerned.
This pair needs to catch a break and find their opportunity during the town Husband Games festival.
Whelp, this one sounded light and fun and a little over the top. I thought it was something I wanted to read and I've enjoyed other books by the author so I settled in for an easy read. It wasn't long before I was strongly considering tapping out early.
For one, it went more over the top than I was in the mood to swallow. I've read books before about towns that are completely wrapped up in one theme all day- all year. I understood this, but for some reason, an all- Christmas or all-Halloween town didn't bug me as bad as an all-Wedding. The town of Bliss was a character of its own in this story and I chuckled at first and then got over that pretty quickly. I needed a break from the setting and the constant focus.
Then there is the Queen General. Queen B, more like. This woman has no civic authority, no major wealth, and is a shop owner like everyone else, but yet she is in charge of this town and they eagerly take up the torches and pitchforks at her rallying call to go after Natalie and a few others who are marginalized for... wait for it... being divorced. Seriously! This woman is bullying Nat because she's divorced. And, oh yeah, Natalie just takes it.
That leads me to Natalie. Doormat. I couldn't get behind her. I wanted to pull a drill sergeant and get in her face for a talking to. She blames CJ for her marriage breaking up. It was broken before CJ shares a kiss with her- and it was just a kiss. Her husband was looking for a reason to bail and he did. Nat had the idea that she could 'fix' him and make him what she wanted him to be. People tend to bow out when you do stuff like that. Then, she is running a business that her dad owns, but she wouldn't come clean and talk about the problems at the business. She's a champ at misdirection and shifting the issues around. The bully thing was as much Natalie giving the old bat her way as much as the woman being truly fierce. Natalie was just so passive.
I know some folks will be bothered that her four-year old boy liked wedding dresses, but so what, the boy likes to wear wedding dresses and dream of princess weddings. His family owns a bridal shop so its not that big of a stretch. Kids like to explore and imagine and find their way. He also likes dinosaurs and hanging out with grandpa.
Natalie's dad made me want to fume. I get it. His wife died and he's doing the best he can. But, he took some low-blow shots at Nat, knowing she's still licking her wounds after her marriage mistake, and later sided with the Queen B giving Nat the 'try to meet her half-way and get along' speech. He loved both his daughters and helped her and helped her with her son, but he had some bad dad moments, too.
CJ? Well, CJ was all right. He's faking it until he makes it. He's got a big boisterous family of sisters and he never opened up about what his marriage was really like or why he didn't want a new chance at one. I liked him and thought it was great when he fell for Natalie.
So, yeah, it went too far into the unbelievable quirkiness instead of just the fun kind and the characters irritated me more than anything else. It had some fun and sweet moments particularly in the latter half of the story when the Husband Games got into full swing. Actually, if it had been mostly that last half of the book, I might have liked this one more. I'm on the fence whether I'll pick up the next book. It's Natalie's sister Lindsey's book. I liked Lindsey and her story looks to be a good one so maybe I'll keep going and see what a change in some of the key players does for my enjoyment.
As far as recommending this one, I think several folks will enjoy it particularly if they got a different vibe off the characters and don't mind getting blissed out on wedding theme all through the book. It leans more toward a sweet romance, but there is a pinch of spice to it.
COYER Summer Scavenger Hunt clue: One word title 2 pts
I thought Blissed looked like a cute beginning of summer, quirky, small town romance. I was part right.
Blissed opens with divorced Natalie rushing to a bride's rescue at a big wedding only to bump into the man she blames for ruining her marriage. But, wait, there's more... she compounds her misery by being button-hold by the Queen General who runs The Aisle (aka Main Street Bliss and its wedding shops) and plans to run Natalie out of business and out of town. Not, that the threat from the QG is necessary when the family bridal shop is failing and she doesn't know how to tell her widowed father that she can't keep her mom's heritage afloat and she worries that she can support her son.
CJ Blue just wanted to avoid the drama at his sister's wedding and ducked into a confessional. A desperate woman pours her heart out to him and it turns out he's the man she blames for ruining her marriage. He's reeling from that one when he is accosted by a Bliss matriarch insisting he honor his late, young wife by participating in the Husband Games. He planned to get gone and go back to his extreme adventures and not contemplate that he's a young widower and still good pickings as far as the bride mart is concerned.
This pair needs to catch a break and find their opportunity during the town Husband Games festival.
Whelp, this one sounded light and fun and a little over the top. I thought it was something I wanted to read and I've enjoyed other books by the author so I settled in for an easy read. It wasn't long before I was strongly considering tapping out early.
For one, it went more over the top than I was in the mood to swallow. I've read books before about towns that are completely wrapped up in one theme all day- all year. I understood this, but for some reason, an all- Christmas or all-Halloween town didn't bug me as bad as an all-Wedding. The town of Bliss was a character of its own in this story and I chuckled at first and then got over that pretty quickly. I needed a break from the setting and the constant focus.
Then there is the Queen General. Queen B, more like. This woman has no civic authority, no major wealth, and is a shop owner like everyone else, but yet she is in charge of this town and they eagerly take up the torches and pitchforks at her rallying call to go after Natalie and a few others who are marginalized for... wait for it... being divorced. Seriously! This woman is bullying Nat because she's divorced. And, oh yeah, Natalie just takes it.
That leads me to Natalie. Doormat. I couldn't get behind her. I wanted to pull a drill sergeant and get in her face for a talking to. She blames CJ for her marriage breaking up. It was broken before CJ shares a kiss with her- and it was just a kiss. Her husband was looking for a reason to bail and he did. Nat had the idea that she could 'fix' him and make him what she wanted him to be. People tend to bow out when you do stuff like that. Then, she is running a business that her dad owns, but she wouldn't come clean and talk about the problems at the business. She's a champ at misdirection and shifting the issues around. The bully thing was as much Natalie giving the old bat her way as much as the woman being truly fierce. Natalie was just so passive.
I know some folks will be bothered that her four-year old boy liked wedding dresses, but so what, the boy likes to wear wedding dresses and dream of princess weddings. His family owns a bridal shop so its not that big of a stretch. Kids like to explore and imagine and find their way. He also likes dinosaurs and hanging out with grandpa.
Natalie's dad made me want to fume. I get it. His wife died and he's doing the best he can. But, he took some low-blow shots at Nat, knowing she's still licking her wounds after her marriage mistake, and later sided with the Queen B giving Nat the 'try to meet her half-way and get along' speech. He loved both his daughters and helped her and helped her with her son, but he had some bad dad moments, too.
CJ? Well, CJ was all right. He's faking it until he makes it. He's got a big boisterous family of sisters and he never opened up about what his marriage was really like or why he didn't want a new chance at one. I liked him and thought it was great when he fell for Natalie.
So, yeah, it went too far into the unbelievable quirkiness instead of just the fun kind and the characters irritated me more than anything else. It had some fun and sweet moments particularly in the latter half of the story when the Husband Games got into full swing. Actually, if it had been mostly that last half of the book, I might have liked this one more. I'm on the fence whether I'll pick up the next book. It's Natalie's sister Lindsey's book. I liked Lindsey and her story looks to be a good one so maybe I'll keep going and see what a change in some of the key players does for my enjoyment.
As far as recommending this one, I think several folks will enjoy it particularly if they got a different vibe off the characters and don't mind getting blissed out on wedding theme all through the book. It leans more toward a sweet romance, but there is a pinch of spice to it.
COYER Summer Scavenger Hunt clue: One word title 2 pts
February 26, 2015
First off I didn't love this one but I didn't hate it either. There were times I felt like giving up with it but there was something about this one that just made me want to keep reading. Although I can't put my finger on what it was. Maybe it was wanting to find out if CJ's real name was ever revealed. The concept of the story was at times, very silly. I mean just because you are a divorced woman with a child means that you can't own a bridal shop? No I don't think so. This is the 21st century for crying out loud not the 18th century. Also what 4 year old boy wants to wear pretty dresses while he marries a girl? That kid is seriously confused about a few things. There are a few other things that did kind of bother me with this one but that would mean giving away the story which I don't want to do. I did enjoy some of the characters, they were quirky and fun. Another character needed taking down a peg or several. Not the best book since sliced bread but not the worst either.
July 20, 2014
4.5 enthusiastic stars!
I was given this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. In the interest of full disclosure, Jamie and I are Facebook and Twitter friends, but we've never met in person. (I hope that will change some day!) This is the first time I have read one of her books. And let me tell you...honestly...in my opinion, she is a master at the small town dynamic, writing children, and writing realistic dialogue.
In the beginning I had some trouble getting into this story - that's why I gave this 4.5 stars instead of 5. But once I hit around 6% on my Kindle I was hooked and could not put this book down until I finished. (Much to my husband's chagrin because it was a beautiful Saturday today and he wanted to go out somewhere. I refused to go because I just had to finish the book!)
Natalie frustrated me a bit in spots. If she were real and standing next to me I would have shaken her by the shoulders and yelled, "Stand up for yourself, damnit!!!" But her character was so well written. I understood why she didn't stand up for herself at first, and why it was so sweet when she finally did. Wonderful character growth. And way to draw me in and make me pull for a character and want to read more about her journey.
I love Jamie's author voice. Her characters and dialogue were so real to me. Aside from the first few pages and my occasional frustration with Natalie, I loved everything else about this book and I highly recommend you give it a try!
I was given this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. In the interest of full disclosure, Jamie and I are Facebook and Twitter friends, but we've never met in person. (I hope that will change some day!) This is the first time I have read one of her books. And let me tell you...honestly...in my opinion, she is a master at the small town dynamic, writing children, and writing realistic dialogue.
In the beginning I had some trouble getting into this story - that's why I gave this 4.5 stars instead of 5. But once I hit around 6% on my Kindle I was hooked and could not put this book down until I finished. (Much to my husband's chagrin because it was a beautiful Saturday today and he wanted to go out somewhere. I refused to go because I just had to finish the book!)
Natalie frustrated me a bit in spots. If she were real and standing next to me I would have shaken her by the shoulders and yelled, "Stand up for yourself, damnit!!!" But her character was so well written. I understood why she didn't stand up for herself at first, and why it was so sweet when she finally did. Wonderful character growth. And way to draw me in and make me pull for a character and want to read more about her journey.
I love Jamie's author voice. Her characters and dialogue were so real to me. Aside from the first few pages and my occasional frustration with Natalie, I loved everything else about this book and I highly recommend you give it a try!
November 11, 2021
4 stars.
So.
I’m putting this book in my ‘clean’ list, though it’s not Completely clean, it’s definitely close enough.
There was one sex scene and it was so brief and glossed over I barely knew it had happened.
Plus there aren’t any harsh curse words.(no f, p, c, or other bombs. Just a dammit and occasional shit and the running joke of how many quarters the characters owe to Noah’s college fund)
Normally this would drop my rating way down because I am Not about that clean life. I want all the smut all the time and the more profanity accompanies it the better in my mind.
But.
This story was just too cute, too sweet, too emotional for me to go any lower than a 4.
These characters are so good for each other.
And it was really entertaining watching them figure that out in their own time.
Plus the dilemmas they faced were pretty unique and a little outrageous, and totally heartbreaking at times.
Kept everything balanced on a knife’s edge.
I’m really glad I pushed through my initial hesitation with this book.
That ending was So worth it.
So.
I’m putting this book in my ‘clean’ list, though it’s not Completely clean, it’s definitely close enough.
There was one sex scene and it was so brief and glossed over I barely knew it had happened.
Plus there aren’t any harsh curse words.(no f, p, c, or other bombs. Just a dammit and occasional shit and the running joke of how many quarters the characters owe to Noah’s college fund)
Normally this would drop my rating way down because I am Not about that clean life. I want all the smut all the time and the more profanity accompanies it the better in my mind.
But.
This story was just too cute, too sweet, too emotional for me to go any lower than a 4.
These characters are so good for each other.
And it was really entertaining watching them figure that out in their own time.
Plus the dilemmas they faced were pretty unique and a little outrageous, and totally heartbreaking at times.
Kept everything balanced on a knife’s edge.
I’m really glad I pushed through my initial hesitation with this book.
That ending was So worth it.
July 13, 2016
An enjoyable, light, fun romance!!!!
"There's something you need to know," he said.
Her own breath came out loud and uneven. He was entirely in her personal space, but she'd given him enough power as it was. She wouldn't back away, wouldn't let him see her agitation. He tucked her hair behind her ear. Tension took hold of her body. She shuddered, looked up to tell him to stop, but he bent forward, his lips parted, a single freckle on his cheek drawing her attention while his lips got closer and closer and closer until ---
"For future reference," he said, "I never kiss horribly." And before she could blink or breathe or think, his lips closed over hers. His grip tightened in her hair, and when she should've protested or pulled away or kicked him in the shins, her body melted into his.
Kissing him was wrong.... So wrong. She was so good at so wrong.
BLISSED by Jamie Farrell is an enjoyable, light, fun romance! It's the first book I’ve ever read by Jamie (thanks to Karen White!), but it won't be the last. It is the story of divorced single mom Natalie Castellano and sex-on-a-stick widower CJ Blue. It is set in the small town of Bliss, Illinois, the bridal capital of the Midwest. BLISSED was previously published as THE HUSBAND GAMES. I listened to the audio edition.
Natalie runs Bliss Bridal located on the main drag of Bliss, commonly known as the aisle. Her mother had been planning the fiftieth anniversary of the husband games when she passed away. The husband games is an annual event where men play against each other in a series of challenges in order to be declared husband of the year and they provide great publicity for the Bliss retailers.
A deranged, vindictive woman named Marilyn, aka the Queen General or QG for short, is the head of the planning committee for the games. The QG firmly believes that divorcées should not be allowed on the aisle. To that end, she makes Natalie's life beyond miserable. Even so, Natalie is determined to make this year's golden games the best ever in her mother's honor - though most of her efforts have to done on the sly out of the QG's sight. But, when she comes upon CJ Blue, the smokin' hot guy Natalie blames for breaking up her marriage, in a church confessional in one of the funniest scenes ever, Natalie's life gets exponentially more complicated and exciting. Here's just a taste of their meeting at the church:
“CJ's peace was restored.
Momentarily.
"Oh shit shit shit," a woman said. Her voice rippled with the kind of panic CJ expected from the bride today, but her husky undertones were too low for her to be any of his female relatives.
Perhaps the confessional hadn't been a gift from God after all.
"If that's what you need to do, but not right now, please," CJ said.
Her shriek splintered his last hopes for peace. "Ohmigod!" his intruder gasped.
"Not generally, but hey, if that's what you want to call me, I'm game...”
Bliss is a small town and, despite her best intentions, Natalie can't avoid running into CJ.
CJ is back for his sister's wedding; he would rather be anywhere else but Bliss. CJ has problems of his own, including a guilt trip over the death of his wife and the fact that once he meets Natalie, he can't get her out of his mind. But, she doesn't seem to want to see him. He won the husband games years ago and now the QG is determined to coerce him to play in the golden games.
Following please find a couple more favorite quotes from this charming read:
"Wow. You really know how to make a woman happy..."
"I have a night-eight percent success rate with always knowing what will make a woman happy," he said.
Lindsey chuckled softly. "And how do you quantify that?"
"Would you like to know," he said.
Nat wanted to know.
---
"You stay married thirty-four years, you don't have to prove who's got the bigger balls. Just take it for granted she does."
BLISSED is fabulously performed by Karen White, one of my very favorite narrators. I've gotten to where I'll pick up just about anything that Karen narrates. Yes, she's that fabulous! I've found many new favorite authors via Karen - Jamie is one of them! Not surprisingly, Karen’s narration of BLISSED is excellent as she voices a variety of characters from little boys, to old men to autocratic queen generals. Her voice is clear, her delivery is natural and her pacing is perfect. You simply can't go wrong with anything that Karen narrates!
My only issue with this book was that I would have liked to have seen a bit of comeuppance for the QG. The great news is that the QG seems to lose much of her dark crazy side by the end of BLISSED courtesy of Natalie - even with Natalie being much too generous.
I really enjoyed Jamie's humor and writing style. The HEA ending left me amazed, dazed and happy. The next book, MATCHED, features Natalie's sister, Lindsay, who happens to be a fierce divorce attorney. I really liked her character in BLISSED and can't wait to read her story! I would recommend BLISS to anyone who enjoys their romances cute, light, sweet and fun!
My review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out there: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
4 Wine Glasses! 5 for the narration!
"There's something you need to know," he said.
Her own breath came out loud and uneven. He was entirely in her personal space, but she'd given him enough power as it was. She wouldn't back away, wouldn't let him see her agitation. He tucked her hair behind her ear. Tension took hold of her body. She shuddered, looked up to tell him to stop, but he bent forward, his lips parted, a single freckle on his cheek drawing her attention while his lips got closer and closer and closer until ---
"For future reference," he said, "I never kiss horribly." And before she could blink or breathe or think, his lips closed over hers. His grip tightened in her hair, and when she should've protested or pulled away or kicked him in the shins, her body melted into his.
Kissing him was wrong.... So wrong. She was so good at so wrong.
BLISSED by Jamie Farrell is an enjoyable, light, fun romance! It's the first book I’ve ever read by Jamie (thanks to Karen White!), but it won't be the last. It is the story of divorced single mom Natalie Castellano and sex-on-a-stick widower CJ Blue. It is set in the small town of Bliss, Illinois, the bridal capital of the Midwest. BLISSED was previously published as THE HUSBAND GAMES. I listened to the audio edition.
Natalie runs Bliss Bridal located on the main drag of Bliss, commonly known as the aisle. Her mother had been planning the fiftieth anniversary of the husband games when she passed away. The husband games is an annual event where men play against each other in a series of challenges in order to be declared husband of the year and they provide great publicity for the Bliss retailers.
A deranged, vindictive woman named Marilyn, aka the Queen General or QG for short, is the head of the planning committee for the games. The QG firmly believes that divorcées should not be allowed on the aisle. To that end, she makes Natalie's life beyond miserable. Even so, Natalie is determined to make this year's golden games the best ever in her mother's honor - though most of her efforts have to done on the sly out of the QG's sight. But, when she comes upon CJ Blue, the smokin' hot guy Natalie blames for breaking up her marriage, in a church confessional in one of the funniest scenes ever, Natalie's life gets exponentially more complicated and exciting. Here's just a taste of their meeting at the church:
“CJ's peace was restored.
Momentarily.
"Oh shit shit shit," a woman said. Her voice rippled with the kind of panic CJ expected from the bride today, but her husky undertones were too low for her to be any of his female relatives.
Perhaps the confessional hadn't been a gift from God after all.
"If that's what you need to do, but not right now, please," CJ said.
Her shriek splintered his last hopes for peace. "Ohmigod!" his intruder gasped.
"Not generally, but hey, if that's what you want to call me, I'm game...”
Bliss is a small town and, despite her best intentions, Natalie can't avoid running into CJ.
CJ is back for his sister's wedding; he would rather be anywhere else but Bliss. CJ has problems of his own, including a guilt trip over the death of his wife and the fact that once he meets Natalie, he can't get her out of his mind. But, she doesn't seem to want to see him. He won the husband games years ago and now the QG is determined to coerce him to play in the golden games.
Following please find a couple more favorite quotes from this charming read:
"Wow. You really know how to make a woman happy..."
"I have a night-eight percent success rate with always knowing what will make a woman happy," he said.
Lindsey chuckled softly. "And how do you quantify that?"
"Would you like to know," he said.
Nat wanted to know.
---
"You stay married thirty-four years, you don't have to prove who's got the bigger balls. Just take it for granted she does."
BLISSED is fabulously performed by Karen White, one of my very favorite narrators. I've gotten to where I'll pick up just about anything that Karen narrates. Yes, she's that fabulous! I've found many new favorite authors via Karen - Jamie is one of them! Not surprisingly, Karen’s narration of BLISSED is excellent as she voices a variety of characters from little boys, to old men to autocratic queen generals. Her voice is clear, her delivery is natural and her pacing is perfect. You simply can't go wrong with anything that Karen narrates!
My only issue with this book was that I would have liked to have seen a bit of comeuppance for the QG. The great news is that the QG seems to lose much of her dark crazy side by the end of BLISSED courtesy of Natalie - even with Natalie being much too generous.
I really enjoyed Jamie's humor and writing style. The HEA ending left me amazed, dazed and happy. The next book, MATCHED, features Natalie's sister, Lindsay, who happens to be a fierce divorce attorney. I really liked her character in BLISSED and can't wait to read her story! I would recommend BLISS to anyone who enjoys their romances cute, light, sweet and fun!
My review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out there: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
4 Wine Glasses! 5 for the narration!
April 24, 2021
Blissed is a wonderful, fun and extremely entertaining book. I loved Natalie and CJ, and I can’t wait to dive into the next book in the series!
May 18, 2015
Posted on What I'm Reading
Let me just say that I adore chick-lit, because they are just fun, quirky, and entertaining. I did find this story quirky, but the fun and entertaining kind had me itching for more. There might be spoilers, because I don't know how to go around what bothered me in the story without the explanations. Here we go with my thoughts:
All right, the story takes place in a town called Bliss, and everyone is blissfully happy and wedding is there game. Okay, I'm fine with that, every town has to have a niche. However, Natalie is like the black sheep of the town, because he got a divorce. Oh dear god, she's a divorcee living in a town where everyone is like happily married. If that wasn't the biggest sin, being a bridal shop owner is like the devil incarnated. We need to pray for this child. Anyway, I actually have no problem with her sin, but one of town members does. Throughout the town she's know as Queen General (Marilyn Elias), but I thought of her more like the Queen Bitch. Honestly, I saw her more like a bully. She treated Natalie abdominally, and basically picked on her because Natalie was living in a town where everyone is blissfully happily married. I think I would have had more respect for Natalie if she had a backbone at the beginning, and slowly was chipped away. However, she just let QG pick on her. There were a couple of moments where she did decide to get a backbone, but it never lasted long. Another problem I had was her father. Her father was kind of seeing the enemy. I don't know, but my family that is big no-no. Granted my family doesn't get together all that often, but we know we have their backs. Then he had the audacity to say to try to work it out with Marilyn. Are you kidding me, that woman wouldn't listen to Natalie if her life depended on it. Plus, Marilyn even warned Natalie to stay away from CJ (the golden boy of husbands).
I guess I should mention this CJ and Natalie had a past. They were never together, but she kind of blamed CJ for the end of her marriage. First off, no one can ruined your marriage unless you let them. What happen to CJ and Natalie was an accident that happen at the Husband Games a few years back, but Natalie's marriage was already rocky she just used CJ as a scapegoat. Poor guy didn't know he was the blame of her faulty marriage. However, CJ and Natalie have an instant chemistry, because of the past and Marilyn basically calling her damage goods they weren't meant to be. Please.
Through most of the story, I was angry. A lot has to do with QG being a bully to Natalie. Seriously, Marilyn undermined what Natalie was trying to do for the Husband Games. Had Marilyn not been a complete bitch I would have enjoyed the story. It wasn't until we got to actual games that it started to get better and seeing CJ and Natalie working together. I know others who absolutely loved this story, but it made me angry. I don't take kindly to bullying, I have my reasoning. It just didn't work me. However, it could just this story and I might like something else written by this author. This is just my thoughts on The Husband Games.
Let me just say that I adore chick-lit, because they are just fun, quirky, and entertaining. I did find this story quirky, but the fun and entertaining kind had me itching for more. There might be spoilers, because I don't know how to go around what bothered me in the story without the explanations. Here we go with my thoughts:
All right, the story takes place in a town called Bliss, and everyone is blissfully happy and wedding is there game. Okay, I'm fine with that, every town has to have a niche. However, Natalie is like the black sheep of the town, because he got a divorce. Oh dear god, she's a divorcee living in a town where everyone is like happily married. If that wasn't the biggest sin, being a bridal shop owner is like the devil incarnated. We need to pray for this child. Anyway, I actually have no problem with her sin, but one of town members does. Throughout the town she's know as Queen General (Marilyn Elias), but I thought of her more like the Queen Bitch. Honestly, I saw her more like a bully. She treated Natalie abdominally, and basically picked on her because Natalie was living in a town where everyone is blissfully happily married. I think I would have had more respect for Natalie if she had a backbone at the beginning, and slowly was chipped away. However, she just let QG pick on her. There were a couple of moments where she did decide to get a backbone, but it never lasted long. Another problem I had was her father. Her father was kind of seeing the enemy. I don't know, but my family that is big no-no. Granted my family doesn't get together all that often, but we know we have their backs. Then he had the audacity to say to try to work it out with Marilyn. Are you kidding me, that woman wouldn't listen to Natalie if her life depended on it. Plus, Marilyn even warned Natalie to stay away from CJ (the golden boy of husbands).
I guess I should mention this CJ and Natalie had a past. They were never together, but she kind of blamed CJ for the end of her marriage. First off, no one can ruined your marriage unless you let them. What happen to CJ and Natalie was an accident that happen at the Husband Games a few years back, but Natalie's marriage was already rocky she just used CJ as a scapegoat. Poor guy didn't know he was the blame of her faulty marriage. However, CJ and Natalie have an instant chemistry, because of the past and Marilyn basically calling her damage goods they weren't meant to be. Please.
Through most of the story, I was angry. A lot has to do with QG being a bully to Natalie. Seriously, Marilyn undermined what Natalie was trying to do for the Husband Games. Had Marilyn not been a complete bitch I would have enjoyed the story. It wasn't until we got to actual games that it started to get better and seeing CJ and Natalie working together. I know others who absolutely loved this story, but it made me angry. I don't take kindly to bullying, I have my reasoning. It just didn't work me. However, it could just this story and I might like something else written by this author. This is just my thoughts on The Husband Games.
March 1, 2017
oh, wow...
I don't even have the words...
This is so not what I wanna read when looking for a nice romantic novel...
Where do I start? The surroundings?
Ahm, the town our “heroine” lives in? The people there are just plain mean. I couldn’t even call such a town home – even if I grew up there. Absolutely disgusting those people.
Our “heroine”?
I don’t like people who always have to forgive, who think they have to live their life for others, in her case her mother.
Gosh, the people in this town are cruel, they basically ignore her and her son and she still wants to live there??
And wow, I mean, this woman is probably the most likeable person in this novel and yet, she blames our ‘hero’ (he’s no hero, therefore the signs) for her failed marriage – for the dumbest reason ever! Can’t believe this… how can you be so stupid??
And her father? OmG. I thought he was one of those dads who love their kids, who would do anything for them. Yeah, hah, guess again. This man insults her, thinks she’s immature and a brat and I just can’t understand why she wants to apologize TO HIM!! after he treats her like a child and blames her.
And don’t even get me started on everything else her dad does afterwards. I can’t believe they actually reconcile in the end. I wouldn’t have talked to him again after all this s* he has pulled.
Our “hero”?
Ahm, just because you have ELEVEN sisters, doesn’t meanyou know how each and every woman acts like and thinks like. I mean, hell no.
Plus, he keeps bitching about all those women who talk all the time and can’t seem to stop. Well, thanks for that opinion.
I can’t believe that this book is so anti-feminist. Blew my head, honestly… The ‘hero’ usually tells us how annoying women are and that they are just way too complicated. Wow, thanks. Plus, they talk all the time which is just oh so annoying. Yeah, was annoying for me, too, to learn about his thoughts.
Plot?
Yeah, I hate this whole forgiveness thing and unfortunately that was a huge deal in this book.
So, we’ve got this really mean and evil woman in this novel. She basically screws with every aspect of Nat’s life. She even is close to ruining her business. And of course, in the end, she can redeem herself and Nat totally accepts her.
Hah, and don’t get me started on this whole thing between the worst person ever and Nat’s father. Well, those two deserve each other, seriously.
This book annoyed the hell out of me. I have no idea whatsoever why I read it until the end. Maybe I thought there would be no great ‘I-forgive-you’ scene (well, there was) or maybe I thought our ‘hero’ would finally not be a coward and stand up to his frigging feelings (well, he did but way too late) or maybe I thought our heroine would finally see that this town is just horrible and move the hell away (no, she didn’t).
Great. Thanks. I can’t even express my feelings towards this novel…
I don't even have the words...
This is so not what I wanna read when looking for a nice romantic novel...
Where do I start? The surroundings?
Ahm, the town our “heroine” lives in? The people there are just plain mean. I couldn’t even call such a town home – even if I grew up there. Absolutely disgusting those people.
Our “heroine”?
I don’t like people who always have to forgive, who think they have to live their life for others, in her case her mother.
Gosh, the people in this town are cruel, they basically ignore her and her son and she still wants to live there??
And wow, I mean, this woman is probably the most likeable person in this novel and yet, she blames our ‘hero’ (he’s no hero, therefore the signs) for her failed marriage – for the dumbest reason ever! Can’t believe this… how can you be so stupid??
And her father? OmG. I thought he was one of those dads who love their kids, who would do anything for them. Yeah, hah, guess again. This man insults her, thinks she’s immature and a brat and I just can’t understand why she wants to apologize TO HIM!! after he treats her like a child and blames her.
And don’t even get me started on everything else her dad does afterwards. I can’t believe they actually reconcile in the end. I wouldn’t have talked to him again after all this s* he has pulled.
Our “hero”?
Ahm, just because you have ELEVEN sisters, doesn’t meanyou know how each and every woman acts like and thinks like. I mean, hell no.
Plus, he keeps bitching about all those women who talk all the time and can’t seem to stop. Well, thanks for that opinion.
I can’t believe that this book is so anti-feminist. Blew my head, honestly… The ‘hero’ usually tells us how annoying women are and that they are just way too complicated. Wow, thanks. Plus, they talk all the time which is just oh so annoying. Yeah, was annoying for me, too, to learn about his thoughts.
Plot?
Yeah, I hate this whole forgiveness thing and unfortunately that was a huge deal in this book.
So, we’ve got this really mean and evil woman in this novel. She basically screws with every aspect of Nat’s life. She even is close to ruining her business. And of course, in the end, she can redeem herself and Nat totally accepts her.
Hah, and don’t get me started on this whole thing between the worst person ever and Nat’s father. Well, those two deserve each other, seriously.
This book annoyed the hell out of me. I have no idea whatsoever why I read it until the end. Maybe I thought there would be no great ‘I-forgive-you’ scene (well, there was) or maybe I thought our ‘hero’ would finally not be a coward and stand up to his frigging feelings (well, he did but way too late) or maybe I thought our heroine would finally see that this town is just horrible and move the hell away (no, she didn’t).
Great. Thanks. I can’t even express my feelings towards this novel…
May 30, 2017
נטלי מאשימה את סי. ג'יי בגירושיה שקרו לפני 5 שנים. סי. ג'יי שלא מודע בכלל לאשמתו, חוזר לעיר לאחר 5 שנים בהן הסתובב בעולם בטיולי אתגרים לאחר שאישתו, סרינה נפלה במלחמה.
עתה, נטלי, גרושה עם ילד בן 4 , מנסה להתגבר על המכשולים בעיר שרואה בנישואים ערך עליון. ביחוד היא מנסה להתגבר על ההתנכלויות המרושעות של מרילין אליאס, מנהלת הוועדה למשחקי הבעל. מרילין מחבלת בכל מה שנטלי עושה על כל צעד ושעל ומכשילה אותה בכל הזדמנות. נטלי, שהבטחון העצמי שלה והתחושת ערך עצמית שלה נמוכה גם כך כי בעלה עזב אותה, נכנעת למרילין ולגחמותיה המרושעות.
ואז נטלי וסי. ג'יי נפגשים. הוא נווד חסר בית ועוגן, והיא זקוקה ליציבות, גב תומך ואהבה.
העלילה של הספר הזה מעצבנת ביותר. ביחוד החלקים הנוגעים לארתור, אביה של נטלי, וליחסיו עם מרילין. אישית לא הייתי מדברת עם אבא שלי לו היה מתנהג בצורה שארתור מתנהג בה לאורך הספר.
אני מאמינה בנקיטת עמדה ובחירה במשפחה ובאנשים הקרובים לך ובתמיכה בהם עד הסוף גם אם לפעמים זה לא נוח.
חוץ מזה הדמות של נטלי בעיתית. אומנם היא אישה חזקה ואהובה בקהילה, אבל ההתנהלות שלה מעצבנת ביותר ומחרפנת ביותר בכל הקשור למרילין ולאביה. תפיסת הערך העצמי שלה יכולה להחשב לחיננית לו בשלב מסויים היא היתה מפסיקה. אבל כל הבחירות שלה גם אלה שהיא מקבלת מעמדה לכאורה חזקה נעשות מתוך תפיסת ערך שגויה.
היו קטעים נחמדים בספר במיוחד עם סי. ג'יי וקימי שתי דמויות מרנינות. יחד עם זאת הדמות של נח הבן תופסת לפעמים נפח גדול מידי מהעלילה שאמורה להיות סיפור אהבה לא סיפור של ילד בן 4 וכמה שהוא חמוד.
עתה, נטלי, גרושה עם ילד בן 4 , מנסה להתגבר על המכשולים בעיר שרואה בנישואים ערך עליון. ביחוד היא מנסה להתגבר על ההתנכלויות המרושעות של מרילין אליאס, מנהלת הוועדה למשחקי הבעל. מרילין מחבלת בכל מה שנטלי עושה על כל צעד ושעל ומכשילה אותה בכל הזדמנות. נטלי, שהבטחון העצמי שלה והתחושת ערך עצמית שלה נמוכה גם כך כי בעלה עזב אותה, נכנעת למרילין ולגחמותיה המרושעות.
ואז נטלי וסי. ג'יי נפגשים. הוא נווד חסר בית ועוגן, והיא זקוקה ליציבות, גב תומך ואהבה.
העלילה של הספר הזה מעצבנת ביותר. ביחוד החלקים הנוגעים לארתור, אביה של נטלי, וליחסיו עם מרילין. אישית לא הייתי מדברת עם אבא שלי לו היה מתנהג בצורה שארתור מתנהג בה לאורך הספר.
אני מאמינה בנקיטת עמדה ובחירה במשפחה ובאנשים הקרובים לך ובתמיכה בהם עד הסוף גם אם לפעמים זה לא נוח.
חוץ מזה הדמות של נטלי בעיתית. אומנם היא אישה חזקה ואהובה בקהילה, אבל ההתנהלות שלה מעצבנת ביותר ומחרפנת ביותר בכל הקשור למרילין ולאביה. תפיסת הערך העצמי שלה יכולה להחשב לחיננית לו בשלב מסויים היא היתה מפסיקה. אבל כל הבחירות שלה גם אלה שהיא מקבלת מעמדה לכאורה חזקה נעשות מתוך תפיסת ערך שגויה.
היו קטעים נחמדים בספר במיוחד עם סי. ג'יי וקימי שתי דמויות מרנינות. יחד עם זאת הדמות של נח הבן תופסת לפעמים נפח גדול מידי מהעלילה שאמורה להיות סיפור אהבה לא סיפור של ילד בן 4 וכמה שהוא חמוד.
October 11, 2019
What was this??? Spoilers here. Just so disappointed.
I had so many issues, but mainly with how the character of Marilyn was handled. This woman was portrayed as a bully -- and she was -- but she was never truly given her comeuppance as she rightly deserved. She said CRUEL things to Natalie as did Nat's dad and I didn't feel like this was truly rectified.
This wasn't funny at all. Just sad.
I had so many issues, but mainly with how the character of Marilyn was handled. This woman was portrayed as a bully -- and she was -- but she was never truly given her comeuppance as she rightly deserved. She said CRUEL things to Natalie as did Nat's dad and I didn't feel like this was truly rectified.
This wasn't funny at all. Just sad.
April 19, 2020
Bliss is a hard place!
If you're interested in doing wedding business. Of course all the characters are awesome Natalie and CJ have a history highly recommend it's by Pippa and Jamie so it's got to be good!
If you're interested in doing wedding business. Of course all the characters are awesome Natalie and CJ have a history highly recommend it's by Pippa and Jamie so it's got to be good!
August 24, 2021
I much prefer the Pippaverse to Grant writing as Jamie Farrell. This was harder for me to get through than most things Pippa Grant writes.
June 24, 2017
(2.5-3) This book was nearly a 7 hour read according to my kobo. It would've been a far superior 3.5 hour read. There was a charm to the supporting characters, but the city of bliss is so unrealistic and heavily dramatized and detailed, it took away from the incredibly charming couple. Granted, their development hinges on town events, but there was so much that could have been cut out.
Also, if I have 7 hours to read a book, it's not typically going to be this level of fluff chick lit romance.
Will I continue series? I can't say, are they as long??
Also, if I have 7 hours to read a book, it's not typically going to be this level of fluff chick lit romance.
Will I continue series? I can't say, are they as long??
August 17, 2025
Sweet read. Skimmed the last 50 pages though. Won’t be a second book for me.
September 13, 2019
So, I really really love Pippa Grant’s books. The humor and story telling are like crack for my brain.
This? Not so much.
HEAVY topics. And a tiny bit of humor thrown in. I spent more time reading this book thinking ‘aaaaaaany day now, this H will pull his Sorry head out of his ass’ or rolling my eyes (a shit ton) thinking, ‘dear Mary Mother of God. Someone smack THE SHIT out of the QG. This old hag is a biiiiitch.��
You guys, the ‘bad guy’ in this book wins in the end. And maybe we’re all supposed to understand and cheer for her to be less shitty of a person, but let me tell ya, I’m not so nice it seems. She actively tried to ruin the h’s life. Because she was DIVORCED. Over and over and over. Because she COULD. So she did. Not a single apology was issued. And OF COURSE, the saintly h makes the effort to appease this bitches ego- but, let me tell ya, EF that nonsense. Turns out I didn’t grow as a character, I just sat here all ‘NOPE’ as a reader. Probably more a Me problem. Maybe.
The h’s dad? Also, EF that guy. He is an asshole. He turns his back on his daughter, RIGHT when she needs him. And gets close to the big bad? And the h just is all ‘what?! No!!’ And five minutes later is like ‘okay, I’ll have to deal.’ That’s it???? Nope. Douche bag dad needs slapped too. By the end he’s all ‘I’m so proud of you hunny’ to the h, but by then? I kinda wanted him to have a truck load of shit dumped on him so he can see what her life was like, and then have the town watch as he shovels it all by himself. Karma, amiright?!
And now, the H. Again, I didn’t like him. He was weak, and stuck on himself and his problems- literally the entire book. He screws up at the end, and his apology was a letter he wrote not to the h, but to his dead wife. Apologizing. Because he acted like a shit head, TO HIS DEAD WIFE NOT THE h. And she’s all, ‘awwww I love him so muuuuch!’ And I was like, ‘uh, why?’. Nope. No thanks. His apology was as weak as his backbone. And her immediate forgiveness bummed me out. She’s supposed to be all strong and self efficient, she should have made his ass work for it.
I hate a big build up, and a laaaaaaaame let down.
The reason for two stars instead of one? The kid. The h’s son was adorable. And I want to keep him. And his baby dinosaur with the dress. Also, I want to read the side characters books. I liked the h’s sister. And I liked Kimmie. So, fingers crossed their books aren’t as depressing, and then annoying, and then depressing all over again.
This? Not so much.
HEAVY topics. And a tiny bit of humor thrown in. I spent more time reading this book thinking ‘aaaaaaany day now, this H will pull his Sorry head out of his ass’ or rolling my eyes (a shit ton) thinking, ‘dear Mary Mother of God. Someone smack THE SHIT out of the QG. This old hag is a biiiiitch.��
You guys, the ‘bad guy’ in this book wins in the end. And maybe we’re all supposed to understand and cheer for her to be less shitty of a person, but let me tell ya, I’m not so nice it seems. She actively tried to ruin the h’s life. Because she was DIVORCED. Over and over and over. Because she COULD. So she did. Not a single apology was issued. And OF COURSE, the saintly h makes the effort to appease this bitches ego- but, let me tell ya, EF that nonsense. Turns out I didn’t grow as a character, I just sat here all ‘NOPE’ as a reader. Probably more a Me problem. Maybe.
The h’s dad? Also, EF that guy. He is an asshole. He turns his back on his daughter, RIGHT when she needs him. And gets close to the big bad? And the h just is all ‘what?! No!!’ And five minutes later is like ‘okay, I’ll have to deal.’ That’s it???? Nope. Douche bag dad needs slapped too. By the end he’s all ‘I’m so proud of you hunny’ to the h, but by then? I kinda wanted him to have a truck load of shit dumped on him so he can see what her life was like, and then have the town watch as he shovels it all by himself. Karma, amiright?!
And now, the H. Again, I didn’t like him. He was weak, and stuck on himself and his problems- literally the entire book. He screws up at the end, and his apology was a letter he wrote not to the h, but to his dead wife. Apologizing. Because he acted like a shit head, TO HIS DEAD WIFE NOT THE h. And she’s all, ‘awwww I love him so muuuuch!’ And I was like, ‘uh, why?’. Nope. No thanks. His apology was as weak as his backbone. And her immediate forgiveness bummed me out. She’s supposed to be all strong and self efficient, she should have made his ass work for it.
I hate a big build up, and a laaaaaaaame let down.
The reason for two stars instead of one? The kid. The h’s son was adorable. And I want to keep him. And his baby dinosaur with the dress. Also, I want to read the side characters books. I liked the h’s sister. And I liked Kimmie. So, fingers crossed their books aren’t as depressing, and then annoying, and then depressing all over again.
September 8, 2021
Bliss, the Most Married-est Town on Earth, is the setting of this delightful story. The main street is called "The Aisle" and the businesses cater to weddings, there is a multi-storied wedding cake statue, the Knot Festival, and home of the ever popular Husband Games.
Five years ago, Natalie Castellano and CJ Blue competed in the Husband Games, not together, but on different teams. One of the games was a kissing game where the blindfolded husband was led in front of all of the wives and he had to figure out which one was his wife based on her smell. CJ kissed Natalie passionately, in front of her husband and his wife. Her husband Derek stormed off the stage, leaving a pregnant Natalie with guilt, humiliation and a divorce. CJ's wife was a soldier and was later killed while on assignment. CJ then became Bliss's most honored husband because his wife was a hero and he was asked to return to participate in the Golden Husband Games with a "fake" wife. Natalie is all wound up because the Husband Games were her mother's legacy and she is determined to make this year a success. But she is considered the pariah of The Aisle by the Queen General aka the woman in charge of the Knot Festival this year. No matter how hard Natalie works and what good she does, the QG demeans her and it's breaking her spirit.
This was a fun read. The characters were engaging and even the most evil character had some redeeming qualities.
Five years ago, Natalie Castellano and CJ Blue competed in the Husband Games, not together, but on different teams. One of the games was a kissing game where the blindfolded husband was led in front of all of the wives and he had to figure out which one was his wife based on her smell. CJ kissed Natalie passionately, in front of her husband and his wife. Her husband Derek stormed off the stage, leaving a pregnant Natalie with guilt, humiliation and a divorce. CJ's wife was a soldier and was later killed while on assignment. CJ then became Bliss's most honored husband because his wife was a hero and he was asked to return to participate in the Golden Husband Games with a "fake" wife. Natalie is all wound up because the Husband Games were her mother's legacy and she is determined to make this year a success. But she is considered the pariah of The Aisle by the Queen General aka the woman in charge of the Knot Festival this year. No matter how hard Natalie works and what good she does, the QG demeans her and it's breaking her spirit.
This was a fun read. The characters were engaging and even the most evil character had some redeeming qualities.
January 12, 2015
I received this book for a honest review.
Natalie Castellano is a divorced single mother trying to raise her son and make a life for them. But that is one of the hardest things for her living in the town she does. Plus she has an enemy working next door to her who has already taken one of things from her and now she wants it all. Also, the guy that she blames or ruining her marriage is back in town for his sister's wedding and maybe longer. Will Natalie be able to forgive the guy that helped ended her marriage or will she continue to hold it against him? And will she ever stand up and fight for what she wants?
CJ Blue us back in town for his sister's wedding but he also get sucked into staying longer than he wants. But he is looking for a way to leave and not get stuck in the town. But one of things holding him back from leaving is the same one that makes him want to leave. Will he give in to temptation or will he run away like he always do?
This book was awesome I could not put it down. I can not wait to read the second book in this series. I thin I will adding Jamie to my favorite authors list. I highly recommend this book to others.
Natalie Castellano is a divorced single mother trying to raise her son and make a life for them. But that is one of the hardest things for her living in the town she does. Plus she has an enemy working next door to her who has already taken one of things from her and now she wants it all. Also, the guy that she blames or ruining her marriage is back in town for his sister's wedding and maybe longer. Will Natalie be able to forgive the guy that helped ended her marriage or will she continue to hold it against him? And will she ever stand up and fight for what she wants?
CJ Blue us back in town for his sister's wedding but he also get sucked into staying longer than he wants. But he is looking for a way to leave and not get stuck in the town. But one of things holding him back from leaving is the same one that makes him want to leave. Will he give in to temptation or will he run away like he always do?
This book was awesome I could not put it down. I can not wait to read the second book in this series. I thin I will adding Jamie to my favorite authors list. I highly recommend this book to others.
August 24, 2016
This is probably more like 3-1/2 stars. I did enjoy the story, it just took me a lot to get into it. It's the first in a series, and there are a lot of characters introduced. That might have distracted me a bit. Once it finally got going, it was cute. Marilyn throwing wrenches in Natalie's life over and over was so annoying. I wanted to smack her. On the one hand, I can see the possible hypocrisy of a divorced woman in the married-est city in America owning the bridal shop. But it's doubtful anyone simply visiting the town would know that, so I didn't understand why Marilyn had to stomp on Natalie every chance she got. Or why Marilyn though she could control CJ's heart. I was glad CJ was pretty autonomous... he didn't care who Marilyn was or what power she held in the city. He just knew he was intrigued by Natalie, who claimed he ruined her marriage. Once they got together, they were really cute. The Husband Games were really cute. I kinda wish such a thing really existed, lol. I bet they could make a reality TV series out of that. It was an interesting start to the series, so I'll continue.
to-read-yes-own-audio
May 7, 2017Another day...
July 16, 2016
Not a fan of this book. I've only made it through about half and am still waiting for something good to happen. When I read a book I'm looking for something to take me away from everything. This book does not do that and now I am painfully making my way to the end. However from the reviews I have read I won't be any happier when I finish. Glad this was a free book.
February 8, 2015
A wonderful romantic comedy! I really liked these characters and how they interacted. Natalie's 4 year old son was just adorable! Another funny part was how CJ and his siblings are all named after spices/herbs. LOL I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series!
July 8, 2016
I loved this book. Jamie Farrell continues to secure a spot among my favorite authors. She had me laughing, crying and biting my nails.
March 12, 2016
3.5 stars
The beginning was slow and the romance took a more realistic approach. The characters well had character. I will continue the series.
The beginning was slow and the romance took a more realistic approach. The characters well had character. I will continue the series.
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